Ward Z Read online

  I take a deep breath, not wanting to answer.

  "Do we have a deal, Emma?"

  Dr. Andrew Page

  "Have you seen Dawn?"

  Glancing over at me from the desk where he's filling in a series of charts by hand, Anthony seems confused for a moment.

  "Nurse Aubry," I continue. "I'm looking for Dawn Aubry. Where is she?"

  "Sorry," he replies. "No idea."

  "She has to be around here somewhere," I point out.

  "Unless she sneaked out the window in the toilets," he replies, "or through the ventilation system, like that stretchy guy in the X-Files."

  "I need her," I say, ignoring his attempt at humor.

  "She can't have got far," he says with a sigh. "Literally. I mean, what have we got here, four corridors and a couple of dozen rooms?" He pauses. "To be honest, it's kinda hard to believe you could have lost her in the first place."

  "If you see her, can you tell her I need to speak to her? Tell her it's urgent. I've been looking for her everywhere. Tell her it's a matter of life and death."

  "Isn't everything?" he replies with a sigh as he turns one of the charts over. "We've got enough food to last one more day -"

  "I'm working on that," I say firmly.

  "And after that -"

  "I'm working on it," I say again. "I've spoken to the people in charge and they're going to bring some fresh food for us all." I pause for a moment. "That's the idea, anyway."

  "Do you trust them?" he asks.

  "I don't have a choice," I tell him. "None of us do, but I don't see how it's in their best interests to starve us."

  "And do you know what's really going on?" he asks. "No-one seems to have a clue why we've all been quarantined here like this. Did they tell you?"

  "It's to do with one of the patients," I reply. "We received a patient recently who unfortunately wasn't given the proper screening before she arrived. There's a chance that she might have been carrying some kind of disease, but there's nothing to worry about. It's under control, but we just need a little more time to make sure that proper safety precautions are carried out."

  "Is it Dominique Ribery?" he asks after a moment.

  "I'm not at liberty to -"

  "What's wrong with her?" he continues. "Is she dead?"

  "It's not -"

  "She's not got something, has she? Please tell me she's a terrorist or something. At least terrorists aren't contagious. The last thing I need is to get stuck somewhere while there's some kind of bug going around."

  "It's nothing like that," I reply. "Just stay calm and make sure that the patients don't panic."

  "They're already talking," he continues. "Some of them want to form a delegation and go to the door. They think it's time to bypass your authority and speak directly to the organ-grinder." He pauses. "If you'll pardon the reference."

  "No-one's talking to the military apart from me," I say firmly. "There's no point in all the patients going and having the same conversation over and over again. I'll deal with it, but I need a little time."

  "Sure," he replies wearily, looking back down at the forms. "I guess the truth might just cause a stampede, huh?"

  "And if you see Dawn Aubry," I continue, "tell her I really need to talk to her. Tell her to drop whatever she's doing and come to find me. Can you manage that?"

  "Yes, Doctor," he replies bitterly, "I think I can manage that."

  Figuring that there's no point getting into an argument with this idiot, I turn and hurry toward my office, before taking a sudden detour toward the examination room. On the way, however, I almost bump straight into June Carey, who's shuffling along the corridor with Cally Briggs' daughter in tow.

  "Just the man I've been looking for!" June says brightly.

  "I don't have time," I say, trying to slip past her.

  "Now hang on," she replies, grabbing my arm. "Hold up, Nelly. Unless I'm very much mistaken, it's about time you told us what's going on around here. I heard people talking earlier, saying Dr. Gerrold was shot in the bonnet when he tried to leave. Now, you told us that he was only wounded and that he was taken to some other hospital, but now people are saying that maybe he's dead."

  "You shouldn't believe every rumor you hear," I tell her, keen to get going.

  "So he wasn't killed?"

  "Dr. Gerrold isn't with us anymore," I reply, hoping desperately that I might be able to get away with a bunch of vague statements. Crouching down, I smile at Emma Briggs, although the poor girl looks terrified. "How are you doing?" I ask, trying to seem friendly even though I don't really like children. "Are you being a big brave girl?"

