Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 16

Continued from scene 15

Bailey paces the room, her footsteps quick and jittery. Every few moments, her eyes flick back to Daisy lying unconscious on the couch, and she winces when she catches a glimpse of the mangled leg. Her hands wring nervously. "Maybe... maybe the hospitals aren't overrun yet," Bailey mutters, her voice breaking. "Or urgent care? There's got to be someone still out there who can help."

Rachel watches her for a moment, weighing the options in her mind. Without a word, she rushes to her duffel bag and unzips it. From the bottom, she pulls out a small black device.

Bailey stops in her tracks, eyes narrowing. "What's that?"

Rachel flips open the satellite phone, the screen glowing faintly as it powers on. "Satellite phone. I know a doctor in the area. Maybe he can help."

Before Bailey can respond, Rachel presses the call button and waits, her heart pounding as the line connects.

After a few rings, a warm, almost upbeat voice filters through the static. "Rachel! Ah, mi friend. The whole world going to shit, eh?" Dr. Slater's thick Jamaican accent makes him sound cheerful despite the circumstances.

"Slater, I need your help. We're coming to your place. I've got someone who needs treatment."

There's a pause on the other end. "Don't bring anyone here, Rachel. I'm packing up to leave the city. It's bad. Real bad."

Rachel's grip tightens on the phone. "It's Vince's sister."

The line goes silent for a long moment before Slater's voice returns, softer now. "Vince, eh? Alright, you got thirty minutes. Hurry up."

Rachel hangs up and stuffs the phone into her pocket. Bailey stares at her with wide eyes, then steps forward. "Who's Vince? And why did you lie about Daisy being his sister?"

Rachel adjusts the strap on her duffel bag. "Vince is a friend of mine. The doctor owes him a favor, and I don't have time to argue with Slater."

Bailey blocks her path, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Rachel, what do you really do for a living? You've got a satellite phone and a gun.. and you know how to handle all this like it's second nature. You're not just some lady who works in funeral home sales, are you?"