“Oh my God!” She swears as something huge, reflective, hits Jessie’s leg as she clambers up the first flight. The mob grabs at Jessie, gripping her legs and feet. Jessie falls on the steps, straining to maintain her grip on a cement stair. From out of nowhere, Rob’s hand grabs her wrist, pulling her up, kicking at the hands that hold her. He puts his arm around her, dragging her up the stairs. Sam sees the clutching hands fall away from Jessie’s legs. Sam hears her scream in pain. She pushes Katie ahead, “go!” Then she rushes back down the steps to help Rob and Jessie. Sam helps Rob drag Jessie up the remaining steps to the third floor. Katie and Faith meet them on the third floor on an outdoor cement breezeway that runs the length of the building.
“How bad are you hurt?” Sam asks.
“I don’t know,” Jessie gasps. She looks down, seeing her jeans saturated with blood oozing into her shoe.
“Oh, shit. You’re bleeding,” Sam yells. “What hit you?”
“A large jar,” Rob explains. “It broke on impact. It must have cut her leg through her jeans.” He helps Jessie sit on the cement breezeway, while Katie kneels down to tend to the cut.
“Now what?” Sam asks.
“I don’t know,” Rob sighs. “At least we’re safe.” He looks over the bannister. “They don’t seem inclined to climb the stairs. Maybe it’s too much trouble.” Jessie moans as Faith rolls her eyes.
Sam gazes downward. “So strange, just milling around, fighting with each other.“
“I wish they’d leave!” Jessie hisses.
“We should go inside.” Rob turns from the bannister looking at the door. “I’d rather break this door than Elli’s. What do you say? Should we go inside?”
“We could at least sit in warmth and comfort until the crowd disperses!” Katie agrees.
“It’s a shame we don’t have Elli’s key,” Sam laments.
“Damn shame,” Rob jokes. “But glass breaks easily if needed and I can pick the lock.”
He strides back to the first door at the top of the stairs while the snarling crowd fights below them. Rob begins working on the lock. “Do you know Elli’s password to turn off the alarm system? We don’t need to attract attention.”
“Oh, God!” Sam says. “Wait! I do know it! She taught it to me.”
Just then the bolt slides and Rob opens the door. He heads back to where Katie is tending to Jessie’s leg.
“This is a pretty bad cut.” Katie has cut the jeans away. “Apply pressure right here.” She tells Rob. “I’ll bind it until we get inside. I hope I can get the bleeding to stop.” Katie binds Jessie’s wound tightly.
“I’ll carry her.” Rob suggests. “That should keep the bleeding down, right?”
“That will help, definitely,” Katie nods.
Rob lifts Jessie’s upper body, scooping up her legs, like a baby. “Is that okay?” he asks Jessie as she settles against him.
“Yeah, thanks,” she says, sighing audibly.
They enter a vestibule with a door straight ahead leading into the landlord’s suite, a door to the left to Elli’s suite, miserable plants line the window. Both doors are locked so Rob sets Jessie down, working on the second lock. Sam and Katie lean in to watch.
“Back off a little, would you?” Rob spits out. “I need space.” Sam rolls her eyes at Jessie. Rob gets the door open, Sam stepping forward to turn off the alarm. The three of them enter the waiting room, Rob carrying Jessie. It contains a ring of comfy chairs, a stereo, and nature scenes in watercolor on the walls. Offices line the South wall with a storage room in the northeast corner.
Rob places Jessie gently in a chair, saying, “Keep your leg up.” The rest collapse in a semicircle.
“Let’s eat. I’m starved,” Sam suggests.
Rob agrees. “This is fucked up, man. We’re stuck here with a little water and a granola bar.” They all pull out water bottles, power bars, and begin chowing down. Katie shares with Jessie, who doesn’t have anything. After their food is gone, Sam and Rob trudge outside to check on the gang, which continues to mill around the base of the stairs, yelling, fighting, and shoving each other around.
“I guess we’re stuck here for a while,” Sam accepts, reentering the office suite. “There are too many of them.”
“We could try yelling at them to go away,” Faith suggests. “If they don’t we could shoot.”
“And they could storm the stairs.” Rob shakes his head. “We could shoot some of them but as many of them as there are, they could get up here and do some serious damage.”
