“I am too,” I said, sipping the spicy, hot beverage.
“It's time to go,” I heard a voice say.
I stood up and turned around to see Alicin and the demon behind me.
“I want to thank both of you for letting me have this experience,” I said. “It was nice meeting both of you, and I appreciate the information you have shared with me.”
“You’re welcome,” Alicin said.
A vortex started to open behind Alicin and her sister. I knew it was time to go.
“I'm going first, this time,” I said.
Instead of taking a route close to heaven, the vortex opened a tunnel that took us through time and space back to the room at the church where my body was lying.
As the portal behind us closed, I saw my body lying on the cot in front of me.
“I need a favor,” I asked Alicin.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I need you to heal Jennifer,” I said.
“Her fate is up to God,” she said.
“Why can't you heal her? If you don't she could die,” I pleaded.
“God might heal her, or she might survive on her own,” the angel said. “But I'm not allowed to intervene.”
“Okay,” I said disappointedly.
“One last thing, how will I know this was real?” I asked.
“You may not. You may think it was just a dream. But the Holy Spirit is in you, and it has been touched by the power of heaven. Have faith,” she said.
I then watched as the angel walked up to my body lying on the cot and touched its forehead.
“Here is a little something from me,” Five-Million-and-Four said as she touched my body's chest.
In an instant, I was in the dreamscape again. We were all standing on the cloud in my dream.
“What did you do to me?” I asked the demon.
“Oh, just consider it a little gift, free of charge,” the demon said.
“But all gifts from hell come with strings attached,” I said.
“No, not this one,” the demon said. “My sister wouldn't have let me give it to you if it had strings attached.”
“She's right,” Alicin said.
“Goodbye,” said Katie. “It was great seeing you again. Please tell Jennifer and Ms. Suzy hello for me.”
Before I could speak, I was in my body and awakened by gunfire outside.
“What the heck was that?” I said to myself.
A moment later, Candy opened the door and entered the room.
Chapter 3
“What's happening?” I asked Candy.
She proceeded to sit on the edge of the cot and take my blood pressure. Just enough daylight was making its way through the blankets draped over the windows that I could see my surroundings without the light being turned on.
“They have it under control,” she said.
I watched as she once again took my blood pressure and pulse.
“Your blood pressure is back to a normal range,” she said. “That’s good news.”
“They have what under control?” I asked.
“The bandits have been hiding in the woods and taking pot shots at the patrols on and off for hours,” she said. “Haven't you been hearing the shots?”
“No,” I said.
“The pain medications must have really helped you sleep. How does your nose feel?” she asked.
I felt the brace taped on my nose and moved it gently.
“I don't feel any pain,” I said.
“Let me take a look,” she said.
While the gunfire continued outside, I lay in the cot while she carefully peeled off the tape and took off the brace.
“Stay still,” she said, taking a small flashlight and shining it on my face and up my nostrils.
“I don't know what to say, except that I'm amazed,” she told me. “It looks like all of the bruising is gone. I don't even see any swelling.”
She handed me a small cup full of pills which I took. I sat and watched as she took a stethoscope out of a bag, putting it in her ears and placing the bell over my t-shirt.
“Breath deep for me,” she said.
I took a deep breath, and let it out.
“I think I'm okay.” I said.
“I'll be the judge of that,” she stated firmly.
“Time to check your fasting blood sugar,” she said.
“Wait a second,” I said. “Why do you need to check my blood sugar? I had a concussion and a broken nose, not a diabetic attack.”
“I'm just trying to be thorough,” she said.
She took a lancet out of a small box, pricked my finger, and squeezed a tiny drop of blood onto a test strip. The small, rectangular strip was then inserted into a meter.
I heard the device make a beeping sound.
“Your fasting blood sugar looks good,” she said.
I wanted to talk to her about the situation outside and ask about how Jennifer was doing, but for some reason Candy was intent on examining me.
“Nurse Beth let me borrow her otoscope, I need to take a look at your ears,” she said.
“How is Jennifer doing?” I asked.
“She’s alive, but let me finish,” she said.
“Why are you doing all of this?” I asked.
“I'm highly stressed, and when I'm stressed I deal with it best by working,” she said.
“Okay,” I said.
She looked into my ears.
“I see a little wax, but there is no sign of infection or bleeding. Your eardrum looks fully intact,” she said. “If I were back at the plant I would give you a full checkup, but I'm limited here.”
“Thank you for everything you’re doing,” I told her. “You don't even know us, but you’re working hard to help.”
“I wish I could do more,” she said.
“You’re doing everything you can,” I said.
“Will you please give me an update on Jennifer?” I asked.
Candy looked at me and placed her hand on my shoulder.
“There has been very little change. Her blood pressure is slightly higher, but she’s still very weak. I don't know what else we can do for her here,” she said. “I also think she still may have some slight internal bleeding.”
I looked at the window and noticed that more light was making its way through the blankets. It was daytime, and by now most likely everyone at the relocation center in Dublin had evacuated.
