"What arent you telling me...?"

The look on her face, it was clear she was talking around something.

"theres something you want to say." I stated out loud. I did my best to give her the impression that she could tell me anything and I wouldnt be upset, but in truth there was a wave of anxiety in my chest. her kind eyes met mine and it was clear my bluff hadnt worked. She looked over her shoulder to check that the male nurse had moved on to the next room and she put her hand over mine and pulled the bandage on my hand back.

the bandage was strong and the adhesion stuck to my skin painfully, so I winced when it was ripped off so suddenly. when my eyes opened I saw my hand, the hand that had been bitten, completely healed, with two small scars about an inch apart... how is this possible? I know that the bites were pretty small but it felt like it was pretty deep. how long have I been here? Dr. Cybil spoke up.

"Theres...just so much about your case that confuses us. it's not just that you ALMOST died... you DID die, for a few minutes in fact..." she took a moment to allow me to absorb the information before continuing, her gentle eyes scanning my shocked face. "Rattlesnakes arent native to this region, we didnt have the proper antivenom on hand...when someone dies from venom, its because of a toxin in the bloodstream, regular CPR isnt supposed to be able to fix that robin..." she grips my hand tightly and her eyes get a little watery. "It defies all sense, as a doctor I failed you, and yet you're still here. I'm just so glad."

she seemed like she was going to go up in tears, but she composes herself and smiles through it, wiping her eye with her sleeve. this was...alot. too much for me to digest. was she trying to say I was saved by a random miracle? was there much something more to this? My thoughts were moving a million miles a minute when suddenly the door opens and in walks esther pushing a tray cart with some hospital food on it and a little green present box. Dr. Cybil quickly sat up straight and cleared her throat, trying to hide what had happened to Esther. after a moment she stood up and turned to me.

"as I was saying, you are free to be released whenever you feel ready" she said, straightening her glasses and clutching her clipboard to her chest. I sat in silence, in the moment I couldnt think of anything to say. she continued "I'll leave you to your breakfast now, you must be starving." she was right about that.

Dr. Cybil left, but Esther stayed behind for a moment and unhooked me from all the machines, informing me that I could get up whenever I wanted. she didnt say much else but I could swear I heard her say "congratulations" under her breath before she took off after the doctor.

the meal in front of me was pretty standard hospital food, a small container of apple juice, a pudding cup, and some grilled chicken on a hamburger bun. I wasnt picky though, I must have been out for a few days. as I began eating I looked at the little green box. this must have been the present Dr. Cybil mentioned...