“Good point. Bad idea,” Jessie confirms.
“Guess we’ll have to hunker down for a while,” Katie says, cheerfully.
“There’s a key to the offices back here.” Sam heads toward the storage room, returning with a key. “Some have couches in case we’re stuck here overnight. They all have books and may have snacks. I doubt there’s any real food.” She unlocks Elli’s door. “Jessie, you could at least lay on a couch with your leg raised.” Sam opens Elli’s door and they troop in, Rob carrying Jessie. They settle on her couch and chairs. Sam opens Elli’s desk drawer where she knows Elli keeps snacks for her therapy group, pulling out a bag of nut-mix, a bag of chips, and a large handful of granola bars.
“We won’t starve tonight,” Katie smiles.
The group sits for a while, relaxing. “Let’s go check the other offices,” Rob suggests. “I wonder if the water’s working in the bathrooms.”
“You could look for more food and bottled water,” Jessie suggests.
They leave Jessie laying on the couch to search the storage room, finding a few packages of Lipton Cup-a-Soup and some lemon-flavored soda water. “That’s exciting!” Rob scoffs.
“Ah, better than nothing,” Sam snaps. They head into the other therapist’s offices, finding candy, gum, and mints, but no real food.
“Let’s see if we can get into the landlord’s suite,” Rob suggests. “Maybe there will be some food there.” Rob leads the way, starting to pick the lock. Moments later, the door swings open. They scrounge through half a dozen desks, collecting some roasted nuts, more candy, gum, mints, and several small bags of chips. “Look at all this great stuff!” Katie says, brightly.
“You’re awfully cheerful,” Sam mocks.
“We have to keep our morale up in situations like this,” Katie reminds them.
Sam agrees. “Good point.” They troop back into Elli’s office, settling down to read for a while.
“Let’s contact the home front so they don’t worry,” Katie suggests.
Rob tries the house, but only gets static. “We’re too far away with all the interference.”
Sam frowns, worry painted across her face.
“Shit, it’s bleeding again,” Katie says, checking Jessie’s leg. “It needs stitches.”
“Here.” Sam unloads medical supplies. “What do you need?”
Katie siezes them as Rob hands her a kitchen towel, which she places under the leg. She swabs the area with rubbing alcohol. “It’s going to hurt so I’m going to give you some Benzocaine.” Jessie turns away, as Katie prepares the syringe. Finishing the stitching, Katie applies comfrey salve, bandaging it neatly.
They hang out reading and playing cards while Faith pouts.
“Gawd!” Sam complains, returning from the breezeway just before dark. “They just won’t leave!”
“At least Elli has candles,” Rob says, resignedly, “plus a couple blankets. Let’s check the other offices for more.”
“You guys go.” Katie waves them away. Sam and Rob head through the other spaces in search of blankets to improve their comfort. After scrounging several more blankets, another towel, and enough pillows for everyone, they return to Eliana’s office.
“Here’s another towel.” Sam hands it to Katie, still seated by Jessie on the couch. Jessie’s eyes are closed. “Is she asleep?”
“I think so,” Katie nods her head.
“We’ve got blankets.” Rob sets them on the coffee table. �
�God, I’m starving!”
“Let’s heat up some soup and eat chips,” Katie says. Sam heads to the bathroom to add water to the Cup-a-Soup, returning to put it in the microwave.
Rob says quietly, “That’s all the soup, huh?” There are only 3 of them, not enough to go around.
“We can each have half of one,” Katie says cheerily. “Then we’ll eat chips and nuts.”
Sam gets the chips, granola bars, and nuts, passing them out, putting piles of nut mix on napkins.
Quiet descends while the gang eats, sharing with Jessie.
“We should save some for tomorrow.” Sam points out.
Everyone picks a couch, settling in for the night.
It’s pitch black when Sam is jolted awake. Throwing off her blanket, she sits up, noticing Rob awake on one elbow. “What was that?” she whispers. Rob shrugs. Standing, they strap on their weapons in the dark, creeping out of the office.
“I hear...” Sam says, alarmed. “It sounds like they’re up here.” There’s banging and screaming coming from just outside on the breezeway. Rob quietly moves along the wall to the southwest corner of the waiting room with Sam right behind him.
