The Longest Road (Book 3): The Other Side

by A. S. Thompson

  Charlie looked over at the bound prisoner and asked, "What's going on out here? Who's he?"

  "He works for LIFE. He told us where the last truck was heading. We are trying to figure out how to attack it."

  "That's right, one of the trucks got away," Charlie mumbled, remembering. "Well, I can tell you what we need to do, and that's get to the bunker. Dylan needs medical attention ASAP."

  With the exception of Marilyn and Ally, everyone else had come over and surrounded the fire pit, eager to hear the plan.

  "Why don't we all just go to the bunker, and leave the truck for the government?" proposed Lisa.

  Agent Kim agreed. "We can tell them about everything, and they can help us take on the truck later?"

  Matty dug into his bag and pulled out a small piece of electronics. "They have to believe us. By the time we make it down there, I should have the President's speech ready to go. Plus, I downloaded some files from the Ambrosia facility-"

  "No. Not in time. This is still on us," West interjected. "We need to get after that truck! We have to destroy the rest of the vaccine."

  "Not all of us," Charlie said, moving closer to the fire. "You know I want to see this through, West, but I need to get Dyl to the bunker. I won't watch him die."

  "And didn't you just say we might not be able to catch up? They could always change the route too, right? That’s what I would do," said Agent Clint.

  "If only you had wings, then you could fly after them," Harry Jones mocked from the side of the RV. He proceeded to stuff his mouth with spoonfuls of late dinner.

  "Jokes aren't helping.”

  "Wait a sec!" Alex blurted, snapping his finger. He pointed to the man standing next to Jones. "Nick, you can fly, right? We get to an airport and Nick can fly us. We can track the truck from above!"

  "Is that true?"

  "Yes, I am a pilot, but I am only experienced in smaller, single engine aircraft," Nick said, washing his hands before making himself a plate of food. "But they have strict weight limitations, and West, I know you would want to take along weapons and supplies, so I would guess only one, maybe two of you would be able to come along."

  West frowned. "That's not going to work. We’ll have to drive."

  "Not necessarily," continued Nick. "I believe I remember our billionaire friend saying something about being a pilot."

  "Yes, I can fly; been flying for years,” Jones stated with a sense narcissistic pride. “Unless I am hosting clients or friends, or the flight is out of the country, I fly my own jets. I don't trust most pilots. They are either drunks, too old, or unreliable."

  "You have friends?" Alex asked facetiously. He wrapped his arms around Lisa's midsection. "Is anyone else surprised as I am?"

  Jones scraped up the remaining rice then set down his plate. "Funny. I didn't know dead men could tell jokes..."

  The snide remark was enough to wipe away Alex's smile. It also brought about stomach pains that he combated with a double dose of Vicodin.

  "But it's not happening. I'm not going to fly you anywhere. I'm going to the bunker-"

  "No, you're not."

  "What do you mean, no I'm not?" Jones asked, finding amusement in West’s attempt to dictate his decisions. "I don't want to be involved any more than I have already been. I'm going to go to the bunker where it's safe and nowhere near Liz Baron, her company, or any of her mercenaries."

  West stepped up to Jones. His look caused the billionaire to reel back, but he had nowhere to go. "No, you're not," he repeated. "We need your experience. We need to catch up and stop that truck. Aviation is our best bet."

  Jones slid past West and attempted to plead with the others. "All of you should count yourselves lucky that you aren't lying on the table next to the Canadian. Or worse, you could be dead..."

  Everyone had varied looks of worry or concern; for they knew Jones’ words had merit.

  "You did the impossible. You managed to make it in and out of the facility, blow it up along with all but one truck's worth of vaccine. That's it! That's all that made it out! One truck! And you want to go after it and risk your lives again? Jesus, people, you should be celebrating, and take this opportunity to go to the bunker and have the government take care of the rest."

  Not all, but many of the looks found agreement with Jones' logic.

  Marilyn came out the side with a small bandage covering up the site of her blood donation. She grabbed Christopher and wrapped her arm around him.

