The Fall of Bangor (Part 9)

Posted on Thu Mar 14th, 2024 @ 5:03am by Vienna Quinn & Hale Stratton & René Rouen & Reuben Baptiste
Edited on on Thu Mar 14th, 2024 @ 10:40am

1,926 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Bangor or Bust
Location: Field Hospital, Bangor Safe Zone, Bangor, Maine
Timeline: 4 September 2010 - 8:30 p.m.

[Field Hospital]

It was a short walk to the field hospital. Hale led them to the isolation tent, set apart from the main hospital, where Mrs. Quinn lay on a stretcher in hard restraints. "She's in there," Hale said as he gestured toward the partitioned entrance. "Vic's in there with her."

Vic was securing the last of the samples that she felt was safe to take in the long storage case and she snapped it shut with a heavy sigh, engaging its preservation unit and checking the battery meter to ensure both batteries were solid. Ms. Quinn’s condition had degraded quickly and Vic had loaded her down with every medication and painkiller that she could get her hands on and think of in order to retard the progression of the infection from the bite in order to buy Vienna a chance to say goodbye; for the moment she was stable but it was a battle.

Reuben sat in the folding chair observing the goings on in the isolation tent, like a ghost. He knew it was a futile effort on the part of the medical and scientific teams, but he respected their efforts. He continued scratching Kenny's left ear, ready to execute a merciful kill should it become necessary.

Renè released Vienna’s hand and pulled open the door flap to the isolation tent. He gestured for Vienna to enter as he willed back the tears that had been threatening to come flooding out during the walk from Vic's.

Vienna stood for a moment uncertain whether she could face what was inside, but knowing she’d regret it in the future she stepped inside. Taking a deep breath Vienna slowly approached her mother, doing her best to hold back the tears. “Mum...” she knew the restraints were a necessity, having seen what the dead became, she gently took hold of her mother’s hand holding it gently.

Vic observed quietly as she finished up what she was doing and then softly spoke. “She is fairly heavily sedated; I am sure that she can hear you but the drugs are a safety precaution Vienna…. I wish the circumstances were different.”

Deanna Quinn stirred as Vienna took her hand. Her eyes opened and met her daughter's gaze. A strained smile crossed her face. "Hey there."

Vienna did her best to offer her mother a smile, but seeing her this way after just losing her father was beyond Vienna’s ability to cope. She held onto her mother’s hand, as tears streamed down her face.

Deanna squeezed Vienna’s hand. She wanted to hug her daughter, but with the restraints it was impossible. "You are going to need to be strong Vienna. If you can, go south and find your brother."

Vic nodded to Reuben silently and headed for the tent flap, touching Vienna’s shoulder and squeezing gently on the way out.

Reuben nodded back at Vic as she left. They both were harden veterans and had been in and around death, even trained for it; however the young lady in front of him had been thrown into it with the virus, her world upended. Now she was saying goodbye to her mother, and as he understood she had already lost her father to the virus. He leand back and watched the scene play out, his mind going back to the past and war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Outside the Iso-Tent]

Emma found a crate to perch on while she waited for the situation to resolve. Foster care had made a concerted effort to burn the compassion out of her but she still had enough to sympathize with a daughter saying good-bye to her remaining parent. Time was she would have given anything for the chance to do just that.

Vic stepped out of the tent breathing in the first fresh air she had since they had brought Vienna’s mother back and she posted up near Emma, rubbing her eyes before looking Emma over and nodding. “You look as though something troubles you, Emma. Do you want to talk or is it a personal battle?”

~I don't understand,~ she signed. ~I really don't.~

“Y’know… I’m not sure I do anymore either. So much of this seems completely futile but it doesn’t seem right to abandon humanity either… this… what we are doing to let Vienna say goodbye…?” Vic sighed and swapped to sign. ~ it’s a damn stupid risk.~

~Depends on the reason for the risk, I guess,~, Emma asked in return. ~The chance to say good-bye to someone you love? Worth it. But going in the first place? Alone? That was a stupid risk.~

Vic nodded, mulling over her words. “You make a very valid point. I still can’t fathom why she would have taken that risk alone… especially with these conditions. Dedication to the job is one thing but…. For all that’s holy.”

