“Karo, I think we need a break.” Norman says.
The grizzled man bobs his head as he squats down, relieving the tension in his back. Daisy scans the inconvenient area for a long moment.
“I’m going to use the little girl’s room.”
“Stay close.” Karo says.
“Creepy.” Daisy replies, with a grin.
“That’s not what-”
He sighs again, trying not to let her jabs get to him, and failing in the process. Norman kneels next to Patrick, handing him a canteen.
“Are you feeling alright?”
A slight nod from the young teenager follows his question.
“Cold and tired?”
Another gesture of confirmation from the nearly mute boy.
“I think we all are, but-”
Norman inhales precipitously, blowing the air back out through his nostrils.
“But it’ll be better once we get to Oasis, won’t it? We’ve done nothing wrong, they wont turn us away. We have to believe that, I have to believe that.”
Norman’s gaze moves from the ground in front of him to the boy.
“This is a tough time for all of us, and even though I’m going through something very difficult right now, I want you to know that I’m still here for you. If something is wrong, or you don’t feel right, don’t keep it in. You can tell me anything, Daisy as well, you now that, right?"
Patrick fidgets for a moment, scrunching his mouth to the side, then gives Norman an understanding gesture.
"Alright, let's try to rest for a few minutes." Norman says, as he sprawls out on the ground.
Daisy returns from behind a bulldozer, places her backpack on the ground, and lays with her shoulders against it. The weary foursome will spend the next twenty minutes in silence, recharging their energy.
After the much needed rest their travel resumes, heading west around the construction site. Karo's assumption is correct, and they clear it in a reasonable amount of time. They forge on until it's time to seek an area worthy of setting up camp.
Aware that the highway isn't too far east of them, Karo leads the group back near it, and they trudge along, with the highway in sight for half a mile, until they come across an old gas station. From the looks of the building it was in operation right up to the outbreak.
A weather worn ladder is padlocked against the back wall. Karo pries the two rusted locks off with his crowbar. After a bit of testing, he certifies the condition of the ladder to be suitable for use, and the group climbs up to the roof of the gas station. Karo pulls the ladder up with them, then he and Daisy make camp.
In a rare moment of vulnerability Karo expresses his gratitude for their finding of this campsite. He expresses the likely possibility that future areas of rest will not be as accommodating as this concrete perch. Nightfall does not bring conversations, their exhaustion takes over, and sleep is had promptly by all four travelers.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The seven people before her are stunned, as she expected them to be. This is a reaction she has grown accustomed to. When she tells people about Oasis, and the immunity, more often than not she is met with stunned silence, though there have been far too many instances of fierce rejection, followed by attempts to kill her.
Over the past fifteen years of being a Guide, KP has encountered just about every situation imaginable. She was part of the third wave of Guides from Oasis, their second training program. The original Guides did not receive training, they created the process on the go.
She studies their faces, their expressions, and their movements. No matter how small or trite, she registers all of it. This group doesn’t seem dismissive of her claims, but they aren’t convinced either. These people are all young, there is even a child among them, KP knows she can’t leave them here.
Hawaii abruptly rises from his seated position, and paces around behind their gathered semi-circle. After a moment Zee joins him, walking silently beside her companion, her arm linked with his.
“You know” -Rosaline says- “I’m not that old, but living out there, in the wild, I’ve heard a lot of stories, and a bunch of them couldn’t have been true, but I’ve never heard anything as ridiculous as this.”
KP grins, a light blow of air exiting her nostrils.
“It is difficult to believe, I’m aware of that, but it is true, I promise you.”
The tall, broad shouldered Rad raises his gaze from the ground, laying it on KP.
“And we’re just supposed to believe you?”
“I can prove that I’m immune, and I will. If I am immune, why would I lie about Oasis? What is their to gain in this for me?”
“You could be trying to rob us, or kill us.” the short warrior woman states.
“True, I suppose, but why? I’m alone, why would I risk trying to kill seven people on my own?”
“People are fuckin’ crazy these days chica.” says Sweetie, chiming in.
“You’re not wrong about that, but-”
“What kind of name is Oasis anyway?” Outlaw says, interrupting her.
His question brings a soft chuckle from KP. She runs her hand over her short, close cut, hair.
“It is kind of dumb, isn’t it? A bit too on the nose for me, but it’s not a name that was picked randomly. Before the outbreak Oasis already existed. It was a gated, private community. When the infection started spreading, those that lived in Oasis closed it up, and sectioned themselves off from the world. It’s a miracle that it worked, and even more of one that it still stands today, and not only does it stand, we’re growing every month. We’re about the size of a town, going by the standard of the old times.”
Hawaii and Zee have ceased their pacing, now listening intently to this stranger.
“How do you know that, exactly? You can’t be old enough to have lived back then?” Zee asks.
“No, I’m not old enough, I was born after the outbreak, but there are still quite a few people in Oasis that were alive during the time before.”
The young Latino boy’s ears prick up. He sits up straighter on the raggedy stump.
“So, what’s it like then? Oasis? I mean, you know, not that we believe you.”
“Yeah, tell us what it’s like.” Rosaline interjects, leaning forward and staring intently at the intruder, a brazen coldness resting in her gaze.
“It’s beautiful. There are thousands of people there, almost nine thousand, from the last census we took earlier this year. We have schools, public eating establishments, two hospitals, constant security, and everyone who lives there is immune.”
“How is that possible?” Hawaii wonders.
“Before the outbreak Oasis was a very upscale community. A fair share of accomplished people lived there, including two scientists, Adam Weaver and Gail Almond, they created the immunity. We don’t have the means to mass produce it, and manufacturing it is a lengthy process, so Guides do not take it with us. We bring people back to Oasis, give them the immunity, then they are screened. If they pass the screening they’re welcomed in to live there on a six month trial basis. If all goes well during that time they’re asked if they want to stay. If they don’t pass, or fail the trial period, they’re asked to leave. We give the immunity as soon as you get to Oasis, that part isn’t conditional.”
“How does someone fail the screening or the trial?” Zee asks, retaking her seat.
“I’m not positive on the exact screening process, most of my time is spent away from Oasis, out here finding survivors. I do know that it involves a series of questions and a lie detector test. As far as the trial period goes, that’s to ensure that you are who you say you are, and that you’re not a danger to society.”
“How many people have been turned away?” Hawaii inquires.
“Not many, but still more than I’d like.”
“Why bring people back at all then?” he asks.
“You can’t always know how someone is until you give them a chance to feel safe and relaxed, that’s when som
eone’s true colors really show.”
“Why give the immunity first? Why not after someone is accepted to stay in Oasis?”
“We can never get back to any sort of progressive civilization if the disease exists, so we give the immunity to everyone. That’s the only way we know how to stop the virus. By eliminating the possibility of more people being infected.”
Rosaline rises to her feet, resting her hands on her hips, a curious look on her face.
“Look, this could all be bullshit, or it could all be true, we’ll never know. You’ve certainly thought this all out, if it is a lie. The only way you can prove any part of your story is if you are actually immune, so, how are you going to prove that?”
“I can mix my blood with the blood of an infected.”
“Let me guess, you have some with you?”
“No, that would be too convenient, wouldn’t it?”
Rosaline tilts her head, a gesture of agreement.
“When’s the last time you saw an infected around here?”
Hawaii glances to Rosaline, sharing an uncertain moment with her, before he answers.
“About a month ago, we were attacked. Rosaline killed them, and we burned the bodies.”
“Burned? Not buried?”
“Burned. We have a water well, we didn’t want to risk it getting contaminated.”
“That’s very smart.”
KP pauses for a long moment, resting her chin on her propped up hand.
“The only way I can prove that I’m immune is to find an infected. This place is pretty far out, I didn’t pass any for a couple days before arriving here. When is the last time any of them wandered into this place?”
“It’d been over a year since the last time, but-”
He looks to Zee, his brow lowered, his eyes drooping.
“We did encounter some the day before we got attacked here. About half a days travel away, but they’re dead too.”
“What kind of infected were they? Mute or did they speak?”
“They were Talkers.”
“What did you do with the bodies?”
“Nothing, we just left them there.”
“You didn’t bury them or anything else?”
Hawaii shakes his head, “No.”
“About a month ago, as in closer to two months, or a few days over a month?”
His brow furrows again, his answer is almost a question.
“A few days over?”
KP nods. Her forehead wrinkles as she ponders something.
“Why?” Rosaline asks.
“The ones that talk, the Adapted, that’s what we call them-”
Sweetie’s eyes widen and move from KP, gliding to Rosaline, who shrugs in response.
“What?” KP questions.
“That’s what she calls them too.” Sweetie replies, pointing her head toward Rosaline.
KP raises a single eyebrow as she looks to Rosaline.
“That’s interesting, did you hear that from someone else?”
“No.” she replies, shaking her head.
“Being a Guide you hear many different names for them, but this is the first time I’ve heard anyone use the same term we do.”
“It’s just what made sense.”
"I can’t argue with that. So, half a day away, you said?"
Hawaii bobs his head.
"That could work."
"How? They've been dead for a month."
"The disease works in an odd way, we still don't fully understand it, and it's even more weird with Adapted. When they die, their brains shut down, it doesn't die or turn off, it just slows substantially Their heart continues to pump, very slow and shallow, but still pumping. This can happen for up to several weeks, from what we've observed. If that's the case for the ones you killed, their flesh should still be intact."
"I'm still a bit confused." says Zee.
"I'll eat some of the flesh to prove I'm immune. When one gets infected from an Adapted, at most it only takes a couple hours to fully turn, but usually it happens in less than thirty minutes. Have any of you ever seen someone get infected from an Adapted?"
Rosaline and Rad give a confirming motion.
"Then you know that's true."
KP leaves the stump, standing up straight.
"Who wants to take me there so I can prove that I'm telling you all the truth?"
Without hesitation Rosaline answers her.
"I will."
"Not alone, I'll go too." Hawaii adds.
"No." Rosaline replies, shaking her head.
"Listen Ros, I'm not letting you go alone."
"You and Rad should both stay here, just in case."
"You're not going alone."
"I'll go with her." says Zee, standing up from her stump.
"Zee-" Hawaii begins.
"She's right. Other than Rosaline, you and Rad are our best fighters. You guys should stay here to protect the farm." Zee replies.
"Let me go with her." Sweetie interjects.
"You're our best shot, you should stay here too."
Sweetie's eyes grow wide, she glances from Zee to KP then back to Zee.
"She's been watching us for two days, she knows we have guns."
KP's lips bunch to the side and her head tilts, confirming Zee's statement.
"Arm yourselves and wait for us to come back."
Rosaline directs her attention to KP, regarding her sternly.
“That’s my son. She’s my girlfriend, that’s her brother, he’s her brother’s best friend, and he's Zee's boyfriend. Just so you know how close we all are. If we get back here and they’re gone, or there are more people here that we don’t know, I’ll kill you.”
KP gives her a gesture of understanding.
“If this is a trap, and one of them escapes and comes to find us, I’ll kill you. If you try anything stupid while we’re out there, I’ll kill you. I wont ask questions, and I wont hesitate.”
"I believe you."
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
It’s been two weeks of traveling, non-stop traveling. Each day a little more grueling than the last. Each day bringing something unexpected to slow them down. Karo believes Jack’s blood will prove beneficial, he believes the scientists in Oasis will be able to develop a cure or an immunization. He’s positive of it, he has to be.
Two weeks of travel already. Maria, his wife, would talk to him about medical issues often, before the outbreak. He remembers her saying that blood can be stored for over a month in a refrigerator. He thinks she said forty-two days, and Norman confirmed about forty-two days when Karo asked him about it. The exact day doesn’t matter. He’s getting them to Oasis in less than forty days, no matter what.
He remembers to an exact that blood will last five days at room temperature, which Norman also confirmed for him. That gave them five days after Jack died to find suitable storage that could be traveled with. Storage that was chilled, and could be kept chilled.
The group found a big chain supply store within three days. The doors were damaged, held open, and most of the windows were busted out. The group only encountered three infected while inside the store, no doubt the others had migrated away during the twelve years since the outbreak.
Inside the store they found a small, but insulated, food bag. The bag was too small for the canteens full of blood to fit into, a shot to their hearts. Deeper inspection into the store revealed water proof temperature controlled thermoses. Karo also found a single, undamaged, yet filthy, travel cooler. Norman transferred the blood into the thermoses, then put the thermoses inside the cooler.
On the fourth day it began to snow. Karo packed the cooler with snow, and left the lid off it to keep the cold wind flowing through it. By day five they were out of the snow. Day six the snow had melted inside the cooler, but the water was cold. The cold temperatures of the days kept the water chilled.
On day eight it snowed again, and Karo repeated the process until day ten when the water wasn’t keeping as chill as he
thought it needed to be. Day ten the thermoses felt cool to the touch, but not overly so. Day eleven Patrick fell into depression. Karo and Norman took turns carrying him until he was able to move on his own again on day thirteen, which brought more snow.
It is now day sixteen, and though it hasn’t snowed again, the river that Karo altered their course to follow along contained frigid water. Karo filled the cooler with it, and all five of their drinking canteens.
Each day has brought with it an obstacle to overcome, an issue that has slowed their journey, but each new day has also brought fortunes that have allowed them to keep the blood at a low temperature. Without weather forecasts it was impossible for them to know whether or not they were following along the path of the snow storm. Karo realizes it has been nothing short of miraculous that they were.
Delivering this blood, and these people, is Karo’s purpose. He’s certain of this now. There’s no other explanation for the events that have transpired since Jack’s death. By the grace of God they’ve managed to keep the blood chilled for sixteen days, and now they’re nearing Georgia, ideally leaving somewhere around eleven to twelve days of travel time left, Karo estimates.
Karo was up at dawn on day sixteen, as he has been on every other day. He awoke Daisy first, then Norman and Patrick, and they set off resuming their trek to Florida. After two hours of walking, Karo is the first to break the silence, and he does so to Daisy.
“We’re close to Georgia now, still in Tennessee, but close.”
“You sure?”
“That’s what the map indicates.”
“Just checking that you know where we’re going.”
A grunt, a snort, a puff from his lungs, and a sly grin from her. The conversation ceases for another three hours. The group clear through some dwindling brush, and pop out the other side onto a small, two lane road. In the distance they can see a sign.
The green, rusted and stained, sign has three letters of a town’s name left on it, and has a faded, barely legible five next to the name of the town to indicate it’s distance. There doesn’t appear to be enough space after the five to fit another number next the faded ‘mi’ and missing letters that should follow those.
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