Robbie heard the footsteps and stopped before going into the bedroom. He looked at Dean who stood at the top of the steps. “Who are you?” Robbie asked.
“I’m Dr. Dean Hayes. I need to see Ellen. Can I see her?”
“It’s not a good time, Dean.” Robbie clenched the towel. “Her son just died.” He reached for the doorknob.
Dean’s head dropped. “Then could you just tell her I’m here. Just tell her Dean is here.”
“Yeah.” Robbie waited for Dean to go back down the steps and he went into the bedroom. He slowed his stride as he closed the door. Ellen was holding Josh in the rocking chair. Her lips pressed tightly to her only son. Running his hand over her hair, Robbie laid his lips on her head and moved to the bed. “The doctor from Stamford is here.” Uncovering Taylor, he took the little girl in his arms and began to wipe her down.
<><><><>
Stamford, CT – 11:46 a.m.
The soldier’s name was Carl and he was worn and hurt. He made a long trek to the aid station at Fairfield and when he arrived, the camp was almost dead.
Another volunteer, the only one he spotted, pointed Carl to the tent and he saw William.
“Can I help you?” William called out then stepped closer to Carl. “My, God, you’re hurt.”
“I need to find Dr. Hayes.”
“I’m Dr. Hayes.”
“Come with me. Hurry, we don’t have much time.”
Carl hurried from the tent.
William followed, noticing that Henry was behind him as well. Carl led him down a grade and to a Jeep parked on the side of the road.
“She’s in too much pain to move,” Carl said.
Thinking, ‘she’, William hurried to the Jeep and gasped when he saw the woman inside. She held papers on her lap and the wound in her stomach seeped.
“I have something for you,” Carl said and reached into his pocket.
He handed William a vial, tiny and brown. “What is it?”
“I believe Catherine deserves to tell you.”
William was somewhat confused and he moved closer to the Jeep. “My God, Henry, help me move her …”
“No,” Catherine lifted her hand weakly. “Get … get these to Lt. Hayes.”
Carl asked. “You said you are Dr. Hayes.”
“I am. I’m his father.” William looked at Catherine. “What is it?”
“The first step …” Catherine spoke weakly and lifted the papers to William. “Our hope. Slows … slows early stages. Combine it. Try …” She moved the papers to William and then with a gasp, her head tilted and her eyes stared out.
After a brief pause, William reached up and closed her eyes. Papers in hand, he walked away from the Jeep and to Henry who stood a few feet away.
“What is it?” Henry asked.
William looked down at the bottle. “She says it’s a part of a cure. I guess these papers say more.”
“Cure?”
“Slows early stages.”
“Should we get that to Dean … I can take the bike …”
“We can,” William whispered. “But not right now. Early stages? Maybe Dean can use this for another time, but right now the world is beyond early stages. We, my friend, are at the end.”
Henry nodded his agreement.
William looked back at Carl who was lifting Catherine from the Jeep. He placed the vial and the papers in his pocket then walked off with Henry, back to where he was needed.
<><><><>
“O.K. Dr. Dean.” Joe spread a map he drew on Ellen’s kitchen table. “Tell me how you want to set up.”
Dean set down a glass of water and moved to the table. “Excuse me.” He brushed by Robbie who stood with intimidation, folding his arms and staring coldly. Dean leaned to the map. “If we move all the stage three’s to one area, we’ll have them together for when they hit the final…”
Robbie interrupted, “You’re really a doctor?”
Dean lifted his views from the make shift map. “Yes … as I was saying, Joe. From what I saw, the stage two’s are nearly at their end. In about twenty four hours, it will be a war zone out there. Everyone in the later stage of three and …”
“You look too young to be a doctor,” Robbie commented.
“I’m probably older than you.” Dean returned to the map.
“So. Are you sure you’re a doctor?”
