“And what did you have in mind?” she asked.
“A kiss?” Steve said timidly.
Sarah didn’t even hesitate. “Deal.”
They laughed a lover’s giggle and shook hands. Steve made his calculations: wind, distance, and other factors. He used the stone ledge to brace the rifle and aimed. He breathed in slowly, exhaled even more slowly, and then squeezed the trigger. The shot rang through the valley and tagged the man right through the neck. Steve was aiming for the head, but that would do. After all, he hadn’t specified where he had to hit to win the deal.
Sarah didn’t need binoculars to see the man fall to the ground. “You really are good.”
“What can I say?”
“I was hoping you’d hit it,” she said, getting up. She bit her bottom lip, and before Steve knew what was happening, she was on top of his lap, straddling him. “I guess it’s time for me to pay up.”
Steve’s heart raced. Endorphins flooded into his veins. All the flirting, all the time spent, all leading up to this. Her lips were centimeters from his.
“Steve! We need you!” Brian yelled, running up the stairs. “What the hell is going on?”
At the sounds of Brian’s voice, Sarah sprung up from Steve’s lap. It was too late; Brian had seen the entire scene. Waving it off for the moment, he continued.
“Mark needs you in a meeting right away. Someone is coming to cover for you.”
“Let me know when you want to collect your winnings. I’ll be waiting,” Sarah said to Steve, walking down the stairs.
“Let’s go, Steve, now!”
“All right, all right, don’t get your panties in a wad. I’m coming,” Steve said, hooking his rifle on the guards’ gun rack.
Brian and Steve sprinted toward the northern side of the Inner Eye to the room the cousins had been ushered into upon their initial arrival. Inside, the colonel stood against the far wall. Collin, Alex, and Billy sat to one side, Robert, Corey and Brian on the other. Two other men from the compound stood in the middle. Steve joined his family, and Brian closed the door behind them.
“Now that we are all here, let’s begin,” said the colonel. “We have a serious matter that needs attending to, before it has a chance to spin out of control. Most of you have already heard that one section of the solar panels is malfunctioning. Billy was able to zero in on the problem and created a list of materials he needs. Most of them we can find at a major hardware store, but that means entering a major town.”
“Okay, so let’s just send these assholes to get the stuff,” Robert interjected, motioning to the cousins.
“You know that’s not how we do things, Robert. And besides, that’s just one of the issues,” the colonel barked back, instantly silencing his son.
One of the other men in the room, Jeff Platz, took over. “Mark, if I may, this season has been a particularly dry one. The water we have been collecting—rather,trying to collect—from rain and other sources, hasn’t proved sustainable. These guys brought a bunch of water with them, but even still, we’re running low. We need to reach out and find more water, or, quite honestly, we’ll die of dehydration.”
Second Lieutenant Travis Goessling, one of the few survivors of Fort Kennedy, also took this time to speak. “And we are doing okay on the food and medicine front, but we can always use more.”
The colonel took the floor again. “For the last few hours, I have been going over maps with Travis, trying to figure out the best town. We narrowed it down to one. I believe it will be large enough for us to find the supplies we need, and it is located next to a fairly good-sized river.”
The location Mark was referring to was a city about thirty miles north called Paso Rio. Using the Yellow Pages, Mark had found a large electronics store that he believed would carry the supplies.
“Most of the cities in our vicinity have either been tapped or are simply too small,” Travis added.
Mark turned to speak to both groups. “It’s no secret that you gentlemen have had it out for each other since the beginning. Both Collin and I agree that this is the best time to clear out some of this bad blood.”
All eyes darted between Collin and Mark. No one knew what the two men had discussed behind closed doors.
Collin rose from his metal chair and stood next to the colonel. “We are splitting you guys up. Alex and Corey, you will be together—”
A flurry of objections came before Collin even finished. Both sides of the room sprang to their feet. Luckily, 2d Lt Goessling stood like a wall between the two groups. He wasn’t a giant, but he had been involved in his fair share of fights, from the streets of Los Angeles to the battlefields of South America and the Middle East. “Calm down, boys,” he said, putting up both hands.
