The Longest Road (Book 3): The Other Side

by A. S. Thompson

  Alex chuckled. "That totally was deflecting, but I'll allow it. Ya, it’s true. Lisa's great. She’s...man, I can't even explain it."

  "Believe me, I know. And take it from me, hold on to that feeling, bro. Hold on to her."

  “I plan to.”

  “So what's been going on with your blood? You said Albert has been taking samples?"

  "Ya! Fucker has taken like a gallon!” Alex exclaimed, pressing against the bandage on the pit of his elbow. “I kinda felt a little woozy today, but whatever he needs, I guess. Last I heard, the tests were coming back good, but Albert didn't have the equipment to make the vaccine here. West is keeping him on a tight leash, so looks like once the attack is done, we’ll head to some lab he knows about in Cloverston. And speaking of the attack, can you believe West’s plan? Crazy! Good luck to them.”

  "Ya...them," Steve replied, hiding his face behind the glass.

  It took a second to process, but Alex read the undertone. "Steve-O, tell me you aren't thinking about going?"

  Steve didn't answer right away, and that was an answer for Alex.

  "Bro, you can't be seriously considering it? Wait, is that why you said you wanted to be alone the last couple days? You were at the rehearsals weren’t you?"

  "I didn’t mean to lie. I just knew you’d react well, like this. I think I need to help finish this-"

  "Finish what? Why?" Alex asked but didn't give Steve a second to answer. "You just woke up from a coma. These last two weeks, you have been shot, cut up, bruised, broken and everything short of dying. And you think like you still owe more?"

  "I don't feel like I owe anything. It's not like I need to-"

  "Then why do it?"

  "I can't really explain, but I'm doing it for everyone,” he replied calmly and with a newfound sense of clarity. “Dad, Mike, Cully, Bill, Sarah, Nick, everyone. I need to stop the people who did this. I feel that's my purpose. That's what I have left-"

  "What you have left? You have me! And I realize how incestual that is, but you know I don't mean it like that!”

  "Incestuous.”

  “What?”

  “The word is incestuous, incestual isn't a word-"

  "Whatever the fucking word it is!” Alex shouted, slamming his fists into the table. “We are all we have left. I may be with Lisa but I'm not putting you on the sidelines..."

  Alex took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself down.

  "Look, I just got you back. I just got Lisa back. I just found out that I'm not gonna die from this stupid fucking virus and, as a matter of fact, my blood might hold a cure. I want to live my life and I want you in it, not as some martyr fighting a secret war no one will ever fucking remember. On top of all that, if you're not going to do it for me, do it for Jenny. You have no idea how much she cares for you. She stayed by your bedside every night we've been here."

  Steve slid out of the bar and put a hand on Alex's shoulder. "I know you don't understand or agree with me, and that's fine. But just believe in me. I will come back."

  "Then fuck that, I'm coming with you."

  "No, you're staying here-"

  "Not gonna happen, I'm coming with you.”

  “West’ll never let you leave-”

  “Fuck West. Who else is going to watch your back? The Marines, West, Travis, Charlie?"

  "You said it yourself, you just got Lisa back. The risk isn’t worth it. Stay and enjoy your time with her. Alex, wait, hold on, don’t go.”

  Steps away, Alex sighed and turned around. “What?”

  “Look, I'm so happy for you. You found the love that I once had. Hold on to it. No matter what, keep living, cherish the time you have and love her every day. We never know how long we have."

  "But you-"

  "No but's..."

  Steve's serene expression morphed into a tight frown for the second part.

  "Here, I’ll make it easy on you. If you try to come, I'll shoot you in both feet."

  Alex growled in frustration, and then he punched a Guinness mirror.

  The bar chatter stopped and everyone stared at the cousins.

  "Great, be a fucking martyr. And I’ll get ready to bury my last cousin," Alex said, storming off.

  2111 hours

  West made an effort not to let the front door slam shut.

