"Willkommen in Hinterdorf, Germany", the sign board at the station read which meant welcome to Hinterdorf, Germany. I fixed my hijab and stepped out of the bus pulling the suitcase behind me. It was early morning but surprisingly this station was quieter than usual. "Maybe, people here don't like to talk much?", I justified my thoughts. But the more uncomfortable act was the stares from these people. Now, me being me, justified this too by saying, "It's just they haven't seen a pretty hijabi doctor before", while smiling under my breath with my delusional thoughts, I walked out of station. As I was waiting for my cab, I explored the city with my eyes; the massive tall buildings, the vintage cafés, the dirty damaged roads, an ugly design on a car window, the Brothers Grimm fairy tales being sold on streets. As I was admirin- sorry judging the city, the cab let out a sharp honk, cutting through my judgemental thoughts. I got into the cab and suddenly my phone rang. "Yes, Mom. I'm alright and I'm in the cab right now, heading towards that backward old hospital in this boring city", the driver gave me a side eye from the rear view mirror Anyways. "Thank God, I'm glad you finally picked the phone. By the way, we're all missing you right now. Your brother wanted to move into your room but your father has been standing up on your room's door since two hours *laughs*", tears filled into my eyes as I spoke heavily, "I also never wanted to leave you guys. It's all because of this stupid national program which sent me into this boring city because of shortage of specialists in this city. But I'm confused to know that I'm not even a specialist, I'm only here for my residency".
"Aww, my baby, it's alright honey. I know it's hard to cope up in a foreign in country. But don't worry you've always been my strong and brave child. You'll get through this too". Brave?. "Alright alright, stop flattering me. I'm hanging up. Bye. I love you all".
"Mam, we're here", said the boring cab driver.
"Oh! Yes, Yes! Thank you", I stepped out of the cab and looked at the hospital which read Hinterdorf General Hospital . It standed tall too, but was as expected DIRTY!
I walked into the hospital towards the reception but it looked quite odd. It had long sterile hallways with flickering fluorescent lights. The air smelled of antiseptic with a weird rotten smell. There was also lack of staff. "After all, it is a remote hospital remote area though, what else can I expect", I justified myself.
"Hello Frau, I am Hannah from Dearborn, USA", No I don't speak German I just googled how to say Ma'am in German while walking into the hospital.
"Ah, you're the new transfer right? Willkommen in Hinterdorf General", she paused and looked into my eyes, "You're the only one who agreed to come?".
"What? No? Actually, I'm the only one who has been transferred into this hospital. There are others too but they were transferred to different cities in Germany".
"It means the same", she said while writing something on a piece of paper without looking at me.
She handed me the paper and said,"Here's your schedule. Your shift starts tomorrow. Your quarters are on the second floor. Room 214".
"Ah, thank you", I started walking away while putting the slip in my bag when she called me- "Wait, come here".
"Yes?", I asked.
"Where are you going?", she asked like I was the servant and she was my boss.
"I was about to check out my quarters first, then head over to inspect my rented apartment. Why? Any problem?", I said while giving her a excuse me? look.
"Well, actually there is a operation theater on the second floor—OT13. I'd advise you to stay away from it", she said in a low whisper.
"May I ask why?".
"Nothing. Just a hospital protocol". I shrugged and walked towards the lift but as I was about to press the button, a girl stopped me.
"It's not working", she said in a lifeless tone.
"Oh! So I've to use stairs?", well obviously I don't know why I ask these stupid questions.
"Mhm", she nodded and I quickly ran upstairs. As I was climbing the each step of the staircase, a strange eerie feeling was enveloping my heart but I justified this feeling by saying,"The whole city is lifeless what made me expect liveliness from this hospital?".
I explored the second floor. I was heading back when my eyes stopped on wooden door with NO ENTRY written on it with a bloody red color. The room read, "OT13, the hospital protocol room. It looks creepy though. Every door in this hospital is made of glass then why is it wooden?", I stood there staring at the door when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the same girl who told me that the lift was broken.
"What are you doing here?", she said.
"Ah..nothing just exploring the hospital", I said with an awkward smile.
"Don't go near it", she creepily warned me and left as I stood there wondering why everything here feels so.... off?