<\/p>\n
A loud crackle of thunder sliced through the once silent night sky. Brian Littrell sat up in his bed with a gasp, his sweat-soaked hair plastered to his forehead. Brian pushed back the layers of blankets on his bed and placed his feet on the cold wooden floor just as a flash of lightning illuminated his bedroom, followed by another loud crack of thunder. Glancing at the alarm clock with bleary eyes, Brian let out a sigh and began to walk out of the room before stopping and grabbing a sweatshirt.<\/p>\n
It was now 4:23 on a Monday morning, just a little under two hours before Brian\u2019s usual wake up time. It had been raining almost nonstop since Saturday morning, and instead of the weather letting up, rain continued to pound mercilessly on the earth below. Brian gave up on his battle to stay awake and trudged towards the direction of his bedroom. He had some sleep to catch up on.<\/p>\n
Two hours later, Brian again woke up to the sound of thunder. A sense of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu overwhelmed Brian\u2019s senses as he again exited his room and walked towards the kitchen. After turning on the coffee machine and retrieving a cup for himself, Brian sat down in a chair placed in front of the picturesque window of his home, just watching the rain continue to beat down. It was now that Brian noticed the winds had picked up considerably since the night before, signaled by the intense swinging of the tree branches in the front yard. Brian took one last sip of his coffee and placed the cup in the sink on his way back to his bedroom. It was another wonderful start to another wonderful day.<\/p>\n
Addie Burke exited her apartment with a bounce in her step, a jacket thrown over her head to block out a large percentage of the rain. Pushing a small button on her keyring to unlock her car, Addie quickly threw open the door and tossed the jacket inside before she entered the car, temporarily hidden from the pouring rain. As she drove through the town to get to her destination, she observed that the grocery store and pharmacy parking lots were packed, along with the hardware store, which was, for the most part, vacant of customers during the week. Without giving it a second thought, she turned off on the next street over and drove for another mile before pulling into the parking lot of a well taken care of apartment complex, the home of her best friend, Kylie McCartney, and Kylie\u2019s husband Josh.<\/p>\n
Taking off in a jog with the jacket again thrown over her head, Addie barely reached the doors leading to the stairway before another strong burst of wind picked up and rustled the tree branches with severe intensity. Taking the stairs two at a time, Addie stood in front of apartment 2-E, hand raised to knock on the door. She stood away from the door as footsteps were heard from within the apartment, greeting the person who opened the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, Josh.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Addie. Come on in,\u201d Josh invited as he stopped by the kitchen table to take one last sip of the soothing liquid inside before emptying the cup in the sink, the coffee swirling down the drain like a whirlwind.<\/p>\n
\u201cKylie is in our room getting ready for work if you want to go on in there. I have a meeting this morning so I need to get going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Addie nodded in response and walked down the narrow hallway towards the last bedroom on the left side and entered after announcing her arrival with a short knock on the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Addie!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, Kylie.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSome storm we are having isn\u2019t it?\u201d Kylie asked for a lack of anything better to say. Addie looked out the window and nodded. She actually happened to love storms, especially the kind with lots of rain, thunder, and lightning. But even she had to admit that this one was making her a little nervous. The winds were stronger than she had seen them in a long time, and the rain had poured down relentlessly for two days.<\/p>\n
\u201cJosh told me you would probably be here,\u201d Kylie said as she turned her gaze towards her best friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did he know?\u201d Addie wondered out loud her only answer being an uninterested shrug from Kylie who again turned her gaze to the window.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a dork.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d Addie agreed. \u201cTurn around here, Kylie; I don\u2019t like talking to your back. What is up with you today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry,\u201d Kylie apologized. \u201cI had a bad morning, and I\u2019m just not in the best of moods.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAww, what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning sickness decided to visit at two this morning, and in combination with the storm and Josh\u2019s snoring, I got no sleep at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sucks,\u201d Addie said in sympathy. \u201cOh, guess what?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Kylie asked, her curiosity being sparked by the simple question and the beaming smile on Addie\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
Addie didn\u2019t answer, just placed her left hand in front of Kylie\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cOhh!!\u201d Kylie said with a squeal of excitement and a hug. \u201cCongrats!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks! He proposed Friday night after the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToo cute,\u201d Kylie said with a smile, taking a trip down memory lane to when Josh proposed to her and the excitement she felt, knowing exactly how wonderful Addie must be feeling. The girls began to talk excitedly about the plans Addie had for her wedding, which she had yet to discuss with Jack in all the excitement.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wanna grab some breakfast down at Sully\u2019s?\u201d Addie asked as she walked towards the doorway.<\/p>\n
As soon as the two best friends battled the raging storm outside and entered the car, Kylie immediately set out to find the music she wanted to listen to on the way to the small restaurant. She flipped through the buttons on Addie\u2019s radio, all preset to various rock and pop stations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa, stop switching the channels! Listen!\u201d<\/p>\n
A horrendous beeping sound filled the small car and a computerized voice came over the airwaves. The message sent fear racing through their hearts, for now they understood the uncharacteristic way in which the townspeople were acting and why the stores and streets were so jam-packed. They both felt like idiots for not even thinking about the possibilities. There was a hurricane coming straight for Atlantic City.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet out of the road!\u201d Brian Littrell roared as his brakes again squealed as he skidded to a halt. A small group of people raced across the road, for what, Brian didn\u2019t know. He turned on his turn signal and pulled into the crowded parking lot of the grocery store that had the best breakfast sandwiches in town. Entering the small store, Brian immediately made a beeline for the deli, grumbling as a line of people greeted him and dutifully took his place in line. Looking at his watch, he decided he could wait about ten minutes, knowing it would be best to just forget the sandwich and attempt to force down what the hospital cafeteria classified as breakfast.<\/p>\n
