Destiny Eve Pifer is a published author with numerous horror stories published in anthologies, magazines, websites, and podcasts. Her work has been published in anthologies by Black Ink Fiction, Black Hare Press, Macabre Women’s Publishing, Fun Dead Publications, Nordic Publishing, Raven and Drake. Her work has also been published in FATE Magazine, The World of Myth Magazine, Sirens Call Publication, Reader’s Digest, Country Magazine, Autism Parenting Magazine, and Spotlight on Recovery. One of her stories was featured on the Morbid Forest Podcast. She resides in a small Pennsylvania town with her son who shares her love for horror.
THE PATIENT
by
Destiny Pifer
It was dusk when Sara arrived at the hospital parking lot. The whole drive there she had been dreading going to work. The truth was Sara hated her job. She hated working what many referred to as the “Graveyard Shift.” As a nurse's aide, she had made the mistake of choosing the float pool which meant that the clinical supervisor got to choose who went where. For some reason, Sara was always chosen to be what many considered a patient sitter. Her job was to sit with the most combative patients. Some who had harmed her in the past. But what choice did she have? It was either do her assignment or lose her job. So as she predicted the supervisor put her in with an elderly woman who had injured a few nurses during the day.
The moment she entered the room the daytime sitter was already on her feet and heading out the door without giving a report. Sara had to block her path. “Hey, tell me what I am dealing with here,” she said, feeling frustrated. “She’s evil,” said the other sitter. Sara stood and stared at the terrified young girl. “Evil?” she asked. The girl pulled her coat tightly around her. “She’s evil, wicked, and just plain crazy,” the girl replied. Those words already had Sara dreading the night. She was informed by the nursing supervisor to keep the TV low and to sit with her back facing the doorway. “Don’t get close unless it’s to get her vitals,” said the supervisor. As Sara sat down at the computer the supervisor gave her one last warning.
“Oh, don’t turn your back on her for a second or leave anything she can use as a weapon.” Sara nervously sat at the computer. It wasn’t the first time she had sat next to a combative patient but just the mere glance at the old woman gave her shivers. The woman lay with a sheet pulled up to her neck. Her long grey hair hung on each side. There wasn’t a smile on her face but instead a scowl. According to her medical chart, the doctor had to sedate her twice. Each time didn’t last long. All Sara could do was pray for the night to end quickly but she knew that the night shift never did. There was a chill in the air as she read the patient's file. Her name was Gretchen Wilson and she was a ninety-year-old woman who had been in and out of psychiatric wards before being moved to a dementia ward due to overcrowding.
She had a history of violence and had assaulted many employees during her stay. The only relative she had was a daughter who wanted nothing to do with her. Supposedly the daughter had moved to another country and refused to be contacted. Sara looked back at the old woman who was shrouded in darkness. She was unaware that she was being watched. Watched by a vengeful woman with evil coursing through her veins. Looking at the time Sara realized it was time for midnight vitals and to ensure the old woman was dry. However the moment she put the blood pressure cuff on the woman’s thin shriveled arm the old woman snatched her wrist. It was a move that caught an already frightened Sara off guard. As the woman dug her nails deep into her wrist Sara snatched her wrist away and pushed the help button. A couple of nurses came rushing in as the old woman sat up and began cursing at them in a language Sara didn’t understand.
They tried to calm her down until the doctor was paged but the old woman continued to thrash around. Sara ignored the blood running down her wrist as she secretly hoped that they would let her go home early. But alas they were short-staffed and her wound was patched up as the head nurse told her to keep on charting. A sleepy-eyed doctor appeared and once again gave the woman a sedative. She spit in his face as four nurses held her down. Finally, the woman seemed to relax and the room once again turned dark and eerie. Sara looked over at the woman and called out her name.
“I’m not here to hurt you Gretchen I just want to help you.” The woman turned to her and gave her an eerie smile that sent chills down her spine. “Gretchen is no longer here,” said the woman. Sara turned back to the computer and began typing. “Did you know she murdered her husband and four children,” said the woman. Sara was too frightened to look at her. “One of those conniving little brats got away but not before I slit my neighbor's throat,” the woman cackled. The more she spoke the more Sara wanted to grab her things and quit. “I came to her in the institution and she willingly opened her arms,” the woman continued. By now Sara could feel herself starting to sweat. If only they had restrained the woman she would feel much better but according to the notes, it only agitated her more.
Sara refused to allow herself to show any fear. “I’m not afraid of you,” she said rising to her feet. The old woman tried to kick her but this only made Sara tuck the blanket in tighter. She turned on the light and tried to reposition the woman who was trying to scoot out of the bed. But the old woman turned and looked at Sara and it was then that Sara saw that her eyes were completely black. Suddenly the woman grabbed Sara by the neck and she found herself struggling to get free. It wasn't until the crucifix around her neck broke free that the woman let go and hissed. Sara calmly picked up a pillow off the ground and began smothering the woman. As she smothered her Sara began to smile. Maybe finally she could have some peace tonight.