Maxine accepted the gun half-heartedly. She knows that it's a thing that could calm her husband's conscience. Joseph has to go to the hospital. As much as he wanted to stay, he knows that it isn't possible. He gives his wife a very tight hug. Tears start to fall on Maxine's eyes, but Joseph wipes it off with a kiss down to her chick, then their lips meet. Looking at each other, unsure of what the future holds. Uncertain of when they will see each other again. Amidst the pain, they are still hopeful that one-day things will be back to where they are supposed to be.
As Joseph drives to Southcrest Community Hospital, the road makes him more worried about his family's trip to the farm. There’s a heavy traffic because people are relocating away from Mississippi. Joseph’s mind is full of emotions. He is worried about his family, but he also knows that his patients need him.
"Should I go back?" It was the words that came out of his mouth.
With unfamiliarity, he was about to turn the wheels when his phone rang. He put in his wireless earphone and continued driving.
"Doctor Brave speaking." Joseph talked while waiting for the other line to respond.
"Hi, Doctor Brave. It's Dr. Carlton. I am sorry to bother you, are you free to speak right now?"
"Hi, Doctor. Sure, what can I do for you?"
"Well, I am currently sick, and I don't think I can attend my patients as of the time being. I know it's too much to ask, but can you give me a hand on my other patients please?" Dr. Carlton sincerely asked.
"Sure Dr. Carlton. I'll get their records, and check them today. Please get well soon. The hospital needs you." Joseph was hesitant at first, but he thought if he’s on Dr. Carlton’s shoes.
"I will. Thank you so much Doctor Brave. Take care." They both hang up. Joseph forgets about his plan of returning to their home. He continued driving until he reached the hospital. He parked his car, go straight to his clinic to drop his bag, and prepared his medical tools. Joseph then go to the hospital's mini chapel before making his rounds to the patients.
Maxine feels miserable leaving their home in Mississippi because it has their memories built with time. All their ups and down as a family is in there. She's unsure if they can return to their house because rioters can ruin it anytime soon, but she hopes that it can give Joseph protection he needs while they are apart.
They are on their way to the farm in Humvees that is almost a five-hour drive from their home. After two hours of driving, the kids felt the need to use a bathroom. Maxine pulled over to the next gasoline station the moment she saw it. Upon checking, a few unfamiliar people were walking the street and thought that they're harmless. The two boys are responsible enough for peeing alone, so she's confident to use the women’s bathroom.
The boys were waiting outside the comfort rooms when Maxine came out. Then they all walked towards the auto. As Maxine opened the door of the vehicle, a man suddenly appeared from behind that has been hiding at the back of the car. Maxine and the kids didn't notice the intruder then he pulled Maxine's hand. The intruder twisted her arms to her back, and point the Glock G19 on her head.
"Mommy!!" The two boys shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Shut your mouth, or I will pull the trigger!" The intruder threatened them.
"What do you want? We have foods, money. I can give it to you. Just don't hurt my sons." Maxine tried to remain calm, but the adrenaline caused her to tremble.
"I don't need your money. I need you to drive!" The man ordered.
"I will drive. Please don't hurt us. Not my kids." Maxine pleaded. The intruder opened the car and pushed Maxine into the driver's seat. He quickly placed himself at the back to point the gun to Maxine. The boys immediately went inside the car. Bobby beside her mother, while the youngest son beside the intruder.
Everyone is shaking, afraid and utterly astounded. Maxine knows that she has to do something. She recalls everything about self-defense, the news she had written and the gun that Joseph gave, but she has no idea how to get it because Maxine dropped it inside the glovebox. She feels that the man is taking them as a hostage, and she started praying for their refuge. Maxine heard on the news that some people kidnap others to get ransoms or eat them alive. Bobby was distraught while the youngest son was crying.
"Where are we going?" Maxine tried to ask the intruder.
"Just follow my lead." The intruder replied as he instructed Maxine.
