Essential

I took a large breath as I steadied myself against the sink station. 

Machines beeped, rushed footsteps shuffled, and utter chaos could be heard just outside the small barrier of the tent flap. 

I winched in discomfort. My skin was still red and tender from yesterday's shift.

"Here goes nothing..." 

In a rehearsed manner I plastered thin strips of dressing against my cheeks and the bridge of my nose. Followed by a respirator mask - well past its usable capabilities - then a surgical mask, and for pizazz an eye shield. 

The rush of triage welcomed me with cold arms as I stepped into battle. 

In the blink of an eye I had found myself gowned up and sterilized for the day ahead of me.

"Day shift report," The charge nurse waved us over. 

A small nudge swayed my hips. "Morning Sacha," Demetri's green eyes smiled through his goggles. 

"Good morning," I beamed.

"Listen up folks, we've been steady with a large wave that came through from the long weekend parties. 250 patients still need to triaged through. Assume they're all positive - everyone stay safe. Units 21, 22 and 23 still have beds for the mild levels. Unit 31 has only one intensive care bed left. If it's serious... You come to me immediately. Understand?" Her voice was steady, her stance was confident, but her eyes gave it all away. 

We all received our assignments directly after.

"Good morning Clarke, my name is Sacha! I am one of the triage nurses. What seems to be the problem?"

"Good morning Dawn..."

"Hello..."

Two hours, ten patients and zero bathroom breaks later I finally found myself ready to sit. 

"Here," Demetri waved be down the tent with his arm around an empty chair. 

I rolled my eyes. "How do you always know?"

He shrugged. "I just know."

"How're you holding up?"

"A shift with my best friend are the best kinds of shifts," He teased. "you know, despite the fact that almost half of my patients went up to the presumptive units."

I sighed and reached for his hand. "Me too..."

He squeezed his gloved fingers around mind, and for a brief moment there was a quiet air around us. 

"You know you're going to have to wash your hands now?" He whispered. 

I snatched my hand away. So much for a well needed moment of peace. 

~*~

"Did you hear that?" Demetri approached me as I dried off my hands.

"Hmm?"

There in the distance a small scream echoed through the barren parking lot. 

Instantly a large man barreled through the tent - passing security and the admitting staff. 

"Sir." I calmly approached him. 

Demetri soon followed close by. 

The gentleman's eyes were bloodshot, his skin damp with cold sweat, and his breath caught in between blood producing . "I need a doctor!" He yelled. 

"You need to step back sir." Security stepped towards him.

After a short fit of coughs the man shrieked once more, "Hands off! I need a doctor! Now!"