As Brian got closer and closer to the clerk, he looked around. The store was very busy for a Monday morning, especially that early.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is going on?\u201d Brian wondered out loud, jumping as the elderly man turned around and looked at Brian questionably.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid ya not hear about the hurricane, son? Everybody is getting ready for the big storm by stocking up. But you can\u2019t stock up on an empty stomach, eh?\u201d the man said with a chuckle and turned back around to socialize with the other people around him, the young man who knew nothing about what was going on becoming his topic of conversation.<\/p>\n
Brian turned around and ran out of the small store, his breakfast long forgotten. His heart pounding, Brian got in his car and quickly exited the parking lot, speeding towards the hospital and hoping that no unsuspecting pedestrian would cross in front of his path. Flipping on the radio – for the first time in days, he realized – Brian didn\u2019t need to search far for a channel reporting the hurricane warnings and path. It was amazing how much you could miss in a period of one day of not paying attention to the radio or TV broadcasts.<\/p>\n
Screeching to a halt again in the hospital parking lot, Brian found a parking spot and ran up the hospital entrance, not caring that he was coming in over an hour early. He knew he, along with everybody else, would be needed today. He just hoped the hurricane had other plans and would miraculously take a different route and miss them. Wishful thinking.<\/p>\n
Holli Brunson entered the hospital entrance, a scowl permanently etched in her cold features. Soaked to the bone by the rain and a hot temper to accompany it, Holli was someone nobody wanted to mess with. Making her way towards the conference room, Holli took in the sights around her; the ER waiting room was packed, the OR section of the hospital was virtually deserted because all surgical procedures had been called off, and staff members ran down the halls, finding things to do in preparation for the upcoming crisis.<\/p>\n
Holli entered the conference room, and the small group immediately fell silent. Holli had called upon staff members in small groups for an overview of emergency procedures, along with anything else she thought of within that time. She allowed a small smile to grace her face – when no one was looking, of course – when she noted that all staff members she had requested had shown up, even on their days off. This proved to Holli how dedicated they were. She had to give them credit for that. Looking around the room, she realized a large percentage of this group had not been involved in the last hurricane that swept through the area five years ago, Hurricane Cammie. She would have a lot to go over.<\/p>\n
Twenty minutes later, the meeting was over. Holli felt she had gone over everything pretty well, considering how much she was pressed for time, making sure she made clear if anyone on staff was currently not with a patient, they were to help other members of the staff and\/or help the maintenance crew in boarding up the windows to help protect against broken glass and debris when the hurricane roared through.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne more thing!\u201d Holli bellowed as the staff began to rise out of their seats. \u201cI must offer this option – if any of you want<\/em> to evacuate, feel free to. TIMBERLAKE!\u201d The yell echoed throughout the room, the young man who was trying to escape through a side door blushing in embarrassment as all eyes turned towards him. \u201cAs I was trying to say, if you want to evacuate, feel free to, but there is a chance you will not have your job when and if you return. I will not tolerate people who do a half ass job, especially in these situations. That is all. Keep safe, everybody.\u201d Holli finished her speech and pushed her way through the small group, exiting through the door Justin had moments before been eyeing as an escape route.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does she want us to do, stay here and die?\u201d Justin questioned once he was sure Brunson was out of hearing distance.<\/p>\n \u201cJust remember why you got into this profession. We aren\u2019t here to save our own asses; we are here to help others. Quit being so stuck on yourself\u201d<\/p>\n Justin spun around to give the source of the voice a piece of his mind; but stopped when he realized something. The voice was right.<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Littrell, where should I go next?\u201d Nick asked, looking around the crowded ER. In a short time, it had turned into one of the busiest days he had ever seen, due to the approaching hurricane and the frenzied residents of Atlantic City. The waiting room was packed with people waiting to be examined, and the hallways were lined with patients, for they had run out of rooms.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are closed to traumas,\u201d Elizabeth O\u2019Brien was saying firmly to Jaela Miller. \u201cTell them we can\u2019t handle any more patients right now. We\u2019re already packed, and we\u2019re understaffed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, Dr. O\u2019Brien,\u201d Jaela said dutifully. Everyone knew better than to cross Elizabeth when she was in one of her moods, which she definitely seemed to be in that day. Justin couldn\u2019t blame her though, with all this going on. And he had to admit, she was doing a good job of trying to keep things organized and under control. It could have been a lot worse. And at least she wasn\u2019t as irritable as Holli. He always appreciated Elizabeth more after a run-in with the infamous Dr. Brunson.<\/p>\n \u201cGo find somebody from the waiting room to examine,\u201d Brian Littrell told his student. \u201cChris is keeping a list of names. Just call whoever is next on the list.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Nick said. He found nurse Chris Kirkpatrick, who was back after taking a week off of work. \u201cYou have a list of people waiting to be examined, Chris?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d Chris handed him a clipboard with a list of names. Some of them had been crossed out. Nick ran his finger down the list, stopping at the first non-crossed-out one he came to. \u201cHannah Gregory?\u201d he called into the waiting room.<\/p>\n A young woman came over to him, a little girl tagging along behind her, clutching her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you Hannah Gregory?\u201d he asked the woman.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m her mother. This is Hannah,\u201d the woman replied, gently pulling the little girl out from behind her legs.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Nick Carter, and I\u2019ll be examining her,\u201d Nick said. \u201cIf you\u2019ll just follow me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He led the way to an examining room that had just been cleared. \u201cCan you hop up here for me?\u201d he asked Hannah, patting the gurney on one side of the room. Hannah climbed up onto it and lay down listlessly. Her cheeks looked flushed.<\/p>\n Nick pulled up a swiveling stool and sat down on it, facing her. \u201cOkay, so what seems to be the problem today?\u201d he asked, looking from Hannah to her mother.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s been running a fever for a few days now, and it just keeps getting worse,\u201d Mrs. Gregory said. \u201cAnd she\u2019s been so tired lately. She hasn\u2019t had any energy. I thought it was just the flu, but she hasn\u2019t been nauseous at all, and it hasn\u2019t seemed to go away. I kept her home from school today, and I\u2019ve noticed she\u2019s gotten worse just since she woke up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLucky you kept her home from school, huh? Saved you the trip back to pick her up. I heard all the schools are shutting down \u2018cause of the hurricane.