Sunlight streaming through the hallway window was always a source of annoyance, and she could say with certainty that it was the strong, distinct, and potent feeling of annoyance that she felt. Nurse Redheart’s eyes bore their bags well enough, and she still tasted her fourth cup of coffee in the back of her throat.
There was a calm smile on her face, one that she could really trust this time. Oh, gods, she could feel the easiness that came with it, and the calm, cold sense of pleasure that flowed throughout her. That was a welcome, powerful feeling that she couldn’t say she had before – and of course, whenever she needed it, Nurse Redheart would be glad to have it again.
Doctor Stable found her shortly after she turned the corner, cantering towards her with a hurriedness that made her quail as soon as she saw the potent sadness in his eyes.
“Redheart! You’re finally here, and not a minute too soon!” His voice always drew her attention, namely because he was the only pony who called her anything less than ‘Nurse Redheart’.
“Yes?” She drew back, mimicking the quiet worry of the nurse who was a few steps behind her and to her side. “Oh gods, what’s wrong?”
His breathing came in puffs, even when he was standing right in front of her. The armor of his white coat and stethoscope was not enough to hide how utterly fragile he looked right now.
“The mare in room 213, Wisteria Terrace of Canterlot. She died last night.”
“Oh no!” Nurse Redheart exclaimed, voice cracking with her fear, and her head tilted. “Whatever could have happened? When was this? I checked out last night and nopony said a word about her. The clipboard on her door was not signed by any other nurse past bedtime.”
“Yes, that’s true – the night watch reported no disturbances throughout the rest of the hospital overnight. And yet she passed anyway. We’re…” He faltered, looking forlornly to the polished floor, and Nurse Redheart ate up every second of it with her eyes, not letting their concern break. “We’re not quite sure how yet. Nurse Sweetheart just found her, and as you can imagine, she’s devastated.”
“Oh no, oh no!” Nurse Redheart gasped.
“Come now, why don’t we find you somewhere to sit. The guards will want to question as many ponies as possible and if they’re dispatched from Canterlot quickly enough, we might only have to wait a few hours.”
“R-Royal Guard?” Nurse Redheart said dizzyingly. “In Ponyville? After the Summer Sun Celebration?”
“Yes, it’s always the procedure to have them summoned after any unexplained deaths. Forget a train station, it would be a miracle if Ponyville ever got big enough to warrant any Royal Guard being deployed here.”
“I-I know, Doctor. I grew up here… it’s just… Royal Guard… from Canterlot... oh gods, it makes it all feel so big...”
She sniffled, and Doctor Stable stepped aside to give her some space. “Redheart? Is there anything you need? Water? Do you want me to get somepony to go to town and fetch anypony?”
“N-no, I… I just…” Tears welled in her eyes. “I’ve… I’ve never seen this h-happen with a patient before…” Redheart stammered, her whispery lie growing quieter and quieter. Was it really a lie at all, if in her final moments she could not have called Wisteria Terrace a patient? She had slept once, and then forever. That was all.
Doctor Stable bit his lip, and if it weren’t for the grimness of the situation, Nurse Redheart would have thought that he was marveling at the newness of her reaction – in a sad, tired kind of way. “Hopefully, you never will.”
Don’t be so sure of yourself, Doctor.
...
For the second night in a row, Nurse Redheart did not have that particular dream again. She was able to sleep soundly, and without disturbance.