CHAPTER 5: Secrets

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SCENE: SNUH, SEOUL

TIME: APRIL 12TH, 1:04 AM

Nurse: Tae-ri, it's late and we're short on staff, head to the operations room and lend a hand.

Tae ri: Sure, I'll be there in two.

She prepares herself by washing her hands meticulously and donning the required uniform and sighs with a sense of purpose and responsibility before entering the operation room.

Doctor: Scalpel.

Tae-ri swiftly passes the scalpel.

Doctor: Forceps.

Tae-ri promptly hands over the forceps.

Amid an operation, a mishap causes blood to gush uncontrollably, spreading across the room. As the metallic scent of blood filled the room, Tae-ri's senses were overwhelmed by a wave of nausea and disorientation. Visions of herself wielding a knife flashed before her eyes, her hands stained with the lifeblood of a middle-aged man, screaming in pain even as his mouth is stuffed with cloth. With each strike, the visceral sensation of warm blood splattering against her skin sent shivers down her spine. As the chaotic scene unfolds, she struggles to distinguish reality from the haunting delusions plaguing her mind. Terrified, she clutches her head, stumbling back and forth unconsciously.

Doctor: Retractor

Doctor: Retractor!

She was so panicked by the distressing illusion that she couldn't hear anything except the repeated stabs made by her on the victim's body. The sound of the doctor's requests were blurring away. A bystander notices her struggle and offers help by giving the tool to the doctor. The open-heart surgery concluded with success. The doctor steps out of the operation theatre along with Tae-ri.

Doctor: How can u risk not paying attention in the operation theatre! We could have lost the patient's life because of you today! You will not assist in any operations for two weeks from now. Reflect on your mistake!

As the doctor departs, the man who assisted earlier approaches Tae-ri to inquire about her well-being. Upon learning that her distress was merely a minor hallucination induced by exhaustion, he gently advises her to prioritize rest and depart. Following his advice, Tae-ri heads home.

SCENE: ROOM NO.304, SNU DORMITORY

TIME: APRIL 12TH, 5:23 AM

SETTING: TAE-RI REACHES HOME IN A DAZE AND DROPS HER BAG LIFLESSLY WHILE THROWING HERSELF ON THE COUCH WITH A DISTRESSED SIGH. 

Eun-ae: What's the matter?

Tae-ri: Why are up this early in the morning?

Eun-ae: You hadn't returned, I was worried. So what happened?

Tae-ri: I can't possibly tell her about that..

Tae-ri: Just got reprimanded by one of the doctors at the operation theatre. 

Eun-ae: Don't think too much about it. You just need to rets and regain your spirit. I'm sure you will make him regret his words the next time you step in there again.

Tae-ri: (smiles) Thanks for believing in me.

SCENE: ROOM NO.304, SNU DORMITORY

TIME: APRIL 13TH, 9:16 AM

SETTING: EUN-AE IS ON TAE-RI'S BED AS SHE SHAKES HER TO WAKE UP ABRUPTLY IN A PANICKING SITUATION.

Eun-ae: Wake up Tae ri, I told my friend that I'd help him sell these pamphlets by today. So far, only 65% of the entire stock is sold. Help!

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