The Extinction Series | Book 8 | Primordial Earth 8

by Higgins, Baileigh

  “Let them go if they want to, Terri. You can’t stop them,” Callum said.

  “Alright,” Terri said, raising his hands in the air. “You can leave if you want to, but we’re going back to Prime.”

  “It’s yer choice,” Callum said.

  “I’m with them,” Paul said, his mouth set in a stubborn line. “My goal hasn’t changed. I came out here to look for Callum. I found him, and now I’m taking him back.”

  “Tick, tock, guys,” Terri said.

  In the end, the remaining three men elected to stay with Callum.

  “It’s our job, after all. It’s what we signed up for when we agreed to escort you as far as the river, Sir,” one of them said.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Terri said. “Now, let’s pick up the pieces and get moving. I really don’t want to be here when that thing gets back.”

  “On that, we can agree,” Callum said with a faint smile.

  Working fast, the group rounded up the horses, including Goliath. None of them had gotten too far, and it didn’t take long. They watered the horses and allowed them to graze while they treated their wounds.

  Luckily, it consisted of little more than bumps, bruises, and scrapes. Callum was the worst off. The gash on his cheek required stitches, and he had a dislocated finger. Once they’d rested up, they loaded their gear and mounted up.

  “Are you ready to go home, Callum?” Terri asked, shooting his friend a glance.

  “More than ready,” Callum said. “Besides, what else can go wrong?”

  Paul groaned. “Oh, man. You just jinxed us.”

  “Jinxed? No, I didn’t.”

  “Yes, you did,” a guard said. “Now, we’re all going to die.”

  “Comforting thought,” Terri said, nudging his horse forward.

  As they set out for Prime, the banter continued. It was good to know they still had it in them to laugh, despite what had happened. It didn’t mean they mourned any less. Any loss of life was a tragedy. But it meant they had the strength to carry on, and they would need it on the journey ahead. They had at least two days of travel left, and the worst might very well lie before them. Not behind them.

  Either way, Terri was determined to deliver Callum to Prime in one piece. It was the least he could do after all the things Callum had done for him in the past. Squaring his shoulders, Terri faced to the front. Prime, here we come.

  Chapter 15 - Sandi

  The hours passed while Kat tossed and turned, her sleep disturbed by nightmares. True to her word, Sandi remained by her side, only leaving to empty her bladder or get a glass of water. She kept Kat company, telling her jokes and funny stories. She gossiped about the hospital staff and shared the latest news—anything to keep Kat’s spirits alive.

  By morning, she was unable to keep her eyes open and dozed off. With her body curled up on a chair, she slept, dreaming of Paul and the Zoo. It was a good dream. In it, they were still young and innocent. Brittany was there. Aret and David too. It was them against the world, destined to lead the Exiles into a bright, prosperous future.

  When she finally woke up, she was shocked to find an entire day had passed. With a huge yawn, she stretched out her arms and legs. Her muscles and joints were stiff and sore, and it took a while to work out the kinks.

  Her bladder urged her to go to the bathroom, and she tiptoed past the sleeping Kat. After relieving herself, she washed her hands and face, rinsed her mouth, and redid her ponytail. Smoothing the creases from her clothes, she returned to the sick room.

  Dr. Bloomberg entered not long after that and smiled when he saw her. “Awake at last, I see?”

  “Did I sleep the whole day?” Sandi said, stunned.

  “You did. You must’ve been exhausted,” Bloomberg said. “It seems you didn’t need my medicine, after all.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Sandi said, stifling another yawn. Suddenly, she remembered her duties. “Oh, crap! The hospital! I haven’t done anything today. The meeting with the doctors, the storerooms—”

  “Calm down, my dear,” Dr. Bloomberg said. “I informed everyone of your absence, and they’re all doing just fine.”

  “Fine? What does that mean?”

  “It means that the doctors are perfectly capable of managing themselves. They can do without you for one day,” Bloomberg said.

  “Dr. Bloomberg is right,” a bright voice said.

  The voice turned out to be Nurse Julie, and she carried a tray covered with a cloth. The delicious smell of eggs, ham, and biscuits drifted from the tray, and Sandi’s stomach rumbled loudly. “Is that…”

  “Breakfast is served. Or is it lunch? It’s more like dinner, I think,” Julie said with a shrug. “Anyway, I thought you’d be hungry.”

