The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Twenty Seven

When Charlotte woke up she was confused, her whole body ached as her mind tried to find pieces of itself.

There was the sound of frantic voices overlapping each other, she kept her eyes shut as she listened.

"It sounds to me that she may be suffering with PTSD, do you know if anyone in her family suffered with depression?"

"I don't know." Mia whispered.

Charlotte felt the bed she was on shift and she was suddenly aware that her hand was being held.

"There's a few pharmacies down south, you could raid them for medicines that may be able to help her, I'll write a few down for you." Matilda informed quietly.

"Okay Thankyou for your help, you're welcome to stay a few days." Marjorie said encouragingly.

"That's quite alright, I'll go and check in on Autumn and I'll be back in a few days." Matilda said slowly.

"We might not have a few days, who's to say she won't harm herself before then? She needs help now. You need to do something." Mia's voice was hoarse yet angry.

"Mia." Marjorie hushed.

"Unfortunately there isn't a lot I can do, it's not like therapy is around anymore. This is life and we just have to get on however we can, keep her close, don't let her out of your sight." Matilda said, Charlotte heard her footsteps quieten as she left.

Mia scoffed, "So helpful."

"That's enough Mia, she is your family after all." Marjorie interjected.

"No family of mine." She argued back.

Mia looked over Charlotte, "I don't know what to do, I can't help her." She whispered, all tone of bitterness swept away and she felt like a child again.

The child who had begged Roger for answers.

Marjorie frowned, "You are helping her, you did quite literally save her life that day of the execution."

Charlotte felt numb, she didn't even flinch at the flashback when it stormed through her mind.

"Barely." Mia counteracted.

Marjorie spotted Reece in the hallway, his face tainted with distraught as he watched through the open door.

Marjorie went to walk out but stopped in front of Mia, she reluctantly placed a hand on the redheads shoulder.

Mia froze slightly.

"She's a fighter, we're all going to be fine." Marjorie said gently, she looked over Charlotte once more before stepping out.

-

The next morning Charlotte woke up to Carly who was cuddled in the corner of the room with a blanket, half asleep.

Charlotte inhaled deeply as she squinted through the morning glow.

Carly's head snapped up, her eyes sunken a subtle sign she hadn't been sleeping, she rushed over to Charlotte's side and began to cry.

She didn't mean to cry, Reece told her to try and stay as calm as possible but she just couldn't.

Charlotte's heart sped up slightly, there were so many things she wanted to say.

"I'm so sorry I scared you like that." Charlotte whispered, it was thick with guilt.

Carly shook her head before taking Charlotte's hand, "I love you so much Char." Her voice hitching.

Charlotte smiled slightly, "I know, and I love you too."

Carly squeezed her hand before wiping her eyes.

-

Charlotte felt well enough to bury her emotions deep.

Whilst the others were on missions for the day and Autumn being asleep she decided she needed distraction.

She was dressed and in the bathroom working on her hair, it was a mass of waves and curls that just went past her elbows, she started to braid it numbly, she always kept her hair in two tight braids that she kept coiled at the back of her head.

It was the most manageable hairstyle for her, it also helped with the weight of it.

Once done she stared at herself in the mirror, her face was gaunt and hallow, her body thin- limbed and bony yet her eyes were wide and dark, she tried to recall the fire she used to be able to see in them.

Once she couldn't look at herself anymore she hurried into the supply room, she snatched Mia's satchel off the back of the door and began to fill it.

She placed Siobhan's journal in last.

She left the room and descended the stairs, she stopped to peer into Autumn's room, she was safe and asleep.

She decided to leave a note where the group would find it, she tried as best as she could to explain the gravity of the situation.

She was going to find Siobhan on her own.
She couldn't sit in her own depression any longer, she needed to be doing something.

Charlotte shrugged on her boots then her winter jacket and left.

She couldn't help but feel excited, she hadn't been on a mission in a long time.

Maybe this could help her feel more like herself again.

Charlotte had gone through the parents files earlier in the day, Roger had kept them to her advantage.

She found Jamie's and noted the address attached and prayed it was still vacated. 

It was about an hours walk and she used the time to just breathe.

The wind was fierce today, it blew the tree's around her ferociously.

About forty minutes into her journey she encountered a hoard.

They were fast.

Charlotte threw herself behind a large rock and started to aim fire, the zombies shrivelled and screamed as they succumbed to death.

Something had her ankle she didn't need to look to see it was about to bite her, she swung her free leg round and knocked the creatures head clean off.

She panted and cheered at the adrenaline that coursed through her.

Oh how she missed this feeling.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a grin before making the rest of her journey with a bit more speed.

Once she reached the road with a row of small houses she was immediately doubtful, it was so overgrown you had to watch your step.

She observed the numbers and stopped outside the potential one.

She took a deep breathe, patting down her muddy jeans before walking towards the front door.

There wasn't a light emitting from anywhere inside.

Charlotte lightly knocked.

A few minutes passed and there was no answer.

She frowned and started to walk away.

Just before she could walk further the sound of a door swinging open stopped her dead in her tracks.

She swivelled around and was met with the familiar face, a small woman with jet black hair observing her with narrowed eyes.

Charlotte walked forward.

The woman looked confused before her eyes widened.

"Charlotte?" Vivian gasped as if she couldn't believe it.