by Lucas Coon
“Here.”Ariapulledhercellphonefrom herpocket.“Takemy phone.Iwantyoutocallyourhusbandandtellhim you’restill here.Ialreadyleftavoice-mailforMitchell,butIcan’tget throughtohim.”Shehelditoutforafew momentsbeforesighing angrily.“Seriously,Madison,takeit.”
“No,youneeditincaseMitchellcallsback.”Madisonshook herheadinreluctance.“I’llfindanotherwaytogetthroughto him.It’sfine.”
“How longhaveweknowneachother,Madison?Doyoureally
thinkyou’regoingtojustsaynoandI'llletitgo?Comeon.”Aria pushedthephonehardertowardMadison.“IfIwerecapableof lettingsimplethingsgo,Iwouldn’tbepregnant,orevenhere rightnow.”Ariastaredatherintentlyforseveralseconds.“Look, ifyoudon’ttakeit,I’m goingtohavetoforceyoutotakeitand thatwon’tbepretty.”Alexcouldn’tbelievethattheywerehaving thisconversationwitheverythingstillfallingapartaroundthem.
“Ladies,Iunderstandthismaybefriendlyconversation,but weshouldprobablyconsidergettingyououtofhere,Aria.You know,sothemilitarydoesn’topttogetviolentwithyou.They don’tlikewaiting…”Hespokeupfrom wherehewassitting.
“Yeah,listentoAlex.TakemyphonesoIcangetthehelloutof here.”AriagrinnedandshovedthedeviceintoMadison’shand. “Fine.IfMitchellcallsback,I’lltellhim whereyouguyswent. Just,domeafavor,Aria.”Madisonstaredathersincerely.“Make sureyougethometohim.Heneedsyoutokeephim sane.”
“Yougotallthatoutofonephoneconversation?”Ariapulled somethingfrom herpurse.“Youhaven’tevenmethim…”
“Well,hopefullyIgettosomeday.Youneedtobringhim up herewhenI’m onduty.”Shesmirkedandshookherhead.“You realize,whenhecalleduphere,heaskedformespecifically.I’m notevenyourdoctor,I’m helpingyourmother.I’m guessingyou–” Alextunedtheconversationoutatthispoint.Onceagainhewas strugglingtounderstandhow theycouldcontinuetobanterlike thisduringanevacuation.Didtheynotunderstandthe importanceofanevacuation?
“…thengetyourdaughterandgetoutofhere.I’llmeetbothof youattheevacuationsite,OK?”Alexabsentlynoddedtothis statement;whatdidheagreeto?HewavedatAriaassheleftthe room andthedoorshutbehindher.
“Youknow I’m notgoinganywhere,right?”Madisonglared overtoAlex.“I’m notleavinguntilallofmypatientsareoutof here.”
“Ifiguredasmuch,Madison.”Hestoodup.“Iwon’tforceyou todoanythingyoudon’twant,butIneedtomakesurethat, whenIleave,youhaveaplanforexiting.”
“Idon’t,andIwon’tcomeupwithoneuntilit’stoolate.” Madisonsmiled.“Doesn’tmatter,everyoneelsecomesfirst.That’s thecreedofadoctor,Alex.IfIdiesavingeveryoneelse,thenI dieddoingtherightthing.Youweremilitary,right?Youjusttold thatguyyouwereageneralorsomething.Isn’tthatthesame thing?Nomanleftbehind?”
“Iwasn’tthatkindofmilitary.”AlexlookedatCiara.He’d madeitapointtonottellherwhathehaddoneduringhis service,mostlybecauseitwassomethingthathewasn’tproudof. Hewasproudtohavedefendedandaidedhiscountry,butthe actionshehadtotaketodosowereonesthathecouldnever takeback.“Let’sjustsay,Iwasn’tpartofaunit.Iwasaspecial operationstype.”Helookedbacktowardthedoorandthendown toCiara.“Madison,couldIgetawheelchair?Idon’twantherto havetowalkthewholewaywithcrutchessinceshe’snotquite usedtoityet.”
