The Dead Patient Sat Up

The patient I just pronounced dead sat up and asked for water. My hands were still

shaking from calling time of death when his eyes opened. The attending froze. My ex who works

in cardiology rushed in because he heard the code blue, saw me, saw the patient

alive, and our secret relationship became the least important thing in that room.

Turns out the guy had taken some experimental drug from a clinical trial he wasn't supposed to be in.

He claimed he was a time traveler testing mortality limits. We had to decide

whether to report him, protect him, or call psych. My ex wanted to

cover it up to avoid a lawsuit. I wanted the truth. The patient smiled and said he knew