Page 34 of Hidden Nature

“You saw a light?”

“When I coughed up all the water, the sun hurt my eyes. And Drake started crying, and I went to the hospital in an ambulance. Wait, first, I was on the boat. The police boat. I don’t remember that very well. I felt really sick.

“That’s what I remember. I swear.”

“You have nothing to tell us about your death? Where you went?”

“I was in the water, and they pulled me out and saved me.”

On a sigh, Clara looked over at Sam. “All right, Janet. I know you did your best.”

“You’re going to let me go. You said you’d let me go.”

“Yes, of course.” Clara rose. “A promise is a promise.”

She walked over to a sink, scrubbed her hands, then slicked on medical gloves. She went to the table beside the bed, took a tourniquet, and wrapped it on Janet’s arm.

“What are you doing? Stop!”

“It’s important to be sanitary, Janet.” Carefully, Clara used an antiseptic wipe. “We’ll use the antecubital fossa. You have good veins! Just relax now. Relax,” she repeated as she pulled the skin on Janet’s arm taut to anchor the vein.

“No! Let me go. You said—”

“We are. Here now, I’m very good at this. You’ll barely feel a thing.”

“Don’t! Don’t! You promised.”

“And a promise I keep.” She nodded, pleased, as blood appeared in the tubing. She connected it to the plasma bag.

Horrified, terrified, Janet didn’t realize Sam worked on her other arm until the procedure was nearly done.

“You’re taking my blood! You’re taking my blood.”

“Yes, of course. It’s useful. You want to be useful, don’t you, Janet? All God’s creatures serve a purpose. Just relax,” Clara told her. “This really won’t take very long, and you’ll be at peace again.”

“Why are you doing this to me? Why?”

“Shh!” Gently, Clara stroked Janet’s forehead. “Your existence in this world is unnatural. Men forced you back, and we’re here to ease your path to where you belong. Only God can perform the miracle of resurrection, Janet.”

“Don’t, don’t! Don’t hurt me. Don’t kill me.”

“We’re sending you home, Janet. You’ll just go to sleep now, and when you wake, you’ll be where you’re meant to be. It’s our hope that the Perpetual Light shines upon you, and not the everlasting fires of Hell.”

Janet screamed, and tears ran down her face. But the screams weakened, and the tears began to dry as the blood drained out of her.

Efficiently, Sam unhooked bags, replaced them with fresh. He labeled and stored them in the refrigerator at the back of the room with the others.

Janet went as pale as the crisp white sheets. When her eyes fixed,Clara gently closed them. On the monitor, her vitals sank, then flatlined.

“Rest now,” Clara murmured. “Rest in peace.”

“We should get close to four liters,” Sam told her.

“Very good. We’ll dispose of her earthly remains in a few hours. Okay with leftovers tonight?” Clara tossed her gloves in the wastebasket. “Meatloaf sandwiches? I’ve got a turkey to roast tomorrow.”

“Sounds good, babe. Too bad she didn’t see anything.”

“Oh, I know she did. Those who pulled her back stole that from her, too. Poor thing. Well, she’s getting her eternal reward now, whatever it may be.”

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