Virus
Part 1 - Elephant’s Bridge.
copyright © gregstensonstories 2011
(This story requires editing for paragraphs etc...will be done soon )
Thursday 11am 9th March.
Adam heard a ringing. It took him a few seconds but he slowly woke up from a deep sleep. He swam to the side of the bed and grabbed his mobile phone. It was 11am. He had been out in London the night before and wasn’t expecting a call, but as soon as he heard whose voice it was, he knew exactly what was coming next.It was Jacques Benoit from Medicins Sans Frontieres, in his gravelly French voice he blurted out instructions to Adam. Jacques always spoke in a hurry, with urgent purpose, and had no idea that Adam was only half awake.And half sober. “Wait, wait, wait Jacques, slow down, I’m still asleep, call me back man!”That didn’t wash with Jacques, he knew Adam well, and he kept repeating his instructions until Adam had taken in the details. All that Adam got in his semi-consciousness was ‘9 pm - Thursday - Heathrow - South Africa – Kalahari.’ and the words didn’t sink in for some time, but when they did… “WHAT…THURSDAY?” Adam sat bolt upright in bed ‘But Jacques Thursday?…that’s t-o-d-a-y!”Adam was now painfully awake, he had a splitting headache, but he was awake. He shouted back at Jacques in that hopeless way, you know perfectly well what you had heard but somehow by shouting and repeating the words, the message will change and not be true after all - but it was.He had just 10 hours to get packed and get to Heathrow.This was not an unusual situation for Dr. Adam Walker, 44 years old, a veteran of countless missions to all corners of the world where he would give selflessly of his time and energy, with disregard for his own health, to help others in need, wherever they might be. Adam could be mistaken for a much younger man, tallish with blond but graying hair, slim and physically fit, blue eyes and a lived in face. He was the kind of guy who listened to people’s problems and the warmth and compassion showed in his eyes, the smile almost etched into his face.Adam always kept a travel bag packed and ready, force of habit. He sank back on the bed and was getting that usual feeling of apprehension and exhilaration that came with not knowing just what circumstances lay before him. He wouldn’t though have it any other way. He would be on the 9 pm plane to Johannesburg, ready for action, like a soldier flying into a war zone.In the stifling midday heat, in a makeshift medical centre 50 miles from the Madikwe Game Reserve, Dr. Kalahari was on the wards making her second tour of the day checking the recent arrivals who were lying motionless on their beds, stricken down with a virus; an unknown virus, for some it had proved to be fatal, without care and medication it could be for all of them.Until the virus had been identified and a vaccine found, the centre was their only chance of survival. The sick and weak ones who had somehow made it to the centre were the lucky ones. Many hundreds had already died out in the bush areas to the north.The doctor needed outside help desperately, she could bring the centre under control but she wanted to get into the bush and tackle the problem at its source. Dr. Sable Kalahari, a tall beautiful black African woman, born just outside Johannesburg was, at thirty, the youngest Medical Director in the region and had established the centre single-handed. Against much Government opposition. She had begged and fought for the funds necessary to set up the facility in the poorest part of the North West Region of her native South Africa.Just two days before she had called her contacts at Medicins Sans Frontiers and she knew that if they could help, they would. Jacques Benoit called her the next day and although he had no idea at the time who he would send, he promised he would have an experienced Doctor out to assist her within 48 hours.Sable was, first and foremost, a doctor, she devoted her entire life to the care of others, spending little time on herself. Single and somehow oblivious to her beauty, she was an attractive woman with shoulder length dark brown hair that she usually wore tied back.She had just completed her round and as she was passing by the office when her secretary handed her a fax from MSF Geneva, it read…FAXWalker, A (Dr.)Arriving Johannesburg,Friday 10th March 2009 8 am.Please arrange pick up from the airport.Upon reading the fax Sable breathed a sigh of relief, help was on its way, and she knew that the arrival of Dr. Walker would mean that more patients, and people out in the bush, would have the chance of survival.Sable’s prayers were coming true.The sudden jolt of the plane’s wheels as they hit the tarmac upon landing woke Adam; he had slept for most of the eleven-hour flight from London. He looked out of the window and saw a familiar sight, he knew the skyline, he had been to Jo’burg many times. He had a soft spot for city and the country, and there was a special place in his heart for the real African people.Adam travelled light, just a carry on backpack, and sped passed the baggage carousels and out into the arrivals hall. He was accustomed to arriving in different parts of the world and had forgotten who to look out for, but he caught sight of his name that had been hastily scribbled