My Appalachian Alpha

10

t took twice as long but I made it to work safely. There wasn't a single other vehicle on the road and for good reason. The flooding had gotten much worse and most of the roads were barely drivable.

Now I understand why I've heard these storms referred to as mountain hurricanes. I run to the back door of the clinic and unlock it and go in. The alarm is still on which means I'm the first one here. I change into dry scrubs and try my hair off with a towel before putting it back up in a ponytail. At least I'm dry.

I go around and get everything turned on and set up for the day. Drew usually gets in just before 7 so she should be here soon. A huge bolt of lightening strikes nearby and I hear a loud crack and a crash. I run to the front window and see a massive tree was hit and a large branch broke and fell into the middle of the parking lot. Thunder continues to roll and the rain just comes harder and harder. I've never been afraid of storms but this one is beginning to worry me.

I see headlights pulling in to the parking lot and then banging on the front door. Although we aren't technically open yet, I'm here and I'm able to help. I open the door and a man runs in, carrying a patient who is covered in blood.

"What happened?" I ask as I immediately bring them back to a room.

"A tree fell on the house and he was trying to clear it when another branch fell and crushed him. Please help him doc."

"I'll do everything I can. Help me get him on the bed."

I hear the back door open and I know it's Drew.

"Drew!" I shout. I can't do this alone.

Drew washes her hands and gloves up and immediately jumps in to help. We stop the bleeding and stabilize the patient as two more walk in the front door. A lightening strike and a car accident. We run from patient to patient doing everything we can.

Thankfully, our two nurses arrive and they jump right in as well. We are finally making headway when a large crowd arrives, each person with multiple injuries. The men are part of a logging crew and the weather caused a major malfunction and it injured 8. We page the on call surgeon and do what we can in the meantime.

Being as rural as we are, Drew and I do a bit of everything. Set bones, deliver babies, sutures, minor surgery. But some of these injuries are critical and we need help. The lights flicker and I hold my breath as I wait to see if the power holds. Thankfully it does.

Three more patients arrive and we are running full speed. Before long, family members of those injured arrive and our clinic is bursting beyond capacity. The sun is starting to rise but with the storm clouds, it casts an eerie green glow. The storm continues its deluge and as I look around the clinic, I take a deep breath and channel my focus. This is what I've trained to do. I clear my head and get to work to do what I do best. Save lives.
...
It's noon and I'm sitting down for the very first time since I arrived. I'm forcing myself to inhale the snacks I brought even though I'm not hungry.

Despite the critical injuries, we didn't lose a single patient. The surgeon arrived and is finishing up with the last patient now. Everyone is stable and I'm taking advantage of a moment of calm.

"What a morning," Drew says as she heads straight for the coffee pot and pours herself a large mug. "I haven't seen anything like that since residency. But, we made it. Thanks to you."

"I didn't do anything that you didn't do," I say. "We make a good team."

"We do. How was your day off yesterday?"

I smile just thinking about it. How do I even summarize everything that happened? Before I even get the chance, the whole clinic shakes as a loud explosion blasts through the surgical area. With terror filled eyes, Drew and I look to each other and then run toward the blast.  Another explosion hits us and Drew and I are slammed to the ground. Debris and smoke fill the air and ash rains down like snowfall. My ears are ringing and pain radiates through my leg. I look down and see a large piece of wood has impaled my thigh. I try to sit but my head is spinning.

I hear screams as I desperately try to look around and get my bearings. I roll to my side and drag myself to Drew. She's not moving or breathing. I check for a pulse and there isn't one.

"No, no! Drew, NO!" I scream but it's barely a whisper. I throw myself over her and using all my strength, begin chest compressions. One, two, three, four, over and over and over, I give everything I have to restart her heart. I check and recheck for a pulse and finally, there it is. She gasps for air and then squeezes my hand. She's alive. She's alive!

A third blast rocks the clinic and the screams are now louder and more hysterical. I turn around to see people running from something. The ground shakes again but it's not an explosion this time, it's.....

I see a grotesque being, huge and deformed, stomping toward the running crowd of patients. It's at least ten feet tall. It looks vaguely humanish but with large tusks. I don't know what I'm seeing right now. There is a strong possibility that I'm hallucinating from head injury and loss of blood. After all, monsters aren't real.

The beast roars, it's call bellowing through what remains of the clinic. A cacophony of roars follow as several other beasts join the first. One has a large wooden mallet and is destroying everything in sight, crashing it through walls and people. The beasts corner a group of patients and I close my eyes as they begin to scream. Another explosion hits, causing the wall nearest me to collapse and everything goes black.
...
I can breathe. I'm breathing. My heart is beating. I'm alive. I'm actually alive.

"Emma, can you hear me?" a voice calls. "Emma, please wake up," the voice calls again, closer this time. Slowly, my senses come back on line and I can feel warm arms lifting me up and holding me. I feel familiar sparks dance across my skin and a warmth flows over me. I will my eyes to open but they barely obey. Through slits, I look up and see Eli's face looking back at me. His expression is sorrowful and almost..... afraid?

"Eli?" I barely manage to whisper.

"Oh thank God, Emma." Eli pulls me closer to himself, cradling me. I don't know what just happened or how Eli is here or why he's here. In this moment, I don't care. I need his touch, I need him more than I've ever needed anything. I gratefully allow myself to be engulfed by him. I grab his shirt with fists and cling to him as if I'll die otherwise as warmth and comfort flows over me. Eli lifts me in his arms and stands.

"I've got you, Emma. I've got you. You're safe now."

I turn my face and bury it in his chest as he carries me. I feel the cold air whip around me and I know we are now outside. I hear howling, the same howling that I heard last night. The howling becomes more distant as my senses begin to fade again and once more, everything goes black.