Finally releasing Charlie and Aiden, Rafe realized there were a few faces he didn’t know. He walked up to the older woman that was standing on the porch watching him still. She smiled warmly at Rafe when she came down to meet him.
“Hi, I’m Rafe Duncan,” he said, holding out his hand.
“I’m Margaret. It’s really nice to meet you. Your sisters have been so worried,” she replied as she gripped his hand.
“Hi, Margaret. How were the kids while we were gone?” Alex asked when she walked up.
“Oh, angels of course. We had a great time learning how to take care of the animals and the gardens. You’ve done a really good job up here,” Margaret said, looking at Rafe.
“It’s home,” Rafe said, shrugging.
“Come, I have more people to introduce you to,” Alex said, taking Rafe’s arm.
That evening, Rafe stood at the pasture, watching the cows feasting on their grass happily. He had taken the time to greet each of them, letting them know he was home. He had missed their routine and being home. The stars were starting to wink from the sky and Rafe stared up wondering if Mitch Duncan was watching his kids survive like he taught them.
“It’s so different being here with a full house,” Charlie said as she walked up to stand with Rafe.
He looked down at her and grinned like a fool. He slid his arm around her and pulled her to stand closer to him. He leaned her head against his chest.
“So, I’m thinking we should take my room. I want to give Alex Dad’s room because she has Billie and Henry sleeping with her. Then Easton can have Alex’s room downstairs. Issac said he’s fine sleeping in the bunkhouse with Cliff and Marcus. Margaret and Candace said they are happy in the RV for now,” Rafe explained.
“Hmm, sharing a room?” Charlie murmured with a small laugh.
“If that’s not ok with you we can do something different,” Rafe said quickly, feeling ashamed for not asking her about his plan first.
“I’m teasing, Rafe. It makes sense for us to share your room. Aiden can sleep on a small cot there with us. Storm already has his bed in there too,” Charlie said.
“I just don’t want to be away from you. The month in the cave, we were never apart for long.”
“I know. I got used to you sleeping near me. I don’t want to lose that either.”
Decided, they walked hand in hand back to the house. When they walked in the kids were watching a cartoon movie and the adults were gathered around the dining room table. Easton sat next to Alex as well, considered a part of the adult group after everything he had been through. Rafe was impressed with the boy after hearing about his story from Alex.
Rafe and Charlie took places at the table. There wasn’t room for everyone, but they made it work like a war room. Alex sat at the head of the table, the natural leader of the Duncan family, thus the natural leader of this group of survivors. Rafe waited for her to start the meeting she had called. They all had information they needed to share, and it was better they shared it sooner rather than later.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to have everyone here now,” Alex started.
The adults all automatically quieted when Alex started to talk. Rafe knew she wasn’t trying to run anything. It wasn’t like Alex to take charge. But people respected her and looked up to her, himself included. She was most qualified to keep them in line and on task.
“We’ve been comparing notes between Max, Charlie, and Rafe. We don’t have a perfectly clear picture, but we know more than we did. And understanding the motivations behind who we’re dealing with is going to be important to survival. I wish I could say we are only dealing with the infected.”
“I’m sorry for that,” Charlie added. Alex smiled warmly at her. Rafe appreciated the kindness Alex showed the woman he had decided was for him.
“That is not your fault, Charlie. You can’t blame yourself for this. The actions of the man you call 'The Suit' and Major Callahan are what have spurred this war between us and the military.”
“The fact is, Callahan and 'The Suit' want to kill Charlie and anyone else involved with her. We won’t hide the truth from anyone here. If you are a member of this house, you are family. And as a family, we won’t keep secrets. You need to know how serious this is,” Rafe added. Alex nodded for him to go on.
“Charlie knows this plague was caused by experiments the government was commissioning. The people, including Charlie, that worked on these projects didn’t know what was happening with their research,” Rafe continued.
“I thought I was helping. I was creating cures for every type of plague that could be manufactured in a lab. Now I know they were only looking for the one we couldn’t cure. I don’t believe they even knew this could happen. I didn’t. And neither did the other doctors I worked with. Something happened with this pathogen that wasn’t planned,” Charlie said.
Rafe squeezed her leg under the table, giving her reassurance. He knew she carried a lot of guilt about the outbreak.
“Charlie can’t cure the plague. She’s been trying to figure it out since we went on the run,” Rafe said.
“It’s possible also that it has mutated. Alex mentioned seeing faster infected before,” Charlie added.
“We all did,” Easton spoke up. “It was a much faster walk than what seemed normal, as if they could have run at us if they tried. Not that any of this is normal.”
“Right. I can’t even begin to understand what’s happened without my lab and specimens to test,” Charlie said.
“I don’t think that’s what Callahan is after. He claims he wants the cure. But he isn’t worried about any of us living. I think they just want to silence the information,” Max said quietly from her seat.
