The Outbreak (The Nursery Nurse)

Fourty

"Is this safe?" Siobhan asked hesitantly.

The two woman were staring at the tent they had managed to put up, to their advantage it was rather large.

"I've walked the perimeters, there's no infected here for miles." Charlotte informed quietly.

Siobhan looked around hesitantly, they were in the middle of a forest, they'd been walking for hours.

"I don't know, I'm not sure about this Charlotte." Siobhan said cautiously, rubbing her arm to try and provide some comfort.

Charlotte sighed, "We will take it in turns to keep guard." She made her way into the tent and dumped her belongings inside.

Siobhan groaned in slight discomfort before following her inside.

"Where did you even find this tent?" Siobhan asked after a moment.

Charlotte was setting out her sleeping bag before smiling slightly, "Your ex-husband was a hoarder I believe, you'd be amazed at the things I've found stashed away over the years."

Siobhan set her bag down, "Fuck him." She said quietly.

Charlotte looked to her in slight surprise before nodding, "Fuck him." She agreed.

Once settled Charlotte made a small campfire outside, she huddled near it to try and keep warm.

She had her research journal on her lap along with a map close by followed by a compass.

She turned to the page which was titled. Marjorie. And stared at the notes.

She had numerous locations jotted down and it made her head pound with frustration, she wasn't sure how to navigate this.

The sound of the tent opening startled her and she turned her head sharply, Siobhan came and sat next to her without a word.

The blonde outstretched her hands slightly in an attempt to warm them with the flames.

Charlotte looked back down to her notes with a frown.

"I don't remember the last time I saw you stress-free." Siobhan said gently, interrupting the silence.

Charlotte's eyebrows furrowed as she hesitantly looked to her.

Siobhan frowned slightly, "This outbreak has taken so much from you." She whispered, the concern in her voice heavy and it reminded Charlotte in a way of her own mother.

She bit back her grief.

Charlotte inhaled deeply, "Yeah well, it's taken a lot from everyone." She admitted quietly, uncomfortable with the sudden topic of conversation.

Siobhan hummed in slight agreement before adding, "You go to the ends of the earth for other people, quite literally, but do they do the same for you?"

Charlotte froze slightly, looking up once more, "I don't think I understand." She admitted quietly.

Siobhan shook her head faintly, "If the roles were reversed, would Marjorie come looking for you?"

Charlotte bit her tongue as she avoided Siobhan's lingering gaze, she focused on the flames as the question sunk in.

No Marjorie wouldn't come looking for her.

"It doesn't matter." Charlotte mumbled.

Siobhan sighed softly, "It does matter and you know it does."

Charlotte looked down, she played with her fingers, "Siobhan no offence but I don't really feel like talking about my situation right now."

Siobhan looked over her sadly before nodding in understanding, "Can I ask something?"

Charlotte had to hold back a sigh, "I feel as though my answer to that won't matter."

"How's Autumn and Winter's little one, Nova is it?" Siobhan asked gently ignoring Charlotte's flat tone.

Charlotte exhaled in relief, her heartbeat picking up slightly as she thought of her niece, "She's amazing, truly." Charlotte replied calmly before turning her focus back to the page in front of her.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, Siobhan was calculating everything thoroughly in her head trying to understand.

"You left without telling them didn't you." Siobhan asked hesitantly.

Charlotte didn't look up, "I did." She confirmed quietly.

Siobhan sighed, lifting a hand to her head, "Oh Charlotte, Mia is probably going to turn up any second." She stated bewildered.

Charlotte shook her head, "I heavily doubt it, Mia does not hike for extended periods of time."

Siobhan couldn't help but chuckle before her expression turned stern, "Charlotte that woman would set the world on fire for you, you really think she wouldn't be able to find us."

Charlotte ignored her although she couldn't help but notice deep down that Mia would in fact do anything for Charlotte. Anything.

"If she shows up here it'll be pointless, I'm not turning back until I find Marjorie." Charlotte added more gently now, "She knows that too."

"Ah, there's the Charlotte I know." Siobhan said warmly.

Charlotte looked to her in confusion once more.

"Strong willed, fearless, driven to succeed." Siobhan confirmed softly.

Charlotte's eyebrows raised slightly as she continued to note things down, "Right." She agreed slowly.

-

"Mia will you just wait." Reece asked, hobbling with his crutches awkwardly as he tried to catch up.

Mia was down the hall and tugging on her boots in a fit of rage.

"I am not going to sit here while Charlotte goes on a suicide mission." Mia scoffed.

Reece's eyes glazed over, "Mia if you go out there you won't come back."

Mia's head snapped up, her eyebrows furrowing, "Do you think I care?" She spat, furious now.

Reece raised a hand to his head in despair, "Mia you don't know what those men will do, we're all in grave danger." He warned sternly.

Mia stood up now, "I am not going to let Charlotte die looking for Marjorie, Marjorie made her choice and Charlotte will not suffer the consequences."

Reece walked forward so they were only a few inches apart, "Mia I am begging you, please."

Mia's fists shook faintly, "I have killed more people than I can count, I have no remorse, people fear my name, I will kill anyone that dares to even look at Charlotte wrong, I've been taking care of myself for years Reece I am going to be just fine."

Reece shook his head, "Mia please, Charlotte is beyond capable of taking care of herself, she's not alone, please you're not thinking rationally."

Mia pulled up her hair, "I'm sorry Reece I have to go, she's my life, I will not live if something happens to her."

Reece reached out a hand but it was too late.

She was gone.