The Warning

The next night Billy, Ben, Susan, and I headed into town. I could tell as we were leaving that Andrew wanted to come but I had convinced him that I had to go and someone had to stay and protect Lindsey. We all knew that going into town was dangerous and I knew Andrew wanted to be there for me in case something went wrong. It took Billy swearing to watch out for me to convince Andrew that it would be all right.

As we entered the town, we tried to blend in with the people on the streets. They still had a curfew but that wasn’t for hours yet. Red Eye no longer sent people into the streets to make sure everyone in town had the chip and that was going to work to our advantage. The other thing that helped on this mission was the healing man. Even though he wasn’t in town at the moment, he still came through once a month and everyone waited for him to heal them. Therefore no one ever stayed at the hospital. Now they only had a skeleton crew that was there in case of a sever accident that had victims that couldn’t wait for the healing man to come back to town.

As far as we could tell, the operating rooms were never used anymore. The staff would keep anyone at the hospital long enough for the healing man to return and heal them completely. If we could avoid the staff, we should be able to really look around for what Ben needed once we got into the operating room. We stilled planned on keeping watch just in case a nosey staff member decided to see what was happening in the operating rooms.

As we walked through town, we pretended that we were just two couples enjoying an evening out. Ben had his arm around Susan and Billy was holding my hand. When we were a few blocks from the hospital, we decided it would be wise to split up and meet back up behind the hospital. After all, no one ever went there so it might look suspicious if four people started walking to the hospital for no reason.

Fifteen minutes later, we were all standing by a door in the back that Billy and Andrew had found the night before. Billy had informed us that he had once been to this hospital and the door was right by the operating rooms. The door use to be used by the staff and I only prayed that they didn’t still use it. Once we were inside, Billy led us down a few halls and we were soon standing inside the operating room where they use to perform microsurgery.

We closed the door behind us and I turned to Ben. " Find what you need and I’ll watch the door. Here’s the bag." I said as I pulled a gym bag out from under my shirt.

" Now that’s what I call losing that old beer belly." Billy teased as Ben took the bag and began to look for what he needed.

I would have smacked Billy for the lame joke but Susan beat me to it. " Smartass." She said as she smacked him on the arm, which only made Billy laugh harder.

" She’s been hanging around us to long." Billy said to me and then looked back at Susan.

" You may be right about that but right now I just want to get what we need and get out of here. I have this feeling that we don’t have a lot of time." I said as I continued to look out the door’s small window.

Billy quickly sobered up at my statement. Our group had come to rely on my feelings because they were usually right. Since I was watching the door, Billy and Susan went to help Ben get the supplies we had come for. In less then ten minutes, they had the bag full and Ben told us that he had what he needed and we started out the door. We had almost made it back to the door that led to the outside when someone behind us ordered us to stop.

We all turned around and saw an orderly staggering toward us. " Susan, Ben, get out of here. We’ll meet you in the woods on the north side of town. If we’re not there in forty-five minutes, go back to Ann’s house and we’ll meet you there." I whispered so the orderly wouldn’t hear.

Ben and Susan went out the door just as the orderly reached Billy and me. " What ya doing here?" he slurred. " Getting a little quickie in the operating rooms?"

Billy stepped in front of me but I could smell the alcohol coming from the man. Billy grinned at the orderly. " Just showing the girls a good time." He said.

For a man that had obviously been drinking, the orderly moved quickly. " I wouldn’t mind showing her a good time myself." He said and suddenly I felt him grab my arm and throw me against the wall.

My head bounced off the concrete blocks and pain exploded behind my eyes. I had a quick thought that the man didn’t look strong enough to throw a stone across the street let alone a person but then I blacked out. The next thing I remember was Billy looking down at me. The orderly was laying a short distance away and I knew he wouldn’t be getting up anytime soon.

" Jaime, are you alright?" Billy kept asking.

I tried to nod but it sent pain shooting through my head. " Yes." I managed to choke out.

Billy gave me a few more minutes and then tried to help me up. When I tried to stand, my knee gave out and I ended up sitting on the floor again. I knew I must have twisted my knee again but at the moment the pain in my head made the pain I knew was in my leg, disappear.

" Jaime?" Billy said looking more worried by the minute.

I gathered up all my strength and managed to smile at Billy. " I’m all right Billy. I must have twisted my knee is all. Let’s get out of here before someone misses that guy." I said as I pointed over to the unconscious orderly.

" Give me a minute to put him out of sight and then I’ll come back and help you." Billy said and he dragged the orderly into the nearest room and then closed the door when he came out of the room.

" I’m sorry Jaime. I wasn’t expecting him to go after you." Billy began as he helped me to my feet. He took most of my weight so that I wouldn’t have to put any pressure on my leg but the room was still spinning a little.

After a few seconds, I got the spinning to stop and then I smiled up at Billy. " Don’t worry about it. I’ve had a lot worse then this." I said as we headed toward the door.

Billy opened the door and we made our way outside. We decided it would be safer to go to the outskirts of town and make our way around that way. We didn’t want to attract attention and going through the middle of town with Billy all but carrying me would have at least been noticed by someone. As we reached the edge of town, my strength finally gave out.

" Billy, I have to stop for a minute." I said quietly as black dots began to swim before my eyes.

Billy took one look at my face and scooped me up in his arms. " I’ll carry you the rest of the way. I want Ben to look you over as soon as possible."

" Watch it Billy. You’re beginning to sound like Ann." I teased as I closed my eyes.