I don’t want to have Duke leave my side. I want him with us.
“He won’t cause any problems. I promise,” I assure. “He is well-behaved.”
Generally, he is, but given how the world is collapsing, and the constant threat of danger looming around every corner, he is extremely protective of us now.
“Sorry, kid. You’re lucky that we let him inside the hospital to begin with. The only reason we did was because those things are pretty active out there. Besides, do you remember what I said a minute ago?” he asks.
I nod. He directs my attention to inside the lab with his arm extended out. “That’s a sterile environment. Can’t have animals roaming about in there. It could compromise tests, which could cost lives.”
The nurse from before approaches us, holding the clipboard snug against her chest. She kneels down and pets Duke’s head. He lowers his ears and turns toward her. He sniffs her hand, then carefully licks her fingers.
“I can watch him out here if you’d like,” Debbie offers. “That is, as long as it’s ok with you, sir?” She tilts her head back, and looks up at Jacobson who simply nods. “I’ll make sure he’s taken care of. I use to have a dog like him many years back. He was sweet and well-behaved. What is his name?”
“Duke,” I answer.
“He looks like a Duke,” Debbie says with a grin as she massages the side of his face. “When you’re done with the tests, I’ll bring him to you. Come on, Duke. You hungry?”
Debbie walks away and pats her leg. Duke looks up to me for my approval.
“Go ahead, boy.”
Duke trots over to Debbie who leads him to another room down the hall.
Jacobson doesn’t offer another word as I head inside the lab.
Another cold gust of air hits me in the face. I shiver, then pull my jacket tighter. I walk over to the first bed to my right. Lucas and Cassie make their way over to the other nurses who are waiting for them.
Two more soldiers step inside. The door shuts and seals behind them. They spread out and take positions near Cassie and Lucas. Their rifles are held against their padded chests, fingers over the triggers. They’re treating us as if we’re a threat, even though they allowed us in. I guess I’d be the same way. There are tons of unscrupulous people in the world. I should know. I’ve met my fair share of them. In the end, it’s better to be safe and cautious.
“We’ll get started shortly,” the nurse advises through the surgical mask that’s covering her nose and mouth. Her tone is cold and callous. She doesn’t even look my way. Not that I’d expect her to be jovial, all things considered, but still.
I’ve never been a big fan of doctors, or hospitals for that matter. Every time I had to go to one, it was never a good thing. There was always something wrong with someone I cared about.
The last time I went was when Cassie broke her arm going down the stairs in our house. She always copied me, or tried to anyway. Regardless of what it was that I was doing, she would do her best to mimic my actions. Mom and Dad told me that she looked up to me, that she wanted to be like her big brother, since apparently, I was cool.
She ended up tumbling down the stairs one day by trying to take more than one step at time. Mom was more scared than anything, but Dad was pissed by what had happened. He knew why she had done it. He made sure to properly incentivize me to watch what I do in front of her from that point forward. Looking back, I’d give anything for another stern lecture. Man, I miss them.
“Please remove your coat and hat,” the nurse asks. She stands next to a gunmetal surgical tray that has needles and other medical tools covering the top.
I gulp.
“What sort of tests will you be doing?” I stutter as I slowly unzip my coat. My eyes stay glued to the tray of torture devices she is going to poke and prod me with me.
“There is nothing to be concerned about. We are just going to take your temperature and check your body for any signs of the infection.” She glances down to the tray and points to the needles with her gloved hand. “The needles are filled with antibiotics and some vitamins. Think of it as a flu shot. Just for preventative measures.”
I look at the needle, then to her. I’m a bit leery of being pricked, but if they wanted to kill us, they could’ve left us outside, or just shot us.
The coat comes off, followed by my hat. I place them in the chair nearby.
The nurse raps her hand on top of the thinly made mattress. “Please hop onto the bed.”
I hesitate once more, but the soldier standing near us moves closer. His stern, rigid expression compels me to does as she requested. I climb up on the bed.
“Has anyone actually gained access to the hospital who’s been infected?” I inquire. “What happens if you are found to be infected with the virus?”
She grabs the edge of a curtain and pulls it around the area of the bed. Lucas and Cassie are severed from my sight by the light blue fabric that boxes us in. They voice no concern or raise their voices in protest. The soldier stands still and at the ready as he watches us with keen eyes.
“Anyone we have here who is infected has been quarantined on the upper floors. The rest of the hospital is sectioned off from them.” She grabs the surgical tray, and wheels it around the bed to the side I’m on. “Let me ask you, have you been bitten or sustained any such injuries that could possibly result with you being infected?”
I’m not sure how to respond to that question. I sit there, silent for a moment, as I think back over all of the run-ins that I’ve had since this plague has started.
“I haven’t been bitten by the chasers. Like most everyone else here, I have had my fair share of run-ins with them. I’ve probably got cuts and bruises all over my body, but that’s about it.”
“Sounds like you have nothing to worry about then.” She grabs a thermometer and removes the plastic housing covering the end. Her fingers press the few buttons on the front before she slips the silver tip into my mouth.
