by Lee Beard
“I,” she wheezed, catching herself with one hand as she fell to the side, “I can’t-”
Eric struggled to sit up as Gina’s vision went dark and spotty. “Gina?”
“I…” Gina gasped in a panic, the darkness overtaking her
Chapter Eighteen
Tennessee
“Hey look, another farm.” Zach said dryly. He and Millie had been biking the same road for a day, and the scenery was becoming increasingly repetitive.
“That’s what, sixty now?” Millie remarked, panting slightly. The heat seemed to double when they’d crossed the border into Tennessee, and the sky lacked any clouds to soften the late afternoon sun.
“Mmhmm.” He wiped his forehead on his shoulder and resumed steering with his forearms. It hurt his back after a while, but it was better than pressing on his palm. “You’d think the weather would at least try to act like fall.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” Millie said as a sudden gust of wind blew around the bend in the road in front of them. “It may skip fall altogether and go straight to winter.”
“I’d be okay with that.” Zach mused as they pedaled through a rare patch of trees. “Give me cold over heat any day!”
“Except that freezing to death is a much bigger problem than a bit too much sun.”
“Welcome to life after the apocalypse.”
When the trees cleared around the bend, the pair simultaneously came to a halt. A green sign reading “Fly City Limits” greeted them; beyond it lay another stretch of road. In the distance, three tanks and five smaller, tracked vehicles were parked in an empty lot across from a small park. Scrawled in electric blue paint on the side of the tank nearest the street was the word “hope.” Painted on the road next to the building was a large arrow, also in blue, with “follow me” sprayed over it in white.
“About freaking time,” Zach said. He whipped his head toward Millie, a grin sneaking across his face. He sat up quickly and grabbed the handlebar with his good hand and bad fingers. “Race you.”
“You’re on, Radio Boy!”
They kicked off hard from the ground, speeding toward the arrow. Zach pulled ahead, laughing heartily at Millie’s protesting, “Hey!” They reached the arrow fast, zipping ahead to the next one in the middle of a road intersection that pointed down the road. The one after that took them right, past a small library. Zach slowed slightly on the turn, allowing Millie to catch up with him. The pair were neck-in-neck as they breezed by a church; tire-to-tire when they passed a row of tiny shops. The farther they went into the town, the more signs of civilization they saw. A couple of the streets they whizzed past were lined with abandoned cars, but most were vehicle-free.
Suddenly, a shopping cart rolled into the road in front of them, forcing the pair to slam on their brakes to avoid colliding with it. They looked where the cart had come from just in time to see a young boy with long black hair appear in the doorway of a small store. His light brown eyes grew large as he stared at them.
“Wyatt!” The boy called. A tall, serious-faced boy looking to be closer to Zach and Millie’s age appeared in the doorway behind him. He pulled a handheld radio from his belt loop and raised it to his mouth.
“This is Team 3, we have company. Party of two at Helsing’s.”
“Copy that,” came the radioed response, “See you at Town Hall.”
He moved through the doorway toward the pair. “I’m Wyatt Kemp. Welcome to Fly.” He adjusted the cap on his head that held down dark blonde curls as the pair introduced themselves. “Xavier and me-” he nodded his head at the younger boy who retrieved the shopping cart, “-Were just about to head back to base. Why don’t y’all come with us and meet everybody?” He turned away from them without waiting for a response. Zach and Millie exchanged a glace and dismounted their bikes to follow.
“So,” Millie began, “What is this place?”
“’Humanity’s Last Best Hope’ is what some of us call it,” Wyatt said. They turned down a street next to a building with a blue arrow.
A bit dramatic. Zach held back a smirk. “How many of you are there?” He glanced into Xavier’s cart, full to the brim with miscellaneous boxes.
“Seven so far.”
“Only seven?”
“So far,” Wyatt corrected. “Drake was the first. He grew up here and was the one who started everything up after The Sleep hit. He can answer any other questions you have when we meet up with the others.”
As they crossed the next street intersection, they came upon a large red brick building with white columns. On the steps stood three teens: two girls – one tall and muscular, the other short and scrawny – and a boy with neat chestnut hair and a deep tan, who looked to be a bit older than Zach. The boy smiled broadly and walked down the steps as they approached.
