Ellie reported for work in the intensive care ward of her hospital, a job she loved. One name popped up in the daily briefing. Bile rose in her throat, her hands were shaking. It took all her self-control to calm down.
Bed number 6 was her step-father, a man she loathed, suffering from a breathing problem, at present on high levels of oxygen. Memories raced through her mind of her beautiful confident mother reduced to a mouse-like creature. Years of put downs, how she would never amount to anything as she was too stupid.
Many years working and training to become a nurse, no help at all from the people who were supposed to be there for her. Her temper rising with every thought. How easy it would be to finish him off, lower his oxygen, give him a higher dose of medication. The list was endless.
Ellie started. This was the first time in her career she had ever thought like this. She was shocked, every nurse was trained to prolong life not end it. All shift she watched him, alternating between thoughts of life or death. Ending her shift mentally exhausted, Ellie made her way home, her mind still flitting around, tossing and turning all night as both sides tried to reason with her.
The alarm sounded as she dragged herself from her tangled bed, dreading work but knowing she had to go. Walking onto the ward his bed was empty, he had passed away in the night, a sigh of relief as she would never know if she would have carried out her plan …..
