Chapter 56
Kate moaned in pain, waking Nick from a deep sleep. Her body was trembling, and her hands were clutched around her waist.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” Nick asked. He pushed away hair that had matted to Kate’s forehead and swirled around her eyes. She cried out again, her eyes squeezed shut as pain tore through her pelvis. Tears formed at the creases of her eyelids and dripped down her cheeks.
Nick pulled the covers back and gasped when a deep crimson stain colored the sheets beneath Kate. The underwear she had slipped back on after their encounter bore the same discoloration as the bed. As Kate writhed in pain, Loko whimpered, nuzzling at her hand as if she could pet him and all would be fine.
Nick pulled on his clothes and ran a hand through his hair. Kate was sobbing now, the agony twisting her insides. Thoughts zipped through Nick’s mind. He had no idea what to do or what was happening to her body. The pain was so torturous that shecould not speak, and blood was pouring from her most sensitive area. Had he caused this?
Air rushed into Nick’s lungs as he inhaled a deep breath.
Just think. Stay calm. You can do this.
“I’ll be back, baby. Loko, don’t leave her.”
Nick rushed down the stairs and into the garage. Empty. Turning on a pivot, Nick flew through the front door, pushing aside Infected that were hobbling about the porch. He scanned the cul-de-sac, spotting several vehicles parked in driveways, and ran toward the nearest one. He yanked on the door to a maroon sedan. Locked. Nick raced from car to car, tugging on door handles until one opened.
A silver hatchback granted Nick entry, and his fingers fumbled around inside, looking for keys. No luck. Nick felt rage building inside him as he ran headfirst into every blunder imaginable. He closed his eyes and lifted his head to the sky. The anger would do him no good. He imagined every negative feeling trying to conquer his heart as a large, black ball inside his chest. Nick inhaled until his lungs were full, then exhaled the bleak ball into the ether, watching it break down and float away.
Nick ran into the house belonging to the silver car and searched for keys in all the usual spots. There were no hooks or baskets by the door. He sifted through items on the kitchen counter and came up short. No surface or drawer was left untouched, and still no keys were to be found.
Keys were kept in purses or pockets. Nick took the stairs two at a time and found the master bedroom. He scanned the nightstands and found only photographs and loose change. A hamper sat in the corner, and Nick ripped through the dirty clothing, shaking fabrics to listen for jingling metal. Then, Nick spotted a pair of jeans strewn on the floor. Snatching them up, Nick rifled through the denim until his hand wrapped aroundsomething hard and oval. He jammed his hand into the jeans pocket and nearly shouted when he retrieved a key fob.
Nick ran down the stairs and sat in the car. When he pressed his foot to the brake and tried to ignite the engine, the car sputtered. The starter whinnied as it tried to turn over and only maintained a resistant grumble to his efforts.
Nick closed his eyes as the black ball of despair sat heavily on his chest once more.
Please, God, please can something go right?
Entering the house once more, Nick found the garage. His eyes surveyed the concrete room and all of its contents. He spotted the red can he was looking for and rushed to it with elation. Grabbing a funnel, Nick exited the house and refueled the silver hatchback. He started the car, nearly proclaiming with joy when it started, and parked it outside the house he and Kate had chosen for the night.
Certain they would not be returning to the home, Nick strapped the tactical vest around his torso, slung his rifle on his back, and secured the helmet on his head.
When Nick approached the bed, Loko began to growl. Nick sighed in frustration. Kate was covered in a layer of sweat. Her eyes were closed and pinched into a perpetual expression of suffering. Nick walked around to her side of the bed and slid his arms beneath her, ignoring the dog’s warnings.
“I’m trying to help her!” Nick shouted at the animal. Loko relented, lowering his head as Nick scooped her frail body in his arms.
Nick emerged from the house with Kate in tow and Loko following close on his heels. He laid Kate in the back seat, wishing he had grabbed a pillow or blanket for her. The rear bench seat of the hatchback was cramped. If it had been Nick who needed to lie there, he never would have fit. Kate, though, was small enough that he could bend her knees slightly, andshe just managed to fill the space without having to fold into an uncomfortable position. Loko jumped into the back and lay on the floorboard, his yellow eyes piercing and pleading with Nick.
“I know, buddy. I’m going to get her help. She’ll be okay,” Nick said.
Nick dropped down into the driver’s seat, pulled off his helmet, and set it beside his rifle next to him. His pulse hammered in his neck, and though the air outside was nearly frigid, sweat beads cascaded from his temples.
“She’ll be okay. She’ll be okay,” Nick kept repeating, unsure if he was reassuring the dog or himself. He put the car into motion and drove off, maintaining a reasonable speed despite wanting to floor it.
“She’ll be okay.”
Chapter 57
Nick swerved into the hospital’s parking lot, drawing several undead creatures to the sound of the motor. He thrust the car into park and scooped Kate up from the backseat. Her hue matched a sheet of paper. She fell limp in his arms, only uttering weak whimpers as he walked through the doors. After taking a few steps, Nick’s arm was already coated in blood.
The descent on the elevator lasted a lifetime. When Nick and Loko finally hit the basement floor, Nick hardly let the doors open before he pushed his way through and sped down the hall. He fumbled to open the doctor’s headquarters. When Nick burst through, Dr. Chamberlain jumped from his seat.
“Nick!” the doctor greeted with pleasantry until his eyes landed on Kate. “Nick, what happened?”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s been having stomach pains, and she’s bleeding.” The words raced out as Nick wanted to waste no time talking. “Please, doctor. Help her!”
“Bring her in here,” the doctor instructed, and led Nick to one of the exam rooms. Nick lay Kate on the hospitalbed, straightening her out to allow the doctor full access. Dr. Chamberlain washed his hands and snapped on nitrile gloves.