Joe’s hand slammed hard on the table, frightening even Dean. “Jesus Christ, Robbie, what the hell does it matter? He’s another set of hands and he has more help arriving soon. Knock it off. Go on, Dean.”
Dean did despite the stares he knew he was getting from Robbie. “You said there are roughly twenty-two hundred people in Ashtonville. Even considering some of them left, what is outside is not many of them. You mentioned making a sweep of the town for the ill. Why?”
“Sweeping the town will do two things,” Joe said. “One, it will centralize the sick, so when we clean up around here we’re not beating our heads against the wall going in and out of every building. And two, it may breed some healthy workers that can lend a hand. We need hands to set up those supplies you brought along with the ones your people will bring when they get here. Will they bring more medication?”
Dean shrugged. “I don’t know. They’ll try. Honestly Joe, there isn’t much left and you folks have been using it quickly too. From now on, unless they are in later stages of three or four, no meds. Only wipe downs and suctions like I mentioned.”
“First things first though,” Joe stated. “Sweep the town. While I do that, I’ll also pick up some generators, if I can. We can’t take a chance on the power supply running out on us. We can use the generators to run those suction machines. I’ll use the idea of the dentist’s office like you said when I look for them. I’ll hit the edge of town, and Robbie you go…” He saw Robbie’s eyes shift to the ceiling as he edged his way out of the kitchen. “Robbie?”
“Be right back, Dad.” Robbie walked from the kitchen. As he entered the hallway, he saw Ellen at the bottom of the stairs. “El, what are you doing?” He ran his hand across her face.
“I had to get away for a minute. I just had too.” She stepped from the last step and headed with Robbie to the kitchen.
Joe’s index finger pointed to a section of the map. “Here might bring easier access.” He lookedat Dean as he nodded. “We can…” Joe’s eyes lifted up. “Ellen.”
Her name went through Dean. Slowly raising his head, he saw Ellen standing in the kitchen doorway.
Ellen nearly lost her balance when she saw him lift his head. His eyes immediately connected to hers. With her heart falling to her stomach, she spoke his name in exasperation. “Dean.” She felt her throat swell. “You’re alive.”
“Ellen.” He rushed over to her, bumping into the chairs in his dash, and threw his arms around her as he reached her.
Ellen lost it. The second she felt him, the second she fell into his hold, her heart cried out and she broke down. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“So am I,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her as far as they could go. He held her sobbing body closely to his. “I am so sorry for what you’re going through. I am so sorry.” He closed his eyes, placed his hand to the back of her head, and clutched on to her. Dean felt her sadness as he held her and let her cry in his arms.
<><><><>
Dean ran his hand over Taylor’s blonde hair as Ellen held her in her arms. “I’m sorry, Ellen.” He sat on the bed next to her. “She’s...she’s in stage four.”
Ellen’s head dropped to Taylor’s. “What am I gonna do, Dean? I can’t lose her.”
“I know.” He reached to Ellen. “When did you give her something last?”
Ellen wiped her eyes. “An hour ago. I have …” Her eyes went to the night stand where an already prepared syringe rested. “I have that for the end.”
Dean’s heart sunk. “What can I do for you?”
“You’re doing it. You’re here. Just don’t leave. Don’t
leave me alone to face this. Please. It’ll be soon so don’t leave. Please let them wait outside. Stay here.” Ellen begged.
“Maybe Ellen, maybe your husband should be here with you. I’ll go get him.”
“My husband is dead.” Ellen looked oddly at him. “Why would you…”
“The big guy? He’s not your husband? I thought the way he was with you…”
“No, he’s my friend.” Ellen’s hand reached out to Dean’s. “Please tell me you’ll stay here with me.”
Dean stared into her eyes. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll pull up a chair.” He started to stand.
Ellen reached up as she held her daughter and took Dean’s hand. “No. This is the hardest thing I had ever faced in my life. It’s killing me, Dean. It’s killing me. Just-- unless you don’t want to—stay next me.”