“Yes! They’re out there!” he hisses.
“We better wake the others.” Sam inches back to Eliana’s office, scooting in quietly, shaking Katie’s shoulder. “Sorry to wake you, Katie, but we’ve got company.”
Katie jumps up, throwing off the blanket, standing in one motion. “What the fuck!”
Jessie’s awake.
“You stay put!” Katie commands. Faith hangs back in an office. They quietly head back to the waiting room. It’s still dark outside, but it’s possible to see shapes in the moonlight. They stay along the walls, waiting to see what the crazies will do and how many there are. Rob holds up his fingers so the rest can see. He counts five crazies on the breezeway. So far they haven’t gotten inside, they only seem motivated to fight among themselves. Time creeps past while the group hovers quietly by the entrance, watching through the vestibule at the crazies outside. They’re yelling and shoving each other. One pushes another one over the railing and the body drops from view. Sam, Rob, and Katie stay flat against the wall so as not to be seen. Sam perspires, feeling shaky as she watches helplessly. The fighting continues outside, while Sam wonders how long they will hang around, how many are left. They can’t even go out and look as long as there’s a violent group upstairs. Elli’s office suite has no windows on the North side where the crazies have gathered, but Sam remembers suddenly that there is a North window in the landlords suite. There’s no way to get there, though, without being seen. The waiting becomes interminable as Sam’s arms and legs stiffen, staying so close to the wall.
“If we stay here, waiting, we could run out food,” Rob points out quietly. “Maybe we should head out to tackle these five and hope the rest don’t come.”
“We could try to get to the back staircase,” Sam suggests. “It won’t get us to the truck, though.” Having watched for a while, it’s clear that these five have no weapons, only their fists and insanity. The group creeps, quietly forward, opening the door to the vestibule, then closing it behind them. The crazies are so intent on their fight that Rob, Sam and Katie slip outside, unnoticed behind them. Rob approaches the closest one, shoving him down the stairs. Sam and Katie circle the other four, thrusting them toward the stairs. Two of the crazies turn on them with fists blazing. Sam ducks, grabs lower legs, flipping a skinny one over the side. Katie darts sideways avoiding the fists, slamming the man to the cement floor of the breezeway. Rob hauls the crazy to his feet, shoving him toward the stairs. The last two attack Sam and Katie, who shove them back against the railing. The crazies push back as Rob slams one back into the railing, Sam, the other. They manhandle them towards the stairs.
“Go!” Katie yells. The remaining three are pushed down the stairs, yelling obscenities at Sam and Rob, “Fucking crazy! Bitch! Asshole!” Sam takes a deep breath, watching the three retreat down the steps, then looks over the railing. She realizes the street is empty as her eyes adjust to the dark.
“Wow, I think we can leave.” They troop back inside, gather their belongings into their packs, and Rob picks up Jessie. “Thank God, we’re out of here before hunger makes me stupid!”
Sam rolls her eyes, breathing deeply as they get to the garage, heading for the pickup.
Rob opens the door. “Climb in, gang.” Two go up front. Katie helps Jessie in the back seat next to Faith, then they’re off.
“We did great!” Sam claps Rob on the back. They head out of the garage, turning towards downtown. There is a lot of zigzagging to get through and the tension in the pickup is so thick you could cut it with a knife.
“Are you heading for Fourth Street?” Katie wonders, breaking the silence.
“Yeah, it was pretty clear before,” Rob agrees. They head past the center to a lesser used route. Sam notices the sun begin to rise, creating a warm, orange and pink glow on the horizon.
“Watch out!” Katie screams. There are more screams as Rob swerves, throwing them against the doors.
“Oh, God, that was close!” Rob’s voice is tense. “What the fuck was that?” Jessie moans, having banged her injured leg. “Sorry, Jessie,” Rob shouts. They’re craning their necks to look out the back window. There’s a mass of people, carrying bars, rocks, like a swarm. The throng looks less strange as they drive further away, but up close they had a rioter’s energy about them.
“Crazies, I guess. They seem to be banding together, almost as if they’re attracted to each other,” Katie ponders.
“We’re going to have to keep our eyes peeled for more of this crap,” Rob responds.