“If we could get her to the relocation center, do you think they might have left behind medical equipment that could help her?” I asked.
“Yes, I'm pretty sure,” she said. “I'm sure they have sterile transfusion kits. If we can match her blood type, find a donor, and get some blood in her it would help.”
“Is she strong enough to be moved?” I asked.
“I don't know,” she said. “I would like for her to get a little stronger, first.”
“Then of course, there is the radiation issue,” she said. “The radiation levels out there are low and would probably not be a threat to us. But even low radiation levels can have a negative effect on the bone marrow. I really don't want to put any extra stress on her system.”
“I need to get up,” I said.
“Well, Hank, based on what I’m seeing, I think you’re well enough for that,” said Candy.
I sat up in the cot and swung my feet onto the ground. Candy helped me to stand. Although I was still a bit emotionally shaken, I felt pretty good physically. I could barely feel any pain in my nose, and I felt stronger than I had in a long time. I walked around the room a little, and found I was fine on my feet.
I opened the door for Candy, and we exited the room. Candy explained that the church office that had been turned into a temporary surgical ward for Jennifer. As we walked along the hallway, I heard Candy yawn.
“When was the last time you had any sleep?” I asked.
“I caught a half hour or so last night,” she said.
I noticed the gunfire outside had ceased.
“After you go in here with me, you need to get some rest. I’ll get you up if Jennifer needs anything,” I said.
“You don't know what to look for,” she said. “I'll let Nurse Beth keep an eye on her. But if Beth tells you to get me, you come for me right away.”
“Okay,” I said, as we walked into the room.
Jennifer had been placed on what looked like a twin sized bed in the center of the room. She was covered in a white sheet that went up to her neck. Beside her bed, I saw a trash can filled with dirty, bloody bandages. The room was dimly lit; a small nightlight provided the only illumination.
“We’re trying to keep her calm and comfortable,” Candy said. “You can talk to her, but please don't let her get upset. If her blood pressure goes up, her internal bleeding could start again.”
I walked up to the bed and looked at Jennifer's pale, white face. Looking at her, it seemed I was staring at a corpse. If it were not for the faint sound of her breathing, there would be no way to tell if she was alive or dead.
I sat down in a small, blue chair beside her bed. The legs of the bed had been lowered; even though I was sitting, I was actually looking down at her body. The only thing I knew to do was to take her hand in mine and talk to her. I carefully peeled back one corner of the sheet, found her arm, and placed it over the sheet.
I squeezed her hand gently, and I noticed that she felt ice cold.
“Can we put another blanket on her?” I asked Candy.
“She’s actually running a low grade fever,” she responded. “I don't want her too warm.”
“Would you like to listen to her heart?” Candy asked.
“Okay,” I said.
While I held Jennifer’s hand, Candy put the stethoscope on me and placed the small, metal pad on Jennifer's chest.
“Do you hear her heartbeat?” she asked.
“Yes,” I do. “I’m not an expert, but it sounds weak.”
“It is,” she said.
Candy removed the stethoscope.
“Talk to her,” Candy said. “If she wakes up please just keep her calm.”
Candy pulled up another chair and sat beside me.
“Are you sure you want to hear this?” I said. “It will probably get personal.”
“If you want me to leave, I will,” she said. “But she’s my patient, and I care about her too.”
“Okay,” I said.
I squeezed Jennifer's hand again and began to speak quietly.
“Oh Jennifer, I'm so sorry about this. This is my fault. I should’ve made you stay at the relocation center. If you would’ve stayed there, you wouldn’t have been shot. I’m scared to death that you’re going to leave me. I beg of you, please try to hold on. I don't want you to go. I love you too much to lose you.” I said.
“I don't know if I've told you this recently, but you have been special to me since the first time I talked to you at the barbershop all those years ago. The impression you made on me knocked my socks off. You seemed simply amazing and you’re still amazing. You were so smart, so intelligent, so kind to me, and so beautiful. I couldn't help but fall in love with you. Back then you didn't feel the same way, and it hurt me very badly. It hurt me even more when you started ignoring me to date all those different guys.”
“I loved you with all my heart and went out of my way to prove myself to you, but it was never enough. Do you remember that time when I went to your house and asked why you couldn’t give me a chance, since it was obviously not working out with the other guys? When you told me that I was so much like a brother it wouldn’t “feel right” to date me, it tore me apart inside. It ripped my heart out. I gave up on you for a long time, but I never forgot you. And I continued loving you not matter how hard I tried not to.”
“Then when I heard about your marriages and divorces, it just gnawed at my heart. It just made me wonder what was so wrong with me that you couldn’t give me a chance. Because I knew if you did, I wouldn’t throw the chance away. I would work hard to make the most of it, and do whatever it took to make the relationship work for us. But to keep the pain away, I had to just tell myself that you were not worth my time, that you were just wild and reckless, and would never change. But every so often when I would go to your barbershop and let you give me a haircut, the past no longer mattered. I hoped beyond hope that you might just tell me you wanted to give the two of us a chance, but it never happened.”
