Collin was trapped in the hospital by the heavy rain. He was not on night duty today originally. But a colleague had to pick up his child, so he changed shifts with him.
There were more situations at night in the hospital. Drunken drivers or serial car accidents always appeared. There were more than a dozen security guards stationed at the entrance of the emergency room every day to prevent fights.
After finishing checking the room, Collin returned to the office and made himself a cup of healthy tea. As his eyes swept across the computer, he searched for the word "rag" on it.
He saw all information about rags like "How to prevent your clothes from becoming rags". He was puzzled by the information. Collin continued to search. There were all sorts of pictures of rags, as well as some daily answers like "What should I do after fleas turned my clothes into rags? I'll teach you a move to get rid of fleas."
He searched very quickly and finally found a software platform similar to a notebook. There was a user ID called Rag, or Roxy.
There were many words to introduce Roxy on the platform and also her slogan. She wrote: "I love this world, but it doesn't love me."
Collin felt it interesting. He didn't think Roxy would say such words, but they somehow were very compatible with her. Perhaps because of her empty eyes, or she was telling the truth.
He witnessed her mother bringing people to ask for money in her rented house, and also witnessed her indifference to the whole world.
It was just...
Collin did not want to admit that he was concerned too much about her. He was not sure if this concern was from their relationship before, or he wanted to maintain this close relationship with her for long.
While he was out of mind, Cora called.
Collin picked up the phone and looked out the window. "Mom, no one will be willing to go on a blind date on rainy days."
"I'm not asking you for a blind date! I'm asking you whether you are off work." Cora sounded like she was trying very hard to control her temper.
"No, I changed shifts with my colleague today."
"You change shifts every day. Don't tell me you have a girlfriend in the hospital. Is she a patient or a family member of a patient?"
"No..." Collin sighed.
"I knew it. I just call you that a woman wanted to rent the house that I bought for your marriage. She heard quite young. And she isn't married, has no children or any animals. She lives a quiet life and doesn't like heavy metal music..."
"Mom, do you want me to date with the tenant now?" Collin couldn't help but interrupt.
"What do you mean? You can't talk to me like that! I mean her voice sounds quite good on the phone. Don't you like beautiful voices? Or you can call her and listen. Then you can try to meet her if you like." Cora said patiently.
Collin refused directly. "No, I don't want to."
"Her voice sounds like a star. I forget who she is." Cora tried to think of it.
"The famous comic actor?"
"Collin, don't talk to me like this." Cora was so angry.
"I'm very busy now," Collin flipped through the medical cases on the side to make some noise.
"She will go to see the house the day after tomorrow. Then she can sign the contract directly If she is satisfied. Your dad and I are busy then. You should go there. You can ask the property management for the key." Cora hung up the phone hurriedly.
But she called again and said, "Do you know where it is? I remember that there are your things in the house. Pack up them and take them out. She's ready to live there directly after watching the house the day after tomorrow."
Collin couldn't remember he had something there.
He even couldn't remember if he had been to that house. It seemed that before he graduated, Cora bought that house and moved a part of his things in.
It was rainy outside. Collin closed his phone and turned to look at the computer. While hesitating, he had already clicked a link. It was Roxy's first work in the early days with a special name, the Rag in the Abyss.
He drank again today.
The first line at the beginning made him shocked. He had a bad feeling about it. After skipping several lines in one glance, he found that his abnormal reaction was not only because of the "He" at the beginning of the line but also because he felt that this story was real.
It was the story that happened to Roxy.
"Doctor Mueller, the patient in bed 37..." The nurse hurriedly came in. She was so shocked by Collin's expression that she couldn't finish her words. It was the first time she had seen such a terrible expression from him. His eyes were deep and dark. His fingers were clenched into fists. He looked serious and stared at the computer with a terrifying expression.
"What's the matter?" Collin stood up calmly. The nurse doubted what she had seen before.
"The patient in bed 37 vomited and had diarrhea. He asked you to take a look."
"Alright, I'll go over now." Collin stood up. The nurse chased him a few steps when he walked out. She pointed to the right and reminded him, "Doctor Mueller, the No. 37 is over there."
Collin looked calm and said yes.
The nurse could not help but ask, "Doctor Mueller, did something happen? You look bad. Are you sick?"
"I'm fine." Collin adjusted his breathing and then opened the door.
The nurse rushed to the nurse station to chat with the others.
"Doctor Mueller's expression frightened me to death when I pushed his door..."
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I thought he was sick, but he doesn't look sick."
"What expression?"
"It's just...scary, and his eyes are wide open."
"Could it be that he is unhappy about taking over the shift with Dr. H?"
"No, he is not like that. If he is not willing, no one can force him to take over the shift. I don't think he's angry with it."