Death Is Nothing If Not Patient

by Ana Cristina

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I am nothing if not patient. You might even say patience is hard-wired into my makeup. It’s what I do best.

Just as I was about to lose my first game, the girl flat-lined. The paramedic with the defibrillator, who I now knew as Eddie, groaned in frustration.

“Come on, honey, don’t die on me now, come on, come on!” His voice had the frayed edge of hysteria in it. I was charmed despite myself.

The other paramedic (Jose, if anyone’s taking notes) methodically lit a cigarette. “You’re still too green, hombre. Buck up. You’ll get used to it. It gets better after your hundredth KO or so.”

KO was the euphemism Jose used to refer to a patient’s death. “Knock Out.” As if every life on the brink was a video game, every emergency a chance to earn bonus points. He’d personally witnessed over a thousand deaths, having worked as a paramedic for about ten years.

Eddie’s trembling hands went up to cover his eyes. “My God, I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.”

And the funny thing is, I knew just what he meant.

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Comments

Average Reader Rating: 5.0 stars out of 5

  1. Death Is Nothing If Not Patient

    SKermitgorf's Buddy Icon SKermitgorf

    Posted 4 months ago

    As if every life on the brink was a video game, every emergency a chance to earn bonus points> very cool line, love the last part as well,really enjoying this series.

  2. Death Is Nothing If Not Patient

    Music-Hearted's Buddy Icon Music-Hearted

    Posted 4 months ago

    I especially love the fifth paragraph. I’m really impressed with how you’ve managed to make Death human in this ficlet, what with sympathizing with Eddie. Nice job.

  3. Death Is Nothing If Not Patient

    Eckhouse's Buddy Icon Eckhouse

    Posted 4 months ago

    5.0 out of 5 stars

    I’m digging the hell out of Death, and in fact was about to publish a sequel to your first one until I saw your own two sequels. Back to the board of drawing!

  4. Death Is Nothing If Not Patient

    Ana Cristina's Buddy Icon Ana Cristina

    Posted 4 months ago

    LOL , Eckhouse, you can sequel any old time you like.
    Thanks for the comments, guys! :)

  5. Death Is Nothing If Not Patient

    Mistress Elsha Hawk's Buddy Icon Mistress Elsha Hawk

    Posted 4 months ago

    “I knew just what he meant”
    Very personable response!

  6. Death Is Nothing If Not Patient

    thebetweenspace's Buddy Icon thebetweenspace

    Posted 2 months ago

    I love the euphemism and the veteran being for more numb to death than the newbie. The video game line was brilliant as well.

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