I gasped out in shock and then smiled. “Sawyer’s okay? He’s alright? Lev!” I reached out and grabbed his arm. “Wait until we tell Ben.”
“There was another little boy with us. Billy,” Lev explained. “Any word about him?”
“No, I’m sorry. There was no mention about your daughter being bit either,” she said. “Again, we were just hoping for a family member. Your daughter, if immune can be a great help.”
“Are you forcing people to go with you?” I asked. “Because everywhere we have stopped or been lately people have either gone or there are dead bodies.”
Clare shook her head. “We’re not forcing anyone. They came and joined us of their own accord. The people here at Cobb Corner aren’t joining. Well, they aren’t relocating. They’ll be a sort of hub for us. Some people want to go. And, yes, we are killing those infected. We have to. We have to stop it by all means necessary. This time it’s spreading faster than the first one, and we still can’t figure out how it just pops up in some areas and in groups who haven’t been exposed to anyone.”
“Birds,” I said matter-of-factly. “Birds or mosquitos.”
“A dog spread it in my camp,” Lev said.
Clare produced a closed mouth smile. “Yep. It appears to be everywhere and anywhere. We would like you to come with us to Colony One. You don’t have to stay for good but I think you’ll like it.”
“How many Colonies are there?” I asked.
“There were five. We lost a colony to the virus and infection two weeks ago. We had to seal it off,” Clare said.
“What exactly are the colonies? I mean, if you want us to go with you, you need to tell us more,” I said. “Are they camps? How do you guys have the means to trucks, gas…research?”
Clare shook her head. “We’re not camps. We’re cities. I worked for Federal Emergency Management. Way before my time there, I think it was twenty years ago, the administration started Project Justin. It was a plan to ensure the continuity of mankind should a catastrophe, outbreak or anything similar occur. Named Justin for just in case. Five cities were designated as Colony points. Once the event began construction and planning would go into effect to create the perfect environment in the city for whatever the event was. In this case being viral, it meant sealing off all but one entry point, creating boarders and building walls. While cleaning up inside.”
“How long ago did you finish?” Lev asked.
“About five months ago. Everything was ready to initiate and we began doing so right away.” She looked at me. “I know this sounds crazy, even far-fetched, but these cities had been prepped for decades. Teams were always on call. Thousands of people were involved. We lost a lot to this virus, but we also gained new people.”
“And you want us to go?” I asked.
“We need you to go,” she said. “We aren’t looking for a cure. We need a vaccine to create immunity. That is what we are trying to accomplish. Colony One has our research facility. That’s where those who have shown immunity live. Your daughter’s cooperation is very vital, especially since she was bit.”
She wanted us not only to consider whether we would go, but to answer right away.
I still didn’t understand exactly who these people were. Was their presence a confirmation that an arm of the government was still operational?
Did we want to be a part of that world again?
We had a decision to make, not one easily rendered at the makeshift office in the back of a white van. We as a group were a family, we lived together, traveled together and even though Katie was my daughter, it was a decision we would make together.
SEVENTEEN
THE BAND
June 6
It was on blind faith alone that we decided to go, though still unsure that we weren’t lambs being led into slaughter. It was trusting the face and word of a woman who we had met after being held at gunpoint. It was all because I wanted there to be a world for my daughter when she grew up. Not a world full of infection.
We respectfully and politely turned down the transport they offered, which entailed meeting up with a convoy outside of Washington D.C.
I didn’t want them to have that much control over us. After all, it wasn’t prison. They said we would be free to go if we wanted to after a few blood tests.
If they were able to use or needed Katie more, they asked that we remained where they could find us.
Colony Two was located in east Texas, a shorter journey than Colony One which was in Burlington, Vermont.
Clare and her people mapped out our route, which would take us along all major roadways. She told us we would see fuel trucks and help stops every few hundred miles.
Previously, we’d avoided using major highways, though if we hadn’t, we would have learned about The Colony long before we did.
We stayed another day in Cobb Corner, then started to make our way north. Bella and Christian stayed behind and we left the solar generator for them. Ben came along but only to find Sawyer and said he wanted to return to Cobb Corner. He liked the idea of being a town doctor. Fleck…I didn’t know. A part of me thought we were going to lose him to Colony One. Not lose as in death, but he always said he wanted to find people.
I knew we would all head back to Cobb Corner one way or another. In fact, we made a pact that should we by some chance get separated, we were to meet up at Cobb.
Twice we stopped for the night at one of those refueling places or ‘help stations’ as some called them. Not that we needed it, but they gave us water and a meal, and Lev was finally able to get a good night sleep knowing someone else was on watch.
No matter where we stopped, if it was a Colony outpost, they scanned our face, neck and hands.
They were nice at the posts and treated us with respect.
Most who worked at them wore military uniforms and one of the soldiers even told us he had known about Project Justin for the entire ten years he was in the service. He had been on call for the project and had attended various drills.
It was crazy how planned out it was. And no one had ever known; it was such a closely guarded secret.