“I’llbefine,dad.”Ciaraprotested. “No,he’sright.You’regettingawheelchairand,thankfully…” Sheopenedtheclosetnearthedoorandpulledablackchair from it.“…wehaveonerighthere.”Shesmirked.“Ijustwantto say,itwasmyideatobuyawheelchairforeveryroom.Yeah,I’m prettydamnproudofthis.”Alexlaughedathercomment.
“Itwasagoodidea,Madison.Iwouldn’texpectanythingless from adoctorofyourcaliber.”Hewalkedaroundthebedand pulledthechairovertotheside.“Alright,let’sseehere.”He staredattheexcessiverainbow ofplugsandwiresallconnected. “Madison,isanyofthisstuffimportantorconnectedtoher internally?”
“Nope,it’sallmonitoring.”Madisonsteppedforwardtohelp. “Unplugaway,myfriend.”Hestarteddisconnectingvariouswires from wheretheywereconnectedonCiara.Heoptedtolet Madisonremovecertainones,butcontinuedtodisconnectthe cablesfrom herleg.“Andjustletmecheckhere…”Shemoved whatwasonceCiara’sleg.“Novisiblebleeding.You’rehealing quitewell,Ciara.”Shesmiledatherandthenlookedbackupto Alex.“Ireallyhopethemilitaryhasthepropermedicalcarefor yourdaughter,Alexander.She’sdoingsowellandIdon’twant anythingtohappentoher.”
“Don’tworry,Madison.”AlexplacedhisarmsunderCiaraand shegrabbedontohim.“Iwillpersonallymakesurenothing happenstomydaughter.”Hesatherinthewheelchair. “Comfortable?”
“Embarrassing…”Ciararespondedharshly.“It’sfinethough.” “Mymainworryisthatshe’llgetaninfection.”Madison backedupagainandletAlextaketheleadonthechair.“We’ve beenkeepingheronantibioticsasbestwecan,buttherecomesa pointwheretheonlywaytostopinfectionispropercare.She’s healing,yes,butifitgetsinfected,itcouldbelife-threatening.” SheglaredatAlex.“Iknow wealltalkedaboutthisalready.I know youallunderstand,butIgenuinelyam concernedforher.”
“Listen,Madison.”Alexinterjected.“Igetthatyou’re concernedand,trustme,nobodyappreciatesthatfactmorethan Ido.”Heputhishandonhershoulder.“Youneedtotrustme.I willmakesure,aboveallelse,thatnothinghappenstoCiara. She’smydaughter,andtheonlythingIhaveleftinthisworld. Nothing,letmerestatethat,absolutelynothingwillhappento herwhileshe’sinmycare.”Theylockedeyesforamoment.She lookeddownatCiara.
“ShouldItrusthim?”
“Ithinkso.Heknowswhathe’sdoing.”Ciarasmiledat Madison.TheybothnoddedandMadisonopenedthedoorfor
Alex.
“Hey,Alex.”Madisonstoppedhim onemoretime.“Yoube carefulouttheretoo.Don’tforget;you’reallshehasleftaswell.” “Youstaysafetoo,Madison.”Helookedbackather,she noddedinagreementandwavedhim away.Hepushedthe wheelchairtowardtheelevatorwhereasoldierwasstanding.“Hi, I’m AlexLangley.Iwastoldweweregoingtobeheadingoverto theevaczoneonatruck.Isthatcorrect?”
“Weactuallyhaveanambulanceforyou.Weweretoldyour daughterhadafairlysevereinjury…”Thesoldierlookeddownat thegirlinthechair.Sheshylylookedaway.“…whichIcansee shedoes.It’dbebesttogetthereonanambulanceandnotrisk anythinghappening.Youknow militarytrucksaren’texactlythe pinnacleofcomfort.”HesmiledatAlex.
