"There is no such thing as an ending, just a place where you leave the story. And it is your story now." - Miss Sally
Collab Between:
@Lady Amalthea @Caits @Sigil @Morose
Victors eyes widened as he spotted Miss Sally grab her chest. "Oui," he said without thinking, confirming Niesha's original thought on the matter. She had all the signs of a classic heart attack. She was clutching her chest, sweating, and obviously lightheaded considering as Ash reached out to grab her she collapsed in his arms. Froggy had been looking after everyone in Newnan for sometime now and knew their medical records by heart. Thing was, Miss Sally was as healthy as a horse as far as he or Niesha had been able to tell. Granted checking cholesterol levels were not exactly on their top ten things they needed to do in a day list. And yet, her blood pressure was always fine. Yet sometimes these things hit without cause or reason. "Niesha, rush to infirmary. Prep
my emergency meds," he said as he rushed over to Miss Sally and started checking her over.
The confirmation snapped Niesha out of her shock like state, and she rushed off even before Victor had finished speaking, rolling through her mind what she needed to collect what they would need, pelting across the grounds with little regard for her own safety. She doubted she had ever run so fast, even since the outbreak. Her own heart was pumping furiously, her breathing hard, and she knew the signs of one of the body's most basic instincts: Fight or flight. Running towards the infirmary, the adrenaline rushing through her body seemed to make everything heightened, but she didn't focus on that.
She thought on what they had in the infirmary, that would help.
oxygen tank⌠saline solution, IV set up⌠Adrenaline She knew the adrenaline was in low supply, but⌠that was what it was for.
Bursting through the infirmary doors, Niesha began to gather everything she thought theyâd need, grabbing Victorâs meds first, getting them ready, before moving onto anything else. There hadnât been any indication of Miss Sally having any sort of heart problems, but she wasnât naive enough to believe that had any standing here. People could have heart attacks at the drop of a hat, without warning. All they could do was get ready and⌠do their best to save Miss Sally.
Over by the Outer Wall, Jack's eyes darted to Tatiana's wheelchair first, since it was the closest thing and easiest to access. But as Tatiana already started to wheel away with Ray, his eyes then went towards the better option--the red pickup. It'd be better for stability and time as well to get Miss Sally over to medical. Rushing over to it at a sprint, Jack hardly waited a beat before frantically asking Jim for the keys to the truck.
"Medical emahgency," Jack offered as a bit of an explanation, taking the keys from Jim as soon as he could, and then hopping inside the truck and driving it as fast as he could over to Miss Sally.
Chloe and Ravi were both awaiting instructions from Froggy, since he was taking lead on this. The two of them were incredibly different, but there was something harmonious about the way they both focused on the task at hand.
Meanwhile, the Captain was only as useful as his physical endurance allowed. He had barked orders to initiate the process of getting Sally to the Infirmary, and the people of Newnan were performing admirably. Ash had a feeling that his role in this emergency was coming to a tapering point now that he heard the truck pull up behind him. He stepped lightly out of the way of the vehicle and spoke urgently to anyone around him,
"Someone open the tailgate - help me settle her in." It was less of an order and more of a pressing request. He quickly but carefully sidestepped over to the back of the truck with his precious cargo, looking to the people around him.
"Bloody hell..." Miss Sally grunted as her withered crepe skinned fingers clutched her chest.
"AĂŻe!" Victor exclaimed before looking over towards Ravi and Chloe. He didn't know Ravi, only had just been introduced, and Chloe and him were not on very good terms but they were what he had. "Ash, get her in the back. You," pointing to Ravi, his name escaping him at that moment. "Get tail down," he added pointing to the bed of the truck, "and help Ash move her gently back there." Turning his attention to Chloe he swallowed whatever worry and pride he had. "Rush to infirmary, get spare medical garden keys from office. Let Niesha know we are on our way and go to garden. We need garlic and ginger, and spirits," he said being eying Ash. That would mean turning over his keys to the distillery.
Niesha made sure that she had everything she bought they'd need ready, knowing she would just have to wait now for the team to arrive with Miss Sally. She hated waiting and she shifted nervously, feeling like she was full of energy, and with nothing to do. With nothing else to do, she moved forward, grabbing anything she could to get the floor dry even a little bit, not wanting the them to slip when they came in, knowing they'd all be in a hurry.
She was ready to leap forward and help, to have the gurney ready. There wasn't much more she could do.