  "I've said it before, this is bigger than you and I and everyone else here," West followed, stepping up to the center of the group. "I get it. It makes sense why some of you would want to agree with Jones. Dylan needs medical attention, Matty needs to get the message to the right people, but we aren't done yet, and we can't lose this opportunity. Like Jones said, it's just one truck. Taking it out won't be anywhere as dangerous as what we just did, but I can't do it alone...and if anyone wants to go with them, so be it. I won't fault you or think you're cowardly. I'm not asking everyone to stay with me, just those who want to...those who want to finish this. After we destroy this truck, I promise I won't ask any more of you. I will petition government support to seek out and arrest Liz Baron, but if we allow this vaccine to get to the public, then LIFE will have won and everything we just did, everything we just endured, what Dylan is lying on the table for, will be for nothing."

  Marilyn alone voiced strong disagreement. "I'm sorry, but I can't. My son and I are going to go to the bunker, and I think I can speak for Ally, who will want to go with her brother."

  "Understood. Jenny, I think you should go with them as well."

  "No way, Mr. West, I'm staying!”

  Both Lisa and Kelly looked at the little girl in disbelief.

  "Jenny, are you serious?"

  "We should go. It will be safer."

  Jenny inched herself closer to Steve. "I'm staying," she answered, looking up to Steve. Even though he didn't reciprocate a smile, she was determined. "I want to be here; be with my friends."

  "Then we're staying too, right?" Lisa concurred conditionally. She looked to Alex who after making certain this was really what she wanted, agreed by hugging her tighter and kissing her cheek. Next, Lisa looked to Kelly who was hesitant, but agreed.

  "I promised Collin I would always support the group.”

  West straightened up. "Anyone else who wants to go, say so. Like I said, you won't be judged. Good. Clint, who's getting them there?"

  "I want to be there with you guys,” Agent Kim began, “but I know where the Fox Hole is. I'll get everyone there. I'll make sure the VP listens and the government hears about all of this. Just make sure you get that truck."

  "Eddy?"

  The construction foreman wrapped his huge arms around Lisa, Jenny and Kelly, surprising them. "Who else is gonna watch over my girls?" He squeezed tight the way he used to with his children.

  Jones rolled his eyes. "Touching. I'm guessing you won't let me join the bunker-bound group?"

  "You're either staying here with Dr. Crowley or coming with us."

  "I swear, after this is over, I plan on getting as far away from you as possible."

  "For now, you are going to be our pilot."

  Jones growled in annoyance. "Fine. Get me some maps. I know of at least one private airport in Utah, and I'm pretty sure there is a storage space nearby it."

  "Storage space? Are you telling us that we finally get some of those supplies you said you were good for?"

  Jones's jaw muscle pulsed.

  "Hey, I'm all for a plan that gets me the vaccine and gets it to me sooner than later," Alex said. "So not to be a naysayer, but how do we know the planes won't be stolen? Or that there's any gas left in 'em?"

  "Contrary to popular belief and what cinema incorrectly conveys, but most of the population can't just fly a plane, let alone a jet, so they won't be stolen, especially mine, which are locked up in personal hangars. And the small percentage of people who have aviation certifications like our red-skinned al
ly, have low qualifications and are limited to smaller aircraft like Cessnas."

  Nick and West flashed looks referencing their earlier talks of racism and what it would lead to, but this time, Jones didn't care.

  "Oh deal with it. If I'm going to be a hostage, I'm at least going to speak and act how I want." He turned to Alex and answered the second question. “As for fuel, planes and cars don't mix."

  West slapped maps of Nevada, Utah, and Idaho against Jones' chest. "Get searching. Alright, this is happening people. Let's get ready to move."

  "A-are you going to let me go now? You have to let me go," Dr. Crowley interrupted, face full of hope.

  "We should just kill him," Clint said outright.

  Taken aback, Nick said, "What? Didn't you promise to let him go? Besides, you can't consider killing the man in cold blood."

  "Everyone, start getting boxes of supplies ready for those who are going to the bunker. You don't need to transport them to the utility truck, as we won't be splitting up just yet, but be quick. I want to be Oscar Mike in ten."

