“Oh God! What is that?” Drew said heavily breathing in and out. He quickly scrambled to his feet and checked his fingers and hands.
“It’s an Eater in there….” Mater slowly said as she backed away.
“Did it bite me? Did it bite me?” Drew nervously checked the rest of his body.
“I think you are okay,” Sue Ellen said brushing the debris and dirt off of Drew.
Drew nudged the kennel with his foot and then jumped back. “Why would
they—“
“What are you doing?” A hoarse voice spooked the group momentarily taking their attention off of the kennel.
A tall lean soldier with black spiky hair approached them. Drew remembered the guy from earlier, in the Humvee, when he had ordered them to get to the center. He appeared to be in his early forties.
“Where do you think you are going? The back of the line is that way,” he pointed towards the people with his long pointer finger.
“What are y’all doing to those people?”
Drew thought of something fast to say to bring the attention off of what they had discovered in the kennel. Drew nodded in the children’s direction that was currently being separated from their parents. The youngest of the children belted out a loud cry as she was ripped from her father’s arms.
“Everyone that goes through those doors must be thoroughly checked.” The soldier stood at full attention.
“Check for what? Lice?” Drew asked as he began to scratch his head.
The soldier contained his laugh. “No sir. Checking for teeth marks or bites from the chopper.” He pointed to his mouth and made clacking sounds with his teeth.
“Are you going to separate us?” Sue Ellen glanced up at the tall soldier.
“Boys are in one line and girls in the other. To protect your privacy that is,” the soldier stood with a blank look on his face.
“I am not taking off my clothes if that’s what you mean,” Sue Ellen frowned. “Me either,” Mater agreed shaking her head. Her big braid swung from side to side.
“Sweetheart, if you want to get through those doors and possibly find your family,” the soldiers eyes flew towards the Fairgrounds Center entrance, “then you are going to have disrobe so that we can make sure that you are not infected. No one gets in without a check and a blue band.”
“This is not good,” Drew mumbled to Sue Ellen.
“Things are about to get a lot worse. You haven’t seen anything—“
“Sergeant Brinkley!”
A tall, broad, bald man with a long mustache walked in front of the solider who had been speaking to Drew and the girls. Sergeant Brinkley immediately stood at attention and saluted his upper command.
“Yes sir, Lieutenant General!” Sergeant Brinkley firmly said. His spiky hair looked like an upside down comb to Drew.
The upper command invaded the sergeant’s private space as he came nose to nose and placed his pointer finger on the soldier’s chest. He made the sergeant look like a small bean compared to his massive chest and thick arms. Drew looked down at his own frame. He felt like a measly bug compared to that giant.
“Quit fraternizing with these kids and move them on up to the detainment line. They must be washed quickly. We are expecting hundreds of evacuees!”
“Yes sir!”
The Lieutenant General marched off. Sergeant Brinkley stood at ease and took a deep breath. He pointed towards the direction of the two segregated lines.
“You heard the Lieutenant General. I suggest you go now before the center gets too full and you are turned away.” The sergeant had a grim look on his face with a change in attitude.
“Will my mom be in there?” Mater eagerly asked standing on the tips of her toes as she tried to peer into the crowded center.
“She should be if she has been listening to the news,” Sergeant Brinkley scratched his head, “I suggest you kids get a move on it.” He looked at the parking lot it was filling fast. “The detainment lines are up ahead.”
Drew motioned for the girls to follow him. Tarynn stayed back. Sue Ellen stopped walking and waited for Tarynn.
“Aren’t you coming?” Sue Ellen asked.
Tarynn shook her head, “I can’t go in there. The last time I was in a crowded place….” She pointed to her clothing. “Well you see what happened and I’m not so sure if I want to find out what else are in those kennels.”
“What if your parents are in there?” Mater added. “You will never know where you family is if you don’t come. I am quite sure there are other options if they are not there. But you would be safe in those soldier’s big trucks if they had to take you home. And I think It’s best that we leave whatever is in those kennels alone.”