  The charred remains of burning wood crackled in the fireplace. Candles tucked in nooks, hooked to the walls and free standing on tables combined to illuminate the quaint two-story home. As West passed each one, he blew them out, skipping only the one in the kitchen in the event his roommates needed a nighttime visit.

  On his way upstairs, West stopped at the first floor’s only bedroom. The door was cracked open and the Canadians were talking

  “You know I’d go if I could.”

  “I know, big guy, I know. I trust West and the others, but believe me, I’d sleep better knowing you had my back, eh.”

  “And you’re sure you want to go, Charlie?”

  “There’s only sixteen of us. Not nearly the number West hoped for. They need all the help they can get, but don’t worry, I’ll be fine. You know I’ll make it back.”

  Good guys, both of ‘em, West thought as he ascended the carpet stairs.

  At the top, he noticed Lisa’s door fully open. She was on the bed reading a book.

  West waved his hand to capture her attention, then signed, “Can I get you anything?”

  She signed back, “No thank you, just waiting for Alex.”

  West continued down the hall and at the end, the master bedroom door was closed, so he knocked before entering.

  "Come in,” acknowledged a soft voice.

  Inside, Shanna was dressing down for bed. She slipped on jet black panties but wore nothing else.

  Her bare back to him, West could see the knife and burn scars from Daytona's torture.

  "Oh, sorry," he said, covering his eyes. He went to pull the door closed but was stopped.

  "What are you sorry for? I told you to come in," she said, adjusting the small hearing aid. "Besides it's not like you haven't seen me naked before."

  West lowered the hand from his eyes, but kept his vision elsewhere. "Yes, but that was a long time ago."

  Shanna slid into the king-sized bed and pulled the covers up to her chest; the air was cool but the satin sheets were instantly warming. "If I remember it was close to six years ago? That hotel in Georgetown, just before you got called off."

  West sat on the edge of the bed and began undressing himself. "Seven years ago. Afghanistan, exfil."

  Shanna snorted. "Of course you remember the mission first.”

  West went to say something, but Shanna rolled on her side, away from him.

  The cast on his left hand slowed the undressing process, but West eventually ended in his boxer-briefs. Being a gentleman, he gave Shanna the entire bed, choosing to sleep in front of the floorboard. But before turning in, he sat with his back up against the wall.

  "October 17, 2002. The Four Seasons in Georgetown. Beautiful fall view of the Potomac. We planned to go out, but ended up ordering room service. You had the lobster bisque as an appetizer and the basil chicken for your entrée..."

  Shanna slowly rolled over and sat up.

  "I had two spoonfuls of your soup and got the flank steak, seared. We both split the chocolate cake and crème brûlée. We started drinking champagne, then switched to red wine, Stag's Leap from Napa Valley I believe. You had the news on just in case there was an important update, but you gave us the courtesy of muting it. We talked the entire night, and then-"

  "And then you finally kissed me," she said, remembering the evening just as West was telling it.

  "It was the most expensive date I had ever been on."

  "It was the only date you had ever been on," she chuckled. Then, curious, her eyes darted left. "Unless there were others?"

  West moved to her side of the bed. He put his hand on hers and said, "It was the only date I have ever been on. I have never wanted to be wi
th anyone else."

  She squeezed his hand, but the tone suddenly shifted and she withdrew. "You say that, but we know the woman you really chose.”

  “What?”

  “War. You're in love with war. You always have been. Even as we sit here, you still are. After everything I...I still don't understand why you have to go tomorrow."

  "I-"

  "I get it. You were burned by Liz and her people. You were almost killed, they kidnapped and tortured me and you want to take them down and make them pay.I knowthat this is small step above a suicide mission,you know that and yet you still want to go?”

  West tried to interrupt, but Shanna continued.

  "You say you care about me, that you have never wanted to be with anyone else. We just fell back into each other's life and you still want to go play Delta? It's like DC all over again. Except now we’re seven years older. We have been doing this for too long, Craig, and I’m tired. I won't keep waiting. If all this isn't a sign, I don't know what is. I want to be with you. I love you, Craig. I have since we were best friends in foster. I won't ask you to choose, that’s unfair, but know that if you do come back, this, you and I, we’re done. For good. I won't keep waiting for the day when you don't come back at all. I just won’t do it."

