Walking on my grave
"
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Stardate: 58204.17 1630
The turbo lift opened as she approached it. A crew member brushed by her, close enough that she could feel the movement of the air surrounding him. His face was averted from her. With a second glance, she couldn't be sure it was a "him". A shiver ran up her spine. "Someone is walking on my grave," was the thought that flashed through her mind.
Patia chuckled out loud. The thought was so irrational, so nonsensical, it surprised her the thought had even occurred to her. She leaned against the wall of the turbo lift as it sped her to the deck level for her office. That saying had been one she had heard often during her childhood on Earth. She had never experienced the feeling that went with it until today, though.
The door slid open again. Shaking herself to rid her mind of the thoughts, she strode purposefully from the lift and down the hall. Pausing in front of her office door to give her security clearance code, she shifted from her left foot to her right, impatiently waiting for the command to be processed. Patia was uncomfortable standing in the hallway. She felt exposed, open, vulnerable. It was as though whatever she had felt outside the turbo lift was back again, following her. The doors whooshed open. With a glance behind her, she stepped quickly into her office. Behind her, she felt more than heard, the vibration of the doors as they shut. Patia leaned back against the door, pressing her palms against the cool, smooth surface of the doors. She needed to get over this if she was going to finish up her reports.
Crossing to the replicator, Patia said, "Raspberry iced tea, with two raspberries." The glass was cool to the touch, similar to the feel of the door. It was oddly comforting, a tangible bit of reality she can grasp and hold on to without any eerie feelings.
Back at her desk, Patia rifled through reports and paperwork. A few were quick to sort through. The last report in the pile was the report made by Ensign Riaan about Dr. Dane. This had been one she was putting off. Now, with the three deaths, there was no more avoidance.
"Computer, Memo to Dr. Teilani Dane," Patia began. "Doctor Dane, I realize this message will reach you after you have, hopefully, been able to leave Sick Bay. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to set up a follow up appointment. Please plan on spending roughly an hour and a half with me. I would also like you to schedule this appointment for the end of your work day, when you are not planning to return to Sick Bay for the day. If this appointment needs to be after normal office hours, that will be fine as well. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. Counselor Zoei." Patia leaned forward in her chair, scanning the memo. "Computer, send message."
Glancing at her wrist chronometer, Zoei saw it was 2100. Her stomach rumbled. She was going to have to quit skipping meals or she would be seeing Dr. Dane for medical reasons. She filed the rest of the papers away, then pushed away from her desk. She would have a quick stop at Miranda's on the way back to her quarters, then call it a night.