“Ilikeyou.Keepupthegoodwork.”Alexgrinnedbackand steppedintotheelevator.“Hey,wherearewe–” “East-sideentrance.Gotothefirstfloor,follow thesignonthe wallthatsaysso.Youwon’tmissit.”Helookedbackintothe elevator.“But,ifyoudo,justaskanyoneincamo.”Alexgrinned againandpressedthebuttonmarkedforthefirstfloor.The elevatorjuttedandthenshifteddownward.Thegearsmadea grindingnoiseastheelevatorslowlyfelldownthetwofloors.It slowedandthedoorsopened.AlexpushedCiaraoutthedoor andsteppedquicklythroughthehallway,followingthesignsas theypointedinthedirectionoftheeastentrance.Hegottothe doorwheretwomenwithrifleswerestanding.
“AreyouAlexLangley?” “Yes,sir.”Whydidhehavetoanswerthisquestionagain?He guessedhewastheonlymanwithadaughtermissingmostof onelegthatwastoldtoheadtowardtheeastentrance.They pulledthedooropenand,justbeyondthem,wasanambulance withthebackdooropened.Intheambulancetherewasoneman sittingneartheback,hisblackandgreypepperedhairsat meticulouslyinplace.Hisentireappearancelookedcalculated; hair,facialhair,clothing,jacket.Allofitwasperfectlyplaced.
“AlexanderLangley.”ThevoiceboltedoutwardtowardAlex,his eyesshifteduptotheshotframesittingintheambulance.“How nicetoseeyouagain.”Alexwashavingtroubleprocessingwhohe wasseeing.He’dpausedjustoutsideoftheambulance.“Come on,helpyourdaughteruphere!”Alexshookhisheadandstarted tohelpCiaraupintothevehicle.Sheresteddownonthe stretcherthatwassittingintheambulance;Alexsatnexttoher ontheseatoppositetheotherman.Thesoldiersontheoutside shutthedoorandsmackedthesideofthevehicle,causingthe drivertoshiftoutofparkandhithissirens.Alex’seyeskept focusedontheothermanandtheothermanstaredbackwitha smirk.“How haveyoubeen,friend?”
“Wasthisyourchoice?”Alex’svoicestayedmonotone.“Youdid thisonpurpose,didn’tyou?”Theothermanchuckled.
“Notatall,Alex.”Heshookhishead.“I’m oneoftheMilitary’s MedicalTechniciansassignedtothisunit.Youjustgotlucky.Ten moreminutesandyouwould’vebeeninanambulancewith anotherdoctor.”Hechucklesagain.“How aboutwecallthis,uh, providence.Yes.Timelypreparationforthefuture;themannerin whichfateprovidesusthetoolstosolveourproblems,yes?”
“Andrei,Iwouldneversaythatrunningintoyouisprovidence. I’dsayitwasclosertopunishm
ent.”Alexkepthisglare.“You needtomakesureyoulistentome,andyoulistengood;youare thedoctorthatisbeingchargedwithhelpingmydaughter.I know whatyouarecapableof.Youknow whatI’m capableof.The onlythingIwantisforCiaratobewellcaredfor.Ifyoudo anythingthatIthinkisquestionable,Iwillmakesureyounever hurtanyoneeveragain.Doyouunderstandme?”
“Dad!”Ciaraprotestedherdad’sthreats.“Whatareyoudoing? He’sadoctor!” “Yeah,dad!I’m justadoctor.”Andreireacheddownand grabbedCiara’shand,shelookedovertohim withashocking look.“Don’tworry,sweetheart.Iwillmakesureyougetthebest care.Asyousaid,Iam adoctor.Yourfatherjust,well,hejust doesn’tquitecareforme.Yousee,wehavesomehistorybackin themil–”
“Donotfinishyourstatement,Andrei.”Alexcuthim offand Andreilaughedquietly.“Wecanleaveitas‘wehavehistory’and that’sit.OK?”