  West reached for her hand and pulled it lovingly back to his. "I love you too, Shanna.”

  But she didn't squeeze back as she had before. Her hand, like her emotions, was waiting. Then, to her chagrin, she could sense the answer. "But..."

  "But it's one last mission. I promise. After this I am done."

  Shanna’s head shook ever so slightly from side to side. Her eyes were beginning to fill with tears, but she wouldn't allow him to see her cry. So, she rolled over and said, "I think it would be best if you slept somewhere else tonight."

  West stared at her backside. The covers were pulled up to her neck, and she lay there motionless, save for a string of mild, uncontrollable convulsions from pre-tears.

  Had West been more experienced in relationships, he might have understood how badly Shanna wanted him to choose her. How she desired nothing more than for him to, for the first time, choose her over war, then, to caress her on the shoulder, whereby she would roll over and they would kiss and lay together.

  But he didn't.

  "If that's what you want," West said, rising.

  The first tear fell from Shanna’s eye.

  West grabbed a throw pillow and the caramel colored comforter Shanna had kicked off. Frustrated and displeased, he walked downstairs and tossed the bedding on the couch.

  "Dog house, eh?" Charlie said, standing next to the sink. He filled up a glass of water and sat at the kitchen table ready to clean a disassembled pistol.

  "Looks like it," West replied, pulling out a chair.

  Under candlelight, Charlie took a bore brush to the barrel. "You know, it's funny."

  "What's that?”

  "Dylan is the exact opposite. He wants to go, but physically can't. The walls are thin here, hope you don't mind me eavesdropping."

  West doused swabs in solvent and began wiping down the parts after Charlie. "He's a soldier, he gets it."

  "Was a soldier. Just like me. We both get it. So don’t get me wrong, but why the hell are you so adamant about going?”

  "If you get it, then you know that I can't just stop, not now. We are so close, it's almost done."

  "Then what next? Look, West, I don't presume to know your past or what's going on in your head. From what I do know, lifetime Army, near a decade in Delta, being duped by these people, almost being killed multiple times...you have done more than any man would have, more than should be asked. You don't owe anyone any more. I know you want to follow through, but wouldn't you rather stay here, with her?"

  "Let me answer your question with another question. Why are you going?"

  Charlie wiped away a layer of gunky buildup. "I suppose I'm a bit of a hypocrite, and what I’m about to say only reinforces that.” He paused and nodded toward the room Dylan was sleeping in. "I only got that grizzly bear. Besides Dyl, I don't have much of anything anymore. But him, the others, and everyone we’ve lost along the way...I have to see this through-”

  “That’s exactly why I’m doing it.”

  “No West, and I mean this with the utmost respect, but that’s bullshit. We both know you have a score to settle. It’s personal, and besides, your body is pretty banged up. No one would judge you if you stepped down…”

  West stretched out his broken arm and attempted to fully rotate the wrist, but shooting pain restricted and ultimately stopped all movement.

  “But you didn’t let me finish. Yes, admittedly, I am motivated by the others we’ve lost, but I’m not going for revenge, not because I need to, or even because I can, but because in the end I couldn’t live with myself if LIFE succeeds. You know the saying about what happens when good men do nothing? It’s real. And it’s happening. West, if I don’t go- if able-bodied guys like myself, Travis and the Marines out there just sit back and hope for the best- it’s game over. Like you said at the beginning of all this, if we don’t act, LIFE wins, bad wins. Make no mistake, I don't plan on dying there, I fully intend on coming back. But if I were you and I had that reason to stay," he said, finger pointing upstairs. “I would.”

  "What are you getting at?"

  Charlie stopped working altogether and looked West in the eyes. "You survived a lifetime in the military. Since I've known you, you have always done everything, been on every mission, been the first in and the last out. I'm not going to tell you that you should or shouldn't go tomorrow. Only you can tell you what to do, but why not sit this one out? If the world still needs Sergeant Major Craig West after tomorrow, then by all means."

