by G. Benson
A touch miffed, Taren leaned heavily back against the railing. About to open her mouth to protest, she observed Joy. Her hands were shaking in her lap.
“Look,” Taren said, impatience at her own feelings bubbling over into her tone. “I know this is scary, but maybe you should try some yoga breathing, or karate relaxation ninja technique thing to calm down or something.”
The shake Joy gave of her head was adamant. “I don’t n-need to calm down. I was on call, I didn’t sleep much.” Joy did seem shattered. “Also, I, uh, I need to eat. And I need—no, more than anything, I need to eat.”
The confusion Taren felt was probably written all over her face. They were all hungry, but there wasn’t much they could do right then. A little hunger never killed anyone. What was so dire? Joy was staring at her expectantly and a bad feeling settled in Taren’s stomach.
“Ayton. Why do you look like shit?”
A wan smile filtered onto Joy’s lips. “I need to eat.”
“I’m getting that.”
Vaguely, Taren was aware that the others were listening in. Which, of course, they probably had been during her inappropriate question slash comment. Great.
Joy finally leaned back and seemed to resign herself to explaining. She slumped against the wall behind her. “I’ve got diabetes type one. It’s a new thing. I’ve been managing fine, but uh—I had a basal shot of insulin last night.” An attempted apology made its way through in the form of a shrug as Joy’s gaze flicked from one person to another. “And I should eat. Very soon, or I’m going to be very unwell. And I also need to take a jab of short-acting when I do. But I mean, that’s far less urgent.”
Silence echoed around them.
Voice gravelly, Raj spoke up. “At least we’re in a hospital.” They all looked at him, and he grimaced. “Too bad about the zombies, I suppose.”
Natalie stared down at him. “Zombies?”
Raj looked around them all, as if searching for support. “Come on. What else would you call them?”
Sheepishly, Xin raised her hand. “I’ve been thinking that from the start.”
“Alright. So, they’re zombies.” Natalie straightened up. “Can’t be surprised about that. Now, uh—we need to get Ayton some food. And if we’re going scavenging, maybe we should think a bit more long term and get enough to get us through a few days without having to go again. It doesn’t seem like we’re moving anywhere soon. Especially if they’re shooting everyone who tries to leave.”
Her freckles were so stark against her skin they were like stars in the blackness of the night.
Chewing the inside of her cheek again, Taren was thinking a million miles a second. They needed enough food. And some water bottles. Joy needed insulin. Needles, an insulin pen. A few, really, in case. A blood sugar monitor machine. Especially if they were going to be here a day. Or more.
How long had Joy had diabetes? She’d never mentioned it. Not at their one date. Not that it was something that needed to be mentioned, but it would probably have come up. Wouldn’t it? Joy hadn’t seemed to disappear for an insulin shot that night. Why didn’t Taren know that? It’s not like she would have freaked out. She was a nurse, for crying out loud. But Joy had said it was a new thing.
Eyes glued to Joy, who was watching Raj, Xin, and Natalie throw around some ideas, Taren couldn’t help but be a touch hurt. Not only did this woman sleep with her and then cut her off, she didn’t seem to deem Taren worthy of sharing anything. Maybe the time leading up to their date had been a lie. Those conversations over coffees in the canteen that lingered far too long, nothing but a game. Those nights they’d found themselves running into each other at three a.m. on an oddly quiet night and talking for too long, nothing but a figment of Taren’s imagination. Maybe Joy was a master manipulator? Someone who revelled in getting people into bed by seeming charming and cocky with an edge of vulnerable, and it was all a lie?
Suddenly, Joy’s eyes were on her, and Taren blinked, looking away. In that moment, Taren really wished she were stuck in the middle of this hell with anyone but Joy Ayton. How had she been so sucked in? Stories of taking karate from the age of six because her mother wanted to build her confidence, as she’d had a strong stutter that still made an appearance at times and no self-esteem. The idea of this woman who seemed so confident, but was really soft as butter under it all, had dragged Taren right in. Joy really knew how to play it.
