by catt dahman
Stu thought Mick’s screams might burst his eardrums. He second-guessed himself, wondering if he did the right thing, but he hadn’t known what else to do. Yet, only a few more seconds had passed.
While Kelly worked on Lynn, John Littleton and Amy did as Kelly ordered, “Get Connie, and make sure the creatures are flicked away as husks, move her closer to the fire, and keep a check on her.”
Vera stared at the sand, picked at her nails, and said, “This is too gross.”
“Vera, get your ass in gear, and help Tom do the same treatment for your mother,” Kelly yelled.
“I’m scared to touch her.”
“Do it, or I’ll slap you sideways, Vera.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Bet me. I said help her. Now, you idiot.”
“Bitch, I…I’m trying…” said Vera, still hesitating.
“Do it. If the slugs are dead, then you’re safe. I hope. Just do it.”
“I am,” said Vera, as she finally did as ordered, glaring at Kelly the entire time.
“Stu, get Mick settled and make sure he’s okay. You did fine. All of you, there’s rum or vodka or whiskey. Give them three swallows of the alcohol, and then rinse their wounds. It may ease the pain,” ordered Kelly.
“Was alcohol best when we didn’t know what those things were? Are? I mean…” asked Davey.
“Davey, be quiet. Yes, they need something so that they stop screaming,” Kelly yelled back. She hoped she was right. She didn’t wish to do harm but couldn’t stand to hear the wailing of agony, but the injured people had to have relief.
Kelly couldn’t imagine the pain they were experiencing. The alcohol killed the creatures, and maybe it would give the injured a measure of pain relief. Kelly needed a few minutes before she could attend to each victim of the attack.
Joe dragged Amanda back to the fireside on her belly, afraid to pick her up and cause more pain. Despite her screams again, he made her drink several gulps of whiskey and then doused her leg and back in it. He gave her four shots instead of three, thinking the amount hardly mattered. She no longer screamed when he cleaned her wounds because her vocal chords were already strained.
He asked, “Better or worse as I wash it?”
“Better,” she gasped. Her eyes rolled, and she bit through her lip in several places when the pain took over her senses. Her chin became red with blood as she bit down on her bottom lip.
Joe was tender hearted, so he felt bad. Amanda was the last person from the crew of the Connie Louise and the person he knew best besides Durango. Not only was he lonely for the rest of the crew, but he also would be lonely for Amanda. He respected her and thought of her as a daughter.
Ever since the storm wrecked the ship, Amanda had suffered, and the suffering made Joe’s heart ache. “I’d rather it be me, ‘Manda. God bless but you saved Amy and tried to save everyone else today.”
Vaughn, Joy, and Mattie took hot sticks and picked and poked at the edges of the debris that had washed ashore.
Harold joined Benny and Helen and helped them add anything they didn’t need such as extra firewood and trash on top of the debris that Scott then set ablaze with a bottle of rum with exceptionally high proof alcohol.
To begin with, the wet trees only smoked, but the bonfire became hot as they began to add more to it, and the entire heap finally blazed. No other creatures came out, and the many that were still in the trash hiding, burned away with angry buzzing noises.
“I hope it hurts, you bastards,” Harold said as he watched the fire. He wanted the creatures to suffer the keenest of misery.
Kelly called for Helen. She talked as she worked, “Marshal Lynn, take another few shots. Yeah, there you go. Five…that’s good. Take a sixth. Now, relax. I’ll be right back. Davey!”
“Here. I’m helping…” answered Davey.
“You help me now. Sit with Lynn, and keep this cloth over his face. He’s safe now, but keep his face covered. Keep this hand covered as well. Wrapped. He’s had enough alcohol,” said Kelly as she stood with Helen. “I have to go fast, so stay with me.”
“Ready,” said Helen.
“That shit is some acid or something that doesn’t like heat or booze. He has lost his eyes, his nose, part of his upper lip, and a spot on his chest. It isn’t very deep…the place on his chest. He rubs at it, and the last three fingers on his right hand are…well…bone.” Kelly didn’t need to add that he was probably one of the strongest of the group and was reduced to crying like a child. She gulped as she spoke, trying to stay strong.