“Sure,sure.That’sfine.”AndreilookedbackatCiara.“We havehistory.Historythatwe,asadults,willlookpasttomake sureyouarewelltakencareof.I’m oneofthebestdoctorsthe militaryhasonhand.”Alexcouldn’tdisagreewiththatstatement. Hecouldcallhim acreep,amonster,amadscientisteven;but hecouldneversaythatAndreiwasabaddoctor.“So,letmestart byaskingyouacoupleofquestions.Rightnow,asidefrom any anxietyorconcernswiththeevacuation,how areyoufeeling?”
“Minusbeingterrified,I’m doingfine,Iguess.”
“Onetoten?”
“I’dsay…”Shethoughtaboutitforamoment.“…seven.”
“Sevenisverygood.Thatisgoodtohear.”Andreismiledat her.“So,areyoucurrentlyexperiencingpainordiscomfort?Any, uh,problems,Iguessisthebestwaytosayit?”
“Somepainforsure.Norealdiscomfortandnoother problems.”Shereacheddownandplacedherhandonwhatwas leftofherrightleg.“Thereissomeitchiness,Ijustdon’tknow whereititches.”
“Couldbephantom limb;you’llgetusedtoitprettyfast.” AndreiliftedhislefthandandshowedCiaraastumpwherehis littlefingershould’vebeen.“Iknow allaboutit.Itfeelslikeit’s stillthere,butit’snot.It’sthemindplayingtricksonyou;itlikes topretend.”
“That’scrazy.”Shelaughedslightly.
“Itis,forsure.”Andreiwroteafew itemsonachartthatwas sittingontheseatnexttohim.“Iknow yousaidyouwerea seven,butIwantedtoask;how wereyoufeelingbeforethe evacuation?Didyourdoctoruseanumberscale?”
“Yes,shedid.”Ciarasatherheadbackdownandthoughtit over.“IthinkItoldherIwasaneightandahalf,butI’m not sure.I’m sorry.”Andreinotedthatonthechart.
“That’sfine.Iunderstandthatyoumaynotbedoingaswell now asyouwere.”Heunwrappedanarm cuffandplacediton Ciara.Hewentthroughthemotions,thenstoppedtowritemore information.“One-nineteenovereighty.Heart-rateatone-fifteen. Alittleelevated,soyouaredefinitelyundersomestressright now.”AndreismirkedagainandlookedupatAlex.“Your daughterisveryhealthy,Alex.You’vedoneafantasticjobin raisingher.”
“Yeah,thanks.”Alex’sresponsewassimple.Whilehewasa gooddoctor,onpaper,Andreiwouldcompletelyfailonhisbedside manners.Hecaredallaboutthenumbers,theobjectivesideof medicine.Tohim,thepersonhewascaringforwasastatistic thathadtobeproperlycategorized.Alexguessedthemilitaryhad donethattohim yearsago.ItwasatthistimethatAndrei’sradio blaredwithaloudvoice.
“Andrei,we’vegotonehere.Female,midtolatetwenties.Just turned,over.”Theblaringvoicemadethethreeofthem alljump. Andreireacheddownathiswaistforthelargegreenradio.
“Copythat,King.Tellthem tocontain,over.”Andreisatthe radiobackdown.“Unfortunately,Iwillhavetodealwiththat situationfirst.I’llhaveoneofmyassistantsgetyouintothe medicaltent.Imaynotbeabletocomebacktotakecareofyou untiltomorrow.Isthatacceptabletothebothofyou?Ifnot,Ican assignanotherdoctortoyou.Really,it’syourchoice.”Alex thoughtaboutthispossibility;hecouldgetanotherdoctorfor Ciara.Theothersideofthat,Andreiknew whathewasdoing. AlexhadseenAndreibringmenwithfarworseinjuriesbackfrom thebrinkofdeath.Ifhecoulddothat,hecouldmostlikelywork magicwithahealinginjurylikeCiara’s.
“Aslongasshegetstakencareoftonight,youcanstayasher doctor,Andrei.”Alexsatupstraightastheambulanceslowed down.“Butyoubestmakedamnsureyouputheratthetopof yourlisttomorrow morning,understood?”