onto a piece of plain paper, held aloft by a tall gangly black man called Joseph in disheveled clothes. As soon as Joseph saw him walking towards him who he recognized as Dr. Walker, from a faxed photocopy of an old black and white photo sent by MSF, Joseph broke out into a big toothy smile. Airports were for getting into and out of fast, thought Adam; he had been in far too many. He strode after the tall guy who was already halfway out to the land rover before he had a chance to properly introduce himself.The journey to Madikwe was around five hours driving time, initially on reasonable tarmac roads but they would soon it would be rough terrain. They would have plenty of time to talk, Adam had a thousand questions, Joseph did his best to answer them. Joseph told him as much as he knew about the virus outbreak, and that he was to meet Dr. Kalahari in the morning who would explain everything to him. Joseph omitted one tiny detail, that Dr. Sable Kalahari was a woman, a beautiful woman.After a couple of hours they were in bush country, the road became more and more bumpy, the road became a track and after yet more miles the track disintegrated into a dusty path. They were so deep into the country that only a local man such as Joseph would know the way. Adam closed his eyes, he smelt the warm earthy air and felt the breeze on his face, the city was far behind them, all that could be seen now were grasslands, animals and trees. All along the horizon he could see trails of dust and by squinting he could make out the herds of wildebeests constantly moving, never arriving. He was happy to be back in Africa once more.He had fallen asleep for the rest of the journey and only woke when Joseph opened the passenger door after arriving at the Medical Centre. It was six in the evening and almost dark. Adam could just see the shadowy outlines of the main buildings. Joseph had driven the land rover past the entrance to the centre and behind it to a cluster of small huts. Joseph led the way to the hut where Adam would be staying. He set down his bag on the bed showed him where the shower enclosure was out to the back and said he would bring Adam some soup and a drink for him. He thanked Joseph and told him he would grab a quick shower to wash off the dust of the journey. The shower was a small enclosure formed out of four sheets of corrugated steel held together in a framework of four by twos and nails with a makeshift door with rope for hinges. The water dropped down through gravity from overhead storage tanks and the water was warm, heated only by the warmth of the sun. Even though the pipe above his head had a simple spray head, it felt like heaven to be able to shower and cool off after the scorching heat of the day.As he showered he sat on his bunk toweling himself dry. He wondered just how long he would be there in Madikwe. Each new place brought it’s own adventures, hard work and new relationships, some that last a lifetime.In the morning he would find out.Joseph returned with a big bowl of soup, some bread and a whisky. Adam was trying to decide which he needed first. He drank the whisky first and then the delicious soup of provisions and vegetables.Joseph wished Adam a goodnight and told him that his brother Johnson would be on hand in the morning at eight a.m. with his breakfast and to show him to the centre.The jetlag started to kick in and after the soup and bread he collapsed into his bunk and fell soundly asleep.Friday 7.30am 11th March.The hot sun was already streaming into the hut through the slatted window as Adam woke up; he stretched and threw on some shorts. He bathed and was then glad to see Johnson arrive with his breakfast of eggs, fruit, juice and coffee.Dr. Kalahari was already hard at work, she was in her office studying reports of the previous days blood tests, she was deep in concentration and didn’t hear Johnson’s knock at her door. The door was ajar and he walked through, closely followed by Adam. They had been standing waiting for what seemed like a minute before she realized that someone was there. She caught sight of them out of the corner of her eye and jumped, she held the papers to her chest and looked up at both of them with a startled stare‘I’m so sorry I didn’t hear you at all, forgive me.’ She said.Sable had not really thought about whether A Walker would be a man or a woman. In those first few seconds she had studied his face, his physique and rugged good looks and noticed his kind smiling eyes. She was pleasantly surprised that it was a man. She liked his eyes. ‘This is Dr. Adam Walker mam, this is Dr. Sable Kalahari.’ said Johnson.Adam stretched his hand forward to greet Sable and smiled at her.‘It’s good to meet you, I hope I can be of help, I’ll do my best just tell me whatever you need to assist you.’ said Adam.