Humanity's Edge- The Complete Trilogy

by Paul B. Kohler

  As they rode, Alayna inched her scooter next to his, peering at him with questioning eyes. Clay called over the motor, “What is it?”

  “Something’s wrong,” she said. Her eyes surveyed the string of empty buildings they passed.

  “What do you mean? It’s just been evacuated, I’m sure,” Clay said. “I don’t think that’s cause for alarm.”

  “Sure,” Alayna said, then countered, “But Helen is twice the size of Carterville. There’s bound to be someone around. Someone like us—” She swallowed sharply. “I mean, admit it, Clay. We haven’t seen anyone, either alive or dead. Bodies. You know it’s true.”

  Clay slowed his moped, allowing Ralph and Brandon to buzz past them. Daniels brought up the rear, his gun strapped across his lap. His eyes darted side to side, looking for threats.

  Clay said, “I, for one, am savoring this solitude. We’re on bikes. We can get away from the crazed as soon as we see them. This is about as invincible as we’re going to be, maybe for a very long time. Just enjoy it, Alayna.”

  She didn’t respond. Jacobs slowed on Main Street, stopping at a storefront with the name “Curley’s” stenciled on the glass. The name was in red cursive lettering that was strangely ominous, like a candy shop from the 1950s.

  The rest pulled up and parked in a line behind Jacob’s bike. In the window, Clay scrutinized their reflections: mangy heads and battered bodies, the setting sun as a backdrop.

  “Hey,” Clay exclaimed. “Isn’t the candy store in Carterville called Moe’s?”

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Jacobs replied.

  Clay almost laughed. “Let me guess, there’s a candy store called Larry’s around somewhere, too?”

  “As a matter of fact, our Larry’s storefront is about a hundred miles from here,” Jacobs agreed. “It’s another lab, just like this one.”

  Ralph cackled madly. “Jesus Christ. Moe, Larry, and Curley. You have got to be kidding me,” he roared. “What is this? I hope I wake up soon. This has been the longest dream of my life.”

  Alayna didn’t laugh, but her eyes twinkled, she got the joke. Jacobs reached up and scratched his forehead, aware he was out of the loop. Still cackling, Ralph tapped his shoulder. “Don’t worry too much, kid. You just have some catching up to do, don’t you? But who knows if we’ll ever find a television that works so you can watch it.”

  “Watch what?” Jacobs asked.

  Clay stopped laughing to stare at Jacobs, incredulous. “You mean, you’ve been working in these labs, and you don’t know?”

  “The Moe, Larry, and Curley labs? Yes,” Jacobs said. His eyebrows drew together and he stiffened, resentful.

  “Oh, Leland. It’s not that big of a deal,” Ralph said, hopping from his moped in an oddly childlike movement. “Just a bit of silly television from a different time. You were probably too busy in the lab your whole life to have that much fun. All you have to know is this: The Three Stooges were the greatest cultural icons ever. Period.”

  Alayna winked at Jacobs. “I think you probably used your life a lot better. Learning. Seeing. Doing. Not wasting it away in front of the boob tube, like us.”

  “I thought they were great,” Daniels said.

  The others gaped at him, surprised at his joyful smile. They all laughed and began up the steps of the candy store. The moment of relief was welcome, their tension faded a degree. Clay patted Jacobs on the back, telling him, “Thanks for getting us here. You’re a first-rate guide, Leland. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”

  Jacobs placed his palm firmly against the door and pushed it open. The sales floor was abandoned, shadowy, with containers of candy still on display. Gumballs gleamed in the soft, sunset light, licorice swirls in knots in a massive jar. Brandon reached into a container of gummy bears, pulling out a big handful and munching it. Alayna smacked his hand, shaking her head. “You’re going to get a cavity, and we haven’t met a dentist yet.”

  “If I die, I want to go out eating candy,” Brandon insisted. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that, but I’ll keep doing it.” He reached back into the container, grabbing more. “Besides, they’re delicious.” He handed a few to her, placing them delicately in her outstretched palm. She ripped the head off a green bear with her front teeth, closing her eyes and chewing.

  “See? I told you,” Brandon said smugly.