  "I'm nine," she replies.

  "That's great," I say.

  "Meaning she doesn't want to be patronized," June snaps. "Jesus Christ, have you never been around children? She's nine, not five. She knows the shit's hit the fan, just as much as the rest of us."

  "Maybe you shouldn't listen to Ms. Carey," I say, fixing Emma with a broad smile. "She's a little anxious. Why don't you go and see your Mummy instead? I think it's for the best if everyone stays in their rooms and avoids coming out into the corridors."

  "Mummy's sick," Emma replies.

  "I know," I reply, "but -"

  "It's here," she says, putting a hand on the right side of her torso. "Mummy's in pain."

  I pause for a moment, immediately thinking back to the tumor in Dominique Ribery's body and to the fact that she seemed to be in pain around that area before she died.

  "Join the club," June mutters.

  "Do you have the same pain too?" I ask, turning to her.

  "Right here," she says, rubbing a hand against the side of her belly. "Can't feel a lump, but it's just come on over the past few hours. Really sends a jolt through me from time to time, you know?"

  "Why didn't you mention this to anyone?" I ask.

  "I told that nurse of yours," she replies. "What's her name? The pretty one, all blonde hair and big tits, walks like she's trying to crack a walnut between her cheeks."

  "Nurse Aubry?"

  "That's the one. I told Nurse Aubry about the pain, and she said you or Dr. Gerrold were gonna come along and take a look. Of course, in all the fuss, I guess she forgot to tell you. I suppose you've all got better things to do than come and help an old woman who's in pain. It's not as if you've ever done anything for my piles, is it?"

  "How long ago did you see her?" I ask.

  "Two hours ago, maybe," she replies. "Two hours in which, once again, no-one has done anything to help me."

  "I'm sure the pain in your side is nothing," I reply, glancing uneasily at her belly. I know it's probably an insane thought, but I can't help thinking about that tumor in Dominique Ribery's body, and about the way that it seemed to have grown structures that allowed it to reach out and link itself to various parts of her nervous system. Ribery spoke about a pain in the right side of her abdomen, and now it seems that two of my patients have the same pain. I desperately want it to be a coincidence, but there's a faint worry in the back of my mind, telling me that I need to check.

  "I want to examine you," I say after a moment. "I want to take a look at your belly and see what's happening. Just to make sure."

  "Make sure of what?"

  "Just to make sure that there's nothing to worry about."

  She sniffs. "The fact that you want to make sure there's nothing to worry about," she says dourly, "is enough to make me very worried indeed. Do you realize that, Doctor?" She pauses. "To be blunt, your reassurances aren't worth diddly-squat to me or anyone else on this ward. All we want is to get the hell out of this place and go to another hospital. People are really starting to get antsy, you know."

  "I'll meet you in your room in a few minutes," I tell her. "Maybe you should put Emma with her mother first. Just so we know that she's safe."

  "Safe?" June replies. "Who's safe around here? I won't feel safe until those soldiers are away from those doors." Steering Emma away down the corridor, she briefly glances back at me.
"I'll be in my room. Just make sure your stethoscope isn't too cold. I hate the feel of cold metal on my skin. It makes me feel even more nauseous than usual."

  "Meet me in your room," I say firmly. "I'll be there, I promise. I want to take a look at you and just make sure that everything's okay." Turning to Emma, I see the look of concern in her eyes. "You'd like to go to Mummy, wouldn't you?"

  The child simply stares at me.

  "Of course you would," I continue, rubbing the top of her head for a moment. "That's a good girl."

  "You don't have children of your own, do you?" June asks.

  "Is it that obvious?" I reply.

  "My God," June mutters, taking Emma's hand and leading her away, "some people really are bad with kids."