"Shut up young man, or I will blow your mother's head." The intruder shouted at youngest son as he continued to cry.
Maxine drove at full speed until an explosion behind the car's wheel saved them from being in the place where the intruder wants them to be. Fortunately, Maxine had her senses to push the break before they hit the post.
"What happened!?" The intruder shouted.
"Flat tires," Maxine replied.
"Get out of the car if you want to be alive." He ordered to them.
Maxine went out of the car and instructed her kids to do the same. She was desperate to save their lives. Maxine pushed the man and aimed to kick his groin, but she missed. The intruder got hurt a little, then Maxine started to scream and run towards her sons. The man got the chance to stand up and pulled Maxine's hair even before she could reach her sons.
The intruder slapped her face followed by a punch on her stomach twice then she fell to the ground. When he got the chance, the man pointed the Glock G19 at her. For a moment, Maxine thought that it was the end of her life, so she closed her eyes and surrendered her destiny to the Almighty. The intruder was about to pull the trigger until they heard a gunshot.
With blurry vision, Maxine saw Bobby already beating the man with a baseball bat. Bobby hit the man countless of times after the intruder got hurt. Every hit was full of anger and fear. Bobby didn't stop beating the man until he stopped moving and was bathing in his blood. When Bobby's senses came back, he felt weak and fell on the road as he was gasping for breath. His younger brother, on the other hand, was crying while holding the .380 ACP.
Bobby's hands, the bat, and clothes have splashes of blood. The youngest son was shocked that he fired a shot. He was aiming for the head but ended up on the hip because he couldn’t handle the gun’s pressure. That was the time when Bobby ran towards the intruder and hit him to death.
Maxine tried her best to stand up and run towards her kids.
"Hush... Hush baby. It's alright. We are safe now." She kept on repeating those words to her sons. Maxine didn't stop, with little knowledge about fixing tires, she tried her luck to replace the tire with all her strength. She's so thankful that Joseph planned their trip so well that he was able to put in necessary tools and extra wheel on the car. For the first time, she was also thankful that a gun saved their lives.
She successfully replaced the tire and continued their journey. None of them was talking, and everyone was still frightened. However, they have no choice but to keep on moving. Maxine was so worried that the incident can cause trauma to her sons. She didn't care if the Police Officers find that dead man on the road, he cares more about her sons. They don't deserve any of this.
CHAPTER THREE
Joseph was having a busy day in the hospital, without the knowledge that an intruder almost took the lives of his family. He just finished operating his second patient that morning just in time for their lunch meeting. In the conference room, the Southcrest Community Hospital Committee was already waiting. Unlike before, there were a lot of empty seats because other Doctors have moved out of the town. There were just a few of them who are willing to sacrifice for the sake of their responsibility.
As Joseph entered the conference room, he sat next to Dr. Tommy Ames, one of the seniors of the hospital, and the only remaining General Surgeon besides him and Dr. Carlton. Then there were Mr. Jobs and some more doctors. It was noontime, yet everyone looks weary. The number of patients coming in of the hospital doubled since the riot has started, and it outnumbered the few doctors left.
"Good afternoon, everyone. I know everyone has been busy, and I am g
lad that you have allotted some of your time for this meeting. As you can observe, we lack in numbers." Mr. Jobs, the Hospital Head Administrator, said in a little gloomy tone.
"We used to have great doctors, but we now have a few. Unfortunately, Dr. Carlton just added to the list. We found out that he moved out of the town with his family this morning." He continued.
Joseph was stunned by the news. He couldn't believe that they spoke early today, but couldn't be honest with him. He understands that Dr. Carlton wants to save his family's life, but he felt betrayed. Joseph dropped the idea shortly before it consumed him. He shifts his focus to the meeting as Mr. Jobs discusses the new responsibilities, terms, and contracts to the Doctors. They had to make some amendments and extra security for their safety.