“Now you say you love me and want me, but I just can't help but wonder if it's Jennifer talking or a woman that has been thrown into a nightmare. We’re in the middle of the worst situation anyone could ever imagine. My mind tells me if it were not for this situation your feelings would’ve never changed. But my heart tells me to just go with the flow, to accept it, and be grateful for it.”
“Maybe I'm an absolute idiot. Regardless of why you now seem to have feelings for me, perhaps I've been stupid not to accept them and allow us to get close. You’re an absolutely gorgeous woman with a wonderful personality and a loving heart. If I've been a moron not to just accept the love you have offered, I sincerely apologize. Because I love you too. I love all of you Jennifer. I love your mind, I love your heart, and I love your soul.”
“I’m so sorry. I'm sorry I can't seem to get over the fact it took the dead walking the earth for you to have feelings for me. I hope you can understand that. I hope you realize that if you had given me a chance even a day before the apocalypse started, I wouldn’t have hesitated for an instant,” I said.
“But if you’ll fight and stay with me, I'll be here for you. I may not be ready to be your lover or husband, but I’ll stay by your side for the rest of my life. Regardless what happens in our lives, we’ll face it together. I just need you to pull through. Please Jennifer, pull through.” I begged.
I squeezed her hand again. She didn’t respond.
“If you hear me Jennifer, please squeeze my hand,” I said.
I felt nothing. Her hand was totally limp.
I stood up from the chair and leaned over her. Very gently, I kissed her on the forehead.
“Please fight, Jennifer,” I said. “I need you.”
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“Let’s go,” Candy said.
As we exited Nurse Beth approached, talked to Candy for a moment, and then stepped inside Jennifer's room.
“Walk with me,” Candy said.
As we walked towards the room where I had been sleeping, I saw a few familiar faces walk down the hallway. The demeanor of the church had changed. When we had first arrived, many of the people here seemed to have a positive outlook, and were quite cheerful despite the dangers they faced. Now the faces I saw were serious and somber.
I opened the door and Candy went in and sat on the cot.
“Hank, Jennifer is lucky to have you,” Candy said.
“I guess,” I said.
“No, she’s very fortunate to have you,” she responded. “She’s an idiot for the way she treated you.”
“Almost all women are like her,” I said. “She isn’t the only woman I have cared about, even though she was the first, other than perhaps a silly high school crush.”
“What do you mean?” Candy said as she lied her body down on the cot.
“Women like to chase after the bad boys. They don't want nice guys who don't play the so called “game” they expect. If a guy is too sincere, honest, respectful, or appropriate from the start, most women instantly lock them in the ‘friend’ zone,” I said. “Every woman I've ever cared about has locked me in that box.”
“Not all women are that way,” Candy said.
“Most of them are,” I said. “I've witnessed it too often.”
“I'm sorry,” Candy said.
“Don't worry about me,” I said. “Just get some rest. You have been working for too long.”
I picked up a sheet from off the floor and put it over her.
“I'll keep checking in on Jennifer and Beth,” I said.
“Chec
k in on me every so often too,” Candy said.
“I will,” I said.
Leaving the room, I headed directly to the social hall. I hoped to find someone that could update me on the situation.
Opening the doors to the social hall, I could see that food was being served. The room was eerily quiet as a line of people waited to be served soup and sandwiches.
“I'm glad you’re on your feet, Hank,” I heard a voice say.
Looking in the direction of the voice, I saw that it was Reverend McMann.
“Come over here and sit with us,” he said.
He ushered me towards a table where a number of deacons were sitting.
“Carol, please go get Mr. Harper a plate,” Reverend McMann said to a woman passing by.
“Yes, no problem,” I heard her say.
I sat down and immediately started to hear apologies.
“I'm so sorry the patrols mistook you for the bandits,” Reverend McMann said. “I sincerely apologize.”
“Your van looked just like the one they were driving,” one of the deacons said.
“We’re all praying for Jennifer,” another said. “We held a prayer service for her.”
I looked over to the door of the social hall and saw that it had been repaired.
“I accept your apologies, but we need to move on. I need some information,” I said.
I took a moment to collect my thoughts and then I looked at the deacons.
“Where is my dog?” I blurted out, suddenly remembering I hadn’t heard anything about him.
“Oh, the children are playing with him in the nursery. He’s being taken care of,” one of the deacons said.
“Was he hurt at all?”
“No, he was a little shaken up but not injured,” he said.
“Where are Meredith and Robert?” I asked.
“They’re in the bell tower keeping watch,” Reverend McMann said. “Their shift should be over soon and they’ll be joining us for lunch.”
“Have you been informed about the nuclear accident?” I asked.
“Yes, Meredith, Robert, and your new friend Ms. Beetle told me about it,” he said. “We’re keeping most of our patrols inside to limit their exposure.”
Don't Dare Call Them Zombies : Books 1-4 Page 26