My New Short Story, “Death of a Stranger,” Live On MasticadoresIndia

Posted on by jonicaggiano
Short Story by Joni – Photo by Frederic Köberl on Unsplash

Hearing the rush of nurses heading toward the ICU, I followed the herd.  My youthful intuition was kicking in as an eerie sense of suffocation and dread encircled me.  I suddenly felt like a child waking from a nightmare.  

I was already on edge since yesterday having been informed that three nurses were raped in the hospital parking lot after their varied shifts. Holding a knife to their throats, the perpetrator had threatened to kill them if even a whisper escaped their trembling lips.  They were viciously raped and beaten.  It took the hospital a month to share this horrifying news. The hospital’s splendid plan, already a month too late, was hiring a security officer to accompany all nurses to their cars at the end of their shifts.  Truthfully, the administration simply didn’t want the damaging news publicized.  

Opening the white ICU door, I was struck by the nauseating industrial-strength cleaner singeing the cilia in my nose. I saw three nurses, shoulder to shoulder, talking amongst themselves, hiding a gurney.  All I could see were a pair of large black boots hanging off the end of the gurney.  I acknowledged the ICU head nurse.  Quietly I asked, “Why all the commotion?” 

My brain was still striving to absorb her answer as my mouth started to fill with my partially digested lunch, a taco.  I swallowed my vomit as this unqualified human admitted she was adopting the role of executioner. 

To continue reading, please visit MasticadoresIndia ( now called ChewersMasticadores ).  Please consider also liking, following and subscribing to Masticadores India, editor Terveen Gill, a wonderful community of talented writers.  Hope everybody’s blessed and having a great week!

54 thoughts on “My New Short Story, “Death of a Stranger,” Live On MasticadoresIndia”

    1. This is so strange that this was in Spam T. W. we talk often. So kind of you, I appreciate that you have been such a kind supporter of my work. What a blessing for me. Thank you and sending big hugs and love, Joni xoxoxo

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  5. Great stuff… you need to give us more Joni. Just as I was settling in… Love how your writing is getting stronger everytime. Keep it up.

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  11. Absolutely riveting, Joni. Brilliantly written with a shocking surprise ending. Quite a different theme for you but still every word was a droplet of perfection. Brava, cara!! Eccelente! 👏🏼👏🏼 🌟

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      2. Thank you again my friend. Nancy I am happy to say I am not departing from poetry which will always be my first love. Thanks again for your very kind comment. Sending you big hugs, Joni

  12. OH man! Congratulations, beautiful Joni!!! Went over and read it and left a comment over there. Life’s timing is hilarious and interesting! A co-working was telling me nightmare stories her children had experienced in hospitals. Bad calls. Careless, life threatening care. So odd. And now Your story. I’m never going to the hospital again!!! Which may not be a bad thing!!! 🤣 Huge hugs! Well written, my friend! You caught me offguard. 🤗❤️😊

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    1. Hello my friend. I think doctors have a lot more respect for nurses these days. I at least hope so. Nurses run the hospital day to day. Life’s timing is crazy, you are sure right about that. Big hugs to you too. Thank you for reading and your gracious comment. Sending big hugs 🤗

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  13. Great writing Joni!!! I was enthralled immediately and stayed until the end, short and brilliant! Have a wonderful weekend my friend! ☺♥

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    1. You too my friend. This ending up in that file where you don’t find things. So sorry for the late response. What a very kind comment. Sending you lots of love and hugs, Joni xoxoxoxoxoxo

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    1. Yes I am trying. The editor, Terveen, for MasticadoresIndia, is very kind and encourages me. Thank you reading dearest Anna. Love you my dear friend. Sending prayers for the family. 🦋❤️🤗🌹🙏

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