The skin was now a healthy pink. The diaper the baby wore was swollen and full. He went to the kitchen and grabbed several paper napkins. Going to the hot water, he dipped the napkin in and then squeezed out the hot water. He then reopened the towel and stripped off the diaper and blood sodden clothing. It was a boy. He carefully cleaned the baby. Careful of all his bits and parts. He got most of the blood off the infant. Then, rewrapped the baby in the warm towel. They’d have to figure out something for clothing and diapers. For now, the towel would do.
Reed seemed to be in a stupor. He stared at the woodstove, watching the flames. A tremor passed through him from time to time.
“Will you be able to get the bullets out?” Hogan asked in a low voice. Trish shook her head.
“One is a through and through. I could try, but I don’t have the equipment for it. I’ve got forceps, but I might end up causing him to bleed out. He’s lost a lot of blood already.”
“Don’t w..w..worry about me. I..I just needed to get t…t..that baby some place s..s..safe.” Reed said, his voice very weak now.
“Do you know the child’s name?” Hogan asked. The old man shook his head. His breathing halted and stuttered.
“Didn’t know t…the mother.” Reeds voice trailed off and his eye lids fluttered. His body relaxed and he slumped back, into the couch. Trish choked out a sob, her hand on the man’s shoulder. Hogan looked at her and she shook her head.
“He’s gone. Oh, Christ. He’s gone. I think he gave everything he had to get that baby here.” She wept, sitting back beside the man, and wiped at her eyes.
“Jesus. They killed the young and old. They’d have killed this baby if he’d not saved it.” Hogan said numbly.
“I’d have been in that mess, had I not gotten away.” Trish said and shivered violently. She got to her feet and staggered a moment. Then caught herself. She took another towel and placed it on the woodstove. Heating it. Then she came to Hogan.
“Let me examine the baby, make sure it has no wounds.” Trish said, handing Hogan the warm towel.
He took the towel and transferred the baby to it, an arc of pee coming out and hitting Trish in the chest. She laughed shakily.
“At least we know his plumbing works. Hey little man, let’s take a look at you.” She clucked. Hogan watched as she gently turned the baby this way and that. Her fingertips poking and prodding which elicited an angry cry. Hogan grinned.
“He’s got a nice temper.” He smiled and leaned down and kissed the soft head. My god, he was so tiny and to have survived that massacre. He was stunned at the sheer brutality of it all. Babies, children and the old. All killed because they weren’t capable of working. It was absolutely nightmarish. Who had thought up all of this? Why?
“He seems healthy enough, though a little dehydrated and cold, I think. We’ll need to keep his body temperature up. I’d say keep feeding him every couple of hours.” Trish said.
“It’s a good damned thing we have the goats and goat milk.” Hogan said, wrapping the child back up in the warm towel.
“He would do better on mother’s milk. I’ve heard that women can spontaneously produce milk. I’d like to try. I think it would be healthier for the baby.” Trish said shyly.
“You can do that?” Hogan asked, surprised.
“Well, I’ve read that you can. Getting shots of hormones helps. But, since we don’t have that, I can try to stimulate my breasts. Have him suckle and see if it will happen. We can continue to feed him the goat’s milk, either until I get milk on my own, or it’s a bust.” She said.
“Wow, that is freaking amazing. Since he’s eaten, why don’t you try and nurse him. I’ll take Mr. Reed out for a burial. We owe him that.” Hogan said, handing over the small bundle reluctantly. He’d remembered holding his own daughters, when they’d been that small. His heart broke, for the wanting of his daughters and Laura. But it wasn’t to be. They did have this small being to help.
“Okay. It might take a few days, but I hope we can do it.” Trish said and began to unbutton her shirt. She carefully removed her weapon from the bra holster. Hogan turned to the sad duty of lifting Mr. Reed and left Trish to nurse the baby.
Mr. Reed was heavy, dead weight, but Hogan managed to get him out of the house. He got the cart and placed the dead man in it. Reed’s arms and legs hung out, but it would be easier to pull the dead man in the wagon, than try to carry that weight to the hole in the back of the pasture.
“Sorry Mr. Reed. All I can give you is a burial. You’ll have to share it, but at this point, I don’t think you’ll mind. Thank you for bringing us that child. It was brave of you and you got him away from those bastards. We’ll try to raise him right. To be free.” Hogan spoke to the spirit of the man.
Ӝ
Trish winced as the baby latched onto her nipple. It was a peculiar feeling, painful at first, but then soothing. She figured at worst, it was a pacifier, at best it would be nourishment. She and several of her nurse friends had discussed it. Val, a NICU, Neonatal Intensive Care
