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Word count: 1986
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Gabriel

I trudge along a corridor behind a group of others who I came here with. I and others still alive we're put into groups together and sent to the nearest Hospital. We're still in Crescent-Port. As we keep walking having come from a back entrance, I hear the whispers of the crowd. Yep, they know who I am. "Gabriel!"

I look up from staring at my feet to see my Agent up just ahead and I slip out of the crowd, heading up to him.

"Hey, how are you?" He asks, hugging me, patting my back strongly. I pull back. "Uh, okay for the most part. Well, other than seeing one of my friends die before my eyes.

My entire entourage is dead, I'm sure of it." I tell him. "Oh, that is no good, but don't worry, we'll sort this whole mess out. Have you got your stuff?"

He asks. "Yeah." I answer, showing him by gym bag, phone and wallet.

"That's good, how about you let me have it and I'll have it stored somewhere safe?" He asks. "Sure, thanks." I shrug, handing it to him.

"You're most welcome Mr Gabriel." He responds, holding it. "Now, uh - I've spoken to the concert hall, your show tonight is cancelled. Crescent-Port hasn't descended completely into chaos, but the roads have blockades up and there is going to be a message from the government in coming hours.

Now say-" But then he pauses. "Oh, you're clothes are lightly splattered, Gabe."

"Yes. Yes, they are." I respond. "And I'm walking around shirtless. I mean, I'm sure it's eye candy for all the ladies, but I should get a shirt and a change of pants. I can't stay like this can I?"

"No, come with me. I have some spare clothes I can get you. They will be a little big, but they will fit you somewhat. I hope you don't mind that they're mine?"

"Not at all, lead the way." I tell him and we start to turn the corridor when a Hospital staff member gets in our way. "Uh, excuse me, Mr Gabriel-" But my my Agent halts the nurse.

"I'm his agent, you talk to me. His a Celebrity."

"Oh... Yes, of course. Where are my manners?" Asks the Nurse, looking slightly peeved. I mean, he is just doing his job, but... "Gabriel here should be seen by a doctor. We have a protocol we have to run through for everyone who enters the Hospital. I can have a wheelchair here in a minute-"

"Nonsense, he's fine. Look at him, his a shining beacon! Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to get him a change of clothes and then we'll further consult with eachother about his affairs, thank you." Says my Agent, pushing past the Nurse. "Come along, Gabe." He calls.

"Uh, right. Sorry." I whisper to the Nurse when he grasps my arm. "Me letting you go is kind of against our rules. I get it that you're a celebrity and all, but... Well, are you okay?

No fever, not feeling nauseous or sick in anyway? Stuff like that?"

"I feel fine." I tell him.

"I know, but you're clothes are covered in blood-"

"It's only a very light splatter, I'm fine, I promise."

"Okay then... If we can have your blood spattered clothes after, is that fine?"

"Sure, go ahead. Knock yourself out, I won't be needing them." I tell him and he hands me a toxic waste bag and a pair of disposable latex free gloves which I take, walking off, following my Agent. We're just going to nip to his car then come back in and find a bathroom I can change in.

We step outside, not hearing the Nurse's conversation. "Hey, John. You look flustered, what's wrong?" A doctor asks, approaching him.

"Oh, uh - Mr Gabriel, you know is not having an examination... His Agent is a Class A, Asshole, Holly."

"Oh, that is not good. Does he seem okay though?"

"Yeah."

"Okay then. Well, we'll try and distract his Agent later and I'll bring him back to an examination room and see him."

"Sounds like a plan!"

"It is. Now, I have to run outside for a moment with Security. A civillian is being brought in from Sully as it's been declared a higher risk area than here."

"They alive?"

"They're alive, likely not infected if she's being brought in, but it's still a good idea to see everyone as the impact an Apocalypse on them will likely be profound. It's going to be okay, but we need to keep people calm or mass panic will ensue. We're a part of the first line of defense."

"Thank god, the Military is providing some aid."

"Yeah, I know. Anyway, see you John." Says the Doctor fluttering away and she gestures to two Security guards with a wheelchair off to the side who follow her outside the Hospital.

---

I pull his spare shirt on, over my head and pick up a leather jacket next, sliding it on in the parking lot while he places my gym bag in the boot of his car we're standing infront of, but I keep my wallet and phone on me as I may need them. Checking, my wallet quickly, I see there's only about $15 in there so it won't be too much of a big deal if someone thieves from me and de-activating my credit cards will be easy. Just one phone call from my Agent and done!

I fold my wallet up and check my phone. No texts or calls, but tower signal has lost a bar or two I've noticed, but I still have some range and tuck my phone away too as my Agent slams his boot shut. "Want to go back in?" He asks. "We can just uh, hang out I guess till the Government debriefs."