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrs. Gregory gave a little shudder. \u201cI know. Do you think it\u2019s going to hit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho knows. But if it does, you couldn\u2019t be any safer here at the hospital. I heard Dr. O\u2019Brien \u2013 she\u2019s in charge of the ER \u2013 say that Memorial and the other hospitals around here were all built to withstand even the worst hurricanes. We\u2019ve got backup generators and everything, too, in case the power goes out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s a relief,\u201d Mrs. Gregory said, though she didn\u2019t look quite relieved.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, let\u2019s start by taking your temperature, okay, Hannah?\u201d Nick said. He gently put the thermometer in her ear. It beeped a moment later, and he pulled it back out, frowning as he read it. \u201cYeah, she is running a high fever,\u201d he said to Mrs. Gregory. \u201c103.2.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was only 102.7 before we left,\u201d Mrs. Gregory said, looking worried.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, I\u2019m going to listen to your heart now, Hannah, okay?\u201d Nick put his stethoscope in his ears and gently slid the end of it down Hannah\u2019s shirt, pressing it against her chest. \u201cTake a deep breath,\u201d he instructed. \u201cAnd let it out.\u201d He listened for a minute, then removed the stethoscope.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, how old are you, Hannah?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cSeven,\u201d she replied in a tiny voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWow, seven. You\u2019re a big girl, huh? What grade are you in? Second?\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah nodded, smiling a little.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you like school?\u201d Nick went on, as he wrote out a chart for her.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes,\u201d answered Hannah.<\/p>\n Nick chuckled. \u201cJust sometimes, huh?\u201d He set her chart down in his lap and turned to Mrs. Gregory. \u201cBecause of her high temperature, I\u2019d like to run some more tests. It could just be the flu, since we are approaching flu season, but I\u2019d like to be sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrs. Gregory nodded. \u201cAll right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019ll be right back,\u201d Nick said and left the room. He immediately tracked down Brian.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Dr. Littrell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, what?\u201d Brian replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a seven-year-old girl in Exam 5 with a 103.2 temp. Her mother says she\u2019s had it for a few days, and it just keeps getting worse. I listened to her heart, and I heard a murmur. Do you want to come examine her, or should I page cardiology? It could be a defect or an infection or something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, go ahead and get someone from cardiology to come down. I\u2019m really swamped already,\u201d Brian replied.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Nick said and headed to the nurses station to use the phone.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026again, meteorologists have discovered that Hurricane Cortney, which originated near the Bahamas, has shifted courses and is heading directly for the North Carolina coastline. In Beach, Camden, and Walter County, evacuations have just been ordered. Residents living in those counties are asked to pack up necessary belongings, as little as possible, lock their homes, and head inland. For those of you who do not want to leave the affected towns, you should take cover in designated shelters. Here is a list of these shelters\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Addie watched the news broadcast with wide eyes as a list of shelters scrolled down the screen.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you believe this?\u201d a voice behind her asked. She turned around to find cardiologist Shannon Chung standing at the counter behind her. She, too, had been watching the news on the TV overhead.<\/p>\n Addie offered Shannon a grim smile. \u201cI sure wasn\u2019t expecting it,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re almost out of hurricane season, and this one came so suddenly. Usually we get more warning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Shannon said. \u201cSo, did someone page me down here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah, Nick did,\u201d she replied. \u201cHe was checking on his patient last time I saw him. Try Exam 5.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d said Shannon and headed to the examining room, nearly colliding into Nick himself. \u201cOh, there you are,\u201d Shannon said with a laugh. \u201cYou need a consult?\u201d<\/p>\n Nick explained his patient\u2019s condition to Shannon and sent her into her room.<\/p>\n \u201cHi there,\u201d Shannon said to the little girl who was lying on the gurney in the room. \u201cYou must be Hannah.\u201d<\/p>\n Hannah smiled shyly.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re her mother?\u201d Shannon asked the woman sitting next to her.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Alice Gregory,\u201d the woman introduced herself.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Dr. Chung. Mr. Carter asked me to come down to look at your daughter,\u201d Shannon said.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he told me you were a cardiologist,\u201d said Hannah\u2019s mother. Lowering her voice so Hannah wouldn\u2019t hear, she asked, \u201cIs there something wrong with Hannah\u2019s heart? The other doctor didn\u2019t explain why he wanted her to see a cardiologist.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, don\u2019t be alarmed. It\u2019s just that when he listened to Hannah\u2019s heart, he heard a murmur, or an irregular heartbeat. It\u2019s really common with children, and it\u2019s not something to worry about, but with her other symptoms, it could be an indicator of something other than the flu, like an infection. I\u2019m just going to examine her myself, get some bloodwork and an EKG, and we\u2019ll go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, baby, you have to go. It\u2019s not safe to stay here,\u201d Justin insisted to his girlfriend, Britney.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Justy!\u201d she cried over the phone. \u201cI won\u2019t evacuate, not without you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be fine here, Brit. We\u2019ve got this place hurricane-proofed. We\u2019ll be fine. But the apartment isn\u2019t safe. You need to go inland, wherever everyone else is going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t you leave that stupid place and come with me?\u201d she whined.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get fired! Dr. Brunson already said that this morning during our meeting!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you\u2019re saying your stupid job is more important than your life? More important than me?\u201d she screeched.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not at all, Brit! I\u2019m perfectly safe here, and this isn\u2019t even about you. I want to protect you! That\u2019s how much I love you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou do not! If you loved me, you\u2019d come home!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBrit,\u201d Justin started, but she refused to listen.<\/p>\n \u201cFine then! Just stay there and die, for all I care! I hate you!\u201d Britney screamed and hung up the phone.