I Have Seen the Other Side (Flatliners 1990)

Chapter 9: Fifth Subject, Rachel Mannus

Elyse was exhausted from last night. As much as she had wanted to sleep, she couldn't. Recent events kept playing in her mind, and it was becoming harder and harder to shake away her visions of Jill. Why did she keep appearing to her? What did she want? What was she trying to tell her before? Elyse didn't have time to think on it further, and tried to focus on getting ready for the day.

When she left, she went through her classes as usual, and then to work. She hadn't seen or spoken to Nelson at all, but she wasn't too bothered. She thought he probably still needed some space to calm down before trying to talk. At the least, she'd go check on him after work, if he wasn't already there waiting for her. However, she didn't seem to be allowed to have a normal day at class or work. Jill started showing up more frequently, and when Elyse tried to ignore her or walk the other way, she would only find her again.

"Keep an eye on him." Jill would keep saying, "Don't go too far. Don't let him go too far. El, please."

Finally, Elyse couldn't handle it during her work shift, and she bolted outside.

"Leave me alone." She said, "I don't know what you want, so just stop it."

"Elyse, you alright?" Katherine had come to check on her.

"I hope so. Really long day." Elyse responds.

"Why don't you go in the break room and relax for a bit? I can cover for you" Katherine offers.

"I'll try."

The two women walked back inside, and Elyse took Katherine's advice. After about 15 minutes, Elyse was able to finish her shift with no further problems. When she was done, she walked out and was actually surprised to see Nelson waiting for her.

"Hey." He says.

"Hey." She responds, "I'm surprised to see you here tonight."

"I've been here every other night." He answers, "And you're still my girlfriend."

"Well, I was actually going to see if you're okay after last night before meeting with the others. After you stormed off, we agreed to move on and let Rachel get her turn. You are welcome to join us, if you aren't gonna snap again."

"I'll do my best."

Elyse then notices more injuries on his face that weren't there before.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"How did you get hurt this time?"

"It's nothing serious. Come on, let's go."

The two then walk over to meet with the rest of the group as a thunderstorm slowly forms, and rain leaks inside the building.

"Well, I must say I'm surprised you came back." Randy says, referring to Nelson.

"I talked some sense into him." Elyse responds, "Where's David?"

"Hasn't shown yet." Joe answers.

"Well, we could at least get some things set up before he gets here." Elyse says, helping Joe and Randy place buckets to catch the rain leaking in.

"How did it happen?" Rachel asks, also seeing the new cuts and bruises on Nelson's face.

"I was playing hockey." He responds.

"I have never seen you do that?" Elyse comments, but she's ignored.

"Look, about last night-" Nelson starts, but Rachel cut him off.

"It's okay." She says.

"Still no-show Labraccio." Joe comments.

"You know, this really isn't like him at all." Randy adds.