Our final overnight was just outside of Sarasota Springs where our directions had us leaving the main interstate and taking a series of secondary highways.
Before Sarasota, we’d see an occasional car left on the road, but after…it was clear.
The route had been maintained and kept safe.
It was hard to believe that the virus had returned again full force and we were starting the illness to infection stages all over. It was like being back in a nightmare. We had finally thought we’d found some kind of peace…that nature was finally balancing out again and we’d be able to start over. How wrong we’d been.
There was a sense of peacefulness until we hit Shelbourne. Then we heard gunshots cracking off occasionally. We thought we were too close to Colony One for there to be infected, but we were assured we were safe.
We knew we had arrived when we came up to a fenced-in section of the highway, which started right before a four-story hotel. It was there we were told to park; no civilian vehicles were permitted in Colony One.
There was another reason for pulling over in the parking lot of the hotel—it had been made into some sort of receiving center for newcomers. Even though we didn’t bring much, we were told to leave our bags outside and they’d be returned to us.
They did let Katie keep her little pink bag in which she carried a couple of toys.
When we stepped inside the hotel it was like part one of leaving the apocalypse.
Fleck let out a sigh of relief. “Ah, AC.”
Ben turned left to right. “They have power. Do you think it’s a generator?”
“They’re running a lot for only a generator,” Lev said. “I mean why waste it on AC?”
“And coffee.” Fleck pointed across the lobby. “There’s coffee.”
The small lobby had been turned into a reception area, reminding me so much of Canada. Lobby furnitur
e had been removed and replaced with more tables where people were filling out papers.
There were several people ahead of us, and by the time we reached the desk, Clare came out from the back.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” she said, then instructed the gentleman doing intake to give us the paperwork. “It’s all part of the process, even if you decide not to stay. If you don’t mind…” She pointed to a table. “Just find me when you’re done, I’ll personally take you through the process.”
Fleck got us all coffee, and I savored mine as I filled out the paperwork that was similar to a job application. When we were all finished, Lev took them to the counter and a few moments later, Clare returned.
“We’ll get you all settled and into your rooms,” she said. “But there is a process that we go through. First is a blood test to determine level of immunity and your general health.” She led us down a hall. “You’ll get one of these.” She held up her hand exposing a yellow bracelet. It was a wide band that looked like it should hold one of those exercise watches. “I’ll explain these later.”
“So we’re staying here?” I asked.
“Until tomorrow, then we’ll move you all to temporary housing in Colony One. You’ll stay there until your permanent housing and job details are finalized, or until you decide to leave.”
“I’m here to find Sawyer,” Ben said. “I want to find him. I have known him since he was born. He’s no less than family and I want him back.”
“I will work on reuniting you,” she said. “Right now”—she opened the door to the room marked Ballroom 1—“tables to the left do blood work. They’ll send it to me right away. When you’re done there”—she turned—“that woman over there will give you some personal effects and toiletries to hold you over. Then you wait. And we’ll try to get your results as soon as possible to get you moving.” She glanced down to her watch. “I’ll catch up to you soon, I promise. You missed breakfast, but lunch is at one. You should be done by then.”
After she walked out, Lev leaned down to me. “Okay, this is a little ridiculous.”
I gave him a hush face then twitched my head down to Katie. She clutched her pink bag looking around.
“They’re trying to find that one person,” Ben said, “who can stop this all. So they’re thorough. I expected Canada to be the same.”
It didn’t take long for them to take our blood. Katie was a champ. Of course they let her look around and grab items from the one table that was filled with books, crayons and paper. She shoved them into her bag and I swore she left it open on purpose to see how much more she could take.
They separated us, telling us we’d see Fleck and Ben at lunch.
We were taken into an office near the ballroom. A stack of clear plastic storage drawers were on the wall by the desk. It was only as tall as Katie and I kept having to ask her to stop touching them.
It was the longest I believe we had waited since we’d arrived there. Lev and I sat in the chairs facing the desk, the items we were given on our laps. It was unnerving. Finally, a woman walked in. She seemed slightly out of breath and rushed.
“I am so sorry,” she said, then she paused and caught her breath. “My name is Doctor Hillgrove. Pleasure to meet you both.” She shook our hands. “And that is Katherine.”
“Katie,” I corrected. “Where’s Clare?”
“Oh, she’ll join you soon. I am, however, very excited.” She walked over to the stack of drawers, opened three one at a time, pulling something from each drawer. Katie watched her and she smiled at my daughter. “Can I see your left hand?”
Katie lifted her right.
“The other one,” Dr. Hillgrove instructed, then looked at me. “As we suspected, Katie is immune. One hundred percent to everything. The viral strain and the mutations found in the infected and the passed. This”—she lifted a light blue band—“is for you.” She put it on Katie’s wrist. “It’ll take a day to get used to. It’s kind of bulky.” She winked. “But it lets everyone know how special you are.” Leaving Katie, she walked to us. “Nila.”
“Yes.”
