Hello everyone, happy new year! So without much ado, here's the next chapter. Enjoy and thanks for the reads, reviews, and favorites.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As we sped down the rode with Abe and me in the back, Abe having switched out with Mitch so he could help me hold Jackson as still as possible as we sped over bumps and dips in the roads with Jackson who was having a hard time staying awake but thankfully not loosing anymore blood Jamie spoke up,
"Looks like we're ten miles from the hospital."
"How's he doing?" Mitch asked from the front seat where he was driving while Jamie navigated.
Jackson's face twitched in pain and he gave a quiet gasp/groan combo as we went over yet another bump.
"Not so good." Abe replied worriedly.
"Better then most but with that bullet still lodged in him…we need to get him to the hospital and in the operating room quickly." I replied calmly keeping my worry out of my voice as I tried to reassure everyone in the rapidly moving vehicle.
All of the sudden a small flock of birds came down and slammed their bodies into the sides of the vehicle causing all of us to look up,
"That's the third one in an hour!" Jamie exclaimed as we all watched the birds fly off to join a large number of others in the sky.
"Yeah, that's the same pattern we saw when we were in Boston." Mitch replied.
Jackson started to cough then pulling my attention back down to him,
"Hold on Jackson, just a little longer." I said quietly as I moved him so he was half sitting/half laying on me so the coughing wouldn't hurt him as much as it did when he coughed laying flat on his back.
"We're close my friend." Abe said worriedly squeezing Jackson's shoulder in a reassuring manner.
"Maybe we should pull over?" Jamie said worriedly as she glanced back at Jackson.
"Lot of things I can handle in a pinch, the kind of surgery he needs—not one of 'em." Mitch said causing attention to shift to me.
"We don't have any of the equipment I would need to even start on the surgery he needs, not to mention it needs done in a sterile environment." I said shaking my head in answer to the silent question.
Kujo began to growl as he started to wake up from where Jamie had put him on top of my sweater that had the knife holes in it next to Abe on the floor.
"The cub is impatient, Rafiki. You haven't pet him yet." Abe said to Jackson who grinned faintly in Abe's direction.
"Maybe he just…doesn't like…..the sound of….your voice." Jackson rasped out causing Abe to give a deep rich chuckle and I felt a quick smile touch my lips before I glanced up to see how close we were to the hospital and noticed vehicles loaded up and in a caravan like formation driving down the road.
We passed them and I could tell that every vehicle was loaded to it's max limit easily as we continued to pass them, in between some of the vehicles there was people walking, holding whatever they could carry.
"What's going on?" Jamie asked out-loud what I bet everyone was thinking at that moment.
"Where are they going?" Jamie asked again I glanced over at her just in time to see Mitch shrug as he answered,
"Everyone's leaving town. Could be a million reason's."
We were silent as Mitch continued to drive as fast as he could while staying safe around the turns and within minutes we were finally at the hospital.
"Abe get the doors then give me a hand with moving Jackson, I don't the bullet to move around so we need to be careful and move Jackson ourselves. Jackson let me know if you feel a sudden sharp pain or anything that feels strange. Mitch you get the hospital doors, Jamie bring Kujo and the electroplater." I said taking charge as Mitch pulled to a stop directly in-front of the hospital.
As everyone began to do what I said, I heard screaming and shouting coming from outside of the vehicle and felt a slowly growing sense of dread creep up my spine but trying to hope for the best I shook it off and continued to move out of the vehicle with Jackson, Abe helping me.
When we were out of the vehicle I paused for a brief second as I took in the reason for the screaming and more then likely the reason for the caravan that had been heading away from us on the road.
"That's why their all leaving…" Jamie said in a horrified whisper as she stared at the large crocodiles one of which was currently biting into an already dead man.
"Abe you got Jackson's head and torso, I've got his legs."
"No I can walk." Jackson said, his voice determined.
Knowing better then to argue and loose valuable time I grabbed my duffel bag and backpack and the machete from the roof of the vehicle before dropping back down beside Abe who was supporting Jackson.
"Okay, Lets move!" I stated firmly as a lion roared from somewhere on top of the hospital, my voice spurring the others into action.
Mitch went to get the door but it was locked. Immediately Mitch began to pound on it and Abe hollered,
"Open the door! It's an emergency! My friends needs a doctor!"
A doctor saw us and came over, after giving a quick look around us he opened the door,
"The hospital is closed." The doctor said only opening the door a hand width, Abe grunted and batted the door opened and we all walked in with Jackson and Abe in front.
"Did you hear what I said? We are abandoning the hospital. You have to go elsewhere." The doctor who had opened the door said.
"We don't have time. This mans been shot." I replied keeping an eye on the chaos around us.
"I can't help. I suggest you drive him to Nyanga." The doctor replied.
"That's four hours at least!" Abe said loudly his face and voice showing his desperation and disbelief that the doctor would even suggest such a thing.
"I have lost a dozen colleagues and more patients then I can count. I am sorry but I cannot help you." The doctor replied.
"You will help him! You understand me!?" Abe roared angrily quiet like a lion, I saw movement behind Abe and had one of my throwing knives out and into the hind quarters of the leopard who had been coming out of a small hallway before the Doctor could finish raising his gun.
"United States Navy Seal Lieutenant Commander Jupiter Campbell. You help our friend and I'll protect you while you work." I said evenly as I pulled one of my Glocks' out and made sure the safety was off and there was a round in the chamber.
"The last ambulance leaves in an hour. I will do the surgery, but beyond that you are on your own." The doctor answered.
"Thank you." Abe almost whispered in relief although whether it was to me or the Doctor I wasn't sure.