California

Chapter 13

We got the walkies synced, the route planned out, and everyone carefully made their way outside. We estimated it would take only about 15 minutes to walk to the hospital. But that's on a normal day. We have no idea the conditions out there, how many times we will have to stop and hide or take an alternate route. So we're estimating it will take roughly an hour to get there.

Once we got outside, I was shocked. I knew it was probably bad out here, but I never imagined it was this bad. Buildings were burned, cars piled into each other, bodies littering the streets. I gasped quietly. Scott was close enough to hear though and he gently squeezed my hand. This is exactly how it looked in Iraq and I bit my tongue to keep my thoughts from running wild. We crept along the street, taking to alleyways every time we saw someone coming. Not everyone out here is harmful, I'm sure, but we had to be cautious either way. We couldn't risk getting attacked, infected, or killed.

30 minutes into the journey, my group was down an alley trying to get to the next street. All of a sudden, someone came bursting out of a door in the building we were beside, knocking Syd down hard. Unfortunately, she landed on a piece of metal sticking up and it jammed into her leg.

"Holy shit, Syd are you okay?" I dropped to the ground beside her as she tried her best not to scream in pain.

"I think it's stuck in my leg." She seethed, closing her eyes tightly.

I pulled the walkie off my belt and tossed it to Scott. "Call over and let them know Syd is hurt. I don't think she'll be able to walk."

Scott started contacting the others while I assessed the damage. Sure enough the metal was stuck in her thigh. The good news was that it was a small enough piece that we would be able to move her without taking it out. The bad news was ... we would have to carry her the rest of the way to the hospital with a piece of metal sticking out of her leg.

Scott rushed over as I was formulating a plan. "They're all right across the street. They said they're coming up in a pharmacy. Steve is going to check it out and if it's clear, we will need to carry her over there."

I nodded my head and blew out a breath. "Pete!" He was kneeling beside Syd looking frantic. His head shot up and his eyes met mine. "I need your belt and a shirt."

He stood up and quickly undid his belt, handing it to me. Then he stripped off the button up shirt he was wearing since he has a shirt underneath. I tightened the belt on her thigh above the wound, and then wrapped the shirt around the part of her thigh with the metal, making sure it's secure and the wound is completely covered. If we came into contact with any infected, she'd be at high risk if it wasn't covered.

"Ralph's pharmacy. It should be right across from the end of the alleyway. Right now the street is empty. Do you need help carrying her?" Steve's voice sounded over the walkie.

I looked at Peter. "Hey!" I snapped to get his attention again. "Do you think you can help Scott carry Syd across the street? I need to be on the lookout and it'll be better for her leg if two people carry her."

I can tell he's panicked but he slowly nods his head yes. I pick up the walkie. "We got it. We're heading your way."

Scott came to Syd's side, opposite of Pete. They lifted her up and she yelled.

"Baby I know it hurts but you've gotta stay quiet." Pete whispered trying to keep her calm. Tears were streaming down her face.

I pulled out my gun and got in front of them, leading them down the alley. We got to the end and I spotted the pharmacy. I peered around the corner, looking around for signs of other people. Once I saw the coast was clear, I motioned for the guys to follow me. We walked as quickly as we could across the street and into the pharmacy.