Another Dawn by Deb Stover

  The doctor sighed and shook his head. "People are dying here, and I could really use the help."   Clearing his throat, he wiped his hands on a towel. "By the way, I'm Roman Wilson, Redemption's only, very inadequate, doctor."
           "Now you have one more doctor."   Father Salazar's calm tone took Sofie by surprise. "We were in an accident this morning and she got hit on the head. Doesn't remember anything before that. All we know is her first name is Sofie. I'm Father Salazar."   He thrust out his right hand.
           After shaking hands, the doctor said, "Father, I wish we could welcome you under better circumstances, but I'm glad to hear you've both been inoculated against smallpox."
           Dr. Wilson turned to Sofie and touched her chin with gentle fingers, tilting her head slightly to examine her injury. "Nasty bruise."   He dropped his hand to his side and met her gaze again, his expression gentle and filled with concern. "Any dizziness or blurred vision?"
           "A little earlier, but not now. Just a turbo-headache."
           "Turbo?" Dr. Wilson shook his head. "I have some headache powders in my bag."   He turned to face Zeke. "I was about to send for you, Zeke."
           "She's worse?" Zeke bowed his head at the doctor's nod. "I was afeared of that."
           The doctor placed his hand on Zeke's coat sleeve. "Go to her. Now."
           Zeke rushed away, disappearing into the bowels of the huge, dim room. Real-life drama. Sofie felt Zeke's pain, absorbing it until her knees buckled beneath her.
           Father Salazar and Dr. Wilson both grabbed her. With a man on each arm, she couldn't possibly fall, but her stomach lurched and burned ominously. Any moment, she'd double over with dry heaves. She needed food and some cool water.
           "Dizzy?" Dr. Wilson asked, still holding her arm.
           She shook her head. "Just hungry, I think."
           Father Salazar released her arm and stepped back, allowing Dr. Wilson to support her alone. For some reason, Sofie always felt lost when Father Salazar moved away. Perhaps because he'd saved her life this morning. If not for him, she'd still be buried in that pile of rubble. He was her only link to her past.
           "I'd best get back to my post," Ab said, leaving so quickly the door slammed shut behind him.
           "We have soup and bread in the back room."   Dr. Wilson steadied Sofie. "Can you walk?"
           "Yes."   Sofie drew a deep breath, dreading going any farther into the building. It seemed like a tomb–dark and airless. But keeping patients somewhat cool made more sense. Didn't it? "It's so hot in here."
           "Sweating the fevers."   Dr. Wilson shrugged. "I'm afraid that's about all we can do at this point. It makes me feel so useless. If only..."
           "How many cases do you have?" Father Salazar mopped his head with a handkerchief.
           "Too many. Eleven have died and twenty-three more are in here. Dying."   The doctor lowered his chin, then looked up at Sofie, his expression pleading. "Tell me, is there anything new about the treatment of smallpox that I should know?"
           "I...I really don't remember."   Sofie choked back a sob, wishing she could somehow resurrect her memory from the worthless black hole of her brain. "I'll try to help as best I can, but please–"
           "I'm sorry. I forgot. Please forgive me."   Dr. Wilson appeared resigned. "Well, at least you've both been inoculated, as have I."
           Sofie looked at Father Salazar, noting he appeared as confused as she. Tilting his head to one side, he said, "Dr. Wilson, I don't understand any of this. Smallpox has been nonexistent for so long they don't even require immunization anymore."
           "Nonexistent? Nonexistent ?" Dr. Wilson's nostrils flared and he shoved his glasses back onto his nose. "Allow me to show you nonexistent,