<\/p>\n \u201cBrit? Britney? Are you there? Please, Brit, say something!\u201d Justin pleaded.<\/p>\n After a few minutes, an automated voice came over the phone. \u201cIf you\u2019d like to make a call, please hang up and try again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Justin sighed heavily and slammed the phone down.<\/p>\n AJ McLean ducked his head against the wind and hurried to avoid that rain that pelted down on him as he helped wheel a patient into the ER.<\/p>\n \u201cWow, you\u2019re drenched,\u201d said his girlfriend, Bianca Parker, her eyes widening when she met him and the other paramedics at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cNo shit,\u201d AJ said with a short laugh. \u201cIt\u2019s getting worse out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Bianca shivered and helped them wheel the patient inside. \u201cSo what do we got here?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cAudrey Rogers, fifty-six-years-old, got trampled outside a grocery store. Complains of back and shoulder pain, looks like a dislocated shoulder,\u201d AJ said. \u201cVitals are normal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Audrey, we\u2019re going to help you out,\u201d Bianca said soothingly to the woman. \u201cHow bad is your pain?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty bad,\u201d said Audrey, her voice shaking slightly. \u201cMy shoulder\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that definitely looks dislocated,\u201d said Bianca, as they pushed Audrey into a room. \u201cWe\u2019ll give you some medicine for the pain, and then we\u2019ll fix your shoulder. Do you hurt anywhere else other than your shoulder and back?\u201d<\/p>\n AJ, Josh, and Allison left Bianca to take care of Audrey.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about a quick coffee break before we head out again?\u201d Allison suggested, shivering. It was freezing outside, and they were all soaked to the skin.<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds great,\u201d Josh replied, relieved, and AJ nodded vigorously. The three headed for the staff lounge, when AJ heard someone calling his name.<\/p>\n He turned around to see Howie Dorough waving to him from down the hall. \u201cHey, AJ!\u201d he called.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be right back,\u201d AJ said to Josh and Allison and jogged down the hall to Howie. \u201cHey, D, what\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJeez, Aje, you\u2019re soaked,\u201d Howie said, his eyes widening when he saw AJ up close.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Howie, I didn\u2019t know that,\u201d AJ said dryly, rolling his eyes and grinning. \u201cAnd how come you\u2019re so dry anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n Howie shrugged. \u201cI\u2019ve had time to dry out, I guess. We decided to just hang out here until we got another call; it\u2019s nasty outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, tell me about it,\u201d remarked AJ with sarcasm in his voice. \u201cWell, we\u2019re taking a coffee break. You got a few minutes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I was just on my way up to surgery to get Rita. We were gonna head down to the cafeteria to get a bite to eat. Too bad out to walk to Sully\u2019s. You wanna come with; you can get a cappuccino or something down there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEh, I don\u2019t wanna be a third wheel\u2026\u201d AJ hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t be,\u201d Howie assured him. \u201cCome on, it\u2019s just Rita.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, okay, I guess,\u201d AJ said with a shrug.<\/p>\n The two men headed to the elevators, where two familiar figures already stood, waiting.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Brian, hey Ivory,\u201d AJ said to the couple, who both turned and smiled at him and Howie.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, guys,\u201d said Brian. \u201cWhatcha up to?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGoing to get Rita and then having lunch. You?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re on break; just thought we\u2019d head up to the eighth floor to get a better look at that storm out there,\u201d Ivory answered with a grin.<\/p>\n The elevator did not seem to be coming, so AJ impatiently punched the up button again, and they continued to wait. Finally, elevator doors slid open, two nurses walked out, and the two doctors and two paramedics walked in. As the doors began to close, they heard two more voices shout, \u201cHold the elevator!\u201d<\/p>\n AJ shot out his arm, stopping the doors and pushing them back open just in time for one of the med students (a particularly good-looking Hispanic one, AJ thought), to dart in, extending her own arm for what had to be a second med student, a tall, blonde young man, who was pushing a little girl on a gurney.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d the guy said breathlessly, grinning at the elevator\u2019s occupants, while the female student giggled and released the door once the guy and his patient were safely inside. \u201cHey, Dr. Littrell,\u201d he added, noticing Brian.<\/p>\n \u201cCarter,\u201d Brian nodded with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere you guys headed?\u201d Howie asked them.<\/p>\n \u201cCardiology,\u201d replied the man.<\/p>\n Howie hit the buttons for the second floor, surgery, where Rita worked, the eighth floor, and the fourth floor, Cardiology. \u201cMan, this storm is sure something, huh?\u201d the girl commented, as the elevator began to rise.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me about it,\u201d said AJ, looking down at his wet uniform. \u201cIt just came on all of a sudden. I mean, it was storming yesterday and all, but a hurricane? I had no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think anybody did. The weathermen didn\u2019t even know,\u201d said Ivory in her Southern drawl, rolling her eyes. \u201cIn this day and age, you\u2019d think they\u2019d be able to predict a hurricane by now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard it shifted courses,\u201d Howie said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t supposed to hit us.\u201d<\/p>\n Their conversation was interrupted as the elevator stopped on the second floor, and surgeon Kevin Richardson stepped in. Howie and AJ made to step out, then realized they were blocked by the gurney the two med students had brought in.<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026\u201d AJ said uncertainly, eyeing the gurney.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no, is this your floor?\u201d the girl asked. \u201cNick, maybe we can just move her out and then-\u201c<\/p>\n \u201cOh, don\u2019t worry about it,\u201d Howie interrupted. \u201cToo much of a hassle. We\u2019ll just go on up to Cardiology so you guys can get off first and then come back to this floor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2026 well, okay,\u201d said the guy, looking a little relieved.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, guys,\u201d Kevin greeted finally, as the doors slid shut.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Kev,\u201d AJ and Howie both replied, the med students nodding in acknowledgement.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat floor?\u201d asked Howie, who was manning the buttons.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst,\u201d Kevin said. \u201cI\u2019m heading down to the ER to help. Hear they\u2019re pretty swamped down there. All our elective surgeries have been canceled, so there\u2019s not much I can do up here right now anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, they\u2019re really busy down in the ER,\u201d Howie said with a nod, as the elevator began to rise again. \u201cI\u2019ve been hanging around there, waiting for another call, and it\u2019s been a madhouse.