IX - Charlie
The
hospital car park was half full. An
ambulance sat outside the entrance to A and E.
A wheel chair sat empty and abandoned near the open door of an MPV. Charlie rushed to peer inside as they
passed. A robot toy sat amidst a sea of
biscuit crumbs, dog hairs littered the back seats and the parcel shelf was
covered in a sprawl of travel magazines.
"Charlie!"
Paige
stood by the bonnet holding out a hand towards him. He let out a soft sigh and returned to her side. Josh was, as always, a few steps ahead of
them all, shining the torch beam into each car they passed, swinging it back and
forth as he searched for... something.
Then it was illuminating the sign above the main entrance, DEVARA HILL
ROYAL INFIRMARY. Fluorescent lights
flickered restlessly within.
"It
looks empty." Josh said as he
switched the torch off and took a step through the automatic doors - seemingly stuck
on open - and into the reception area.
"I
saw shadows moving a few floors up."
The old man said excitedly.
"When?" Paige sounded distrustful and Charlie found
that unnerving.
"When
we were further out in the car park."
"And
you didn't mention them because-?"
"It
seemed too obvious. There should
be people here!" His tone sounded
off. Charlie couldn't place it. He didn't understand why adults said things
the way they did.
"Then
I guess we try and find out who it was."
Josh continued into the reception area and the others followed.
Magazines
lay spread over a few of the seats in the waiting area and the remains of
crisps packets and drinks were spilled on the floor in a few places. Charlie watched his step as he made his way
over to a colourful bulletin board advertising child-friendly services. An NSPCC poster made him shudder.
"Hello?" Josh's voice sounded strained as he tried to
call out, but the echo sounded worse somehow.
"Is there anybody here?"
"They're
upstairs, like I told you!"
"Okay,
okay. Keep your shirt on. I just thought it was worth a try."
Henry
blustered past the younger man in the direction of the elevators. Charlie could see Paige watching him out of
the corner of her eye. The old man
thumbed the call button and then stood tapping his feet by the doors. His papers were held casually at his side.
"Why
has this place still got power when the rest of the city's in darkness?" Josh asked.
"They
probably have emergency generators," Henry replied, "the emergency
services always have contingency plans."
"Then
where is everyone?"
"Perhaps
they need to attend to the wards, or...” He thumbed the call button again. Charlie noticed that the light hadn't come
on.
"But
if this is the only place around with power and there really is an emergency
going on then surely it should be packed with people?"
"I
don't know,” the old man replied dismissively, then he thumbed the call button
several times before erupting, "What the hell's taking this bloody thing
so long?"
"It's
not working." Paige observed.
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