Chapter 95
AN: I will get back to Chapter 94. But, it was Friday the 13th when this story struck me. I had to write it.
Friday the 13th
"It's Friday the 13th."Sandra Mills, RN stated as she and Tony felt their way past patients and through the pitch black corridor.
The E. R. power was out.
"But, still Walter Reed out of power?" Tony shook his head as he felt his way past occupied and unoccupied stretchers through the Halls that seemed to stretch out for miles. The few flashlights on unit had no batteries, or were very old ones.
"Freddy Krueger jumps out from one of these doorways …." Sandra said, trying to lighten the mood, though she was thoroughly creeped out.
"I'll defend you."
"With what? " Sandra asked turning to him. She knew he could not bring his weapon into the hospital.
Tony chuckled. "I'll throw my stethoscope and run like a little girl."
Sandra huffed out of breath. "Fortunately, I can run like a little girl better than you do."
The naval hospital was old. For that reason, parts of it were not in continuous use. There are floors, rooms, whole wings of buildings used for dorms and or storage. Those places were spooky in broad daylight. They were downright terrifying and blackout conditions.
"Why can't flashlights and lanterns and batteries be kept closer to the active wings of the hospital?" Tony asked if they moved further into the unused / seldom-used areas of Walter Reid.
A freak thunderstorm had struck the primary generator, also killing the regular power. The auxiliary generator was in use. But, its primary function was to keep power to life-saving equipment in current use by patients. That meant that nurses stations, corridors and patients' rooms only had the light of what was essentially a night light to see by. Hence the need for flashlights and those lanterns you only use on camping trips.
"Because that would make too much sense." Sandra said as she turned the light down the spooky corridor.
"Why did you have to mention Freddy?" Tony asked. He was not exactly scared. But, he was feeling all kinds of uneasy.
"You're scared?" Sandra chuckled. But knowing Tony's background and training, the revelation made her uncomfortable.
"I wish I had my gun
"So do I."
They arrived at the door of the unused storage room. And Tony fumbled with the keys. They were unmarked and could have fit any door.
Tony tried seven before he found the right one.
"How can we not being using this space to house patients?"
"Administration says it's older than dirt. Plans are demolition or renovation." Sandra informed Tony as they stood in the dark hallway, trying to open the stubborn door.
Sandra felt the urge to turn the light away from Tony, and down the long hallway they had just come down. She heard voices. And while it was possible other people could be in the building. It had been eerily quiet, until that moment.
"Tony!" The nurse said as he stopped moving.
Tony was hearing the noises, too. And they were coming from inside the locked room.
None of these rooms could be locked from the inside. Staff didn't want patients to be able to lock themselves in. And patients, except the disturbed ones, would have no urge to do so. So, for there to be noise...
Saundra sucked in a breath.
Tony reached for a gun that was not there.
"Go! " Tony told Sandra. He steadied himself, then began to turn the knob.
Sandra stop running. Tony was not following her. It was an she realized she had the only flashlight. She had to go back.
Tony was still at the door. He was about to go in.
"Tony!"
"I have to see..." Tony started.
"No! You don't!" Sandra said, shaking her head. "We'll call the campus police back in the ER." She said and waited for Tony to catch up with her before she ran back to the active part of the hospital.
Tony thought about it. She was right he had no weapon. And he would be at a distinct disadvantage if someone or something was actually inside the room. He took his hand off the door and again walk away.
Sandra breathed a sigh of relief as Tony headed her way. She wanted him to run. But she didn't say anything. She was feeling even more watched. She thought Tony must have been feeling the same, as he picked up his pace and was jogging by the time he got to her.
"They can get their own damn flashlights. Sandra muttered as she heard to catch Tony as he began to jog faster."
THE END
END NOTE: Just mindless fluff. Hope you enjoyed. JL Sorry if the formatting in this chapter is a little weird. I have been experimenting with the talk to text feature on my phone. So, I may not have caught all the new mistakes I have been making, resulting from using a new method. I will get used to it soon, I hope.