‘I’m so glad you're here Adam, it means so much to me that you would come out to help, I’m so happy.’Sable asked him to take a seat and told Johnson to bring them some tea. She set about bringing Adam up to date with the details of the outbreak, the condition of the people and the treatment she had started.This was to be the start of a friendship, they would become close, closer than either of them would have expected.During tea Sable told Adam how the virus had presented and how she had tried to identify the strain so she could administer the appropriate medicines. She had tried several vaccines but without much success, she had at least stopped it becoming fatal provided it the vaccine was given within the first seventy-two hour period since the onset of symptoms. The people who had been strong enough to reach the centre were at least holding their own, the vaccine seemed to give them time for the body to fight the infection and then slowly start to recover. People out in the bush were dying within three days without treatment.Sable asked Adam to take over the supervision at the centre whilst she made visits to the outlying villages to vaccinate everyone, then she was confident she could bring the epidemic under control. She planned to start in a place called Zeerust.After a tour through the wards Adam got to work immediately taking blood tests and together with the head nurse, administering the medication. Sable summoned Joseph to prepare the land rover and to pack the supplies for their trip the following morning.Throughout the rest of the day Adam and Sable met at meal times to discuss new patients and Sable told Adam about her plans to treat the sick out in the field. They used what little time there was to get to know each other a little more.They seemed to like each other right from the start. Saturday 6 a.m. 12th March.At first light Sable was ready to leave the centre, Joseph was up before dawn and filled the land rover with fuel and supplies and checked the vehicle over prior to the arduous journey ahead of them. Adam was also up to see them off, Sable gave him a copy of the journey plans and said she’d be back the following evening before sundown.Sable and Adam embraced, he wished her a good trip and told her to stay in touch by the shortwave radio on the rover and to call if she needed any help.Adam and Johnson watched as the rover disappeared out of sight and until the dust trails had dispersed on the breeze. Although he had been in Madikwe barely a day, he already felt an affinity with the centre, and would miss Sable. She knew the people and the country but he couldn’t stop thinking how much he had wanted to go with her to make sure she was safe.He worked through the heat of the day, struggling to acclimatize quickly, his compassion for the people drove him on.At midday exactly Sable said she would call in, Adam sat in her office anxiously waiting for her call. Johnson was at the controls of the radio with a head set on, adjusting and twiddling the frequency knob slowly, first to the left, then to the right, his head cocked to one side staring into the air listening intently for a voice, all he could hear was a crackle of interference. They were sitting listening patiently when all of a sudden they heard a voice. It was Sable, sounding a little distant but quite clear. Adam moved his chair as close as he could to catch every word. She had arrived and had set up ready to start vaccinations. She would call again at seven p.m. after arriving at the next village. Adam and Sable talked for a while, and then, reluctantly, they said goodbye. Adam had lunch and returned to his work at the centre. He had been there less than two days but he already felt an attachment to the centre, and to Sable.As the afternoon wore on the weather seemed to be changing, the usual tropical rain that came each day appeared to be continuing longer than normal. The rain was getting heavier and heavier, he knew what this meant, he had seen what this bad weather could do many times. It was six thirty and Adam figured they would be in the rover on the way to the next village. He decided to try and contact Sable and Joseph, he asked Johnson to stay at the radio and to keep calling until he had made contact. Joseph called them every five minutes and then listened for their reply, he was just about to take a break when the crackle intensified and he thought he could hear Sables voice coming through on the speaker. Adam smiled, relieved that they had got through to them but he could hear concern in her voice.‘Where are you Sable? Over.’ Adam asked.‘We are about twenty miles from the village but the rains are really heavy, they haven’t stopped for hours and the road is getting worse and worse, I’m not sure how much longer we can carry on. The Madikwe river is swollen and Elephant’s bridge is almost under water’The reception faded in and out, contact was lost momentarily and Adam was getting quite concerned at what she was saying.‘Where is this bridge Johnson? Do you know it?’‘Yes, everyone knows this; it’s the main crossing for the miles around for elephants to get from the Madikwe Game reserve to the Northern grasslands. Johnson pointed out the bridge on a map, just above the radio set pinned to the wall.Just then Sable’s voice came through again.‘We won’t make it.’ she shouted. ‘We can’t go any further, we’re going to come back but the bridge looks dangerous, Adam what shall we do?’Johnson was also worried, he told Adam, Joseph was only young, he knew the country but he might panic in such an emergency. ‘Sable stay right where you are stay inside the rover, we’ll come and get you, don’t try to drive through the rain or over the bridge, promise me you’ll stay there?’ pleaded Adam.‘Okay Adam we’ll…..’ her voice stopped in mid air, the contact was lost, not even a crackle could be heard from the radio.Adam told Johnson to fuel up the second Land Rover, to put plenty of rope in the back and meet him out front in fifteen minutes.Adam fetched a medical kit from the dispensary, he called the head nurse to tell her that he was going and she helped him pack food, blankets and extra clothing. They loaded up the rover and set off, the rain was still falling heavily as they drove away.Johnson knew the way to the bridge, the tracks were difficult and slippery, Adam could see that Johnson was experienced and had no doubt that they would make it to the bridge.‘How long will it take Johnson?’ asked Adam.‘It may take two hours, maybe more.” said Johnson.He continued driving skillfully along the mud tracks, finding higher, drier ground where he could. Adam held onto the rover tightly as it lurched from side to side, his only thought to get to Sable as quickly as they could, the fear and anxiety in her voice was still ringing in his ears. This wasn’t some rescue mission like countless others he had carried out as a Doctor many times before, this was Sable, for some reason she was staring to mean something to him.His heart, for once, was taking over, he had to get to her, and soon.After what seemed like hours, Johnson told Adam that they were getting close. It was dark now and the rain was easing but so much had fallen that the floodwaters would rise through the night. Five minutes later and the bridge came into sight and Johnson called out to Adam.‘There it is, there is the bridge.’ cried Joseph.Adam could just see the bridge through the blinding rain. The waters were very high and the old timbers looked shaky but seemed to be undamaged. Nevertheless Adam was worried about the bridge, he had to get across. Somewhere on the other side was Sable.They both leaned out and Adam held up his hand above his eyes to try to see through the rain, and then sure enough, he could see Sable’s land rover on the other side, the right side leaning over, the wheels buried I the mud. He could see into the Land Rover, there was no sign of Sable …or Joseph.Johnson said it was better to carry on on foot; they walked carefully through the mud and reached the bridge. The old wooden structure looked like it might collapse at any moment, some of the cross members were already missing and some were broken. The floodwaters were lapping close to the underside. Sable was right, no vehicle would have made it across, they had to try to cross it on foot.They both set out gingerly, one foot at a time, staying close together should one of them slip or fall. Step by step they managed to cross it, the timbers creaking beneath their feet. As they set foot on the other side they both sighed with relief. Now they were across they could see the rover but where were they?‘Can you see them Johnson?’‘No sir.’‘Lets split up, but stay where you can hear me.’Off they went in the dark, through the rain and the muddy tracks.‘Sable!’ Adam shouted. ‘Sable, where are you?’ after each time he would stop and listen, desperate to hear her, to know she was safe. Just ahead he could see something, he looked at Johnson and he could see it too. It was a shack an old ram shackled shack with more holes than walls. He made straight for it, this must be where they were sheltering, he thought.He reached the hut, pushed open the creaky door and saw a figure in the corner.‘Sable is that you?’ he asked.It was.She was huddled beneath an old piece of plastic sheeting, sheltering and shivering, soaked to the skin, She looked up and was so glad and relieved to see Adam, she could hardly speak.Adam crossed over to her; she stood up and fell into his arms.They stood there not moving, Adam held her tightly, one hand on her head as if to protect her like a child. In the semidarkness he could see her face, she leaned her head back. She looked at him; no words were necessary, all the fear and panic subsided in Sable. She was safe in his arms. He could feel her heart beating against his chest; he felt her breath on his cheek. They moved closer together and their lips met for the first time. They kissed passionately; their embrace grew tighter, it was as if they had been lovers forever. It was not just a kiss born out of relief. It felt like love.The world and the rains around them seemed to disappear; they were lost in each other.Adam sat Sable down on a wooden bench and started to make a fire, he found some dry timbers around the hut. He went outside and saw Joseph and Johnson have taken cover beneath some trees and had made a fire. Johnson had already been back to their rover and brought across the food and blankets. They would have to sit out the night and make their return in the morning. The fire began to glow and give off warmth and would dry their clothes. Adam turned while Sable put on some dry clothes and then settled down besides the fire huddled in the blankets.Adam stoked the fire and made the bench comfortable and sat down beside Sable and put his arms around her. Sable rested her head on Adam’s chest; she thanked him for coming out to her and kissed him softly. They fell asleep by the light and warmth of the fire.
End of part one.
