Tent City

Chapter 10 - Andy

I had just finished my shift and was starting to return to my room. I happened across Dr Su, she pulled me aside,

"Kelsie will be healthy enough to leave the sick bay in a couple of days. So, please tell me you have somewhere for them both to stay?"

"Yes, there's a spare room that is between my room and the dining hall. I'll get it clean and ready for them both before Kelsie leaves."

"Good, now a weird question, but do we happen to have a walker and shower chair stored around here somewhere? Kelsie will need them until she's strong enough to walk and shower standing up. It might take months for her to fully heal."

"Hmmm! Yes, if my memory serves me right, I do believe there were mobility aides in this bunker when we commandeered it. Give me a bit of time and I'll send some people to have a look in the equipment stores."

"Thank you, for all you've done for Ben and Kelsie. You're a good person, a rarity lately." Dr Su replied. "Oh, I'll let you know the time that Kelsie will be released from sick bay. I'll also go through the guides that Kelsie must follow so that she heals and becomes healthy again."

I nodded and continued on my way. I thought back to the day around 6 days ago. I sat by Kelsie's bed while she talked to Ben, I noticed she glanced at me a few times like she wanted to tell me something. She asked me to return Ben to those who were looking after him while I worked and return by myself.

I returned about 20 minutes later, I was worried about Kelsie, she seemed troubled by something. Kelsie invited me to sit on the bed, causing me to be awkward, she said that she wanted to thank me, and pretty much called me a hero for saving her and Ben. I'm not one to take compliments well, especially if they're from somebody I am attracted to. I felt as though she wanted to ask or tell me something more, but couldn't.

My thoughts were brought back to the present when a large yawn escaped my mouth. I felt so tired, I suddenly realised that I was working so hard, trying to lead the militia, and trying to make sure Ben and Kelsie are safe and well looked after, that my insomnia has stopped. Lately I would fall asleep within minutes of my head hitting the pillow. It was a blessing and a curse.

The following day, Dr Su sent me word that Kelsie would be released from sickbay tomorrow afternoon. I organised some people to clean the room that I had chosen for Ben and Kelsie. The room had to be cleaned from top to bottom, new sheets were put on the beds and new clothes were tucked away into the drawers.

A walker and shower chair were found in the deepest corner of the storage units. I made sure that the chair and walker were suited to Kelsie's height and weight. I set the chair up in the shower and gave the walker to nurse Travis, so he could start teaching Kelsie the proper way to use it.

When it was time for Kelsie to leave the sick bay, I took Ben to meet her, so that we could walk to the room together.

Kelsie was still quite fragile and slow. She shuffled her feet across the cement floor and seemed heavily reliant on her walker. I helped her the best I could. I took them to the room, made sure they were settled in then promised to return that night to see what meal Kelsie wanted and I'd bring it back to her, in reduced portion size of course so that she could eat it.

Just as promised I returned and knocked on the door, Ben answered and let me in.

Kelsie was fast asleep, she must've been exhausted I thought to myself. She looked so peaceful, so I took Ben to the dining hall, Left Kelsie a note and we had something to eat. The other soldiers in the hall were happy to see Ben, he was the youngest person in this bunker.

Some of my soldiers lost family members and children due to the war, the disease, and the ilk that followed. It seemed to boost morale having Ben around, he was quite a social little guy and would talk with everyone, limited by his knowledge of vocabulary of course. He was after all, just 4 years old.