Chained - Cannibalistic love

The blare of my alarm shattered the pre-dawn quiet, dragging me from a shallow sleep. A low grumble escaped my lips as my hand fumbled for the snooze button, my arm sluggishly hanging over the edge of the bed. My eyes, still heavy with sleep, flickered to the red glow of the alarm clock: 5:00 AM.

A heavy sigh escaped me. All I wanted was to sink back into the warmth of my covers, but the hospital beckoned. My nursing placement, my second one this year, demanded my presence. Today was the last day of my morning shift, and thank God for that. No more waking up before the sun for a while.

With another sigh, I forced myself into a sitting position, yawning wide enough to crack my jaw. I sat there for a few minutes, willing myself awake, before lazily rising and tiptoeing to the bathroom. Silence was key; I didn't want to disturb my family – Liam, Isla, and my parents – who were still deep in slumber.

After a quick, cold shower that jolted me awake, I pulled on my scrubs, pinned my name tag, and looped my hospital ID lanyard around my neck. My still-damp hair was twisted into a neat bun. Back in my room, I grabbed my notebook and shift planner, then made my way to the kitchen, hoping breakfast would somehow magically appear.

The sky outside was still dark, though a faint hint of dawn was bleeding into the horizon over the ocean. My stomach grumbled, reminding me that magic wasn't on the menu. I fried an egg for toast, packed a chocolate spread sandwich, and grabbed a packet of crackers for morning tea. It was going to be a long day at the hospital, and I had objectives to meet. This was my last chance to make the most of it.

My car, of course, had chosen this weekend to break down, leaving me reliant on the bus. A forty-minute ride, which meant leaving early to ensure I made it in time for the 7:00 AM handover. I checked my watch: 6:00 AM. Time to go.