by Lucas Coon
“DoctorRafferty;they’rebringingCiara’slunchup.”Kara’s voicebuzzedfrom theradio.Shesoundedsomewhatrushed.“We needyoudowninthelowerward.Oneofyourpatientsthatyou senthomeisbackand…”Shehesitated.“…uh… Hedoesn’tlook toogood.”
“Onit.”Madisonlookedatthetwoofthem again.“Sorry,guys, butI’vegottogo.” “Alright,noproblem.”Alexwavedheron.“Goodluck,again.” HeturnedbacktolookatCiara.“Thisplaceisamesstoday, huh?”
“Iknow.DoctorRaffertyisusuallysoprofessional,butshe seemedstressedoutjustnow.”Ciaraleanedbackandlookedup atthetelevision.Thesoundwasmuted,buttherewereblack barsacrossthebottom thatfollowedthenewscaster’smouth movements.“Oh,wow.There’ssomethinggoingonatWoodward WestHospital!”Alexglancedupatthetelevisionandmouthed thecaptions.Hequicklystoodupandpressedthevolumebutton onthetelevision.
“–Havethesituationundercontrol.They’vereportedthatthe suspecthasbeenshot,butnotbeforehemurderedtwo individuals.Wespokewithsomeofthehospitalstaffatthe scene.”Thecamerashiftedtoaheavieroldlady.
“Oh,itwasterrible!Hewaslookingprettysickwhenhegot here,butafterawhilehejustgotagitatedandviolent.Ican’t believehehurtthatpoorgirl.Ithankgodthathewasn’t anywherenearthechildren’swardandthatthepolicegothere quickly…”
“Atthistime,thesuspect’snameisnotbeingreleased,noris thevictim’s.Wewillbefollowingthisstorycloselyandwillupdate withanyinformationasitcomesin.”Thenewscastershiftedto faceanothercamera.“Todaymarksthethirteenthanniversary of–”Alexhitthevolumebuttonagain,turningitdownasfarasit couldgo.
“OK,soitlookslikewegotluckywithyougettingbrought hereinsteadofWoodwardWest,huh?”Alexchuckled.Ciarahad aconcernedlookpastedonherface.“Oh,comeon,Ciara.There’s nothingtoworryabout.Woodwardisacrosstown.Plus,theysaid theyshottheguy.Everything’sfine.”HesatbackdownatCiara’s bedside.“They’llbeupherewithyourlunchheresoon.I’m going tostepoutforaminute.IsthatOK?”
“Yeah,that’sfine.”Shesmirkedathim,itwasclearlyforced. Hesteppedforwardandhuggedher,thenexitedtheroom.Ashe steppedoutintothelobby,hewasgreetedbysomethinghe hadn’texpected.Theentirelobbywasasceneofchaos.Nothing wasoutofplace,butthenurseswererushingbackandforth betweenroomswithboardsandwritingnotesfuriously.There wasnoonesittingatthemainstation,noonewasgossipingat thewatercooler.Therewasnosenseofcalm anymore.
“MaybeIspoketoosoon…”Alexglaredaroundattheroom. Thelightshangingabovethepatient’sdoorswerealllit,some weregreen,somewerered.HeglancedatthelightaboveCiara’s; white.Allofthelightsonthissideofthehallwaywerewhiteand theywerechangingtoeithergreenorredoncethenurseswere doneintheroom.“They’recheckingforsomething.”Hewalked outtotheothersideofthehalltochecktheroom whereAria’s motherwasstaying.“Green.OK,soshe’ssafe…”Heturned aroundtowalkbacktoCiarawhenhenoticedanursewas headingtowardtheroom.“Hey!Excuseme!”Sheturned.
“I’m sorry,sir.Ihavetoaskyoutopleasereturntowhichever room youaresupposedtobein.”Thewomanstaredathim. “Well,yeah;Iam.That’smydaughter’sroom.”Ifhewasgoing togetinformation,hewasgoingtohavetodothisright.“You guysareallrunningaroundoutherelikecrazyandturning lightsonandoff.Iwanttoknow whatthehellisgoingon!”
