Adam awakes lying down, being held where he is. Ceiling lights roll by as the doors on the walls seem to slide behind him. His vision is still blurred and his mind is rattled, he is clueless as to what is happening. The smell of sterile air surrounds him, his breaths keep a very slow and very irregular rhythm. His head pulses with an intense pain that surges throughout his entire body with each motion he makes. Finally, Adam jerks forwards, taking a deep breath to try and catch his senses. A familiar voice speaks from behind him.
Adam slowly falls back into his previous position on the stretcher and looks up, trying to determine whose voice it is.CarrieAdam, please try and remain still. Lay back, everything will be okay.
Carrie is an old friend of both Lisa and Adam. She has strawberry blond hair and a light pattern of freckles across her face. She is the same age as Adam and has been deeply infatuated with him since they were in high school.Adam...Ugh, what happened? Is...Is that you Carrie?
The words take a moment to reach Adam, but when they do, they hit him like a tonne of bricks.CarrieYes, Adam, It’s me. Listen, you’ve been in a car accident. We’re taking you to the ER now.
The words seem to race out of his mouth, all jumbling together. He is terrified for his wife. He tries to move to get up and look around, but is quickly held down.Adam...Ugh ...What? Wait! Where’s Lisa? Is she okay?
CarrieCalm down Adam. You’re not in good shape; if you exert yourself, it may cause severe damage.
Adam waits for a reply from his old friend. She seems to stall and it is clear she doesn't want to answer. He starts to get extremely nervous, his thoughts begin racing and his face goes blank.AdamWhere is Lisa?
AdamCarrie!
CarrieThey are bringing her to a Pod.
Adam is in complete terror. As his voice echoes through the halls two more nurses come to assist Carrie.AdamWhat?!
CarrieI’m sorry, Adam. You’ll see her as soon as we take care of you.
He pauses for a moment and takes a deep breath to calm himself. When he continues talking it is in a much softer and lower voice, almost a whisper, so that Carrie would have to lean in close to hear him and the other nurses would not notice.AdamNo! Carrie listen...
The nurse raises her head slightly for a moment and glimpses at her co-workers nervously.AdamI know you don’t believe me, but I’m fine. I don’t have much time but you need to trust me. I need you to take me to Lisa now.
CarrieNo, I can’t do that...
There is a serious grimace planted on Adam’s face as his dark brown eyes focus on the nurse. Nothing but the three nurses and their patient seems to move in the hospital for a few moments, no sounds except for the squeaky wheels of the stretcher and the constant buzzing of the fluorescent light bulbs which line the halls of the building. Even the off scent of sanitation and various anaesthetics which usually loom throughout the building seem to vanish temporarily as Carrie takes a moment to contemplate what Adam is saying.AdamPlease, Carrie. I need you to trust me. Think of this as a really big favour for an old friend.
She stays silent as she gives her co-workers a quick glance. Carrie is always a play-it-safe kind of person, but she is also an in-love-with-Adam kind of person, and she knows that she has to help her old friend with what he is asking her.
A smirk came across Adam’s face, happy that Carrie is going to help him, but he really doesn’t have a plan at all.CarrieHow am I supposed to take you there without these two noticing?
Carrie just stares back at him, confused and unsure of what to do. She lets out an unsettling “umm...” as she begins to think. Carrie looks up to see Adam’s room half way down the hall, door open and ready for its newest resident to enter. She knows she has to hurry, but what can she do? She looks around for ideas. Behind her, about ten feet or so to the left, is the floor secretary with phones covering her desk. She has greying hair and a crooked and disapproving frown across her face. The walls are embellished with objects like fire extinguishers, hoses, carts and switches. However, there is something on the walls which snatches the nurse’s attention; it is a small red box with a lever inside; the fire alarm. But should she risk losing her job? There is no time to think about it, as the nurses approach it Carrie slowly extends her arm, reaching for it. Her hand sits there for a moment as she tries to talk herself into it.AdamYou’re the creative one. Think of something.
