traded my life [TWD]

『22』

My car was surrounded by people. I didn't want to take the risk and put both Carl and the woman at risk.

Instead, I snatched my keys from the box and lead both of them through the emergency room doors and to the ambulance I'd used when working.

"What is this?" the woman wonders, taking her phone out.

At the same time, both of our phones blare an alarm- a government warning.

"It sure isn't an Amber Alert," I mumble, reading over the message.

"What about my mom and dad?" Carl asks from where he was sitting on the bench in the back of the ambulance.

"Carl, I need you to give me a second, please. I need to think," I plead as nicely as possible.

The woman in the passenger seat runs her hand over her mouth. "Heavens.. They're saying to evacuate to Atlanta."

I bite my thumbnail. "They were trying to airlift patients to Atlanta.. Why is Atlanta so important?"

"The alert says that's where the safety camps are going to be built. The military is being dispatched and martial law is in effect."

I open my phone again and stare at the three numbers I had. I try calling Shane again. Nothing. I call Lori's phone. Nothing.

I was on the last ring of Rick's phone when Lori answered.

"Hyejin? Oh, my God! Are you two okay?" she cries.

"We're okay. We're safe. Just.. a little confused," I admit.

"Go to Shane's house. That's where I'm at now."

"And Shane?"

Lori goes silent.

"Lori, what about Shane?" I ask, voice quivering in fear.

"We should talk when you get here."

When Lori hangs up, my jaw locks. I try to take a deep breath and keep myself calm, if only for Carl's sake.

"I um.. Do you have a place I can drop you off? Or.. I mean, you can stay with us if you need," I tell the woman.

"I was visiting my father in there," she says in regards to the hospital. "But.. I think that's a lost cause now, huh?"

"I'm so sorry," I apologize.

"If it wouldn't be any trouble.. I think I'd like to stay with you two for awhile. At least until things make more sense. I don't really have anyone else."

I hold my hand out to her. "Hyejin Yoo. I work here and we were visiting a patient, too. Carl's in the back."

"Jacqui," she introduces, shaking my hand. "I thank you for helping me out, sweetie."

"If it all comes down to it, you can hitch a ride with me to Atlanta," I promise. "We're gonna go pick up Carl's mom first, she's at home."

Jacqui puts her seatbelt on and I check on Carl in the rearview mirror before starting the truck and driving away from the hospital.

"Hyejin, can you turn the sirens on?" Carl asks.

"You know those are only for emergencies."

"Isn't this an emergency?" Jacqui wonders.

I tap the steering wheel in thought.

If I get fired, at least I have a reason.

I flick the sirens on and speed down the road.

--

When we arrived to Shane and I's house, I parked by the mailbox.

"What's wrong?" Jacqui asks.