“Listen,sir,we’llgetyouasmuchinformationaswecan,when wecan.Rightnow Ineedyoutopleasereturntoyourdaughter’s room andI’llbeintheremomentarilytocheckonher.”
“No,youlisten.”Hehadtoasserthimself.Helookedthe womanover;mid-thirties,slightlylargerbutwithagoodbuild. Herhairwasmostlyblondewithsomebrowntocovertheroots. Shedidagoodjobdyeingit,butshemissedafew greyhairs.“I cantellyou’reaparent,soyouhavetounderstandwhereI'm comingfrom here.Mydaughterisinthatroom missinghalfof herrightleg.Shecanbarelywalkrightnow,soifanythingwasto happen,wewouldn’tbeabletogetanywherequickly.Ifthereis somethinggoingon,Ineedtimetoprepare.I’m notaskingyou becauseI’m someguylookingtobenosy,I’m askingyoubecause Ineedtoknow thatmydaughterisgoingtobesafe.I’vealready lostmywife,Ican’tloseher.”Thenursesfacetwistedslightly;it worked.
“I’m notsupposedtotellyouanything…”Shelookedatthe room,thenbacktoAlex.”… butthere’sabitofanemergency rightnow,asyoucantell.Wehavesomepatientsdownstairswith somesortofinfectionthatseemslikeit’sspreadingreallyfast. We’redoingacheckonallofourlong-term patientstomakesure theyhaven’tcaughtit.”
“Letmeguess,redmeanstheyhaveit,greenmeansthey don’t?”ShenoddedinconfirmationofAlex’squestion.“How are youguystesting?Idon’tseeanyvialsorneedlesoranything.”
“Rightnow werejustcheckingfortonguediscoloration.It’snot perfect,butitseemstobeasymptom.”Shequicklyansweredhis question.“That’sallIcantellyou,sir.Youcangetmore informationfrom yourdaughter’sdoctoroncethisallpassesand wemoveon.So,please,returntoyourdaughter’sroom andI’llbe intheretocheckherhereinafew.”Alexagreedandthankedher. HewalkedbackintoCiara’sroom andclosedthedoor.
“Openyourmouth.”AlexgaveCiaraacommandashestepped towardherbed.“Don’taskwhyorwhat,justdoit.”Shestaredat him,butfollowedthroughonhisrequest.Hegrabbedapenlight from thetableonthesideoftheroom andshineditintoher throat.Hestaredateverythinghecould,nothingseemedoutof place.“OK,yourturn.”Hehandedherthelight.“Tellmeif anythingseemslikeit’sthewrongcolor,orifanythingseemsoff.”
“Uh… OK…”SheshineditintoAlex’smouth.“No,italllooks normal.Youneedtobrushyourteeththough.”Hereachedoutfor thelightandputitintohispocket.“What’sgoingon,dad?”
“Anurseisgoingtocomeinhereanddothatsamethingto youthatIjustdid.She’llprobablyhaveatonguedepressorand willdoalittlemorethoroughofacheck,butit’llbethesame.” AlexwalkedhischairtotheothersideofCiara’sbed,closedthe privacycurtainbetweenthem andthedoor,thenwalkedtothe oppositeside.“Iknow thisisstrange,butjusttrustmeonall this,please.”
“Onlyifyoutellmeafterward.”Ciaragavehim aninquisitive look. “Promise.I’llexplaineverythingaftersheleavestheroom.”He watchedthedoorandwaitedforthenursetoenter.Several minuteshadpassedbeforethedoorflew open;therewasno knockorannouncementofwhoitwas.Asitclosed,theperson thatfellintotheroom wasbreathingheavily,asiftheywere tryingtoescapesomething.Alexstaredatthecurtain,the shadow thathadenteredtheroom attemptedtocompose themselves.Thehandgrabbedthesideofthecurtainandpulled itopen.“Madison?”
“Hey…”Shetookadeepbreath.“Alex.Ciara.” “Hi,DoctorRafferty.”CiaralookedasconfusedasAlex.“What areyoudoinghere?”