Rafe looked at his sister. She looked at the table when she spoke about Callahan and Rafe had to tap down the anger that wanted to burst out. He knew Max didn’t need his anger. He thought about Smith, who was still locked up in the military truck. Until they created something more solid in the barn, they agreed they could keep him locked in the truck. Smith didn’t argue, clearly realizing he was lucky to still have his life.
“I think Max is right. I think this is about getting rid of the evidence of what they have done. And about taking control of what is left of the country. So this is the deal. Living here we are relatively safe. We have the security systems in place. Rafe has suggested barbed wire at the tops of the fence. This will take time and manpower. But it would stop the soldiers from trying to jump our walls again,” Alex continued.
She had everyone’s attention. Looking from face to face she made sure they heard her and understood what she was telling them.
“This is the time we tell you, no one is required to be here. If you decide it’s too unsafe, you are welcome to leave with as many supplies as you can carry. We understand this isn’t exactly what you signed up for. But we are a family and we won’t put out anyone,” Alex finished.
Everyone looked at each other, no one spoke up. Alex, Rafe, and Max knew what they were doing. They would stay together no matter what. They stood for each other and their family. But their new additions didn’t have to stay if they didn’t want to.
“I think I speak for everyone here when I say, screw ‘em,” Issac said finally.
Laughter broke out around the table, lightening the mood. Alex made eye contact with Rafe over the table. They smiled at each other, knowing they were building something important there. The conversation turned to chores and responsibilities. Because Rafe had been on the compound alone for so long, Alex turned to him to head the assignments for everyone.
Rafe wasn’t prepared for the extra hands, so he used the time to discuss what was needed and people volunteered their knowledge. Margaret had worked with gardening before, so she was assigned to the planting and harvesting, with Candace as her assistant. Candace was also going to help with the cooking and children. Rafe would continue to work with the animals and Easton asked if he could learn as well. Marcus was going to finish the wa
ll on the house and create a secure cell in the barn for Smith.
The rest of the adults were given other tasks. Alex and Max agreed they would go to find the barbed wire as soon as possible. Issac had some suggestions of businesses that had it before the plague. They discussed being able to clip off the wire and carefully winding it to bring it home to be used. It was then agreed as a rule no one went out alone and that three people or more was the best option. No one wanted to be trapped outside of the walls with no backup.
As the meeting ended, everyone went their separate ways. Rafe promised to join Charlie soon in their new room. He said goodnight to Aiden who hugged him tightly.
“It’s good to be home, right, Rafe?” Aiden asked.
“Sure is, buddy. Do you like your new home?”
“Yes. I like the kids here. I miss my mommy and daddy. But Charlie said they always watch over me. So I know I need to be a good boy.”
“That’s a good plan. Off to bed with you,” Rafe said, patting his head affectionately as he grabbed Charlie’s hand and asked for a bedtime story. Before she could walk away, Rafe kissed her quickly and she smiled sweetly at him.
Outside, Rafe joined his sisters on the hill that overlooked the front gate of the compound. He stood behind them, his arms around their shoulders. They looked out over the place that was theirs. They had completed Sundown, finding their way behind the walls that were built by their father. Being prepared had gotten them through the days since the plague. Rafe found pride in what they had accomplished so far. Being with his sisters, in their home, made survival feel possible.
“This isn’t over,” Max said, breaking their comfortable silence.
“No, I guess it’s not. But for now, maybe we can enjoy a night of safety,” Alex replied.
“Together we can handle anything,” Rafe said.
“Dad would be proud of us,” Alex said.
Thinking about their father, they all fell silent. Rafe knew he would be proud of his children. In upholding his beliefs after he was gone. For completing Sundown, bringing their family back together. Rafe thought about the struggles they all had to go through to get to where they were now. Mitch Duncan would never have said it in so many words, but he would have been proud. His children were strong survivors.
“What’s going to happen to us?” Max asked.
Rafe wasn’t sure how to answer her question. Alex also stayed silent, in her own thoughts.
“I mean, where do we go from here?” Max continued when neither of her siblings answered.
“This is it, I think. Take it day by day. Keep the compound safe. Continue to be as self-sustaining as possible. Protect ourselves,” Rafe finally answered.
“Stay alive,” Alex said.
The siblings turned to find their own beds. As they walked back inside, Max poked Rafe in the side.
“So about Charlie,” she said.
“Don’t start, Max,” Rafe replied.
“Do we need to find a priest that’s alive?” Max asked.
“Max, leave him alone. If you tease him, he’ll never tell us anything,” Alex cut in.
“I’m never telling you anything anyway,” Rafe replied as they made their way up the back stairs.
“Oh come on, Rafe,” Max whined as Rafe opened the door.
With the door open, Storm shot out of the house. Rafe watched him sniff around the yard. The dog ran to the hill the Duncans had stood on. He looked out over the wall, standing still watching. Rafe came up to him and knelt. He rubbed his hand over the dog’s soft head, massaging his ears and followed his gaze. Though Storm wasn’t giving his normal signals of intruders, Rafe knew threats were out there.
“It’s quiet for now, Storm. We’re alive. Let’s sleep tonight. Tomorrow you can hunt down the boogiemen,” Rafe said, standing and heading back to the house.
Storm stood, gazing out beyond the fence. He didn’t turn to follow Rafe. White silver fur shone in the moonlight, like a beacon of hope and protection. There he would wait because the dog knew. In the feral part of him, Storm could see that the world outside their walls would come calling. The dead and alive.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
His fist smashed into the cool metal desk he sat at. 'The Suit' couldn’t listen to the excuses from Callahan and his men any longer. Every shred of hope they gave him over the last month was quickly quashed by the next update. Listening to Callahan’s voice now made 'The Suit' want to travel out of his bunker to handle the Duncans himself.
“Sir, we will have this handled soon,” Callahan said.
“You have said that each time you’ve called. And yet you have nothing but mistakes and excuses. I’m beginning to think I picked the wrong man for the job.”
“If you have someone else to assign this to, you are welcome to....sir,” Callahan said, adding the last word in a sarcastic tone.
'The Suit' didn’t like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Callahan was aware that 'The Suit' didn’t have any other subordinates to reach out to. The plague had wiped out many of the reserves from their faction and he was grasping at the last few threads they had. He could feel the power slipping through his fingers. He grasped his hand in a fist, working to catch the metaphorical omnipotence.
“What do you suggest, Callahan? How will you handle this one family?”
“We are still making plans, sir. But we know their weakness.”
“Well, don’t leave me in suspense, enlighten me,” 'The Suit' replied.
“Their family, the people they have at that house. They are emotionally connected. Start cutting them down, one by one. Eventually, they will give us what we want.”
'The Suit' stood and walked to the windows that overlooked the lab space. Patient Zero was alone in its cell, the lab technicians working in another room. Without focus, the dead woman bounced off of the bars. 'The Suit' watched as she continually hit her head into the metal and realized that was exactly how he felt. The Duncans were a barrier he was slamming his head into and yet, they didn’t budge.
Turning back to the pile of papers he had on his desk, he spread out three color photos. Alexandria, Rafe, and Maxine stared back at him. He knew they had nicknames, but he refused to use them. They weren’t people to him, they were obstructions. Standing between him and what he wanted, keeping him from achieving his ultimate goal. To cure the plague.
Truthfully, 'The Suit' wasn’t concerned with the cure. With fewer people to control it would be easier for him to restart the government in his image. However, he knew if he had a cure to offer people, that would only pave the way to becoming the hero he wanted to be. Hero wasn’t a word he typically used for himself. He knew it was a fake idea. People liked a hero. And that was who they would follow.
Once he had the remaining American people falling into line, he would become the ruler he saw himself as. It would be well deserved, 'The Suit' thought to himself. He had worked behind the scenes, in the dark, for too many years. It was time his successes and power were recognized by the public.
“Sir?” Callahan’s voice came from the phone. 'The Suit' realized he had been in his own musings for too long.
“Their loved ones,” 'The Suit' repeated, bringing them back to the plan Callahan was hatching.
“Yes, sir.”
“I like that plan, Callahan. These people are a thorn in my side. If we allow them to continue as they have, believing they can have victory over us, this will only fester and grow. I need them to go away, however that must happen.”
The pair hung up and 'The Suit' sat down heavily at his desk. The eyes of the Duncans seemed to follow him. Lashing out, he threw the photos and papers across the room. He straightened his suit jacket and pushed his glasses up his nose. After a few deep breaths, he felt back in control of his emotions.
He watched the images he had pulled up of Kalispell. It was here that he watched as the plague had raced from its origins in the facility to the streets of the nearby town. Now the streets were home to the dead and the livin
g were the minority. As he watched, a white truck stopped, and people began to jump out with their guns at the ready. He immediately recognized the Duncan siblings.
Sitting forward to get a closer look, 'The Suit' watched as they methodically checked corners and shadows for threats.
“Soon the shadows won’t be so easy to deal with. Take your last breaths, Duncans. We are coming for you.”
Acknowledgements
Thank you so much for joining the search for Rafe Duncan! I hope you enjoyed the exciting story of how this infection started and how the Duncan family came together. To keep up with more of their stories, be sure to follow along on my website courtneykonstantin.com. I also post updates on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCKonstantin.
As always my brainstorming bestie was by my side during the writing of ALIVE. Thank you for reading every message I sent, no matter how long and all over the board it may have been. You always know when to rein me in when necessary, and push me further when I need it.
Thank goodness for a fantastic editor that keeps my comma mess to a minimum!. Pam Ebeler from Undivided Editing keeps me on track with those evil little things, making sure I am able to concentrate on the bigger picture. Thanks for all your hard work Pam, I appreciate you!
Thank you to Podium Publishing for the fantastic cover for ALIVE. Seeing Rafe portrayed so well really brings the story to life!
Alive (Sundown Series Book 3) Page 31