"The Center Pointe" Chapter 6

Chapter 6

So much death but finally lives saved.  See my dear reader not all things must be a nightmare in this world there can still be some happiness and safety.  Rich, Karen and Brian were able to save these wayward travelers and prevent a child from becoming a meal.  It was a beautiful sight to see the three of them working together.  It was now just a matter time before they were able to get the people settled.  With more people they would be able to spread out through the building and more people also meant more man power defending the perimeter and helping to find and rescue survivors.

          To me, when I first met them, the trio was larger than life and I finally felt safe from the world.  To be witness to them standing there that first day staring down the Static through the window, their courage was a sight to behold.  The creatures were beating and kicking the glass and all the people were cowering in fear but the trio just stood there daring the static to try and get in.  I may have been young then but they were my hero’s and I would never forget how they saved me.  How they saved all of us.  And with time their stories would become legend among the survivors of the apocalypse.

          Karen spent the first hours of the groups arrival getting them situated and trying to convince them they were finally safe, it took a while but they finally began to relax and let Karen show them to rooms where they could rest and eat and drink.  They were all dirty and exhausted many just collapsed and feel into a deep sleep like the child did secure in the fact they were finally safe from the hell just outside the doors.

          It turned out no one knew who the little girl was.  Another member of the group had found her and had brought her with the group but had been killed by the labored run across the field to get to the hospital.  From what they had learned her parents had been killed by the static in the first days of the arrival of the planet Nibiru and she had barely survived by herself hiding in her home.  She was eventually discovered by a woman trying to find food and taken in by her.  The child’s name was Sati (SAH-TEE) and she was quite adamant that she was not ten years old but ten and a half, which made Rich and Karen chuckle.  They both fell in love with the child as soon as those deep emerald green eyes looked at them both with a puppy dog expression that just melted their hearts and Karen gathered the child into her arms and she was hooked, the love was instant.  After that day Sati became hers and Rich’s surrogate daughter.

          The group consisted of five women and six men with Sati making up the twelfth member.  The leader of the group’s name was John and he explained how they had been trying to survive since the apocalypse by hiding in houses and any food stores they could find. Their group had once consisted or several more people but the Static (which was the name adopted by the group to refer to the infected creatures now running the streets. The name had been adopted because of the electrical discharge that came from their fingers when they touched something, or someone.) Had wiped them out at various places.  They were never able to stay anywhere for more than a day or two before the static found them and began attacking them.  There were hordes out there all working together for their meals like pack animals.  It seemed to John like the higher brain functions of the humans affected had just ceased to operate and animal instincts and pack mentalities just took over.

He spent the next few hours explaining to the trio how they had survived.  There was nothing left out there, so many had turned and begun attacking humans who were not inflicted that there were hardly any people left and the ones that were left did not trust anyone.  Many times the group had been attacked by normal people fearful they would bring the static down upon them, John had tried to keep the group moving in hopes of finding some kind of sanctuary but everywhere they found the static eventually attacked.  They had limited weapons and ammunition and were starving.  Karen set about making a big feast for the survivors while Rich and Brian spent time showing John and the other men around the perimeter they had constructed to keep the static from entering the hospital.

          “This is amazing what you three have been able to accomplish in such a short period of time.” Said John marveling at the stores of food and medical supplies the trio had found.  “I hope our presence is not an intrusion I would hope this could be a safe place for any survivors.”

          “All are welcome who come in peace.  We worked hard to make this place safe when we found it in hopes of one day setting up a community that could stand together through this ordeal.”  Said Rich setting down the inventory sheet Karen had written.  “Now all we need are some qualified medical personnel that can help treat any incoming wounded we may have.”

          “Hmm.  I know one of our group was a nurse she may be able to look after the injured until a more qualified person is found, I can also ask around and see if there is anyone else with medical training or anything that might may benefit us.” Said John now looking quite relieved that they all were not only welcome here but safe as well, at least for the time being.

          “We will have to get a list of the skills of everyone in the group so that we can put them to good use.  If we are going to really make this place a sanctuary we can be proud of then we will have to all work together toward that end.”  At saying this Rich directed John to the patient wing of the hospital where there were hundreds of rooms complete with bathrooms to choose from.  “Here we have the ability to house many people, this hospital is self-sustaining on a generator so as long as we can keep it fueled we should have hot running water and working bathrooms.  The only issue is there is no fuel in the basement and because of the increased static discharge when touching almost anything we will have to work on taking precautions before we can implement that plan.”

When John, Rich and Brian came down from the supply rooms Karen was busy setting a dinner table in the cafeteria of the hospital.  It had been the first time anyone had been in there since Rich and Brian had cleared it a few days ago.  When they walked in it was almost as if everything was right with the world again.  There was a great buffet of food laid out for the group and they had all migrated there and begun to eat sharing stories and laughing.  It warmed the hearts of the men to see these people happy for the first time in a long time.

Sati was sitting at the head of the grouping of tables Karen had set up so everyone could eat together.  She was shoveling food in her mouth and laughing at the jokes of one of the other men of the group.  After serving everyone Karen sat down beside her and attempted to get the giggling child to concentrate on her meal.  Karen looked so happy tending to the child, it reminded Rich of how bad they had wanted to have children, but because of Karen’s condition she was unable to get pregnant.  Every so often Rich would catch her just staring at Sati, she looked as though she were about to cry.  “I guess God has a plan for everyone.”  Rich said to Karen when she and Sati looked up as the three men entered.  The child’s deep emerald green eyes radiated trust and love at her rescuers.