\u201d<\/p>\n The elevator rose upward again, heading for the cardiology floor. But all of a sudden, the lights flickered, and the elevator gave a sharp jerk, sending the seven people stumbling. The child let out a whimper from her gurney, as the elevator stopped abruptly.<\/p>\n The eight of them stared at each other, wide-eyed.<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026 why aren\u2019t we moving?\u201d asked the blonde man, looking nervously around the small enclosure.<\/p>\n \u201cDid it break?\u201d asked the little girl, her voice rising. She looked up at the med student in fright.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right, honey,\u201d he said quickly. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. If it is broken, someone will come fix it right away. We\u2019ll just be stopped here for a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh God, Nick\u2026\u201d murmured the young woman, her dark eyes frantically scanning the elevator. \u201cPlease don\u2019t say that. I can\u2019t stand to be in elevators for too long. I get claustrophobic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh great,\u201d AJ muttered with a sigh.<\/p>\n Howie hit the button to open the doors, but nothing happened. He tried the emergency call button. Again, nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t they check these things?\u201d Kevin asked exasperatedly. \u201cThis is a hospital, for God\u2019s sake. Elevators shouldn\u2019t be malfunctioning like this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do we do?\u201d Brian asked. \u201cWill they know we\u2019re stuck?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess they\u2019ll figure it out eventually,\u201d said Howie with a shrug. \u201cWe\u2019re probably stuck between levels. I wonder if anyone would hear us if we made noise.\u201d To test his own question, he banged against the metal doors and shouted, \u201cHelp! Can anyone hear us?! The elevator broke down!\u201d<\/p>\n They all started shouting then and banged against the walls for a few minutes, finally stopping when it became clear that no one was coming to their rescue.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, this is just lovely,\u201d said AJ, his voice laden with sarcasm. He pressed his back against the wall and slowly slid down to the floor. His wet back left a streak of water on the shiny metal wall. \u201cI\u2019m going to get pneumonia sitting in these wet clothes, and then I\u2019ll sue Memorial for their crappy, unreliable elevators.\u201d<\/p>\n The young Hispanic woman let out a shuddering breath and slowly slid to the ground as well, burying her head in her knees. She was breathing hard.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, don\u2019t freak out now,\u201d AJ said softly, reaching out and lightly touching her shoulder.<\/p>\n She jerked when he did so and looked up, her eyes wide. \u201cI-I need to get out of here,\u201d she said. \u201cI can\u2019t stand being in enclosed spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n The blonde man sat down beside her. \u201cShh, it\u2019s okay, Isabel. Just try not to think about it. Take deep breaths, close your eyes, and don\u2019t think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Isabel squeezed her eyes shut, scrunching her face up as she tried to imagine herself being anywhere but there, in a large, open area. It seemed to work, for her breathing eventually slowed. After a few minutes, she tentatively opened her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou okay?\u201d asked the blonde beside her.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d she said uncertainly, looking around. She gave another little shudder, but kept calm.<\/p>\n Brian and Kevin had sat down as well. The male med student, Nick, rose back up to stand beside his patient. She had sat up and was looking around. Her fear had seemed to diminish though, luckily.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026 you\u2019re seven, right, Hannah?\u201d Nick asked, breaking the tense silence that had filled the elevator.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d came Hannah\u2019s reply.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a daughter who\u2019s about your age,\u201d Howie piped up. \u201cShe\u2019s six.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s her name?\u201d Hannah asked interestedly.<\/p>\n \u201cHer name\u2019s Danielle. We call her Dani though usually,\u201d answered Howie.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, how is Dani anyway, Howie?\u201d piped up Kevin from the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s great,\u201d Howie said. \u201cShe\u2019s almost fully recovered. She\u2019ll probably be back in school next week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful,\u201d said Kevin. AJ and Brian nodded in agreement. Then silence enveloped them all again.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026\u201d AJ searched for a new conversation topic. His eyes focusing on the young man and woman next to him, he asked, \u201cYou two are med students, right? I\u2019ve seen you around the ER.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d said the man. \u201cI\u2019m Nick Carter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s my student,\u201d Brian added with a grin.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Isabel Rivera,\u201d Isabel introduced. \u201cAnd I\u2019m Dr. Palmer\u2019s student. Oh, and this is Hannah,\u201d she added, smiling at the patient she was helping Nick transport upstairs.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Howie Dorough,\u201d he nodded to Isabel and Nick. \u201cAnd this here is AJ McLean; we\u2019re both EMTs. And this is Kevin Richardson; he\u2019s a surgeon.\u201d<\/p>\n Once introductions were made, the group settled into silence again.<\/p>\n \u201cThis sucks,\u201d Nick said after a while, his voice flat.<\/p>\n \u201cNo shi\u2026 I mean, no duh,\u201d AJ agreed, his face reddening as he glanced quickly at Hannah. He knew better than to swear in front of a seven-year-old.<\/p>\n Kevin snickered.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think anyone\u2019s missed us by now?\u201d Isabel wondered aloud. Nick only shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno about you, but everyone thinks we\u2019re on break. No one will be missing us for a while,\u201d said Howie.<\/p>\n \u201cAllison and Josh will be wondering where the hell I am,\u201d AJ said.<\/p>\n \u201cUmmm\u2026\u201d Hannah said softly, staring at AJ with wide eyes. \u201cYou said the H-word.\u201d<\/p>\n AJ\u2019s face reddened again as he realized he\u2019d forgotten to catch himself that time. He was not used to being around little kids.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cI meant \u2018heck\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin snickered again.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder what it\u2019s like outside,\u201d Brian said absently.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s probably getting pretty bad,\u201d replied Howie. \u201cLook on the bright side \u2013 at least we\u2019re stuck in here and not out there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI might have to agree with you there, D,\u201d AJ said, looking down at his still-damp clothes.<\/p>\n \u201cTake off your jacket,\u201d suggested Ivory. \u201cThen you won\u2019t be so wet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll freeze,\u201d said AJ, but he removed the jacket anyway. Underneath, he was wearing only a white wifebeater, but it was only slightly damp and much better than the wet, heavy jacket.