“What the fuck? Collin, you’ve lost your damn mind if you think I’m going out with that asshole!” Alex protested, pointing a finger at Corey.
“Yeah, Mr. Seaton, what’s going on here? What’s this all about?” Corey said, ignoring the insult.
“Silence!” Mark roared. The command immediately quelled the dissent. The colonel was like the alpha male of a pride of lions. When he was agitated, people knew, and when he was angry, people backed down. “This isnot a negotiation, and I do not have the time or the patience for your insubordination. Now give Collin your full attention, or so help me…”
“Thank you, Mark,” Collin said, stepping in front of the colonel to take the floor again. “As I was saying, Alex and Corey, your mission is crucial. You will retrieve the needed electrical materials. Billy, as we discussed, you will be staying behind to finish and prep the panels. Brian will be staying behind to assist you and help you prep. Got that, Brian?”
Brian nodded in agreement.
Mark took over. He turned to Robert and said, “I want you and Steve to take care of food and medical supplies—and that means essentials. I don’t want to find either of you coming back with pockets full of booze or cigarettes, understood? Collin and I will be filling the water tanks.”
At the end of Mark’s speech, both sides whispered personal grievances and uttered unpleasantries. Neither group liked the idea of working together, but neither openly complained. They were not about to test Mark’s patience.
“Sir, would you like me to come along for backup?” the second lieutenant asked.
“No, Travis, we should be fine. I need you here to run things in my absence. You will be in charge,” Mark responded.
“Sir, yes, sir,” Travis said, standing back at ease.
For the benefit of the newcomers, the colonel made one final point. “The infected,” Mark said, pacing back and forth like a college professor, “they flock to loud sounds and noises, so when the first shot rings out, be prepared. As I’m sure you know, they feel no pain, and only trauma to the brain and brainstem will put them down for good.”
“Oh, I plan on that,” Alex whispered to Billy, using his hand as a gun.
Robert and his friends looked away in disgust, then returned their attention to the colonel.
“Lastly, they have a strong blood lust. As soon as they fixate on their target, they will stop at nothing.”
“That makes sense. When we passed through Salt Lake City, we think they followed our trail all the way to Fort Kennedy,” Collin added.
“So quick question,” Brian said. “If we know we are going to run into them, what’s to stop them from following us back here?”
“Good question, Brian. We know we probably won’t be able to kill them all. I’m planning on taking us on a long route back, hoping to throw them off our trail,” the colonel answered. “We might be able to find some way to trap them in or use a distraction, but we’d have to think of something quick.”
Collin spoke next. “Mark, I believe you have some radio equipment. My cousins and I have our own, so I can’t stress how essential it is that we all maintain constant contact.”
“Yes we do, my boy, and I completely agree,” Mark responded. “All right, men, grab your weapons and
meet at the cars in fifteen minutes.”
Robert watched his father grab Collin’s shoulder and heard the words ‘my boy.’ In the moment, he held his tongue. But as soon as the meeting was done, he turned to his friends.
“Corey, Brian, come with me.”
1136 hours
Before Robert began his secret meeting, he took out some more of the powder from inside the hidden drawer. He uncaringly shook out a small mound, shaped it into a line the size of a #2 pencil, and sniffed it up. “Much better,” he said, wiping his nose and licking his teeth. “All right, guys, I’ve got it.”
Corey poured out a smaller amount of the substance, rolled up a dollar bill, and snorted the contents. “That cocaine is the shit,” he said, pinching his tear ducts.
“Wait, got what, Robert?” Brian asked, declining Corey’s offer to join them for another line.
“My plan,” Robert said, getting his mind back on topic. “I figured out how we can get rid of these guys. Corey, you fake reconcile with Alex. Give him some bullshit apology.”