"Sure and I could use a Coffee Frappe." I tell him as we start to head inside, but not before handing my clothes off to a Staff member who's waiting outside for us. We make it in and I walk past large groups of people in the Reception. A girl who looks about 6, smiles at me, waving.

She's with her Mum and Dad. I wave back and then turn to face the Reception desk that's behind a plastic screen. My agent follows. "Yes?" The Receptionist asks, turning from her computer to look at me, but then her face brightens up. "Oh, Mr Gabriel! Hello!" She tells me. "What can I do for you? Would you like to see a Doctor? How about I just pull up your medical history-"

"Uh, that won't be necessary, thank you." Says my Agent, intervening and he steps infront of me to talk to her. "Oh, I see..." Says the Receptionist looking uncomfortable. "What can I do for you, then?"

"Any idea when the Government will be doing a broadcast?"

"In about an hour and a half, Sir I think. Is there anything else? If not, please step away from the window as I have alot of work to do."

"Uh, yeah. Any food or drinks around here?"

"Oh, yes. There is! There's a vending machine just over there next to the ATM's, people can use or... We have some meals and drinks that the Hospital's Kitchen has prepared, but really we're only trying to hand them out if some folks don't have any cash or cards on them.

Do you have any cash or cards on you?"

"We do." He answers.

"Okay, well, please use the vending machines provided then."

"I don't mean to be a pest, but not everyone wants fast food or sugary drinks. We have our bodies to watch-"

"I completely hear what you're saying, but right now as we're having an influx of people needing help, we can't be handing our the food we have available to anyone who asks, but I'll tell you what... I'll see if I can get you some Tea or Coffee at the very least, let me just ask." She says, picking up her desk phone. She talks to someone for a minute, then places it down.

"Okay, so I just spoke to Management. I can get you some Tea or Coffee, but it's going to be fairly instant stuff out of a tin. Probably not what... Uh, you 'Stars' are you used too or you're welcome to try your luck outside and find a Coffee Shop, but I doubt any business will still be open as of right now."

My agent groans. "Ugh, just get us two instant Coffee's. It'll do."

"Fine." Snaps the Receptionist. "Whatever you want." She says, leaving the desk and someone else takes her place and we step away from the window as he's glaring at us.

A few minutes pass and then I hear the sound of feet, running and people calling out. "What's happening?" My Agent asks, looking up from briefly checking his phone, but it's late as I feel someone crash into me, knocking me to the floor.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" I groan, holding my head. "Gabriel, are you alright?" My agent asks, leaning down to give my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. I look up angry to see who's fallen into me, but then I see it's a young woman who looks about the same age who has strawberry blonde hair so I let my expression soften. "Oh, hey. Sorry." I apologize, climbing to my feet, my Agent helping me. I stand there, looking at her in shock and I rest my hands on her shoulders, wondering if she's okay when she suddenly, but gently clings to my chest with both her hands, my shirt bunching up slightly.

"Payton!" I hear a voice call out and I see a older woman running towards us. Is her name, Payton? I wonder, looking down at her. "Payton?" I ask, curious. "Uh, I have to go, I'm sorry!" She tells me, trying to run past, but I don't let go, worried. "What are you doing?!" She asks, trying to pull away from me and I only hold on harder to her, showing her a concerned expression. I feel like I shouldn't let her go...

"Don't let her go!" The Doctor demands and my suspicions are confirmed. Now, I don't know what her problem is and I don't care, but she's not a man eating monster so that's something. She starts trying to push against me, push past me, but I hold on tighter. "I-I'm sorry, s-she-" I stammer, desprete to tell her, but before I can, a Nurse, the same one from before who wanted me to see a Doctor, grasps her shoulder, pulling her back that I let go and another Nurse assists, pulling her back further from me and they start to talk. The Doctor approaches and they take her back into the main area of the Hospital, past doors that only Staff can access.

I can't hear anymore and turn to my Agent, bewildered. "Hey!" Snaps a voice and we see the receptionist. Do you want your Coffee's or not?" She asks. "U-uh, w-we'll take them." I answer, stepping forward to collect them beside my agent. As I do, I feel the crying, scared young woman lingering on my mind. This is going to haunt me in addition to the shit I've been through and I take a quick sip of my coffee, noticing the downgrade in quality from using instant Coffee.

I swallow more gulps as I do, I feel a slight pressure in my nose like I have a blocked nose, but it's not blocked and my eyes are stinging slightly and I can feel a headache forming. This going to be one heck of a day, I know it.

I just know it...