Dodgy Ticker

by Russell Ruffino

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I knocked on the door, I hated being back here, probably just to be told about some more inconclusive tests. The door opened and I was greeted by the concerned face of Dr. Fulk, my heart specialist.

“Paul, how are you today? In you come.”

“I’m good.” I hated smalltalk from doctors. He wouldn’t ask me here unless something important had happened. “What did you want to see me about?”

“Well, it’s just I did something I wouldn’t normally do, but, a few weeks ago I posted information about your condition in a forum.” He saw the protest begin to form on my lips. “Anonymously of course, and a forum used mostly by doctors.”

“And?”

“Well, someone said he had a similar patient. I posted a recording of your heartbeat, he said it was very similar. There’s now 12 others we’ve found like you.”

I knew there was something he didn’t want to tell me. “And?”

“There’s also a theory someone’s come up with, about why your heartbeat’s so irregular.” He paused and his eyes finally met mine. “They think it’s a countdown Paul.”

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. Dodgy Ticker

    thebetweenspace's Buddy Icon thebetweenspace

    Posted 2 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    What a shocker of a last line! A countdown to what?

  2. Dodgy Ticker

    Mask By The Moon's Buddy Icon Mask By The Moon

    Posted 2 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    =gasp= wow. What a last line… countdown to what?

  3. Dodgy Ticker

    John Perkins' Buddy Icon John Perkins

    Posted 2 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    “In you come?” You British are just so… weird.
    I think you meant “He saw the protest” up there. Other than that, cool setup. Very mysterious.

  4. Dodgy Ticker

    Russell Ruffino's Buddy Icon Russell Ruffino

    Posted 2 months ago

    Ah, good spot sir! That takes me to ficlet nirvana as well. Also yes I guess that is quite a weird way to phrase it, not my fault! I’ve been conditioned to find it normal.

  5. Dodgy Ticker

    Ana Cristina's Buddy Icon Ana Cristina

    Posted 2 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    It sounded all right to me, but I read a lot of stuff written by Brits so… [shrug]

  6. Dodgy Ticker

    RainDance's Buddy Icon RainDance

    Posted 2 months ago

    Whoa, this is really really good. The first time I read the last line I thought it meant a countdown to his death, but after looking at the comments I’m thinking something bigger. Hmmm.

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