Angel of Death

22

Coraline Chambers

Cory pulled up in front of the clinic, not even bothering to take her keys out of the ignition after putting it into park before running into the clinic.

She took a heavy breath looking over the room, only 2 more beds left in a town of 225.

Or 220 I suppose.

Her eyes finally landed on Harry as she felt her throat tighten, eyes welling up as she ran over to him.

He hand a tube down his throat and he was looking as pale as ever. The sight terrified her more than anything she had ever seen before.

She walked over to him slowly and grabbed his hand so softly, she was scared he would break in her hold. She choked back sobs as she swooped his hair out of his face, cold and sweaty.

Gordie walked over quietly, rubbing Cory's shoulder gently.

"You can stay with him. We've got this under control." He assured her.

She wanted to. So bad. The stress felt like her heart and lungs were being torn to shreds.

In, 1,2,3.
Out, 1,2,3.
In, 1,2,3.
Out, 1,2,3.

She opened her mouth but no words came out, only a sob. She wiped her hands on her thighs fast, trying to control the shaking.

In, 1,2,3.
Out, 1,2,3.
In, 1,2,3.
Out, 1,2,3.

"No. No, I'm okay." She mumbled, kissing Harry's palm one last time before standing up. Gordie gave her a look. "I just... I need to go wash my face. Yeah." She muttered, nodding as she walked towards the bathroom.

She stood over the sink, splashing the water onto her face.

"Get a grip."

Another splash.

She stared at herself in the mirror, balancing her hands trying to stop them from shaking.

"They need you Cor."

She nodded, wiping her eyes.

"Okay. Okay."

She gave herself one last look before walking out. She walked over to the counter and picked up her clipboard and walked over to Erika who was wheezing loudly and spitting blood into the bed pan.

"How long have you been feeling like this Erika?" Cory asked her, "since the morning after Jason came in. But I got better quickly. Then I started throwing up again and Maddie brought me in."

"Your symptoms? Nausea, headache? What?"

"I can't feel my legs, I can't walk. Everything below my waist is kinda just numb. Am I gonna die, Cory?" Erika asked weakly, crying as she looked over at Jason who was on a ventilator. Cory shook her head no but her eyes said something else, and Erika could see it.

But Erika nodded anyways and laid back down, setting her bedpan on the table.

Jason began to seize causing Gordie and Cory to run over. "Erika said she felt numb below her waist. I think she's paralyzed Gordie." Cory whispered as quietly as she could. Gordie looked at her with worried eyes.

Jason stopped seizing but after a few moments, the color left his body causing Cory to check his pulse. His heart had stopped.

Gordie tried doing CPR but it was no use, nothing was going to bring him back.

Cory looked over at Erika sadly, but she was just staring down.

"Text Allie, and tell her we need to dig as many graves as possible." Cory mumbled to Gordie who nodded and pulled out his phone.