Of Blood and Politics

Blood and Politics: An Uprising Novel

SMASHWORDS EDITION

All rights reserved. Except for use in promotional review, the reproduction or use of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, by technologies now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Dark Roast Press, Calumet City IL, 60409.

The story is fictional. Names, places and any similarity to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Blood and Politics: An Uprising Novel Copyright © 2010 by Christopher C. Newman

Cover image by Persephone’s Pomegranate © 2010

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Of Blood and Politics

An Uprising Novel

By

Christopher Newman

SMASHWORDS EDITION

BOOK ONE:

ROSALINA

Chapter One

Mama I’m going! Rosalina Martinez cheerfully. Her announcement echoed in the small confines of her mother’s house in the Barrio.

"You be careful, chica! the gravely and accented voice responded. You don’t take anything from those other nurses. Stay away from the doctors too, they’ll try to seduce you, so don’t you let them!"

I won’t Mama.

Heading out into the driveway she spotted several members of the local gang standing on the side of the road. It was just another fact of life here in East Los Angeles, one she had sworn never to sink to. Blood red handkerchiefs wound just above leering dark eyes announcing their alliance to whatever criminal affiliation they chose to sign up with. Mariachi music blended into the harshly spoken Spanish rap creating a specific flavor to the surrounding houses that was all its own. The gangsters continuing their shouted offers which went ignored by the white clad woman while she moved across the lawn.

I worked hard to get where I’m at, She thought ignoring the gang-banger’s cat-calls. I could’ve been like Jolene and gotten pregnant by some hoodlum. But I worked hard and got my nurse’s degree. Now I’m off to my first shift at the hospital!

Life was tough here. Her two best friends in high school and succumbed to the heavy pressure and oppressive atmosphere in the neighborhood. Both were mothers now and Jolene was currently carrying her third child, living in obscurity and poverty. She had long stopped visiting them and they seemed to be angry at her. The last time she spoke to her other friend Maria the woman had shrieked and insulted her. She could hear Jolene in the background shouting out her opinions over the shrill cries of hungry babies. The abrupt click of the phone line cut off anymore insulting comments and Rosalina had stood there looking at the handset in her palm.

They didn’t really mean what they said. I’m sure in their eyes I represent the death of their dreams and a life they knew they couldn’t join me in. Both of those girls could’ve gone to school like I did, but instead chose to conform to a lower standard simply because they couldn’t keep their legs shut. Oh well, I’ll make some new friends.

Walking up to her new car, she grinned at the gleaming red paint and the fuzzy dice hanging off the rearview mirror. The car wasn’t really new, but it wasn’t at all as battered and rundown as the others on her street. Slipping behind the wheel she caught her reflection in the mirror and smiled. Her dark chestnut hair fell down in a straight waterfall framing her oval face. Her reaction to her appearance caused her full lips to twist up in another grin and the twinkling of her strangely hazel eyes added a very attractive accent to her visage.

Mama’s right, she reminded herself, those nurses and doctors are going to try to take advantage of me for different reasons. I’m sure the older women are going to be catty and the men are going to be very interested. I can’t let them deter me or my dreams. I have to be in control and just work hard. I want to get off the night shift as fast as I can. I really want to build up my seniority so I can go into the maternity department.

Her fingers twisting the key in the ignition started up the Detroit-made automobile and she began backing it out of the driveway.

"Hey mamasita! one of the hoodlums shouted. Come over here and take my temperature, I think I’m burning up with a fever of love for you!"

In your dreams, Raul! she fired back. Her reply causing the rest of the gathered miscreants to break up into howling laughter while the object of her pointed barb clutching his chest pretending to be mortally wounded.

****

Rosalina stared at the patient and tried not to groan out loud. She was three hours into her shift and so far this had been a lot less glamorous than she expected. Three knifings, a boy with an extremely high fever, and an old woman with a blood disorder had sapped much of her youthful vitality.

Mr. Sanchez what seems to be the problem? she inquired.

My chest hurts, he remarked with a grimace.

Do you have a history of heart problems? Are you in doctor’s care and are you taking any medication?

No I am healthy! I was just mowing the grass when I felt faint and dizzy. But my wife insisted I come here to get checked out. She’s just being a pain.

Let me get your vital signs and a doctor will be in shortly to examine you.

Fine!

