Cryptophobia - Hell & High Water

CHAPTER 11 - EDWARD & MARTHA: 11:37am - 2 Days until outbreak

The following morning Martha made her way back to her cabin, returning from her morning walk around the ship. It was a routine that kept her both level headed and gave her opportune moments to sneak in a cigarette. She wasn't particularly interested in getting involved in all the group activities with other people, she certainly didn't want to bore herself silly in the company of all the pensioners, she was old, but this brain of hers was younger and more active than probably a large majority of the people on this ship and she certainly had no desire to spend the entire trip locked in that claustrophobic cabin.

So to alleviate that anxiousness, boredom and frustrations, she went for walks, the zoo-folk living out their everyday lives were entertaining enough to watch and for when it wasn't, she could always gaze out into the open ocean and puff away at a calming cigarette, praying for something drastic enough to force them to return home.

Making her way through the corridor towards her cabin, she bumped head first into her, almost knocking her to the ground.

"Watch where you are going?" She snapped irritably and looked up to see a little ginger haired boy holding his nose, blood stains covered his shirt. Nose bleed.

"I'b sobby", he replied, with what looked to be his mother running up behind him.

"I sincerely apologise, his nose started bleeding incessantly, I told him to run back to the cabin, this is my fault. Did he get blood on you?"

Martha checked her clothes and only found tiny blood stains, but blood stains they were, however small.

"Yes".

"I'm truly sorry, I'll have them washed and dry cleaned, or pay for any damaged clothing. Please come and find me later, my cabin number is one zero sixty two and my name is Odette Marshal".

Martha nodded and sighed.

"Make him sit down and firmly pinch the soft part of his nose, just above the nostrils, for about ten minutes or so. While he's doing that, get him to lean forward and breathe through his mouth, that will drain the blood down his nose instead of down the back of his throat. Ask the cafeteria or medbay for an ice pack or frozen veg and with a towel, place it on the bridge of his nose whilst staying upright in order to reduce the blood pressure in the blood vessels of his nose and that will discourage further bleeding. If and when the bleeding eventually stops, you shouldn't need to seek medical aid, but you should prevent him from blowing or picking his nose, too much physical activity, lying flat and hot beverages for at least a day to avoid infections. Just tread on the side of caution for anything involving the nostrils and let them heal".

The mother of the boy appeared taken aback by the sudden advice, but managed to nod.

"Th...thank you, are you a doctor?"

"Surgeon to be exact, so I've had my fair share of encounters with blood".

"Oh, okay, well that's good to know. Freddie here hasn't been most well the last couple of days, he came back with the sniffles one day after school and we thought it was just a cold, so we didn't cancel the trip, but it's been steadily getting worse and I'm getting worried. He was sweating profusely and twitching erratically in his sleep last night, which I'm certain isn't normal".

"I know a thing or two, but I'm a surgeon. If he continues to deteriorate, get the first flight back to the UK you can find. For the time being, get him seen to by the on board medical staff".

"I...I will, thank you. Please come see me later. Come Freddie", she replied, taking her leave and hurrying her son to their cabin. Martha watched them off. Something didn't sit well with her. Sweating? Twitching? Did he have a virus? If so, was it contagious? That little brat probably infected her now too. These amateur parents and their laissez-faire attitudes could end up being the bane or demise of them all.