  Clint pulled West aside by the shoulder. "You and I both know that he and his company are responsible for this...all of it. The virus, the President's death, every other man, woman and child who has been killed by these people, direct or indirect."

  "West, you know I'm normally with you, but I gotta agree with Clint. These are harsh times, hermano, and he's as guilty as the rest of 'em."

  "I agree with you, and I'm not saying he shouldn't pay for his involvement, but there has to be another way.”

  "There isn't another way.”

  “Who's going to kill him? You?"

  “If no one else."

  At this point in the discussion, Dr. Crowley was completely freaked out. He was unable to form words as fear crippled his speech and body.

  "Wait! You can't kill him!" Nick protested. "Are any of you ready to kill a man without a trial? A man who has kept his end of a deal?"

  As everyone argued for one course of action or another, Alex watched Steve. He observed his cousin's eyes glisten in the flames. Something seemed off. Whatever it was created an uneasy feeling in Alex's stomach.What are you thinking, Steve?

  "We need to do this," pressed Clint.

  "You can't! Think about what you're doing!" protested Nick.

  As the arguing continued, the unpredictable happened.

  "There's too much talk. We need to get going," Steve said in a way that only those nearest could hear. He walked up and put the barrel of his handgun to Dr. Crowley's head, pulled the trigger and sent the hammer forward.

  BANG!

  The bullet did not have a centimeter of open air to travel through before exploding Dr. Crowley's skull, but in that fraction of a moment, Alex had tackled Steve.

  The contact was enough to deflect the barrel, so that the round grazed over Wilson's head. Despite the deafening sound blowing out his eardrum, Dr. Crowley was saved.

  Alex's body bounced on top of Steve, and Steve's head smacked the dirt enough to cause his vision to swim and the gun to leave his grip.

  "What the fuck was that, Steve?" Alex yelled, truly baffled by his cousin's actions. “Snap out of it, bro!" he continued, shaking Steve by the shoulders. "Bad things happen! Fuck, that's the theme these days, but you need to get over your shit, seriously..."

  "G-get off me," Steve demanded, squirming upward to liberate himself from Alex's full mount.

  "Sarah is dead! It fucking sucks! But you know what, so is Billy, and I loved him just as much. And so is Collin, Mike, and the rest of our family! Jesus, bro, what would Sarah think of you executing an unarmed prisoner? You think she would be okay with that? Hell no! She would slap the shit out of you and call you an idiot!"

  Alex’s preceding choice of words, though heated by passion and love, were blinded by the same, and they would be the catalyst for a second unpredictable reaction.

  "Gr-ahh!" Steve yelled savagely as he tightened his fist and swung. The punch connected with Alex's cheekbone, a half inch below his left eye.

  Alex fell to the side, body locking up as he blacked out momentarily.

  Steve fought to continue his feral assault, but Nick and Travis rushed over. Together, they restrained Steve before he could land another punch.

  Alex blinked back to reality. He didn't hear the first insults, but he did catch the most disheartening, the most unforgivable ones.

  "Fuck you, Alex! Fuck you! Never say her name again! You have no idea what it's like! She was nothing like Billy! She was better than him; she was better than everyone! She was perfect! She was innocent! She didn't deserve what she got!"

  Despite holding tightly on to one arm, both Nick and Travis had difficulty containing Steve's fury.

  "Whoa, calm down, Steve."

  "It's done. Let it go."

  "Get off me!" Steve yelled repeatedly, finally wiggling his arms free. He looked past Nick and Travis, pointing a hateful finger at Alex who was just now sitting up. "You don't know shit! I never wanna see you again, you hear me? Never again! You're dead to me!"

  He turned and marched to the SUV.

  "You alright, hermano?" Travis asked, extending a hand to help Alex to his feet. "He didn't mean it. You gotta know that."

  Alex stood up by himself, and brushed roughly past Travis. "I'm fine."

  "Hang on, Alex. Are you alright?" Nick asked delicately. His question was geared toward Alex's mental well-being, and not so much the puffy skin forming under his eye.

