Excerpt: Knives of Our Lives

Chapter the First
November 5, 2004
Hospital doors crashed open as gurney wheels furiously squeaked. A firm hand halted Sterling’s advance through the door. “You’ll have to wait outside, Miss.” A quick pivot on his heel and the door disappeared behind the door, back to his triage.
Left amongst the chaos Sterling marched herself out of the hospital, holding her head up until the glass doors hissed closed. Sinking to the graveled smoking area all strength drained out to the rocks, into the soil beneath them. She wasn’t sure how long she stayed there as time stopped altogether in her mind. Only vaguely aware of shuffling feet and muffled tears. Absently breathing in cold cigarette smoke as if it was pure air.
Another hand pressed itself on her shoulder. This hand settled gently but no less firmly than the halting one before it. No less startling than the frantic hands even earlier. “Miss, are you okay?” Sterling did not turn to the concerned voice. A sweeping glance by the visitor; assessing the young woman before him and with a solemn nod asked her; “Loved one caught the Z-1 virus?”
At this Sterling now snapped her eyes on the gentleman crouched beside her. “Z-1? Caught the Z-1 virus? You mean bit by a zombie. Zombie. Zombie. Zombie!” She shrilled, “Why won’t anyone just say it?!”
The gentleman slowly rocked back on his heels and rose, white coat billowing behind him. Sterling let the hornet’s nest in her chest swarm. Hands once flat against gravel tightened until a rock clenched in each fist. A balance jarring leap up and she chucked each rock as far as her tired muscles could allow. As soon as the car alarm sounded she wished it belonged to one of the doctors she had encountered.