Tarynn shrugged it off and slowly followed behind Sue Ellen and Mater as Drew led the way. She walked with her head down like she was afraid to greet anyone in passing. Drew had noticed that Tarynn had stepped off the bus a different person. The spark that was once in her green eyes was now gone.
As they neared the two separate detainment lines, four soldiers briskly grabbed the evacuees and directed them to their respective lines. Drew stood in the all male line as he watched the girls go to their line. Four small tents were set up at the beginning of each line. People went into these tents nervous and scared and came out crying.
“Next!” A stocky soldier with red hair blasted.
Drew stepped up to face the soldier. He pointed towards the tent. “Go there to get checked in, afterwards you may retire to the center.”
Drew shook his head and proceeded towards the tent. He noticed Sue Ellen and Mater watching intensely as he made his way in. Upon entering the tent a male soldier stood by the door and another solider stood at the front.
“Where is your other shoe?” The first soldier who was standing at the front asked.
“Lost it at the school,” Drew lied.
The look that crossed the soldier’s face was unbelieving. “Go ahead and take of all of your clothes including your socks,” the soldier instructed.
Drew casually turned around to see the second soldier staring at him with a smirk. He slowly took off his garments and removed his shoe and socks as instructed. Drew heard footsteps walk up from behind him. The wait seemed to last forever.
“Clear,” the second solider said.
“Turn around,” the first solider ordered.
Feel like I am a piece of meat, Drew thought.
Drew did as instructed.
“Clear!” The second solider barked.
The first soldier retrieved a clipboard from the wall.
“Your name?” He asked.
“Drew Jacks,” Drew answered.
“How old are you?”
“Fourteen,” Drew replied. “Can I put my clothes on now?”
The first solider nodded. “When you get inside someone will get you a pair of combat boots. I think we have some extra’s laying around somewhere. Once you are dressed, Private Smith here will issue a blue arm band that is imprinted with a number. This arm band will be your golden ticket to move around freely in the compound.”
Drew squinted his eyes.
“The center,” the first soldier reemphasized. “That band will be the only way you could ever reenter the center if you left. Which I might add, will fill up to its capacity soon and you don’t want to be on the outside when that happens. Understood?”
“Yes sir,” Drew murmured as he finished putting on his socks. “Hope my Mee-maw and sisters are here.”
“I hope so too….” The look on the first soldiers face was not too promising.
Drew was escorted out of the tent and back underneath the dull, gray sky. The weather had eased up and the rain was nonexistent. He continued to walk through the crowd looking for his friends. He quickly spotted Sue Ellen and Mater huddled off to the side comforting Tarynn.
“Hey, what’s going on? Didn’t y’all hear the soldiers? We need to get inside,” Drew said inspecting his armband.
Sue E
llen stood up. Her eyelids were puffy. It looked like she had been crying for days.
“I saw my dad and brother,” she half smiled.
“You already went inside the center?”
“No…”
“Well, how did you see your dad and brother?” Drew asked wide-eyed. He was getting so hungry that the rumbling in his stomach was louder than his voice.
“They are over there,” Sue Ellen pointed towards the back of the Fairgrounds Center. She was trying her best not to break down into tears.
“I’m confused,” Drew said scratching his head.
“I’ll explain it,” Tarynn interjected. Her eyes were swollen and as red as apples. “Only people who are bruise, scratch, cut, or scrape free are allowed inside the center. Those who have any opened areas on their skin are banned.”
“What?” The day could not get any worse for Drew.
“Same thing I said,” Mater chimed in.
Drew glanced towards the back of the center. After a few minutes of searching, he was able to spot Sue Ellen’s dad and little brother. Father and son were locked into a tight embrace.
“I haven’t had a chance to speak with my dad. But by the looks of it, Neither him or Jimmy passed the inspection,” Sue Ellen said getting choked up.
“Neither did I…” Tarynn murmured.