She is interrupted by a loud beep that echoes from the hips of the other nurses. They each reach for their pagers and the two other nurses exchange looks and hurry to the elevators. Adam can barely hear them talking as they walk away.CarrieOkay, on the count of three; one...two...two and a half...
Carrie stays with Adam, however.NurseWhat the hell? Is nobody else available or something? Why are they calling us?
A sigh of relief is let out as Adam slowly lays his head back and he gives a small smile.CarrieLucky us. There is a patient in critical need of care and they needed all the nurses possible.
He turns himself towards Carrie and they each nod as the nurse quickly swings around the stretcher and hastily makes her way to the Regeneration Room.AdamWhat a happy coincidence that is.
Lisa awakes to a more-or-less barren room, chrome and grey offsetting walls with thin red beams of pulsing light zigzagging around the entirety of the room and onto the floor leading up to the large white machine in which she finds herself laying in. There are a few other devices scattered about the area, but it is clear the focal point of it all is the Pod she finds herself in. It is warm, and comfortably padded; a nice change for a hospital. However, out of all the equipment and seemingly excessive items spread through her field of vision, all buzzing and each bigger than the last, only the quietest and tiny things in the room grasp her attention.LisaUgh...Where am I?
Adam and Carrie stand in front of the large Pod Lisa is laying in as they nervously exchange glances. Adam is still in his hospital gown which is, as always, a cheery shade of baby blue, no doubt to lighten the mood of the patients as they gloomily await the responses of the doctors. This time, like most, it had little effect on changing the grave looks on the faces of the trio.
Lisa has a burst of sudden realization as tears begin to stream down her face. Until then Adam has been very statuesque, not moving since he had entered the room, but when he sees his wife crying he rushes to her side without hesitation to comfort her. He takes hold of her hands; they have that just-brought-back-to-life warm feeling about them.LisaWait....wait. No. No!
He has a sympathetic yet confident look on his face but that doesn’t seem to faze his wife or even slightly alter her mind set.AdamLisa, wait, wait! Don’t worry. It’s alright, you’re alright.
LisaAlright? I’m dead!
He leans in closer to his wife, a few inches from her ear. The grip he has on her hand is tightened and each of his breaths begin to grow shallower than the last. Lisa knows that he is about to either do something spontaneous or stupid... or both. Adam is generally a very cool minded man, but when he gets nervous it is obvious.AdamNo. Not anymore. Listen to me carefully.
She watches Adam turn his head tensely to nurse Walsh and receive a confused look in turn. He returns his focus to his previously deceased wife.LisaWhat...are you talking about?
His eyes have a fire in them. There is no talking him out of whatever he is about to suggest, and she knows it.AdamAlright, Lisa, we can make it seem like this didn’t happen exactly how it happened.
LisaWhat do you mean?
AdamCarrie, how many people know what happened?
The nurse is cut off by her over eager friend.CarrieUm...the paramedics that brought you here, a few in the ER and…
AdamBut there is only a small number, right?
A moment passes in silence before the nurses eyes flash open, realizing what is happening.CarrieWell yeah, but I’m sure by now there is a doctor being briefed on it who should be coming to check on the situation.
Again, the nurse is interrupted but this time by Lisa. The couple is notorious for that.CarrieAdam, if you’re thinking of what I think you’re thinking of, you can’t…
LisaWhat the hell are you two talking about?
He doesn’t even bother finishing the sentence. It takes Lisa a moment to process what has been said.AdamLisa, think of the situation here. You’re the one who died. By tomorrow you’ll be dead again, while Ryan and I will still be at risk from insane Protesters. But if I’m the one...
LisaWhat? No!
AdamLisa, please! If I’m gone, The Protesters will not come after you. Ryan needs you. And your father and sister do, too! You’re all that I have and I can’t lose the only person I have left. Lisa, you have to understand, this is the best situation...