“Welcome, welcome! We’re so glad to see new faces.” He briskly walked up to Zach and shook his hand. “My name is Drake Doyle.”
“Zach Carter.”
“Great to meet you, Zach.” Drake took Millie’s hand next and she introduced herself. “Millie, what a lovely name! I see you both have already met Wyatt and Xavier. This is Cleo,” he looked to the tall girl with dark eyes and curly black hair pulled back in a low ponytail. She gave an almost regal smile and a small nod to the newcomers. “And Caprie,” Drake continued. The shorter girl with the stringy red hair swatted at a mosquito. “The rest of our group is prepping dinner at the diner. Are you two hungry at all?”
“A bit,” Millie said.
“Why don’t we go see how they’re coming along with dinner and get to know one another better!”
When the group reached The Corner Diner – part of a small shopping strip lined with large windows – Wyatt and Xavier took off down the street with the buggy. “They’ll deliver the last of today’s haul to the Warehouse for sorting tomorrow,” Drake explained, pulling on the glass door. “It’s one of the many efficient ways our little town works.” A bell on the door jingled as the four stepped inside. “Smells like supper is almost done,” Drake said merrily as they filed into the room. “Roseline, Kathryn,” he called to the back of the diner, “We have guests!”
A door that presumably led to the kitchen opened, and a short blonde girl with darker roots and bright blue eyeshadow stuck her head out. She looked to Millie and Zach. “Well hi!” She pushed past the door and walked briskly up to them, dusting off her short black cutoffs as she moved.
Drake gestured to the girl. “Zach, Millie, this is-”
“Kathryn Pemberley-Deburghe,” the girl interjected, waving her fingers at Millie. She put a hand on her hip and gave Zach a smile. “Pleasure to meet you.”
The door opened again and a girl with a light brown braid and long denim jumper dress stepped out and walked toward the newcomers.
“Ah, Roseline!” Drake beamed, holding out his hand, “Come meet our new friends.”
The girl moved closer, eventually stopping next to Drake. “Rosie, here, is our lead cook,” Drake explained, putting a hand on the girl’s shoulder, “You two have come on a good night; she’s making her fantastic, famous chili!”
Roseline’s cheeks went pink and she gave a small smile. “It’s an old family recipe; I really just follow the directions.”
“Nonetheless, it’s out of this world.”
“Is it ready yet?” Caprie asked, scratching her head.
Roseline nodded and turned to the kitchen. Kathryn and the other girls minus Millie followed her through the door.
Drake gestured to the long table in the middle of the room. “Please, everyone, sit!”
Soon, Cleo and Roseline carried the large pot of chili out and set it in the middle of the long table. Caprie passed out paper bowls just as Wyatt and Xavier returned and took their seats. Drake, at the head of the table, ladled some chili into his bowl. “I guess I’ll start with a bit of Fly’s history: After some website’s claim that a vaccine was found at the research center here spread, it turned into complete chaos,” D
rake said, passing the ladle to Wyatt on his right. “Military vehicles and soldiers appeared within hours, and they put up blockades at all the roads leading into town in an attempt to keep people from storming the city.”
“Was it true? Did they actually find a vaccine?” Millie asked, taking the ladle from Wyatt.
“No,” Drake said after a moment. “We don’t know why those of us who survived did, but we did without the help of any vaccine.”
“So,” Zach began, “How does this place work?”
Caprie piped up. “Oh, it’s really cool. Drake set it all up and had it running weeks before any of us showed up. Tell ‘em, Drake!”
Drake smiled serenely. “It’s simple, really. I knew right away that I wanted to establish Fly as a haven for anyone who wanted to join. Basically, we all pitch in and do our share to make the community run, and use everyone’s strengths to our advantage. For example, Caprie can memorize and compute numbers very quickly, so she’s our lead at the Warehouse; Wyatt is very strong, so he’s our heavy lifter; and Cleo is incredibly diplomatic and objective, so she helps with the creation and encouragement of our rules. Our rules are ones that we all abide by, and infractions are noted on Cleo’s clipboard. Any intentionally broken rules will be dealt with by the rules committee, and if the crime is severe enough, the offender will have to be exiled.” Drake’s face was solemn. “But,” he added, “We haven’t had any problems with that so far!”
