CHAPTER ONE: BORN FROM THE SHADOWS’
In the dark of nights, cries and untamed desires, an enigmatic figure emerges, transversing the thin line between life and death. He was so beautiful and breathtaking that he seemed to steal the beauty of the night itself. His piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold the mysteries and secrets of the universe within them, he commanded attention. His long, flowing hair fell down his back, catching the faintest moonlight. Cloaked in a long dark robe, he carried a scythe and lamp, projecting an aura of unearthly enchantment. With each step he took, he was glorious and majestic, if it were to be in the mortal realm, all eyes would be drawn towards him.
Thanatos, the embodiment of darkness and death, born from the dark night and whispers of the moon, roams the realm of mortals, going about his duty of collecting souls. He had a list of names, a thousand names of souls he had to retrieve. There were people of all ages and locations mentioned in that list. And about that time, he had collected nine hundred and ninety-nine out of the thousand names in his list, and he was left with the last one.
But something strange happened.
While he reached out to check the last name on his list, his eyes lit up…
"what's going on", he said..
The name he was sure of to be on the list was no more, it suddenly disappeared . Thanatos was lost in confusion, because this has never happened in over a million years, until now. He knew that the people on his list were bound to die, and he couldn't comprehend how the last name on his list vanished without a trace. With his mind racing, Thanatos became angry.
He felt cheated.
Being the god of Death, it was his duty to collect every soul listed out, and also lead them to the after life. Therefore, it was essential for him to find out what happened to the missing name. Thanatos became curious and went ahead to find out what was going on. He walked in the mortal realm, being that no one could actually see him except the souls of the dead, he headed straight to the location, where the missing name was supposed to die. As he walked, he thought to himself….
"If someone could cheat death, what would be the purpose of my existence?I am the ultimate and inevitable end for everyone that lives?"
Thanatos looked up, the only emotion he was feeling was that of rage and the feeling that someone was mocking his whole existence. No mortal could cheat death without facing his wrath. With his resolve strengthened, Thanatos continued heading towards his curiosity for answers….
Meanwhile,
At the Maplewood Regional Medical Center, located at the southern part of Oakridge, there was bustling in the halls, and attention was drawn to a lady, whose presence brought comfort, light and an open wave of admiration. With her long flowing red hair, a vibrant flame in the room, her eyes, like dark brown pools, mirror wisdom and grace, Reflecting the depth of her caring embrace, her beauty shines brighter than anyone in the whole room, a beauty that was not just skin deep, but one that radiated from within. With her elegant figure and a touch of class, she captured hearts, like stained glass.
While everyone cheered for her, a voice called to her from behind the crowd,
"Riona"
and everyone gave way to the director, she turned and exclaimed
" Oh! Director I didn't see you there"
he smiled, held her hands and said..
" Congratulations! My dear, once again you've proven yourself to be a proud doctor of this hospital, I am proud of you, we all are"
she smiled back at him with teary eyes and said..
" Thank you! Director, I am indeed glad I got the opportunity to work with you and everyone else" she then went ahead and shouted..
"Thank you! Everyone for the support" and with a big smile on their faces, they applauded her.
********
Two hours ago...
Brrriiinnngggg! Brrriiinnngggg!
"911, what's your emergency"
"Please, you must come quickly! There's been a terrible accident on Maple Avenue. I can't see the victim, but it looks bad, really bad" the unknown caller said.
His voice was trembling with urgency as he spoke.
" ok! Are you a guardian to the victim?"
The voice answered..
"no! I'm just a witness of the incident. Please hurry"
" ok! Thank you for reaching out, we'll send an ambulance to your location briefly "
The dispatcher swiftly dispatched an ambulance to the given location. Meanwhile, sirens blared, whirling through the dark night, cutting through the symphony of silence.
As the ambulance careened around the corner onto Maple Avenue, the scene that greeted them was heart-wrenching. A crumpled car, battered by immense force, lay abandoned near a row of trees, their branches shaken by the impact. The victim, lying motionless on the ground, seemed to be a mere puppet caught in the clutches of fate.
With a quick response, the paramedics leaped into action. They assessed the victim's condition, their hearts heavy with the weight of a life hanging in the balance. Time was of the essence, every second slipping away like grains of sand.
The police arrived a few moments later, their presence brought a semblance of order and an air of solemnity to the scene. They began to question the witness who made the emergency call. He was still shocked and scared of what happened, but he responded…
"I was walking along the sidewalk when I heard the screech of tires, like a banshee crying in the night. The car spun wildly before crashing into those trees, it's was looking so unreal"
While they listened to the witness, they investigated the cause of the accident only to realize the driver lost control of his car due to brake failure. The conclusion drawn was sorrowful but inescapable, a tragic accident due to the unpredictable forces of nature and human fragility. It served as a grim reminder of the delicate balance of life, the fleeting moment between existence and oblivion.
The ambulance whisked the victim away to the hospital, while on their journey the paramedics tried all possible means to revive the driver but he was unconscious.
On getting to the hospital, they rushed the victim in as fast as they could, because they couldn't stop the bleeding completely. They handed over the victim to Dr Riona and her team while they rushed into the ER, the victim opened his eyes faintly and whispered in the ears of Riona….
"please! Save me, plee…."
He fainted again while talking. Meanwhile Riona hearing this got a little terrified but she trusted herself and was determined to save his life.
While doing the surgery she tried all her possible best to keep this man alive, although it had proven very difficult but she kept on trying to secure his life, sweating, crying and confused, she looked down at the patient's face and began to shed tears. The assisting doctor and nurses said..
"His heart has stopped beating Dr Riona"
With tears in her heart she answered….
" No!! I have to save him"
" But doctor.."
" I have to try," she shouted…
Seeing how determined she was, they all decided to be quiet and stayed by her side. Riona had always been a skilled and compassionate doctor. She had helped countless patients through difficult surgeries and treatments, guiding them through the painful and scary moments with a steady hand and a gentle touch.
But nothing could prepare her for the traumatizing experience of losing a patient.
While she kept sobbing and crying, suddenly she felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins, as if a switch had been flipped inside her.
Her eyes went white, and her body seized up, as if she were experiencing a seizure. Her colleagues rushed to her aid, knowing something was wrong.
When Riona opened her eyes, it was as if she was someone else altogether. Her movements were calculated and precise, and she seemed to be operating on autopilot.
She began to conduct the surgery again. But this time, it was as if she had tapped into some hidden reserve of power and skill. Every incision was precise, every stitch perfectly placed.
While Riona worked, her colleagues marveled at the rapid transformation they were witnessing. She had become a force of nature, channeling a power that they had never seen before.
Beep!.....Beep!...Beep!
His heart started beating again, his vitals were stable, for someone who was just pronounced dead, her colleagues were lost in awe.
When asked how she did it, Riona could not explain it. She had no memory of her actions or her state of mind during the surgery. But one thing was certain: she had helped that man survive.
She answered,
" It's a miracle, I just knew what to do at that time"
They all smiled looking convinced and then Jonathan, her assistant doctor, looked at her with a smile and said,
"It's a miracle indeed".