Part 1 - Elephant’s Bridge.
copyright © gregstensonstories 2011
(This story requires editing for paragraphs etc...will be done soon )
Thursday 11am 9th March.
Adam heard a ringing. It took him a few seconds but he slowly woke up from a deep sleep. He swam to the side of the bed and grabbed his mobile phone. It was 11am. He had been out in London the night before and wasn’t expecting a call, but as soon as he heard whose voice it was, he knew exactly what was coming next.It was Jacques Benoit from Medicins Sans Frontieres, in his gravelly French voice he blurted out instructions to Adam. Jacques always spoke in a hurry, with urgent purpose, and had no idea that Adam was only half awake.And half sober. “Wait, wait, wait Jacques, slow down, I’m still asleep, call me back man!”That didn’t wash with Jacques, he knew Adam well, and he kept repeating his instructions until Adam had taken in the details. All that Adam got in his semi-consciousness was ‘9 pm - Thursday - Heathrow - South Africa – Kalahari.’ and the words didn’t sink in for some time, but when they did… “WHAT…THURSDAY?” Adam sat bolt upright in bed ‘But Jacques Thursday?…that’s t-o-d-a-y!”Adam was now painfully awake, he had a splitting headache, but he was awake. He shouted back at Jacques in that hopeless way, you know perfectly well what you had heard but somehow by shouting and repeating the words, the message will change and not be true after all - but it was.He had just 10 hours to get packed and get to Heathrow.This was not an unusual situation for Dr. Adam Walker, 44 years old, a veteran of countless missions to all corners of the world where he would give selflessly of his time and energy, with disregard for his own health, to help others in need, wherever they might be. Adam could be mistaken for a much younger man, tallish with blond but graying hair, slim and physically fit, blue eyes and a lived in face. He was the kind of guy who listened to people’s problems and the warmth and compassion showed in his eyes, the smile almost etched into his face.Adam always kept a travel bag packed and ready, force of habit. He sank back on the bed and was getting that usual feeling of apprehension and exhilaration that came with not knowing just what circumstances lay before him. He wouldn’t though have it any other way. He would be on the 9 pm plane to Johannesburg, ready for action, like a soldier flying into a war zone.In the stifling midday heat, in a makeshift medical centre 50 miles from the Madikwe Game Reserve, Dr. Kalahari was on the wards making her second tour of the day checking the recent arrivals who were lying motionless on their beds, stricken down with a virus; an unknown virus, for some it had proved to be fatal, without care and medication it could be for all of them.Until the virus had been identified and a vaccine found, the centre was their only chance of survival. The sick and weak ones who had somehow made it to the centre were the lucky ones. Many hundreds had already died out in the bush areas to the north.The doctor needed outside help desperately, she could bring the centre under control but she wanted to get into the bush and tackle the problem at its source. Dr. Sable Kalahari, a tall beautiful black African woman, born just outside Johannesburg was, at thirty, the youngest Medical Director in the region and had established the centre single-handed. Against much Government opposition. She had begged and fought for the funds necessary to set up the facility in the poorest part of the North West Region of her native South Africa.Just two days before she had called her contacts at Medicins Sans Frontiers and she knew that if they could help, they would. Jacques Benoit called her the next day and although he had no idea at the time who he would send, he promised he would have an experienced Doctor out to assist her within 48 hours.Sable was, first and foremost, a doctor, she devoted her entire life to the care of others, spending little time on herself. Single and somehow oblivious to her beauty, she was an attractive woman with shoulder length dark brown hair that she usually wore tied back.She had just completed her round and as she was passing by the office when her secretary handed her a fax from MSF Geneva, it read…FAXWalker, A (Dr.)Arriving Johannesburg,Friday 10th March 2009 8 am.Please arrange pick up from the airport.Upon reading the fax Sable breathed a sigh of relief, help was on its way, and she knew that the arrival of Dr. Walker would mean that more patients, and people out in the bush, would have the chance of survival.Sable’s prayers were coming true.The sudden jolt of the plane’s wheels as they hit the tarmac upon landing woke Adam; he had slept for most of the eleven-hour flight from London. He looked out of the window and saw a familiar sight, he knew the skyline, he had been to Jo’burg many times. He had a soft spot for city and the country, and there was a special place in his heart for the real African people.Adam travelled light, just a carry on backpack, and sped passed the baggage carousels and out into the arrivals hall. He was accustomed to arriving in different parts of the world and had forgotten who to look out for, but he caught sight of his name that had been hastily scribbled