“What are the rules, exactly?” Millie asked, glancing at Zach.
“Most are based on basic human decency and common sense,” Drake explained, “For example: respect your neighbors and their property, help one another as much as you can, and make smart, safe choices. All others are for everyone’s own safety; keep your radio with you at all times, use the buddy system, and don’t roam around by yourself after dark.”
Cleo spoke up from across the table next to Wyatt. “Most of us have the rules memorized, but the full list is posted at the entrance of every building we use, right next to the schedules.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for reminding me,” Drake said, “Shortly after Cleo and Wyatt arrived, we sat down to create a schedule that makes the most out of every day available. Monday through Friday, minus Wednesday, we scavenge for supplies and sort them in the warehouse. Wednesday and Saturday are maintenance, cleaning, and sign-posting days, where we leave messages in the surrounding towns beckoning people toward Fly. Sunday is a free day to do with what you please. Anyone is free to leave whenever they want, but if they leave the community, there is a chance that they may not be welcomed back, unfortunately.”
“But you’d pretty much have to be crazy to want to leave this place,” Kathryn said with a sniff. “Nobody wants to be all alone out there.”
Xavier and Roseline nodded in agreement.
“That old saying ‘there’s safety in numbers’ is very true,” Cleo said, sitting up straighter. “We don’t know what all is lurking out there. In here we have a much better chance of survival.”
Caprie piped up, scratching her face. “We’re sorta like one giant family. We’ve had some problems, but, y’know, everyone always works it out in the end.”
The sun had just begun to disappear behind the row of shops across the street when the group emerged from the diner.
“We’re so glad that you both are here,” Drake said, smiling at Zach and Millie. “Our little town isn’t much, but we’d love for you to give us a try if you’d like.” The newcomers exchanged a glance. Drake turned to the rest of the group and gestured down the road. “Why don’t we all go start on the campfire, and Zach and Millie can join us when they’re ready.”
As the group walked away, Zach turned to Millie. “What do you think?”
“I think they’re a little overly enthusiastic, to be honest, but they seem okay otherwise. Maybe we should stick around for a while,” she said decidedly. “I’d like to see how everything works around here.”
Zach nodded. “Same. I like the idea of being around live people again.”
“First impressions?” Drake asked when the town residents reached the motel parking lot. To one side of the lot sat a fire pit they’d built around an existing pothole, surrounded by lawn chairs and benches. Drake nodded at Xavier, who nodded back and headed for his room.
“They seem a little quiet,” Kathryn said, flipping her hair out of her face.
“They were probably just soaking everything in,” Wyatt replied. He struck a match and set it to the kindling.
“They could be nice additions,” mused Cleo, “Millie seems a bit type-A, like she’d do well with organization.”
“Zach looks like he could carry his weight for sure,” Kathryn added with a smirk.
“If they want to stay, we can see how they work and assess their skills better tomorrow,” Wyatt said.
“Good thoughts,” Drake said. “And just in time!” He gestured up the street at the newcomers as they approached.
“What’s the verdict?” Kathryn asked as Zach and Millie took seats by the fire.
“I think we’re going to stay a while,” Zach said.
“Fantastic,” Drake beamed. “You’ll both fit in perfectly. We’ll get you both set up at the motel after this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a large key ring. “Many of the rooms have been modified to use regular locks and keys instead of the electronic ones that were originally installed there. The ones that had occupants in them at the time of the Great Disaster are just storage now.”
“We had to go clean the dead bodies out,” Caprie said, watery eyes growing large. “They looked like mummies, and some got stuck how they were when they died, like with a phone in hand. It was so cool.”
Drake grimaced slightly. “I wouldn’t say cool, but it was definitely…an experience. We were very fortunate that all of the ground floor rooms that don’t have rooms above them, as well as the second-story rooms, have skylights. It keeps things from being too dark all the time, though there are blinds that fold over the skylights to block the sun if you prefer.”
