Praying For A Miracle Part ~ 14

The chaos outside was unmistakable. It was impossible to count the number of cameras. The event had already been broadcast across the whole nation. Special news reports had interrupted nearly every programme, and as time slowly went on, the news of the outbreak reached further and further around the world. But that news was just a brief outline, it didn't detail the full horror, it didn't give the full story of sadness, grief, anger, fear and death. The reporters were more interested in finding out how this virus had got into the hospital and how it could be treated, and rightly so, but they failed to notice the emotional torment that it had brought with it. On almost every channel, there was a medical expert giving their opinion on the events. But that didn't matter, because no matter how many different Doctors or experts were asked, there would never be an answer.

A number of hospital staff had gathered back in chairs. They somehow felt compelled to stay, even though they had been given the all clear. Someone had switched on the TV, why, no one really knew. They didn't need to see the events splashed all across the news, but nevertheless, they remained seated, fixated with the screen. Susan was among that small group. She had been given the all clear, but she couldn't leave. This was the place that had, that was, claiming the lives of those she cared about. She had been a coward earlier in the day, hiding in the chapel. But right now, she had faced up to her fear, her guilt and her sadness. She wasn't about to turn her back again. She glared up to the TV screen and listened to the words coming from it.

"So far the information that we have gathered tells us that this outbreak, centred here at the Cook County General hospital in Chicago, first started when a John Doe was rushed to the hospital after being involved in a car accident. He died an hour later. However a few hours later, it was reported that a Doctor, who had treated the John Doe, collapsed, suffering the effects of the virus. Since then 113 more cases have been reported, contained to this area of Chicago, 36 of those resulting in fatalities. And fears are growing, that without a vaccine or cure currently available, this outbreak may spread further afield." The reporter was stood in front of the police barricade outside the hospital. The camera had been strategically placed, making sure that the entrance was in the shot. And there was no way that it could be missed. A decontamination unit had been set up, the bold, black letters of CDC stood out against the stark bright yellow of the tarpaulin. The surrounding buildings were draped in the colours of the flashing lights from the police cars and ambulances. The scene looked like one that had been carefully rehearsed, like one from a Hollywood movie. But this was no fictional tale created by the imagination of a filmmaker, whose sole aim would be to create a thriller, and a happy ending. A hero that would save the day. This was real and there wasn't a hero in sight.

Susan glanced towards trauma one. Kerry was still inside, and Mark was standing by the doors. She peeled herself away from the TV and slowly walked over to Mark. A few silent minutes went by. Susan maintained her gaze inside. "How long do you think?" The question was one that she didn't want an answer to, but she needed to know. She could have worked it out for herself, but she just needed someone else to reinforce it, and that was what Mark did. "Not long" A short, but painful answer. He knew that it would be within the next few hours, but he couldn't bring himself to say it aloud. He couldn't put a time on someone's life, especially when it was a friend's, a colleague's, a member of your team. By putting a time on someone's life it seemed too final, too certain that she was going to die. His answer left an element of uncertainty, it left room for a miracle. And that was what everyone was praying for, a miracle.

Sorry Guys for the delay, I no its been like 3 months but been soo busy lately! Thanx for hanging in there tho and thanx for all da reviews it's greatly appreciated! So keep 'em coming! I hope to start writin part 15 next weekend so hopefully I'll have it finished and posted by next week. : ) Rainbow345uk