onto a piece of plain paper, held aloft by a tall gangly black man called Joseph in disheveled clothes. As soon as Joseph saw him walking towards him who he recognized as Dr. Walker, from a faxed photocopy of an old black and white photo sent by MSF, Joseph broke out into a big toothy smile. Airports were for getting into and out of fast, thought Adam; he had been in far too many. He strode after the tall guy who was already halfway out to the land rover before he had a chance to properly introduce himself.The journey to Madikwe was around five hours driving time, initially on reasonable tarmac roads but they would soon it would be rough terrain. They would have plenty of time to talk, Adam had a thousand questions, Joseph did his best to answer them. Joseph told him as much as he knew about the virus outbreak, and that he was to meet Dr. Kalahari in the morning who would explain everything to him. Joseph omitted one tiny detail, that Dr. Sable Kalahari was a woman, a beautiful woman.After a couple of hours they were in bush country, the road became more and more bumpy, the road became a track and after yet more miles the track disintegrated into a dusty path. They were so deep into the country that only a local man such as Joseph would know the way. Adam closed his eyes, he smelt the warm earthy air and felt the breeze on his face, the city was far behind them, all that could be seen now were grasslands, animals and trees. All along the horizon he could see trails of dust and by squinting he could make out the herds of wildebeests constantly moving, never arriving. He was happy to be back in Africa once more.He had fallen asleep for the rest of the journey and only woke when Joseph opened the passenger door after arriving at the Medical Centre. It was six in the evening and almost dark. Adam could just see the shadowy outlines of the main buildings. Joseph had driven the land rover past the entrance to the centre and behind it to a cluster of small huts. Joseph led the way to the hut where Adam would be staying. He set down his bag on the bed showed him where the shower enclosure was out to the back and said he would bring Adam some soup and a drink for him. He thanked Joseph and told him he would grab a quick shower to wash off the dust of the journey. The shower was a small enclosure formed out of four sheets of corrugated steel held together in a framework of four by twos and nails with a makeshift door with rope for hinges. The water dropped down through gravity from overhead storage tanks and the water was warm, heated only by the warmth of the sun. Even though the pipe above his head had a simple spray head, it felt like heaven to be able to shower and cool off after the scorching heat of the day.As he showered he sat on his bunk toweling himself dry. He wondered just how long he would be there in Madikwe. Each new place brought it’s own adventures, hard work and new relationships, some that last a lifetime.In the morning he would find out.Joseph returned with a big bowl of soup, some bread and a whisky. Adam was trying to decide which he needed first. He drank the whisky first and then the delicious soup of provisions and vegetables.Joseph wished Adam a goodnight and told him that his brother Johnson would be on hand in the morning at eight a.m. with his breakfast and to show him to the centre.The jetlag started to kick in and after the soup and bread he collapsed into his bunk and fell soundly asleep.Friday 7.30am 11th March.The hot sun was already streaming into the hut through the slatted window as Adam woke up; he stretched and threw on some shorts. He bathed and was then glad to see Johnson arrive with his breakfast of eggs, fruit, juice and coffee.Dr. Kalahari was already hard at work, she was in her office studying reports of the previous days blood tests, she was deep in concentration and didn’t hear Johnson’s knock at her door. The door was ajar and he walked through, closely followed by Adam. They had been standing waiting for what seemed like a minute before she realized that someone was there. She caught sight of them out of the corner of her eye and jumped, she held the papers to her chest and looked up at both of them with a startled stare‘I’m so sorry I didn’t hear you at all, forgive me.’ She said.Sable had not really thought about whether A Walker would be a man or a woman. In those first few seconds she had studied his face, his physique and rugged good looks and noticed his kind smiling eyes. She was pleasantly surprised that it was a man. She liked his eyes. ‘This is Dr. Adam Walker mam, this is Dr. Sable Kalahari.’ said Johnson.Adam stretched his hand forward to greet Sable and smiled at her.‘It’s good to meet you, I hope I can be of help, I’ll do my best just tell me whatever you need to assist you.’ said Adam.