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have lots of tattoos,\u201d said Hannah, again staring at AJ with widened eyes. AJ\u2019s muscular arms were nearly covered in ink.<\/p>\n \u201cYup,\u201d he said, rather proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cI have some tattoos, too,\u201d Nick piped up. He pushed up the sleeves of his blue scrub top to reveal a band of something going around one of his upper arms and a shark on the other.<\/p>\n \u201cCool,\u201d said Hannah, staring at his arms. \u201cI like the shark.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d Nick smiled at her. \u201cI have another one on my back. A music note.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you\u2019re into music?\u201d Brian asked in interest.<\/p>\n \u201cYup. I\u2019ve been singing ever since I was little,\u201d Nick replied, his cheeks growing slightly pink.<\/p>\n \u201cMe too. I used to sing all the time in church,\u201d said Brian.<\/p>\n \u201cSame here,\u201d added Kevin. \u201cBrian and I practically grew up together. He\u2019s my cousin. I\u2019ve known him my whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh really? And you both became doctors here? That\u2019s neat,\u201d said Isabel with a smile.<\/p>\n AJ laughed. \u201cOh, that\u2019s not all,\u201d he told Isabel. \u201cBri\u2019s brother Harry is an EMT here, too. It\u2019s a whole Littrell-Richardson family thing, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n Isabel laughed. \u201cMusic and<\/em> medicine must run in your blood then,\u201d she said to Brian and Kevin. \u201cIt\u2019s the same way with my family\u2026 the medicine part, that is. My dad\u2019s a cardiologist, and my older sister\u2019s a neurosurgeon. I have a lot to live up to.\u201d She chuckled wryly.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s tough,\u201d Howie said, looking at her in sympathy. \u201cAre you really interested in medicine, or are you only becoming a doctor because your family wants you to?\u201d<\/p>\n She frowned. \u201cOf course I\u2019m interested in it,\u201d she said in a defensive tone. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be here if I wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean anything by that,\u201d Howie said, holding up his hands. \u201cI was just wondering.\u201d<\/p>\n Isabel smiled sheepishly. \u201cI know. Sorry for snapping at you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem.\u201d<\/p>\n AJ looked up at Hannah and saw that she had lay back down on the gurney. Her face looked flushed and feverish. He cleared his throat and gave Howie a meaningful look, nodding towards Hannah. Nick looked down at her and gently pressed his hand to her forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cHow you feel, Hannah?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cTired,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about taking a nap?\u201d he suggested.<\/p>\n \u201cI want my mommy. When can we get out of here?\u201d<\/p>\n Nick pressed his lips together in sympathy. \u201cI\u2019m not sure, sweetheart. We have to wait for someone to fix the elevator.\u201d<\/p>\n Brian stood up and came over to the other side of Hannah\u2019s gurney. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you try to go to sleep?\u201d he said, repeating Nick\u2019s suggestion. \u201cMaybe if you take a little nap, we\u2019ll be out of here by the time you wake up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Hannah said. She rolled over on her side and closed her eyes. Brian smiled and gently smoothed back Hannah\u2019s hair, just as a mother or father would. Before long, Hannah had drifted to sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a cutie,\u201d Ivory said, smiling as Brian sat back down. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with her, Nick?\u201d<\/p>\n Nick pursed his lips. \u201cShe\u2019s pretty sick,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope we get out of here soon. She needs to be started on antibiotics right away. She has bacterial endocarditis, according to Dr. Chung.\u201d<\/p>\n Brian\u2019s head shot up sharply, and he sucked in a breath. \u201cThat\u2019s what I had,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n Nick cocked his head at him. \u201cReally? When?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was five. I skinned my knee, and it set in then. No one discovered it for two weeks, and by then, it was so far advanced, the doctors said I had no chance of recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n Nick\u2019s mouth dropped open. The others looked equally shocked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never told me that,\u201d Ivory said, seeming slightly hurt. \u201cI knew you used to have a heart condition, but I didn\u2019t know that.\u201d<\/p>\n Brian shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s not something you talk about a lot, I guess,\u201d he said with a chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cNo chance of recovery?\u201d Nick asked, his eyebrows raised.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what they said,\u201d Brian replied. \u201cThey said it was a miracle when I pulled through.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWow.\u201d<\/p>\n Ivory sighed. \u201cThey have to have noticed that we\u2019re gone by now. And they have to have realized that the elevator\u2019s broken. Why hasn\u2019t anyone come to help us yet?\u201d she complained.<\/p>\n \u201cThe repair people probably can\u2019t even get to the hospital,\u201d Kevin realized. \u201cI hate to say it, but we could be stuck here for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCouldn\u2019t someone pry open the doors with a crow bar and help us out?\u201d asked AJ, frowning.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re probably between floors though,\u201d Howie pointed out. \u201cThey probably wouldn\u2019t be able to get to us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGod, this sucks ass,\u201d AJ muttered, banging his head back against the wall. \u201cOw\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the end of the world as we know it\u2026\u201d<\/em> Nick began to sing softly.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d Isabel hissed, smacking him playfully.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything you say to me, takes me one step closer to the edge, and I\u2019m about to break,\u201d<\/em> he went on, changing songs and grinning devilishly at Isabel. \u201cI need a little room to breathe, cause I\u2019m one step closer to the edge, and I\u2019m about to break\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOh, don\u2019t sing about needing room to breathe,\u201d Isabel moaned, looking around the tiny elevator.<\/p>\n AJ grinned mischievously at Nick. \u201cThere\u2019s something inside me that pulls beneath the surface\u2026 consuming, confusing\u2026 this lack of self control I fear is never-ending\u2026 controlling\u2026 I can\u2019t seem\u2026 to find myself again\u2026 my walls are closing in\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOh, stop it!\u201d Isabel cried, clapping her hands over her ears.<\/p>\n Brian snickered. \u201cBreathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out,\u201d<\/em> he sang.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp\u2026 I need somebody\u2026 help\u2026 not just anybody\u2026 help\u2026 you know I need someone\u2026 heeeelp\u2026\u201d<\/em> Kevin joined in.<\/p>\n \u201cRescue me, and let me in your heart\u2026 rescue me\u2026 I don\u2019t know the rest of the words\u2026\u201d<\/em> Ivory sang, laughing.