The Body Clock

Summary

Christina Malcolm survives a deliberate house fire despite being drugged with Zolpidem, due to her strict childhood body clock training.

Abstract

Christina Malcolm, trained by her mother to wake up at 5:00 a.m., finds herself inexplicably adhering to this routine even as an adult. One night, her husband James spikes her hot chocolate with a large dose of Zolpidem and sets their house on fire, intending to kill her for the insurance money. However, Christina's internal body clock causes her to wake up, allowing her to escape the burning house. Doctors attribute her survival to the high dosage of Zolpidem being overridden by her body's conditioning to wake up early. The story concludes with Christina realizing the value of her mother's discipline and the revelation that her husband was responsible for the attempt on her life.

Opinions

The author suggests that Christina's mother's strict morning routine was instrumental in saving Christina's life.
The story implies that the discipline instilled in childhood can have life-saving benefits in adulthood.
It is conveyed that gratitude towards those who have shaped us is important, as seen in Christina's realization about her mother's influence.
The narrative hints at the dark side of human nature, as Christina's husband, James, betrays her trust by attempting to murder her for financial gain.
The text underscores the importance of being aware of the influence of those around us, as Christina's life is shaped both by her mother's positive influence and her husband's negative actions.

The amount of Zolpidem in your system, you should be out cold for about 24 hours.

Image by Annelise Lords

As a child, Christina Malcolm’s mother woke her up every morning at 5:00 a.m. to do chores before going to school. Christina complains every morning. Every morning her mother would say, “one of these days, you will thank me.” Christina couldn’t wait until her eighteenth birthday. She didn’t spend a day longer than her eighteenth birthday at home. She ran as fast as she could. Twenty years later, she was married to the guy of her dreams, owned her own home, and lived the life she wanted.

The night was cold, and Tina was tired, “James,” she called out to her husband. “Can you make me a cup of hot chocolate, please?” A few minutes after drinking her hot chocolate, Christina yawned and said, “I am tired honey, I need to lay down,” glancing at the clock yawning again. “Gosh,” she said, yawning uncontrollably. “What did you put in that tea?” James helped her upstairs and said, “Milk and chocolate, now go up and rest, I’ll clean up.”

Hours later, Christina woke up, getting out of bed, glancing at the clock. “Damn,” she cursed. “Why do I still wake up at 5:00 a.m. every morning,” she complained. The smell of smoke tickled her nostrils, and she screamed, “James!” running downstairs. The house was in flames. Covering her nose, she raced back upstairs and climbed out the window, grabbing the nearest limb to the Oak Tree. She felt herself falling.

Waking up, glancing around the white walls, she tried to move. Then something screamed, and everything started to move. She dozed off and woke up more alert. This time she could move without obstacles. Two men in white lab coats circled her, “Good morning,” one of them said. “I am Dr. Janus.” “And I am Dr. Phillips,” they introduce themselves. Christina looked behind them. Both doctors turned to look behind them, and Dr. Janus asked, “Visiting hours are in three hours.” “James,” she said. “Where is James?” Dr. Phillips sighed and said, “You will see him soon. Do you take sleep aid?”

Christina’s brows form into a knot prompting DR. Phillips to continue, “You had an unusual amount of Zolpidem in your system, yet you woke up and managed to survive the fire. What do you remember?” Christina fought her way back, then said, “James gave me my regular chocolate tea, and I went to bed. I woke up. Then I smell smoke. Screamed out for James, he didn’t answer. The house was engulfed in flames, so I took a window.” “What time did you wake up?” “5:00 a.m.” “How can you tell?” Dr. Janus asked. “My body clock is set to wake up 5:00 a.m. every morning. It’s my mother’s fault?” “Is she alive?” “Yes. Why?”

Both doctors sighed, and Dr. Phillips walked to the door and opened it, “come in, officer,” he said. Then Dr. Janus said, “The amount of Zolpidem in your system, you should be out cold for about 24 hours. Call your mother and thank her for setting your body clock. It overrides a large dose of Zolpidem. That saved your life.” Christina’s heart rose, and she sat up quickly, preparing herself for the worst news. “Is my husband ok?” she asked the officers.

The police officers looked at the doctors, they both nodded, and one of the officers said, “I am sorry, Mrs. Huges, but your husband spiked your chocolate tea with sleeping pills, set your house on fire to kill you for the insurance money. He is in shock because he can’t understand how you woke up. You weren’t supposed to.”

Sometimes, we fight the best part of us and the ones who helped us be who we are and what we have become. No matter what we have achieved in life, someone is responsible for helping us get there, directly or indirectly. My body clock is set. It has always overridden any sleep aid I take. It is also responsible for all of my success.

What about you?

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.

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