  “Shhh,” Jacobs said. He turned toward the back of the store. It was nearly identical to the one in Carterville, with a door that led to the downstairs lab. He went toward it tentatively.

  “Are they back there?” Daniels whispered.

  “I can’t tell,” Jacobs said.

  There was a loud bang on the other side of the door. Alayna jumped, nearly choking on her gummies. Jacobs froze. Clay bolted up beside him, ready to fight. He scanned the room. “What was that?”

  Another bang echoed through the store.

  Candy jars began to crash down from the higher shelves, scattering glass shards across the floor. Everyone leaped back, except for Daniels. He rushed ahead, slipping a pair of sunglasses over his eyes for protection. He drove toward the back door, which was now standing wide open. He didn’t hesitate before disappearing into the darkness.

  Moments later, Daniels cried out. A net had dropped over his head, and he flailed wildly, his thick arms protruding through the net, but unable to free himself.

  Broomsticks and bats, seemingly of their own volition, began to assault him, knocking him down. Brandon screamed before Alayna dragged him away from the chaos.

  Something connected with Daniels’ face, shattering his sunglasses. The blows rained mercilessly, leaving him unable to speak.

  “JESUS CHRIST! STOP IT!” Alayna screamed. Clay wasn’t sure if they should turn back and leave Daniels at the mercy of these monsters. He froze with indecision. The seconds ticked on.

  Chapter 9

  Finally, Clay shook off his hesitation. He drew his gun and sprinted toward Daniels. As he skidded to a stop he felt a bat slam into his forearm, knocking his gun to the floor. He thrust his hand out and caught the bat mid-swing. He strained, pulling the bat upward and away from the assailant and caught a glimpse of the person who held it

  He shouted, “WE AREN’T THE MONSTERS! WE’RE HUMAN! STOP THIS!”

  It took several moments for the woman to give up the bat. She was black-haired and wide-eyed behind old-fashioned, horn-rimmed glasses. She was standing with another woman, blonde and similarly bug-eyed, still unwilling to give up her broom handle.

  “LADIES! PLEASE! WE’RE NOT THE CRAZED! HEY!”

  Clay ripped the broom from her hands, and tossed both weapons behind him. The women slowly came out of their hiding places. They blinked at him, confused by his presence.

  “Hello?” the black-haired one said. “Jesus. Sorry. We aren’t used to humans. I mean—we’ve only seen each other for . . .” her voice trailed off.

  The silence hung between them. Daniels was still tangled in the net, struggling to get free. He grunted angrily.

  “Can you guys give me a hand?”

  Clay helped extricate him, then helped him back to his feet. Daniels brushed himself off, glaring at the blonde woman. “What do I look like to you?”

  “We said we’re sorry,” she whimpered.

  “Who are you, anyway?” the black-haired woman asked. “You have quite a group here.”

  After a short pause, Jacobs stepped forward. “Marcia,” he said, his voice soft. “It’s me. Leland.”

  Marcia’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “What the hell?” she gasped as she pushed between Daniels and Clay, then wrapped her arms tightly around Jacobs’ neck. The other woman followed closely, joining them in an intimate hug: three scientists, united at the laboratory, after destroying the rest of the world.

  Clay tried to remind himself to stay calm and not think of it that way. In the end, no matter whose fault it was, they were now part of an exclusive group of survivors. He had to stay strong, leader-like. He lifted his chin, a
nd looked toward Alayna. Her eyes reflected similar thoughts and feelings.

  “I can’t believe you’re alive,” Marcia whispered, tears trickling down her cheeks. “We didn’t think you’d make it. We heard—” she trailed off, unsure how to finish.

  “We were worried, is all,” the other woman said. She was prim, less emotional. She righted herself, even as Marcia clung to Jacobs like he was a long-lost brother, or even a lover.

  “Well, I did,” Jacobs said. His face twisted slightly. Clay eyed him suspiciously, remembering how they’d found him at the lab all alone. Jacobs made eye contact with Marcia, communicating a thousand different emotions.

  “What is it, Leland?” She asked. “Just say what’s on your mind.”