Without saying anymore, Dean sat on the bed, holding on to Ellen as she held tightly to her now only child. Adjusting the covers over Taylor, Dean tried to give comfort to a silent Ellen. He knew as he sat there that it wouldn’t be long before Ellen would face the final and worse tragedy of her entire life.
June 1- 11:20p.m.
Ashtonville, Connecticut
Dirt and other people’s blood mixed with his sweat as Robbie wiped his hand across his forehead. He had loaded the last body for the round into the truck. He was one of two that had the dirty job. He and a man named Miguel his father found on the highway. Robbie and Miguel removed the dead bodies from the cots and filled the vacant cots with the next victims to dieon them.
Keeping up with the bodies that seemed to be piling up faster with each passing moment was the hard part. Taking them to a site on a far away hill was the easy part. Working with the dying was something Robbie seemed to be kept from. Perhaps it was the Slagel tradition where he lacked compassion. Perhaps it was just his years of training for the Special Forces that made him cold enough to handle the bodies without a second glance or care but Robbie couldn’t take time to care. Taking time to care was letting the tragedy and horror of what happen hinder what had to be done. Robbie would care when it was all said and done.
He did care when, hours earlier, he watched his father and Ellen take the truck to bury Kelly, his nieces, and Ellen’s kids. It bothered Robbie. It really did. He wished he could have gone with them but he was needed on the street. Dean and Jenny along with two other newcomers worked with diligence on the patients. Robbie and Miguel worked with diligence on the dead.
It was time for Robbie to rest though. Being up for nearly two days, he needed to stop. It was somewhat quiet on the street as Robbie made it to Ellen’s house. The ill were sleeping. The seriously ill were feeling the effects of the medication.
Stepping over Jenny, who slept on Ellen’s front porch like one of the plague victims, Robbie went into the house. He stopped in the living room where Miguel was asleep in the easy chair. “Miguel.” Robbie shook the large man’s leg. “I’m resting now. You’re up.”
Miguel nodded, rubbing his eyes and snapping the chair into an upright position.
Robbie moved to the steps. Though it seemed inane, he wanted to get cleaned up. Maybe if he wiped and washed away some of the dirt, he could rest easier in the short time he had to do so.
The shower did help. Appreciating the hot shower because he didn’t know how long they’d be around, Robbie stepped from the warm bathroom into the cool hallway.
“Robbie,” Ellen softly called from the bedroom.
Surprised, Robbie walked to her room. “El?” He opened the door. She sat on the bed, her knees to her chest. “Did I wake you?”
“I wasn’t sleeping. I saw you through the crack of the door. What are you doing?”
“I wanted to take a shower. I’m going to try to get some sleep.” He walked to the bed and sat down with her
“You need to.” She looked saddened. Reaching to her side, she picked up a glass. “Wanna drink?”
Robbie could smell it from where he was. “Whiskey? Why are you drinking, El?”
“Joe gave it to me. He said a couple shots will help me rest.” She sipped it. “I’m afraid to sleep. I’m afraid of what I’ll dream about.”
“You have to sleep, El. Drink that. It’ll help. Whiskey is the Slagel cure you know.”
“I wish the Slagels had a cure for what I’m going through.” She set down the glass and laid her head on her knees. “I buried my children tonight, Robbie. I’m trying not to think about it, but that’s all I see when I close my eyes. I’m scared Robbie. I’m scared because right now I’m not feeling anything but the horrible physical pain of losing them.”
Robbie edged closer to her. He laid his hand on her head. “Did you want me to stay for a little bit?”
“Could you?” She lifted her head. “You can sleep here. Just stay around?”
“I can do that.” Robbie stood up and walked to the bedroom door. He shut it and moved back to the bed. Sitting on the bed with his legs extended out, Robbie leaned against the headboard. He looked over at Ellen and she tiled her head against his shoulder. He blinked, but it was instantaneously after that he fell fast asleep.
Tuesday, June 2 - 8:45 a.m.