  “Starving, actually,” Sandi said, placing the tray on her lap.

  “Well, no wonder. Look at you,” Julie exclaimed with her hands on her hips. “You’ve been running yourself ragged ever since Mistress Kat fell ill.”

  “I’m feeling better now,” Sandi protested.

  “You’ll feel even better after a proper meal,” Dr. Bloomberg said.

  “I’m sure I will. Thank you, Julie,” Sandi said.

  She whipped the cloth off the tray and groaned. The food was even better than she’d hoped. The eggs were done over easy, just the way she liked them. The fried ham was thick and juicy, and the biscuits gleamed yellow with butter. A glass of water, a cup of coffee, and an orange rounded out the meal.

  Unable to help herself, she grabbed a biscuit and wolfed it down. Crumbs rained down onto her chest, but she didn’t care. The only thing she cared about was filling the hollow void in her stomach. She’d starved herself for too long. But, she soon slowed down to appreciate the food. It was just too good.

  Sandi cut off a piece of ham, sandwiched it between two chunks of biscuit, and dipped it into the egg yolk. Shoving the concoction into her mouth, she chewed with relish, each moment like heaven on her tongue.

  Afterward, she ate the orange, sucking the juice out of each segment before drinking her coffee. Swallowing a burp, she leaned back in her chair with both hands on her stomach. “Now, that’s why I call bliss.”

  “Let me take that for you,” Julie offered, removing the tray. She walked toward the exit but paused in the open doorway. “Oh, I brought you a change of clothes and some toiletries. I figured you’d need a wash.”

  “Thanks, Julie. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Sandi said, retrieving the bundle from the front office.

  Bloomberg fussed over Kat’s IV but waved her away with an impatient hand. “Off with you, Missy. Have a nice hot shower; then you can rejoin us. I’ll have Julie make up a bed for you on the couch. That way, you can spend the night here in comfort. Tomorrow, you can resume your duties if you wish.”

  “You’re too kind to me, Dr. Bloomberg,” Sandi said, a knot jumping into her throat.

  “It’s nothing, my dear. Truly,” he said, his blue eyes twinkling.

  Sandi left him to his job and took a long hot shower. Afterward, she felt like a new being, washed, scrubbed, and refreshed. She put her hair up into a knot and donned the clothes Julie had brought her. It was a comfortable but straightforward outfit: Black tights, a soft shirt that hung to her thighs, a light cardigan, and flats. It was perfect.

  She exited the bathroom in a cloud of steam and made her way to Kat’s bedside. Julie was busy smoothing the sheets on the bed while Bloomberg checked Kat’s vitals. “How is she doing?”

  “I’ve changed the bandages on her knee. The swelling has gone down a lot, and it’s healing well. The broken collarbone too. I also checked on the baby, and I’m happy to say it’s doing fine. No more bleeding.”

  “That’s a relief,” Sandi said.

  “Indeed. If she can just hang on a little longer, her body will heal. She just needs time, I think,” Bloomberg said.

  At that moment, Kat stirred, and her eyes fluttered open. Beyond happy to see her friend awake, Sandi dragged a chair ov
er. Sitting down, she took Kat’s hand in hers. “Hey, Kat. It’s me, Sandi.”

  “I see you,” Kat said with a wan smile.

  “And I see you,” Sandi replied, giving Kat’s fingers a gentle squeeze.

  “Where am I?” Kat asked.

  “In the hospital. In Dr. Bloomberg’s rooms.”

  “Dr. Bloomberg? I know him. He’s nice,” Kat said with a faint smile.

  “Why thank you, dear,” Dr. Bloomberg said, though Kat didn’t seem to notice him.

  Sandi frowned. Something was off. Kat didn’t seem quite like herself. “Kat? How do you feel?”

  “He’s Santa, did you know that?”

  “Santa?” Sandi asked with a frown.

  “Yes, Dr. Bloomberg is Santa. Did you see his beard?”

  Alarmed, Sandi leaned closer. “Kat, sweetie. Dr. Bloomberg is not Santa.”

  “Of course he is, but it’s a secret,” Kat said in a low whisper. “Nobody must know about it.”

  “Oh, Kat,” Sandi said, her heart sinking into her stomach. She pressed one hand to Kat’s forehead, not surprised to find it blazing hot.