<\/p>\n Isabel stuck her bottom lip out and glared playfully at the others. Then she opened her mouth and sang, \u201cOh, I\u2026 I will survive\u2026 oh, as long as I know how to love\u2026\u201d<\/em> She trailed off, dissolving into giggles, and the others joined in laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cJoin us next week for Atlantic City Memorial Karaoke Night,\u201d joked Howie. They all laughed again, glad for the diversion from their situation.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me! Excuse me, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n Justin turned around when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder from behind. He found himself face to face with a panicked looking woman. \u201cCan I help you with something, ma\u2019am?\u201d he asked dutifully.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m looking for my daughter, Hannah. She was down here, and then they supposedly sent her up to cardiology, but I went up there, and she\u2019s not there! Do you know where they might have taken her? Can you find out for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026 I\u2019m sorry, but I really don\u2019t know. I\u2019ll page cardiology and see what I can find out though. Just sit in chairs and wait.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right. Thank you,\u201d Mrs. Gregory said, reluctantly heading back to the waiting area.<\/p>\n Justin was about to have Chris Kirkpatrick page the cardiology ward for him when a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind. He jumped, startled, and spun around, coming face to face with his girlfriend, Britney Spears.<\/p>\n \u201cBrit!\u201d he exclaimed. \u201cWhat are you doing here??\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Justy, I\u2019m so sorry!\u201d Britney cried, flinging her arms around him and kissing him on the lips. \u201cI packed my things, and I was about to leave without you, but I just couldn\u2019t do it! So I came here instead. We\u2019ll be safe here, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Justin said. \u201cOh, Brit, baby, I\u2019m so glad you came here. Now we can be together.\u201d He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.<\/p>\n \u201cTimberlake!\u201d shouted a voice. Justin looked up over Britney\u2019s shoulder to see Holli Brunson marching towards him. \u201cBreak it up! This is a hospital, and you\u2019re a med student! Please set an example. No public displays of affection!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Dr. Brunson,\u201d Justin mumbled, his face growing hot.<\/p>\n \u201cFind something productive to do or get the hell out of here,\u201d Holli snapped and stalked off.<\/p>\n \u201cWho was that?\u201d Britney asked, making a face at Holli.<\/p>\n \u201cHolli Brunson. She\u2019s in charge of, like, everything here, and I\u2019ve already gotten in trouble with her once today. I thought Dr. O\u2019Brien was bad enough. I\u2019m so glad Brunson is a surgeon and not an ER physician, or it would be absolute hell working here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounds like it already is,\u201d Britney said, looking around the crowded ER and shuddering. \u201cAll these nasty sick people\u2026 how can you stand it?\u201d<\/p>\n Justin just shrugged. \u201cHey, Brit,\u201d he said suddenly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Justin grinned devilishly. \u201cYou wanna go do something \u2018productive\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Dr. Veers?\u201d<\/p>\n Risha Veers turned around to find nurse Hayley Aldworth coming down the hall toward her. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you seen Kevin Richardson around lately?\u201d Hayley asked. \u201cHe was supposed to go down to the ER for a consult a little while ago, and I thought I saw him leave, but the ER keeps calling up here and saying they need more surgeons and that he hasn\u2019t shown up yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm\u2026\u201d Risha frowned. \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t seen him,\u201d she said. \u201cShould I go down there and help?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I guess so. Sounds like they\u2019re swamped down there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. I\u2019ll head down there in a few minutes. I need to go look for something real quick first,\u201d said Risha.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you looking for?\u201d Hayley asked.<\/p>\n \u201cA ring. I think I took it off to scrub in for a surgery last night and left it in the scrub-in area. I\u2019m going to go check there now,\u201d Risha replied.<\/p>\n \u201cAw. I hope you find it. Is it really valuable?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t expensive, if that\u2019s what you mean, but it\u2019s priceless to me,\u201d answered Risha and walked away before Hayley could ask any more questions. She went into the scrub-in area and looked around, praying she would see it laying on a counter somewhere.<\/p>\n How could I be so stupid?<\/em> she wondered. Usually, she left her ring in her office before she went to scrub in for a surgery, but she had been pulled into an emergency surgery the night before and had forgotten. She remembered taking it off and setting it down on the counter before scrubbing in, and she had meant to pick it up again when she was done with the surgery, but it was late, and she had completely forgotten about it.<\/p>\n Risha wandered around the small room several times, thoroughly checking every nook and cranny. The ring was nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n Someone must have found it<\/em>, she told herself. I\u2019ll ask the other doctors and nurses about it when I see them. Someone has to have it. Surely it couldn\u2019t have fallen down the drain or something.<\/em> She eyed the sinks warily, imagining how easily a ring could have gotten knocked off the counter and fallen into the sink and down the drain. She sighed and tried not to get too emotional about it. It\u2019s just a stupid ring,<\/em> she scolded herself. It wasn\u2019t even expensive. I can buy myself another one.<\/em><\/p>\n But it wouldn\u2019t be the same<\/em>, her heart argued. It just wouldn\u2019t be the same.<\/em><\/p>\n Giving up her search for the time being, Risha sighed again and was about to go down to the ER like she had promised, when she noticed that there was a light on in one of the operating rooms down the hall. There weren\u2019t supposed to be any lights on in any of the OR\u2019s, for all elective and non-emergency surgeries had been canceled. Figuring someone had just forgotten to shut off the lights, she went down the hall to do it herself. She saw that the blinds over the windows on the double doors were closed, but thought nothing of it. She grabbed the handles of both doors and swung them open. The sight that greeted her made her gasp in utter shock.<\/p>\n Lying on the stainless steel operating table was a woman, and straddled over her was a man. Both were stark naked, and both were gasping in passion. It was not too hard to tell what they were doing.<\/p>\n Risha\u2019s mouth dropped open, but she said nothing. She was too shocked to speak. Her first instinct was to leave right away, but the sight of two people having sex on an operating table was so unexpected that she felt frozen with astonishment.<\/p>\n The door must have made a sound when it opened, or the woman must have sensed someone watching them, because she sat up suddenly, pushing the man off of her. When she sat up, Risha got a good look at her face\u2026 and everything else. She was a young, pretty woman, but she was wearing way too much make-up, her hair was way too bleached, and her breasts were way too massive to be real. The man turned around, a horrified expression on his face, and Risha caught a good look at him, too. He had curly blondish hair, blue eyes, and looked very familiar to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are you?