Rosalina ignored the angry tone of his voice and began wrapping the blood pressure cuff around his upper arm. She tried to not notice the sickly smell which seemingly boiled off of him in nausea inducing waves. Pumping her fist she began inflating the sleeve when his eyes rolled back into his skull and he began convulsing. His muscles seized up causing his body to arch off the bed. As unexpected as it had begun he collapsed back down to the sheets and lay still. Pressing a finger to his throat she could detect no pulse. She panicked momentarily and recovers as quickly by lapping the emergency button on the wall.

He’s gone into cardiac arrest! she shouted loudly. I have no heartbeat!

White clad nurses and a doctor shoving aside the light blue curtain began piling into the shrouded chamber to lend their aid. Rosalina started CPR immediately as instructions were being shouted out.

Continue CPR and get a crash cart in here ASAP! the young physician ordered in a calm voice.

Rosalina tilted Mr. Sanchez’s head back and with a quickly swiping of her fingers clearing his mouth of any obstructions. Another nurse began pumping on his chest with both hands, stopping only to allow the new girl to breathe three breaths into the quickly paling man’s mouth. The physician tore the man’s shirt wide open.

Clear! the doctor shouted.

Another nurse handed him a pair of greased paddles and Rosalina backed away quickly. The thump of the defibrillator was dull and yet pronounced as it sent current down its wires and into Mr. Sanchez. His body jumped but there was no change in his vital signs.

First day on the job and I’m going to lose my first patient! She whispered to herself.

Clear! Doctor Patterson called out. Another thump, followed by a pressing of the stethoscope to his gray haired chest indicated that the second attempt had failed as well.

Nitro! he called out next. A hypodermic syringe was slapped into the man’s palm and the doctor injected it directly into the chest of the still form on the bed. Still nothing happened. Rosalina was about to say something, to stop the pounding on the man’s chest which seemed futile when he unexpectedly sat up in bed. She gasped in surprise when his eyes flashing open revealed an utter lack of humanity in them.

Unnnh! Mr. Sanchez groaned ominously.

What the…? Doctor Patterson exclaimed.

The sixty-three year old man lurched off the gurney his hands straining for the physician with fingers curling into grotesque claws.

Restrain him! the flinching doctor shouted. Nurses rushed on both sides and fought to pull the strongly protesting man back down onto the bed.

Shit! one of the women in white screamed. Rosalina noted that it was Theresa Edwards and she was clasping her left wrist against her lean chest. The shocking spreading stain of scarlet fouling her uniform and began dripping onto the floor.

What happened? Sandy Thompson inquired.

The son-of-a-bitch bit me! she answered hotly.

Get out and get yourself cleaned up! Rosalina, help me strap him down!

Rushing forward she snatched at the man’s left wrist and pinning it to the sheets she gazed into his contorted and growling face.

H-he’s got a mouthful of her flesh! She shrieked inwardly. Indeed the old man was chewing and swallowing as fast as he was able. The young nurse almost vomited when she spied the fact his eyes were rolling up into his head like a man who had just sampled a delicious steak.

With a cold finger of fear climbing slowly up her spine she rapidly began fastening down the twitching limb with the Velcro bindings.

Get CDC on the phone and tell them we have another one, Doctor Patterson barked at one of the other nurses.

Another one? Another one of what?! Rosalina asked herself.

****

She was still staring at her ham sandwich, coleslaw, and milk. The flap of meat was jutting out between the two slices of bread. It reminded her of the hunk of skin that dangled between Mr. Sanchez’s lips before he sucked it into his mouth with a greedy sweep of his tongue.

He was enjoying it! I don’t care what the doctor said about a mental seizure or any other explanation he passed out. That man deliberately bit and ate Theresa’s flesh just like a-a…"

She couldn’t bring herself to say the word zombie; it was just too silly and far-fetched.

This isn’t some George Romero movie, this is real life for crying out loud! she swore softly. There are no such things as flesh eating ghouls. But then why did Doctor Patterson instruct the other nurse to call the Center for Disease Control? What did he mean by another one? And the CDC, that’s a federal agency so why are they involved?

Her thoughts grew darker and more complex until she was forced to push away the cold sandwich and take a sip of chocolate milk.

You alright kiddo? Sandy Thompson asked.

Her sudden and unexpected emergence into the cafeteria caused Rosalina to nearly drop the carton of milk. The soft spoken nurse was the senior of her colleagues on duty tonight and Rosalina’s direct superior. She had a gentle face and a pair of washed-out blue eyes and it occurred to the young woman that this one had seen her more of her share of misery and pain.

