Chapter 53

Present – Jens – Aftermath, firefight at the cabin

I head toward the girls to take care of Zarika, look at my watch and notice this shit has wasted so much time the whole damn day is almost shot.

Jack realizes what I'm thinking and agrees, "Yeah, you lose track of time when you're fighting a big battle."

I'm worried as hell that Zarika will have bled out by now so when I get over there I see Yasmeen is doing a hell of a job putting pressure on her arm. The bandage is bloody as hell but I'm relieved when I notice Zarika's chest moving.

Yasmeen looks at me and says, "Jennifer Lady, Zarika need big help, she need doctor."

I get ready to answer when I hear a noise behind me. Don't tell me the fuckers are back! I turn and prepare to fire when...

Present – Masha – Aftermath firefight at the cabin

I run up to Jack and Ms. Donaldson. Ms. Donaldson turns, practically fires at me when Jack grabs Ms. Donaldson's gun and yells, "Jennifer, it's my wife and son."

She lowers her weapon, I hand Vanya to Jack and give instructions, "Jack please take care of your son. I need to render aid to Zarika."

I kneel beside the wounded Zarika and order, "Yasmeen, move and let me inspect her injury."

She moves, I slowly loosen the blood soaked bandage and blood spurts out. I look at Ms. Donaldson and state, "Ms. Donaldson I have called emergency services and they are sending a helicopter to transport Zarika to the hospital. However, with the injury to her artery, time is of the essence or she will expire or at the least lose her arm."

Yasmeen begins wailing, I look at Jack and order, "Jack please remove Yasmeen so I can concentrate on saving Zarika."

Yasmeen complains, "No, I will not leave my Zarika! It is my duty as Ben's second wife to take her care."

I demand, "Then Yasmeen, you must be quiet so I can concentrate."

I open up my field surgery kit, initiate an IV in Zarika's uninjured arm and Ms. Donaldson queries, "Masha, can I help?"

I respond, "Yes you can be my surgery assistant." I reach in the bag, pull out a bottle, hand it to Ms. Donaldson and command, "Use this to sterilize your hands."

She laughs, "I should have known, it's vodka."

She takes off the cap, takes a drink then sterilizes her hands. I finish the IV, look at Yasmeen and order, "Yasmeen, stand up and hold this bag."

I look at Jack and order, "Jack my love, we need to move Zarika as carefully as possible into the house and place her on the kitchen table. Yasmeen you will need to hold the solution bag higher than Zarika's arm and you also need to take Ivan's hand and bring him with us."

Jack carefully picks up Zarika, Yasmeen follows her orders and Ms. Donaldson says...

Present – Jens – Aftermath firefight at the cabin

Wow! Masha is a woman of many talents. If I understand her correctly she's going to fucking operate on Zarika! That's something no fricken soccer mom would ever do!

As I look over, Sharik runs up and looks like he's been through hell. I question him, "Well, where the fuck have you been?"

He lays on the ground and puts his paws over his head like he's sorry. I see a flash of red behind him in the bushes and realize he's been chasing Anastasia the fox again and missed out on all the fun.

We head toward the house and I scold him, "You know better than to chase Anastasia. And while you were gone we got into a big battle."

He jumps up, growls a little, with Jack jostling Zarika, she wakes, sees him and giggles. Then he becomes the class clown: He raises up on his hind legs and does doggie pirouettes. Zarika continues to giggle as we enter the house.

Mabel takes one look at her and says, "Land sakes what happened to the child! Quick bring her to the table and let me take care of her."

Masha heads her off at the pass and says, "Mabel your help would be appreciated but unless you are a better surgeon than myself you would be a hindrance."

Mabel exclaims, "Don't tell me you're going to operate on her? Here in the house and on my table?"

I pull Mabel to the side and whisper, "Mabel, I'm not exactly sure what training Masha has had but I do know she's sure as hell not a soccer mom and her training has been extensive. If she doesn't do something then Zarika will either lose her arm or die. So the best thing you can do is make sure that you do the things you do the best."

Masha asks me if there is any blood available. After I respond that there is whole blood available in the refrigerator, Masha orders, "Jack please go to the refrigerator and find four bags of O Negative blood. Place them in tepid water until they are no longer cold."

Mabel volunteers, "Masha, I wondered why the hell there was blood in my refrigerator. I know right where they are and I will do this for you." She takes off like her ass is on fire.