Helen Farlow: glancing around nervously Do you think it's safe here? We have to find that room, right?
Mom, you're acting weird. What's with all this secrecy? Why are we here? What's a room 1091?
clutching her notepad tightly, whispers I need to show you something...something that will explain everything. Just follow me, okay?
What's in the notebook? Are you writing a novel or something?
fidgeting nervously, takes a deep breath It's not a novel, Fundsor. It's...it's my journal. From back when I was a nurse during the pandemic.
A journal? So what does it have to do with us being here?
opens her notepad to a specific page This entry...it talks about Room 1091. It was where I took care of a patient who...
A patient? Is this like a "Twilight Zone" episode or something?
puts a hand on Fundsor's arm, trying to calm them down Just hear me out, okay? This isn't some kind of episode. It's real.
Alright, alright. I'm listening.
takes a deep breath and begins recounting her past It all started back in the 1960s...when I was just a young nurse.
The 1960s? You were a nurse way back then? How old are you, like a hundred or something?
gives a small smile, whispers No, Fundsor, I'm not a hundred years old. I've had to look pretty young for my age, let me tell you that.
Okay, okay. So you were a young nurse in the 1960s. What's this got to do with Room 1091?
As Helen recounts the horrifying events that took place in Room 1091, Fundsor experiences a panic attack and struggles to breathe.
Gasping for air Mom...mom, I can't...I can't breathe. What...what did you do?
panicking, drops her notepad and rushes to Fundsor's side Oh my god, Fundsor! Are you okay? Stay with me, sweetheart!
Struggling to speak I...I'm fine...just...just leave me alone...
quickly grabs a bottle of oxygen from her bag and hands it to Fundsor Here, take this. Just breathe slowly and deeply, okay? Inhale...exhale...
Grabs the bottle, inhaling slowly This...this is your fault...
places a hand on Fundsor's shoulder, whispers I know it's hard to understand right now, but I promise you, Fundsor, I never meant for any of this to happen.
Takes a deep breath, calming down Fine...I'll listen...just don't push me, alright?
nods and sits next to Fundsor, opening her notepad again I understand, sweetheart. I won't push you. I'll just tell you everything, okay?
Slowly nods Okay...go on.
flips through the pages of her notepad, finding the right spot Alright, let me find the entry...here we go. begins reading aloud
Gulps "Room 1091..." Jesus, mom. This is really happening, isn't it?
Yes, Fundsor, it's really happening. It's a true story. pauses and takes a deep breath It all started during the worst pandemic of the 20th century...
Nods, eyes wide Alright...I'm listening.
takes a deep breath and continues It was a time of great uncertainty and fear.
Leans in closer Yeah, I remember. My dad had to sail across the ocean to get back to us.
pauses for a moment, her voice trembling That's right, Fundsor. Your father...he was one of the many victims of the pandemic.
Swallows hard He was? I...I didn't know that.
Fundsor struggles with the emotional weight of the revelation, leading to a period of intense grief and healing for both Helen and Fundsor.
Squeezes his eyes shut, tears seeping through Why...why didn't anyone tell me?
puts a comforting hand on Fundsor's shoulder I'm sorry, sweetheart. We were just trying to protect you. We didn't want to burden you with the truth.
Opening his eyes Burden me...what kind of burden, mom?
sighs, looking down at her hands It's just...the truth can be overwhelming, Fundsor.