The operating theatre buzzed with activity as the doctors tried desperately to revive the patient. Doctor Robert Tyler’s skilful hands trying their best to keep the woman alive, but it was helpless. The anaesthetic machines bleeps slowed. Soon the life support machines were bleeping the signal that the patient was dead…

“Damn it,” cursed Robert,

“It’s not your fault, you tried your best.”

Dr Tyler glanced at the speaker, it was Claire his assistant. He knew she was right of course, but still he never liked to lose a patient. He looked at the woman on the operating table and shook his head sadly. She had been attacked nearly an hour ago by some nutcase, apparently the man bit her. The wounds on her neck did match to a mauling, she had lost too much blood and there wouldn’t have been any chance of saving her.

The team left the room, and informed the porters that they had to remove the body. Robert took Claire with him to speak to the patient’s husband who was in A&E.

They found Mr Cross, sitting up in bed; his wounds weren’t as bad as his wife’s. He had gotten away with a few scratches and a small bite on his arm. He spotted them quickly;

“Oh Doctor! How is Maria?”

“I’m afraid she died a few minutes ago…”

“No…”

“She was too far gone, we’re sorry.”

“My wife, at least I managed to shoot the bastard that did it.”

“Anyway let us see how you are?”

“I haven’t got many complaints, though I do feel like I’m getting a fever…”

Claire reached out and placed a hand on his forehead, she pulled it back shocked, Robert enquired what had happened?

“He is cold…really cold.”

Robert did the same and found out she was right, the patient was complaining he was getting a fever but he was almost as cold as ice.

“Claire stay with Mr Cross a moment, I want to go check my journal to see if I can recognise these symptoms.”

“Yes Doctor.”

…Back at the operating theatre, two porters, were wheeling a trolley inside, Billy and Jay were there to remove the dead patient. The porters paused when they got beside the operating table.

“Did she just twitch?” asked Billy worriedly,

“Nah, you’re seeing things mate,” replied Jay not really listening.

Billy leaned closer, the woman was deathly still, perhaps his mate was right, and after all she was dead. A lifeless arm suddenly dropped off the side, hanging loosely.

“Hey that’s not funny!” complained Billy,

“I didn’t do anything…” replied Jay,

The hand moved back to the side of the body…

“I’m serious; I’ll thump you if you don’t stop that!”

“I did NOT do that…” insisted Jay, who was backing away,

“Then who did…”

Billy glanced at the woman who was watching him with hungry eyes. She sat up and made an attempt to grab him. The porter staggered back, as his friend had already run away.

The ‘dead’ woman clambered off the table; Billy was backing off thinking I need to get to the exit! He went straight towards the door, but the woman staggered a lot fast than he had expected, and they collided. The woman sent Billy sprawling to the floor, falling on top of him. Struggling, the porter was able to keep her at arms length while calling for help. She kept trying to sink her teeth in, but suddenly went limp. Billy then saw Jay standing above them holding a statue blood splattered on it.

Helping his friend up, Jay assisted Billy to the door, it was then they heard the screams. Jay quickened his pace he had decided they needed to get out of the hospital.

“Oh my God!” screamed Claire.

She had only popped out to the ladies room, but when she entered the ward she saw a horrific sight, a patient was attacking a nurse, and another patient lay motionless on the floor blood pouring out a hidden wound. She ran to help the nurse, and grasped the patient who turned his head…it was Mr Cross, though his eyes were misty and his mouth was covered in blood.

The nurse he was attacking was called Liz; she had a nasty chunk missing from her forearm. Blood oozed out of her wound, she was swaying a bit, and the loss of blood was clearly making her faint. Claire went and pushed Mr Cross to the ground and grabbed Liz and dragged her away.

“What about the patients?” Liz gasped,

“We need to get to a phone, we can call the police!” replied Claire.

Claire led the other nurse out of the ward and shut the door locking it instantly. She grabbed the phone by the office next to the ward, and dialled the police, just as the fire alarms and sprinklers went off…