Half in Fire

Someone took me out of the room and guided me through excessively bright corridors.

My feet moved mechanically. I squinted against the white lights as the scene seemed to fade before me.

People became shadows. Sounds turned unintelligible.

My thoughts were disconnected. Numb, emptied, I found myself immersed in a sea of infinite inertia, drowning repeatedly in the same waters, trapped in an eternal spiral.

“Doctor?” Takashi called. He settled me into a chair. “Doctor?”

Something touched my lips. I drank sweetened water. The liquid traveled straight to my stomach, causing an unpleasant pain. But no physical pain could surpass what consumed me inside. Maia… She… Why?

“She’s in no condition right now!” Alice exclaimed.

“I don’t care!” Josivaldo bellowed. “Transfer that body immediately!”

“With all due respect, Doctor, do you have no heart? Look at her. Someone important to Akiko just crossed over.”

“I DON’T CARE! It’s outrageous to bring someone from below up here and taint the place where we live. Who ever heard of such a thing?!” His disdainful voice echoed through the corridor.

Alice clenched her teeth and sighed. She knew continuing the argument would accomplish nothing. “I’ll try talking to Akiko.”

“Good. Resolve this situation. Have the body transferred by tomorrow.” Josivaldo walked away.

A warm hand touched my shoulder and drew me into an embrace. “It’s alright, Takashi. I’ll take care of her. Can you arrange a transfer? Choose a hospital in Centrália.”

“Certainly.” Takashi left us.

“Akiko…” Alice stroked my arm. “Can you hear me?”

“Sh-she… She…” I lowered my head and brought my hands to my forehead, gripping my hair. Immeasurable pain expanded inside my heart. “She…”

Alice rubbed my back. “I know. I know.”

“Wh-why…?”

“I know it’s difficult, but I need you.” She gently lifted my chin.

I looked at her, though everything around me remained blurred.

“We’ll need to perform the autopsy, issue the death report, and sign off on the transfer of her body. Are you following me?”

“A-Alice…” I buried my head in her shoulder. “Sh-she… No… It can’t be.”

Alice breathed deeply. “I need to perform the autopsy for the transfer.” She released me and began preparing to leave.

I caught her arm. “I-I need…”

“What?” Alice leaned toward me.

“N-not now. Tomorrow. Let’s do this tomorrow, please…”

She sat beside me again, understanding. “Do you know any of her relatives? At the other hospital, they’ll try to contact her family. Are you listening?”

I nodded.

“Do you understand? You’d better go home and rest. We’ll resolve this tomorrow, alright? Okay, I’m going. Call me if you need anything. I’ll be here for whatever you need.” Alice stroked my shoulder and left.