Corey listened, but was occupied with preparing one more line for him and Robert each.
“Brian, since you’re already staying behind, steal some food and medicine and plant it in their RV.” Robert sniffed up the line, then started pacing around the room. “Corey, at some point during the run, you take care of Alex, and I’ll do Steve. We’re going to be split up. No one will ever know. After finding the stuff in their RV, my dad will have no choice but to send Collin and Billy packing.”
Corey jumped up and gave Robert a high-five. “I love it, Rob! And I’ll give Alex my dad’s gun to sweeten the pot. That thing is ancient anyway.”
“Yeah, sounds good…” Brian said, sounding hesitant.
Robert knew the plan was barely thought through, but didn’t care. He was tired of waiting, and he knew the cousins wouldn’t be leaving on their own accord. In addition, he was high and not thinking clearly. “These guys are as good as gone,” he said, using his finger to rub small traces of the powder into his gums.
1145 hours
The six men met at the parking area, near the RV. Robert and Corey wore sunglasses to cover up their dilated eyes. They were high, but after years of practice, composed themselves well.
Mark unveiled their transportation, the flatbed military truck that he and 2d Lt Goessling had used to escape from Fort Kennedy. The body was aged and weathered, but it was solid. A raggedy green camouflage cover arched over the back.
“Collin, join me in the cab. The rest of you hop in the back,” the colonel said, unlatching the truck’s bed. The hard metal backing slammed into the rear of the truck, exposing the uncomfortable bench seats. “I can’t promise you it will be a smooth ride.”
“Kind of reminds of one of those trucks the Nazis used inRaiders of the Lost Ark,” Alex said, waiting for Corey and Robert to pile in the back first.
Steve patted his cousin on the back. “Remind me that we are going to watch Indiana Jones for the next movie night. I don’t care which one.”
Everything was all set, including the empty tanks for water and bags for supplies. Steve was the last to hop in the back. He flung an M16 around his back and reached up to a handle to pull himself in.
From behind, Sarah ran over and stopped Steve. "I couldn't wait any longer. I hate owing debts," she said, pulling him over.
The kiss was long and passionate and put Steve in a trance. Steve’s eyes were still closed after she finally released him. “Better make it back if you want more,” Sarah said, giving him a quick second kiss.
Furious, Robert pounded the metal sides. “Let’s go now, Dad!”
“Oh, I’ll be back in no time,” Steve said.
With Alex’s help, Steve jumped up into the trunk. He leaned back against the tarp, basking in triumph. Not only had he finally gotten what he had been waiting for, but Robert had been there to witness the exchange. Steve smiled and licked his lips, making sure Robert saw.
Love/Loss
May 25, 2009
1150 hours
Down the road and safely out of sight of the compound, Robert initiated his plan. With his best poker face, he spoke.
“Look, Steve, I know we got off on the wrong foot. Sometimes my dad can have this God complex about saving everyone he can, so I don’t always agree with his decisions. That’s why I was so against you guys staying here.”
Steve had not been expecting this.
“I’m just looking out for the compound. My bad for starting shit with you and your family. And as far as the whole Sarah thing, it’s ridiculous. I had my chance with her and blew it. She likes you, obviously, and as much as it kills me to say it… you win,” Robert said, extending his hand in a truce.
Steve was apprehensive at first, but shook Robert’s hand and let bygones be bygones. “Thanks, man. And I do understand. There are a lot of shitty people out there who would do anything to survive, even kill in cold blood. I’m glad you said something, ’cause this whole thing between all of us really is pointless.”
“Alex, me too,” Corey said, following Robert’s apology. “I know there’s been this shit between us, but I’m over it. There’s no reason for us to be at each others’ throats. As a token of my apology, I want you to have this.” Corey handed his father’s Colt Python to Alex.
Alex was way more reluctant than Steve. “Whoa, what’s going on here? I don’t get it. For the month and a half you’ve hated our guts, and now this? What’s the catch?”