“I,uh…”Shelookedbackoutintothemainroom.“Ineededa break.”Shesatdownonthestoolinfrontofthehospital computer.“Yeah,that’sit.Ijustneededtotakealittlebreather.” Asshefinishedhercomment,therewasacrackingsoundover thespeakerthathadbeeninstalledintheceilingoftheroom. Alexknew itwasthere,buthadneverbeeninasituationwhere theywereused.
“CodeGrey,EastwingChildren’sWard.”Thecodewords echoedout,theymeantnothingtoAlex.
“What?”Madisonstaredatthespeaker.“Codegrey?”She shookherhead.“Mustbeareallyviolentkid…”
“Whatdidyousay,Madison?”
“Nothing.Itdoesn’tmatter.”Sheshookherheadandlooked
backoutthroughtheglasswindow.“Alright,thankyouforletting meuseyourroom.Iknow it’snotthenormalthingforyour doctortodo,butIneededabreak.”Shelaughed.“Thisplaceis goingtobethedeathofme,Iswear.”
“Ciara,I’llbebackinafew minutes.”Alexgrippedherhand andstoodup,hewalkedovertothedoorwhereMadisonwas standing.
“Whereareyougoing?”Ciaralookedathim puzzled. “Ineedsomethingtodrink.”AlexstaredbackatMadison.“I’ll follow youout.”Shestaredathim forasecond,sighedandagreed assheopenedthedoor.Alexhalfexpectedtheretobechaosand destructionontheotherside,butitalllookednormal.“Whatis goingonhere,Madison?”
“Alex,Ican’ttalktoyouaboutallofthisrightnow.”Madison glaredbackathim.Herfacewasterseforamoment.Sheglanced overtoCiara’sroom andherfaceloosened.“Look,godownstairs, getyourdrinkandgetbackinCiara’sroom.Iknow it’scrazy,but we’regoingtobefine.Yes,there’ssomethinggoingon.No,it’snot ahugedeal.No,we’renotallgoingtodieinafieryexplosion.” Alexdidn’tlikeheranswer,butheknew hewasn’tgoingtoget anythingmorefrom her.Hewalkedawayandsteppeddownthe stairwell.Ashegottothedoorleadingbacktothefirstfloor,he waspassedbywhatappearedtobeheavilyarmedpoliceofficers. Itwasn’tuntilhegottothemainlobbythathisconcerngrew evenfurther.
“Military?”Hestaredatthemaninthefullcamouflageoutfit. From whatAlexcouldtell,he
wasstandingandholdingupthe wallnearthedoor.“Excuseme,sir.”Hewalkedovertotheman.
“CanIhelpyou,sir?”Themanspoke.Themechanicalvoice wasenoughtosendchillsupAlex’sspine.
“Yeah,youcantellmewhat’sgoingonhere.” “Nothingofconcern,sir.”Theyoungmankeptastraightface. “Ihavetoaskyoutopleasereturntoyourroom andwaitforthe allclear.”
“You’reblockingthemainexitandyou’regoingtotellmethat nothingisgoingon…”Alex’sfaceshowedhisdisbelief.“Wantto trythatagain?”
“Sir,pleasereturntoyourroom orIwillhaveyouescorted.” ThesoldierstaredAlexinthefacewithhismostintimidating glare.Alexrolledhiseyesandpulledouthiswallet.Heopenedto show hismilitaryidentification.
“Ohdashnine,LieutenantGeneralLangley.”Hepulledthe walletbackandputitinhispocket.“Onemoretimeplease, soldier.”
“Myapologies,sir.”Heloosenedupslightly.“Therehavebeen reportsofanincidentinvolvingaminoroutbreak,sir.Idon’thave muchmoreinformationbeyondthat.”
