Counting Down

-Linda-

Time is running out. I can’t stay awake for long anymore. It hurts to breathe. The doctors and nurses are worried about me.

“It’s getting worse. We can’t wait any longer. We have to do the surgery now,” I heard one of the doctors say.

“But her body can’t take it,” a nurse said. “She might die on the table.”

“She’ll die if we do nothing,” he said. I shut my eyes as they argued. They say the same thing. I’m going to die. But I can’t yet. Anna Jane hasn’t found Chronus. I don’t want her trapped in my world forever.

The doctor came in this morning.

“Good morning, Linda,” he said. “How are you today?”

“Tired,” I said. My chest ached. I coughed. The doctor looked worried. Uh-oh.

“Listen,” he said. He took me by the hand.

“We’re going to move your surgery up,” the doctor said. “If we wait any longer, you will die. We are going to operate today.” I said nothing. So here it was. I might die today. Somehow, I wasn’t sad or scared. I felt nothing.

My surgery was at eleven. It would take all day. I might not live. Anna Jane has to find Chronus before then.

The doctors came and wheeled me out of the room. Everyone looked worried around me. I laid there in silence. All I could think about was Anna Jane and her friends.

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Anna Jane opened her eyes. Everything was quiet. She looked around the emptiness. She was more awake now.

“Where… Where am I?” Anna Jane asked.

Oh good. You’re awake.

The little girl looked up. She could only see an empty void.

“Linda? Linda, is that you?” Anna Jane asked.

Yes. But I don’t have long. You need to listen.

“Why?” the other girl asked.

Just listen. Please!

Anna Jane closed her mouth. Lina breathed out.

I am going into surgery.

“Linda…”

No, listen! Linda’s voice rattled as she breathed.

I don’t know if I will live or not. You have to find Chronus and fast.

Anna Jane narrowed her eyes. “But how do we do that?”

You have to try! I can help you. I will get you back to the others. Take my hand. A ghostly hand reached towards the smaller girl. Anna Jane reached up. A low hum filled the air. They vanished in a flash.

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Anna Jane opened her eyes in George’s belly. Everyone was still asleep. The singing had stopped. She lifted her head. Anna Jane didn’t hear the ocean anymore. Wait…

“Everyone, wake up!” she yelled. “We’re on the surface again! Wake up! Wake up!”

“What?” Vivian mumbled. Anna Jane heard whistling around the walls. She climbed towards the top. Anna Jane popped her head up from George’s belly. A puzzled look came over her face.

“What… is this?” she asked. Bright green lights nearly blinded her. Anna Jane shielded her eyes.