  Once she's gone, I pause for a moment, contemplating the possibility that somehow the cancer in Dominique Ribery's body might have spread. It's a crazy idea that runs contrary to pretty much every accepted medical framework, and yet I can't deny that this seems like a very strange time to experience a spate of coincidences. Making my way through to the examination room, I decide that I need to take another look at Ribery's body. After all, it's not as if I might end up in any more danger: if the woman's corpse is infectious, I'm undoubtedly already teeming with whatever -

  Stopping suddenly as I enter the room, I stare in horror at the table. The handcuffs and chains that were used to keep Dominique Ribery's body in place have been wrenched away, as if by force, and the body itself has vanished. I take a step forward and see that there's a faint, yellowing stain in the white sheet that was previously under her body. Looking down at the floor, I spot a smeared trail of blood heading toward the door. My heart starts pounding as I hurry back to the door and look out into the empty corridor.

  Someone must have stolen Dominique Ribery's body.

  Emma Briggs

  "Knock knock!" June says, tapping on the door to my mother's room. "Guess who? Are you decent, love?"

  We wait, and after a moment June glances down at me with a worried look on her face. So far, there's been no reply from inside the room. I guess Mummy is sleeping.

  "Cally?" June calls out, knocking again. "It's me and Emma. Do you mind if we come in?"

  Silence.

  "I guess she's having a nap," June says, forcing herself to smile. "I tell you what. What don't you just sneak in and have a nap with her, okay?"

  "Can't I stay with you?" I ask, reaching out and grabbing the sleeve of her hospital gown.

  "Don't be scared," she says, turning the handle and pushing the door open. "Remember what we -" Before she can finish, she glances into the room and we both see that the place is a complete mess. The blinds have been pulled down from the windows, and the cabinet next to my mother's bed has been tipped over, spilling its contents across the floor. The drip-stand is on its side, the door to the bathroom is wide open, and there's the sound of water running in the sink. Over by the window, meanwhile, the bed has been pulled partway across the room, and my mother appears to be curled up under the blanket with her back to us.

  "I don't want to go in there," I say after a moment.

  "It's okay," June replies, clearly worried. "I think maybe your mother just had..." Her voice trails off for a moment, before she takes a step into the room. "She's just asleep," she says. "Can't you hear her breathing?"

  She's right; there is a sound coming from the bed, as if Mummy is slightly snoring. However, it's not the kind of sound she usually makes, and I can't help thinking that something's seriously wrong.

  "Okay," June says, smiling down at me, "here's what we're going to do. I have to go and see Dr. Page for a few minutes, yeah? He wants to take a quick poke at my belly and see what's up. You're going to have to wait here, but I'll come back and check on you. Your Mummy..." She pauses again. "Your Mummy's just having a rest, because she's very tired, so why don't you go and sit on the chair in the corner, huh? I'll go and get someone to take a look at her, but you need to wait here and keep her company. Maybe talk to her. It might do her good to hear your voice."

  "Can't I wait outside?" I ask.

  "It's just your Mummy," she replies. "She won't hurt you. We'll get someone to clear the room up, too. She's obviously had a bad time, but she's just resting now, okay?"

  I stare at Mummy's back, watching as the bedsheets slowly rise and fall.

  "Go on," June says, gently pushing me forward until I step into the room. "You'll be okay," she adds. "You just need to see how Mummy's doing. I promise I'll be back soon. You can't wait in the corridor, honey. There are a lot of busy people out there, all running around and not looking where they're going. You heard the doctor. He wants us all to wait in our rooms. Anyway, you're safer in here."

  "But -"

  "I'll go and get help," she continues. "I don't want to scare you, honey, but I think your Mummy might have taken a turn for the worse. If you can just wait here with her and keep her company, I'll be right back." She takes my hand and gives it an extra squeeze. "For her sake, darling. Your Mummy needs you right now."

  I keep my eyes fixed on Mummy, until I realize that June has taken a step back. I turn, just in time for her to pull the door shut, leaving me standing in stunned silence. Slowly, I look back over at the bed and watch as the sheets continue to rise and fall. I don't know why or how, but I'm convinced that the way Mummy's breathing is different somehow, but although I want to turn and leave, I force myself to remember that I mustn't hurt her feelings. I've run away from her so many times, and now I finally have to be brave.

  Even if she's dying.

  I have to be brave.

  "Mummy?" I ask, taking a step toward the bed.

  No reply.