She’d stuttered over Taren’s name in bed and Taren had all but melted right there.
Focusing on what she needed to, Taren heard Xin’s final statement.
“Split up? Have you seen any horror movie, ever? You split up, you die.”
Raj rolled his eyes. “This isn’t a horror movie. This is real life. If we split up, we get what we need faster and can all meet back here. Less people, less to worry about. We can focus on who we need to. There’re no big groups of these things. Then we can get Doctor Ayton what she needs.”
Throwing her hands up, Xin turned to Taren. “Tell him he’s stupid.”
“Hey! I’m right here.”
Xin turned back to him. “I’m aware.”
Joy interjected. “I think he’s got a point.”
Damn. Now Taren would have to agree with Joy when it was the last thing she felt like doing. Splitting up was generally a stupid idea, but they needed the supplies and they needed them quickly. Joy was not looking fantastic.
Not bothering to hide the glare she shot Joy, Xin turned to Taren. “Taren?”
“I think we need to do this as fast as possible. And bigger group, harder to move fast. More likely one gets grabbed, we all go down.”
Raj didn’t even look smug, but rather grim.
Turning to Natalie for support, Xin’s eyes pleaded with her. Natalie gave her a shake of her head. “I’m with you. I think separating is a bad idea. But—” Natalie jerked her chin in the direction of Joy “—she’s looking like she needs it all soon. We do it fast and get it done, then hole up here until help arrives. And, uh—” Natalie sighed, the picture of resignation. “I’m fairly certain I’ve dislocated my shoulder.”
Raj and Joy turned in concern and said in unison, “What?”
Trying to shrug nonchalantly, Natalie sucked in her breath at the movement. “Yeah. It happened once before when I was playing netball, and I’m fairly certain it’s happened again.”
Concerned, Raj shifted up so he was sitting next to her on the landing. “When?”
“When I slipped on that pool of blood, like.”
“You should have said, I could have put it back in.”
“There was never really a good time, and then I got stubborn—” she held up a hand “—yeah yeah, not the time or the place for that. So, anyway, I’m going to be pretty useless in a big fight. So maybe two groups are good; I can do whatever keeps me from being a distraction but still helps, yeah?” Natalie looked down at Taren. “Alright. How do we want to do this?”
For reasons Taren would never be able to explain, the others all gave their attention to her. Four sets of eyes stared at her, unblinking.
“Why are you all looking at me?”
With a roll of her eyes, Xin adjusted uncomfortably on the cement step. “Because we can all tell you were thinking out a plan a moment ago.”
Taren didn’t like that she was that readable.
“Well.” She licked her lips. “I think one group should try go to the canteen. We don’t know how much food is even in any locker rooms, and they’re cramped spaces. The canteen is a bigger, more open space. Easier to move, and escape. Plus, with five of us, we should get some bottles of water and enough food for maybe a couple of days. If we can hole up in here for that time, maybe we’ll be safe. That group can try force the barricade to Block B while they’re there. Maybe they’ll be able to. Though maybe not a good idea, since they’re shooting anyone that tries to move through a blocked door to the outside.”
Raj was listening with a hint
of a frown.
“The other group could raid the Vascular Ward.”
Natalie and Raj paled, and Taren rushed to finish before they could interrupt.
“From what you said of the Ortho Ward, it was worse, and the Vascular Ward was mostly—um.” She didn’t know how to say ‘filled with dead bodies’ in a constructive way. “Uh—quiet,” she finished lamely.
Finally, Joy sat up straighter. “Alright—who goes with who?”
Silence answered her.
Raj broke it. “Maybe you should stay here? And Natalie.”
The look Joy and Natalie turned on him could have made the clown from It flee.
“Stay here.” Joy deadpanned. “Alone. In the Zombie Hospital. While everyone goes out to find me things.”
Natalie glared him down. “I still have one good arm, still saved your ass out there after I hurt myself.”
Raj looked at the ground.
Not wanting to incur the wrath they were sending to Raj, but not seeing a way around it, Taren interrupted. “Maybe he has a point?”
