Crimson Calling

By S.J. Slack

Callie was just a normal southern girl trying to finish up her last semester of nursing school. She was far from her home back in Tennessee, attending NWDU on a full scholarship in the beautiful state of Colorado. Close to finishing school, she was excited to go back home...kinda. Her parents were a little overbearing and didn’t give her much privacy.

Her world was suddenly changed when she landed herself in the morgue of the local hospital...dead on arrival. From that day forward, she was dead set on finding out what had happened and why. She couldn’t seem to remember anything about her “accident,” nor did she have any wounds to corroborate with what she thought may have occurred.

On the first day of her co-op, Callie made a fool of herself in front of one of the hospital’s most prestigious doctors, and even though he was indifferent—and a bit on the stuffy side—to her, she was determined to be on good terms with him. Slowly, she started to fall for him. Determined to keep things professional, she tried to hide her true feelings.

But then the doctor suddenly showed up on Callie’s spring break with crushing news for her. She learned about her past and her true nature. Will she be able to accept it all, or will she fight the crimson calling?

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.J. Slack
• Release date: Sep 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311928795

S.J. Slack

S.J. Slack has a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a natural talent for writing that she discovered as a student. When she’s not using her piano fingers on her computer, she is spending time with her husband and daughter. She has a deep passion for writing, good wine, and chocolate.

Book preview

Crimson Calling

By

S.J. Slack

Text copyright 2014 by S.J. Slack

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious and are not meant to be similar to any people or events in real life, dead, or otherwise. If they are, it is merely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter One

I awoke feeling very strange. In fact, it was the strangest I had ever felt in my entire life. Something was definitely not right with me. I had never felt tingly like this before, especially on my neck.

Where was I? What had happened? I suddenly comprehended that I was in the morgue. My peripheral vision could see a body next to me with a sheet on it. I could tell it was a body, because the toe was sticking out and had a tag on it. There were also several stainless steel storage lockers surrounding me.

The next thing I noticed was a doctor hovering over me, drenched in blood. It took me only a moment to realize that the crimson stains on his lips were from me. I shrieked in horror and tried to escape, but I could not—I was paralyzed from the waist down. The doctor quickly covered my mouth to mute my screams. He looked just as panicked as I felt.

What was going to happen to me? I must be having a terrible nightmare. Could someone wake me up already?

The next thing I remembered was waking up on a plush, white bed with a western-themed quilt. As I took in the room, I noticed it was extremely large, with vaulted ceilings. It was three times the size of my room back home in Tennessee. The décor in the room was very much like my parents’ place—lots of horseshoes, cowboys, and some Indian relics placed throughout the room and on the walls.

On the wall next to me, I noticed a beautiful painting of a sunset, with a cowboy riding off into the distance. The cowboy looked like someone I had seen before, but I couldn’t be certain.

After lying in the bed for a few minutes, staring at the painting, I stood up and walked to the window—to gain some insight as to where I might be. As I looked out, I noticed a beautiful shimmering lake, with lots of mountains surrounding the area. I had no idea where I was. What I did know was that I was definitely not in downtown Denver anymore. Perhaps I was somewhere outside of Denver? The mountains still looked like the Rockies. Maybe everything that had just happened was a nightmare? Or maybe I was in Heaven?

I looked down at myself and realized it had not been a dream, nor was I in a better place. My clothing was covered in dried blood. I immediately began to shake, and a wave of fear washed over me.

Suddenly, I heard someone come into the room behind me. I was so scared I could not move an inch to turn my head. I wanted to scream so badly, but the scream would not come out, no matter how hard I tried to produce it. I felt as if someone was in my head…and they were controlling me—both physically and mentally. I could not speak. I could not run. I felt like a puppet under someone’s control.

Then, like a light switch had been flicked on, my emotions went from utterly scared out of my mind to a state of being simply stunned. As I turned around, I realized the person who had entered the room was the doctor from the morgue. I tried to speak, but I was still unable to produce sounds.

