Hidden (Final Dawn)

by Maloney, Darrell

  They were worried about the millions of corpses on the outside. Not just humans, but mammals of every size and shape. The cattle that Rachel and Roxanne’s father had been scavenging just before he was shot. Deer, rabbits, even rodents. Within a square mile of their location there might be thousands of them, slowly rotting away.

  Some of the decomposition had already taken place, of course. In each of the previous three years, the temperatures in late spring and early summer had crept above freezing. Just a few days the first year, and almost sixty days the third. It was sufficient time for most of the corpses to thaw, and then rot to some degree before refreezing. So after three years of thawing, decomposing and then refreezing, most of the corpses were in varying stages of decomposition.

  Most, but not all. Hannah and Sarah, who were both scientists, shared a theory that many of the corpses had never thawed. That perhaps they were in various types of shelters, or in heavily wooded areas with heavy shade cover. And that maybe temperatures that never went above forty degrees, even for weeks at a time, never quite thawed the corpses enough to allow them to rot.

  They pointed out that even with daytime temperatures as high as sixty two degrees, the nights were sometimes frigid. Sometimes as low as thirty. And those low nighttime temperatures would inhibit thawing.

  It wasn’t just that they disliked corpses, although they obviously did.

  What they were more worried about was the possibility of airborne diseases, carried by microorganisms into the air on a windy day, then perhaps traveling miles before settling into the compound and being inhaled by someone.

  When they had the main building built in the compound, they disguised what they were doing by lying to the builder. They claimed to be representatives of a corporation in California that specialized in the treatment of drug and alcohol addicts. They said the compound would be a rehab facility, and would house the rich and famous and their sons and daughters. The isolated location, they said, was for privacy and protection from the prying eyes of the press. And to isolate the patients from so-called “friends” who might further the addiction by smuggling in drugs or booze.

  Since these were well to do clients who were used to the very best, the builder was told, no expenses would be spared.

  And since some of their patients might suffer from allergies in this part of the country they weren’t used to, there must be a special feature to the building.

  It must be equipped with a hypoallergenic ventilation system.

  The builder had readily agreed, of course. Builders love add-ons. The more unusual the better, for with every add-on comes another reason to tack on additional profits.

  And so it was that the outside air drawn into the main building first passed through special filters that scrubbed it of all microorganisms as well as pollens. Air inside the building was also continually recycled through the same ventilation system.

  The only time anyone would be in danger would be when they were actually outside, and the temperature was above freezing.

  Hannah foresaw this too, and ordered twenty thousand surgical masks and four thousand pairs of latex gloves, which sat in storage containers in the back of Bay 24. It was probably overkill, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

  At one of their last group meetings in the mine, Hannah and Sarah explained the dangers of airborne disease to the group, and an unwritten law was agreed upon. For at least three years, anyone who ventured outside when the temperature was above freezing must wear a mask and gloves. It would be a pain in everyone’s side. But it would be better than a miserable death.

  The day after this meeting, it was time. Sarah, Bryan, Sami and Brad said their goodbyes, packed a few changes in clothing, and walked through the tunnel to the compound. Bryan and Brad restarted the generator and turned the power and water back on, and the four spent their days puttering around the building dusting, cleaning, and making minor repairs.

  Mark had already spent a day running Cat-5 wiring through the tunnel and across the ground of the compound. Inside the main building, he split the cable to install a telephone connection between the building and the mine’s security desk, a computer link to the mine’s computer system, and a very noisy alarm that could be heard throughout the building. It was loud enough to wake the heaviest sleeper in the middle of a deep slumber.

  The alarm would only be used if the security desk saw someone approaching the compound on one of their surveillance cameras. It would give the four people in the compound the option of either scrambling back to the mine, or arming themselves and preparing for battle.

  Chapter 44

  On April 14th, the day before the big breakout, the tension was thick in the mine. So was the excitement. Sarah and Bryan had come for a surprise visit as the group sat down for breakfast. They told everyone that their new home in the compound was all cleaned up, the repairs had been made, and that it was toasty warm.

  They said the very best thing about living at the compound was that they could take hot showers as often as they wanted. And they had flushing toilets too.

  It was the simple things in life they had missed the most.

  Mark and David had spent several hours the day before working on the three reefer trucks just inside the mine’s entrance. The term “reefer” was a misnomer, of course. It implied that the trucks could only get refrigerator cold. In fact, the compressors on the front of each truck could go as low as twenty degrees, and that made the trucks ideal for storing the rest of the frozen meat and other food products in the mine’s walk-in freezer.

  Once they had the trucks working, they spent the rest of the previous day moving food from the freezer to the trucks. Now they were all loaded and ready to go. Their condensers were set to twenty four degrees, and would come on automatically any time the temperature rose above that, whether the truck was running or not. The trucks would be parked in the lot north of the main building, and would be monitored closely until all the food inside them was used up.