Ravi didn't mind being called
you. It wasn't too bad a name, compared to things he had been called over the years. Hurrying over to the bed of the truck, he did as requested and got the tail down, ready to assist Ash with getting Miss Sally into the truck. Climbing up onto the bed of the truck, Ravi reached his hands down, intending for Ash to lift her up and allow Ravi to guide her in safely. Getting the best grip underneath her arms as he could, he nodded at Ash.
"Count of three, lift her up. One...two...three..." Ashton returned the nod, getting his back into the lift. At the count of three, Miss Sally was given the vertical assist Ravi required to seamlessly get her into the back of the truck. He declined to enter himself; Ash's medical training was sub par compared to actual doctors, and they would need the room to steady and maneuver on their way back up. Instead, he resolved to follow them at a run as soon as they pulled away.
Froggy climbed up into the bed of the truck quickly, kneeling down by Miss Sally and resting his hand over hers while it still clutched her chest. Until they got back to the infirmary there was not much he could do other than give her CPR is she stopped breathing. Right now it was a race against the clock and as soon as he was situated he banged the back window of the truck.
Jack kept the engine running, his head craned back so that way he could see what was going on. The instant Miss Sally (and anyone else who needed to get into the truck) was settled, he'd take them to the infirmary. The roads were a little icy, but things seemed to be melting. He hoped that'd help, since he wanted to get them there as quickly, smoothly, and gently as possible.
Chloe's eyes widened for a moment and she felt something hitch in her throat. Dismissing it as just surprise over Froggy letting her not only into the medical garden, but even adding on access to the distillery...Well, it was something she never expected to happen in Newnan. She nodded to Froggy as a means of showing she understood the instructions, though she'd need to get keys from Ash as well, in addition to the medical garden keys.
"Distillery keys, please?" Chloe requested, holding out her hand.
Well, she
did say please. Doc needed medical/utility alcohol to help Sally, Chloe had free hands. Ash fished out his keys and disconnected the one labeled with a big "D", forking it over to the younger lady without hesitation. It wasn't a matter of trust, and if it were, then now especially was the time to nurture it.
"Labelled 'utility', toward the front. Lock it back." She then took off, running as fast as she could. Chloe coughed a bit but didn't start, sprinting as if her life depended on it. She rushed through the inner gate and made a beeline to the infirmary and then headed into Froggy's office.
"Froggy needs stuff from the garden. Said to tell you they'd all be here shortly," Chloe offered as explanation. She realized it didn't look very good, having the drug addict sprint to the infirmary and grab the keys she wasn't allowed to have, before darting out the door and towards the medical garden.
"Ash, front cab. Need hands to get her down once we get there and hold all the doors," Froggy said before adding, "Jack, go." This was a medical emergency, and Victor was the Medical Lead. Ash's response was that of immediate deferral to the man, as he nodded and climbed into the passenger's seat without hesitation. This was his area of expertise. Miss Sally had a better chance for survival with the Doc calling the shots.
The Bostonite obliged and began driving quickly and carefully to the infirmary, listening carefully just in case Froggy had any further instructions. He just hoped that they'd get there in time. Once they were off Froggy grabbed the radio on his hip and turned it to the medical channel hoping that Niesha would hear it go off. "Niesha, on our way, have gurney by curb out front ready," he radioed to her.
Glancing to the radio, Niesha didn't know what she was feeling. If they were bringing Miss Sally and wanting the gurney it had to mean she was still okay, didn't it? Or was that a foolish hope? Grabbing the gurney, Niesha moved into action, bringing it outside and then working out a way to keep the doors open, seeking to make things easier.
Or maybe she was just trying to keep her hands busy.
Chloe coughed again as she reached the medical garden, quickly inserting the key into the lock and turning it. She tried her best not to think about the fight she had had with Ryan on that very spot the previous night and the emotional turmoil it had sparked. Pushing open the door, she pulled the keys out before fetching the needed garlic and ginger. Chloe made sure to get an ample amount, estimating just a little bit more than what Froggy would likely need to treat Miss Sally with. Leaving the garden, she locked it back up before putting that key in her pocket and then taking out the distillery key.