  “Don’t tell,” Kat said, growing agitated. She struggled to throw off her blankets, her eyes glazed. “You can’t tell!”

  “Kat, please. Calm down,” Sandi said, holding her friend down on the mattress. “Dr. Bloomberg, what’s going on?”

  “You can’t tell! You can’t tell! You can’t tell!” Kat screamed, the veins bulging in her forehead.

  “Nurse Julie, a sedative, please!” Dr. Bloomberg cried, rushing to Sandi’s assistance.

  Together, they held the struggling Kat down until Julie jabbed a needle into her arm. Kat stiffened, her back arched off the mattress. Every muscle in her body grew taut, and the veins in her throat bulged. Then, the fight left her body, and she sagged into oblivion, her eyelids fluttering shut.

  Dr. Bloomberg let go of her arm and leg, reaching for his stethoscope. He listened to her heart and lungs before moving on to the rest of her vitals. Meanwhile, Nurse Julie took Kat’s temperature, and they exchanged a worried look.

  “What?” Sandi asked, catching the look.

  “She’s got a fever,” Bloomberg said. “We need to get it down, or she’ll crash.”

  “I’ll get the shower going,” Nurse Julie said, rushing to the bathroom. She opened the cold water tap and stoppered the drain on the floor with a piece of cloth.

  Dr. Bloomberg nodded with approval. “It’ll have to do.”

  Sandi watched it all with fearful horror as they carried her friend to the bathroom, dragging the IV pole along. She wore only a thin linen nightgown, and Dr. Bloomberg stepped away once she lay in the shower. Julie sat next to her, propping up the unconscious Kat.

  “Can I help?” Sandi asked.

  “Sure,” Julie sat, waving her closer.

  Sandi sat on the edge of the tiles, holding Kat upright while the cold water poured over her body. The liquid swirled around her form and gradually filled the shallow basin until she was half-submerged.

  To Sandi, she looked like a broken porcelain doll. Her skin was the color of milk, and her long black hair was plastered to her arms and chest. Exposed and vulnerable, her scars were more prominent than ever, and it looked like she’d been taken apart and stitched together again. It was a reminder of the horrors she’d suffered and the sacrifices she’d made for them all.

  Hot tears pricked Sandi’s eyelids, and she swallowed a sob. Oh, my dear. I’m so sorry this is happening to you. You deserve so much better after everything you’ve been through.

  Julie monitored her breathing and heartbeat, checking her temperature now and then. Finally, she said, “We can take her out now. Her temperature has dropped.”

  “Thank God,” Sandi said, grabbing a thick towel.

  They wrestled Kat out of the shower stall and removed her wet clothes. After toweling her dry, they wrapped her in a fresh sheet and called Dr. Bloomberg. He helped them to get her back into bed and reinstalled her IV.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Sandi asked, holding her breath.

  “I don’t know,” Dr. Bloomberg said. “Only time will tell. I’ve adjusted her medication, but there’s nothing more I can give her.”

  “Is there anything I can do for her?” Sandi asked.

  “You can be here for her, that’s all. Watch her, reassure her, and be her friend,” Dr. Bloomberg said. “If she makes it through the night, she might live.”

  “Might?” Sandi asked, aghast.

  “The infection is spreading throughout her system, and the antibiotics don’t seem to be working,” Bloomberg said, his face sagging with grief. “It would be best to prepare yourself for the worst.”

  “I don’t think I can,” Sandi said, her heart breaking into a million pieces. “How do you prepare for something like that?”

  “I’m sorry,” Dr. Bloomberg said.

  “Are you sure there’s nothing more you can do for her?” Sandi asked, desperate.

  “It’s up to her now, I’m afraid. She needs to find the will to live, or no amount of medicine will do the job.”

  “I… I see,” Sandi said. “Thank you, doctor.”

  “I’ll be back to check on her later, my dear,” Bloomberg said. Patting her on the shoulder, he gathered his things and left.

  Julie tidied up the room and bathroom while Sandi kept watch over her friend. Afterward, she brought her a glass and a jug of water. “In case you get thirsty.”

  “Thank you,” Sandi whispered, not bothering to look up.

  “I’ve prepared a bed on the couch for you, or you can sleep here if you want,” Julie said, her tone sympathetic.

