Claire looked up when she heard us. “Seriously?! You two get back in bed! We have this handled!” Claire stomped up the stairs and grabbed me by my arm. “Nick, help me get Henry.”
“I can see you have it handled,” I said in my usual sarcastic way.
“Shut the fuck up, Elaina!” Claire’s frustration and anger was evident. I couldn’t believe Ms. Proper told me to shut the fuck up. I didn’t have the energy to think of a comeback.
I scowled at her. “Don’t take this out on me!” That was the best that I could do. Claire mumbled something, while she supported me as we ascended the few stairs I had managed to get down. I was grateful for her help, even though I didn’t express that to her.
“I’ll try to help.” I stopped as I heard Thomas come up behind us.
“No offense, Thomas, but I don’t think you could move Henry. He’s not a lightweight, like you are.”
“Snippy much?” Claire growled. That was a first. Henry was bracing himself up against the wall. His swollen face was contorted in pain. Some of his wounds were still oozing.
“Well, he’s two hundred plus pounds. Thomas couldn’t possibly be more than a buck twenty-five.”
“I’m sick of this shit! Elaina, go. Now!” Henry buckled in pain when he yelled. He started a slow slide down the wall that he couldn’t stop. I turned around enough to see Thomas’ blank eyes staring at Henry. And just past him, Nick was kneeling down, stroking Sophie’s hair, apologizing to her.
“I want to see my mom,” I said.
“Fine.” Claire escorted me to my parents’ room. Thomas made it to Henry and helped him as much as he could.
I stopped in the doorway and saw my helpless, frail mother laying there in silence. “Mom…?” I whispered. I went to her side. “Claire?” She left her anger at the door, and made her way over to the bed. “Please, tell me she’s still alive.”
Claire checked her pulse and listened to her chest. “Yes, but barely. I think she probably needs fluids or she isn’t going to make it.”
“I don’t know what to do. We can’t force her to drink anything. She’s unconscious.” I tried hard to hold it together.
“She needs an IV with fluids. I would imagine a transfusion would be best but, for obvious reasons, we can’t do that. I’m willing to bet that bastard just about tapped her dry.”
“I don’t think Henry has everything we need to give her fluids through an IV.” The situation was becoming more hopeless by the second.
Then I heard Thomas say, “But there’s an Urgent Care down on the main road. I saw it when I came into town.” He was standing outside of my parents’ bedroom door.
“Right. Thank you, Thomas.” How could I have forgotten? I stood up. Claire grabbed me.
“Oh no, you don’t. You’re staying here. Thomas, you and I…let’s go.”
“Wait! No. It’s too dangerous.” I couldn’t let Claire and Thomas go on their own.
“We either do this, or we watch her die. It’s the best shot that she has.” Claire was adamant. I decided arguing with her wasn’t going to work. I sat back down on the bed next my mom. Claire and Thomas walked into my room to tell Henry what the plan was. Then I saw them walk by to go to the stairs.
“Claire!” I yelled. She stopped and looked my way. “Thank you. And you, too, Thomas. Be safe.” They both nodded.
They ran down the stairs, and I heard them talking to Nick about what the plan was. He wasn’t happy about it, but he wanted Mom saved as much as Claire did. He knew he spent most of his energy trying to get everyone in the house. He was still weak from the bite, and needed more blood. Plus, someone needed to keep an eye on Kellan, and Nick was the only one who could handle the task.
Chapter 20
C
laire and Thomas got into Henry’s truck. “You ready?” Claire asked.
“Yeah, I guess.”
She handed him Sophie’s gun. “Only shoot if you have to. Remember, we have to conserve.” He nodded. Claire started the truck and they pulled away. “So…tell me about yourself. Are you from around here?”
“No. I’m from ‘bout seventy miles north.” His voice was subdued.
“Did you travel alone all that way? On foot?”
“Yeah, mos’ly. I did hitch a couple rides, though.”
Claire was curious. Maybe too curious. “Is your family alive?” After she asked, she wondered if she should have.
Thomas was silent for a moment. “No.” It was like pulling teeth, trying to get information. “I killed ‘em.”