“He’s in so much pain,” said Helen.
“I know. I can’t do much. It’s not fair.”
“Dear, God, why the hell…okay...what do we do next?” Helen asked.
“Triage, just like after the wreck. Be my second. I need Davey there,” said Kelly as she went to Amanda next. Joe’s eyes were wet and sad. He shook his head slowly because he had already accepted her fate.
Kelly checked Amanda’s pulse and it was weak and thready. Her foot was nearly eaten away to the bone; only a little flesh and tendons remained. Her back was worse. The scar tissue was gone, along with the muscles and flesh, and her spine showed in places.
“Joe, Hon, hold her hand and keep telling her she saved the rest who were there. She was a hero because she got people away from those slugs. Tell her: ‘Amanda, you did a fine job. You’re amazing’.”
Joe nodded. He understood Amanda was dying, and he thought that was for the best.
Jada rocked back and forth and whined with pain while Amy and Benny talked to her. Both teenagers had tears streaming down their face and were as white as paint.
Amy cried and looked up at Kelly and said, “Mom saved my life. Please fix her, Kelly. Please.”
Benny was more pragmatic. “Amy, she can’t work miracles.” He wiped his nose on his sleeve and hugged his sister as they sobbed.
Helen and Kelly gave alcohol to Jada, but only a few shots because there was little to be done for her and alcohol would barely take the edge off any of her pain. Both felt terrible for Jada’s children.
Below Jada’s knees were pitted, bloody bones covered in bits of sand; no flesh was left. Because of her panic, she rubbed at her legs, covering both hands with acidic slime. Then while trying to get rid of the slime, she rubbed her hands across her shirt, covering it with the slime and causing a chest of burned areas. One breast was almost fully eaten away.
“In a little while, I could remove both her legs above the knees. She might die of blood loss and shock. Then, both of her hands will need to be removed as well. Last, I will debride her chest and breast, but all of that will be the least of her problems. I’m sorry Amy and Benny, but I have to be honest and tell you exactly what the deal is. You need to take that in. It isn’t fair or right, but it’s honest. Helen?”
Helen realized Kelly was asking for advice. “Both legs and both arms? You have to ask Jada,” said Helen.
“We’ll come back. I think…well…the shock may take her anyway,” said Kelly as she turned, “and Benny, talk to Jada some and keep her calm.”
“Her legs! Her hands! Kelly!” yelled Benny.
“Stop yelling at me, Benny. Do as I said, and I’ll be right back. I’m sorry you have to deal with this, but who else is there? I need you. I have to check the rest, so I can’t do anything yet.”
“I…can’t,” said Benny.
“Well, yes, you can. You certainly can, and you must. Amy has to help you,” said Kelly.
“It’s my fault; Amanda and Mom were trying to protect me,” added Benny.
“Which means you have great value. Act like it. Show that value now,” Kelly said. She tightened her lips and showed a strong face even though she felt like crying.
Helen and Kelly walked away, hating to leave the teens but having to.
Kelly checked Connie who kept yelling for Durango and scratching at Tom and Vera. Her leg was in a terrible state, yet, it was one of the least severe injuries. Connie had
a habit of mixing coconut oil and a little rum and then rubbing the mixture into her skin to help her tan. She had done it that morning, actually, and maybe that repelled the slug somewhat. Kelly thought about that as she checked Connie.
There were still dime-sized and nickel-sized burned holes on Connie’s foot and knee, and her little toe was a tiny stump, but her leg still could be saved. “Joy, come over here, and you and Tom do what I say. Vera, go help with the fire.”
“I don’t wanna,” said Vera.
“I said do it,” Kelly snapped.“Joy and Tom, use the kit, and clean the wounds well.Give Connie a few snorts of the rum. Get her very clean, and I mean wash her three times, apply cream, and then wrap her in the torn sheets after the gauze so it’s cast-like.”
Joy glanced at Helen who nodded that it was the right thing to do. “Is Connie okay?”
“Not okay, but she should survive this,” Kelly said as she sighed. “Now for Mick.”
Stu stood alone.
