The Plaid One was wheeled down a brightly lit corridor by a doctor who would stop at nothing to help those in need; a doctor who had braved the worst of terrible conditions and had Fought For The People on more than one occasion.
That doctor was Doctor Kranti.
And not even Grace and Garner, standing with their feet on the bed's metal frame, could slow her down.
'Will she be alright?' asked Garner.
'Maybe you should loosen her cape so she can breathe more easily,' said Grace. 'I read that capes are the number one killer in dramatic hospital corridor excursions.'
'
Corner!' yelled Doctor Kranti, turning sharply left. Grace and Garner held on tight as the forces worked upon them accordingly. Doctor Kranti struggled to regain control of the bed as it threatened to veer off to the side, and then continued to push it forward with all her strength.
'
Double doors!' she shouted, joining the others on the bedframe before they crashed through.
* * *
'Erm,' said Cynical Youth. 'That shouldn't have happened.'
'Oh,' said Hsing. 'So what does this mean, then?' she asked, sounding uneasy. 'That there are zombies everywhere?'
'Well, I didn't see any when I was following you,' said a sardonic, female voice right behind Hsing. 'But they may just be good at hiding.'
'Who are you?' demanded Cyn.
'Always a good question to ask first,' replied the voice, 'but I see no reason to answer it. A little advice, though, if I may. Try not to move, or I will damage you.'
'What do you want?' said Cyn, taking care to speak in a more level tone.
'I want you to stop asking questions now,' she replied, 'and just to do as I say. Now, slowly and carefully, lie face down on the floor.'
Slowly and carefully, they did so.
'Now interlock your fingers behind your heads,' she said.
They did that, too.
'And stick your feet up in the air.'
'What?'
'Do it.'
And much to their humiliation, they did it.
There was a small
crack, and the woman dropped a green glowstick to the floor. It illuminated her features from beneath in a rather creepy way. She had dark eyes, and a sardonic expression to match her sardonic tone. Her face was framed by dark, curly hair. She was sat on one of the lower bunk beds with her legs crossed, dressed in apparently casual clothes: a white blouse, pink cardigan and jeans. A gun was held casually but nevertheless pointed at them in her right hand.
'Well, this is entertaining,' she said. 'Ambassador, Team Leader: I am here to stop you from getting into any more trouble.'
* * *
'This is most exhilarating,' said a doctor. 'I'm quite astounded that we've never tried it before.'
Several people, mostly members of the hospital staff, were perched on the bedframe, their hands gripping the mattress for support.
'Go faster!' snapped Grace. Garner whimpered and doubled his efforts, and the bed went full-throttle past reception.
Plaid was sat up in the bed, looking at the people assembled around her. 'Hey, I've only just regained consciousness here. Are you sure you should be doing this?'
The hitchhikers ignored her, continuing to issue sounds of glee.
'I have doubts about your professionalism, you know. Hey, you!' she said to Doctor Kranti. 'Give me back my cape!'
* * *