Citizen Z

Chapter 10

478 day since the virus spread

It's midday

I was hoping Mikey would've felt better after he's gotten some sleep, but he's only gotten worse. His condition has weakened drastically.

We spent all night trying to get his fever down and tried to at least make him more comfortable. At a stage, it was so bad that he was crying so hysterically from the pain we had to secure the place because he attracted zombies. I couldn't give him morphine because it wouldn't help if he's had so much in such short period of time. We don't want him to overdose.

None of us got a wink of sleep either. Everyone is exhausted and worried, we tried all morning to get Mikey to feel better. He's been feeling nauseous as well, making it hard to get even water into his system.

Frank and I left as soon as we could that we can get somethings to help him. I don't want to be away too long, I'm the one with the most medical knowledge in the group. I'm the only one that can help him but I'm running out of ideas of how to help him.

We couldn't leave earlier.

"How far is this damn place from here? It's so hot, I'm going to melt." Frank whines for the thousandth time as we walk down the highway.

He blocks the sun with his hand.

"Complaining isn't going to make it any closer..." I growl at him and take a deep breath, there's no point in getting angry with him now, "Sorry, uhm, it's not too far, it's going to be on your left in a few yards. It's hard to see from the road, apparently."

Frank slips his hand into mine and we walk down the road. There's almost nothing out here, it's very dry.

"Finally, some alone time." Frank says, joking and kisses my cheek.

I smile and look at him, squeezing his hand gently.

We walk for a few minutes and then take a break under a big shady tree. The heat makes me feel like I'm in an oven on max mode. The shade doesn't help much either.

I give Frank my water bottle so that he can rehydrate, I'm still okay.

It's really hot outside, plus it's midday so we're out during the hottest time of day, but this is the only time we could leave Mikey with Ray. He finally fell asleep, after struggling all night with him.

The sun is scorching, I wouldn't be surprised if we get back with sunstroke. Frank is a lot more sensitive to the sun than I am.

It's a huge pity that our truck broke, otherwise we could've gotten to the clinic sooner. At least it isn't too far, right? Maybe we will find a new truck on the way.

In the distance I see a sign of a veterinarian clinic. I squint my eyes to read:

100 m to veterinarian offices

Only a hundred meters away.

That's great.

"It's just a few yards down, Frank," I say as I turn to face him, but I start frowning because I'm trying not to laugh, "what the hell are you doing?"