He looked me straight in the eyes, and in a professional manner, he introduced himself in a Southern accent. Miss, my name is Benjamin Harding. I am an ER doctor at the hospital. You were in a horrible accident today while you were out bike riding. I admitted you to the morgue because you were pronounced dead on arrival. You have somehow made a miraculous recovery. Once you get home, you will wash up and get some rest. Tomorrow, you will forget about everything that occurred today, including meeting me. Now that everything is crystal clear, you will have no questions for me.

Suddenly, my vocal chords started to work. I had so many questions for him. Or did I? I immediately started heading for the door to go home—wherever that may be. He was suddenly in my face again.

In an irritated tone he said, Miss, I will drive you home. Through my utter confusion, I complied with him.

My truck is in the garage. Please wait out front and I will be around to pick you up shortly, he said in a much more polite tone.

I walked outside and looked around while I was waiting. The doctor was clearly loaded. His place was absolutely beautiful. His lawn was perfectly manicured, with superb landscaping out front. He had mature oak trees that were in perfect formation, going down his long driveway. I supposed being a doctor definitely has its perks. He also had a four-car garage and lake access. I squinted my eyes and noticed a boathouse, and a dock with a shiny pontoon boat attached to it, in the distance. Whoa…what I wouldn’t give to live here. He finally rolled up in his dark-blue classic truck to take me home. He got out on the driver’s side and came around to open the door for me.

Please get in, Dr. Harding said.

I quickly got in and sat down, while he got in on the driver’s side. His vehicle smelled kind of woodsy, but in a good way. I settled in and buckled my seatbelt. No sooner than my seatbelt was latched, he threw the car into drive and a jolt of acceleration shoved me back into my seat. I was a little shocked with the abrupt acceleration, but I kept quiet.

The drive flew by quickly as we sped up and down through the mountainous terrain. Though the drive seemed fast, I did manage to see lots of scenery and stunning views. While on our route, I saw lots of wildlife, including a few deer and a fox.

Throughout the entire drive, I wanted to ask Dr. Harding questions, but they would not come out of my mouth. It felt like a dam had built up, with water about to spill over the top, but the water somehow managed to stay in.

When we arrived at my house, I was still feeling fuzzy and was having a hard time grasping reality. I really wanted to ask Dr. Harding questions, but I felt I wasn’t physically able to. I got out of the truck and turned to finally talk to him, but he quickly sped away. Suddenly, I was able to produce sounds and a rush of words came out of my mouth.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! I screamed. I really wanted to talk to him. Now, how was I going to figure out what had happened? None of it made sense to me.

I reluctantly went into my apartment and rested for a while. My head was spinning from everything that had occurred. After a while of resting on the couch, I finally decided to clean myself up. I threw away my bloody clothing and hopped into the shower. The shower felt so good. It was probably one of the best showers I had ever had in my entire life. The water was perfectly warm. I felt every drop hit my skin and it was utterly delightful. The shower was so great that I showered until all the hot water ran out, which was a first for me.

After I got out of the shower and toweled myself off, I looked myself over for evidence of my accident. My green eyes looked normal. As a matter of fact, they looked greener than I had ever seen them. No bruising anywhere on my perfectly pale skin. My scalp had no trace of a wound. My golden, brownish-blonde hair was in great shape. Strangely, I could not find a single mark showing any indication of trauma. Perhaps the blood on my clothing wasn’t mine?

I was still very confused about what had occurred. I decided to dig the clothes out of the trash to do some investigating about my so-called accident. Maybe I could get someone at the hospital to test it for me? My nursing co-op would be starting tomorrow. Surely, there would be someone there who could help me figure out some answers.

That night, I received a phone call from my best friend, Aubrey. We had known each other since second grade. She felt almost like a sister to me. When we were younger, we did just about everything together. . When we were growing up, Aubrey and her family had lived right across the street from me and my family. My parents had adopted me from a church when I was an infant.

I missed Aubrey and my family in Tennessee so much. I almost didn’t move to Colorado for nursing school, but who could turn down a full scholarship? I still couldn’t believe I had gotten a full scholarship. I felt extremely blessed to have received such a wonderful opportunity.