“Needtoknow…”Alexlaughed.“Alright.Wellifyouguysare here,thenIknow we’regoingtobesa–”Hissentencewascutoff bywhatsoundedlikescreamingcomingfrom theeastwing.This wasfollowedbytheeasilyidentifiablesoundofahandgunbeing dischargedseveraltimes.“MaybeIspoketoosoon…”
“Getanyonethatisn’tondutytoaroom.Callafull shutdown.”Theradioonthesoldierssidebellowedout. “Idoapologize,LieutenantLangley,butsinceyouaren’t currentlyonduty,Ihavetorequestthatyoupleasereturntoyour room…”Thesoldierlookedlikeasmallchildtellinghisolder brotherwhattodo.“…sir.”
“Cuttheformalities,kid.I’m acivilianrightnow.”Hesmirked. “Thankyouforthehelp.”Alexwalkedbacktowardthestairwell. “CodeBlack,thisisaCodeBlack.Severitylevel,three. Everyoneisrequiredtostayintheirroomsuntilfurthernotice. Thisincludesallmedicalstaff,visitorsandpatients.”Thevoice blew outfrom theoverheadspeakers.“Repeat;CodeBlack,sev three… Thisisafulllockdown.Everyoneistostayinorreturnto theircurrentroomsimmediatelyandwaitforanallclear.”Alex steppedquickerandtookthestairstwoatatime.Ashereached thethirdfloor,heheardmoregunshots.Thistimetheycame from thelobbyhe’dspentsomuchtimein.Heshovedthedoors openandlookedaround.Thepoliceofficersweretalkinginto theirradiosastheystoodaroundabody.Therewasoneofficer sittinginachairwithbloodrunningdownhissidefrom hisneck, oneofthenurseswasattemptingtocoverthewound;theblood keptflowingdespitethepressureandclothbeingheldoverit.
“Maria,youneedtogobacktoyourroom!”Madison’svoice wasdirecttowardanolderwomanthatwasstandinginthe hallway.“Look,thepolicearehere.They’regoingtotakecareof everything,butyouneedtogetbackinthererightaway.”The lookontheoldwoman’sfacewasonethatAlexwouldneverhave expected.Shelookedmurderous.Despitethefactthatthisold womanwasfrail,sheappearedtobefine.“Comeon,Maria.I’ll walkyoubackinandwecan–”Madison’swordswerecutoffby theolderladyscreeching.ShestartedwalkingtowardMadison, slowlyatfirst,butherpacequickened.Madisonfrozeinhorroras thewomanstartedintoherdash.Alexdidtheonlythinghecould thinkofandtackledMadisonoutofthepathofthecrazed woman.“Alex!”Shestaredathim.Hereyeswerethankfulfora moment,thenshequicklyreturnedtoherstateofshockas anotherscreechflew from theolderwoman.Alexstoodupand preparedhimself.Didhereallyhavetotakedownanoldwoman?
Alexstaredaroundthewaitingroom foramoment.Thepolice wereallwatchingthescene,butweren’tdoinganythingtohelp. Thenursethatwastreatingthewoundedofficerwastryingto helphim ashiseyesrolledbackintohishead.Thewomanwas beginninganothersprinttowardAlex.Hespreadhisfeetand balancedhimself,readyingfortheimpact.Asshegottowherehe wasstanding,hethrusthisshoulderforwardandknockedthe womanintothewall.Shestartedtobleedfrom hermouthasshe smackedthewallwithfullforce.Thiswasn’tenoughtostopher asshestartedtogriponAlexandtrytopullhim off.Hepulled backandthrew arighthook,thiswasenoughtoputherina slightdaze.Hestoodupandusedthisopportunitytoforcefully shoveherintoanopenroom andpullthedoorshutasquicklyas hecould.Madisonranovertohim andpulledakeyfrom her pocket.Shejammeditintothedoorandlockedit.Alexturned andleanedagainstthedoor,breathingheavily.Hewipedhisface withhisarm onlytoseearedstreakonhisforearm.
“Alex,you’rebleeding.”Madisonpulledahandkerchieffrom herpocketandwipedhismouthoff. “That’snotmyblood.”Heshookhishead.“Great,now I’m goingtocatchwhateverthehellshehas.”Alexpulledawayfrom Madison.Helookedaroundatthewaitingroom;alleyeswere staringathim.HeplacedhishandfirmlyonMadison’sshoulder. “You’recomingwithme.”HepushedhertowardCiara’sroom and continuedtoshoveherthroughthedoor.Onewayoranother,he wasgoingtogetsomeinformation.