  Jacobs swallowed. The weight of what he’d just been through seemed to come back to him “I haven’t been able to come to terms with the fact that you left me there,” he said. “You knew this was all going to happen. We shouldn’t have split up—”

  “Listen, guys?” Alayna said, scanning the darkening street through the window. “I appreciate that you have a lot to talk about. But we should move this to the lab. Who knows what’s out there.”

  The scientists led everyone into the lab and then sealed the door, locking them in. The reinforced walls made them feel safe, albeit momentarily. Daniels, still anxious from being trapped, stood at the door, his finger tapping the barrel of his gun. Safety was never a given.

  Chapter 10

  The survivors entered the first anteroom of the whitewashed lab. The two resident scientists, who were introduced as Lane Burke and Marcia Wright, disappeared for a few minutes to get water bottles. They passed them around wordlessly, and watched as the dirt-smudged clan drank thirstily. Marcia caressed Jacobs’ shoulder, rubbing at his tense muscles. It was clear that she was dismayed at how horrendous they all looked.

  “Did you walk all the way from Carterville?” she asked incredulously.

  “Ha. We tried to drive,” Daniels replied, still angry at the ambush. “But the minute we went through a gap in the force field, the damn thing came back on again.”

  Marcia brought her hand to her mouth, clearly shocked. “Jesus. And you survived?”

  “Miraculously, we’ve only suffered a few bumps and bruises,” Alayna said, giving Ralph reassuring smile.

  “Well, you shouldn’t have lived through that,” Marcia said softly. “It’s remarkable you did. It shows incredible courage.”

  The survivors didn’t bother to answer. Their minds were numb. But Clay had questions, and the two scientists had the answers.

  “Why didn’t you take Leland with you?” Clay asked, setting his empty water bottle on a desk. He crossed his arms over his chest, like a parent waiting for a childish excuse.

  Lane spun toward Clay, an apology on her lips. “It was that woman. Lois Washington.”

  “The mayor?” Alayna asked warily.

  “Yes. She told us to move to Helen, a week before the outbreak,” Lane explained.

  “Jesus. Lois knew about this? She—she knew, and then used that . . . asteroid as a cover-up . . .” Clay stammered, leaning heavily against a desk.

  Lois had been his boss for years; a woman he and the rest of the town of Carterville had turned to for support and reassurance. He remembered her glittering, eagle eyes, her fine features. How could such deceit lurk behind her facade?

  “That’s right,” Lane agreed. “She definitely knew about the DoD project.”

  “But that’s not all.” Marcia continued, “Once they arrived here in Helen, she and Colonel Wallace began to separate those who were showing symptoms from healthy people. They knew it was going to get worse, and they were trying to get ahead of it. Kind of like, say, concentration camps. From World War II.”

  “Jesus,” Clay whispered. “What did they do with them?”

  “First off, they rounded up anyone confirmed to have the infection, what was the term you used?” Lane asked.

  “The crazed,” Clay replied.

  “Well, that sounds appropriate. They put all the crazed in the back of large container trucks and sent them south, toward Dearing I think,” Marcia said. “Then, anyone starting to show symptoms, but hadn’t turned yet. Those who seemed to have no hope, well, they sent them south too. Not sure where, though.”

  “Most likely to Dearing,” Lane said.

  “And what about the others? The people with no symptoms?” Alayna asked, hopeful. “Where’d they go?”

  “They were sent north. To a military base, up near Earlton,” Lane said.

  Clay and Alayna glanced at each other, both realizing that they might have just discovered the answer to where Megan, Valerie, and Maia were.

  “Do you—do you know anything about a girl named Megan?” Alayna asked then. “Megan Holt? She’s beautiful, a resident of Carterville, around my age—”

  Marcia and Lane shook their heads sadly.

  “What about my family?” Clay asked. “Valerie and Maia Dobbs. A teenage girl with a woman around my age. Did you see anyone like that?”

  “We mostly kept to the lab,” Lane said quietly, her eyes dropping to the ground. “We didn’t want to risk being contaminated ourselves. Plus, we couldn’t be shipped off to the military base.”

  “Not even for your safety?” Alayna asked.

