The floor-to-ceiling mirror at the door is covered with a thick layer of gray. The Bude people said that the mirror is regarded as the devil’s tool, which is a hidden place for death. Therefore, people should cover the mirror cloth before dying, so that the dead can be peacefully freed from earthly sins. There is a bottle of old wine on the small dining table, which is a tradition in northern Germany and has been inherited since the Middle Ages. It is said that this kind of dying wine can awaken the dead, dispel the ghosts around the hospital bed, and bring peace to the dying. The baptismal candle, Eucharist candle and holy candle are lined up in front of the bed for many years.

The doctor gave Hathaway a sedative, confessed a few words, and shook his head and left. Hathaway was lying in …

A moment later, I stepped into the hallway, where a nurse was waiting to confirm with me what to do with my father’s body. When my father was admitted to hospital for treatment about three years ago, he established a deep friendship with me in front of his hospital bed. The young doctor rushed over from the door, and she put her arms around me tightly without saying anything. She said that she was on duty on another floor, but I heard that my father had just died. I didn’t ask her if she learned that this kind and beautiful mother and grandmother were all doctors. After holding my hand and accompanying me to the stairs, she held my finger tightly and promised to call me the next morning.

I stepped into the lobby and walked through the garage. I couldn’t seem to find where I parked my car. …