~Maybe a part of her didn't care,"~ Emma signed. She shook her head slowly reluctant to allow the ghosts access to her memory. And talking about them was a surefire way for them to show up. ~Seen that before. People think they have nothing left to lose and they get stupid.~ Her gaze traveled the short distance to where René stood weeping and gave the doctor a silent nudge. ~He could use a friend ... one he can actually communicate with ...~

Vic smiled softly to Emma. ~I have seen it before too… you may be right.~ she was silent for a moment before she continued ~you are right he could; I’m your friend too though.~ Vic smiled and touched Emma’s shoulder briefly before stepping over to René

René stood outside the tent in silence. Tears slid down his cheeks. He knew that Vienna was inside saying goodbye to her mother, Deanna. Anyone bitten by one of the Soulless had only a few hours until passing away and reviving as one of the Not-Dead-Enough as Major Stratton called them. The world was falling apart and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to protect Vienna from what troubles this new world would throw at them.

“Hey, tu vas bien ?” Vic said as she came up beside René, offering him the comfort of her presence.

René glanced at Victorie for a moment before turning his gaze back on the tent flap. He finally shook his head. "I promised Vienna everything would be okay when we got back to her home...that I would get her back to her mother and father." A long sigh escaped him. "Her father was dead before we could get back and now...her mother is going to die too."

“Ah, I see. That’s a hard situation my friend… only condolence I can offer is that she at least gets to say farewell to her mother…” she looked out over the compound with the dwindling traffic and gave a harsh laugh. “The world is changing and we are all going to have to adapt… Vienna is lucky to have you.”

René pondered Vic's words. He thought to the journey from Millinocket to Bangor and shrugged. "Is she though. Most of the adults think I am too impulsive. A liability at best or a potential risk for the group at worst."

“Une grande ambition est la passion d’un grand personnage…” She let the words hang for a minute before she continued. “Those were the first and last words I heard from my SEAL instructor, a Frenchman not unlike yourself”

René gave Vic a weak smile. He appreciated the effort she made on his behalf. She was the only adult in the group to treat him with dignity. He had caught the looks Hale and Alonzo had cast his way several times and he was not fond of Alonzo referring to him as Frenchie. "You seem to be the only adult that thinks so."

“I think on Hale’s part he is wary as he is too used to the military lifestyle; but he is adjusting slowly… as for the others… I can’t speak for or on their behalf… but the states are certainly not Europe and the way of life is…. Less inclusive.” She smiled and looked back at the tent. “Honestly I think that the world’s changes have everyone scared and the fact that you seem to be holding together better than some of them scares them.”

René nodded his head slowly. Many French people disliked American arrogance and their minimalist attitude towards French contributions worldwide. He was not one of those people. He did note the cultural differences though. "I am not so sure about my *holding together*. I find myself praying to God all the time to keep my family safe and with no overseas communications going through...I don't know what is happening back in Paris or if my family is still even there. They could have gone to the family estate in Normandy for all I know." He paused. He was trying to have hope, but it was becoming harder each day to keep that hope alive. "Part of me wants to go home, but another part of me...." His eyes drifted to the tent. "I am in love with Vienna and I couldn't leave her. Especially now."

“Take solace in what you can, especially in times of uncertainty. Perhaps we will find a way to communicate across the seas again but I can not guarantee it” she chuckled. “You and Vienna have something that in the world that is becoming will be rare, treasure it and while I might be one of the few to say it protect it at all costs."

René sighed as he looked around. Two days ago this had been the most protected bastion in Maine. He turned to Victoire. "What is the plan for getting out of here. Will we be able to find another are zone?"

Vic shifted from foot to foot, the length of time she had been standing finally getting to her. “First priority is to get clear of Bangor; there’s no telling what will happen once the window for evacuation closes….” She paused to think for a moment before she continued. “The military is unpredictable at the best of times, the hordes of the risen completely more so.”

Hale, back from checking on the situation, came over to Rene and Vic, his expression softened both by the sadness he felt for Vienna and by worry. "I've got to go check on Alonzo. Make sure he's alright. Come on over when you can."

Vic nodded to him “Reuben and I will ensure things get properly seen to here and that everyone remains safe… then we will get everyone back to your place so we can figure things out…” she began to turn back to René and then stopped, looking back to Hale. “Major, you know I have nothing but the utmost respect for you… but some advice from a friend. Try to remember not everyone we are dealing with now is from our chosen walk of life.”

"That bad, huh," Hale said softly, his expression turned thoughtful. "See you back at the house."

René sat silent looking at the isolation tent. He was appreciative of Victorie's efforts. His mind was working on what to do in the future. Staying with the group was the safest option for both Vienna and him.

 

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