  While Charlie pieced together the clean weapon, West lay down on the couch. As he pulled the sheets up to his chin, he recollected Charlie’s closing words.

  Why not sit this one out? If the world still needs you after tomorrow, then by all means...but the world is calling for you tomorrow, Chucky! Or are you just convincing yourself it is? You’ve seen every mission through to the end, are you really going to stop now? Can you really expect the others to fight tomorrow without you? The person who planned it and planned on leading it?

  Charlie blew out the candle and walked passed him saying, "Whatever you decide, West, I got your back."

  2133 hours

  "You're back," Lisa smiled, sitting upright. "I was just about to go to sleep."

  "Hey beautiful," Alex said, speaking and signing as he closed the door behind him. He tossed his shirt and pants in the corner and slid under the sheets next to Lisa’s warm body.

  "Where have you been?"

  "I was with Steve at the bar."

  She could smell the vodka on his breath. "This whole time? My dad warned me about guys who stop by bars after work. You didn't pick up any bar sluts, did you?"

  "No not the whole time. Steve got me heated and I needed to cool down so I went for a walk. Besides, why would I go after bar sluts when I have the most beautiful girl at home?"

  Her smile glowed. "You forgot intelligent, tough and a few other adjectives, but I'll let it slide because you're so cute.” She leaned in and kissed him softly but pulled away. "Is everything okay? It’s like I was the only one kissing."

  "It's nothing," he replied, smiling to comfort her. "I just want you to know that you make me really happy."

  She wrapped Alex’s arm around her body and snuggled closer to him. "You know for this to work, we need to be honest with each other."

  For the smallest of moments, Alex wanted to lie, but as he stared at Lisa’s beautiful, sincere face he knew he couldn't; wouldn't ever want to. He read a look of devotion and understanding in her eyes, and in that instant, he realized how much he really loved her; how much she meant to him.

  "Steve told me he is going on the assault tomorrow..."

  Lisa was almost certain of the words that were about to follow.

  "No, don
't worry. I'm not going to go. Steve said this was something he wanted to do. He even told me he would shoot me if I tried to go. I guess that's his way of supporting us."

  Before Alex knew it, Lisa kissed him and aggressively rotated Alex to his back. She straddled him and continued to kiss him, adding the perfect amount of tongue to lip ratio. After what seemed like a blissful eternity of kissing, Lisa stopped.

  Alex continued to move his lips as though hers were still against his.

  "Hey," she said, smiling and giggling at her puppy-dog lover. "I can't tell you how happy I am that you chose us. I know how badly you want to go, and I know how much you love Steve. Your dedication is your best trait and the thing I love most about you. I know it took a lot to get you to stay here.”

  “Thanks.”

  “And besides, your body is very important."

  "I know it has the vaccine. Albert has samples, but still I get-" Alex said rambling on, before getting cut off by a gentle finger to his lips.

  She leaned in beside his ear and said, "I was going to say that it is important to me." Then he felt her hand glide down his abs and stop at his groin.

  She moved her hand around as they kissed, and for a while the foreplay continued until she let go of him and backed up. She slowly slid down her underwear and removed her shirt, exposing her perfect, naked body to the candlelight.

  Alex stared at her, then scrambled to kick off his boxers.

  Lisa leaned off the bed and blew out the candle.

  For the next two hours, they rolled around the bed, kissing and fondling one another, changing sexual positions on a whim. She was unable to control her moans, and Alex unwilling to stop her. Their relationship elevated to new heights, and as far as they were concerned, they were the only ones in the house. And for that long, beautiful night, they were one.

  Fullertown, New York

  December 14, 2009

  0555 hours

  For the last four days, Albert Stone was confined to the high school's chemistry lab.

  His life was miserably monotonous. Food and water were dropped off in regular cycles. There were always two armed guards watching him, and he was searched randomly for weapons and other escape tools. At the end of each night he was allowed to sleep on a child-sized cot but was handcuffed to a water pipe.