“The gene is passed on genetically. Since your husband died of the virus, as did your father…” She lifted a chart. “Brother and daughter.” She paused. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you.”
“You,” she said as she reached for my wrist, “are immune to the viral strain.” She placed a green band on me. “Which means, airborne, blood borne, no matter how that virus is transmitted in its original form, you will not get it.” She locked the band on me.
I examined it. It had a snap latch and I moved my wrist around.
“However, you can still get it if you get bit or scratched,” she said. “Hopefully, that won’t happen. Extreme measures are taken to stop those who are ill from turning. Levon.” She had one band in her hand and I could see the yellow color of it. “This is for you.”
Lev held out his arm.
“Wait this is too small.” She walked over to the drawers. “Excuse me, honey,” she said to Katie, having her step out of the way. “Large are on the bottom. I wasn’t thinking.” She grabbed another and returned to us, placing it on Lev. “These bands let the authorities know about you. I understand you three will be together. But I must tell you, should there be an emergency, should there be an evacuation, those bands are crucial. First ones out are blue and green. They’ll separate you. I’m sorry.”
“We don’t plan on being here that long,” Lev said. “So it’s alright that I’m not immune. They are.”
“That is sweet.” Dr. Hillgrove smiled. “Now, you’ll just…” Her head turned. “Oh, honey, no, no. Don’t touch those.”
“Katie come here.” I held out my hand.
The doctor was very nice, but still my daughter gave her this evil look that I didn’t understand as she slammed the drawer, clutched her pink bag and moved to me.
Dr. Hillgrove cleared her throat. “As I was saying. You can go wait in the dining area and Clare will show you to your rooms. We can’t make you stay. We would ask you to stay for a few days so we can run some tests, collect some more blood, and a tissue sample from you and your daughter. Uncomfortable, but vital to the research. Will you think about it?”
I nodded. “We came here to help. So we’ll stay to do that.”
“Thank you.” She walked to the door. “Who knows, you may like it here.”
Lev laughed once as he stood.
While Dr. Hillgrove gave him a lost look, I understood why he laughed. It was a sarcastic reaction to me. Lev told me I was unsettled, that I wasn’t going to like it anywhere we went. As we made our way to the dining area, I had a feeling that Colony One wasn’t going to be an exception.
EIGHTEEN
WINDOW
Yellow.
When we met up with Fleck and Ben in the dining area, which, naturally, had been set up in the restaurant, they both sported yellow bands like Lev. They didn’t seem fazed by their lack of immunity until they saw I was a fortunate one.
Lunch was pretty basic: soup and a sandwich. After that, Clare showed us to our rooms and said she had to go back into the city for work.
Our bags were already in the room, and thankfully no one had stolen the bottle I had brought. Immediately, I poured a drink.
I never would have thought I would feel uncomfortable being back in a world of technology. We were out of our element on the road, but even more so in the hotel.
It wasn’t so much a hotel experience. We were responsible for our own dishes after lunch and were told cleaning the room after we left was our responsibility as well.
The next day we would be taken into Colony One where, as promised by Clare, Katie would get special treatment. We both would and because Lev, Fleck and Ben were with us, they would benefit as well.
Clare already started her push for Ben, to keep him at The Colony because he was a doctor, but he was steady and firm that he was there only for Sawyer. Katie was excited about Sawyer as well.
<
br /> Even though we had adjoining hotel rooms, we all sat in one. After we all had taken turns basking in hot showers, there was nothing else to do. Katie watched DVDs on the television, Fleck fiddled with his yellow band a lot as he paced to the window, staring out.
“Everything is back up and running,” Fleck said. “You can see the lights. They have power.”
“Technology breeds comfort,” Lev added. “I wonder how many people are in Colony One.”
“By the looks of the lights,” Fleck said as he turned from the window, “a lot.”
Ben shook his head. “If there is a viral outbreak, it’s going to be a repeat of what we lived through.”
“What do you suppose they meant when they said they had to seal off one of the Colonies?” I asked.
Ben shrugged. “They shut it down, I guess. Got out who they could.”
Her little feet kicking as she lay on her stomach and watched the television, Katie blurted out, “Bet they burned it down like the island.”
“Katie, why would you say that?” I asked.
“Because she doesn’t have a filter,” Fleck said. “She saw a burning island. Not long after a helicopter flew over. She’s smarter than we think.”
“Come to think of it,” Lev said, “if Key West had been out of commission for days, how were the fires still burning?”
“But Key West wasn’t part of the Colonies,” I replied.
“Come on, Nila,” Lev said. “They have no limit on the extremes they will go to to remove any and all infected. It doesn’t matter what stage they are in. We saw that.”
Ben sighed when he sat on the end of the bed. “At least they were getting people out.”
“With the right bands.” Fleck looked down at his.
“Were they?” I asked. “Look, I don’t know what Colony One is going to be like, but I don’t know if I like the idea of living scared to death of getting a fever or sniffles.”
Everyone looked at me.
“Okay scared for all of you to get the ordinary flu.”
My Dead World 3 Page 10