The infirmary was almost a midpoint between the two places, making Chloe a bit tempted to stop and drop off what she had collected so far. But given that she didn't see the truck yet, she figured making a beeline for the distillery and then hurrying back would be the best option. She was really regretting not sprinting more often by the time she got there, coughing slightly once more before inserting the key Ash had given her into the lock. Recalling his words, she went to the front and grabbed the needed spirits, locking back up on her way out. She then began to race back towards the infirmary, a bit slower this time in an effort to not slip and drop the alcohol.
Victor kept an eye on Sally as Jack drove them as quickly as he could towards the Infirmary. The inner gate was held open for them thankfully so that didn't slow them down, a bit of ice still chunked up on the road did a bit. Yet all in all they managed to get there without any major issues. Spotting Niesha and the gurney he stood up in the back of the truck, his hand resting on the top of the cab. "There Jack, by the curb! Niesha, get oxygen tank and mask, she's having problem breathing," he yelled out as he cupped his free hand to the side of his mouth. Kneeling down by Sally he opened her eyes to check them and then her pulse, it wasn't good and she seemed to be drifting. "Stay with us madam," he said in a stern voice.
Jack pulled them over to the curb, parking the truck quickly and taking the keys out of the ignition. He then went around towards the back and opened the tailgate, figuring that he could assist Ash and Ravi with getting Miss Sally out of the truck. There wasn't much else that he could do for her. Ash was out of the vehicle at the same time, paralleling Jack's movement to the back. His only value in that moment lay in his ability to keep a clear head and reliably lift things. It wasn't much, but it was necessary.
Niesha ducked back inside quickly, grabbing the tank she'd already prepared, and rushing back out, holding the tank, she made sure everything was right before checking the gurney, making sure the breaks worked, before waiting, ready to get the mask into place, watching the truck anxiously come down the road. It didn't seem fast enough and it toon a lot of will power it to rush out there.
She dashed forward when it finally stopped, with the tank and mask,
"how is she?" Ravi felt a wave of relief when he saw Niesha appear with the gurney, also spotting the other redhead hurry into the building. Chloe had gathered everything Froggy had asked her to grab and was setting things down, so that way they could be used and administered. The easiest way to get Miss Sally onto the gurney, he figured, would be to carefully lift her up a bit and almost slide her over until she was on top of it.
"If Jack steadies the gurney," Ravi began, remembering Jack's name only from Froggy shouting it a few seconds earlier.
"Then the Captain and I can slide her onto it," Ravi finished, crouching on his feet next to Miss Sally.
Froggy jumped down and looked over to Niesha. "Steady as she can be now, make sure to get the doors for them and then get to the OR and scrub," he said as started to shrug his coat off.
Ash quickly stepped over to Ravi, on the other side of Miss Sally. He bent his knees low, bracing to transition her onto the gurney.
"One, two, three, go, okay?" he stated quickly, emphasizing the word "go" to indicate that they should move after the number, rather than on it. Tiny piece of possible confusion averted. They had a couple of seconds before he gurney was ready, might as well get the details sorted.
"You make the call." "Bollocks! Careful with an old woman! I'm delicate," Miss Sally grunted from between her clenched teeth.
Froggy couldn't help but smile at her spit and fire, it meant she still had fight back in her. Giving Niesha a quick nod he rushed off towards the infirmary and into the OR, his hand reaching for the soap and sink before he even came to a stop. He needed to get cleaned up and quick.
Niesha nodded, moving towards the doors, making sure they were open, and that they weren't going to have any trouble getting Miss Sally in, before she dashed off to get cleaned up, pausing a moment to duck in and check that she had everything set up and ready, not wanting to have to rush out later. Satisfied, she rushed back, starting to get cleaned up.
Ravi broke a smile at Miss Sally's exclamation. Jack was holding the gurney steady, just waiting for Ash and Ravi to slide the woman onto it. Taking a deep breath, Ravi nodded at Ash.
"One...two...three...go!" Ravi said, before lifting Miss Sally up and awkwardly shuffling over towards the gurney. Once he and Ash had gotten her on top of it, Ravi nodded at the Captain, giving a verbal
"lower her gently, now," before doing just that. Seeing Miss Sally on the gurney took a big weight off of Ravi's shoulders.
Ravi then clambered out of the truck and got a good grip on the gurney, before rushing Miss Sally into medical. Jack continued to assist the man, not wanting them to lose control of the gurney and send Miss Sally spinning.
"In the OR, through those doors," Chloe said quickly, pointing in the direction Froggy and Niesha had gone. Ravi nodded at the ginger woman and took Miss Sally in that direction.