LisaAdam, I can’t let you…
Adam’s mind is made up.AdamYou must!
Carrie breaks in. The couple turn to meet her eyes.CarrieNo Adam, you can’t
Carrie is scared of what she might be a part of.CarrieThis plan isn’t going to work. You won’t be able to fool the hospital for long. It might take minutes before someone notices what’s going on and tells everyone so that you won’t be able to leave here.
Adam’s voice is confident and it is obvious he has put a lot of thought into the matter.AdamI thought about that. A few minutes will hopefully be all we need.
AdamIf they do find out before the 24 hours are up, well, then I’ll still be alive but Lisa will be gone. I’ll try to hold it off as much as I can, but if they do still believe after tomorrow that I’m still the one who died then maybe that’s what they’ll continue to think. If they do find out then they’ll be looking for you. In either situation, you need to run. You need to hide. Change your name, do whatever it takes. Joe will help you.
LisaAdam, this is ridiculous!
They both know he is right, but Lisa doesn’t want to accept it.AdamIt’s better than the alternative, think about it really hard.
A smirk crosses Adam’s face, knowing full well that he has won the argument.CarrieAnd how exactly do you plan to fool them into thinking you died and have Lisa leave this place?
AdamGet out your pen and prepare to bring back those acting skills from drama class.
DoctorThe doctor sighs as he pushes open the doors to the Pod room. However, this is different than most of his other trips to the Regeneration Room and he realizes that the moment he sees who is standing in front of him. This time, he is in the presence of a celebrity...well, a medical celebrity anyways.
Yet another case of reckless driving, eh?
DoctorHe expresses his surprise in a voice of both excitement and displeasure. Adam chuckles.
Oh my God! Adam Fields?
AdamAdam isn’t a self centered individual, but he does love knowing that his reputation precedes him.
Ah, so you’ve heard of me?
Doctor
Well what doctor hasn’t? I’ve seen you visit this hospital from time to time since I started here. I was sort of jealous with how well the doctors know you here.
Adam
Well, thank you. Maybe I should have made it a priority to introduce myself to new staff at a hospital I own.
Doctor
Wha-what’s going on in here?
AdamHe tries to keep a straight face during all of this. All those drama classes with Carrie in high school had really paid off, even though in all honesty he never actually paid much attention to what was happening.
My wife couldn’t wait for protocol to revive me and the nurse is a very close friend of ours...
DoctorThe doctor is more than a little flustered by what has happened.
Oh boy...This isn’t going to be good.
Adam
I know, sorry for the trouble, doctor.
DoctorA sudden rush of anxiety pulses through Adam. He had known the doctor would have been briefed on the situation, and he had known that he would be questioned on it, but he sincerely hoped against it.
I, uh...I thought it was a woman who had died in the crash?
AdamHe answers as calmly as he can. Adam even thinks enough to place a confused look on his face, sure that it would add an effect of truth to his speech.
My wife tells me that she survived the crash and I am the one who died.
DoctorThe doctor gives a curious and somewhat accusing glance at Carrie.
I see...Uh, nurse, if you don’t mind; can I speak with you for a moment?
LisaLisa passively shouts in an attempt to distract the doctor.
Wait!
Lisa
Uh, if you don’t mind… my son is waiting for us to pick him up from school and I need to get him so that he can say goodbye to his father.
Doctor
Why didn’t you revive him after you picked up your son and when we were able to do so? You would have had more time...
LisaThere is a long pause after Lisa spoke, the room is silent excluding the light buzzing of electricity throughout the equipment in the room. Carrie interrupts, satisfied that she is finally the one to break into a conversation instead of the reverse.
I know… I just couldn’t wait.
CarrieAdam and Lisa both turn towards the nurse and the trio exchange concerned glances.
Actually Lisa, the school was called immediately. They’re bringing your son here now.