          John, Rich and Brian did not want to burden people with a speech about survival and conserving resources right now, they just wanted everyone to be able to relax and forget about the hell outside the doors for the time being.  They instead sat together and began talking among themselves as the joy and laughter resonated among the cafeteria.  Karen in the meantime was busying herself with keeping the survivors fed and Sati calm.  The child would not sit still she was so excited by the attention she was receiving and the mothering of Karen.

They all sat for hours at the tables sharing stories of the events leading up to their arrival and discussing better days ahead, by this time Sati was asleep in Karen’s arms and the group turned their attention to more important matters.  It was time to come back to reality and the room became quiet as they all just sat and looked at one another for some time content in the knowledge they had found others in this new world.

          John was the first to speak up.  “I think we should all find our rooms soon and get a good night’s rest.  Rich, Brian and I will keep watch so you can all rest easy.  Tomorrow is a big day and we need everyone well rested so we can plan what to do from here on out.”  John then turned to Karen who had Sati fast asleep cradled in her arms.  “I would ask who would like to look after the child but it seems Sati has already chosen her caretaker.”  He said with a smile directed to Karen.

          Karen looked up at the group realizing that now all eyes were on her.  “I have always wanted a daughter and if everyone is okay with it I would love to take on the responsibility of looking after her.”  She gave the child a tight hug as all eyes then turned to Rich wondering what the husband of the new proud mother would do.

          “I think it is a great idea.  Karen and I have always wanted children but because of her illness were unable to conceive.”

          The group exhaled a sigh of relief in unison glad that the child had found a surrogate family.  Some relieved they would not have to look after her.  It was obvious to all that it would take a village to raise a child in this unforgiving world.  The group talked for some time more before they all got up saying their goodnight’s and went upstairs in search of comfortable accommodations to sleep in.

         

          Rich and Brain took John to the armory too get him a rifle and handgun.  The three had chatted all through dinner about the future of the community.  If they could just keep this place fortified and impervious to the static then they would have a real chance to build some kind of future.  Each chatted about their thanks to whoever had the foresight to stock this place and make it ready, because in the end it had served a purpose.  John and Brian made Rich leave and get acquainted with his wife and new daughter after doing a perimeter check and establishing a defensive line at the emergency room doors.

          The two would do a walk-through of the hospital once every couple of hours to ensure everyone was safe and had everything they needed.  They would then retire to the emergency room foyer and sit in a couple of chairs watching the static who had still not left the front door.  They found they had a lot in common and were happy they seemed to have found a kindred spirit in one another.  Brian felt good that he had someone else to talk to he always felt like a third wheel to Karen and Brian and now with Sati in the picture he was grateful for another person to talk to.

          “Did you ever think the world would end like this?” said John looking over at Brian who was intently watching the static so as not to nod off in the brief silence.

          “I had a pretty good idea that it would end, but I never thought it would be like this.  I always thought we would destroy ourselves through global warming or nuclear war.  If you ever told me the world would go to hell because of some mythical planet entering our orbit I would have punched you for being retarded, heh heh.”

Both men laughed in unison sharing the joy in one another’s company.  The world had indeed been sent to hell and the large red planet now hovering in the sky was a testament to that.  “So did you lose someone important to you?” asked Brian looking questioningly at John who began slightly fidgeting in his seat at the question.

          “No.  The kind of relationship I was looking for is not exactly what you would call traditional and in the town I lived in it was best to keep my inclinations private.”

Brian now looked at John with interest.  “What do you mean by inclinations?”

“Well if you must know I’m gay and it is not really easy to find love in the normal world let alone this one.”  John gave a sharp nervous laugh looking at Brian for an answer.

Brian secretly could not contain himself.  He never would have thought in a world such as this he would find another gay man let alone one he was attracted to, looking for love.  He wanted to just jump up and hug the other man and thank him for being honest and that he too was gay, but he just sat there for a moment too nervous to say anything.  Brian never found himself to be at a loss for words but next to John he all of the sudden felt like a giddy child trying to tell his first love interest he liked them.  When he spoke it was almost a whisper, a response filled with nervous jitters.  “I’m gay too.”

          The two men just stared at each other for the next few minutes one understanding what the other was thinking.  There was a clear attraction between the two and they were trying their best to stay professional, but neither could say what that could possibly mean or to what purpose that would serve now.

Rich although reluctant to leave Brian and John to guard the perimeter alone was thankful that he would be able to go upstairs and get a good night’s sleep.  The day had been long but Rich was glad they were able to save a few lives in the end. 

When he got to his and Karen’s room teared up with what he saw.  Karen and him had pushed the hospital beds together so they would be close to each other in one bed Karen was cuddled against Sati her arm draped over the sleeping child her other arm was curled underneath Sati lightly stroking her hair.  He and Karen had wanted a child so bad and now it seemed God had delivered one straight to them.  He just stood at the foot of the bed for a moment watching the two, Karen stirred opened her eyes and smiled up at her husband.

          “She is a beauty Rich, Thank you for saving her.”

“It must be so rough on her losing her family and being a child in this world, but I hope that now she can find a measure of safety and comfort here.  We have to take care of her and try and give her as normal a life as possible.”

          “I know.” Said Karen continuing to stoke the child’s hair.  “We have to make this place a safe haven for all who can find it.  I want other children to be able to escape the hell outside and have some semblance of a normal life.  Promise me you can make that happen Rich.  Promise me you’ll keep us all safe.”

          Rich lowered his head.  He didn’t know how to respond to what Karen had said.  How can you keep people safe in a world like this?  You didn’t even know if the world would be here in the morning.  But Rich looked up at his wife and the sleeping child in her arms and he knew he had to do everything in his power to protect them.  “I promise.”  He said quietly “I promise I will do everything I can to protect you and Sati and the people in this building.”  With that Rich climbed into bed beside his wife and Sati and drifted off into a deep sleep.