‘I’m so glad you're here Adam, it means so much to me that you would come out to help, I’m so happy.’Sable asked him to take a seat and told Johnson to bring them some tea. She set about bringing Adam up to date with the details of the outbreak, the condition of the people and the treatment she had started.This was to be the start of a friendship, they would become close, closer than either of them would have expected.During tea Sable told Adam how the virus had presented and how she had tried to identify the strain so she could administer the appropriate medicines. She had tried several vaccines but without much success, she had at least stopped it becoming fatal provided it the vaccine was given within the first seventy-two hour period since the onset of symptoms. The people who had been strong enough to reach the centre were at least holding their own, the vaccine seemed to give them time for the body to fight the infection and then slowly start to recover. People out in the bush were dying within three days without treatment.Sable asked Adam to take over the supervision at the centre whilst she made visits to the outlying villages to vaccinate everyone, then she was confident she could bring the epidemic under control. She planned to start in a place called Zeerust.After a tour through the wards Adam got to work immediately taking blood tests and together with the head nurse, administering the medication. Sable summoned Joseph to prepare the land rover and to pack the supplies for their trip the following morning.Throughout the rest of the day Adam and Sable met at meal times to discuss new patients and Sable told Adam about her plans to treat the sick out in the field. They used what little time there was to get to know each other a little more.They seemed to like each other right from the start. Saturday 6 a.m. 12th March.At first light Sable was ready to leave the centre, Joseph was up before dawn and filled the land rover with fuel and supplies and checked the vehicle over prior to the arduous journey ahead of them. Adam was also up to see them off, Sable gave him a copy of the journey plans and said she’d be back the following evening before sundown.Sable and Adam embraced, he wished her a good trip and told her to stay in touch by the shortwave radio on the rover and to call if she needed any help.Adam and Johnson watched as the rover disappeared out of sight and until the dust trails had dispersed on the breeze. Although he had been in Madikwe barely a day, he already felt an affinity with the centre, and would miss Sable. She knew the people and the country but he couldn’t stop thinking how much he had wanted to go with her to make sure she was safe.He worked through the heat of the day, struggling to acclimatize quickly, his compassion for the people drove him on.At midday exactly Sable said she would call in, Adam sat in her office anxiously waiting for her call. Johnson was at the controls of the radio with a head set on, adjusting and twiddling the frequency knob slowly, first to the left, then to the right, his head cocked to one side staring into the air listening intently for a voice, all he could hear was a crackle of interference. They were sitting listening patiently when all of a sudden they heard a voice. It was Sable, sounding a little distant but quite clear. Adam moved his chair as close as he could to catch every word. She had arrived and had set up ready to start vaccinations. She would call again at seven p.m. after arriving at the next village. Adam and Sable talked for a while, and then, reluctantly, they said goodbye. Adam had lunch and returned to his work at the centre. He had been there less than two days but he already felt an attachment to the centre, and to Sable.As the afternoon wore on the weather seemed to be changing, the usual tropical rain that came each day appeared to be continuing longer than normal. The rain was getting heavier and heavier, he knew what this meant, he had seen what this bad weather could do many times. It was six thirty and Adam figured they would be in the rover on the way to the next village. He decided to try and contact Sable and Joseph, he asked Johnson to stay at the radio and to keep calling until he had made contact. Joseph called them every five minutes and then listened for their reply, he was just about to take a break when the crackle intensified and he thought he could hear Sables voice coming through on the speaker. Adam smiled, relieved that they had got through to them but he could hear concern in her voice.‘Where are you Sable? Over.’ Adam asked.‘We are about twenty miles from the village but the rains are really heavy, they haven’t stopped for hours and the road is getting worse and worse, I’m not sure how much longer we can carry on. The Madikwe river is swollen and Elephant’s bridge is almost under water’The reception faded in and out, contact was lost momentarily and Adam was getting quite concerned at what she was saying.‘Where is this bridge Johnson? Do you know it?’‘Yes, everyone knows this; it’s the main crossing for the miles around for elephants to get from the Madikwe Game reserve to the Northern grasslands. Johnson pointed out the bridge on a map, just above the radio set pinned to the wall.Just then Sable’s voice came through again.‘We won’t make it.’ she shouted. ‘We can’t go any further, we’re going to come back but the bridge looks dangerous, Adam what shall we do?’Johnson was also worried, he told Adam, Joseph was only young, he knew the country but he might panic in such an emergency. ‘Sable stay right where you are stay inside the rover, we’ll come and get you, don’t try to drive through the rain or over the bridge, promise me you’ll stay there?’ pleaded Adam.‘Okay Adam we’ll…..’ her voice stopped in mid air, the contact was lost, not even a crackle could be heard from the radio.Adam told Johnson to fuel up the second Land Rover, to put plenty of rope in the back and meet him out front in fifteen minutes.Adam fetched a medical kit from the dispensary, he called the head nurse to tell her that he was going and she helped him pack food, blankets and extra clothing. They loaded up the rover and set off, the rain was still falling heavily as they drove away.Johnson knew the way to the bridge, the tracks were difficult and slippery, Adam could see that Johnson was experienced and had no doubt that they would make it to the bridge.‘How long will it take Johnson?’ asked Adam.‘It may take two hours, maybe more.” said Johnson.He continued driving skillfully along the mud tracks, finding higher, drier ground where he could. Adam held onto the rover tightly as it lurched from side to side, his only thought to get to Sable as quickly as they could, the fear and anxiety in her voice was still ringing in his ears. This wasn’t some rescue mission like countless others he had carried out as a Doctor many times before, this was Sable, for some reason she was staring to mean something to him.His heart, for once, was taking over, he had to get to her, and soon.After what seemed like hours, Johnson told Adam that they were getting close. It was dark now and the rain was easing but so much had fallen that the floodwaters would rise through the night. Five minutes later and the bridge came into sight and Johnson called out to Adam.‘There it is, there is the bridge.’ cried Joseph.Adam could just see the bridge through the blinding rain. The waters were very high and the old timbers looked shaky but seemed to be undamaged. Nevertheless Adam was worried about the bridge, he had to get across. Somewhere on the other side was Sable.They both leaned out and Adam held up his hand above his eyes to try to see through the rain, and then sure enough, he could see Sable’s land rover on the other side, the right side leaning over, the wheels buried I the mud. He could see into the Land Rover, there was no sign of Sable …or Joseph.Johnson said it was better to carry on on foot; they walked carefully through the mud and reached the bridge. The old wooden structure looked like it might collapse at any moment, some of the cross members were already missing and some were broken. The floodwaters were lapping close to the underside. Sable was right, no vehicle would have made it across, they had to try to cross it on foot.They both set out gingerly, one foot at a time, staying close together should one of them slip or fall. Step by step they managed to cross it, the timbers creaking beneath their feet. As they set foot on the other side they both sighed with relief. Now they were across they could see the rover but where were they?‘Can you see them Johnson?’‘No sir.’‘Lets split up, but stay where you can hear me.’Off they went in the dark, through the rain and the muddy tracks.‘Sable!’ Adam shouted. ‘Sable, where are you?’ after each time he would stop and listen, desperate to hear her, to know she was safe. Just ahead he could see something, he looked at Johnson and he could see it too. It was a shack an old ram shackled shack with more holes than walls. He made straight for it, this must be where they were sheltering, he thought.He reached the hut, pushed open the creaky door and saw a figure in the corner.‘Sable is that you?’ he asked.It was.She was huddled beneath an old piece of plastic sheeting, sheltering and shivering, soaked to the skin, She looked up and was so glad and relieved to see Adam, she could hardly speak.Adam crossed over to her; she stood up and fell into his arms.They stood there not moving, Adam held her tightly, one hand on her head as if to protect her like a child. In the semidarkness he could see her face, she leaned her head back. She looked at him; no words were necessary, all the fear and panic subsided in Sable. She was safe in his arms. He could feel her heart beating against his chest; he felt her breath on his cheek. They moved closer together and their lips met for the first time. They kissed passionately; their embrace grew tighter, it was as if they had been lovers forever. It was not just a kiss born out of relief. It felt like love.The world and the rains around them seemed to disappear; they were lost in each other.Adam sat Sable down on a wooden bench and started to make a fire, he found some dry timbers around the hut. He went outside and saw Joseph and Johnson have taken cover beneath some trees and had made a fire. Johnson had already been back to their rover and brought across the food and blankets. They would have to sit out the night and make their return in the morning. The fire began to glow and give off warmth and would dry their clothes. Adam turned while Sable put on some dry clothes and then settled down besides the fire huddled in the blankets.Adam stoked the fire and made the bench comfortable and sat down beside Sable and put his arms around her. Sable rested her head on Adam’s chest; she thanked him for coming out to her and kissed him softly. They fell asleep by the light and warmth of the fire.
End of part one.