I hold it steady with my lips, and wait anxiously for that familiar beep that lets you know it’s finished. She takes my right hand and slips on a blood pressure gauge. She starts the gauge, moves to the front of the bed, and retrieves a clipboard.
The strap squeezes my arm and cinches firmly into place. I can feel my heart throbbing inside my head. My muscles tighten. I fidget in place. I try to remain calm by thinking of Cindy, and how happy I’ll be to see her.
The thermometer beeps.
She grabs the end and pulls it clear of my lips. She glances at the front and jots down the readings on the paper that is attached to the clipboard.
The gauge finishes its readings. The pressure releases as the strap loosens. She pulls it down and removes it from my arm. She logs the readings, and places both items back on the surgical tray.
She sets the clipboard down on the bed next to me. Her hands grab the bottom of my shirt and start to lift it up. I grab her wrist. The sudden movement draws the soldier standing watch a single step closer to us. He brings his rifle to bear and presses it against his shoulder. He takes aim at my head.
Her eyes divert to the soldier. She lifts her free hand in the air and halts him with her palm. “It’s ok. Stand down.”
It takes him a moment to do as she requests, but he finally lowers his rifle.
“What are you doing?” My hand slowly releases its grip from around her wrist.
She takes a step back to give me a bit of space. “We have to do a physical inspection for any signs of the infection.”
“As in, strip me down naked and look over my body?” My face burns red with embarrassment. I’m not liking the idea. Although this is part of a fantasy that I’ve dreamed of before, the setting was a lot different, and there wasn’t an armed guard wanting to possibly shoot me.
“Unfortunately, yes. As much as we would like to take the word of any survivors who are brought in, which to be honest, are few and far between now, we have to be certain that you are not infected. Not doing so could jeopardize the
lives of everyone here, and we do not want that.”
I’m still not keen on the idea, but I do understand the caution that is being taken. If it’s the only way for me to see Cindy, then I will grit my teeth and bear it. I know I have nothing to hide. It just makes me feel uncomfortable to do it.
The palms of my hand fall flat on the bed. I shake my head, giving her the go ahead to proceed.
“I do apologize for my behavior there. I should’ve told you what I needed to do next,” she says.
I glance to the left of her at the soldier. His eyes are now deadlocked on me, which is going to make this even more awkward. Regardless, it still has to be done. The price of admission, I guess.
“It is ok. Just caught me off guard is all. Not use to having someone take off my clothes like that,” I say.
She offers an understanding nod. “I promise it shouldn’t take too long.”
The redness in my face remains, but I swallow the embarrassment and take off my shirt. My pants and underwear quickly follow. I stand there, shivering in the coldness of the lab with my hands cupping my genitals, as the nurse quickly looks me over.
Every inch of my flesh is covered with her eyes. Fortunately, the soldier has diverted his gaze for the time being.
She finishes up her physical inspection and allows me to get dressed. In a whirlwind of embarrassment, I slip on each article of clothing as fast as I can. She takes some blood and jams a few more needles into my arm. She’s gentle when doing so, but it still doesn’t take away the sting of the needle’s bite. I’ve never been a big fan of them.
“For now, I think we’re-”
The soldier’s radio goes off, and silences her. It crackles at first, then a distressed voice shouts out from the speaker.
It’s hard to make out what exactly is being said, but given the strained, panicked tone, it doesn’t sound good.
The soldier retrieves the radio from his side and brings it up to his mouth. “Say your last, over?” He places the speaker near his ear. It’s still hard to understand what’s being said. He goes to respond when a fist pounds on the window from the hall.
Two more soldiers stand just outside of the lab. They frantically wave at him and the other guards.
Concerned, I look to the nurse who is watching the soldier near us. “What’s happening?”
The soldier stomps toward us. He grabs the curtain, and yanks it back. “I need you out of here now, ma’am.”
She gathers up the blood sample and clipboard and makes for the entrance of the lab. The other two nurses are close behind.
“Hey, what the hell is going on?” I ask the soldier once more, this time with a bit more indignation to my tone.
“We have a situation,” he flatly replies.
CHAPTER FOUR
A situation is never a good thing. Especially when the world is ending.
The nurses and soldiers have left the lab with us locked inside. My face presses against the cool surface of the window. I struggle to peer down the halls for any hint as to what has everyone in lockdown mode.
The lights overhead flicker.
They go dark for a few seconds before struggling to come back on. My fingers twitch and move, as if the machete is fixed within my grip. I wish I had it, or any weapon for that matter. It would help stay the uneasiness swarming inside of me.
“See anything?” Lucas calls out from across the room.
A soldier dashes past the lab. I pound my fist against the glass and yell, trying to snare his attention. He doesn’t pay me any mind, though. He just races past us.
“I see some people moving in both directions, but can’t tell exactly what’s wrong,” I respond.
Lucas rests against the edge of the bed, slipping his shirt back on. His bandage has been changed on his shoulder, and his wound cleaned up. I imagine it looked pretty grisly. Then again, a gunshot wound never looks anything other than that.