  “I’ll stay here.”

  “Take these then,” Julie said, handing her a pillow and blanket. “I’m off for home now, but I’ll be back early tomorrow morning. I’ve also arranged with the night staff to check in on you.”

  Sandi didn’t reply, her entire focus on Kat. Eventually, Julie left, closing the door with a soft click. The sudden silence crashed around Sandi like a rogue wave, and she jumped up. “This can’t be happening. It wasn’t supposed to end this way.”

  But it was happening, and she was powerless to prevent it. With swift strides, she paced the tiny room. “Where are you, Paul? I trusted you!”

  She stopped and calculated the days and nights. Four. It’s been four nights now. Tonight will be the fifth. He should’ve been back by now. Maybe I should look for him. He has to be close.

  It was a desperate thought, the fantasies of a woman gone mad. It would never work, and Kat would die alone. Alone and friendless. No, I can’t do that. It’s not right.

  Her shoulders sagged, and a wretched sob burst free from her lips. She sat down next to Kat’s bed and clutched her hand. Holding back the tears, she said, “Listen to me, Kat. You have to fight this infection. I know you can do it. I know you have it in you. You’re as tough as nails, damn it.”

  Kat didn’t answer. She lay as still as a corpse, her lips tinged with blue—a sleeping beauty who would soon pass from this world to the next.

  Sandi’s head drooped to the mattress, defeated. There was nothing more she could do. Nothing but watch her best friend die. Tears slipped down her cheeks unheeded, and she grieved for the loss to come. “Damn you, Kat. Damn you.”

  Chapter 16 - Kat

  Kat’s head lolled to the side, and she stared at the tubes sticking out of her arm. It felt surreal, like it was all just a dream. She could feel the infection working deep within her. Like a parasite, it burrowed into her system and leeched away her strength one drop at a time.

  A dark figure hovered above her, and she caught a gleam of gold. Hope kindled in her chest, and she touched her tongue to her dry lips. “Callum?”

  “Kat? Are you awake?” the figure cried, leaning closer.

  Kat blinked, and her heart sank when she realized it was Sandi. Though she was happy to see her friend, she needed Callum. He was her heart, and he wasn’t there. She couldn’t li
ve without a heart.

  A dark pit opened up inside her soul. It called to her, sucking her deep into its gaping maw. It was filled with poison: Guilt, hate, self-loathing, pain, loss, and suffering. It swirled around her in a vortex until she couldn’t recognize herself anymore.

  “No,” Kat cried, fighting against the despair that threatened to overtake her soul. “I can’t give up. The baby.”

  A hand tugged at her shoulder, and her eyes fluttered open. “S… Sandi?”

  “Yes, it’s me,” Sandi said, and her face swam into focus. “Listen to me. You have to fight.”

  “I can’t,” Kat whispered as the pit called to her again.

  “You must. Think about the baby,” Sandi said, her voice insistent.

  “I’m not strong enough,” Kat said.

  “Yes, you are, damn it. You’re the strongest person I know.”

  Kat shook her head, and Sandi faded away. Drifting in darkness, she waited and waited. It would be over soon. That much she knew.

  Suddenly, Sandi was back, forcing her into the light. “Kat, I’m still here. I won’t leave you.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Kat said, suddenly in tears. “This is all my fault. I should’ve listened to you.”

  “Yes, you should have, but it doesn’t matter now. You have to live, Kat,” Sandi said, her voice insistent. “Here. Let me help you.”

  Kat submitted to her friend’s touch, unable to resist. She lay still while Sandi washed her brow with a sponge and cold water. It felt good but made no difference. She was dying, and there was nothing anyone could do about that. The dye was cast.

  Her thoughts fled to the distant past, and she remembered a time before the Shift. It had been a joyous time for her. She still had parents back then and a childhood filled with love and happiness. Then, one fateful night, it all changed.

  Kat still remembered the telephone call that broke her heart. The words were a blur, but the meaning was clear. Death had come for her family. Like a thief in the night, it came and stole her joy. Her parents were gone, and she was alone.

  Her uncle took her in and tried his best to raise her, but it wasn’t the same. A veteran and a cop, he knew nothing but discipline. A stickler for the rules, he lived his life in black and white. There was no in-between.