\u201d Risha asked, finally finding her voice, as the two people scrambled to cover themselves. \u201cDo you work here?\u201d<\/p>\n The man and woman exchanged glances. \u201cUh\u2026 I do,\u201d the man finally admitted, hanging his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you looked familiar,\u201d Risha said, frowning at him. \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJustin Timberlake,\u201d he answered in a gravy whisper. His face had gone from red to ashy gray.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Timberlake, do you have any idea how much trouble you could get in if Dr. Brunson or anyone else found out about this?\u201d<\/p>\n Justin\u2019s eyes widened in terror. \u201cOh God, please don\u2019t tell Brunson! Please, I\u2019ll do anything! I-I\u2019m only a med student here, and I\u2019ve already gotten yelled at by her twice today! Please, you can\u2019t tell her! I\u2019m so sorry! I don\u2019t know what I was thinking! Please, it\u2019ll never happen again!\u201d<\/p>\n Risha just stared at him in disgust. She had no patience for this today. \u201cJust get dressed,\u201d she said exasperatedly. \u201cAnd get back to work.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned around and walked back down the hall, debating over what to do. In the end, she decided not to tell Holli. The kid had done something incredibly wrong and stupid, but he was young, inexperienced, and in love (hopefully). Risha remembered those days when she felt the same way. It seemed so long ago, but she would never forget how it felt to be young and in love, no matter how painful the memories were now. And she also remembered how it felt to be a med student, young and ambitious. She was not sure exactly what would happen to him if Holli did find out, but she had a feeling it would not be pretty, and she decided it was not worth ruining his career over.<\/p>\n And so, she did not tell Holli, nor did she tell anyone else. As she passed the nurses station on her way to the elevators, all she said to Hayley was, \u201cYou might want to call housekeeping and have them clean OR 4 again. It might be a little\u2026 uh\u2026 messy in there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnit 309, what is your location?\u201d a voice crackled over the small radio.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is unit 309, we are exiting Atlantic City Memorial, over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnit 309, we have a twenty-one-year-old male down at Chaser\u2019s Bar and Grill on Oceanview Drive. Victim was involved in a bar scuffle. Labored breathing, suspected head and facial injuries, over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are on our way Dispatch. ETA five minutes.\u201d Harry Littrell placed the radio back in its holder and looked around for his partners Kylie McCartney and AJ McLean. Spotting Kylie helping move a patient towards a trauma room, Harry jogged over towards her.<\/p>\n \u201cKylie, we have a call. Let\u2019s get going.\u201d<\/p>\n Kylie looked up at him sheepishly and walked towards him. \u201cSorry, Harry. I had my radio turned down, and I didn\u2019t hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay. Where\u2019s Amelia?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight here.\u201d Amelia Caston, the youngest member of the EMT squad, came up behind Harry. \u201cAre we ready to go?\u201d<\/p>\n The three paramedics quickly put on their rain gear and scrambled out to the ambulance waiting by one of the side doors. Harry climbed behind the driver\u2019s seat and put on his seatbelt, flipping the switch that put on the sirens and flashing lights.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will have to get there by the back roads,\u201d he informed the women as they exited the hospital parking lot. \u201cThe main roads are packed because of evacuation.\u201d<\/p>\n Exactly six minutes later, the ambulance pulled up at the entrance of the town bar and grill, Chaser\u2019s. Chaser\u2019s was very popular with residents and tourists alike with their full service bar and wonderful food.<\/p>\n Kylie and Harry both jumped out of the front of the ambulance, and Amelia opened the back door. The three of them lifted out a gurney, along with some equipment, including a defibrillator and neck collar, not knowing exactly what the situation would be. Entering the large bar, they were astonished to see customers still sitting in the bar.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are these people here?\u201d Kylie whispered. \u201cDon\u2019t these idiots realize a hurricane is coming?\u201d<\/p>\n Harry and Amelia just shrugged their shoulders and approached the man behind the bar. \u201cGo through those double doors and out back, just look for a crowd. The cops are already there,\u201d the man said before Harry asked. Harry nodded his thanks and they walked through the double doors, immediately spotting a small group and several police officers mixed within.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the situation, Williams?\u201d Harry asked the closest officer to the scene.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was drunk and started a fight in the bar with a local gang, and they brought it out here and beat him shitless and ran. We suspect he has head and facial trauma, and his ribs may be broken. He\u2019s experiencing labored breathing. Nice guy though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is his name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Anderson,\u201d the officer replied.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, can you hear me? My name is Harry Littrell and these are my partners, Amelia Caston and Kylie McCartney. Can you tell me where you feel the most pain?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s okay, sweetie. I\u2019m just going to put this tube in here to suction out any vomit you may have in your lungs and put an oxygen mask on your face when I\u2019m done,\u201d Kylie explained as she performed the procedures. For personal experience, she knew most patients felt better about what was going on when it was explained to them.<\/p>\n \u201cMy chest hurts,\u201d Adam gasped behind the mask, terror filling his dark eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, sweetie. We are almost finished here, and then we will take you to the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n Once they evaluated Adam, the EMTs carefully put on a neck brace and placed Adam on a backboard as a precaution. Carefully loading him into the back of the ambulance, Amelia jumped in and began to hook Adam up to various IV\u2019s and a heart monitor.<\/p>\n While Harry drove, Kylie was on the radio, spouting out information to the hospital, as Adam lay still on the backboard, pain radiating throughout his body. Without warning, Adam\u2019s body went rigid and his eyes rolled back into his head, the beeping on the monitor changing erratically.<\/p>\n \u201cShit, Harry, step on it!\u201d Amelia yelled.<\/p>\n As suddenly as the seizure had started, it stopped, the beeping of the heart monitor immediately following suit. The eerie flat tone filled the ambulance as Harry pulled into the hospital parking lot with sirens wailing. Amelia warmed up the defibrillator machine before placing the paddles onto the still chest.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, come on!\u201d she chanted as each attempt had negative results. She and Kylie sagged against the wall in relief when a slow beeping sound replaced the wailing of the machine. Adam was going to be okay, for now.<\/p>\n+++<\/h4>\n
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\nInstead of receiving a response, Harry watched as the young man\u2019s breathing sped up, and his eyes grew wide.<\/p>\n