Staying in between us
Chapter 21: Unexpected News
Previously on Staying in between us...
"Carson!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"Elizabeth what is it?" Carson came rushing outside.
"It's Robert" Elizabeth said handing him Robert.
Elizabeth came inside the infirmary where Faith and Opal already were. Opal was laying on the bed with a clothe on her head.
"Carson what is wrong with them?" Elizabeth asked worried.
Carson motioning his hand for Elizabeth to follow him outside.
"What is it Carson?"
"This isn't good"
To be continued...
{Outside of the infirmary}
"What do they have Carson?" Elizabeth asked worried.
"They have a rash and a fever..." Carson started but was interrupted by Elizabeth.
"Scarlet fever" Elizabeth said in shock.
"Yes. You and me both know how contagious this is" Carson said in a whisper so the kids inside couldn't hear him.
Elizabeth was silent. Carson went on.
"We need to shut down the school immediately. We don't know how many people have already been exposed" Carson told her.
"Are they going to make it?" Elizabeth asked him getting ready to go back to her classroom.
"I will do everything that I can" Carson said truthfully.
"Make sure the kids tell their parents to come to a town meeting about this. Now go" Carson spoke again.
Elizabeth rushed to her classroom. This isn't what she thought it would be.
{In Cape Fullerton}
Jack was at the Mountie head quarters.
"Is Constable Douglas Burke still here?" Jack asked the person in the front.
"Yes. Wait here for a moment" the Mountie said and went towards the back.
In a couple minutes the Mountie returned with Doug.
"Douglas Burke?" Jack said trying not to smile.
"Jack Thornton?" Doug said back with a exact serious tone.
"Haha" they both burst out with laughs and gave each other a hug.
"It's good to see you again Brother" Jack told him. Doug was like a brother to Jack ever since they were both young.
"You too, Jack" Doug said.
"Now why did you call me over all this way?" Jack knew partly of why he was here.
"I thought you should be the one who puts him behind bars" Doug said sitting down on a bench.
"Is it really him?" Jack asked surprised.
"Yes. Me and my buddy spotted him a couple of days ago" Doug explained to Jack.
"Will you help me?" Jack asked already knowing the answer and putting out his hand.
"I'm in. I'll always have your back" Douglas replied shaking Jack's hand.
{Back at the schoolhouse}
"Everyone back inside class" Elizabeth said leading the way inside the schoolhouse.
"Is Robert going to be okay, Miss Thatcher?" Cody asked her.
"How is Opal?" Anna asked a question too.
"What happened to them?" Miles asked too.
"I can't answer all of your questions right now children but in time. Please inform your parents to come to a town meeting this afternoon. Class is dismissed until further notice" Elizabeth rang her cowbell and went to open the doors for the kids.
Everyone left except two.
"Tell me the truth Miss Thatcher is Robert okay?" Cody asked while Anna was beside him.
"Robert is really sick, Cody. The best you can do for him right now is try not to get sick yourself" Elizabeth told him while touching his hair.
Cody gave Elizabeth a hug. Anna joined in also.
"Everything will be okay" Elizabeth told him. But inside now knowing herself if things would be.
{Later in the afternoon at the town meeting}
Carson was talking to the town. Explaining why it is important for everyone to come in to the infirmary if they are sick. But to stay home away from the sick of they are healthy.
"Scarlet Fever?" Ned asked in surprise.
"How could anyone have gotten that?" Jesse asked confused.
"New settlers coming to this town and spreading all their sickness" one of the town folk said.
"Yeah" some of the town people agreed with them.
"You don't know that is where these youngsters got it from. Don't go blaming new town folk" Abigail spoke up.
"The important part is that we stop it from spreading to more people. Take extra precautions. Don't share things with others until this is over with. If you even feel like you are coming down with something come to me or Faith immediately. Take them to the schoolhouse" Carson told everyone.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
"Okay everyone go back to your houses" Bill Avery spoke up now.
Everyone started to pile out. Lee was talking to Bill about what was happening.
Rosemary didn't know if she had the Scarlet Fever or not. She didn't feel good lately. So she made her way towards Carson.
"Carson I have a question" Rosemary came up to him.
"Yes, Rosemary what is it?" Carson asked her a little worried.
"Lately I have been feeling sick to my stomach and dizzy. Since you told us to come to you if we feel under the weather. I am not sure if I have it or not" Rosemary kinda of getting nervous now. She didn't think it was the fever but she wanted to make sure.
"Okay calm down Rosemary. Do you want me to check you and see?" Carson asked her knowing himself what it might be.
"Yes, please! But don't tell Lee. He doesn't know I've been feeling sick lately" Rosemary said as they both went walking out to the infirmary. Faith followed them.
Lee wasn't paying attention when Rosemary left.
{In Cape Fullerton}
Jack and Doug were both in a dark alley looking for a man.
"Are you sure he is this way?" Jack whispered to Doug who was beside him.
"Yes" Doug said leading the way.
"You know this is kinda funny" Doug whispered back to Jack.
"What is?" Jack confused.
"Before, you were the leader and in charge of me. Now I'm leading the way" Doug told him.
"Oh. Well you had a good leader" Jack chuckling some.
"True" Doug agreed.
They both stopped in their tracks.
"He should be in this building. I'll look this way. You look in that window over there" Doug said pointed to the side of the building. As he made his way left of the city building.
Doug went to look in and seen nothing.
"Doug over here" Jack waved him over there to the other window.
They both looked in and seen two men talking over some papers.
"What does the paper say?" Doug tried to look.
"I don't know I can't see it" Jack trying to look also.
"Do you hear that?" Jack asked as he leaned down under the window.
"Sounds like someone is coming" Doug told him back. Leaning down too.
From the dark alley there were at before. A shadow started coming towards them.
"What do we do? We have no where to go?" Doug whispered to Jack.
It came closer and closer to them.
{In the infirmary}
Robert and Opal were being taken to the Schoolhouse by some men. Carson was going to follow them after he examined Rosemary.
In the front Carson checked Rosemary.
"Just as I thought" Carson spoke up and told her.
Faith smiled knowing what he meant.
"What is it?" Rosemary asked him.
"Do you think you have enough room in your house, Rosemary?" Carson smiled at her.
Rosemary confused.
"Why?" Rosemary not catching on yet.
"Because it's about to get crowded in your house" Carson said.
"I don't understand" Rosemary spoke.
"You're going to have a baby"
To be continued...