A Day in the Infirmary

I wake up as everyone else is still asleep...

After a couple of days spent rebuilding the camp nonstop we all needed a rest, so at least for today there's no training awaiting us. Nor awaiting me, for once since on the battlefield, I too will rest...

It's right before dawn, somehow I can't sleep past this hour anymore... I quietly rise one side of the tend's door and leave, it's even colder without the armature, the snow which fell recently already turned into ice...

I cup my hands blowing some warm air before proceeding to walk around the camp, I mentally pass over all the demage and broken down structures... We managed to rebuild a lot but some of the things we lost won't be back. The food burned and many soldiers lost their clothes... Or limbs.

The "infirmary" is as full as never before... The improvised doctors all seem about to pass out by the tiredness, extremely skinny to the point you can clearly see the skeleton under their skin... Most of them are soldiers, which only means double fatigue for them.

I approach the closest section of the infirmary... Which is made simply of a blanket over a few broken branches as a roof, layered blankets as beds and a small fire at the centre to keep the patients warm.

-Can I help in any way?- I ask toward the first standing person I see

-Uh? Miss Ying I... Don't know if someone in your position should...-

-Anyone can help anyone, no matter their position-

-Eh... Well, help is surely appreciated- he sighs -Do you know the basics about medication, infections and suturing points?-

-Not the sutures...-

-Well... I'll show you, as long as it keeps the skin together it will be fine, we don't really care about perfection here...-

-Mhn-

...

When the sun touches its apex Zhou makes his way to the infirmary, after being informed about ChangLai's current location.

He stands a bit far away, watching as she passes some water to a few men and begins treating the infected leg of another. The man squeezes the blanket in his hand yelling as she begins cleaning the wound, she tries to reassure him it will all be fine... But it's clear it won't by the worried gaze she throws at one of the nurse nearby.

-Not only she saved our camp, but look at her now- comes a soldier with a tray between his arms, full of dirty bends to throw away -She might not be a fully operating doctor but some fresh meat to help us won't hurt... There's still a lot of work for everyone, but at least we can take a few seconds to breath-

-We're blessed having her here- comments the short soldier

-Yes, I honestly hope she won't be moved again, but maybe she will be more helpful somewhere else-

-I do not mean in the camp. We are lucky to have someone like her in this time, in this country... If such a war were to come when she wasn't here... Well none of us would have made it to this day-

-Who knows, maybe it really is as they say- sighs the man

-What do they say?-

-She's called the Goddess of War by some men... A name she aquired back at the capital apparently. When the men talk about her they seems to regain strength, even those laid there wounded. Who knows... Maybe she got sent to us from the Gods above to save us-

-Could such a thing really be possible?-

The other man shrugs his shoulders -I'll be back to work now, cya-

-Mhn- nods Zhou before approaching ChangLai who is now talking with a doctor, She turns around and rise her eyebrows in hope, shaking her head with a sigh right after.

...

-Sorry if I didn't gave you much attention, was focused on...- I look around without finishing my sentence -You knew I was here?-

-Of course, how's the situation anyway?-

-Not well... I just finished talking with the doctor and another soldier will need to get his leg amputated... Too many soldiers received severe injuries and won't be able to fight anymore. They will be sent back but that won't change much anyway, some of them have families to provide food for but won't be able to anymore... This war is... An injustice- I grin my teeth trying to stay calm

-Every war is, Lai'Er-

-Yes... If only the gods could ban wars forever-

-What do you mean?-

-Nothing, nevermind... Just foolish talking-

...

I get taken into another tend where I face more men... And more dangerous situations. I begin helping as much as possible, but everyone knows half of these men won't make it out alive of this place...

-Mis...s?- calls a man, his voice comes out quite dry...

Once close enough I can see the wounds over his lungs area, there's a pice of light fabric covering one small hole from which air comes and goes as he breathes

-Yes sir?-

-Nothing... You just... Mhn... Reminds me of...My daughter-

-Is that so? I'm glad if that makes you feel better- I try to smile -Oh let me get it for you- I take a small paper by his bed, seeing him reach out for it

-Look- he says opening it. The girl in the drawing does not look like me at all... Which only means this man is losing his sight too.

-We really are identical... How old is she?-

-17... Well... She should have been-

-Oh I didn't mean...-

-S...he was my only... Joy...- he begins tearing up -I lost my wife when she was born... My daughter is her only memory left behind... But... This war... Took her away too- He says coughing

-Shh... Try to get some sleep now, don't push yourself too much...-

-It's fine... If I die- he says, not being actually sad about it

-How's so?-

-I can meet them both...-

-Sir...-

He begins coughing more and more and soon after the bends over his lungs turns red, I push one hand over the wound and press back the blood -Please Sir, relax yourself and take a deep breath... We will help...!- he takes my wrist as I reach out for some more bandages and press them over the gushing wound

-No... Let me... Go... I...-

-Sir... A doctor please!- I call with a louder voice

-I... Can see them... Waiting... For me! Ah!- he begins going into apnea

-What's happening Miss Ying?!- rushes forward a doctor

-The patient began coughing and some wounds reopened-

-Let me see- I take my hands away and the doctor grins his teeth -Blood entered his lungs...- he murmurs making my arms fall at my sides -This mean...-

The man takes once last breath before falling back completely still, a smile appears on his lips as one tear falls on his cheek.

-He's... Gone- I gulp down

-I'm sorry you had to see such a thing Miss...-

I shake my head -I've seen and done worst but... This...- I reach out one hand to take the drawing and place it on his heart, but back away with a gasps when my dirty red fingers ruin the precious drawing.

-Miss Ying, please go out now. You've already helped a lot, we'll clean this up-