“Where is Mick?”
“Now, Kelly, you have to listen, okay?” said Stu.
“Where is he?” asked Kelly.
“His hands. Both are burned away to the bone, and his fingers…they’re gone…it is past his wrists. The only thing to do is to remove both of his hands, Helen, and you, he, and I know that. It’s logical. That means a machete, a lot more pain, blood, fire to cauterize, and bandages, and he wouldn’t have hands, Damnit.”
“And?” Kelly spun, following the way Stu looked and saw Mick far out in the water. Scott, Alex, and Tyrese watched but didn’t say anything. “He’s going to drown?”
“He said he was swimming to China. Kind of funny. He was trying to be brave,” answered Stu.
“And you let him?” Kelly asked as she yelled at Stu, almost nose to nose with him. “You stupid little shit.”
“Fuck you, Kelly. It isn’t always your choice, you know? It was his choice.”
“And you are suddenly an activist for human rights? No, fuck you, Stu,” said Kelly as her eyes burned with angry tears.
“Jada is over there, and she will lose both hands and both legs? I mean,” Helen said. “Kelly, we need to go to her. Mick made his choice.” She looked to Scott who returned a sad glance.
“Kelly, don’t make her live that way. Let her have a choice,” Stu said.
“I am. I’ll give her a choice. I should have given Mick a choice, too. You had no right.”
Stu leaned in close to Kelly and said, “He had a right. It isn’t always about your doing shit, Kelly. I listened to him. I supported his choice. It’s on me this time, like Scott always says, but it is merciful. He is in so much pain that he can’t stand it another second. He is doing as he wishes.”
“No, it was just easier for you, jerk. Asshole. Go fix the fire; stay away from me,” said Kelly.
“Whatever you want.”
Kelly stomped back to Jada.
Helen caught her shoulder and said, “He’s a jerk, but it was Mick’s decision. No one else stopped him. He lost his hands and was in excruciating pain. I can’t imagine. You didn’t get to decide, so? It’s okay if sometimes other people decide for themselves. You aren’t God, Kelly. Relax, or you’re going to destroy everything.”
Kelly looked to the ocean. Mick was gone, lost to the waves. “I hate losing anyone.”
“Well, the hard cold fact is you’re going to lose Amanda as well, and maybe Lynn and Jada as well. Buck up because we need you, and if you can’t, then excuse yourself so Davey and I can do whatever is necessary. Just do something.”
“Littleton! Come here, please,” Kelly called. “She’s your friend’s wife, and the kids are sixteen and twelve and too young for this.”
“For what?” asked Littleton.
“Jada is in a bad way, so come with me,” said Kelly to Benny and Amy.
Kelly asked them to help with the fire. Unhappy, they walked away from their mother but relieved to be away from such suffering. Jada moaned and whined; sometimes she shrieked. Very carefully, Kelly explained the situation to Jada and John Littleton. Littleton had to be Jada’s advisor.
“Both legs above the knee, and both hands? How?” Littleton asked.
“I have a few instruments, but it would be with knives and a machete, scalpels, and then hot metal…red hot…to sear the veins. Clean, cream, bandage, and hope.”
“Can’t bathe? Eat? Walk? A lump with a head?” Jada cried harder. “I can’t take the pain; please, I can’t stand it,” she screamed again.
On the beach by the fire, both of Jada’s children jerked as they heard her.
“I don’t have anything, Jada,” Kelly said.
“You’d do that surgery without putting her out?” asked Littleton as he went grey.
“I can find something to relax her a little, but put her out? No. No morphine. No drugs,” said Kelly.
Jada cried with her pain and muttered that she wanted to die right then because of the pain. She frequently sobbed, “My legs!” or “My hands!” She wailed when the pain grew worse. The few swallows of vodka did little because Kelly needed her answer. If Jada passed out drunk, Kelly would remove all four limbs.
“Couldn’t she pass on if she wishes?” Littleton asked. He fought to keep from vomiting.
“A scalpel to an artery, or Tyrese could probably break her neck. That would be easier on her, but not on him. You could take her out into the water and let her go; that’s pretty rough though,” said Helen as she tried to think. It made her sick to list the ways Jada could die. “What do you want, Jada?”
