“I’m tired,” Hannah whispered. She closed her eyes. “I’m not going to make it, am I?” She opened her eyes and met Joe’s gaze, holding it long enough for her to understand. “You don’t have to answer.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Will you do something for me?” Hannah asked. “Leave me to here to die in peace. You and everyone else have a chance to live, so I want you to do that for me. If you stay here, you might get hurt too.”
“We can’t leave you.” Joe’s voice was near the cracking point. “Does anyone know first aid?”
“I know some,” Ethan said, approaching Hannah. “Can I lift your shirt up?”
“Yes,” Hannah whispered.
Ethan studied the wound. Blood oozed out each time Hannah’s heart beat. He folded a scarf and held it to the wound. He gently slid his hand under her back, searching for blood indicating the bullet had passed through her. Finding none, he observed how slow her heart was beating. Ethan realized it wasn’t a good sign. Her blood pressure was falling, and she appeared to be going into shock. If they moved her without a proper stretcher, the bullet might move, causing more injury.
Ethan stood and looked at Joe. In a low whisper, he said, “There’s nothing we can do.”
“I heard that,” Hannah said.
“I’m sorry.” Ethan’s eyes met Hannah’s.
“Don’t be. I’ve lived my life the way I wanted to. I hope I made a difference.”
“You have,” Joe croaked.
“The last thing I want you to do is to save yourselves. And to remember me.”
“We will,” Joe said. “We will always remember you.”
“Then leave me be to so I can die in peace.”
“We can’t let you pass away all alone.” Joe’s voice was a whisper.
“I’m not alone. I have my memories of my life. And I’m not in any pain. Please,” Hannah begged. “You must. My life is over.” Hannah coughed weakly. “Please, I need a coat. I’m cold.”
“Is there someone I can contact to let them know?” Joe asked.
“I can’t hold my eyes open any longer. I feel so weak.” Hannah eyes fluttered shut.
“It’s okay. We’re all here for you.”
“Hannah?” Joe gently shook her shoulder.
Without opening her eyes, Hannah said, “I’m not dead yet. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Joe snorted a chuckle.
“I finally made you laugh.” Hannah opened her eyes a slit.
“You did,” Joe smiled thinly. “Is there someone I can contact? A relative? Anyone?”
Hannah sucked in a long breath, holding it for what seemed like an eternity, then exhaled. In a barely audible voice, she said, “My uncle Ham lives not too far from…from where…”
“Ham? As in Hammer?” Joe asked. “Where does he live?”
Hannah closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.
“Hannah?” Joe asked tentatively.
For a few minutes, Joe observed Hannah for signs of life. Her breathing was slow, and with each passing minute, the pause between breaths became longer. She no longer responded to Joe’s hand. Her grip weakened until it went limp. Joe sniffled and swiped under his eyes. He stood and removed his coat. He leaned over Hannah, and covered her with his coat, leaving her face visible, unable to cover her face as long as she was breathing. It felt wrong in many ways to leave her. She had saved his life from the jaws of a lion. She had saved Lexi from a horrible toothache and the resulting possible life-threatening infection.
Lexi placed her hand on Joe’s shoulder. “We should go. She’ll be with our Heavenly Father soon.”
Joe sniffled again and swallowed hard.
Chapter 28
Joe stood and faced the solemn group. “She’ll be dead soon.”
Eyes and noses were red from tears being shed over the unexpected violence perpetuated on one of their group. Becca hugged her children. Lexi stayed to herself. Ethan stood by the door, guarding it.
The enormity of their survival prospects swept over the group like a tsunami gathering power, sucking out the water from a beach, exposing the vulnerabilities of small sea creatures relying on the water’s protection. Without electricity, modern society had its vulnerabilities exposed, and like a tsunami, the fallout was quick and brutal.
Their former jubilation at the prospect of returning home morphed into defeat. Hannah’s injury brought their vulnerability and helplessness to the forefront of their minds. Food would no longer be available, medical care at hospitals would be non-existent, reliable transportation unavailable, and civilization and its politeness of rules and laws no longer a stabilizing force for humanity. The bible teachings of the meek shall inherit the Earth was a thing of the past. The strong would survive in a society without rules to protect its citizens and government. New rules would be made, and Joe planned on being part of the new world.
Joe faced Ethan. “What happened?”
“Some guy literally appeared out of the shadows and started shooting at us,” Ethan explained. “I was guarding the door. Since we had to break in here, I assumed it was empty. I didn’t think it was necessary to clear the interior.” Ethan swore at himself. “I should have paid attention to your dog. I saw Oscar go in the direction where the man was hiding, but I didn’t think anything of it. I’m sorry.”
“That’s on all of us,” Joe said. “Including me. Everyone is responsible for our safety. We must be vigilant, and we can’t let our guard down. Ever. And Hannah will be dead soon because of it.” Joe’s choice of words was calculated. He could have glossed over her impending death by using gentler verbiage, instead, he needed to hit home about the seriousness of their survival. Unless everyone gave their one hundred percent, another ambush was possible. And that meant someone could die.
Joe had also developed a tender spot in his heart