"Thisisnotatest.Thisisanemergencybroadcast.Atthis time,theentirecityisbeingplacedunderalock-down.Therehas beenaconfirmedoutbreakofanunknownillness.Itiscurrently notcleariftheinfectioniscontagiousand,ifitis,how itis spread.Atthistimewearestronglysuggestingthateveryone staysindoorsuntilfurthernotice.TheCenterforDiseaseControl andthelocalpolicedepartmenthavedraftedanevacuationplan forthecityandwillbeescortingcitizensbydistrict.Theseefforts willtakeforty-eighttoseventy-twohours.Atthistimeitis stronglysuggestedthatyoustayindoorsanddonotleaveyour house.Updateswillbebroadcastedastheycomein.Please standbyformoreinformation…”Alexheldhisbreathforthe entiretyofthebroadcast,hecouldtellthatCiaraandMadison hadbeendoingthesame.Asmalloutbreak,aslightsituation; everythingthateveryoneelsehadtoldhim wascompletelywrong. Heknew thatsomethingwasgoingon,butthewords‘confirmed outbreak’wasn’tsomethingthathe’dwantedtoanticipate.The room filledwithasilencethatwasimpossibletoexplain.He lookeddownatCiara,herlipcurledinward.Shelookedlikeshe wantedtosaysomething,butwastooafraidtostateanything; factoropinion.HeglancedovertoMadison,therewasalookof fearbreakingoverherface.
“Youknew thiswasgoingtohappen,didn’tyou?”Alexopted toconfrontthissituation. “No,Ididn’t,Alex.”Thefearsuccessfullyshatteredfrom her eyesandtheywelledup.“Ididn’texpectthis.Itoldyou,there wereacoupleofpeopledownstairsthatshowedsigns,butIdidn’t expectafullblownoutbreak.”Sheshookherheadandlookedout intothehallway.Thepolicegrouphadbrokenupandwerenow stationedthroughoutthewaitingroom;theywereallholding largeriflesandwearingwhatlookedlikebodyarmor.Theywere welldressedforthesituation.“I’m goingtogetsomeanswers.” Shewalkedovertothephoneonthewallandpickeditup, pressingthreebuttons.Alexcouldheararinging,followedbya man’svoice.“ThisisDoctorRafferty,I’m upinroom three-thirtyone.I’m wantingsomeanswerstowhatsgoingonhere.”There wereafew secondsofthemantalking,Alexcouldn’tunderstand whathewassaying.“No,Igetthatthere’sanoutbreakinthecity, butwhyareyoulockingallofusintheseroomsuphere?Ihavea numberofpatientsherethatmaybeinneedofmedical attention.”Shegotquietagain.“OK,youaren’tgettingit…”She wascutoff,herbrow shiftedandsherubbedherforehead.“So, you’relettingpeopleinbutnotout?Thatdoesn’tsoundlike appropriateprocedureatall…”Shesighed.“Yeah,sendthem up.” Shehungthephonebackonthereceiver.Madisonlookedback upatAlexandCiara.“Yeah,youheardhow thatconversation went.”Shesatbackonthestoolandtheroom fellsilentonce again.Afteracoupleofminutes,therewasaslightknockonthe door,followedbyitbeingopenedandAriabeingpushedin.
“Hey!Whatthehell?!”Ariaturnedandangrilylookedback. Sheshookherheadandturnedtofacetherestofthegroup. “Well,hello,everyone.”
“Hi,Aria.”Alexwaved.“How’sitgoing?”
