Night Shift

Elena: Mom, I've made it to the hospital

Mom: Okay sweetheart, be careful, it's your first night alone

Elena: Don't worry, I just have to do rounds every hour and keep an eye on the north wing

Elena: There are only 4 patients admitted, it's quiet

Mom: Perfect, keep me posted in the morning. Love you

Elena: Love you too mom

First round.

Elena: Mom, you awake?

Mom: Yeah honey, what's up

Elena: I just finished the first round and something's off

Elena: The log says 4 patients but I counted 5 occupied beds

Mom: Maybe someone was admitted during the previous shift and they forgot to log it

Elena: Yeah, that's probably it

Elena: It's room 107, the one at the end of the hall. It was closed and the light was off

Elena: I opened the door a crack and saw someone in the bed, covered head to toe with the sheet

Elena: I didn't want to wake them

Mom: You did the right thing, just ask about it in the morning

Second round.

Elena: Mom

Elena: The bed in 107 is empty

Mom: Maybe they went to the bathroom

Elena: No, I checked. The bathroom in 107 is empty

Elena: But the bed is warm mom

Elena: And it smells weird

Elena: It smells like... like damp earth