  “There’s no telling if it’s safer than here,” Marcia said. “This a global catastrophe. All the rules are out the window. We have to make it up as we go along.”

  “Wait—” Clay said, raising a finger. The voicemails from Valerie were never far from his mind. “I received a call from my wife. She was here, in Helen. She said that she and our daughter were split up, and that our daughter might have the flu.”

  After a pause, Lane said, “Sounds about right. That’s why they were separated, then. The people with flu-like symptoms went south. And your wife, well, it sounds like she went north.”

  “Jesus,” Clay gasped, sinking into a chair. His stomach churned with anxiety. His baby. His Maia. She was alone, trapped, maybe warding off other crazed monsters all the way down in Dearborn. His shoulders began to shake.

  All the way to Helen, he’d clung to this hope: that he’d learn his daughter and wife’s whereabouts when he arrived. But he hadn’t expected such devastating news. Not after he’d been through so much already.

  Chapter 11

  Clay erupted from his chair, pushed past Daniels and unlatched the door. His thoughts were churning with panic and despair. He needed to go, run, find his family. There were tears on his cheeks. Tears of anger at Lois Washington, the woman who was supposed to protect them. And of anger at himself. He’d stayed behind, to help in Carterville. He should have gone with Valerie and Maia. Carterville was no more, most of its residents were either crazed or dead.

  And he still couldn’t be certain about Maia and Valerie.

  “Fuck,” Clay shouted, darting out the door. Daniels snagged Clay’s jacket, yanking him back. “Let me go, Adam!” he cried. “I’ve got to get out.” He began to hyperventilate. “Jesus Christ. Just let go of me. Haven’t I done enough?”

  But Daniels held Clay firmly and slammed the door shut. Clay dropped to his knees, suddenly exhausted. He searched for any meaning in all of this.

  Alayna bent down in front of him and cupped his cheeks. Her hands were cool, and oddly soothing.

  “Shh,” she whispered. “You can’t do this. You’ll destroy yourself. Mentally—emotionally—physically. And we need you, Clay.”

  The other survivors formed a half-circle around them, looking down anxiously, their eyes brimming with worry and dust from the road.

  “I want to run out there, too,” Alayna said. “I want to find Megan just as much as you want to find your family. But without something to go on—without a plan—it might very well be suicide.”

  “So, you want to give up?” Clay said, his voice raspy. “Because it might be unsafe out there?”

  “No. We’re going to stay here long enough to r
eplenish our supplies, find more ammunition, and, most of all, rest, Clay,” Alayna said in a quiet voice.

  “We don’t really know what’s beyond Helen, anyway,” Marcia interjected. “We know Helen’s safe. There aren’t many of the crazed, just a few that get past the military’s perimeter. But leaving without being prepared would be foolish.”

  “I agree,” Lane said, her eyes sympathetic. “And I’m sorry. I really am.” She shrugged her thin shoulders, dwarfed by her massive lab coat.

  Jacobs pointed to another room, which held most of the lab’s equipment. A blue light was strobing, casting flickering shadows. “What experiments could you possibly by doing right now, anyway?” he asked.

  Marcia and Lane exchanged a look. Clay stood. His cheeks were flushed, with panic and with shame. He pushed his hair back, grateful it was no longer thinning like it had been a few weeks before. He’d kept up with the medication for radiation poisoning, reducing his symptoms.

  “Well, I suppose they’ll have to see it at some point,” Marcia began, speaking to Lane.

  “The back rooms are where we keep the supplies. The food. The beds,” Lane said, her eyes flashing. “But you’ll have to walk past our most recent round of experiments. And you might want to hold your breath. Especially if you have a weak stomach.”

  Ralph said, “Lady, we’ve been out there murdering these monsters right and left. I don’t think I’ll ever get their stench out of my coat.” He lifted his stump. “I even shot my best friend, on accident. But, we’re closer because of it. I don’t think we’ll be alarmed by any little hoity-toity experiment you’re doing in here.”

  Clay stifled laughter. Alayna pressed her lips together. Lane led them into the second room, past the blue light. On the tables, the survivors witnessed a disgusting sight. Something they weren’t ready for, despite the warnings.