“Great,Alex.Thanksforasking.”Shesmirked;hecouldhear thesarcasm.“Hi,Madison.” “Oh,soyou’remy‘visitor’,huh?”Madisonchuckled.“Not goingtolie,Iwashopingyouweregoingtobemyhusband…
“I’m prettierthough,right?”Arialaughedagain.Thetwo womenchattedforawhile.Theydiscussedvariousthingsasthe minutespassed,topicsanywherebetweenthestatusoftheworld outside,how themilitarywashandlingthingsdownstairs,theold womanthatAlexhadtakendown,andthelastknownstatusof Aria’smother.Minuteafterminute,theycontinuedtotalk.Alex knew theyweredoingthistokeepthemselvessane,buthewas onethatpreferredthesilence.Itwasatthistimehehadnever feltmorethankfulforthefactthatCiarawassuchacontained person.Helookedovertoher;she’dfallenasleep.Sleepsounded likeagreatidea;maybewhenhewokeup,itwouldallbeover. Hisdozingthoughtswereinterruptedbyadeepknockonthe door.Everyoneglanceduptoseeasoldierstaringbackatthem throughtheglass.
“Please,openthedoor.”Thevoicewasdemandingasitmade it’srequest.Madisonstoodupandopenedthedoor,thesoldier steppedintotheframewithhishandstightlygrippinghisrifle. “Thankyou.”
“Noproblem…”Madisonsteppedback.“…canwehelpyou withsomething,sir
?” “Yes,ma’am.”Helookedatthethreeothersintheroom.“We arestartingourevacuationsnow andwe’reheretogetanyone pregnantorseverelyinjured.Weweretoldtherewasapregnant womaninthisroom?”Alex’seyessquintedandhelookedathis daughter.
“Ciara?”
“I’m notpregnant,dad.”Ciarashookherhead.
“No,Alex.”Ariastoodup.“Thatwouldbeme.”Shesmiled backathim.“Ididn’ttellyou.Sorry.” “AreyouAriaSwartz?”Thesoldierlookedather.
“Yes,sir.”
“ThenthatmakesyouMadisonRafferty.”Helookedoverto Alex.“AreyouAlexanderLangley?”
“Yes,sir,Iam.”Alexliftedhishand.“Ohdashnine.
LieutenantGeneralAlexanderLangley,blah,blah,blah.”Alex droppedhishandstohisknees.“Whenarewegoingtobegetting outofhere?”
“Aria,I’m goingtoneedyoutocomewithmeandI’llbegetting youontothebusheadingtowardamilitarysafezone.”She noddedinagreement.“LieutenantGeneralLangley,youwillbe takingamilitarytrucktothesamesafezone.Wehavemedical facilitiessetupforyourdaughtertocontinuehertreatmentas needed.”ThesoldierturnedhisattentionbacktoAriaand Madison,AlexlookedovertoCiara.
“Iknew youweren’tpregnant.Youdon’tevenhavea boyfriend.”Hesmirkedatherandgrabbedherhand.Sheturned herstaretohim andshiftedoneeyebrow up.“Wait…”Hewas takenaback.“…doyouhaveaboyfriend?”
“Whydoesthatmatter?”Ciarasmirkedathim.“MaybeI’m justpromiscuous.”Hiseyeslitupinshock.Ciaracouldn’tholdit anylongerandburstintolaughter.Thiswasoneofthefew times Ciarahadlaughedsincetheaccidentand,eventhoughherjoke wasenoughtospeedupAlex’sheart-rate,itwasagoodone.
“Numberone;youneedtobecarefulbecauseIalmostwent angrymilitarydadonyou.Numbertwo:how thehelldoyou know whatpromiscuousmeans?”Hechastisedher.Hismouth liftedintoagrinaswell;shehadgottenhim prettygood.
“Thankyoufornot,andIknow whatitmeans…”Hersentence slowlydrifteddownwardinitsinflectionandhersmilefaded.“… mom toldme.”Alex’ssmilefellintothesameplaceCiara’shad.If hermotherhadtoldherwhatitmeant,thenheknew whatthe contextwasanditwasn’tgood.How muchhadhermother taintedher?How muchhadhetaintedher?Hegrippedherhand tighterwithoutsayinganythingandlookedbackupatthetwo womenthatweretalking.Thesoldierwasstandingjustoutside theroom withaslightlyannoyedlookonhisface.