The Three of Us: A Novella
Page 7
Sebastian continued. "You guys have no idea what it's like out here. They don't know or care how destructive and greedy they were. Give them up and we'll let you go. You’ve got one hour."
32
The first 20 minutes Mike sat next to Steve in the stairwell who heard the whole thing.
"Why don't we just do what they say. Give em' up. They mean nothing to us. Sure they killed joe but they might kill us too if we don't surrender."
"Steve we can't just give in. We were hired and paid to protect these people." "But that was before they sent the world to hell. I didn't sign up for this. Neither did you.
Tell me you knew this was going to happen."
"I didn't know," Mike barely whispered.
"We control the power now. We have the keys and the guns and those guys have our food. The people we're trying to protect, the ones responsible for all this have their lab equipment and their stockpile of money."
"You know about the money?"
"You just confirmed it. They probably have gold too. Look forward a year. We reach the point of running out of food. What do we do? Do we go the next bunker they have? If they even have one. Do we come out of our hole and join other survivors rebuilding, if there even are any? When does it get back to normal?"
"Never."
Steve had valid arguments Mike thought, but he was still in charge. He'd call a meeting with the board members he decided.
33
"Gentlemen, as you may know. We had a situation. Three people got into the bunker through the quarantine exit. They were stealing our food and blocked the door which forced us to open fire through the window. I sent Joe out through the front. They killed him and took his radio. He managed to take down one of theirs."
Some looked shocked, turning to look at the CEO for a response.
"And how were they able to get in?"
"The one I spoke to said he helped design this bunker originally. Had keys.”
"And what were his demands, if any?"
"Blood," he kept it short to see their reaction. "Everyone except families.”
“How many are there?”
“I’m not sure. Two at least. And I’d assume they’re better armed than us.” "How long did they give you to answer back."
Mike looked at his watch. A nice wind-up his grandfather had given him. "We've got 10 minutes to reply."
"Go meet with him, work something out. Give ‘em a couple scientists if that will make them happy." A few in the room went wide eyed, though they said nothing.
Mike went back to the security room, slamming the door and slumping into the chair.
34
Sebastian had grabbed the last MRE, preparing it. The two were digging into it when the radio crackled.
"We have made our decision. Can we set up a meet?"
"Just you, unarmed and alone. Go to the ally and bring your walkie. You'll get further instructions."
He went to the corner. Soon Sebastian saw a man slowly walk towards him from the front entrance. His hands were in the air.
"Drop the radio and keep your hands up."
Mike did as he was told, but looked around to see where they were. A man was walking up to him, gun drawn. Sebastian searched him and found nothing. Mike didn't try and hide anything. Turning him around, marched him to their camp where a girl was leaning against the counter, leg propped up and bandaged. A covered body nearby.
"What is your decision," The man said.
"We'll my boss said to give up some people."
"So that's your decision?"
"I didn't say that. Can you reconsider and not shed blood?”
"Let them live while their drug destroyed humanity? Doesn't seem fair." "I know, but I have to try. It’s my job."
"You have little food and water. You won’t survive long. Send the innocents out. There is a compound not far away that will take them in. It won't be easy for them and some will die along the way. There should be enough supplies to get them there."
Mike couldn’t think of a better option. He didn’t have the upper hand. "OK."
“You and anyone who wasn’t involved can go with the innocents. Help them get to the safety of camp. It’s still harsh out there.”
Mike stared into the man’s eyes. It didn’t seem right to leave them, but would he fight to the death when this man in front of him stormed the bunker, shooting everything still moving? No.
“Start sending people out. We’ll be going in soon to clean up.”
Mike said nothing and left.
35
Sebastian watched as a flow of shadowed people passed by. They carried nothing aside from a bit of food and a little water. The shocked look that they were not in the bunker anymore. For a moment, he felt bad. These people did no harm. But remembered his family and how he doesn’t have one anymore. They can experience the real world like the rest of them. As Mike brought up the rear, Sebastian approached him. Their guns holstered.
“Keep to the side streets. Ask for George when you get to the roadblocks.”
Mike nodded. A nervous relief washed over him. He was leaving his employers, knowing that they’d soon face death. Times were different. “They should all be in the lab and meeting room.”
Sebastian nodded. The scared group was already on the move and Mike left to catch up.
36
Holly hobbled towards the bunker. Sebastian offered to help, but she needed to do it herself. For what they were about to do, she needed to stay strong. The front entrance was still open. With their guns drawn, they walked in. Just as Mike had said, everyone was in the lab or meeting room. Tossing the flash grenade made the monsters easier targets. Neither the scientists or executives put up a fight, only tried to plead, but the two didn’t hesitate. After it was over, Holly threw up and
Sebastian surveyed the space, feeling unsatisfied. He’d had his revenge and the hole in his soul grew bigger instead of healing. Rigging the lab to go up in flames, they left the bunker for good, the carnage being engulfed.
37
After they’d finished clearing the bunker, Sebastian and Holly readied the Uhaul. They didn’t say a word to each other. Neither felt good about the revenge they took. Feeling just as empty as before. As they started their drive back to the compound that felt most like home, Holly kept her eyes on the horizon. Any glimmer could be trouble. Sebastian weaved around the cars and rubble as best he could. The truck sounded rough, though it continued to run for now. The added weight, noticeable.
It took hours for them to put the city in the rearview. No sign of hostiles or those that they let go. Sebastian opened up the throttle when the road was more clear.
They’d get to George’s place by the morning if they didn’t stop and no trouble found them.
38
“HEY,” Holly shouted, snapping Sebastian’s eyes open. Bouncing along the ditch he eased off the gas and rolled to a stop.
“Need me to drive?” she asked worriedly.
“I think I’m awake now,” Sebastian rubbed his eyes. “I must have dozed off.”
“We both did, but usually the driver shouldn’t do that though,” she smiled. Her first smile since they’d cleared out the bunker.
“We should be almost there.”
Sebastian guided the truck back onto the road. It was pitch black now with only the dim headlights to illuminate any danger.
“Good”
They were not heroes, just unlucky survivors of the apocalypse.
About the Author
W Tavi Lee is a California native, novelist, short story writer & avid envisionist with a steady stream of ideas, pursuing as many as possible.
Visit wtavilee.com to read more
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