"We all have priorities in life and families to protect. Everyone has been working at their best in this hospital, and I salute all of you for staying up to this point. Let's keep on working together as a team, and support one another. In the end, we only have ourselves to count on. Our patients need us, and the institution needs each of you. Let's stand for what we believe is right." He knows that Doctors are very much aware of their duties and that he just needed to remind them. More than anything, they need emotional support.
Dr. Steve is a General Doctor and Anesthesiologist. One of the few people that Joseph treats as his best friends because they have the same work ethics and beliefs. He is tall with fair complexion. His almond-shaped black eyes match his blonde hair. He has a slightly curved lip that goes along with his pointed nose and an oval-shaped face. Dr. Steve began working at Southcrest Community Hospital when he was twenty-eight years old. Three years after his service, he has been a notable doctor. He went to the cafeteria to grab his lunch as Mrs. Daniels, one of the remaining canteen servers, greeted him with a huge smile.
"Good afternoon, Doctor Steve. " Mrs. Daniels said.
"Hi Mrs. Daniels, what do we have for lunch?" Dr. Steve asked plainly.
"Well, we have Salad, Roasted Turkey, Beef Stew, Potatoes, Eggs and some not-so-good news." Dr. Steve looked curious and surprised as if it was the first time he heard that there's some bad news.
"What's on the news?" Dr. Steve while he gets a tray, plate, spoon, and fork.
"I've heard on the TV that the riot is getting worst, and the rebels are slowly making their way closer to our town. They've been burning down properties, taking and killing people for food." Mrs. Daniels said while serving Dr. Steve's plate.
“Nothing’s new.” Dr. Steve can do was a deep sigh.
He might not have a family to save, but he worries about innocent people and his country. Steve's parents died in a car accident, and his older brother committed suicide after three months of their parent's fortune. Dr. Steve gained a brother in Joseph since he began serving at the hospital.
Joseph seats in his clinic while doing paper works, and checking the records of his patients. He had no appetite and only had coffee and banana muffin to fill in his stomach. After sipping his coffee, he heard his name being page throughout the hospital.
"Paging Dr. Joseph Brave's attention, please come to the ER right now. I repeat, calling Dr. Joseph Brave. Please go to the Emergency Room Right now. Thank you."
Without hesitation, Joseph hurried directly to the ER. He has no idea what is it right now, but he's been doing it half of his life. He's used to those types of situations, but he suddenly remembered his family. Joseph hasn't heard updates from Maxine, yet. What if it's them? What if they didn't make it to the farm? His were full of uncertainties, but he calmed himself as he tried to focus on the present. From his clinic on the 4th floor of the hospital building, he ran downstairs fast as he can until he finally reached the ER.
"What's the status?" Joseph said as he approached the nurse.
"Dr. Brave, a mother, and a kid with gunshots. The mother has two gunshots on her abdomen, while the kid has one on the right hip." The nurse said.
A mother and a kid, Maxine. My boys. He was looking for signs, but bloody sheets covered the patients.
"How's their vitals?" Joseph managed to ask the nurse.
"Both vitals are unstable." Nurse answered.
Just after a few minutes, another patient brought into the Emergency Room.
"We've got another critical patient. A man with three gunshots with very unstable vitals. One at the head and two at the chest." The nurse shouted.
Dr. Tommy Ames attended the new patient. They immediately put it oxygen, and fluids while other nurses stop the bleeding.
"The bullet is too close to his heart. We have to remove it now, or he could die." Dr. Ames announced. However, the cardiac monitor showed a straight line followed by a flatline beep. Dr. Ames immediately performed CPR and Defibrillation to send electric shocks to the patient's heart.
Joseph, on the other hand, checked on the mother and the kid. He hoped that it's not any of his family. As he removed the bloody sheets, he was grateful that it's not Maxine nor his sons. However, Joseph felt terrible about the little girl and his mother that are full of blood.
"Monitor their vitals. Stop the bleeding, and we have to operate them both."Joseph said to the other doctors and nurse.