Yeah I’m okay, she replied. It wasn’t a complete lie, but it wasn’t the entire truth either.

It’s hard the first time. Hell it’s hard every time to be honest, losing a patient is never easy.

It was so sudden. I know they trained us but still seeing it and being told about it are two different things.

This didn’t happen during your residency?

No.

You were lucky then. I wanted to check up on you to make sure you were okay, the older blonde smiled.

I appreciate it. But--

But what, Miss Martinez?

Why did he bite her? What medical illness would cause that sweet old man to take a chunk out of Theresa’s arm?

I don’t know I’ve never seen anything like that before.

Apparently Doctor Patterson has, she retorted. He knew to call the federal government in right away. Are they still here?

Yes and that’s the other reason I’ve come to see you. Mr. Smith from the CDC wants to ask you some questions after you finish your break, the suddenly somber woman imparted.

What do you think it was, Sandy?

I-I don’t know. I don’t even want to speculate on it.

I see.

Kiddo you have to learn when to ask questions and went to remain silent. If the Feds get involved in hospital affairs you just take my advice and do exactly what they tell you to do. Don’t make waves, they’re very powerful and can ruin your career.

I understand and thanks for your concern Sandy and I really do appreciate it.

Mr. Smith is in the nurse’s conference room and I don’t suggest you make him wait too long.

Yes ma’am.

That’s a good girl.

Rosalina watched as the older woman left the cafeteria. There was an anxious set to her shoulders and Sandy kept looking over her shoulder at her.

Something’s not right, not right at all.

Chapter Two

She entered the silent conference room to see a stern looking man setting aside a blue jacket with CDC embroidered on the back. He was draping it over the back of the chair he was going to sit in. A leather folder was lying in front of the chair covered in scrawling handwriting, but try as she might Rosalina couldn’t read what it said.

You wanted to see me Mr. Smith? she inquired carefully.

Yes please sit down Ms. Martinez, he replied.

Taking a seat two chairs away from the CDC man she spent the next few minutes trying not to appear nervous as he went over his notes.

What is going on here? She asked herself. This can’t be good if the government has gotten so quickly involved. Mr. Sanchez has been moved out of the hospital and it’s only been two hours since the incident. These people got here in record time!

Thank you for meeting with me, the man interrupted. I know you must be still in a state of shock over what happened. For the record, and your own protection, you must understand that what you saw and what we’re going to talk about must be kept in the strictest confidence. If word leaks out about what has happened here and it’s traced back to you, you could face criminal charges. Do I make myself understood?

Yes sir.

Okay tell me, in your own words what happened.

Mr. Sanchez had come in complaining of chest pain and I was just about to get his vital signs when he went into cardiac arrest and apparently died. I couldn’t locate a pulse so I called out for help.

Are you sure there was no heartbeat?

Yes I’m quite sure.

Continue.

Doctor Patterson and several other nurses came in as I started CPR and eventually the defibrillator was employed but nothing happened. The physician was about to administer a third shock when the patient sat up in bed and began to struggle with us.

So the second try restarted his heart?

No sir.

Are you absolute certain of this?

I didn’t detect for a pulse that was Doctor Patterson’s job. He ordered a third attempt, so I guess I can’t say without doubt the second charge didn’t work.

I see, so what happened next?

Mr. Sanchez b-bit a nurse as we tried to force him back down onto the gurney.

Describe for me the patient’s appearance as best you can.

He was pale, almost gray in skin pallor. The patient’s eyes were different. He didn’t seem to be the same as before his heart quit operating.

Hmmm, the man said.

She watched the man quickly jotting down several rapid notes on the pad in front of him. So you are saying his heart attack might have caused brain damage? he questioned.

I guess that could’ve been the case. But I don’t understand what happened next. She replied.

Yes the biting of nurse Edwards, that is quite disturbing.

Is she alright? I couldn’t find out anything about her.

She has been transferred to Atlanta for observation.

Oh! I didn’t know that.

Yes it’s just a precautionary measure in case we’re dealing with a transmittable disease.

Holy shit! She exclaimed inwardly. What do they think that poor man had?

Several of the other people involved in the incident expressed an altering of Mr. Sanchez’s mood. Would you concur? Mr. Smith inquired.