DoctorThe doctor begins nudging his head towards the door, insisting she come with him to talk. The pair slowly walks out the door as Carrie looks over her shoulder to the couple that they are leaving in the room alone.
Nurse… if you don’t mind, I really need to speak with you for a moment.
Lisa
Damn! Now what excuse do I have to leave this place in a rush?
Adam
Carrie has the doctor occupied facing away from the door. You can sneak downstairs, grab Ryan, and go.
LisaAdam lets out a sigh. He hates when people don’t just take his word for what is saying.
What are you talking about?
AdamHe raises his hand and fans it towards the door then leans back against the Pod. Lisa slowly creeps across the floor and opens the door a bit to see what Adam is talking about. He is right; Nurse Walsh and the doctor are at some distance with the doctor facing down the hall opposite the elevators.
Just go take a peek out the door.
LisaLisa is amazed and questioning her husband’s new-found psychic abilities while she is wondering where they had been when she got that terrible blender for her birthday last summer. Adam’s small smile quickly grows into a rather large grin.
How did you know that?
AdamHe is happy to see his old friend hasn’t changed.
A long time ago when we had that drama class together in high school she had distracted a teacher for me so that I could sneak out of class.
LisaLisa is shocked to hear her husband is the kind of person who had skipped class in high school.
You snuck out of class?
AdamAdam demands she leaves, not only to allow the plan to work, but to dodge what he is sure would have turned into a lengthy lecture about his hypocrisy towards Ryan skipping classes.
This isn’t the time for that. Lisa, you need to hurry!
LisaThey hadn’t thought about the fact that their car had been destroyed. Adam points towards the keys that Carrie left on the table; he knew she would leave her keys for them.
Wait, we don’t have a car anymore.
AdamHe leans in and kisses his wife one last time.
Take Carrie’s.
AdamShe doesn’t need to be told twice. She swiftly makes her way to the door and cracks it open just wide enough for her to slide herself through. She scurries her way around the corner and runs to the elevators. By now there are streams of tears drizzling down her cheeks. She presses the button to call the elevator up to her and then wipes her face dry of all the tears.
Now go!
LisaShe tries to say this as threateningly as she could to the big metal box she had beckoned. Her right foot patting the ground as she impatiently waits. BING! The turtle-paced elevator announces its arrival. She hurries in and presses the ground floor button. Moments later the doors split open and she marches her way towards her son.
C’mon, stupid machine...hurry up!
TeacherA familiar voice barks at her. She turns to see Ryan’s teacher running towards her with Ryan not too far behind.
Oh my God, Lisa!
Lisa
Oh, hi. Thank you for bringing him.
RyanRyan is ecstatic to see his mom is alive.
Mom, you’re okay!
Ryan
They called and said that you had... well...
Lisa
It turns out one more shock to the heart is all I needed.
Teacher
Well, I’m glad you’re okay. Where is your husband?
Lisa
Oh, he’s uh, in the emergency room.
Ryan
Is dad okay?
Lisa
He’ll be just fine. Listen, thanks for bringing him, I’ll bring him straight up to see his father.
Teacher
Of course. I’m just glad you’re all okay. Say hi to Adam for me.
LisaRyan’s teacher slowly turns around and walks out the doors. When Lisa is sure that she is gone, she grabs Ryan’s hand and takes him to sit down for a moment.
I will.
Ryan
Why aren’t we going upstairs, mom?
LisaLisa feels more tears coming on, but she holds them back and gives a serious and strong exterior for her son.
Listen, your father is fine right now. I’ll explain everything to you later, but right now you have to stay quiet and do everything I say, do you understand?
Ryan
But....
LisaRyan looks at his mother for a moment and knows that whatever is happening is important.
Ryan, please. Can you do this for me?
Ryan
Okay.
LisaShe grabs his hand and they quickly make their way out of the building and into what would be one hell of a new life.
Good, now let’s go.
To be continued...
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