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!
Brilliant story Joni with an excellent and surprising twist! 👏👏😁😁👌👌
Thank you so much Ken. I am glad you like that fictional twist at the end. 🦋❤️
Wow. Well done, Joni.
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
I enjoy your writing, Joni. Keep up the good work. 🙂
Thank you so much Tim, that means a lot. xoxoxo
Wonderfully suspenseful and brilliant Joni!
Thank you so much Francis. What thoughtful words. 🦋
You’re very welcome Joni, our love to you both!
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Evil lives. I did not see that coming.
Thank you my wise friend. Hope you two had a peaceful weekend. 🦋❤️
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.
Thank you so much Nigel. So glad you enjoyed it. Blessings to you. 🦋❤️🦋
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quite a different piece for you Joni! Nice job venturing out!
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Thank you Cindy I really appreciate it. Big hugs to you and your family. 🦋
You’re welcome Joni!
Good to stretch and hugs and love back-:)
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Great short story Joni 💕🌸 filled with so much suspense.
Thank you so much Henrietta. I really appreciate it. Big hugs my friend. 🦋❤️
You have excelled beyond measure here. Well done, Joni 💐❤️
Oh thank you KK. Thank you for your gracious comment my friend. Big hugs 🤗
You’re more than welcome, Joni 💖
What a great suspense. You have got me reading at the edge of my chair.
Thank you Cassa I really appreciate your kind comment and for reading, I know how precious everyone’s time is to them. Blessings my friend.
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Thank you so much, Joni, for your wonderful contribution. A gripping read!🙂
You are so welcome Terveen. I am honored to be one of MasticadoresIndia’s regular contributors. Sending big hugs, Joni
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! 👏🏼👏🏼 🌟
Nancy thank you so much for this great review, how kind, I really appreciate your reading and so delighted you enjoyed it.
You’re most welcome, Joni! An excellent departure for you, a great piece!
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
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. 🤗❤️😊
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 🤗
Great writing Joni!!! I was enthralled immediately and stayed until the end, short and brilliant! Have a wonderful weekend my friend! ☺♥
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
Cool twist Joni, thank you for my Sunday morning Joni. Tram. xxoo
Thank you so much and I am sorry I am just seeing this comment. I appreciate you very gracious comment dear Tram. xoxoxo
A stunning ending. Well done, Joni. I see you are explore new avenues in your writing. <3 <3 <3
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. 🦋❤️🤗🌹🙏
Finally figured out how to follow you 😀 And dang… what an amazing story!!!!! You are a fine writer! 👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much. That is very gracious of you. Hope you have an amazing week. ❤️🦋🤗
Nicely (well, wickedly!) done, Joni. 🙂
Thank you again for sharing your time and I always am grateful for such kind comments. Blessings to you my friend. Hugs, Joni
Very tense short story, thank you Joni
Thank you so very much for this kind read and comment. I hope you are having a blessed day. Hugs, Joni
Great suspense!!!!
Thank you so much for reading and your kind response Belladonna. Have a blessed week a head. xoxoxoxo
You’re welcome Joni! I hope yoou have a great week as well
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What a beautiful story, Joni. Congratulations on your publication. It’s such a thriller and horror and suspense story rolled into one. Love it.
Thank you so much for reading me and what a very sweet compliment. I really appreciate it. May you be blessed this coming week. Big hugs and love, Joni