Well he was very grumpy when he came in. He told me his wife was forcing him to seek medical attention and he didn’t feel the need for it.

So he was a bit annoyed at being here?

Yes. After he bit nurse Edwards we got him secured to the bed and then Doctor Patterson told someone to contact your agency. Mr. Sanchez was removed from the ER floor and taken into a quarantine facility. I don’t know anymore after that.

I see. Do you have anything else to add? Even the slightest detail might be very important.

I’d rather not speculate, she told him in a guarded tone.

Look Miss Martinez—Rosalina is there anything, any impression or feeling you got from the change in Mr. Sanchez demeanor? Nothing you say here will reflect upon your professionalism or go onto your permanent record. This conversation, like the others before it, will be held in strictest confidentiality.

"Look it may have been my imagination but I could’ve sworn he was enjoying the taste of the nurse’s flesh."

Interesting, the man said with his eyes widening. What makes you think that?

I was w-watching his face and I saw him roll his eyes. It reminded me of someone taking a taste of something really delicious. Like I said, it could’ve just been my imagination due to the stress of the moment, but it was a distinct impression of pleasure.

Fascinating.

Actually Mr. Smith it was very disturbing and unsettling.

It really bothered you, didn’t it?

Yes. I couldn’t even eat lunch because of what I saw on his face.

Do you have anything else to add?

I’d like to ask a question if that’s okay?

Regulations might not permit me to answer it, but go ahead.

What do you think Mr. Sanchez had? I’ve never seen anything, any reaction to medical treatment like that before. I know I’m new in this profession but still—who bites a nurse like that?

We have hypothesized that the two shocks to his heart might have altered his brain chemistry. It’s even possible it could be the result of a stroke that might have or have not occurred during his heart attack.

Oh, I see, she lied.

Bullshit, a heart attack and a stroke are two different conditions and you damn well know it!

Anyway this matter is now under the jurisdiction of the CDC and the Federal government. I appreciate your honesty and candor and would like to remind you that this happening is confidential. We can’t afford to start a statewide panic over one isolated incident. Do you understand?

Yes sir.

Good, you may go now. Please tell your superiors that I need to see the ambulance driver Josh McDaniel. Have a pleasant evening Ms. Martinez.

You have a nice night too Mr. Smith.

As she walked out of the conference room she felt chills run up and down her back. Rubbing her arms with her hands didn’t seem to halt the growing number of goosebumps on her skin.

This isn’t over by a long shot, Rosalina muttered silently. Something tells me that bad things are coming to Los Angeles.

Chapter Three

Three weeks has gone by and still Theresa hasn’t come back to work, Rosalina told herself while looking for a parking space. I don’t care how many times the Nursing Director fluffs it off, she’s never returning to work. They’ve even hired a replacement, temporary of course but all that talk about it being just for now is bullshit.

Pointing the hood of her car into the first available slot she spun the wheel in her hands straightening it out quickly. Suppressing a yawn the Latino woman began pondering a quick cigarette before entering her place of work. She leaned over to snatch at the Virginia Slims pack on the passenger’s side. Lifting the long narrow rectangle box she unwittingly uncovered a very official looking slip of paper. Frowning she began glaring at it.

Everyone’s walking on egg shells as if something is creeping up on them. First Doctor Patterson leaves for a general practice position two days after the incident and now I’m being transferred to the ICU.

Intensive Care was a very hard place to make a living since so many patients were carted out feet first. The staggering amount of deaths on the floor made it an undesirable place to toil and everyone knew it. Stuffing a long slender cigarette between her lips she reached out to thumb the window’s control causing the glass to slide neatly into the door to her left. A flick-snap of the disposable lighter she touched the small flame to the end of her smoke. A quick lungful of air later caused Rosalina to close her eyes and try to relax.

I’ve searched every online database, library book, and medical transcript I could find but nothing comes close to what I witnessed that night.

The entire thing had so unsettled her that she had suffered nightmares for a week afterwards. It had forced her into taking a mild sedative each day to assure the disturbing images were held at bay.

Mama’s worried about her little girl and even Carlos has become concerned. I know he’s my older brother but he’s really got better things to worry about than me. I really wish he’d get out of that gang; it’s going to be the death of him. Oh well, I can’t put this off any longer, Rosalina told herself.

Tossing the smoldering half-finished cigarette onto the pavement she rolled the window back