This time, that look was turned on her, and Taren was grateful for all her experience in A&E that made sure her internal flinch didn’t show externally.
“No.” Joy’s jaw gritted the word out.
That answered that.
Natalie stood up. “Well, let’s not delay the horror, eh? Who goes where?”
More silence greeted her.
“Alright.” Natalie gave a nod. “Raj and I know the state of the Vascular Ward. Maybe we should go there for the insulin? Since my arm’s shit, I’d be pretty crap trying to barge down a door. And since the canteen is an unknown, maybe it’s better three go for extra protection? Any sign of trouble, double back through the ward immediately.”
“Sounds good,” Taren said.
Hesitantly, Raj posed a question. “Uh—maybe I should go to the canteen, then?”
Taren eyed him, confused. “Why? Natalie has a good point. You two know the Vascular Ward.”
“Well, maybe there’re more zombies in the canteen.”
At the insinuation, Xin rolled her eyes and Joy gave a snort.
Taren finally got it. “Oh.” She raised her eyebrows and stood up on her step. “Are you a black belt, Raj?”
“Uh—”
“Didn’t think so. Ayton is.”
Xin chuckled at the look that was on Raj’s face.
“I didn’t mean—”
This time, Xin challenged him. “And have you smashed up a zombie with a fire extinguisher?”
Taren flinched at the memory.
Raj held his hands up, his baton laid over his lap. “Okay, okay, I get it. Sorry. You women can all kick ass. Just a thought. A stupid one.”
Plan made, they all stood. Joy closed her eyes for a second as she got to her feet, colourless cheeks stark in the gloomy light.
Starting to walk up the steps, Taren stopped next to Natalie—she hadn’t wanted to be the one to say this. “Let us set your shoulder now. You’ll have more mobility, and we can use a shirt as a sling until we can get some supplies.”
Unblinking, Natalie stared at her and then pouted. “I was hoping no one would suggest that since we have no pain relief. Was going to wait until we had some.” Taren only watched her, and Natalie sighed. “Should have known that was pointless, all these damn nurses and doctors. Risk of circulation being cut off, already been awhile, yaddah yaddah. Alright. You have a point. Let’s do this.”
Taren watched her sit down and Raj squatted awkwardly on the step next to her. Natalie braced her good hand on his shoulder, and he gripped her to hold her steady. Looking like she regretted what she was about to do, Joy pulled her stethoscope out of her pocket and held it out. “Bite on this?”
Taren grimaced apologetically at her. “Screams attract attention.”
Pale and trying to hide the tremble in her lips, Natalie opened her mouth and bit down on the thin tube when Joy put it in her mouth. Then Joy and Xin could only stand and watch.
Taren looked up at Joy. “You sure you don’t want to do this?”
“Never done one. You’re definitely the most qualified for the job.”
The joys of being the emergency health care worker.
A grim smile on her lips, Xin was apparently trying to look encouragingly at Natalie. “Taren did one of these only yesterday, I watched.”
Natalie gave a nod, her lips in a thin line.
“Want me to count you in?” Taren asked, gaze holding hers.
Natalie shook her head, braid flicking around her face. Voice muffled, what she said was still obvious. “Just get it over with.”
Gently, Taren ran her hands over the shoulder. Definitely dislocated.
She’d be much happier doing this with X-rays. An Ortho consult.
Pain relief.
“Raj, swap places with me. You sit in front and hold her wrist horizontal to the floor, straight out. Natalie, lean your good shoulder against the wall.”
Natalie knew what to do. She braced against the wall and Raj squatted down awkwardly on the step in front of her. She put her good hand palm down on her collarbone on the affected side. Gently, Raj held the wrist of her injured arm out, pulling gently to apply traction and counterbalance.
The next part was over in seconds.
Fingers soft to start with, Taren put her thumb on the affected shoulder blade. She applied firm pressure at the lower point, ignoring the grunt that came from Natalie. Other hand on the top part of the bad shoulder blade, Taren started to apply pressure. Eye contact with Raj was all she needed for him to continue to pull Natalie’s arm towards himself, away from her body.
