Page 8 of Silent Dust
As she donned the layers of her hazmat suit, a sense of false security enveloped her. The snug fit of the material was meant to shield her from any potential hazards, but in her haste, she overlooked a small, almost invisible nick tucked away beneath the layers of protective fabric in her sleeve. The weight of responsibility pressed down on her; she had to uncover the truth behind the soldier’s mysterious death.
Steadying herself, Flora turned her attention toward the body. The scene was meticulously arranged, the sterile steel of the autopsy table gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights.She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. Her hands moved with precision as she began her examination of the deceased male.
Flora began documenting her findings on the tablet, using voice transcription to capture every detail. “Subject is male, approximately thirty-five years old, height six feet, weight a hundred-eighty pounds. Notable injuries include…” She paused, the familiar rhythm of the autopsy process usually grounding her, but today, it felt muted by the weight of the situation. She made careful notes of the skin, searching for any inconsistencies.
Once she had completed the external examination, Flora prepared to open the chest cavity. She heard the door open and saw Charlotte arrive.
“Charlotte, remember to keep your full PPE on while you’re observing,” Flora called out, glancing at her intern, who stood a littletooperfectly still, fully suited up and ready. She seemed almost eager. “We want to ensure both our safety ”
“Of course, Dr. Kowalski,” Charlotte replied, her voice a touch too formal, adjusting her mask and goggles with a precision that seemed almost rehearsed. “I’m all set.”
“Good. This is where we start the standard Y incision,” Flora continued, trying to focus. “We’ll begin by cutting down to the rib cage, and then we’ll open it up to examine the organs.”
Charlotte nodded, her eyes wide with a concentration that seemed almost theatrical. “Got it.”
As Flora continued the incision, she felt the familiar, almost comforting, rhythm of the work settle over her. “Remember, it’s important to keep your movements steady and controlled. We want to minimize any damage to the underlying tissues,” she instructed, carefully navigating around the sternum.
“Right,” Charlotte replied. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
As Flora reached the rib cage, she used the rib-spreader with care, the metal blades squeaking softly against the bones.“We’re opening this up to examine the condition of the heart and lungs. They often hold clues about the cause of death,” she said softly, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling that she was being observed rather than assisted.
Charlotte leaned in a bit too close, her eyes intent, and Flora found herself subconsciously taking a small step back. There was something almost... predatory in Charlotte's focus.
“Okay, I’m ready,” Charlotte said.
Flora took a deep breath, trying to shake off the slight unease. “Let’s document everything carefully. This is where we gather the crucial information that will help us understand the cause of death.”
Leaning closer, Flora furrowed her brow, trying to determine the nature of the crystalline substance nestled against the left lung. Something about this felt wrong. She reached for her forceps, carefully extracting a small sample. As she inhaled, her breath hitched. This wasn't just any foreign object. A sense of doom washed over her.
Quickly documenting her findings in real-time, she spoke into her voice recorder, her tone steady despite the gravity of the situation. “Crystalline substance found against the left lung, approximately two centimeters in size, translucent with sharp edges.” She took a photograph, ensuring every angle was captured.
The weight of the discovery pressed on her. As she carefully maneuvered the substance, her focus sharpened, but her hand began to tremble. She had to push through.
The forceps felt heavier, and she had to concentrate harder. The sterile container loomed, and she fought against the tremor.
Frowning, Flora stepped back to adjust her mask, and that’s when she felt it—a faint draft against her wrist. She froze. Her fingers trembled. There was a tiny prick, barely visible, but enough to send a chill through her.
“No, no, no,” she whispered, her voice muffled.
Stumbling back, her breaths came in ragged gasps. The alarms blared. "Dr. Kowalski—emergency. Exposure. Need medical. Autopsy room.”
Her breathing grew shallow, yet her eyes kept flickering to Charlotte. Her intern’s face was eerily composed,toocalm. Charlotte’s gaze flicked toward the door, then lingered on Flora with an intensity that made her skin crawl.
Flora blinked—was that concern behind Charlotte’s eyes? Or just her usual careful detachment? She wasn’t sure. Charlotte moved toward the medical kit, but hesitated, glancing briefly at Flora, then away again.
Charlotte’s face remained neutral. She hesitated, then dismissed whatever thought she had, turning her attention back to the door, as if already expecting help. There was an inscrutable smirk at the corner of her mouth, too fleeting to interpret.
Flora watched her intern closely, feeling a strange prickling of uncertainty. Charlotte’s calm, her readiness, seemed rehearsed—waiting for something, hiding something.
When the medical team finally burst through the door, Charlotte immediately straightened, moving with purpose, voice more commanding than before.
“Hurry up, it took you long enough to get in here!” Charlotte ordered them. Her intense gaze contrasted with her calm, unreadable features.
Flora’s eyes widened slightly. The confident shift in Charlotte’s demeanor was abrupt. It seemed as though someone else had taken over—someone colder, more in command. The concern Flora expected was absent, replaced by detached precision.
Charlotte’s voice was steady. “Her symptoms are classic. Respiratory distress, rapid deterioration—she needs Narcan immediately. Make it happen fast.”
Flora blinked, feeling relief mixed with confusion. Where had this confidence come from? It was so different from the girl she’d seen earlier. But she didn't have the energy to question.
