Thank you for reading and reviewing. I wasn't sure how many of you out there were still following this site. It's been pretty quiet. I appreciate the few writers who have been posting, and I wish there were more. Surely, there are more Joe stories to tell!
So…win, wink, nudge, nudge…this would be a great time for those timid first-time writers to post, or established writers to seek out and explore new inspiration. Feel free to PM me if you need encouragement. In the meantime, I'll be finishing up chapter 3. :)
Yo Joe!
Usual disclaimers apply: I do not own Gi Joe, Hasbro, Marvel or any of their affiliates. I simply borrow the characters.
Shana woke Alison the next morning before the sun had risen. Alison's arm was stiff and her shoulder painful, but she felt stronger. Shana had bought Advil packets from the reception desk sometime in the night, feigning a bad headache. It was good cover. Alison dry swallowed a couple of the pills and then made her way to the bathroom. She cleaned up, washed her hair, and came out smiling. Shana took a shower after her, though she had already taken one the night before.
"Don't know when I'll have another chance," she said in defense when Alison lifted an eyebrow.
Alison just laughed softly.
It was still semi-dark when they slipped out of the hotel and hit the road. Both were anxious to get away from the watchful eyes of the city.
Up to this point, most of their travel had been along the outskirts of cities. The more densely populated areas had been avoided altogether, except for the times when there had been no alternate routes—such as the last one. But, according to Alison's memory, all that was behind them. Only small towns and open spaces lay ahead.
They made good progress over the next few days as they distanced themselves from the city. At night, they slept wherever they could find shelter—under bridges, in abandoned sheds, under hedges. Food was easy to come by, too. They regularly passed farms or houses with small gardens. Under the cover of darkness, they snuck in and grabbed a handful of tomatoes or a few cucumbers or peppers. Fruit was abundant, as well. Blackberries grew along the roads, and it wasn't uncommon to pass an apple, plum, or apricot tree with limbs heavy-laden with early fruit. Most times they didn't even have to leave the road to fill their pockets and hands. It was enough to keep them on their feet.
The more difficult thing was finding clean water. The fruit satiated their thirst, more or less. But without water, Shana was not able to keep Alison's wound clean. An infection started and was spreading. Alison ran a low fever and her arm and shoulder, warm to the touch, was too painful to move. Her pace slowed, and she needed to rest often.
"I'm sorry, Shana," Alison whispered each time she sank to the ground. She wouldn't look at Shana, which made her nervous. Then, a few minutes later, Alison would pull herself back to her feet and continue.
Their progress became incremental.
Shana began looking for a doctor. In the next town, she found what she needed: a private clinic with a single, general practitioner. She sat under a tree in a park nearby watching the clinic while Alison rested. She waited until closing time. After the nurse and receptionist left, Shana led Alison to the clinic and in through the door. The four chairs in the waiting room were empty, and the lights were out. She and Alison stood in the dark until the Doctor came into the receptionist area from the back. He was pulling keys from his pocket when Shana stepped out of the shadows with Alison.
"Doctor, could you take a look my friend?" she asked.
The man gave a start and then peered at Shana through his glasses. "We're closed," he said, frowning. "Didn't you read the sign on the door?" He was about to say come back tomorrow, but as his gaze fell on Alison, he pressed his lips together. "Bring her into my exam room." He sighed, peeling off his coat.
Shana followed him in and helped Alison up on the exam table. She stood back as the doctor began unwrapping Alison's bandaged shoulder.
"This is done well." He commented, glancing sideways at Shana. "Do you have any medical training?"
"I—uh, used to be a nurse," she said.
He nodded. When he had removed the bandage, he looked at the wound with surprise. "She was shot?" he asked, looking at Shana.
Shana nodded. "Can you remove the bullet?"
"I'm not properly equipped for it. A hospital would do a better job," he said, examining the wound more closely.
Shana shook her head. "That's not possible. Couldn't you just do it here?"
The doctor looked at Alison. Her skin was pale. Beads of sweat stood out on her forehead. He could see the pain and the fear in her eyes.
It was the same fear he saw in Shana's eyes.
"Fine," he said slowly. "I'll see what I can do."
He pulled out a tray and selected various instruments and tools. Then, he washed his hands and slipped on a pair of rubber gloves. While he was laying things out for the surgery, he pointed to the sink.
"You said you were a nurse, right?"
Shana nodded.
"Wash up. I'm going to need some help."
He turned to Alison. "I only have local anesthesia."
"It's ok," she croaked.
He smiled. "I'll try not to hurt you."
He injected the area and waited for the numbing. Then, he cut open the wound and began to dig for the bullet.
Shana dabbed at the blood, keeping the area clear so he could see what he was doing.
"I can see it. It's pretty deep," he said, twisting his wrist. "But it hasn't hit any arteries. And, as far as I can tell, no bone was damaged." Deep lines furrowed his brow.
Alison lay still with her good hand clenched. Her face betrayed how much it hurt but she didn't make a sound.
"Almost have it… There. You were lucky," he said simply, holding up the small piece of metal in his forceps. He dropped the bullet onto the metal tray Shana was holding. "It could have been a lot worse." He sewed her up and then covered the area with a clean bandage. He turned to Shana. "I assume we won't be billing your insurance," he said, peeling off his gloves and tossing them into the trash can.
"No. But I can pay cash," she said quickly.
His eyes moved from Shana to linger on Alison. "No." His shook his head slowly. "Keep your money. Consider this one on the house." His voice softened. "Looks like you two have seen some rough times, recently."
Alison didn't say anything as she broke the gaze. She sat up and began slipping her good arm back into her blouse.
"You're not allergic to penicillin, are you?" he asked.
Alison shook her head. "No."
"Good. I'll give this to your friend. Take them with you." He handed Shana several small packets of tablets. "It's amoxicillin. An antibiotic. She'll need it." He nodded toward Alison. "Twice a day for twelve days."
"I know what it is and what it's for—" Shana read the package labels and nodded. "Thanks." She stuffed them into the back pocket of her jeans and helped Alison finish dressing.
Shana helped Alison off the table and led her to the door where she paused. "We'd, uh, appreciate you not saying anything about us," she said.
"I think I can can manage that." He smiled.
Shana gave him a guarded smile in return. "Thanks, doc."
"My pleasure," he said.
Shana led Alison outside.
The doctor stood in the doorway and watched as they headed toward the road.
"Yo Joe," he whispered when they were out of earshot. Then, he shut the door.
Shana led Alison down the road with her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. Just a few more days more days, she told herself. Three or four at the most. Alison could do it now.
They would do it together.