The three men shared a laugh. Running Buffalo took a sip, then looked at Alden and explained what they saw when they got to town, and on the way over. Alden listened intently as Running Buffalo gave his view, “All in all, I think we have more of the dead ones around then we thought. We need to find out how many, and more importantly, why they keep coming?”
Alden took another sip of coffee, “Well before all this happened, there were about 314 million people in the U.S. and so far I’ve only seen a few hundred survivors at best. These things only feed on living flesh. If not, they would start eating each other and that I haven’t seen. So it goes to show us we are well outnumbered. When the food supply starts to run out wherever they are, they will wander around looking for something to eat.”
Running Buffalo and Stray Eagle both sat silent as they thought about what Alden had said. It was Stray Eagle who broke the silence first, “Three hundred million you say.”
Alden nodded. Stray Eagle shook his head. “Well I guess the president can kiss his clean air program goodbye, cause with that many rotting corpses, the air in this country is going to be real foul, real quick.”
Alden and Running Buffalo looked at him then at each other. Soon they all laughed loudly.
*************************************************************
Charlie rolled over and sat up in bed. Ceara opened her eyes and sleepily asked what was wrong. Charlie got up, walked to the window, and looked out. He couldn’t see the men, but he could see the smoke from the fire pit and heard the voices. Turning, he smiled at her, “Come on honey, Alden’s up and we got company.” Charlie finished getting dressed and then went to the bathroom. When he came out he chuckled seeing the line waiting for their turn. Tabitha, Beth and Ceara were all waiting with towels and toothbrushes in hand. “Where’s Colt?”
Ceara spoke up, “He was a gentleman and went to do his business outside, unlike you.” She pushed past him and smiled to the girls, “I won’t be long.” Ceara came back out in a few minutes, “Next.” She walked back to her bedroom to drop off her things, then headed towards the kitchen.
Beth turned to Tabitha, “I won’t be long, it’s going to be a very busy day, so I want to get in and get right back out.” After shutting the door, Beth jumped in the shower and surprisingly the water was still hot. Wasting no time, she washed her hair and body then immediately rinsed off, making sure that she still left enough hot water for Tabitha. When she stepped out of the shower, Beth wrapped a towel around her and began brushing her teeth then followed by combing her hair. All the while, thoughts of checking on Niz and her condition; then going to look in on Alden and Tonto ran through her mind.
Slipping into her jeans, Beth thought back to when she first had to tend to anyone in her adopted family and a tear fell down her cheek. The memory of Maximus lying on the table outside of the cabins when Charlie, Tabitha, and Colt were first attacked. This time it was not poor Maximus, but his brother Tonto and his injury was not nearly as bad as Maximus’s, was but still an injury.
Wiping the tear from her face, Beth looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled softly, “Pull yourself together, Beth. A lot of people need you!” She put her shirt on and then threw her towel over the towel rack for it to dry. Once finished, Beth opened the door and saw Tabitha looking off down the hallway towards the room Niz was in. “Everything ok?”
Startled, Tabitha smiled, “Ya, sure... just thinking about everything that took place, but she doesn’t seem to be making a sound.”
Beth stepped past her, “You go get cleaned up and I will take care of Niz. When you're finished, you can come back down to help me, or go help Ceara. Either way, your choice.”
Tabitha walked into the bathroom, closing the door, she started the shower. As the water began flowing down her body, she took in a very deep breath and tried to forget everything, if just for a little while.
Opening the door to where Niz was, Beth quietly walked in and made her way over to her bedside. Beth grabbed her stethoscope and blood pressure cuff; she began taking Niz’s vitals. Not surprised at all, Niz was resting comfortable with her BP at 130/75. Then Beth grabbed her digital ear thermometer and Niz’s temperature was 99.1, which with just being through surgery, and her body recovering, a small elevation of temperature wasn’t too bad. Gently, Beth turned Niz’s head to where she could see the bandage covering the wound. A little blood was present on the gauze and when Beth took it off, Niz moaned slightly. “Niz, you’re alright and you’re safe. I am just going to have a look here at your wound and then you can get some rest.”