Finally, they’re turning west on a fairly unused, quiet road. There are only one or two cars in the ditch. Around the corner, things get a little harrier.
“There’s a group in the park coming towards us!” Sam points in a stabbing motion, leaning stiffly forward.
Rob floors it, narrowly missing a huge rock. “Fucking Christ!” Jessie looks back seeing the danger receding behind them.
“Remember we said we’d check on Nadir’s family,” Katie reminds them.
“Definitely,” Rob says.
“Up ahead,” Sam warns, “doesn’t that look like another group?”
“Yeah,” Rob agrees. “We could try turning sooner.”
“Forget that idea,” Katie is firm. “That’s a mess. Just slow down and go the other way. We can head through the back roads. There’s a little quasi road just a little north of here that’ll get us further by them.” Katie knows the area well. Rob heads north, narrowly missing the street gang.
“Left there!” Katie yells.
Rob passes the alley and backs up in the desolate neighborhood with no sign of life. The alley is full of potholes slowing them down. “This is bumpy,” Rob states the obvious, “but, so much safer. Thanks Katie. This is great!” He takes a left, then a right along the train tracks. They drive in silence for a minute until they see a big intersection up ahead. “Oh, shit! There’s a huge accident. Do you think we can get around it?”
“We have to.” Sam doesn’t see another option. “Otherwise we have to go back the way we came.” Pulling up to the traffic light, it becomes clear they can’t get through the intersection without moving a car.
“Jessie, let me help you crawl up front. Sam and I will see if we can make space.” Rob directs.
“Be careful!” Katie admonishes. “I’ll come, you’re going to need my help.” The three of them get out and walk toward the accident. They keep their eyes peeled.
“Jesus. There’s a dead body in this car,” Rob explains the stench.
“Yeah, it stinks. Do you see the keys?” Sam’s keeping him focused.
“Yep. They’re in the ignition.” Opening the door, he pulls the body out, it lands on the ground with a sickening thud. “Sorry Mr. Doe.”
“Go with God!” Sam turns away, shaking her head and clutching her stomach. Katie an
d Sam stand guard while Rob starts the car and, thank God, is able to back it away from the collision. “Shit. There’s a group of crazies coming our way!” Sam points them out. “Rob, come on! We need to get the hell out of here!” Jessie’s brought the car, despite her pain. Just as they’re opening the back door, the head of the mob comes at them with a knife. Rob shoves Sam down, slamming his boot into the guy’s arm, knocking the knife to the ground, barreling the guy over. There are more behind him coming fast. A gun shot sounds, dropping the nearest one. Sam’s frozen in shock. Faith laid the gun right on Rob’s shoulder to avoid hitting him.
As Sam recovers, she and Rob raise their guns simultaneously, as two more crazies approach. They’re pulling guns out. Sam shoots one as two fall. There’s a scream as they yank legs in, slam the back door, and Sam yells, “Drive! Nice job, Faith!”
Jessie floors the accelerator with the tires squealing, taking off around the collision, along the train tracks. Sam’s in back, looking down at Faith, moaning. There’s blood on her leg. “What the hell happened?” Sam asks.
Katie cuts away her pants. “She got stabbed by the first guy. He got back up, but was practically under the pickup, invisible with all the other commotion until he stabbed her. I stabbed him before he could get us again.”
Faith looks pasty, moaning, not completely conscious. Katie ties a strip around her leg, lifting it up on a box to get it over her heart. “That’s a deep wound.” She applies direct pressure to the wound. “Sam, look in the packs for pain meds, bandages, and Terrasil.”
“Here’s some Demerol.” Sam holds it up. “How much should I give her?”
“150 milligrams,” Katie orders. “Can you crush it or look for a liquid version? I don’t think she can swallow it right now.”
“Here’s a liquid.” Sam rotates them. “I’ll measure out 150 milligrams?”
“Yes.” Katie’s hands are getting bloody as she maintains pressure just above the ankle. “Can you do that?” Sam measures out the dose, squirting the syringe into Faith’s mouth. She nearly completed her nursing degree before an illness forced her to quit school. She watches Faith visibly relax as the medicine hits her system.
Considerable Destruction Series (Book 1): Evasion ( Page 14