"Almost there, Miss Sally. Stiff upper lip, yeah? We'll have a spot of tea after this is all over and we'll have a good laugh..." Ravi encouraged, seemingly even more British due to stress.
"When you're done with that tea, Miss Sally, I'll get you a glass of something that'll thin out your blood and put the heat back in your belly." It was delivered with the same stoic tone that he used any time there was a job to do or an emergency afoot, but one might have detected the suggestion of optimistic humor, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. He was accompanying the gurney to the OR doors, but figured that he didn't belong in there while proper doctors and medical staff were at work. He was an able bodied set of hands, though. One of those can find a purpose almost anywhere. It would still be an act of decency to inquire into it, as he didn't want to get in the way of the Medical Staff.
"You need me in or out, Doc?" he asked, directed at Froggy.
Shaking off his hands Victor glanced towards Ash and Jack. "Oui, out is best. We can take it from here mon capitaine," Froggy said quickly. He understood that Jack and Ash might want to stay close just in case but he had Niesha, Chloe, and the new comer. All were medically trained on at least some level. Jack and Ash were better to get out of their way now and let them work. "You too, go tend to little bird. This is no place for honeymooner," he added to Jack before motioning to the door. Jack nodded and headed out the door, giving one last glance back towards Miss Sally as he hoped things would be alright. Ash nodded in agreement, but stayed for a moment; just long enough to speak to Froggy.
"Radio me as soon as you have an update, Doc. Do a good job, huh?" He then moved to join Jack outside, leaving the Doctor and his staff to their work.
"Niesha, gloves," he said getting down to business as he stepped over to Miss Sally and held his hands out to Niesha. "Chloe, Bunsen burner, steep items from medical garden, prep in IV. Ravi, take spirits and give Miss Sally here a good long drink," he said before smiling down at the old woman. She cocked a brow slightly through the pain. "Need thin your blood to stop clots," he explained and she nodded. He didn't like going about it this way, it could mess with any drugs he needed to give her; among other things. Yet they were short on a lot of things right then so they had to make due and just hope that the dice fell in their favor.
Retrieving the gloves, Niesha assisted Victor in putting them on, opening the sterile packet, and holding the gloves steady. Once that was done, she retrieved gloves for herself, having a small bit of difficulty getting the gloves on. With sterile gloves, you had to get one half on, get the other on, and then pull the first one all the way on without touching the outside of the gloves with your bare hands. A skill that took some practice, but one that drastically reduced contamination, something she was sure all of them would be happy about, for Miss Sally.
She gave a small sigh at having to use alcohol for anti-coagulants, but recognized their situation. If she'd had time, or had thought ahead, there were things that could be made, which would be better then alcohol, but... they'd use what they had. She checked everything once more, perhaps a little paranoid that she'd forgotten something,
"How's the pain?" she asked Miss Sally, wanting to make sure things hadn't become worse, reaching over for some Aspirin, knowing it could help with both pain and longer term management of blood clots- it was just too slow to work right then.
Ravi knew enough about the dangers of drug interactions to feel hesitant, but it didn't show in his actions. Pouring a bit of the spirits into a cup that Miss Sally could actually grasp, he brought it over to Miss Sally.
"Drink this, yeah?" Ravi encouraged, tilting the cup back and holding onto it, not knowing if Miss Sally had the strength to hold it herself as she drank. He just hoped that there wouldn't be any harmful interactions. He had been good friends with a chemist back in Seattle and couldn't help but wish she could have been here. He didn't know that Newnan was capable of manufacturing medicine, after all.
Miss Sally took a few gulps of the spirits before groaning. She was starting to look weaker and her fingers were shaking as they clutched her chest. This was not looking good at this point but it was what they had. "Ouch..." she said, trying to respond to Niesha.
Chloe had gotten the bunsen burner set up, getting the flame going with just one try of the striker. Sometimes it took a lot more, so the ginger couldn't help but be thankful. Adjusting the flame to the proper temperature, she got everything set up to steep, combining the ingredients taken from the medical garden. She was aware of her surroundings, but she had a narrow focus. Any distractions could cause a mistake that would in turn put Miss Sally's life in jeopardy if her IV wasn't properly prepared. As soon as the ingredients were done steeping, Chloe finished up prepping the IV, feeling a bit of tension leave her shoulders.