Hi, Callie. What have you been up to? said Aubrey.

You know…the usual. How have you been doing? I replied. I can’t believe I just lied to my best friend. I definitely wasn’t up to the usual, but I wasn’t ready to tell her anything just yet, not until I actually figured out what had happened to me.

Aubrey squealed with excitement. Brent and I have been doing great. We are actually planning a trip to Vegas for spring break and wanted to know if you wanted to come?

I really wanted to go, but I was extremely busy with school. It was my last semester in nursing school. I could use the extra week to study. I really wanted to maintain my perfect GPA. Plus, I was a little nervous about dealing with real-life patients. I had done well with the fake ones in class, but soon it would be a whole new ball game. I had to admit though, it would be awesome to spend the week catching up with Aubrey.

I told Aubrey I would get back to her, and right now wasn’t looking so good for me. I cut our conversation short and decided to hit the rack. I was so exhausted from whatever had happened today.

The next morning, I woke up feeling extremely refreshed. I hopped out of bed and went to the bathroom to do my morning routine. I looked myself over in the mirror and noticed I did not have any circles under my eyes. Strange…even when I got twelve hours of rest I still had circles under my eyes. My eyes seemed to be bright-green and my hair was very radiant. Oh well…I guess I shouldn’t dwell on having a good beauty day.

Today would be an exciting day for me. I would be starting my co-op at the hospital. I brushed my teeth, combed my golden locks, and got my make-up on. Then I put on my lucky purple scrubs. I needed some extra luck today, since it was going to be a nerve-racking, yet exciting, day.

When I arrived at the hospital for my co-op, I reported to the front desk. Here’s your temporary badge, said a gray-haired old lady.

Where do I go now? I asked.

Nobody told you where to report on your first day? the old woman leered.

Um…no, I replied. She let out a heavy gasp and spun around in her desk chair to grab a binder behind her desk.

What school are you with, and what’s your name? asked the lady.

I go to NWDU and my name is Callie Christensen, I replied.

Well, the school you’re with requires all students in your program to start their co-op in the ER. I think they do it as a test. Sink or swim? she said, smiling her overly-bright teeth at me. Surely, they must be fake?

I was flabbergasted. I was not prepared for the ER on my first day.

Okay…thanks. Can you point me in the right direction? I asked, trying to keep my cool.

The old woman slowly lifted one finger and pointed to a sign labeled ER that had an arrow pointing down the hall. I grabbed my badge and took off down the hall.

Man, oh man, I did not expect the ER on my first day. Hopefully they wouldn’t have me doing triage or anything. My school was crazy to put newbies in the ER ward. Okay, I needed to calm down. It was not the end of the world. I had this. I was the head of my class. I was a natural. I could do it. Not a big deal. I would just breathe…count back from ten… and relax. I bet it was not as bad as it sounded. They would probably just have me checking in patients and taking their stats. I had done it tons of times in class. It should be a cake walk…hopefully.

I located the ER ward and walked up to the front desk, which was not busy at the moment. The girl behind the desk was wearing a name badge with Stephanie on it.

Hi, Stephanie. I am Callie. I am here to do my nursing co-op with NWDU.

Stephanie looked at me and rolled her eyes. I wasn’t really feeling the love at the hospital that day. She asked me for my driver’s license—to verify my ID—in an I ain’t got time for you kind of tone. After she barely glanced at it, she buzzed me into the ER ward. She told me I would be working closely with Steven, the charge nurse. She pointed down the hall and said he would be down there somewhere.

I walked down the hall, not knowing who I was looking for exactly. The first empty room I came to, I peeked in and saw a male in scrubs, looking over a patient chart. Wow…Steven was pretty hot. He was tall, with dark-brown hair that was a little long—but in a good way. He had broad shoulders and looked like he worked out—at least, from behind he looked that way. He turned around and the front looked just as good as the back—if not better. He had gorgeous blue-gray eyes. I could get so lost in those eyes. He had a little facial hair, like he hadn’t shaved in a day or two, but it looked sexy. Oh gosh, I couldn’t believe I was thinking that about my new sort of boss. I had to