We’re lucky that’s all that happened back in Canyonville. Those thugs that got the drop on us could’ve killed us.
Cassie approaches me, and looks out into the hall. Her head twists from left to right.
“Have you seen Duke?” she inquires.
I shake my head. “I haven’t, and it’s starting to worry me.”
I’m also concerned about Cindy. I want to bust out of here and go find her. She’s probably scared to death. She needs her big brother.
Cassie places her hand on my shoulder. “I imagine he’s fine. I bet that nurse is taking good care of him.”
Speaking of which.
Another nurse comes into view, heading this way. Her pace is brisk, her arms swinging back and forth.
I pound my fist harder on the glass, trying to get her attention.
“Hey!” I yell out. “Can somebody please tell us what the hell is going on?”
We make eye contact, so I know she can hear me, or at least, see that I need her in some capacity.
She slows her pace, and glances back over her shoulder, then back to us.
I motion to her with my hand to come closer to the window.
“Yes. Come here,” I mutter.
She continues to glance to either side of the hallway as she approaches the window. She looks concerned, eyes slightly enlarged as a hint of panic resides on her face.
“Can you please tell us what’s going on?” I yell. “The guards and other nurses bolted a bit ago and just said there was a situation.”
A tremor shakes the ground beneath our feet. The walls rattle as the lights nearly extinguish. Our bodies tighten, and we look around aimlessly. The nurse lowers to the ground, nearly disappearing from our sight.
“Was that an earthquake?” Cassie inquires.
My eyes wander about in every direction. “I don’t know,” I finally answer.
The nurse cautiously raises back up and looks at us. She moves the few strands of her long, dark hair away from her flushed face.
“It’s the infected. They’ve been showing up in greater numbers for the past few days.” Her words are low and muttered, but I manage to get the gist of what she says.
Cassie presses her palm to the window, and stares at the nurse. “Do you know how much longer we’re going to be locked in here?”
The nurse backs away from the window. She raises her arm up, and motions for us to stay put.
She starts to walk away.
I strike the window one more time in frustration. “Hey! Don’t leave!”
She vanishes down the hall.
I move away from the window and turn around. All I can think about is Cindy and Duke. Regardless of what’s happening outside, it doesn’t sound good, especially if it involves the chasers. I want them with me.
Lucas saunters in my direction with his arm swinging. He doesn’t seem as concerned or worried as Cassie or I. His body isn’t tense, but more at ease than anything. His arms swing as he saunters towards us. He doesn’t show any angst or a need to flee this confined space. He does grimace some in discomfort as his fingers adjust the shirt over the bandage.
“How are you so calm?” My voice is thick with agitation and worry as I pace back and forth. Cassie remains at the window with her eyes fixed on the hall. She continues to smack her palm against the window. It isn’t too hard, but enough to hopefully stop someone else passing by.
Lucas looks past me to Cassie. He cranes his neck and points over to her. “You might want to stop doing that.”
Cassie glances back over her shoulder at us.
“I’m just as worried as you two are, but banging on the window and yelling isn’t going to get us out of here any faster. They let us in, and we have to play by their rules. If we have to stay in here for the time being, then that’s what we need to do. Doing anything rash or pissing them off might get us kicked out into whatever crap storm is brewing outside. Do you want that? I sure as hell don’t,” Lucas says.
I sigh, then throw my arms up in frustration. “I just want to see my sister. I’m so close and yet, I feel so
far away. Feels like I’m never going to see her. I can only imagine what she’s going through right now.”
Defeated, I plop down in a chair near me. The floor trembles under my feet once more.
Lucas comes up and places his hand on my left shoulder. He gives it a single pat. “Everything will be fine, James. For now, we have to stay patient, and let the soldiers handle whatever is going on outside. Before you know it, we’ll be out of here, and you’ll see your sister.”
“Hey, guys,” Cassie calls out.
I turn around in the chair and find nurse Debbie standing at the door with a soldier. I can hear keys rattling about as she grumbles something through quivering lips.
Any subtle vibration or tremor causes her to flinch and cower. She looks about for something, but I don’t know what it is.
I spring up from the seat and race over to the door. She finally unlocks it and pushes it open. Duke rushes in. He licks my hand as I rub the top of his head.
The soldier remains at the entrance with his rifle shouldered and his finger over the trigger. He peers at the door we came through a bit ago.
“Have the chasers breached the hospital?” Cassie worriedly asks.
Debbie glances at Cassie, but doesn’t answer. She skips any such pleasantries and gets right to it. “We’re evacuating the ground floor. Grab your stuff and follow me, now.”
CHAPTER FIVE
There is no such thing as being safe anymore. In a world where the dead roam free, and the living are an endangered species, the odds of survival grow slimmer with each day that passes by. In the end, we all have one foot in the grave, and the other foot is not far behind.
We’re funneled out of the lab by nurse Debbie. The soldier accompanying her trails us as we head down the long stretch of hallway to our left. No words are spoken. No questions are asked.
We stay mute.
Silent.
The most important thing right now is safety, which I’m doubtful even exists anymore.
Dead State Box Set [0-5] Page 60
