1 Tragic Results

Part - 8

2

3 ABBY

I've stood in trauma one for over nine and a half hours. I have nothing to do but gaze out into chairs. Kerry has hardly said a word since we got our first test results. I assumed she felt guilty. She persuaded me to help Randi even after I protested that we might be in the clear. But it was not her decision to make. It was mine and I made it. I took the risk. I'm bound by an oath to help people, so that's what I did. But I can't bare the waiting. They came and took blood about an hour and half ago. But deep down I already know the results. Or at least I think I do. I suppose I still hold on to the hope that I am wrong. But that hope is slowly being extinguished. It's like a candle that's being starved of oxygen.

Hazmat came back about 15 minutes after taking blood. They linked the virus to a small outbreak in South Africa, about 3 years ago. The information was all there, they just had to know what to look for it. They told us that the virus here seems to be a stronger strain. That leaves me hanging by the finest of threads. And then there is the fact that they still haven't found a vaccine or cure. But then I could be wrong. God I hope I'm wrong. Some people say that if you wish hard enough you can make things happen. I don't think there is anyone wishing harder than me. But I don't think I can wish away this pain. My muscles are aching more than I let on. I just want to let them give up. Let me fall to the floor. But if I do that I would have given in, would have lost the hope that still remains.

If I gave up now, I know Kerry would come and help me. That's something of a comfort, knowing that there is someone willing to risk their life to save another. But I couldn't let that happen. I stand in the far corner of the room. She must think I'm avoiding her. But she'll soon know I'm not. The pain is starting to intensify, although I hide the tears. I'm not one to give up that easily. The pain could just be fatigue. After all I've been in here for over 10 hours now. Cut off from the outside world. But I'm a nurse. I know I'm clutching at very loose straws. I peer up at the clock. The hands display

10:23. This day seems as though it isn't going to end. But deep down I know that as it draws to a close, so does my life.

Hazmat came crashing through the doors. I've lost count of how many times they have been and gone. But this time it's different. The reason they have come is to unravel my fate. To tell us the results of the tests. The fear inside me grows, along with the pain. I can feel my stomach twist and turn at the inevitable thought. I draw the conclusion that one of us must be infected. They are wearing contamination suits. If we were in the clear, then they wouldn't be afraid to come near us without protection. They headed straight for Kerry. They ignored me as if I wasn't there. They had a quiet word with her, and then escorted her out. As she left, she turned and we locked eye contact. There was only one thing that this could mean. I closed my eyes. My worst fears had just been confirmed. The dying candle of hope that burned within me, had finally been extinguished.

At that moment I saw my life flash before me. They say that you see that when you are about to die. And unless anything changed, that was to be my fate. I could drop dead at any moment, and there would be nothing that anyone could do. I had already seen Carter fall victim. We had managed to bring him back, but he was still critical. And then there was Randi. No one even knew how she became infected, no one knew how long she had been ill. And this was all part of my fate.

All I can think about is my life. All the mistakes I made. I was unable to forgive my mother, and now I may never. I became an alcoholic, got married and divorced, had an abortion and have numerous failed relationships. I should be thinking about all the good things I got out of life, but weighing them up with my mistakes makes a big difference. If there is one lesson that I have learnt, it is to forgive and forget. But now it's too late. I didn't wish hard enough. I release all the emotion, all the pain. Tears streaming down my face. The pain was unmistakable. There was no way that it could fatigue. I knew that. A crushing pain suddenly shoots through my chest. The pain is unbearable. I finally give in. I sink to the floor. The cold sends shivers through my spine, but I'm not awake long enough to register the realisation of what's happening. I feel the walls closing in on me, and then suddenly the light is stolen, and I am plunged into darkness.

4 KERRY

I couldn't believe what was happening. Our test results came back negative. I made my own decision to help Randi, to risk my life. But I forced Abby to help me. It wasn't my decision to make, but I made it for her. I put her in a position that was asking too much. And now we're here waiting. Again. I look up at the clock. The dial displays 10:19. It's been almost 11 hours since all this started. And in those slow, short 11 hours, one person is critical, two are dead, and many are infected. And then there is us two. I got up this morning, came to work as normal. Nothing was different to usual. Malucci had arrived late, some feeble excuse that someone had stolen his bike. Everything had been slow. A few minors, that was all. Then the MVA. I thought nothing of it. It was just another day, just another accident. It's strange how things can change in an instant.

I gaze over to Abby. She hasn't said a word to me since out first test result come back. She must blame me, but for that I can't blame her. If only I hadn't put her in that position. I suppose this is guilt. But that's what I deserve. I put her life in jeopardy.

It feels like we have been in here forever. The day has gone so slow. There's nothing worst than waiting for the results of a test. But this isn't just the simple test where something is diagnosed and treated. This was a test that would unravel dire consequences if found positive. That was all too evident. Two people had died within the 11 hours of the threat. We could be next. I could be next. That's the horrible realisation. This isn't a movie, it's real. The fate of us all isn't written down in a script, it lies within the unknown.

The sound of the doors opening draws my attention. Dr. Johnson enters, followed by a colleague. They're wearing contamination suits. This is not a good sign. I close my eye's wishing it all away. Wishing I was in a dream that I could wake myself from. I open them. Everything is the same. The men are still heading in. They seem to be heading straight for me. I can feel my heart speed up, I'm sure it missed a few beats. Dr. Johnson places a hand on my shoulder and quietly tells me that I'm in the clear. The feelings that run through me are indescribable. Until they tell me about Abby. They say that I have to leave immediately. The relief that was rapidly making its way through me suddenly changed to anguish. How could this be happening? I wanted to protest, I wanted to stay. But those feelings were suppressed by the fact that I would be risking my life, and I'm sure that my luck is running out. I let them lead me out, but before I left the ill – fated trauma one I turned and locked eyes with Abby. She knew. I saw the sadness, the despair, in the deep, dark crevices of her eyes. Not more than 12 hours ago they were filled happiness, filled with life. Now, now they are empty. Johnson gently tugged at me, indicating that we needed to leave. I broke eye contact and walked away.

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Well, I decided to take a different approach. There will be more views on the events from different characters soon, I know that one will be Mark, not sure on the others. Hope u liked it tho, part 8 will be soon, and there will be summut about Carter in it. Whether there is n e thing about Abby in it I don't know, u'll just have to wait to find out what happens!!!!! : ) Thanx for reading!

Rainbow345uk