“No catch, guys,” Robert said. “We’re fighting the infected, and shouldn’t be fighting each other. Like my dad said, we are all in this together. If you don’t want to believe us, then that’s on you. This shit between us is childish, so whatever…”
“And you were right about me,” Corey said. “I’m really not that good of a shot. This gun was my dad, Barry’s. I was never able to shoot it straight anyway. I think he’d much rather have someone have it who knows how to shoot it.”
It was a beautiful gun. The finished royal-blue wooden handle was worn, but the shiny nickel was unmarked. Steve gave Alex a little shove, sending him into agreement.
“Fine, you’re right. We’re cool,” Alex said, taking the gun.
1257 hours
Because of the terrain and road conditions, the truck rolled into Paso Rio an hour later. A single dusty road ran through the town’s multiple intersections, then exited the city over a wooden bridge on the far side. Most of the buildings were new, although a few were dilapidated and others were under construction. There were a few dead bodies and abandoned cars, but no obvious threats.
The colonel stopped the truck in the middle of the street and went over the plan one more time. “When you are done with your assignments, we meet at the end next to the bridge. We are going back a different way.”
The first stop was Shop and Save, a general store bigger than a mom-and-pop operation, but by no means a Wal-Mart. The shop’s entrance was situated on a side street. Robert jumped out first, and Steve covered from behind. Steve made a full sweep of the town, then looked back to Alex.
“See ya on the flip side,” he whispered, bumping knuckles with Alex.
“Hey, Romeo, if you find some poker chips, grab some. I’m tired of playing with cut up paper,” Alex replied in a low voice as Steve and Robert took off.
The next destination was the main reason for the excursion: Eric’s Electronics and Hardware. The building was one of the newer structures, but broken windows and scorch marks from small fires told the group that it had seen its share of looting. Alex hopped out of the back of the truck, landing softly. Corey followed, but not so gracefully.
“Be careful,” Collin whispered from the passenger’s seat in the cab. “Stay frosty.”
Alex smiled back. “Always am.”
Collin knew that was the opposite of the truth, but mustered a smile.
A few streets down, Mark parked the truck near the wooden bridge. “I want to be in and out in ten,” he said, look
ing at his watch.
###
Back at the compound, Brian secretly moved around, carrying out his part of the plan. With Billy working hard and Alex gone, Brian snuck into the RV with ease and planted the evidence: stolen food and medical supplies.
Sarah was on her way back to the garden. From across the way, she noticed Brian entering the RV with a bag.
She didn’t think anything of it.
1302 hours
Paso Rio was as still as a cemetery. As quietly as possible, Collin finished passing the colonel the last of the giant empty jugs. As he tried to hop out of the back of the truck, the pocket of his pants caught on a piece of one of the wooden benches.
“What do we have here?” Collin mumbled as he lifted a concealed wooden hatch. Hidden in a compartment under the driver’s side bench, he found a first aid kit and two bricks of C-4 with a detonator.
“Hey, Mark, I think I have a getaway plan if we need it,” Collin said, stuffing the items into his pockets.
“What’s that?” Mark said, strapping the first jug to a dolly.
“How does a fireworks show sound?”
Collin planned to hook the C-4 to the bridge and blow it if they were being followed. The colonel liked the idea, and the two split up. Mark began filling the water tanks and Collin rigged the explosives.
###
“It’ll be faster if we split up. Here, take this,” Alex said, handing Corey half of the list. The parts Alex gave Corey were the easy, everyday items, but he didn’t tell Corey that—they had just become friends, after all.
Searching for particular parts in a hardware and electronics store by flashlight alone made Alex and Corey’s search very difficult.
Within minutes, Corey had found his parts, mostly by blind luck. He stuffed them in his bag and relayed his finds in a high whisper to Alex, who had taken off deeper into the store.
The Longest Road (Book 1) Page 21