Jiselle Casucian

CLOSE YOUR EYES Jiselle Casucian “Steve.” “Susan, just… stay where you are.” Steve said, his eyes furrowing in anxiousness. “Just—“ “Steve, it’s not like I have a choice.” Susan chuckles sadly, groaning when she felt the gun cocking against her head. “One more step, soldier.” A harsh German voice hissed from behind her. “No, wait, stop.” Steve muttered, his eyes shifting back and forth from the german to the woman he loved trapped in a chokehold. “Okay, ow.” Susan sighed, her eyes attaching behind Steve. “Steve, girl.” Indeed, a civilian girl was standing in the middle of the battlefield, crying in fear. Steve ignored the girl, instead opting to raise his hands. “I’m going to slowly put my gun down, just let her go.” The German watched as Steve slowly crouched down, his rifle in his hand before Susan sent him a harsh glare. “For God’s sake, soldier.” Susan threw her head back, banging against the man behind her and freeing herself before rushing off in front of the young girl crying in the middle of the war field. Steve’s mouth hung open in silent shock as Susan grabbed the girl in her hands, covering her as two bangs sounded around them. Two red dots appeared on her back, red slowly spreading. Susan smiled over at the girl, then glancing at the German behind Steve before looking at him. “Close your eyes.” The young girl sobbed, closing her eyes. Susan looked back at Steve, gazing into his grief-filled eyes for one final time, before another bang sounded. Then it was black. —————————————————————————————————————————— Time​. Time seems to be the only thing she lacks these days. She’s always rushing. She’s always late for something. “Mara! Where were you?” A colleague, Jane, hissed over at Mara. “Out.” Mara shrugged. “By out, I mean out. Sleeping. In the break room.” Mara smiled at Jane’s deadpan look, chuckling at her sigh. “Okay, fine, but look. Dr. Maynard’s wife labored, and this patient’s due for a check-up.” Jane hands Mara the clipboard. Mara stays silent, nodding as she receives the clipboard. “Are you okay, Mara?” “Sort of,” Mara shrugs as she scans the files she was handed. “I had those dreams again.” “The war one?” “Yeah,” Mara shakes her head. “Only this time, I died.” “You died?” Jane asked, confused. “I meant Susan.” “​Susan,​ ​Steve​, ​World​ ​War​.” Jane shook her head. “You’ve been watching too much movies.” “I don’t know, man.” Mara answered, entering the elevator. “I mean, everything they went through. I felt that. How Steve loved Susan and how Susan loved him. How Steve was scared for Susan every time somebody attacks the headquarters.” “Steve’s a soldier and Susan’s a war doctor, right?” Jane rolled her eyes. “And she got shot right in front of Steve’s eyes.” Mara snorted. “It’s nuts, I tell you. Absolutely nuts.” “And traumatizing.” Jane snorted, exiting the elevator and swinging her hands over. “Room 704. Check it out.” “Sure, what’s up with this one?” “Multiple heart failures. Weak body. Understandable, he’s 98.” Jane said before walking away. “Have fun, Susan!” Mara rolled her eyes and slid the door open, smiling. “Hello, sir. How are you doing today?” “Susan?” Her head shot up, shock evident on her face before her eyes locked on to familiar blue eyes. “Wait, what?” The old man shuffled, groaning in pain. “Wait, no.” Mara panicked, rushing forward to support the man. “Please don’t move, it’ll hurt more and—“ “The last time I saw you, Susan, you died.” The old man explained, his eyes reminiscing and his voice frail. “They shot you. Do you remember?” “No.” Mara shook her head in denial, reaching up to fix the man’s IV drip. “I think you got the wrong woman.” “You were a doctor.” The man continued, his eyes reminiscing. “A beautiful war doctor, and I loved you very much.” Mara stopped in her movements, looking over at the man. “There’s no way you’re my Steve.” The man only smiled softly, prompting Mara to gaze over at her file. Steve Russell. 