Thomas looked at the ground. “Maybe I should just stay here. If they have a use for the Infected, maybe I can be purposeful.”
“I don’t trust anyone to treat the Infected besides Elaina,” Alec said. “If we keep walking, we’ll come across another town sooner or later.”
“I don’t know if I have the strength to keep walking,” Thomas said. “Just go on without me.”
“I’m not going to do that,” Alec said. “I promise, I’ll get you out of here. Let’s turn around and head toward the next town. I don’t like the looks of this one.”
They had been walking for no more than an hour when Alec heard the sound of a vehicle approaching them. He pulled Thomas to the side of the road and crouched down until he could get a good look at the car. As it approached, he realized that it was a large SUV, the chosen car for Dr. Vincent’s cronies. Not wanting to risk being taken into custody, he motioned for Thomas to remain silent and waited for the car to pass.
“We see the two of you on the ground,” a booming voice said from the vehicle. “Please approach the car with your hands up.”
“Do you think you can run?” Alec asked Thomas. “If they need us to be unarmed, then they’re expecting a fight. My little handgun is no match for the kind of weaponry these types usually carry.”
“I don’t know how far I would get. You can go. I’ll stay here.”
This frustrated Alec. Thomas had been through so much, but now he was ready to give up. Elaina was in New York, working with some of the top scientists in the best labs. They were so close to a cure, Alec could almost feel the world changing. They were too close to give up now.
“Follow me,” Alec ordered, darting into the tall grass on the side of the road. Surprisingly, Thomas followed.
Alec didn’t know where he was going. His only goal was to get far enough away from the car that the occupants wouldn’t find them. As he ran, he could hear the truck revving up behind them, driving straight at them. The area they were in had a strange lack of trees, so the all-terrain vehicle hopped over rocks and blasted through brush without any problem.
The two men didn’t stop running until the vehicle appeared in front of them and four armed men hopped out. They carried rifles that put Alec’s puny gun to shame.
“You are surrounded,” a voice said. “Put your arms in the air.”
Thomas promptly obliged, but it took Alec a little longer to surrender. He knew a hopeless case when he saw one, though. It would be easier to escape an unwatched holding cell than it would to run away from four armed men. He would have to be patient and smart and wait for the right moment to move.
“Not again,” Alec murmured. “This can’t be happening again.”
“We’re here to help,” one of the men said. “We just need you to cooperate with us. We’re not the bad guys here.”
“Isn’t that what they always say?” Alec retorted. “Everyone is just trying to rescue us until they put us in a tiny jail cell and threaten us with bodily harm. Some help that is.”
“It sounds like this one’s got trust issues,” another man snickered.
“No, he’s probably right to feel that way,” the first man said sympathetically. “I’ve heard of a few organizations out there who are torturing healthy people and calling it help. People have done some pretty sick things since the epidemic began.”
“Yeah, your words mean nothing to me when you’re holding me at gunpoint,” Alec spat.
“Unfortunately, it’s just the best way to persuade frightened people like you.” The man sighed. “Just get in the vehicle and we’ll take you to our camp.”
Having no other choice, Alec reluctantly got in the vehicle after Thomas and closed the door behind him.
“Your friend has been awfully quiet,” one of the men said to Alec while looking at Thomas. Thomas sat with his head buried in his hands. Alec assumed this was in order to hide his illness, or just so he wouldn’t throw up all over the car.
“Leave him alone,” Alec warned. “He’s been through a lot and he’s scared. Don’t make this worse for him.”
Alec feared that Thomas was a ticking time bomb once in captivity. It wouldn’t take much to set him off, and these strangers didn’t know who they were dealing with. If they said the wrong thing, Thomas could kill them. In return, someone would likely kill Thomas.
“Fine,” the guard said. “I was just wondering what his deal was.”
“He’s just tired,” Alec repeated. Thomas nodded his head in agreement.
Alec patted him on the back, trying to convey encouragement for keeping it together so well. He could tell by Thomas’s gritted teeth that he understood how important it was to appear healthy, especially in the presence of people he didn’t particularly trust.
“So, can you tell us where we’re going?” Alec asked, trying to keep his voice calm.
“I don’t know what else to tell you besides we’re going to our camp. It’s probably a lot different from the other places you seem to end up in. We’ve got a nice little community of like-minded people. You’ll be well cared for.”
Alec doubted this. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been collected at gunpoint. There was something that they weren’t telling him. He just wondered how long it would take for the truth to come out. It always did at one point or another.
“Do you always point weapons at people when you’re trying to help?” Alec asked. “I mean, I’m generally a pretty friendly guy. I don’t want to hurt people if they’re not doing anything wrong. Why do you treat us like we’re bad people? I get that you’re trying to persuade us to go with you, but if you’re just trying to help, why can’t we decide if we want it?”
The main guard sighed and shook his head in exasperation. He wasn’t used to having so many questions asked.
“We don’t know you. For all we know, you could be infected. We’re trying to do our best to stop the spread of infection on this side of the border.”
“Is that why you have people fenced up like cattle?”
