Mariam's hands trembled as she opened the neatly blue and white stripes envelope with thick layer.
The hospital's logo was embossed on the top right hand corner, but the address was handwritten in elegant artistic script that portrays affluence. Her heart raced as she recalled the dream last night as though this letter was a continuation of that nightmare.
With confusing look on her beautiful face marred by years of struggles, she slowly turned to look at her colleagues in order to ensure that her body language wasn't noticed as she heaved a sigh of relief but to her oblivion Joyce had been fixating at her rather awkward look ever since Mariam had resumed the night shift.
Mariam was always fun to be with while on duty but not tonight because of her pensive mood which bothered her colleagues at the hospital.
"Hey, Mariam, everything okay?" Joyce asked, noticing her friend's sudden stillness.
Mariam nodded feigning a smile, her eyes scanning the envelope. "Who could have dropped this letter on my desk?" she asked inwardly as she unfolded it to read the content.
Dear Mariam,
I know your secret. It is time you spilled the beans before it got out of hands.
You think you've hidden it well, but I see the truth facing me all these years. I was there when it happened.
Your dedication to your patients is admirable, but it's a facade. You're running from your past, just like I am.
Meet me in the hospital's east wing at midnight. Come alone.
A friend
Mariam's heart started racing like a stallion. She folded the letter hurriedly and tucked it into her pocket as the tone of the letter hit her hard. She scanned the CCTVs as though the sender was watching her as she was lost in thoughts.
Her expression shocked all her colleagues who had been watching her silently. To her greatest shock, she raised her head when Damian, always the jokester coughed aloud in order to draw her attention.
"Just...family stuff," Mariam said, forcing a smile but no smile.
Damian chimed in, "Ooh, secret admirer?"
Mariam's cheeks flushed. "No, just...nothing."
"Do you mind if I take a look?" Damian asked jokingly.
"Let me be you piss of sh*t" Mariam cursed in her head as she nodded negatively.
Chloe and Susie exchanged knowing glances, but said nothing.
As the group dispersed, Mariam's mind whirled. Who could have written this? And what secret did they think they knew?
*Later That Night*
Mariam couldn't shake off the feeling of unease in her. She decided to confide in best friend, Joyce.
"Joyce, can I talk to you for a minute?" Mariam asked, cornering her friend in the hospital's break room.
"Of course, what's going on?" Joyce asked, concern etched on her face.
Mariam hesitated before pulling out the letter after scanning the room cautiously. Joyce's eyes widened as she read the content.
"This is creepy," Joyce said. "Do you have any idea who wrote it?"
Mariam shook her head. "No, but I have to know what they want", she said reflecting on her childhood murder secret.
Joyce's expression turned serious. "Be careful, Mariam. This could be trouble."
*Midnight*
Mariam stood outside the east wing as directed by the anonymous sender, her heart pounding. She had decided to attend the meeting, despite Joyce's warnings.
As she entered the dimly lit corridor, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"Welcome, Mariam," the figure said, the voice low and gravely.
Mariam's eyes adjusted to the darkness. It was a woman, her face obscured by a hood.
"Who are you?" Mariam demanded.
The woman stepped closer. "Someone who knows your secret. And I'm here to help you face them."