Chapter 52
The midway was packed with people. No one seemed to notice me crawling, stumbling to get to my feet. I managed to get to my knees before I was hoisted the rest of the way up by someone grabbing me under my arms from behind. I turned to see Blossom Rosedale holding me up, her face shining with concern, as in my dream.
I opened my mouth to talk but words wouldn't come out. I realized for the first time that I was struggling to breathe. My stomach burned from the the gunshot wound and every breath I tried to take was another adventure in pain. Somehow I was able to mutter, "Ch...ief...Por...ter."
I tried to take a step, but went down hard on my knees. Blossom picked me up again and awkwardly walked me in the direction of the Face It tent. The people around us must have started to realize that something was happening because they parted before us, making a path for us to easily navigate our way through the crowd. The bright lights and raucous noise faded in and out while I clung to consciousness. Dark shapes crept along my peripheral vision, weaving around us and throughout the crowd.
I must have blacked out because the next thing I realized I was laying on a table in the Face It tent, the hard surface from my dream. Also as from my dream, the faces of Chief Porter, Blossom, and Edie Fischer floated above me, stricken with grief and confusion. I felt hands tearing at my clothes and pressure being applied to my stomach, no doubt trying to stem the torrent of blood pouring from me.
I wasn't concerned about my stomach or the copious amount of blood I seemed to be losing. The world was quiet, even though I could tell everyone was shouting and crying. With my non-bandaged hand, I grabbed the Chief's shirt and pulled him toward me with my last remaining strength. I tried to speak again but the only sounds that would come out were low, guttural moans.
By reading his lips I could tell that Chief Porter yelled for everyone to shut up. He dropped his head and put his ear to my mouth. I managed to squeak out, "vi...rus" and "can...is...ter" and "eve..ry...one...will...die."
After listening, Chief Porter raised his head, appearing to be shouting orders to someone. My head swam and it was becoming harder and harder to fight the blackness that was threatening to take over within me. Chief Porter looked down at me once more and, if my lip reading was accurate, asked me questions like "Who" and "Where" and "How". I couldn't focus on him anymore, much less attempt to answer his questions. The dark, black shapes were now swarming. I closed my eyes, letting the blackness wash over me.