  Karen’s fruit and vegetable plants, and her small fruit trees, were carefully loaded into another small truck. This truck had no climate or temperature control. But it was a short journey to the greenhouses next door, so they didn’t expect any problems keeping the plants alive. If they were to die, Karen had plenty of seeds with which to start anew.

  Karen was happy to get a report from Bryan and Sarah that both greenhouses had weathered the freeze with just minor damage. She had been afraid that the snow packed on the roofs would collapse them over time, and render them absolutely useless. Bryan and Mark had put their heads together when they contracted for construction of the greenhouses, and they were adamant that the roofs be pitched at sixty degrees. That was considerably steeper than a normal greenhouse roof, but the builder complied and the brothers’ bet paid off. The roofs were so steep that the snow could not accumulate on them. Instead it rolled down the side and fell harmlessly to the ground below.

  “I was amazed,” Sarah told Karen. “We walked into the greenhouse and it was actually warm in there. I even took off my coat. And then I went into the back, where it’s double paned, your greenhouse within a greenhouse. The thermometer said seventy degrees. I thought it was broken until I felt so hot I had to loosen my collar.”

  Karen said, “Good. That’s where I plan to grow our tropical stuff. Soon we’ll be having oranges and lemons and grapefruits. As many as we can eat.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  That evening the elders called everyone together to offer a blessing, and to thank God for watching over them during the mine years. They also asked Him to continue to watch over them as they began life in their brave new world.

  When night came, no one slept much. They were like children on Christmas Eve. Full of hope and anticipation and excitement.

  The next morning, after breakfast, the elders asked everyone to go back to their RVs and take their suitcases and other belongings to the entrance to the tunnel.

  Mark’s Uncle Marty said, “We don’t w
ant anyone to go over there until the livestock, plants, vehicles and food are moved over there. There will be trucks, tractors and all manner of other vehicles driving all over the compound by people who have not driven in seven years. We don’t want any accidents to happen.

  “Mark and Bryan will give the all clear when everything is in place, and then we’ll walk over through the tunnel. You will be given a pair of latex gloves and a surgical mask as you enter the tunnel. You must wear them until you get into the main building in the compound. Then they are to be taken off and disposed of.

  “If you can handle your own luggage, that’s great. If you can’t, put your name on it and we’ll have the young guys who think they’re strong come back for it. Those of you who need extra assistance, don’t be shy. Ask for it. We want to make sure that everybody makes it over there safely.

  “Any questions?”

  There were none.

  “Very well, then. Let’s get started.”

  It took several hours to move the vehicles over. Mark and David unloaded enough of the frozen food to fill up the four large chest freezers in the new kitchen. Then they parked the trucks side by side on the large parking lot on the north side of the building.

  The cattle were split into two equal herds and placed into one half of each of the barns. The pigs were divided the same way and placed in the other half of the barns. The chickens were divided between the two coops.

  The crawfish, catfish and perch were released into the pond. Mark hoped that the fish that were already in there before the freeze had found a way to survive. If they didn’t, then surely the new ones would.

  Karen’s plants were taken out of the truck, and the planter boxes were arranged neatly on work tables within Greenhouse number one. Karen would transplant each plant one at a time into larger boxes, where they would be allowed to expand and greatly increase their output.

  The farm tractors were brought over, as were the pickup trucks, golf carts and quad runners. Once they were all parked, Mark gave the all clear.

  For the first time in seven years, the mine they’d all called home would be completely empty. Except for the bodies of Phyllis Snyder and Bill Meyers. And they would be moved whenever a small family graveyard could be constructed in the back of the compound.

  One by one, the residents emerged from the tunnel and into the crisp cool air. Every one of them paused and looked up at the afternoon sun, enjoying its warmth on their faces.

  Like a ragtag bunch of children, they fairly danced in the snow, delighted to see it for the first time in seven years. A couple picked it up and threw it, or kicked it in the direction of others. Between the snow and the sunshine overhead, the short trek between the buildings in the compound was a delightful experience.

  Chapter 45

  Once inside the main building, they reassembled in the huge lobby, in front of a large fireplace and a roaring fire. Sarah and Sami handed each of them a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows as they came in, and they were asked to sit on the floor in front of the fireplace, or on one of several couches surrounding it.

  The newcomers who had never been in the building before looked around and marveled at the sight. It reminded some of the lobby of a luxury hotel. Its features were exquisite, the design beautiful. It would be a nice place to call home.

  Mark stood before the group and said, “I hope nobody minds, but we’ve already taken the liberty of designating the three apartments closest to the common area for the elders, out of respect. We’ve also reserved the west wing of the first floor for those among us who have disabilities or use scooters or walkers.

  “The north wing is available for anyone on a first come first serve basis.

  “We’ve placed the third floor off limits for the time being. That’s so we can close off the vents and cut power to that floor and help conserve our resources. We won’t be rationing power or water like we did in the mine, but we still don’t want to waste any more diesel fuel than we have to.

  “Eventually, as our families grow, we’ll start utilizing the apartments on the third floor. But for now we’ll just use it for storage.