“This place must’ve been built in the 60’s or something,” Millie mused. “My best friend’s house was a 60’s house and it has five skylights.”
“They aren’t very aesthetically pleasing,” Drake said, smiling at Millie. “But they do serve a good purpose.”
Xavier appeared almost magically in the darkness, cradling an acoustic guitar. “I had to tune it,” he explained, taking a seat on a bench.
“Everyone’s talents are useful here,” Cleo told Millie, who studied the guitar with fascination. “And Xavier is the best guitarist around.”
Xavier smiled shyly, glancing at the newcomers. He looked back at Cleo, who gave him a motherly “go on” nod. The boy immediately began to pick at the strings, filling the air with a beautiful melody that neither Zach nor Millie had ever heard before. They all sat in silence as Xavier strummed, letting the sounds of the crackling fire and the guitar take them away.
Zach glanced at Millie, who stared, mesmerized, into the fire. Her eyelids drooped, and Zach felt a yawn coming on just watching her. As Xavier finished the song and the light began to fade entirely, Zach spoke up.
“Not to interrupt this amazing music,” Zach started, stifling a yawn. “But we’ve come quite a ways today, and I’m exhausted. Howsabout you show us where those rooms are?”
“Of course,” Drake said, standing and reaching behind his chair. He brought out a previously-unseen oil lamp, and pulled a lighter from his pocket. “I’ll show you to them.”
Drake led them by lamplight to a single-story row of rooms on the left side of the parking lot first. He pulled the keys from his pocket, and thumbed through them. “Ah, here it is.” He flipped to one of the keys and pulled it off of the ring. He held it out, and Millie took it. “Room 126 is all yours.”
“Thank you,” Millie said with a smile. She adjusted her backpack and slid the key into the knob.
“There’s candles, a lighter, and a battery
-operated clock with an alarm in every room. Please do remember to put out the candles before you go to sleep and when you leave,” Drake added as Millie stepped through the door. “Breakfast is at nine.”
“Then I’ll see you both then. Goodnight.”
The room that Drake assigned Zach was at the end of a long hallway in the two-story part of the complex. “I hope you don’t mind, this one doesn’t have a skylight. But it does have a few extra candles and a lamp for your use.”
“I’m not picky,” Zach said, taking the key from Drake. He swung the backpack from his shoulder and unlocked the door.
“We’re so glad to have you both here. It’s nice to know that our efforts are not in vain.”
Zach dropped his bag inside the door and looked back at Drake, who stood there smiling, almost expectantly. “Yeah…thanks for putting us up.”
Drake beamed. “Glad to do it. See you in the morning!”
Zach closed the door, locked it, and shook his head at the darkness.
Chapter Nineteen
Somewhere in Louisiana
The sun was unforgiving. The sweltering heat, coupled with the lack of shade on the uphill stretch of road, made the biker want to just lie down on the pavement and melt into a puddle. He hadn’t been an athletic person by any stretch before, but he had found the bike on the side of the road and figured it would be faster than walking. After two weeks of biking up to 12 hours a day, he’d built up enough muscle and stamina to not have to get off and walk the bike up hills like this one. On either side of the road the grass and trees had been burned to a crisp. The lingering smell of smoke made the biker feel almost like he was in an ad for preventing wildfires.
He topped the hill and gazed around, taking in the sobering scene. The blackened landscape stretched for as far as he could see, with the occasional greenish swamp breaking the monotony. He took a second to catch his breath and adjust his backpack, then pushed off hard on the pedals. The wind was an amazing relief from the heat as he coasted down the hill. As the road leveled out, he passed a wide dirt path leading off of the main road and out of habit glanced down it. He did a double take and slammed the brakes. He stopped and stared for a minute, taking off and wiping his glasses to make sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. The dog was sprawled out in the path, panting heavily. His ears perked up and his tail wagged as the biker dismounted, put the kickstand down, and approached. The dog struggled to his feet and limped over to the biker with a wagging tail. His fur was singed almost completely off in some patches, and his paws were red and swollen.