“Is it bad?” mumbled Niz in a low voice.
Beth worked quickly to check the stitches then clean the wound. “Niz, you got hit in the collar bone and some fragments did chip it slightly. However, I did get the bullet out along with the remaining pieces, but you're going to be sore for a while as you begin to heal. I will give you something for the pain for the first couple of days, that way your body will start healing a little quicker.”
Niz opened her eyes. Everything was a blur at first, but started to come into focus slowly. “I’m thirsty, could I have some water, please?”
“Of course you can, but I will hold off giving you your pain shot and antibiotic until you do. Are you hungry at all?”
Beth didn’t think she would be, but wanted to offer and not be rude.
“No, just extremely thirsty.”
Beth stood up and smiled softly, “I will be right back with your water.” She then turned to leave the room, making her way into the kitchen where she saw Ceara. “How’s Niz?”
Beth grabbed a glass and filled it with some cool water, “She is awake and is thirsty, which is a very good sign. I am going to go give her this. If you would like, you can go tell her father that she is awake for a bit. That is until I give her another shot, so if he would like to see her, now would probably be the best time.”
Ceara was more than eager and she immediately headed out the door. Beth smiled and walked back to where Niz was. “Here you go, dear. Take small sips so it stays down. I just told Ceara that you’re awake and to go tell your Father. I will hold off on giving you your medication until you speak with him, if that is alright with you?”
Niz struggled with the glass with her one good arm as Beth held it firmly, “Here honey, let me hold. I will try to find some straws, but in the meantime, we got to make do sweetie.”
Niz relaxed and drank her water.
Ceara got outside hearing the men laughing, “Ummm Running Buffalo - Sir - umm Chief... Beth said that Niz is awake for a few minutes, if you want to go see her.”
Alden cocked an eyebrow at her, but Running Buffalo was the first to speak, “You can call me Chief or Running Buffalo, either is fine. Just don’t call me Buff.”
Ceara smiled, “Well she is up but not for long, Beth is going to give her one more shot to make sure she stays still for at least one more day.”
Running Buffalo looked to Alden, “I want to take her home. I need to check on my people and I don’t want to leave Niz here and not know what is going on.”
Ceara took a step forward, “She is shot, why would you want to move her?” She looked to Alden, “What’s going on? Why is he saying that he needs to move her?”
Alden held up his hand, “Cool your jets, I’ll explain but I haven’t finished even one cup of coffee yet. Go back inside, and let the others know there will be a meeting in an hour. Until then I need you to leave me and the Chief alone to discuss a few things.”
Ceara just stood there staring at Alden, “Are we in trouble?”
“Cupcake, do as I said and I’ll fill everyone in, in an hour.”
Ceara felt a tug on her pants and looked down, “Hi Tiger...” She scooped up the puppy and looked back to Alden, “I told everyone he would name himself!” She held out the puppy to face Alden, “Say hi to Tiger!”
Alden smile but did a shooing motion, “Scoot, now... don’t make me get up.”
Ceara still sto
od there for another minute, then sighed turning to walk in the house. Charlie was walking out just as she opened the screen door, “You can’t come out, Alden is having a meeting.”
Ceara looked back to the men then followed Charlie into the kitchen, “Ceara, what’s going on?”
“I don’t know, but it ain’t good, I don’t know if it’s wanderers, or those losers from that town. Alden said there will be a meeting in an hour.”
Just as she finished Colt walked in, and she had to tell the story again, but when Tabitha came in Ceara called Beth in too, so she wouldn’t have to tell it two more times.
Colt filled his coffee from the coffee pot inside, but turned and poured it down the drain, “I need coffee.... from outside.”
He walked out the back door earning a glare from Alden, “Didn’t Ceara tell you?”
“Yeah, but you know how it is Alden, I ain’t worth a damn without coffee!”
“You ain’t going to be worth a damn if you don’t get your ass back inside, or better yet get out there and get your damn chores done.”