“But doctor, we only have you as the remaining surgeon. Dr. Ames is still attending the other patient. We can’t operate all of them at the same time.” The nurse said. Joseph looked at Dr. Ames who’s performing CPR to the man. He knew he had to make a choice. After a few seconds, the mother showed cardiac failure.
“Hold the girl’s condition the best that you can do. Maintain her vitals, request for x-ray, and other lab tests.” Joseph requested the nurses.
Both Dr. Ames and Joseph are doing chest compressions to their patients trying to save their lives. However, the poor man died, then the mother followed. Both doctors couldn’t do anything because the patients were not responding to shockwaves anymore.
“Time and Date of Death,13:36, April 11, 2014. Cardiac Arrest due to complications. ” Joseph and Dr. Ames announced with heavy hearts to their attending nurse. Joseph looked at the kid, whose vitals were still unstable. The battle is not yet over.
"Dr. Brave, according to the records it's a five-year-old girl, and you know that we don't specialize in that type. It's a different matter." Dr. Ames said.
"It's a pediatric trauma. I'm afraid we are far capable of performing such operation." Dr. Steve added.
"So you're saying that we wait until the kid is dead? She just lost his mother for God's sake!" Joseph also doubts to do the operation, but it's the only option they have.
"Doctor Ames, Doctor Brave. Upon checking the records, the man who just died is the father of the kid. Jay also confirmed that they were all together when the riot happened. They had to be apart because they didn’t fit the ambulance." A nurse said as she approached the debating doctors.
"Don't let your feelings overpower you. It's a huge sacrifice, or can only complicate things." Dr. Ames reacted. For once, Joseph has thought of the Pedia surgeons who left the town. If only they stayed, things might have been more controlled.
"I will do the surgery, and I will save that poor girl's life. That's what we do as doctors." Joseph said with dignity. He has no idea where he gets his will to be a hero, but he knows that the girl needs him.
"I need my trusted assistant. Steve, are you with me on this?" Joseph asked genuinely.
"I'll assist you the best way I could. " Dr. Steve replied, while there was disapproval on Dr. Ames eyes.
“I don’t want to lose my license.” Dr. Ames said trying to influence Dr. Steve.
"We need other available staff, medics, and nurse. Please tell them to be ready in five." Joseph ordered the attending nurse while disregarding Dr. Ames last words.
The dilemma didn’t stopped in the Operating Room. The staff nurse insisted that a legal parent or guardian has to sign the waiver before completing the operation.
"I just told you that her parents died. How can they sign that waiver?" Doctor Joseph said in an
irritated tone.
"I take full responsibility for the girl's custody," Joseph added.
The nurse was shocked by the level of concern in Joseph, so they decided to make an exception this time.
The surgery was successful although they lack in proper personnel. It was a relief for Joseph that the operation went well. The girl was transferred to the recovery room but still needs close monitoring. Joseph express his gratitude to Steve for having his back, but Steve said that he also had to do his job. Steve went back to his clinic while Joseph decided to get a cup of coffee to wake up his senses. At the cafeteria, he saw Jay White and Walter already drinking their teas. Joseph thought that it's a good idea to chat with some of his closest friends after another long and tiring day.
"Hi, Doctor Brave. We've heard about the kid, how are you feeling?" Jay White asked.
"It's a relief that the kid is in stable condition. What happened back there, Jay?" Joseph respond. Jay White is an Ambulance Driver who brought the kid and her mother in the hospital.
"There was a riot near the town, just 3 kilometers away from the hospital. The hospital nearby called for our help. The rioters started to become more violent. I've heard that the poor kid’s family were just passers-by. One of the evacuees. However, the situation went out of hand, so the Policemen began firing shots, and so the rioters." Jay explained. Joseph wasn't surprised, it has been common a few days. However, he felt distressed about those innocent people.
"So what are your plans?" Walter asked the both of them trying to change the subject. He is an army medic that is six years younger than Joseph.
"My wife and I are staying in town as of the time being," Jay said.
Calls To Arms_A Story of the Imminent Collapse Page 2