98 years old. “Steve.” “Susan Peters.” Steve smiled, his blue eyes full of relief. “It’s been 60 years.” Mara stopped, memories rushing back to her all at once. “You’re signing up to be a war soldier?” “Aren’t you too young to be a war doctor, ma’am?” “Steve, we’re at war.” “Just because there’s a war doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the good things America gives me.” “Which is?” “The sun, the stars. You.” “When you love someone, you’re willing to die just so they get a happy ending.” “I’ll wait for you even if the world crashes down around me.” “I’m not leaving you, so close your eyes.” “Susan.” “I’m Mara now,” Mara shakes her head. “I-What happened?” “I didn’t die like I hoped I would.” Steve chuckled, coughing weakly. “I was waiting for you.” Mara let out a weak laugh, closing her eyes in disdain. “Steve.” “Susan,” Steve called, making her look up. “I told you I’d wait for you. Even if the world crashes down around me.” “Didn’t you wait too long?” Mara asked, shaking her head and blinking out stray tears as she continued checking up his vitals. “Forever’s never too long if you love someone.” Steve shook his head before his bony hand reached out to touch Mara’s hand. “Mara.” Mara stopped, signing Steve’s vital report before her brown eyes connected with Steve’s blue ones. “No matter how many worlds there may be and how many wars pull us apart,” Steve explained. “We will always find each other.” Mara stayed silent, her eyes staring deep into his as he gave her a small smile. “Susan Peters, you are my person.” “Steve.” “Close your eyes.” Mara looked over at him, shaking her head as Steve gave her a comforting smile and closed his eyes, a high-pitched tone resonating through the room. “No.” Mara shook her head. “Wait.” She rushed over to the call button. “Flat-line. The patient flat-lined. Get a team here now!” She frantically blinked over at Steve, silent and in pure disbelief as her eyes gazed over the content smile on the man’s face. A team of nurses rushed past her, aiding to the man as they tried to revive him. Another doctor rushed in, assisting the nurses for a short while. Mara watched as he called out charges and commands frantically, letting out a shaky breath as she heard the words. ​“Time of death: 8:15 AM.” Her eyes shot open, looking over at Steve. “Rest well, soldier.” Mara turned around and left the room as the nurses prepped the body for the morgue. Jane rushed forward, confused. “Girl, what happened?” “He told me to close my eyes.” Mara replied blankly. ——————————————————————————————————————— ——— “Dr. Maynard’s calling all his residents. He’s got a son!” Jane danced in her place as Mara stared at the door next to her. Room 704. The place where he— “Hanson! Let’s go!” “Right, Right.” Mara shook her head, snapping out of her trance and letting Jane drag her to the elevators to the waiting rooms. “Are they all there yet?” “All the other three interns are there, just the two of us left.” Jane nodded, squealing as the door open and skipping over to their fellow intern. “James! Where’s the baby?” Mara slowly walked out of the elevator, her eyes scanning around as she gazed at the small group of people waiting for Dr. Maynard’s baby. At the side, Dr. Maynard talked to a man as he shook nervously. The man was tall and slim, his blonde hair tousled as he gave the doctor a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Dr. Maynard’s eyes shifted around, calling random people to him and introducing the man to his colleagues before the man threw his arms up and walking towards the doors to the delivery room. “Hanson, get in here!” Mara snapped into attention, rushing over to the doctor with a sad smile. “Yes, doctor?” “How was the patient?” Mara gulped harshly, shaking her head. “She was doing great. She’s got high blood pressure so you might want to look into that.” “I understand.” The doctor ran a hand through his hair before throwing his hand over at the blonde man trying to peer inside the delivery room. “My brother-in-law, Grant Ross.” “Why are you not in the delivery room, doc?” Mara asked curiously. “They kicked him out.” A familiar voice chuckled. Mara’s head snapped up. Her eyes locked with blue ones— eyes she hadn’t seen in a year. Eyes full of confusion and recognition. “Steve?”