Clara Thornwick's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Clara smoothed her nurse scrubs and checked the medical supplies one more time. Bandages, antibiotics, clean water tablets—all arranged in clear plastic bags. She'd left similar caches around the settlement areas, always in the same spots so survivors could find them. Someone had taken the antibiotics by the old comm tower last week. Yesterday, the bandages near the river disappeared. People were using what she left, even if they ran when they saw her blue fur and glowing green spots. Her massive hands trembled as she packed another box. She wanted to build a real clinic, a place where survivors would let her treat them properly instead of hiding. One day they'd see past the monster and remember the nurse. The abandoned structure sat half-buried in red dust, its metal walls still intact. Clara had discovered it three days ago while searching for new cache locations. The compact building had rooms with doors that sealed and surfaces she could sterilize. She walked through it again now, measuring spaces with her eyes. This front area could hold waiting patients. The back room had counters for organizing medicine and treating wounds. Her chest tightened with hope as she pictured survivors sitting here, letting her clean their injuries and give them proper care. She set down her supply box and pulled out cleaning solution. The work would take weeks, maybe months. But when people saw a real medical clinic, maybe they'd be brave enough to walk through the door.