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| PAGE TWENTY SEVEN |
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Captain Stanley continued. "Your cousin didn't go from some fluke fever, Marco. He was ill with something..." he sighed heavily. "..with something no one's ever seen before.." Lopez paled. "And now I got it? And the rest of you?" Cap just nodded. "It's a very real possibility that we've all been exposed. The docs here from Atlanta are working on the problem, even now, right here in the station.." he said, trying to smile. "Shouldn't be too long before they pull a couch or two out of the housefire." "I'm going to die?" Marco asked. Brice immediately replied. "No. It hasn't been confirmed what illness you have. So far, you've just a fever, and some fluid in your chest and a skin rash. Nothing we can't handle.." Marco blinked. "Craig? But you're working for eight. Your station's here?" "Yes, Captain Stone is right outside, running triage operations, with Cap here." he said. "Couldn't resist the call to dig out a couple of fire engines from their own garage, know what I mean? Had to save Cap here some face somehow.." Captain Stanley hefted his HT to encourage Marco that it was true. Lopez didn't say anything, and he just blinked at the ceiling, the nightmare still not yet accepted. Roy spoke up. "We're doing everything we can here, Marco. We're just under a temporary quarantine until we get some answers. And we've turned it into a regular campout.." he grinned. "Look, soup stove and everything." It faded when Marco's eyes filled and he began to sob softly. Roy went on. "I know things sound bad. And Cap and I know how you feel. It feels like everything all around you has..kinda been turned upside down and it's not a pretty picture to be waking up to. But know that we're in this together, Marco. A firecrew never abandons one of their own." "You got that right.." Cap agreed. "There's two very very good doctors here, a Steven Taylor and a Jamie MacPherson. And Dr. Brackett's been telling us that they are simply the best of the best in their field. I wouldn't be surprised if they...wrapped up things here in just a couple of days.." "But what about my family in Mexico? Are they still safe?" Lopez asked, angrily wiping away tears. |
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"Yes. Bernardo's mother is ill but holding her own. But there are seven down there with the same symptoms as Bernardo's.." Roy replied. Then he looked down, fussing with an IV that didn't need attention. "And.. yours.." "So why didn't you bail out when you could everyone?" Marco said, his frustration and anger building and he pegged them all with a viscious glare. "Marco. Calm down.." Cap said. But Lopez wouldn't listen. "I tried to! Only I wasn't running for the kids when the bricks started falling down all around me.. I just ran for the door.. Yes, that's what I did.." he sobbed. "Some hero, huh.?" Stanley sharply told him. "Lopez. Stop. Getting into self pity isn't going to solve--" "Don't you see, Cap?.. I ran! I'm sure you guys were real puzzled why I was in the kitchen instead of the garage with them." he cried, his eyes blinded by frightened tears. "And I wish to G*d I could be running away from all this right now..." he whispered. "Oh, Bernardo!... Oh, Mama!... I'm sorry.. I'm so.. sorry...Lo ciento por su dolor y herido.." and he started to cry in heaving choking sobs of grief and shock. Cap hugged him, and held him tightly as Marco finally gave in completely to his terror and fear. "Lopez. It's all right. We're here. And we won't be leaving you pal. Not by a long shot.." "I want to die.. I want to die.. Oh, Bernardo...." Marco's sobs died away. At his silence, Chet moved forward. "He's out again?" Kelly asked with alarm, swallowing.. He helped Cap lower him slowly back down again onto the longboard. Roy looked at the EKG and took a pulse. "No. Just sleeping. " "What was wrong with him? I mean, I- I've never seen Marco act that way, Roy.." DeSoto met Chet's eyes. "Its nothing. He's a little raw partly because of the fever, and the diazepam, and most likely, from some inner feelings he's been suppressing ever since his cousin's funeral. Not the first time someone's buried family and then not reacted to it until weeks later.. He'll be better emotionally after a good nap." Johnny piped up. "Yeah, Chet. He's a human being, so give him some slack.." "I am. I am.. It was just a little frightening seeing him come unraveled like that." |
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