"IV ready," Chloe said simply, bringing it over.
Victor grabbed a pair of scissors and cut away the sleeve on Miss's Sallys right arm. "Niesha, start CPR!" he ordered a bit louder than he had expected. Tossing the sheers to the side he tied off Miss Sally's arm and grabbed the IV line, trying to find a vein on the old woman. He couldn't. "Chloe, you do it," he said handing it over. The reason wasn't because of her training but because of her known drug habits. If anyone could get that line into her vein it was Chloe at this point.
It had been nearly four years since Chloe had done any recreational drugs, but finding a vein was so easy that it was like she never stopped. The IV line in one hand, Chloe located one with the other, before steadily inserting the line. It felt good to be useful for once, even if it wasn't quite in the way she expected. Her drug addiction was paying off. Irony.
"Adrenaline," he added as he looked at Ravi, and pointed over to the set up Niesha had set up for them.
Niesha jumped at the order, leaping into action, she began chest compressions, in an automatic way, counting off thirty evenly spaced compressions that imitated a heart beat, without hesitation, she gave two breaths before continuing the compressions, ready to continue the ritual for as long as necessary.
Victor looked down at the IV line and nodded slightly in approval. Sure the girl had been a drug addict but it was paying off right then. She had just done what he couldn't and as much as he kept her at arms length because of her past, he couldn't not acknowledge the work she was doing right now.
"One... Two... three... " she counted to herself under her breath, while in her head she repeated over and over
gin, and tonic to keep her compressions at the right beat.
Ravi hurried over to Niesha's set up, his eyes glancing over the objects before he found the adrenaline. Grabbing the adrenaline, Ravi came back over to Miss Sally, flicking the needle slightly to disperse any air bubbles that may have formed, just in case. They would need to use it to keep her heart beating. He handed the adrenaline over to Froggy, the needle all ready to go.
Reaching over Froggy took the syringe from Ravi and took a deep breath. "Niesha hold compression's." The Frenchman needed to see if a pulse was going or not at this point. Chloe and Ravi both paused as well, awaiting further instructions from Froggy, both hoping for a pulse.
Niesha rocked back onto her heels, but was ready to continue at a moments notice.
"Do we need the defibrillator?" she asked, prepared to get it ready, stepping back to quickly grab the resuscitation bag.
Victor didn't answer at first, checking to see if Miss Sally had a pulse. He couldn't find one. "Yes," he said as he set the syringe down on the tray and grabbed the scissors. Cutting away at her blouse before handing them out for someone to take off his hands. It didn't matter who took them as long as they were out of his way. Moving her clothing out of the way quickly so that the area was clear for shocking. Chloe grabbed the pair of scissors, taking them from Froggy's hands before setting them aside, just in case they would be needed again.
Niesha grabbed the defibrillator, thinking that things were going from bad to worse, but that she wasn't going to give up. She gave it to Victor, and began to continue CPR, once more counting, ready to move out the way for the shock. Stimulating a heart beat right now was the most important thing- if they could keep her going, even for a little bit, it could hold back the turn, bring her back.
"come on" she said softly,
"come back, this place still needs you" she looked up, ready to step back the moment she needed to, but she wasn't about to let up on the compressions,
"will someone get the resusbag going?" she asked
"On it," Ravi replied. He got the resuscitation bag's mask and slipped it over Miss Sally's face, ensuring that it sealed tightly to her skin. Her mouth was open underneath it, and mentally checking that off from the lists of steps, Ravi then attached bag itself to the mask. He then connected the bag through a tube to the oxygen source, remembering the ratio of two breaths administered for every thirty compressions. Ravi made sure he was out of the way of Froggy and Niesha, counting Niesha's compressions and beginning to administer two breaths after every thirty.
"Clear," Froggy announced as he stood there, watching Miss Sally's chest and waiting for everyone to step back.
Pressing the pads to Miss Sallys chest, he gave her a shock. Her body tensed and her back arched slightly. Taking both paddles in one hand he checked her pulse, still nothing. "Compression's again," he said quickly as he went to up to the current on the defibrillator.
Niesha stepped back as soon as the order was given, watching and waiting, and as soon as she could, she started the compressions again, knowing they just needed a bit of luck, just a bit today. An ache was forming in Nieshas back, but she knew that would go away soon, her body was warming up at the exercetion, but Niesha was not going to give up. Ravi continued to administer breaths, looking at Miss Sally with a bit of pain. Froggy wouldn't have been upping the current on the defibrillator if there had been a pulse.