  “After we’re finished, feel free to walk through the place and look around. The apartments are all unlocked, so you can feel free to look through them and select the one you want. For those of you with larger families, please note that the two apartments on each end of each hallway have three bedrooms. All the apartments in the middle of the hallways have two bedrooms.

  “The floor plans for the apartments are identical, but they are furnished differently. Some have traditional furniture, some are more modern. A couple of them, and I don’t remember which ones, have antique furniture.

  “Every apartment has either an upright piano or a pool table. Those of you who select an apartment with a piano but don’t know how to play it should see Joe. He has offered to teach anyone who wants to learn.

  “There will be no more restrictions on water, as I said. No more three minute showers. I know that’ll make everyone happy.”

  He looked at Bryan and said, “What am I forgetting?”

  Bryan took over.

  “There are kitchens in each apartment. The main kitchen will still operate as it always has. But they will also share the food in their cupboard and freezers for those who would like to prepare their own meals in their apartments. They only ask that you let them know in advance if you won’t be joining them for a particular meal so that they don’t prepare too much.

  “John has informed us that the security console is up and running, and that all of the outside cameras and monitors appear to be working. We don’t expect any threats from the outside world for the foreseeable future, but just to be on the safe side, we want to keep all doors to the outside locked, at least for awhile.

  “We’re asking the people who live in the apartments next to the exit doors to help us keep an eye on them. If you see them standing open, or notice they didn’t close all the way, please secure them.

  “If you go outside, remember that the door will lock behind you. We have hung several keys on the wall next to each exit door. They are on lanyards, so you can place a key around your neck as you go out and won’t have to worry about losing it. Please return the key when you reenter the building.

  “Also, just a reminder, don’t forget to wear your facemask whenever you go outside. This is just for the warm weather months. Once the winter sets in and everything freezes again, we’ll suspend this request. Next year at this time we’ll make a decision whether to continue this precaution. For now, please wear your mask.

  “That’s all I’ve got. Anyone else?”

  Hannah spoke up.

  “There is a small whiteboard for messages on the wall in the hallway, next to each apartment. Once you select your new home, please write your name on the whiteboard so your neighbors can find you.

  “The keys for each apartment are on the counter in each kitchen. Each apartment has two keys. If you need more than that, see Mark or Brad or Bryan. They have a key machine in the basement and they can make you some more. If you lock yourself out, just go to the security console. It will be manned twenty four hours a day, and they have a master key you can borrow.

  “Helen tells me that the dinner bell will ring at 7 p.m. sharp. Have fun picking out your new apartment, and welcome to your new home.”

  ****************************

  Thank you for reading Hidden. I sincerely hope you liked it. Please enjoy this preview from the next book in the series, Breakout.

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  Hannah ran from the security center screaming.

  “Oh, my God! They’re knocking down the gate!”

  Skully slammed the Humvee into reverse and backed up forty feet to get a running start. This time the heavy steel gate gave way, but still didn’t break free. He backed up to try again.

  Bryan scrambled from one corner of the roof to the other, trying to get a clean shot. But there simply wasn’t one. The high steel f
ence they’d built to protect themselves now protected their attackers by hiding them from view.

  Bryan knew he wouldn’t get a shot until Skully and his gang broke through the gate. And then it would be too late.

  John had sounded the evacuation alarm twenty minutes before, and most of the residents were already in the tunnel, headed back to the mine.

  Sarah and Hannah went from room to room to make sure everyone got the word. Karen was in the tunnel counting heads.

  Sami was conscious and able to walk, but had lost a lot of blood and was light-headed. The pain from the bullet would come later. Right now she was just numb and in semi-shock. Helen led her toward the safety of the mine.

  Skully hit the steel gate a third time. This time one of the hinges popped. He knew one more time would do it.

  Bryan trained his rifle on the inside of the gate, ready to fire as soon as the vehicle broke through. His plan was to take out the driver first, then as many of the passengers as he could.

  Skully didn’t know it now, but he was living his very last seconds on earth.

  The fourth time was the charm. The Humvee hit the gates and flattened one of them, driving over it and then over Mark. The huge front wheel drove over Mark’s chest, shattering his ribcage and collapsing one lung, and leaving him in agony and unable to move. Or breathe.

  Bryan squeezed off a shot that went through the windshield and hit Skully squarely in the chest. His heart exploded and he was dead even before his head slumped forward and rested on the steering wheel.

  Five other men scrambled out of the Humvee and scattered in all directions. Bryan was able to clip one in the leg before he hid behind a trailer.

  Over the radio on his hip, Bryan heard Hannah’s panicked voice: “All clear! All clear!”

  Bryan took two more shots in the general direction of his enemies, just to keep them from coming out of hiding. Then he scrambled down from the roof, ran between the greenhouses, and to the ladder leaning up against the inside of the fence on the south side of the compound. He shouldered his weapon and fairly ran up the ladder, dropping down to the other side and turning his ankle as he did so. He heard bullets hitting the fence behind him as he hobbled away to safety.