“Aye,aye,captain.”Andreismiledagain.Hissmilewascutoff bythespeakerboomingagain.
“Sir,thesituationhasescalated.Wehaveasoldierreadyto taketheinfecteddown.”Andreigrew visiblyupset.
“Ican’tloseanotheronealready…”Heliftedtheradioagain. “Donotshoot!Irepeat,donotshoother!Thatisanorder.We needtocollecther.Undernocircumstancesareyoutoshootor harm theinfected.”Hesmackedtheradiobackdown.“Iswear, Langley,thesemennowadaysjustdon’tlistenliketheyusedto.” Theambulancebeganslowingdownasitenteredwhatappeared tobeasmallparkingareabehindalargefence.Alexknew theset up,itwasamake-shiftbase.Thereweretentswithsoldiers standingbythedoorallaroundtheouterring.Thevehicle stoppedandtwosoldiersopenedthedoorsattherear.Two youngerpeoplewithwhitelabcoatsplacedtheirhandsonthe stretcherandtheyworkedtogethertogetCiaraontotheground.
“Canyouwalk,orwouldyouratherstayonthestretcher?” TheyoungladyaskedCiarathequestion.
“IfyouhavesomecrutchesIcan–” “No,keepheronthestretcher.Iwantyoutobeabletogether wheresheneedstobeasquicklyaspossible.Shecanwalk aroundonceIknow thatshe’sinasafeplace.”Alexstaredthe medicaltechniciansintheeyes.“From hereonout,youwilllisten tome.”
“I’m sorry,sir.Whoareyou?”Theyoungmanhadanaccent similartoAndrei’s.Heworethickrimmedglassesoveralarger nose.Helookedlikehewasclean-shaven,buthadn’tbeendoing itforverylongashemissedafew spotsonhisneck.
“No,he’sright.”Andreisteppeddowntowardtheotherman. “Judas,thisisAlexanderLangley.Heisahigherrankedmilitary officialandyouwilldoashesays.Thisishisdaughter,theone weweretoldabout.Iwantyoutogethertothemedicaltentand gethersetupimmediately.Youwillgivehertheabsolutebest careyouarecapableofandIwilltakeoveryourposttomorrow.”
“Yes,sir.”Theyoungmanlookeddownandpushedthebed withtheothertechnician. “Sorryaboutthat,Alex.Mysonhasaproblem with authority…”Andreishookhisheadandturnedtofacetheother situation.
Alextookthismomenttolookaroundmore.Hesaw thetent theyweregoingtobehousingCiarain;itwaswell-builtand lookedlikeitcouldholdquiteafew people.Therewereahandful ofothertentsaroundtheway,butnoneofthem were distinguishablebeyondnumberspaintedonthem.Parkedbythe entrancetothefencewereseveralmilitarytrucksandevenafew civilianbuses.Deadcenterwasatallbuilding,ahotel.Itmade sensewhytheywouldusethehotelforevacuations,theycould easilygeteveryoneintheirownroom,orevenforcethem tobunk. Eventhen,theywouldhaveeveryindividualtaggedwiththeir room number.Itwasagoodwaytokeepeverythingorganized.
“Standdown!”Alex’sthoughtswereinterruptedbyAndrei screamingsomethingtowardtheentranceofthehotel.Therewas alargemobofpeoplelookingaroundinpanic,afew soldiers standingaround,andwhatappearedtobetwopeoplefightingon theground.ItwasatthismomentAlexrealizedwhatwasgoing on;theinfectedwomanthatthepersonontheradiowastalking abouthadattackedanotherindividual,andAndreididn’twant them toshoother.
“That’smessedup,Andrei.Thewomanisclearlydefenseless youshouldhelpher–”Alexfocusedhiseyes.“Waitaminute…”He startedwalkingtowardtheincident.Thecloserhegotthemore certainhewasthathewasgoingtodosomethinghewould regret.“Aria?”Alexwascertain.“Aria!”Hereacheddowntohis pocket;hedidn’thaveagunonhim.Inafrenzyhelookedaround thearea.Directlytohisrightwasanarmedfemalesoldier standingbyandwatchingthesituationplayout.Shehada clearlyshockedlookonherface.Alexrantoherside.“Sorry aboutthis.”Hereachedhishanddowntoherwaistandquickly pulledthehandgunfrom itsholster.