  "I said I was fine," Alex replied through clenched teeth.

  He walked a few feet, then stopped and stared at the cousin who had lost his way. Saddened and confused, Alex threw down his hands, shook his head and continued walking.

  "Family," Travis said, joining Nick.

  The two men watched both cousins slam doors behind them.

  “Family,” Nick repeated, empathizing.

  Travis nudged Nick on the arm. "Come on, West is calling us over."

  ***

  The remaining jury convened once again to decide Dr. Crowley's verdict.

  "I will only say this one more time," Nick said, taking a long moment to look everyone in the eye. "We cannot kill this man. It is an unnecessary life to take. He has done us no harm, has cooperated and kept his word, and you must do the same. Whatever bad he has done, he will be judged accordingly I assure you, but it must not be done by us, driven by our anger and based on what we think is just. If you choose to carry on and kill him, so be it, but I want no part in it."

  "Good, then go," Agent Clint interrupted coldly.

  Dr. Crowley's eyes darted right to left, lips trembling as he sensed his life coming to a rapid end.

  "But before I do," Nick said sternly, "if I can make a compromise it is this. Leave him here with some food and water. He may live, he may not, but he can try to survive, and his fate will be left to a greater being. I beg you, spare his life, because later on when karma comes full circle, you will not be able to take back this moment."

  "So let me get this straight," Clint said impolitely. "Not only do you propose we should let him go, but you think we should leave him with supplies that are barely sustaining our group? I think you've taken one too many hits out of the peace pipe."

  Everyone looked to West, and West at the man whose fate was in his hands. Nick petitioned for mercy, while Clint for death. Both sides gave compelling arguments, and seconds later came the decision; one neither side had expected.

  "Give him some food and water and let's get moving."

  "Screw that, he needs to die," Agent Clint said raising his handgun.

  But West was quicker. His blade hit Clint's neck before the gun's metal sights were on Crowley.

  West’s move was not without consequence as it prompted Agent Kim to draw on West, an act that he was unsure about, but in defense of his fellow agent.

  Travis, too, did not idly stand by. He drew on Kim, completing the domino line of potential death.

  "Your choice," West said, unnerved,
"but look around. If you pull that trigger, none of us are leaving here, and that means none of us can stop these people."

  Clint's nostrils flared, and after a long, tense period of indecision, Clint made his choice. "Fine, but this is the last time, West. This is the last time. Come on, David."

  West lowered his blade and everyone else followed. As Clint walked toward the truck, West cut Dr. Crowley loose. "Travis, get him one bottle of water and a half-day's rations."

  "Thank you! Thank you so much!" Wilson Crowley said, tugging on West's shirt.

  "Don't thank me, thank him," West said, looking at Nick.

  The Native American stood off to the side but said nothing.

  Travis returned and tossed a tied up plastic bag next to the fire pit. "We're all packed up and ready to go, West.”

  "Alright, get some shut eye. We'll rotate after the split."

  Nick followed West to the back doors of the SUV. "You did a good thing."

  "Look, I don't give two shits about whatever god may or may not be watching,” West’s began, voice neither angry nor kind. “I've done enough bad things to ensure my spot in the fire, so don't think for one-second I did it for you or your god."

  "Then what did you do it for?"

  A few seconds passed, before West answered, "If by the slightest chance you're right about karma, I'd rather have a little on our side."

  Las Vegas, Nevada

  December 1, 2009

  2033 hours

  "I think I'm falling in love with you," said Julie McNally.

  After a few hours, her full body orgasms were finally settling, and the warmth of the bath water had served to amplify the tingling sensations.

  Albert paid her no attention as he gazed out from the balcony of the top story of the MGM Grand Hotel, for something else caught his eye.

  The city of Las Vegas was in complete ruin. Hundreds upon thousands of corpses decomposed slowly on the frigid city strip. Creatures in various stages of decay crowded over the truly deceased; some shambled aimlessly while others bashed their hands and arms raw attempting to raid the nearby hotels where survivors had taken refuge.