Doc made his way though the first floor of the Long Branch the next morning.
Since the night before, five more families showed up bringing the total number of sick to almost thirty five.
With Newly, Kitty and Abelia's help keeping an eye on the adults, the physician kept a close eye on the children knowing they were the ones most at risk.
"How's she doing," Doc asked when Kitty looked up from sponging off a young woman that was married to a local farmer.
"She's been talking out of her head, Doc," Kitty whispered tiredly.
"It's the fever," Doc replied handing Kitty a package of white powder. "Mix that with some water and see if you can get her to drink it."
Kitty took the powder as Doc walked away toward the doors of the Long Branch. He knew the best way to combat the influenza was by treating the symptoms but in order to do that he needed medicine and that was quickly becoming in short supply with so many patients.
"Doc," Matt said as the physician stepped outside the Long Branch.
"Matt," Doc said swiping at his mustache in frustration. "Did you get a wire back about that medicine I asked for?"
"Yes," Matt said nodding. "It's going to be on the train tomorrow."
Doc nodded and looked around. "I just hope these people can hold out till then."
"The bank's closed, Bo."
"I can see that, Jerald," Bo replied standing in the alley behind Dodge's only bank.
"So is the general store and most of the other places in town," Jerald said quietly. "How we supposed to get anything?"
"Don't worry bout no locks," Bo said evenly. "Come night fall, this place we'll be easy to pick."
Abelia stood up from giving water to a child lying on a pallet on the floor and ran a hand across her forehead before turning toward the stairs.
She needed to check on Festus and Kathryn but as she got to the first step, the way up just seemed to daunting of a task.
Sinking to the floor, she buried her face in her hands.
"Abelia," Doc said hurrying over to her. "You alright?"
"I'm just tired," she said slowly getting to her feet.
"Let's get you upstairs," Doc said gently.
"I'm alright," Abelia said quietly.
"Now look," Doc said sternly. "You're no good to anyone least of all, Festus and Kathryn if you can't stay on your feet. It's time you got some rest!"
Abelia nodded and followed Doc upstairs to Kitty's old room. Taking a seat on a spare cot, Doc sat down beside Kathryn and smiled when the girl opened her eyes and smiled back.
"Well now," he said feeling Kathryn's forehead. "Looks like someone's on the mend."
Abelia got up and went over to where Doc was and smiled at the physician who moved over to the next bed where Festus lay.
"Afraid I can't say the same about your papa," Doc said as the feverish hill man shivered.
"How's it going boys," Matt said looking around at Dodge's darkened streets.
"Quiet, Marshal," Burke said standing guard. "How's things at the Long Branch?"
"Not any better," Matt said evenly. "Keep an eye on things here. I'm going to make my rounds."
Matt started down the street back toward the Long Branch when he caught a glimpse of a shadow from inside the general store.
Drawing his revolver slowly from its holster, he slowly headed around behind the store though the alley.
"C'mon, Bo," Jerald said inching slowly toward the door. "We've spent to much time in here already!"
"I just want these knives," Bo said reaching into the glass cabinet.
Matt slid against the back wall of the store until he got to the doorway.
"Who's in there?" he said angrily. "Come out with your hands up!"
Jerald looked at Bo who drew his gun and nodded before he bolted though the doorway and disappeared into the darkness.
Matt stepped into the doorway as Bo fired his revolver, and then barreled past the lawman.