Safe

The ambulance bounced over something, making Kathryn jump. She was still jumpy from the near zombification experience, not fully believing she was safe. “Just a zombie, nothing to worry about.” said Charlie from the front seat. “What?” Paige said, turning to look out the back windows. “Relax. He’s just being an idiot,” said Olivia, “We try not to do vehicular manslaughter.” The raven haired girl gave Kathryn a smile that she supposed was meant to be reassuring. Kathryn couldn’t care less if Charlie plowed down a few of the undead as they made their way through the city, less of them to try and fuck her later.

The recent events still played fresh in her mind. If it hadn’t been for Charlie and Olivia, they probably would not have made it out alive. Or at least Paige wouldn’t have. No need to dwell on any past thoughts of betrayal now, they’d found an alternative.

Charlie and Olivia were both paramedics working from the local hospital. It had been a slow day until all the suddenly they were bombarded with calls about supposed “drug overdoses”. People with green skin mindlessly attacking people all over the city. It didn’t take long for emergency services to realize they had something much worse on their hands. The intial plan was to quarantine the infected at the local hospital, however the police and paramedics were ill equipped to deal with the highly infectious virus. It didn’t help that many of them got turned into zombies themselves. The situation soon devolved from containment, to creation of a safe zone. So, the hospital ejected most of the infected from its patients, and locked itself down to prevent the virus from penetrating its halls. Now, it was the only established safe zone in the city. Olivia and Charlie were working alongside others to shuttle survivors to the hospital to keep them safe for the time being.

“The plan is to hopefully get airlifts off the roof to take people out of the city,” Charlie said as he drove, “We’re in contact with the governor and the national guard. All we gotta do is hang on for the time being and we’ll get out of here.”

That sounded good for someone only interested in saving their own skin, but Kathryn had other concerns. “Can you drop me off somewhere?” Kathryn asked, “My girlfriend is still out there.” Charlie furrowed his brow and looked back at Olivia in the rear view mirror. Olivia shook her head, “I’m sorry but our orders are to bring survivors to the hospital and run back out. We’re pretty short staffed right now, medics keep going out and not coming back, but if you want Charlie and I can go look for her after we drop you off.”

Kathryn grumbled but didn’t say anything. It wasn’t entirely unreasonable, but Kathryn hated the idea of leaving Hailey’s fate in someone else’s hands. “Maybe she’s already at the hospital,” Paige said, placing a hand on Kathryn’s shoulder. “Well you can go and find out in a second,” called back Peter, as the ambulance turned through the brick gates.

The hospital was a fours story white building, divided into two wings that met in the shape of a V. At the point of the V was a awning that stretched over the entrance to the hospital, however Peter blew right past that. “We gotta go around back,” Olivia said upon seeing Kathryn’s confused look, “The front door had to be barricaded to keep the zombies out.” Sure enough, zombies milled around the building, some grasping at the walls, looking for a way in. “Luckily, we’ve got a secret way in,” Peter said. He pulled into the back parking lot of the hospital, and began reversing towards a metal door. As he did this, Olivia unlatched the back doors of the ambulance. “Uh, what are you doing?” Paige asked nervously, the back of the ambulance now wide open. The ambulance continued backing up, until it was pressed right up against the wall. “Alright, let’s get out of this thing, starting to feel like my coffin,” Charlie said as he climbed into the back with the women.

With a metallic grind, the door began getting pulled upwards, opening into a dark loading bay. Paige and Kathryn followed the two paramedics into the bay and through a pair of double doors. Kathryn found herself in a cafeteria, rows of folding tables lining the tile floor. People were dispersed throughout the room, talking in hushed tones. “I’m going to get something to eat, do any of you want anything?” Charlie asked. “Let me take them to Marsha first,” said Olivia leading Paige and Kathryn away. “I would have liked something to eat,” murmured Paige as they left the cafeteria.

Olivia led them down a few hallways and into the central lobby of the hospital. It was empty save for a elderly woman sitting at the receptionist desk. There was a few zombies pawing at the windows who looked like they might want to come in, but the automatic doors stayed locked tight. “Marsha just picked these two up, need to get them recorded.” The woman looked up, and smiled, “Of course, cpuld you two ladies just tell me your name and birthday? We’re making a list of everyone taking shelter here so their loved ones will know they’re safe.” Paige and Kathryn both gave their information, and Marsha typed it into her computer. “All right, thank you dearies.”

“Come on,” Olivia said, “I’ll take you back to the cafeteria.” The girls were back in the hallway when a man walked up to them. He had short cut brown hair and a strong jaw. He was dressed in scrubs and a doctor’s coat that identified him as Doctor Callum Kirk. He seemed somewhat important. “Olivia, I need to meet with you and the rest of the staff. Come to the conference room on the third floor.” With that he strode off, presumably to recruit more people for his meeting. “Alright,” Olivia yelled after him, “See you guys later I guess. I gotta find Charlie.” Olivia deprecated as well, leaving Paige and Kathryn in the hallway. “Go back to the cafeteria I guess? We can look for your girlfriend.” Paige said.