A pop sounded out, and Taren felt the humerus move back into the shoulder socket.
Only when she was sure it was in did Taren grimace at the elongated groan Natalie let out. Her face and the back of her neck were red, fingers white where they gripped her shirt over her collarbone. Her breath came out raggedly from her nose, mouth firmly clamped on the stethoscope.
Quickly, Xin pulled her scrub shirt off, leaving her in a white capped-sleeved undershirt. She rolled the shirt as tightly as she could and handed it to Taren. While Natalie was still in shock, Taren lay it over the woman’s neck and then manoeuvred the injured limb as gently as she could into the make shift sling, tying it off.
Joy stepped forward and pulled the end of the stethoscope gently, Natalie opening her mouth so Joy could remove it. Prominent bite marks lined the middle.
Taren gave her a wry grin. “Sorry, Natalie. Best we can do. You’ll have to find some good stuff on the Vascular Ward.”
Natalie shifted to look up at Taren. “Will do.” She stood up slowly, legs clearly shaky. “Shall we make a move?”
There was no way Taren couldn’t admire the gutsy nurse. She would have liked to imagine she’d be so okay, but she wasn’t so sure. “Right. So, we all have some kind of weapon, except Joy.”
“I don’t need one,” Joy chimed in quickly.
Taren gave a nod. “You guys have a baton—grab anything else that looks good, yeah?”
“Don’t worry,” Natalie said. “I’ll be looking to get a weapon in my hand as soon as I can. I can swing anything with one hand.”
“Excellent.” Taren swallowed, trying not to show her nerves. “Shall we go? We all have to go through the Vascular Ward for us to reach the canteen and the Block B walkway anyway.”
Raj nodded. “I vote you guys run straight through. Don’t stop. Get through and any attention you attract will pull them out so we know what we’re dealing with, and if we have to, we leave.”
“Okay.” Taren started to walk up the steps. “So, we run and leave you guys to get what you need?”
Natalie’s voice didn’t even waver. “Sounds fun.”
“Yeah, can’t think of a better plan.” Xin’s tone made it clear she was pissed off. “Splitting up. The best.”
“Sarcasm noted, Xin. Thanks.”
“Any time.”
Natalie
1710 according to the shamrock watch she’d been bought as a bad Secret Santa gift, but secretly loved
There was no point in lying.
Natalie did not want to do this.
Her shoulder was on fire and each step aggravated it. There were people eating other people out in the halls and here they were, tentatively opening the door and going back to where that was happening.
She was tempted to throw some sarcastic snark around like Xin.
After one glance at Ayton, Natalie bit her tongue. Back home, she’d had a cousin with diabetes. When he’d been small, it had been a balancing act of hypo- and then hyperglycaemia, and many a hospital visit. It was still a balancing act to this day, from what she knew.
That, and who knew how long they were going to be stuck sitting in that stairwell. They needed food and water. And damn, did her shoulder need some meds. And a decent sling. She knew exactly where one was in the supply room on Vasc Ward. All Velcro straps and the ability to set it snug against her, made for comfort.
Swiping her clammy hand on the back of her scrub pants, Natalie followed behind Taren as they crept through the door to the silent hallway and turned left.
Back to the two wards.
She was not excited for this.
The memory of the carnage scene in the Vascular Ward, and then in the Ortho Ward, made her stomach turn over. Walking around that corner and seeing that man’s head buried in the chest of the flailing elderly man would have made her vomit—except she, of course, had taken a desperate step back, slipped in something wet, and been met with a searing pain in her shoulder.
At least the pain distracted her from the fact that she’d been lying in blood. Blood that was now dried and stiff on the back of her scrub shirt.
Right. She wasn’t thinking about that.
Some part of her thought that everybody who worked in medicine had an ability to block things out. You saw people die all the time. Sometimes they’d die quietly, sometimes loudly. Sometimes they died on your watch and sometimes they died alone in a sterile hospital room, or they died surrounded by their loved ones, and sometimes they died with your hands on their chest as you desperately tried to force their hearts to beat.