Drew felt the saliva get thick in his mouth, once again. “Are you sure you were not bitten on the bus?”
“No, just scrapes and scratches. The solider told me she could not take a chance and that I would be evacuated to another compound, with the others.” Tarynn looked up into the sky. “The Lord knows best,” she quietly added.
Drew’s eyes instantly flew down to Tarynn’s arm. No armband. Sue Ellen and Mater’s armbands rested snuggly against their wrists.
“We will have to figure out a way to sneak you in,” Drew said. He pulled Sue Ellen aside.
“Are you going to be okay?”
Sue Ellen looked down. Drew always knew her as the uptight, snappy, fierce girl. That was what had made him crazy about her. But now she seemed to have softened like butter. Sue Ellen was fragile and had broken into a million pieces.
“No, I am not. I belong with my dad and brother. Guess my journey ends here,” Sue Ellen softly said.
Drew limped over to Mater. The missing shoe had his balance unsteady. “What about you, Mater? Did you see your mother?”
“No,” Mater quietly said.
Drew grasped Tarynn’s hand and pulled her close so no one could hear them. “I suggest you go stand with Sue Ellen’s dad and brother. At least you will know someone until we come back. Mater and I are going to look for our family. Tarynn, I will ask around for yours,” Drew turned to Sue Ellen, “Sue Ellen, if you can take Tarynn to your dad that will keep her safe until we get back.”
“Okay,” Sue Ellen said as she calmly took Tarynn’s hand.
“I really think we should get out of here. All of us, including our families. I don’t have a good feeling about this place,” Drew said with caution, “something is not right about the center, the kennels, even the soldiers. I can feel it.”
“You have kept us all alive so far,” Sue Ellen said with a smirk leading Tarynn away, “See you soon, Drew.”
“See ya….Girls….” Drew mumbled under his breath as he began to walk towards the building. Mater trailed closely behind. Upon entering the massive Fairgrounds Center, arm bands where checked immediately. Drew and Mater were ushered into the building like cattle along with the other evacuees. The huge space was filled with terrified, traumatized people. Drew promptly scanned the area hoping he would find his Mee-maw and sisters.
“I am going to take this side,” Mater said, “If I find your grandma or sisters, I will let you know.
Drew liked the person that Mater was involving in too. It seemed as if she was no longer the shy girl that he once knew.
“Thanks, Mater. I will do the same for you.”
Drew and Mater went their separate ways. Soldiers lined the walls holding high powered weapons while others had German Shepherd guard dogs. No laughter or cheer came from the children who were fortunate enough to be alive and have their parents. Some people were still trying to use their cell phones. Others rocked themselves constantly. A few wept silently for their missing and loved ones.
Drew instantly realized that his Mee-maw and sisters were not there. They would have made their presence known, especially with his grandmother’s military background. A lady in distress momentarily took Drew’s attention away from searching for his family. He knew instantly whom the lady was by the dark cherry colored hair and pixie cut.
“I am demanding that someone take me to Stoney Central Middle School! My husband is the history teacher there!” She cried, “I am a nurse! Freeman is his last name. He might be hurt and need medical attention. Please!”
The lady shouted at the solider who continued to stare straight ahead like she did not exist. Her cries went unheard and blended with many other cries that fell on deaf ears
“Please for the love of your mothers and children!” The lady pulled at her short hair. She finally gave up and went to another solider. She pulled a picture out of her tattered blood stained purse.
“Sir, this is a picture of my husband. How much would it take for you to bring me to him? I will pay you whatever it takes.” The lady quickly rummaged through her wallet pulling out wads of cash. She held the money high up into the air for all the soldiers to see. “Is this what you want? Money? Is this what it will take for someone to run me down the road to get my husband?” The woman finally gave up and walked to a table and collapsed crying. She slowly pulled open her purse and began to search through it.
Drew calmly walked over to the lady who was having a meltdown at the table. He slowly put his hand on her shoulder.
“Are you Mrs. Freeman?”