“What would you prefer? There are ways to treat this thing. Scientists are working on a cure as we speak. Would you rather we eliminate everyone with a fever and chills? We separate our sick residents so we can protect the healthy ones. Once the sick people get better, then they can be reunited with their family and friends.”
“You have a cure?”
The man gave a coy smile. “It’s possible. But that’s not my area of expertise. I’m working security. You’ll have to direct those questions to someone with a little more knowledge on the situation.”
Alec’s stomach flipped. The only cure he knew about was Elaina’s. Was it possible that she was already testing her serum in Colorado? She hadn’t been in New York for more than a few days, by his count. But if anyone could produce a cure in a few days and return to the place where people needed it the most, it would be Elaina.
Alec tried not to get his hopes up, but the thought of seeing Elaina so soon made his heart beat faster. There wasn’t a more welcomed sight in his bleak, infected world than Elaina Morgan.
11
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Mayor,” Melissa said with a twinge of sarcasm in her voice. All this time, she had been expecting someone really impressive to walk through the door. Everyone she’d met so far seemed to regard the town mayor as a very important person. But in front of her stood someone who looked not much older than Melissa. She couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed to see someone so inexperienced shaking her hand.
“Please, just call me Callum,” the mayor said, smiling brightly.
He turned his attention toward Ariel, who was absolutely eating it up. She blushed as she tucked her small hand into his.
Bobby Dean was visibly annoyed to see his ex-girlfriend so smitten. Bobby Dean was handsome in his own rugged way, but apparently, Ariel preferred Callum’s clean-cut, young politician look.
Ariel held onto his every word, smiling and nodding along with him. This only seemed to fuel hi
s ability to charm people, especially women.
“Would you like to sit?” Callum asked, gesturing to a grouping of furniture arranged in a circle on the other side of the lobby. “We can have a little chat and I’ll introduce you to Safe Haven.”
“Where’s my daughter?” Mike asked anxiously. “I just want to be with my daughter.”
Callum frowned for a split second. “Oh, you’re the one with the sick little girl,” he said gently.
“That’s right,” Mike said. “No one has told me about her condition. They took her from me and I don’t even know where she is.”
“Annabelle?” Callum called to a receptionist. “Will you please take him to see his daughter? I believe she is in the nursery ward.”
“Really?” Mike asked, his eyes shining with tears. “Oh, thank you so much. I’ve been so worried about her and I didn’t think anyone would let me see her. I thought . . .”
Mike trailed off, as though he was censoring himself. Bobby Dean gritted his teeth as he spoke but seemed to soften a little when Mike clammed up.
“Of course,” Callum said. “You should be with your daughter. Go on, now.”
Callum flashed his teeth as Mike hurried to catch up with the young woman who was escorting him to see his daughter. When they were out of the building, Callum turned back to the remaining three.
“I bet you’re wondering what this place is,” Callum continued, reciting a practiced speech. “Safe Haven, as far as I know, is a one-of-a-kind community on this half of the border. We’re the only place in the country that has taken the time to understand the Infected and work toward treating them and integrating them back into society. Most people forget that the Infected are our loved ones. Even though they harbor a deadly virus in their bodies, they’re still people. But we’re much more than just a place to rehabilitate infected people. We’re also showing the rest of the country that it’s possible to live in peace and harmony in the middle of an epidemic.”
Melissa thought that Callum seemed very sure of himself. He was telling them the same thing that Mike had heard about Safe Haven. Melissa wanted to know more. She wanted to know what they were doing with the Infected and was starting to become more curious about how Callum had obtained his job in the first place.
“Of course, Safe Haven has always been here. What started as a commune for free-spirited people who wanted to live outside the daily grind of normal society has turned into an upscale refugee camp of sorts. We take in good people whom society has forgotten about and let our population grow. Today, we have over two hundred residents who contribute. Everyone has different skills and talents to share. As I’m sure you’ve experienced, our hotel’s chef once ran a kitchen at a casino in Las Vegas and can make every food you can imagine. Our hotel receptionists have lived in Safe Haven for years and know everybody here by name. Our community is made up of farmers, doctors, academics, and much more.”
“And what about you?” Bobby Dean asked. “You don’t seem like the kind of guy who grew up in a hippy town.”
Callum laughed. “No, you’re right. I knew of Safe Haven, but I hadn’t visited until the virus hit. When the border went up, I saw an opportunity to do some good in a dark place. I rounded up everyone I could find to make my vision of safety complete. Then, people heard what we were doing and joined in. I’m assuming that’s how you got here.”
“We came across Mike and his daughter on the highway,” Ariel answered eagerly. “He told us there was a place where they can cure infected people. I think what you’re doing is amazing,” she gushed.
“Well, we couldn’t do it without people like you.” Callum winked.
Bobby Dean’s hands were balled into fists. As much as Melissa wanted to see him punch the mayor in his pompous face, it was probably best for him to control his temper.
“What’s your cure?” Melissa asked.
“Sorry?” Callum said, turning toward her. “I didn’t catch that.”
“You said you have a cure for the virus. As far as I’m aware, there isn’t a cure yet.”