  I crouch down and pick up a few pill bottles that were knocked onto the floor when the bedside cabinet was tipped over. Not really knowing where to start, I place the bottles on a nearby chair before turning back to face the bed. It's kind of hard to work out how she could have knocked so many things over before she went to sleep.

  "It's me," I say, getting closer. "I came back to hang out."

  Her breathing changes slightly, as if she's starting to wake up. I still feel as if it's not really her.

  "I'll just sit in the chair," I continue, stopping before I reach the bed. "It's okay. You can carry on sleeping. I'll just sit and read while -"

  Suddenly she shifts under the bedsheets, as if she's finally aware of my presence. There's something strange and unusual about the way she's moving, though, and it takes a few seconds longer than normal for her to untangle herself and turn to face me.

  As soon as I see her eyes, I can tell that something's wrong. The pupils are really big, and the whites have become a kind of pale yellow, with traces of blood around the edges. Her skin seems to have lost most of its color and seems more gray than pink, while her mouth is hanging open in a way that I don't think I've ever seen from her before. The worst thing, though, is the way she's staring at me, as if she's never seen me before and maybe doesn't even know who or what I am.

  She looks like a monster.

  Dr. Andrew Page

  "Dawn!" I shout, hurrying into my office but finding it completely empty. Damn it, this was the last place I was going to check, and I was convinced I'd find her eventually. Instead, it's as if she's completely vanished from the entire ward. I hope to God she didn't do anything stupid. If she tried to escape, she's probably already in a body bag.

  "Still can't find her, huh?" asks Anthony, having sidled up behind me.

  "When was the last time you saw her?" I ask, turning to him. "Think, man. This is important."

  "A couple of hours ago," he replies. "Why? What's up? I think Julie Jacobs is around somewhere if you need a nurse."

  I glance along the corridor, trying to work out where the hell Nurse Aubry could have gone. She's usually one of the most reliable members of my staff, and it's not like her to wander off like this. "Have you seen anyone acting suspiciously?" I ask, turning back to Anthony. "Anyone at all?"

&nb
sp; "Let's see," he replies with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "there are hundreds of armed men milling about the place, plus a bunch of terrified patients and members of staff, oh and of course there's also me and I'm using humor to cover my fear. Yeah, actually, I think every fucking person I've seen in the past twenty-four hours has been acting suspiciously. You know why? 'Cause we're all fucking terrified!"

  "Calm down," I reply firmly. "We have a kind of a situation. Dawn Aubry isn't the only person who's missing. There's a body from the examination room that seems to have been removed, and I can't find it."

  "A body?" he asks, raising his eyebrows. "Like, a dead body?"

  "It can't have got far," I point out. "Someone has to have seen something, or -"

  "Dr. Page!" a voice calls out. "Quick! This way!"

  Turning, I spot June Carey shuffling toward me, with a concerned look on her face. Out of breath, she grabs my arm and tries to pull me along after her.

  "You have to come to Cally Briggs' room," she says. "There's a problem. I don't know what's wrong, but she's sick. I think she's taken a real turn for the worse."

  "I can't come right now," I reply, pulling away from her grip. "I'm looking for something."

  "She's really sick," she replies. "Properly sick. I think..." She pauses. "I left her daughter with her, but I think maybe that was a mistake. We have to hurry. I think Cally's dying."

  "Everyone's dying in this place right now," I snap back at her, before realizing that I need to be more professional. If I lose my temper, I'll end up alienating the patients, and then they won't listen to me at all. "Please go to your room, June," I continue, "and I'll get to you as soon as possible. I saw Cally Briggs this morning and I'm quite sure she can't have deteriorated too badly in just a few hours. Believe it or not, the process for these things is remarkably well-defined. I can almost mark on a calendar how she's going to be for the next few days."

  "But -"

  "One thing at a time," I say firmly. "The military might have this place sealed off, but within these walls I'm still in charge. I promise you, I will get to you as soon as possible, and then I'll go and check on Cally Briggs, but I have a couple of more pressing problems to deal with. In fact -" I turn to Anthony. "You know Cally Briggs, right?"