The lady quickly turned around and stared up at Drew with rapidly blinking, matted eyes. The woman’s mascara had clumped together in her eyelashes and made black streaks, which flowed down her cheeks. For a second she studied Drew with curiosity before going back to rummaging through her handbag.
Drew leaned in closer. “I know. I knew Mr. Freeman.”
The frazzled Mrs. Freeman stood to her feet like the speed of light.
“Knew? You know where Mike….Mr. Freeman is?” Mrs. Freeman pulled Drew away from the soldiers so that their conversation would not be easily heard.
“Yes ma’am. He was my teacher. He saved my life….” Drew said reaching into his pocket. He pulled out the billfold, the last will and testament of Mr. Freeman. Drew held the wallet like it was a fragile egg.
Mrs. Freeman rubbed her eyes to remove some of the clumped mascara that was blocking her vision. She held out her hands like she was going to surrender.
“What is that?” Mrs. Freeman asked biting her lip.
Drew brought the cradled wallet closer to Mrs. Freeman. He thought about his last moments with the teacher. A flood of feelings washed over him. “Mr. Freeman wanted to make sure, I gave you this.”
Mrs. Freeman began to laugh hysterically. Her mood switched immediately to small sobs. She brought her hands together as if she were praying and slowly retrieved the wallet from Drew’s hands. The first thing she did was bring it up to her nose and inhale its musky leather scent. She slowly opened the wallet and pulled out a letter with trembling fingers. Mrs. Freeman released a deep sigh when she opened the letter and there laid a nice size diamond ring and a picture of her and Mr. Freeman together.
My Sweet Dear Love,
If you are reading this letter, then I am no longer here with you. Today would have been our Fifth Anniversary. I wanted to let you know that those extra hours that I had been working the last couple of months was so that I can buy you the ring that you always wanted but I could not afford. Now, here it is. Please. Do not be sad for us. Live on for me. We shall meet again. For I wait for you underneath that big ole oak tree, feeding the squirrels….
Mike
Mrs. Freeman let out a long primitive cry. It was the sort of wail that reached into the depths of one’s soul. She looked up towards the ceiling and stumbled back towards her table. She appeared as if she would pass out at any minute. Mrs. Freeman took a deep breath and swallowed hard. She took the diamond ring that her late husband had bought for her and added it to the plain gold band that was on her wedding finger. Tears flowed from her face like a smooth rhythm as she studied the picture of them when they first started dating back in high school. She glanced up at Drew.
“Thank you,” she whispered, “thank you….”
“You are welcome, ma’am,” Drew muttered as he backed away.
He fought the urge not to cry. Boys did not cry. Fight or Flight. Fight or Flight.
Fight.
He continued to retreat as he watched the broken woman wallow in her grief. Drew began to feel a sense a dread. His family was nowhere to be seen. He wondered if he would soon feel the same sorrow as Mrs. Freeman and countless others.
“Ouch! Needdd to watchhh where you are going kid!” A slurred voice shouted.
It was a familiar voice that he recognized all to well, which was accompanied by a sickly sweet, nasty chemical odor. It was the last person on earth he wanted to see right now… his mother.
Chapter 13
Eeny, bloody, miny, moe,
Catch an Eater by its toe
If it growls, let it go
Eeny, bloody, miny, moe.
“Boy! Where have you been?”
Drew’s mother smothered him with kisses and a bear hug. She reaped of booze, cigarettes, and mint flavored gum. His mother was no doubt beautiful in the midst of her frenzy hang over. Her shoulder length blonde hair was healthy and full despite the toxins that she slipped into her body. She was every man’s golden dream but worst nightmare. She stood tall with long toned legs and a small waist. Her bright, big blue eyes were as crystal clear as the ocean’s water. Her perfectly straight white teeth had begun to take on a yellowish tint from the chain smoking and recreational drug use. But Drew’s mother was smart as she always disguised her secret by regularly rinsing with peroxide and popping mint flavored chewing gum.
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