Colt smiled, “Morning gentlemen, coffee smells great. So what....” He trailed off, the look from Alden made him realize this was not playtime. Alden didn’t have to say another word, Colt walked back in the house, looking to the others, “I know this much, it ain’t good!”
Ceara rolled her eyes, “You had that tidbit of info before your dumbass walked out there.”
Alden sat with the two men and talked, while the others watched from the kitchen window. Running Buffalo would look to the house a couple of times and so did Stray Eagle. Charlie looked to Ceara, “I think they’re talking about what to do with Niz. I think Running Buffalo wants to take her home and Alden seems to be saying she’s fine here. What gets me is the why?”
Colt looked at him, “Why what?”
Ceara looked back at Colt with a sarcastic smile, “Why are they even having the discussion, dumbass. I mean something is up, we've all been with Alden long enough to know when he starts rubbing his chin and looking out a thousand yards off, he’s worried about something attacking.”
Running Buffalo finally stood along with Stray Eagle. Alden grabbed his crutches and rose too, he made a hand motion to Tonto who simply laid back down. Running Buffalo reached out and grabbed Alden’s forearm and the two men clasped in a brotherly shake. Then Running Buffalo and Stray Eagle turned towards the house
As the two men entered Stray Eagle looked at the rest, “We’re here to see Niz, if we may.”
Beth smiled at them, “Follow me, she’s right down here.” Leading the two men to Niz’s room, Beth quickly explained what she had done for her. “I’d like to give her a day or two to recoup if that’s alright?”
Running Buffalo looked at her, “We’ll see after I talk to her, Fair enough?” Beth nodded and headed back to the kitchen.
The men entered the bedroom. Niz was lying on the bed with her back propped up. She was holding a small mirror with her knees bent as she tried to brush her hair with her good arm. Looking up she smiled weakly, “Hi, dad.”
He smiled at her, “How’s my little warrior?”
“I’m fine, a little sore but I’m going to be okay. That young woman Beth did a good job and got the bullet out.” Niz went to move as Running Buffalo started to sit on the bed and she winced.
Running Buffalo smiled at her, “Your expression tells more truth than your words, dear. We came here to check on you, but also to speak with Alden. There are more herds of those dead souls moving in and we need to find out how many. Then plan for a defense for our tribe and his.”
Niz looked at him, “I’m ready to fight, just say the word.”
Stray Eagle chuckled as Running Buffalo shot him a look. “Like father, like daughter,” Stray Eagle said with a shrug.”
Turning back to Niz, Running Buffalo leaned in and kissed her head. “Again, your actions tell more truth than your words. We will ride back to the tribe and return with some braves to help with the defense of the ranch here. Then we’ll go out and see what we can find out. You will stay here, when the men return, you will be in charge. Until then, you do as their doctor says and rest.”
Niz started to protest and Running Buffalo put his fingers on her lips, “Simply say... yes, Father.” Niz looked down then looked back at him her eyes were soft and loving, as was the tone in her voice, “Yes, Father.”
Charlie walked out the back door, over to the fire pit. Grabbing the coffee, he walked to the table and refilled Alden’s cup, then his own and sat down placing the pot on the table. Alden was looking out to the desert as if he were searching. “So… What’s up boss?”
Alden took a sip then looked at him, “Charlie, my son, when I retired, I had said I would never fight another war again. Seems like that’s all I do now.”
Charlie took a sip of coffee and looked out across the desert. It suddenly dawned on him that the group had never fought or killed anyone till this started, but Alden had been fighting his whole life. Charlie knew how tired the group was of killing and he couldn’t imagine what Alden was feeling. “I take it we’re going to have to fight again?”
Alden nodded, “Looks like it. When the others leave, have the rest of the group come out.” Charlie rose and looked at him with a tear in his eye, “You know Sir, if it wasn’t for you, we’d all been dead long ago.”
Alden nodded and smiled as he kept looking out across the desert. “Or worse you’d all be one of those sons of bitches and that I couldn’t live with.”