“Make it stop hurting. Oh, God, it hurts,” Jada screamed again.
“If I take one limb, she’ll fight for the other three and be in terrible pain, maybe worse,” Kelly said.
Benny walked over and said, “Mom is a nervous person, and she has fibromyalgia. When we wrecked and went into the water, she had her purse with her watertight pill bottles in it. She has muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, nerve pills, pain pills, and something for general aches that is also a prescription. Let me sit with her, and we’ll make her comfortable outside the yacht in the sand.”
“Okay,” said Kelly as she listened carefully.
“She can have some rum,” said Benny, smiling far too widely. His eyes were shiny with shock and grief, but he kept talking, “She can have…oh, a few of each pill or several, and any that are left, you can have for your medical kit, Kelly. If there are any left. Amy and I can sit with her, and we’ll help the pain until it all goes away.”
“My, God,” Kelly said.
Helen blinked away tears and said, “It’s the best idea we have, Kelly. We’ll get her moved and all comfy. Benny,” she couldn’t continue.
“You’re brave,” Kelly said.
“No. I’m a coward. I can’t stand hearing her suffer.”
Benny helped, and they took Jada, wrapped in her sheets, outside so she could see the waves while she lay in a little depression in the sand.
Benny gave her the rum mixed with fruit juice; next, he gave her pain pills and finally sleeping pills, adding more to his palm as he counted them out.
After a few pain pills and sleeping pills and the rum, Jada quieted, talking dreamily to her children and letting them comb through her hair and pat her face and shoulders. They kissed her, and she smiled at Amy and Benny. Kelly and Helen cried as they watched.
The only unusual event happened when Jada asked for Helen, right as Jada began with the second round of pills. She was relieved of some of the pain but still able to focus. “Helen, Benny adores you. You’ll take my babies, and make sure they’re safe?”
“Amy and Benny?”
“Please?”
Helen cried openly, “Oh, Jada. I’ll treat them like my own children if you want. If they want.”
Jada smiled peacefully and said, “Benny, Amy, your father and I, will watch over you, but here, Helen will care for you. You mind her; be safe and good, okay?” Her eyes rolled as the pain hit her in waves.
Amy pressed
her face against her mother’s face and wept as she nodded. Benny patted Amy and looked at Helen. “Sorry, it’s the only thing we can do. It’s my mother; she has to arrange something she is good with,” he whispered. “Just agree. It won’t matter because she won’t know anyway. It’s more peaceful for her.”
“I’m giving my word. I’ll care for you and Amy as my own,” Helen promised. “Goodbye, Jada.”
Helen left the children with their mother, walked a few steps, and buried her face in her hands as she cried.
Chapter 11: Nothing in Common
Joe asked some others to help him, and they carefully and respectfully added Amanda’s body to the bonfire so that no creatures would dig her up and eat her.
Her sheet-covered body settled deep in the blaze and burned away.
“She was a hero. She saved Amy and probably Connie as well. Bad times. I gotta boil water and cook rice. Don’t mind me,” said Joe.
“I’ll help you,” Davey offered to Joe. He needed to walk away from death for a while. Besides, Joe needed someone to talk to.
“I caused her pain when I moved her, Davey. I didn’t mean to.”
“Joe, you tried to save her and the others. If you hadn’t done it, we might all have died. She didn’t blame you for that. She knew you stopped the creatures from burning her more. It was just too late.”
Joe wiped his eyes.
“You tried. We can’t do more than try,” said Davey.
“I miss her already. She was a strong lady,” Joe said, remembering Amanda and him working together aboard the Connie Louise.
Davey patted Joe’s arms and nodded. “I liked her a lot.”
At lunch, the group picked at the fruit and smoked meat because each had very little appetite. Everyone looked depressed, so there was little conversation. Benny and Amy, with Littleton’s help, wound Jada’s body tightly and allowed Scott, Alex, and Tyrese to put her corpse in the bonfire, too. Littleton held the hands of the children, they prayed a while, and then they cried.