“Hey!Youcan't…”Shescreamedathim,heignoredher.Ifthe situationwithhiswifeanddaughterhadtaughtAlexanything,it wasthatheneededtoprotecttheonesheloved.Therecomesa timewhereonehastoask;whyshouldtheygiveadamnabout therules.Maybehehadaproblem withauthoritytoo…
HesteppedforwardinthedirectionofAria,liftedhisarm,and pulledthetrigger. “Langley,youneedtocalm yourself.I’m tryingtobehelpful here,andyou’reattemptingtofightme.Doyouthinkthatends wellforyou?”Andrei’svoiceloweredtoawhisper.“DoyouthinkI won’thavethetwosoldiersbehindyouputabulletinyourhead? Ifyousincerelybelieveyouareinvinciblethen,byallmeans,hit me.Ifyoudecidetodoso,youhadbestmakesureitkillsme, becauseit’sthelastthingyou’lldo.”Alexthoughtaboutthis situation.Heknew thatAndreiwasnodifferentthanhehadever beenfrom themomenthesaw him intheambulanceandhis threatsmadethatobvious.AndreiGri
gorevwasgoingtobea thorninAlex’ssideuntiltheveryend.“Whatdoyouthink happenstoyourdaughter,orthiswoman,ifyoudie?Icanuse her,there’safifty-fiftychancethatshemaybeinfectedandIcan runmy,socalled,‘sick’,experimentsonher.Yourdaughter,on theotherhand,isnotusefultome.So,again,whatdoyouthink happenstoCiaraifyougodown,Langley?”Alexknew thatAndrei wasright;ifhedied,thenCiarawouldbealostcause.Atwelveyear-oldgirlwithanew handicapwouldnotmakeitinacitywith afullonoutbreak.“She’salreadylostoneparent,let’snotmake ittwo.”ThesewordshitAlexwhereheneverexpected.He loosenedhisshouldersandtookastepback.“Goodboy,Alex.”
“Ifyoudoanythingtohurteitherofthem,Andrei,Iwillkill youmyself.Iwillpersonallyputmyhandsaroundyourscrawny neckandsqueezeuntilyourdamnheadseparatesfrom therest ofyourbody.Areweclear?”AlexpointedaggressivelyatAndrei. “Now…”Hepaused.“…whatareyouwantingtodo?”
“Wait,what?Now you’reOKwithhim runningexperimentson me?Whatthehell,Alex?”Aria’svoicereflectedasoundof disdain,andrightlyso.
“No,he’snotgoingtoexperimentonyou.Hedoeshavetorun afew testsherethough.There’snowayaroundit.”Alexshookhis head.“Honestly,thedoctorsherewereprobablygoingtotestyou anyway.Iknow,itsucks,butthere’sachance…”
“ThatI’m infectedandgoingtoturnintooneofthose monsters?Wonderful…”Aria’sfaceswelledasshestartedcrying.
“Listen,Aria,intheslightchancethatyouareinfected;Iwill notletthem doanythingtoyou.Ifthat’sthecase,we’llgetyou outofhereandsomewheresafe.From whatI’vegathered,ifyou are,you’vegotuptoforty-eighthours.”Alexstoppedhissentence here.Therewasnopointinexplainingfurther.“Just…”Hestared atheragain;shelookedlikethewholeworldhadcavedinonher. “Iwon’tletthem hurtyou,Aria.”
“Iknow youwon’t.”Arianoddedinagreement“OK,whatdoI needtodo?”AriaandAndreiwalkedintothetentwhereCiara wasalreadysituated.Alexstoodoutsidethetentforamoment whileAndreididwhatheneededtodo.