"I can relieve you if you need it," Chloe offered to Niesha, knowing that compressions could take a lot out of a person. She always remembered the proper timing by humming
Stayin' Alive to herself, rather than a specific ratio.
"Clear," Victor said quickly and waited for everyone to get away from Miss Sally enough to where it was safe. Another shock, another check of the pulse. Still nothing. So he tried again. And again. Each time waiting a little bit less between shocks, a few less compressions, a few less breaths from the bag. Shaking his head, it wasn't looking good and he finally grabbed the adrenaline and administered it. Still nothing.... More shocks, more compressions, more breaths from the bag, more shocks. He kept trying, kept speaking to her to wake up, to hang in there, kept telling everyone in the room - one more try.
That was until they had passed a bakers dozen in shocks and he finally dropped the pads on the floor. Shaking his head slowly. "Call it..." he said quietly, to no one in particular as he stepped away and went to retrieve his knife from his jacket pocket. There was still one last thing to do.
Niesha shook her head to Chloe, knowing she'd go on as long as she could. She refused to give up. As time went by, and more and more shocks were administered, she didn't let it get to her. She wasn't going to give up. There had to be a chance.
Until Victor called it. Giving up? It didn't seem like an option to Niesha. Not after everything. They couldn't give up, could they? She kept on going, feeling like she'd be a failure otherwise. She didn't want to watch someone else die, someone else slip away, without truly trying everything she could. What was left that they could try?
Tears stinging her eyes, she wasn't sure if they fell, or just mixed in with the sweat on her face. How could she give up?
"come on, come on!" she said softly in a heated tone, aware that Victor was retrieving his knife.
"come back to us" she said desperately, knowing it was the last chance.
Victor looked over sadly at Niesha as she kept trying. It didn't matter how long they had been at it it seemed Niesha was not going to give up. He couldn't blame her, he didn't want to loose Miss Sally either and he remembered the first time he lost a patient... He stayed there, trying for nearly six hours. His mentor couldn't get him to stop. "Mon cheri.. Rule one of being a doctor: some times people die. Rule two: doctors can't change rule one..." he said in an understanding but sorrowful voice as he rested his hand on her shoulder.
"Time of death: 10:42 AM," Chloe announced, reading it from the clock on the wall. She knew that Niesha wasn't willing to give up on Miss Sally, with Ravi continuing to administer breaths as tears fell from his face as well. He may not have known Miss Sally very long, but he had taken a liking to her. She was a little bit of the past and the country that he had lost.
"Froggy, let me do that. You don't have to be the one to do this," Chloe then added softly, holding her hand out for the knife. No one should have to put down someone they loved and cared about. While Chloe felt a little sad that Miss Sally had slipped away, she never really knew the woman or had gotten close to her.
Victor shook his head as he gripped the dagger. "No belle, this is the way," he said quietly as he motioned for Ravi to move back. "Help Niesha step back."
That was it then, it was over... her last few compression were weak, as she slowed to a stop, closing her eyes. Niesha didn't move back, only shifted so she could hold one of Miss Sally's hands, knowing that she wasn't there anymore, but feeling like... feeling like the contact was important, that it was something human, while what had to be done was done.
Failing like this.... just seemed wrong, so completely wrong, but if there wasn't anything left they could do... She looked away, not wanting to see what happened.
Ravi took a step back, looking on at Miss Sally, after removing the resus bag and mask from her face. He wanted nothing more for her to gasp and exclaim that the British were too tough to be killed by a heart attack. He then numbly set them down on the counter where they belonged, his eyes only leaving her for a second.
Chloe nodded. She wasn't going to argue with Froggy over this. She put a hand on Niesha's shoulder, letting her hold onto Miss Sally until it was over. She'd pull her away from it then, not being one to rob Niesha of her goodbye. If Chloe was religious, she would've been able to better comfort Niesha. Instead, all she could offer was a simple whisper of
"She's not in pain anymore." Victor knelt down next to Miss Sally and brushed her hair back from her face. "Reste en paix, mon amour," he said softly to her before pressing a kiss to her brow. He let his lips rest there as he drove the steel tip of the blade into the base of her skull. A few tears slipping from his eyes as he closed them tight, drawing the blade back slowly and standing.
