Франк Бейтс - Calls to Arms - A Story of the Imminent Collapse

Joseph tried to break in the barriers, but armed people stopped them. They all pointed their armors to Steve’s car.

“Oh my God!” Victoria almost yelled.

Joseph turned off the engine and unlocked the car.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Walter asked Joseph.

“I think I know them. Stay here.” Joseph replied, then get off the car before Walter could even respond.

“I am Doctor Joseph Brave. I live here. I’ve got wounded friends, and we don’t mean any harm.” Joseph said as he raised his two hands in the air.

“Joseph? Put down your guns. He’s with us.” One of the armed men shouted and walked towards Joseph.

“Sorry, I didn’t recognize you, and your car.” Mr. Ashton Eaton, a retired colonel, said to Joseph. Joseph remembered Steve when he heard about the car. He sighed heavy before he could respond.

“Colonel Eaton, glad you’re there. Rioters attacked the hospital. Lots of my friends died. I’ve got a friend who’s wounded and a kid. We need to go in our house.” Joseph said in a gloomy tone.

“Go quickly. Please let us know if you need anything.” Mr. Eaton responded.

“Thank you, Colonel. You can convoy us.” Joseph immediately entered the car and drove to his house.

Joseph parked Steve’s car outside their house. Mr. Eaton and their neighbors helped in carrying Victoria at the living area.

“Denise, how are you feeling?” Joseph asked, but there was no response from her.

“Will you please do me a favor?” Joseph continued, but Denise just looked at him.

“Can you please stay to one of the rooms upstairs and get some sleep?” Joseph tried to convince Denise because he doesn’t want her to see any more issues with Victoria. Besides, Joseph knew that she’s traumatized, and needed some rest. Fortunately, Denise nodded, and Joseph immediately conveyed her to his sons’ room.

Walter was shouting from the living area, and Joseph went downstairs right away.

“What happened?”

“She’s ill and weak, Joseph. We need to operate her soon. Please.” Walter pleaded with Joseph.

Joseph checked Victoria’s wound, but it’s difficult for him to verify what procedure to do because he has no tools or equipment with him.

“I know, Walter. But how can I remove the bullet if I don’t have the tools?” Joseph was dispirited.

“Can we go back to the surgery center and operate my wife?” Walter desperately suggested.

“You know it’s not safe. We almost died out there.” Joseph responded with fear.

“Joseph… my wife. I just lost my son. Please, not my wife.” Walter cried.

“You can’t go back there. You can’t risk your lives, again.” Mr. Eaton strongly disagreed.

Walter felt weak as he sat beside Victoria. Joseph followed, and he felt powerless.

“We’ll get what you need, instead.” Mr. Colonel stated. Walter’s eyes lighted.

“Are you sure?” Joseph asked.

“Yes. You’re doctors, and we need you the most at times like this. My men and I will go back to the surgery center, and get everything that you need.” Mr. Colonel answered, and his troops agreed.

“I’ll go with you. I am familiar with the equipment and the place. It would make it easier and faster. Joseph, please look after my wife.” Walter recommended.

Joseph knew he couldn’t stop his friend, so he just agreed.

After listing the supplies and pieces of equipment, Mr. Eaton, Walter, and seven other neighbors went back to the surgery center. It was near the burned portion of the hospital. The rain was still heavy, and it’s already past six in the evening. Mr. Eaton and his group saw the shreds of evidence of violence along the way. There were bullets, broken cars, and blood on the road that the rain washed.

“Holy shit.” One of the men muttered to himself.

“I didn’t know it was this dangerous. Is that the Southcrest Hospital?” The other man replied. Mr. Eaton and his men saw the burned half portion of the hospital. It has stopped from burning because of the rain, but it was still smoking.

Colonel Eaton and his group checked the area before entering the hospital. Fortunately, there were no intruders because of the weather. Walter was still terrified seeing the hospital again as he remembered their friends, but he has to do it for his wife. They immediately went in the unburned portion of the hospital. One man waited inside the car, as four men covered outside.

It was dark inside, but Walter was familiar with the place, so they were able to get into the surgery center promptly. They both grabbed everything on the list with some extras with the use of their flashlights.

“Colonel! can you carry this bag of supplies?” Walter asked Colonel Eaton.

“Definitely.” Colonel Eaton answered and smiled. Walter carried two large oxygen tanks.

“You know, I used to carry that kind of loads when I was young.” Colonel Eaton said with humor as he can see how tense Walter was. Walter managed to smile a little but still focused on saving his wife.

They were about to leave the area when they heard footsteps inside the surgery center. Colonel Eaton and Walter were alarmed and immediately raised their guns where the sound came.

“Who’s there?” Walter strongly asked.

“Please, don’t shoot.” A man appeared wearing a dirty hospital uniform and raised his hands on the air.

“I am an anesthetist. I’ve been here for days. No food and water. Please help me.” The nurse added in a weak voice.

“Colonel, what should we do?” Walter was afraid to approve because he doesn’t know who to trust anymore.

“He can help Joseph operate your wife, but make sure that you’re not one of the intruders. Or I’ll kill you.” Colonel Eaton threatened the nurse.

“Joseph? Dr. Joseph Brave? I’ve heard of him.” The nurse confirmed.

“Good. I am Mr. Ashton Eaton, a retired Colonel. He’s Walter, a medical doctor of this hospital. We have to go now. We need to save his wife.” Colonel Eaton ordered.

Walter gave the other oxygen tank to the nurse, and they hurried back to the car.

They hurried back to Joseph’s house with all the supplies. Everyone was wet because of the rain, but Walter didn’t care.

“Joseph! We’ve got everything for the surgery.” Steve announced soon as he entered the house.

“We’ve also got you an anesthetist. We found him hiding inside the surgery center. I’ve fed him along the way, so I’m sure he has the energy to help you. Right?” Colonel Eaton directed to the Nurse, and he agreed.

“Good. You’re familiar, but we need to work right now. I need lights. Please hold these flashlights for me. Steady as you can.” Joseph instructed Walter and the nurse.

“I also need everyone to get out of the room for the meantime,” Joseph ordered. Everybody does as their told and patiently waited outside Joseph’s house.

Joseph and the nurse sterilized all the tools, and their hands immediately. He checked Victoria’s heart, blood pressure, and put oxygen on her. Everything was stable, so he started the procedure. Joseph, Walter and the nurse wore face masks, nitrile gloves, and hospital uniforms. He injected anesthesia to Victoria veins who’s still sleeping because of severe weakness. The nurse grabbed the scalpel, handed it to Joseph, and he opened Victoria’s wound smoothly. Joseph looked for the bullet and checked if there are any arteries affected. Fortunately, the shot wasn’t deep, but its powder causes infection and weakness to Victoria.

Joseph grasped the tweezers, as he successfully removed the bullet. He rechecked the arteries to make sure that nothing got broke. Joseph then quilted and cleaned the wound properly. The nurse grabbed the roll of gauze, wrapped Victoria’s thigh and cut it with shears.