Ashtonville, Connecticut
“Ellen, get up.” Robbie set down a cup of coffee next to her. He knew she was awake and had been for a while. He had heard her earlier walking about, running the water in the bathroom. “El,” Robbie spoke with sternness, bending down to the bed where she lay on her side. “Now.” Noticing he wasn’t getting a response and noticing all she wore was a long tee shirt, he walked over to her dresser. “I hope you don’t have anything you don’t want me to see in here.” He opened up the top drawer.
Mumbling, she rolled onto her back. “What are you doing, Robbie?”
“Found them.” He tossed her a pair of socks then went to the next drawer, pulling out a pair of jeans. “Get dressed.” He dangled them over her.
“Why?”
“Because you’re needed outside. Let’s go.”
“I’m not going.” She smacked the jeans away.
“The hell you aren’t.” He handed them back to her. “If you want to barricade yourself in here, fine but you do it when you aren’t needed anymore. Right now, you’re needed so get up and get dressed. If I have to dress you myself and carry you down there to work, I will.”
Ellen snatched the jeans from his hands and swung her legs over the side of the bed, staring at the faded Levis.
“Five minutes, El.” He picked up the mug of coffee and held it out to her. When she took it, he walked out of her bedroom. Ellen threw on her jeans and socks and slipped into her shoes after she walked from her bed. Running the brush once through her hair, she tossed it in a ponytail and walked downstairs. What she saw when she opened her front door barreled her over for as far as the eye could see, up and down the street, were people. Not a spot of grass, sidewalk, or road was visible through the massive amount of ill before her. “Dear God,” she gasped. “Where did they all come from?”
“Ellen.” Joe approached her. “How are you?”
“Joe, where did they all come from? All these people?”
“They came in from the highway and town. A lot of them I brought in.”
“You‘re responsible for this?” Ellen asked.
“Yes I am.”
“Well would you mind stopping?” Ellen tried to walk by him.
“Ellen, stop. Why would you say such a thing?” He grabbed on to her.
“It was never meant to get like this, Joe. This is way too much. This is out of hand.”
“Ellen, if you don’t want to do this, then don’t,” Joe scolded.
“Then I won’t.”
Joe waved his hand at her and walked away.
Robbie, who was nearby with Dean, heard this. He abruptly ran over when he saw Ellen head back into the house. “Don’t you dare.” He held her.
“I’m not doing this, Robbie. Look at this place.”
“You are doing this, El. Tough. We
need you out here. This is what you have to do.”
“No it’s not, Robbie. I couldn’t care less about these people,” Ellen snapped.
“What about me, El? Can you care less about me?” He asked her.
“No, I didn’t say that.”
“That is exactly what you are saying if you walk away because we can’t handle this. We need you. I need you.”
“I wasn’t asked to do this, Robbie. No one asked me to do this.”
“Me either, El,” Robbie told her with passion. “But this is our obligation because we are the ones who aren’t sick.”
“I didn’t ask for those honors. I don’t want them.”
“Tough.”
“What?” Ellen was taken aback by the way he spoke.
“You heard me--tough. You have them. Now cut the attitude and cut the shit. Grab something, anything, and get your ass out there like the rest of us!”
“Fuck you.” Brushing in-between him and Dean, Ellen stormed out into the battlefield of patients.
Dean’s head swung down then lifted to Robbie who began to walk away. “Don’t you think you’re being a little hard on her?”
“No, Lieutenant, I don’t.” Robbie faced him.
“She doesn’t need that right now.”
“How do you know? You don’t know her. I do. And don’t, for one second think that a one night stand in a hotel room with her qualifies you to say what she needs or doesn’t need. You hear me?” Robbie scolded him. “Because what she does need right now is someone to tell her what to do, where to be, and how to act. Trust me, if someone doesn’t--we’ll lose her right along with every other plague victim out here. I’m not about to let that happen.”
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 451