Chapter 4: Too Late
Eli rushed out of the car as soon as they arrived mumbling her thanks as she stormed off, ignoring the calls from Bernard. Due to the storm, they were stuck in traffic for over twenty minutes. It has taken them over an hour to get to the hospital.
Secretary Kim trialed behind Eli, leaving Bernard to sort out parking. He did not stop her and simply followed behind quietly. Eli didn't care, she did not have the time to worry about his intentions.
Walking straight to the previous host's grandma's ward by memory, she pulled the door open and noticed the familiar third bed was empty. She walked out and headed towards the nurses' station looking for Nurse Claire before she bumped into a familiar nurse.
"Eli dear" the nurse called out solemnly.
"Where's my Grandma? I got a call from nurse Claire that I needed to hurry over" Eli explained.
The nurse looked at Eli with sad eyes. She had seen how Eli had struggled to care for her grandma in the last two months and it was disheartening. She didn't know how to tell her. While she contemplated, Eli saw Doctor Sam, her granny's attending Doctor walk towards them and Eli rushed to him and held his arms in hers asking again.
"Wheres my Ma? How is she?"
Eli felt a storm of emotions- worry, fear, anxiety, and panic. These were the previous host's emotions acting up again.
"I'm sorry Eli, she had an episode again, and...we were not able to save her this time. She...she didn't make it" Doctor John explained solemnly.
Eli felt her heart, break into a thousand pieces. She felt an overwhelming sense of panic. Her breathing picked up, her heart palpitating and her legs felt like jelly. She slid to the floor with a thud.
Noticing she was having a panic attack Doctor Sam helped her to a nearby stool, guiding her with breathing exercises while the nurse rushed to get a tranquilizer. She tried to follow the guide but they proved ineffective as her vision began to blur until there was nothing.
Eli had a dream that night. In the dream, she saw a young child of about four or five years old sitting on the rest spot by the bus stop. She had her head bowed as listened and she nodded, acknowledging what the woman who stood in front of her was saying.
Eli couldn't hear them as she stood a distance away.
Shortly afterward, the woman turned and began walking in her direction and she immediately realized who it was. It was Melina, the previous host's mother. Melina walked past her, not once turning back as she walked away from the child. The child who she could now tell was clearly a young Eli.
She realized she was witnessing one of the previous hosts' memories as a child.
The young Eli watched as Melina walked away from her and remained in her seat even when she could no longer see her mother. She had felt the changes in her mother even before today's events. She remained seated even when it got dark and the rain began- waiting for her mother who she knew deep down, had abandoned her.
Tired of watching from a corner, Eli walked towards the quietly crying child and gave her a hug. She did not have any experience comforting people so she sat there, with her arms around the young Eli in an awkward hug.
After calming down. Little Eli broke out of the hug and looked at her.
"It's time for me to go," she said in a small voice before jumping down from the sit. She stood in front of Eli and held her hand in her small one.
"you have to live for yourself this time," she continued giving Eli a small smile.
"Live on for the two of us."
She then let go then ran towards an old woman who stood waiting, umbrella in her hand, not too far from them. It was the previous hosts' adoptive grandma. They waved her goodbye and walked away arm in arm.
Eli woke up to the sound of a heart monitor and the subtle smell of disinfectant. This time she knew she was alone in this body. She no longer felt the previous owner's emotions or her consciousness lurking in her head.
Eli felt a sense of dejection knowing she didn't get to give anything back to the previous host who by the twist of fate, gave her a second chance at life. She did not even get the chance to save her grandma. However, she took comfort in knowing they were together now.
She sat alone with her thoughts for a while before noticing she was admitted not in the standard public hospital rooms but a private VIP ward at that. How could she tell? Well, having a weak body in her previous life, she had been admitted in similar rooms most of her life.
She also noticed her arm was in a sling and she had a slight fever which she probably got from being stuck in the rain yesterday.
Eli got off the bed, careful not to further hurt her bandaged shoulder, and took small steps towards the door. It came open before she could do it herself and she came face to face with the driver from yesterday.
Bernard had a fruit basket in his right hand. Upon seeing Eli he rubbed his other hand on his head. He had come to learn her true gender last night and felt embarrassed for his misjudgment.
"Are you well enough to be moving around miss? The doctor said you hurt your shoulder and are in need of a lot of rest." Eli took a few steps back giving room for him to come in.
"It's nothing major. I'm fine thank you."
Bernard didn't object and just nodded. Walking towards the sitting area and dropped the fruit basket.
"I heard about your grandma. I'm sorry for your loss"
"Don't bother about the room or your treatment. Secretary Kim took the liberty to pay for it. I did run you over" Bernard said, before giving a low bow in apology.
"Thank you, mister."
"Oh-no! please call me Bernard most just call me Uncle Benny"
Eli gave a small smile "Alright Uncle Benny, then please call me Eli"
The initial awkwardness faded and they then engaged in a few more minutes of banter with Eli asking about his family, work, and hobbies and Bernard found himself offering more and more info than he intended. While he had planned to come and offer comfort to the grieving child, he ended up receiving it.
When they parted ways, Bernard had gained more understanding and respect for Eli. It was such a pity that such a young child had lost her only family and now had to face this hard world alone, he thought.
He and his wife had two grown children who had left home to forge their own parts long ago and they were now getting lonely. Should we consider adopting this young lady? Bernard thought to himself.
Smiling at his own brilliant idea, he walked on happily. "I will speak with Linda when I get home," Bernard concluded as he drove out of the hospital, not forgetting to send an update on Eli's condition to Secretary Kim.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone