by M. Lorrox
“Hey, Skip!” Charlie quickens his step. “I just had a great workout. How are things up here?”
Skip enters the hallway and shuts the door to the suite. “Let’s take a little walk?”
Charlie shrugs. “Sure.”
They go down the hall to where there’s an intersection with another hall. Skip motions for Charlie to follow him around the corner. Both hallways are empty. “You all have some great ears, don’t you?”
Charlie nods. “Sure do. What’s up?”
“I’m worried about June. She looks terrible.”
Charlie frowns. “Has she been eating and drinking, you know—”
“She says she has, yes. And she said she was up all night, unable to sleep.”
“Hmm. She did sleep most of yesterday.”
“She says she is tired, but that she can’t sleep. Is she going to be alright?”
Charlie puts a hand on his shoulder. “The change takes a lot out of you, and when others have been turned to avoid disease, I’ve heard that sometimes it wipes them out. But, as far as I know, anybody that has woken up after the change has gotten healthy again.”
Skip sighs. “But, this was a special...situation.”
Charlie takes back his hand and nods. “All we can do is be patient and give her some time. Maybe being in DC is good for her—a change of scenery to go along with the other changes she’s experiencing.”
Skip nods and turns to walk back to the room.
Charlie follows.
“Sadie’s in meetings all day today?”
“Yeah, probably into the night, and probably all week.”
“What are you up to?”
Charlie groans. “I don’t know if I told you this yet—this whole trip has been insane. They want me to be the Guard Commander. It’s complicated, but it’s on par with a high-ranking military official.”
“Oh, wow. Congratulations.”
-Phifff- “Hardly. But I’ve got meetings downstairs today.” He sighs. “And likely all week.”
Skip shrugs. “Well, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?”
“They tell me I do.” Charlie looks at his friend, who seems worried and sad. He needs a job. “I hate to ask you this, but...well—”
“What’s up?”
Charlie sighs. “Hmm, alright. Minnie is very dependent on others right now. With Sadie and I in meetings most of the day, Eddy will be in charge of her, but...” He squints and tilts his head. “You’ve met Eddy, right?”
Skip chuckles. “I’d be happy to help, and I bet it would be good for June. Giving her a job might be good for her.”
Charlie nods. “Good!” They reach the door to the suite, and he motions to it. “I can show you Sadie’s homeschooling notes inside.” He pats his pocket and remembers he didn’t bring his wallet. “Oh, I didn’t bring a key. Do you have one?”
Skip winces. “No, I just woke up.”
“Oh—”
The door opens with Eddy smiling at them. “What would you two do if I wasn’t here to save the day?”
Charlie walks in past Eddy. “Break the door down.”
Skip shrugs, and Eddy rolls his eyes.
In the hotel’s ballroom, thin tables are arranged into a series of rows where the House of Elders is seated. They face toward the front stage where the Prime Minister and the seven members of the High Council sit. Aides and invited VIVs sit in chairs along the perimeter of the room.
Prime Minister Zaman stands up. He raises a palm out to the room, and the room silences. “Thank you. Now that we’ve gone over the House’s schedule for the week, I’d like to make a few personal announcements.”
He walks to the edge of the stage. “First, I am grateful to see so many here today. I know it was not easy for all of you to travel here on such short notice. We stand at the brink of what may be the biggest decision—and change—that we have ever had to make.” He motions around the room. “With the Elders present here today, I know we can make the right decision, for us, and for our children.”
An elder starts to clap, and the rest of the room joins in.
He raises a palm again. “Please.”
Again, the room falls silent.
“This week, the High Council will have closed-door meetings while we deliberate and discuss agendas. In tonight’s meeting, I’d like to invite any elder that has first-hand experience with zombies.” He motions to the vampires behind him. “The High Council has relayed a few anecdotes of events to me, but I’d prefer to hear direct reports.”
He folds his hands in front of his waist. “If you have personal experience with this terrible infection, please stand and let me see who I should expect tonight.”
In the room, there’s shuffling and murmuring. Sadie stands. Across the central isle at a different table, another man stands. A third person stands near the back.
Hamid looks at each. “Sadie, John, and Paulo, I look forward to hearing your accounts this evening... Is there no one else?”
A sturdy woman with short black hair who was already standing walks forward from the corner of the room. She wears a stern face and combat boots—the same things she wore last night when she carried the unconscious man out of the ballroom on her shoulders.
Bruce Tittensor, a member of the High Council who sits with the others on the stage, notices her, and he clears his throat. “Prime Minister, a member of the Council Guard has experience with the infected, and they will present tonight as well.” Bruce nods his bald head to the woman. “Thank you, Deina.”
She nods, then takes a few steps back to her post.
Hamid waits for any others to stand or step forward, but no one else does. “Very well. I’ll sit back down now, so we can get back to work. Thank you for your attention.”
The three elders who still stand, wait for him to sit before they return to their seats. The other elders clap as he takes his seat.
As Sadie sits, the man next to her leans over. “Have you ever met with the Prime Minister or the High Council before?”
She gives the man with short curly hair a sideways glance. “Have we met?”
“I don’t believe so, Elder Costanza. I am Dr. Aharon Fugleberg; this is my first term as an elder. You can call me Aharon, if you please.”
Sadie nods and motions to the stage. “I helped Hamid become Prime Minister; he is one of my oldest friends.”
“Oh.” Aharon shifts in his chair and itches his head. “Of course.”
After going over Minnie’s lessons with Skip, Charlie finds Eddy in the bedroom. He is sitting on the queen bed with Sophia’s bag and knife in front of him.
“Hey, Dad.”
Charlie stands in the door. “Hey. How’s it going this morning?”
“Last night, I started thinking about my friends back home. And about Joe.” He motions to the leather bag. “And Sophia.”
Charlie nods. “Losing someone you care about isn’t ever easy.”
Tears start to form in Eddy’s eyes. “They’re dead. Like, forever. I didn’t really know Sophia, but Joe and his cousin are gone. And Jess, she must be heartbroken.
Charlie walks over. “I’m sure she is. But Eddy, you have to remember: it wasn’t your fault.”
Eddy pounds the bed. “But I didn’t save them!”
Charlie sighs. “You saved Jess and that other guy. And you made sure Tomo was safe, too. Joe was hurt in the crash, right? How could you have saved him?”
“I could have saved Sophia…and maybe Bill. But I didn’t.” He looks at his dad with tears streaming. “You would have.”
Charlie sits down next to him. “Eddy, there’s no point in wondering what might have happened. What happened, did happen, and I’m proud of how you fought for your friends.”
“June could have died, too.”
“But she didn’t.”
“I know.” Eddy squeezes his face and tries to control his emotions.
Charlie glances at the bag and the knife. “Did Sophia name that knife?”
&nb
sp; Eddy sniffs. “Not that I know of. Why?”
He reaches his hand toward it and pauses. “May I?”
Eddy nods.
Charlie pulls the blade from its sheath. “Weapons need names. They are more than things—more than tools. They must be respected. If you respect this knife, you should name it.”
“Sophia.”
Charlie flips the knife over. This is a good blade. “Are you sure you want to name it after its previous owner?”
“Yes. She deserves the memorial.”
Charlie puts the knife back into its sheath. “Sophia then. Take care of her.” Charlie stands up and walks toward the closet.
“I feel like I should call Tomo, and maybe Jess. What do you think?”
Charlie freezes, then turns. “Call Tomo, but...I’m not sure you should call the Kingstons. It was her dad that shot you, with a shotgun, remember?”
“I think it was an accident, and it was aimed at June, not me.”
Charlie tosses a hand up in the air. “Yeah, Eddy, I remember. And they think we’re monsters. They probably never want to see or hear from you again.”
Eddy looks away. “That’s encouraging.”
“I mean…” Charlie sighs. “I don’t know how else to say it Eddy, but sometimes you lose people to death, and sometimes you lose them to themselves. You may have lost a lot more than you thought you did that night.” Charlie watches as Eddy takes a deep breath. “You may have lost all the people that you cared about that aren’t in this hotel.”
Eddy nods. “I’m glad that Skip and June are here with us.”
“Me too. Now listen, Skip and June are going to help with homeschooling Minnie some this week, but that doesn’t let you off the hook. She’s your sister, she needs you, and your mom and I need your help, too.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Charlie walks to the closet and opens the door. “I’ve got meetings, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll have my cell on me. Yours is charged up, right?”
“Duh.”
Charlie pulls a button-down shirt off the hanger. “Don’t be a smartass.” As he buttons his shirt, the hotel phone between the beds rings. “Eddy, grab that will ya?”
He rolls across the bed and grabs the handset. “Hello?”
“This is Jules, the concierge. To whom am I speaking?”
“This is Eddy, uh, Costanza. What’s up Jules?”
“Good morning, Eddy. There have been reports of stomach-discomfort among some of the guests. If anyone in your group experiences this, or if there is any need for medical attention, please be aware that a medical station has been set up near the lobby.”
“Oh. What sort of discomfort?”
“Eighteen people have reported gas and diarrhea, and the clinician we have staffing the med station believes that some food or beverage may have been spoiled. Do you have any other questions for me at this time?”
“No, I’ll tell the everybody here. Thanks for the heads-up.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good day.”
“Bye.”
Eddy hangs up the phone and looks at Charlie. “You heard? Weird, huh?”
Charlie nods. “Definitely. I’ve got to get to this meeting. Make sure you tell Skip and June.” Charlie tightens a tie.
In the other room, Eddy finds Skip playing a counting and arithmetic game with Minnie. June is fresh from a shower, and she walks out from her bedroom wearing shorts and a tank-top, her hair wrapped up in a towel. Some water still clings to her arms and legs, and Eddy freezes when he sees her.
Skip pauses and looks at Eddy. “Was that phone call important?”
Eddy turns to him and stares a moment before speaking. He nods. “Apparently, some of the food or blood they served is giving some vampires upset stomachs. They set up a med station near the lobby in case anyone gets sick.”
Skip looks at Minnie. “How are you feeling, Minnie?”
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
“Good.”
Eddy speaks faster than normal. “I don’t think any of you had hotel food or blood, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. I had some at the restaurant, but I’m fine.” He looks at June.
She pulls the towel from her hair and dips her head, then dries her hair with the towel off to the side. “Good to know. Dad, if you don’t need any help with Minnie, I was hoping to go and walk around a bit. I could use a little fresh air.”
Eddy can’t take his eyes off June. He watches a trickle of water travel down her upper arm. Her hair is still wet, and as she dries it, drips run down her shoulder. A drop lands on her leg, and it trickles down. Eddy swallows. “June, do you want company?”
She smiles and shakes her head. “I want to see if that woman is playing chess down by the lobby. I could use a little distraction.”
Skip clears his throat. “What woman?”
“I didn’t tell you, Dad? We met this old lady that was playing chess. She said she’d play a game with me.”
“Oh. No, you didn’t mention it. How do we know you can trust her? I mean, we’re supposed to be keeping a low profile.”
Eddy leans on the side of the couch. “I met Beatrice too. She was very friendly. Also, Jules, the concierge, said the woman was a respected member of the community. She seems legit.”
“Hmm. Okay, just be careful.”
“I will dad.” June turns back into the bedroom and shuts the door.
Eddy stares blankly for a moment, then walks to the kitchen and pours himself a glass of water.
When June reaches the lobby, she’s pleased to see Beatrice with her chess set in the courtyard. June remembered to bring a bottle of with her, and she takes a sip before walking outside. Even though she doesn’t need to drink blood to go out into sunlight, and even though the tables are shaded beneath an awning, she finds she likes the taste.
Beatrice studies the board as June approaches.
“Hello, Beatrice.”
She looks up and a brilliant smile fills her face. Her eyes sparkle. “Good morning, June. I’m so glad to see you again.”
June walks up and pulls out a chair. “Mind if I join you?”
“Oh, not at all. I just made my move. Let’s reset this and—” She furrows her brow. “I should ask, would you like to play a little?”
June nods.
“Wonderful! Help me set the board, will you?”
When the board is set up, Beatrice smiles across to June, then allows her smile to fade. “I’m sorry if I upset you yesterday.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I talked with my dad and our friends. They explained it to me.” She leans closer to Beatrice. “Please don’t tell anyone that I’m, umm, new.”
Beatrice leans over the chessboard and whispers, “I promise.” She sits back up and looks at the board. “Well, I’m set up as white. Would you mind if I went first?”
“Oh no, go ahead.”
Beatrice reaches toward a knight, then pauses. She squints her eyes at June. “Would you like to learn today, or just play?”
“I feel like I have a ton to learn, if you don’t mind teaching.”
“Oh, not at all. The first stage of chess is called The Opening, where both sides aim to develop their pieces onto the board.” Beatrice moves her hand to the pawn in front of her own queen. She slides it forward two spaces. “d4. Do you know that the central four squares of the board are important to control?”
June grabs the pawn in front of her king—directly in line with Beatrice’s pawn and queen. She moves it two spaces forward, right in front of Beatrice’s pawn, but doesn’t take her finger off the piece. She checks the letters and numbers that label the rows and files of the board. “d5?”
Beatrice nods.
June releases the piece. “I do, and I know that I should block you, otherwise you could build a wall of attacking pawns in the center.”
Beatrice nods. “Good.” She carefully picks up another pawn—the one in front of the bishop, again on the queen’s side. She places it
down, two squares forward, to the side of her first pawn, and in a diagonal position with June’s pawn. “c4. Have you seen this move before?”
June frowns and looks at the board. That seems like a dumb move. “I don’t get it. I can just take that pawn.”
“You could, but then you’d give up some control in the center.”
June studies the board. “Is it better to keep the control?”
Beatrice shrugs. “It depends on whom you’re playing. This opening is called Queen’s Gambit.”
“I didn’t know that they named moves.”
“They do. And in response to this one opening, there are...oh, at least seven different named moves.”
June smiles as she plays a few options through in her mind. “Wow, I think you’re going to beat me.”
Beatrice laughs. “I might beat you, yes, but the point of chess isn’t about making the best possible move, it’s about making the moves that beat your opponent.”
June thinks for a moment. “So, is reading your opponent the most important thing to do?”
“Once a player knows how the pieces move and knows the rules, then the fun really begins.”
June looks at the board again. “I don’t know what I should do here.”
Beatrice points to June’s pawn on d5. “Well, you can certainly take my pawn on c4, and they call that Queen’s Gambit Accepted. Or, you could do something else, probably to protect your pawn from my c4 pawn’s attack, and they call those moves Queen’s Gambit Declined.”
“You said there were a bunch of other named moves?”
“Yes. Many of the moves that decline to take my pawn have specific names. Each of them a different strategy.” She pushes her chair back from the table. “I need to run to the ladies’ room for a minute. I’d like you to think about your next move, and think carefully.” She stands with slight difficulty. “You have a big decision to make, and the game might depend on it.”
June scrunches her face as she looks at the pieces.
Beatrice can see the focus in June’s green-and-silver eyes. She places a hand on June’s shoulder, leans down, and motions to the board. “But don’t worry too much about it, dear. After all, it’s only a game.”