A New Beginning

Chapter XVI

"What happened", Ronny asked. By now the group scoped the entirety of the outpost as they had set up in the main building. Xavier said, "You just fell over. I thought you were dead". Ronny said, "I don't know what happened. I just felt a tingling feeling and then darkness". Ronny looked around to see Sarah sitting nearby as she held Albee. Nick was off on his own. He looked pale and sick as he coughed violently. "Sarah said he doesn't have long", Xavier said. "What's the plan then", Ronny asked. Xavier bowed his head, "We don't have one". Ronny said, "No we have to have one. Let's head out or, damnit, do something". Xavier said, "No, we can't. Sarah and I are tired. Nick physically can't move. We have to sit and wait". Ronny stood up as he said, "This is an outpost, we could try and use some of these radios". As Ronny started pressing the power buttons, he realized they weren't turning on. Frustrated, Ronny slammed his fists on the sensitive machinery as he threw them off of the desk. However, the pressure and stress got to him as he fell from the pain of the bite. Xavier stood up and helped Ronny sit comfortably as he said, "Well doing that isn't gonna help". Ronny began to cry as he said, "It's hopeless isn't it". Xavier said, "Not necessarily". Ronny looked at him hopeful, with tears running down his face. Xavier walked over to the map as he said, "We're here at this outpost, Juneau isn't too far away. I say we could make it in three days if we only stop for the nights". Ronny tried to stand up, however, he was exhausted. Xavier said, "You should rest. You hit your head hard". Ronny said, "What about quarantining me"? Xavier said, "That was Sarah's idea. Not mine. I know you can fight Ronny. I know if you turn, it won't be when we're all vulnerable". As Ronny grew comfortable in his spot, he closed his eyes to rest.

The sun had set as it began to lightly snow again. The winds picked up as everyone could feel the drafts within the outpost. Sarah said, "I see you let Ronny sleep with us". Xavier said, "He can't move. He's exhausted. Give him some slack". Sarah said, "Just remember, that's blood on your hands if something happens". Xavier tried to move on as he said, "So I looked at the map with Ronny, we could get to Juneau in three days if we don't stop". Sarah sighed as she said, "Finally, some good news for once". Xavier said, "We're almost there, we just have the final stretch". Sarah was holding Albee who was asleep. She said, "What's gonna happen to this one. He lost his mother and soon his father". Xavier said, "Well we'll have to ask Ronny if or when the time comes". Sarah watched as Albee slept in her arms as she thought about her child. "What if this happens to us and our child", she asked. Xavier said, "Don't think about it, Ronny's situation is unique and unfortunate. Too much went wrong". Suddenly, they both heard Nick violently coughing as he gagged. Xavier stood up and walked over to Nick. With a heavy heart, Xavier said, "Nick, how are you feeling"? Once Xavier looked at Nick, he saw a small spot of blood on the ground from the constant coughing. Nick's face was pale and slightly grey. Nick's bite was black as the surrounding area was a dark purple. Nick looked at Xavier, his eyes looked dead, "Isn't it crazy how I was bitten by a wolf and yet I'm dying as if I was bitten by a biter". As Nick laughed it was abruptly cut off by his coughing. Nick spit up blood as he looked at Xavier. He said, "Looks like Ronny and I are in the same boat". Xavier sighed, "Yeah, I know. Is there anything I can get you"? Nick slowly blinked as he said, "Could you please get me some water"? Xavier said, "Of course, Nick", as he walked over to where they kept their supplies. As he rummaged through the stuff, something caught his eye. It was a hand-cranked radio. Xavier grew excited in hopes that it worked. 

As he cranked the radio, he began to hear static. He pressed the button to speak as he said, "Hello? Can anyone hear me"? There was no response, "Hello? Can anyone hear me"? Again no response. Suddenly, the static sound disappeared, so Xavier cranked it again until he heard the static again. Xavier grew desperate as he said, "Hello? Can anyone hear me? Please, someone, hear me". Static was heard when suddenly, someone said, "Uh, hello? Hello? Is someone there"? Xavier quickly cranked the radio as he said, "Hello? Hi, we need help"! The person said, "Who are you? Where are you"? Xavier said, "My name is Xavier, we're stuck at a military outpost"! After a moment of silence, the person said, "Which outpost"? Xavier was frustrated, "I don't know". Xavier cranked the radio again as the person said, "There should be a code number next to the map in the radio room". Xavier quickly walked over to the map as he read the code. After a moment, he heard the person say, "Ok, well we're located in Juneau so we'll come get you, however, we have to wait until tomorrow morning". Xavier said, "No, you don't understand, we have injured. We need medicine". The person said, "Sir, we're not allowed to leave at night. We'll be able to get to you in an hour after we leave". "In an hour? How", Xavier asked. "We have a helicopter", the person said.

As he set the radio down, he grabbed the water and walked over to Nick. Xavier called Nick's name. However, Nick didn't respond. Xavier knelt as he nudged Nick, however, again Nick didn't respond. Sarah noticed as she set Albee down and walked over. She felt for Nick's pulse and felt none. Sarah couldn't look at Xavier, however, Xavier knew what happened. 

Despite the snow and piercing winds, Xavier dug a hole next to the outpost. He tried to ignore the cold as he couldn't feel his fingers. Once a deep enough hole was created, Sarah and Xavier put Nick's body in as Xavier buried him. They made a cross that they wedged above Nick's grave. Xavier then placed the water bottle on top as the two went back inside. Even though Nick's death was a sad event and one to be remembered, they had hope as they now knew someone was coming for them. They knew that they would eventually be safe, that they just had to hold on for a little bit longer.