Muffled voices, garbled announcements, and echoing footsteps haunted Noah’s dream. He tried to wake up, but images of an airport, then a storm-drenched cemetery, plagued his mind. Repeatedly, he pulled a silver dollar from his slacks, stared at it like a pocket watch, then returned it again. It meant something, but what? Semi-familiar faces came into sharp focus, voicing unintelligible advice before fading into the falling rain. An unseen clock began striking the hour, and Noah began to grasp that he was running out of time. But for what? A sheaf of soggy legal papers appeared in one hand. Bringing them up to his face, he fought to read them, but they were just gibberish typed in twelve-point Times New Roman.
A woman stood nearby, sharing a large umbrella with a boy and a girl. The wind ripped at their clothes and wet hair. Finally, recognition illuminated their faces. “Bea! Kids…” They continued staring eyes down at a new grave, unresponsive to his call. The children removed their earbuds. Beep. Beep. Beep…
A man with a vindictive expression handed the woman an envelope. “Not much of a loss,” he said coldly. “But here’s something for your trouble.” Walking away, he dissolved between silvery sheets of rain. Beep. Beep. Beep…
Asleep but somewhat lucid, Noah hated and feared this dream. He forced himself to wake through layers of exhaustion and drugs. Beep. Beep. Beep… A white sky, no, a white ceiling appeared overhead. He turned to one side to see a hospital nightstand and an IV bag hanging from a bright stainless-steel stand. I’m a Borg, he thought irrationally as he traced the clear tube from the bag to his forearm. He glanced beyond the foot of the bed, still experiencing the beeping sound above and behind him. A woman entered the room, her blue pants matching her short-sleeved blouse. Scrubs.
As he tried to rise from the bed, she laid a calming hand on one shoulder. “Welcome back, Mr. Thornton. You’re in the hospital. I’ll notify your doctor that you’re finally awake.” She gave a reassuring smile, patted his shoulder, and examined the hospital monitors hanging from the wall behind him. She offered another smile before tapping notes into her iPad. “Are you hungry?” She paused. “No? A little groggy still? The drugs should wear off soon.” She glanced at her watch. “Just rest for now. Your doctor should be by soon.”