Charlie touched Alden’s shoulder as he passed behind him heading to the house. Alden spoke up quickly, “You got dust in your eyes, boy. Take a minute and put a fresh pot of coffee on, with water from the hose. Oh and I’ll give you the Sir this time.” Charlie wiped his eyes with his shirt tail and made the coffee. Then splashed some water on his face and dried it off, as he headed to get the others.
Beth peeked into the room where Niz and her father were talking. She knew that Niz did not like the fact that she was out of commission for a while. When there was a break in the conversation, Beth knocked lightly on the door.
“Niz, it’s time for your medicine. I am going to give you your antibiotic to ward off any infection first. I don’t think you have one by looking at your wound and after checking your vitals. However, by just giving you this for another day or two, that will keep any infection from getting into your body. Then I will give you something for the pain.”
The Chief looked up to Beth and nodded, “Niz told us that you did a good job. We thank you for all that you have done.”
Beth smiled as she got the syringe filled with the antibiotic and prepped her arm for the injection. “It’s no problem. I wanted to do this all of my life, ever since I can remember.” As the needle went into Niz’s arm she winced. “That burns Beth.”
Beth took the needle out and put cotton over it then a band aid. “Honey, that is pure medicine and that burning sensation is because it is going directly into your vein. Now this next one will not be bad at all, I promise.”
Running Buffalo reached over, held onto Niz’s hand and gave her the loving look that a father gives to his child when they are in pain. It was the same look that Beth had seen several times from her dad when she was either hurt or when Mary was recovering from one of her diabetic attacks. Seeing this made Beth smile, and for a moment the beautiful memory of her family had run through her mind. Beth thought it was funny how a simple act such as that made her feel like she was making a difference.
Beth got the second injection of morphine ready, “Now Niz, I need you to look over at your father and I am going to inject this above the wound, so it will take effect quickly. So take a deep breath and let it out slowly for me.”
Niz had done exactly what Beth had asked and as she looked up to her father she spoke softly, “I love you, Dad.”
Right after Niz spoke, Beth injected the morphine, and just as she had promised Niz, it was less than seven seconds and a smile came across her face.
The pain left her eyes and she blinked softly.
Beth then looked over to Running Buffalo, “Pretty fast, huh?”
Running Buffalo gave Niz’s hand a squeeze as he looked at Beth, “Young lady when this is over I would like it if you came with Alden to look at our young ones. Give them a once over and if you have any of the vaccines that would be a great help too. We have a medicine man, but he’s up in age. So between him and the young ones, it goes one of two ways. He acts like them, or he doesn’t have the patience for them.”
Beth smiled once more, giggles slightly and nodded, “I would absolutely love to except I wouldn’t want to offend him in anyway.”
Running Buffalo smiled, “I will introduce you first and you ask him to teach you. Then in return you will share, not teach, him your medicines. First things first though, we need to make things safe.”
Running Buffalo rose and looked to Stray Eagle, “We need to leave.” He turned and gave Niz a kiss on her forehead and walked out.
Beth cleaned up after herself and neatly placed everything back where it belonged then picked up the remaining glass of water, “Niz, would you like some more to drink.”
From how Niz was now acting, she was half in and out, but managed to shake her head, “Yesssss, pleasseeee.”
Beth held the glass up to Niz’s lips and she managed to take a few more sips. Once she was finished, Beth then placed the glass on the nightstand and helped Niz get comfortable. Once Beth got Niz situated she softly spoke, “Niz, I am going to get you something, I will be right back.”
Beth walked over to the other side of the room and grabbed a small pillow off the chair that was over in the corner, and then walked back over to Niz.
Gently Beth lifted Niz’s arm and placed the pillow underneath which elevated her arm so that it would be in align with her shoulder. “Niz, this will keep the blood running steadily through your veins, that way the circulation won’t get cut off or cause you more discomfort when you wake up.”
Once more Niz nodded her head, then shut her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Beth covered her up and made her way out of the room with the door left cracked open. That way if she heard anything, she would be right there instantly.
Surviving Day by Day (Book 3): Still They Come Page 13