“Oh, we have a cure,” he said. “Shortly after we turned this commune into a refugee center, we had a young neurologist come to us with an idea of how to treat patients. Apparently, at his old hospital, he tried out his methods and they showed promise. A few other scientists came to town and they worked on an extensive therapy plan to take infected patients at the brink of death and restore them to full health. Once a patient is properly treated, they will no longer have violent tendencies. It’s really quite remarkable. We treat multiple patients every day. Many of our success stories are living with their families in permanent housing.”
“Some doctor just knew how to reverse the virus?” Melissa asked. She had hoped that Elaina was somehow involved, but it didn’t sound that way. As famous as Elaina had become, she figured Callum would have mentioned if Dr. Elaina Morgan were a part of the population. “That seems lucky.”
“It was,” Callum admitted. “I just wish he could have come sooner. My father was killed by a sick patient before we had the cure. He was trying to put the patient into an isolation dorm when he was attacked.”
“That’s horrible,” Ariel cried.
“Yes, it was rather traumatic. I suppose I misspoke earlier when I said that I was the original mayor of this town. In reality, it was my father who took control of the town. We came here together with the dream to save lives. It made sense for him to lead since he was older and more experienced. But when he died, I was the only one who shared his vision, so I took over where he left off. Not long after, we had a cure for this terrible virus.”
Melissa suddenly felt guilty for being so judgmental of Callum. He still seemed a little slippery for her liking, but he had clearly suffered tremendous loss. It was bad enough to lose a loved one when the virus first struck, but possibly even more painful to survive danger and plan for a new start, then have it all taken away.
“I’m sorry,” Melissa said softly. “That had to have been hard.”
“It was,” Callum said mournfully, his big, blue eyes staring straight at her. His lip quivered for a split second. “Sometimes, I wonder if I’m doing a good job. I spend every waking moment trying to do what he would want for Safe Haven. Some days, I just sit in the medical ward and hold our patients’ hands and try not to cry. Everyone here has been through so much. I just want to make the world a better place.”
Melissa studied his sorrowful expression. If he was trying to gain sympathy, he was doing a good job.
“It’s funny,” Callum said, still looking at Melissa. “When I was in college, I didn’t really care about philanthropy that much. I was more concerned with chasing beautiful women. Now, I’m so busy trying to make this town run smoothly that I can hardly remember what it’s like to be intimate with a woman. It’s crazy how priorities change. There are so many beautiful, kind women around here too.”
“Yeah, that is funny,” Ariel interrupted, trying to get Callum’s attention. But he continued to smile coyly at Melissa. This seemed to annoy Ariel.
“Would you like to go on the tour?” Callum asked, his demeanor bright again.
“Can I ask you something first?” Melissa asked.
“Anything,” Callum said, leaning forward.
“I–I got separated from some friends, traveling companions,” she stammered. “Would you know if they somehow made their way here?”
“What are their names?”
“Elaina, Alec, and Thomas. They would have arrived together.”
“No, those names don’t ring a bell.” He frowned. “What makes you think they came here?”
“They had a cure for the virus,” Melissa mumbled. “I wondered if they were the scientists you were talking about.”
Callum’s face fell, but he quickly plastered his smile back on.
“Nope, our cure started here. It’s what makes Safe Haven special. But if I hear those names or catch wind that we’re in the midst of a super-scientist, you’ll be the first t
o know.”
He stood up and gestured to the others. “I bet you’re tired of being cooped up inside. Let’s go for a little stroll, shall we?”
Ariel promptly got up and stood as close to Callum as she could without physically hanging on him. Bobby Dean followed several steps behind. The mayor put him in a terrible mood.
“Right in the heart of downtown, we have our market,” Callum said, gesturing to the rows of vendor stalls that lined the park. “This is where most of our commerce takes place. It’s easier to pick up a bundle of kale at the same place you buy clothing than to travel around town to different stores. And, because everyone has their own specialty, it just made more sense for everyone to have their individual businesses. We also trade goods and services instead of using currency. We’ve found that when people are kind and respectful to one another, there is no problem with our bartering system.”
Melissa walked past a booth with beautiful pink cupcakes sitting on a crystal pedestal. She wondered what goods or services she could provide to get her hands on one.
“Next, we have a school for the kids,” he said, pointing to a two-story house. “We have tutors who have done a good job picking up where the public schools left off. Our hope is that they will be right where they need to be when their home cities are rebuilt.”
Elaina looked in a window and saw several preteens huddled around an easel while a grey-haired lady taught algebra. On the other side of the house, she saw toddlers running around as a young woman tried to corral them for naptime.
“And here’s the hospital,” Callum said, pointing at what looked like a small medical clinic. “Do any of you have experience in the medical profession?”
The three wordlessly shook their heads.
“That’s too bad. We have a real shortage of medical staff. We don’t even need anyone who’s particularly skilled or knowledgeable. We just need someone who can do basic stuff and follow directions without getting too squeamish. Some days, even I go in and put bandages on cuts or run blood samples to the lab. If any of you are even remotely capable of providing assistance in the hospital, it would be much appreciated.”
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