Sitting on a concealed, man-made ledge of a giant Western Redcedar, Travis Goessling had the scope of his 30-06 rifle pointed at Nick and Alex. As a former second lieutenant of the Army, Travis was reliable, hardworking, and a great shot.
“How’d the test go?” Travis asked, knowing the real purpose of their excursion.
“I asked the old wolf, but he wouldn’t budge,” Alex replied, shifting a heavy bag to his other shoulder. Despite the missed opportunity with the deer, their snares had trapped smaller game. “All I got was a maybe.”
“Eesh, that’s brutal, the anxiety must be killing you,” responded Travis, jokingly. He whistled below to the other guard on duty. “Hey Ryan, Alex and Nick are back, open the gate will ya?”
On top of a rusting yellow school bus, Ryan Gill set down his rifle and slid off the top to the cedar-leaf-covered ground. A twenty-one year old native of Willop County, Ryan had been with Camp since the beginning. He was a newly appointed deputy when the virus spread like cancer across the whole world.
“On it,” Ryan declared, continuing to show his hustle and drive to his superior, Nick. Ryan unlocked the padlock and unraveled the heavy chain that secured the fence. “How was the hunt, Ranger Stronghead?”
“Ryan, how many times do I have to tell you,” Nick said, helping the young deputy roll the gate enough to fit through, “you don’t need to call me sir, or Ranger Stronghead, or anything like that anymore. Just call me Nick.”
“I know, I know,” Ryan said, closing and securing the gate behind the two men. “Old habits, I guess.”
“So I take it, we won't be having some delicious venison for dinner tonight?” Travis called out as he descended from his perch forty feet above. After spending so much time with the sarcastic cousins, their immaturity and playfulness rubbed off on the rigid officer. “That’s some lack of dedication if you ask me.”
Alex leaned against the school bus, and dropped the sack down next to him. He smiled and raised his middle finger, displaying it proudly for Travis to see. “It was out of my hands, man.”
“Right, right. That's what we in the military used to call ‘excuses’,” Travis joked back. He ignored the last two wooden steps and dropped to the ground. “I guess we all can't be as good of a hunter as me. In case you forgot, I am referring to last month and the successful bagging of a five-point buck.”
“Well, that's what we, not in the military, call ‘getting lucky’.”
“It looks like it wasn't a total loss of a trip though,” Ryan said, rummaging through the bag of squirrels, rabbits, fowl, and other smaller game.
“See at least there's one appreciative guy here! But like I said, it was out of our hands. There were some zombs in the area and they scared a deer off. At least we got to take them out,” Alex declared. He looked proud, as he relived the recent memory of his kills. He truly hated the infected. For all they stood for. For all they took from him.
Ryan asked about the details and listened intently. He hadn’t experience much confrontation with the infected, so he enjoyed listening to others’ stories.
No one else saw, but Ranger Nick looked saddened. Unlike everyone else, he never enjoyed taking the lives of the infected. So, he took the opportunity to leave and on his way to the Ranger station he called back, “Alex, make sure we get the food to the kitchen ASAP, okay? We need to get that meat smoked and packaged.”
Alex took a sip from his canteen, and then nodded.
“Seriously though, where's your cousin? I thought Steve was supposed to go out with you guys, too?” Travis asked, stretching his back.
Alex tried not to look like it bothered him, but his attitude showed differently. The smile on his face now drained away completely. “Come on, you actually have to ask that? I'll give you a hint, it starts with a 'Sar' and ends with an 'ah'.”
Alex snatched up the sack and stormed off toward the kitchen.
Ryan didn’t know what to do, so he stood by awkwardly. When Alex was out of earshot he asked, “What was that all about?”
“The best and the worst thing in the world,” Travis replied, cryptically.
“What?” Ryan asked, tilting his head to the side.
“Family.”
“Oh, okay...actually, um, I still don’t get it though.”
Travis walked over to Ryan and both continued to face Alex. “You have a brother or someone like a brother?”
The young deputy shook his head. “Not really. But I did have two older sisters and some guys I used to play Halo with online,” Ryan started to say but he was cut off as Travis patted him on the back.
“Then you wouldn’t understand.”
Travis strolled back to his post, grabbed onto the first wooden step and pulled himself up. He knew the hurt Alex felt, maybe even worse, but he wouldn’t dare talk about it.
0905 hours
After delivering the bag of game to the kitchen, Alex made his way to the helipad; Sweetie’s new home. As he walked up to the RV, Alex saw a pair of shadows move behind the back curtains.
Hundred bucks says-he thought, before having to react as the side-door flung open, nearly hitting him.
Steve Brason, Alex's cousin, had karate-kicked the door open as indicated by his still extended leg. Save for Christmas tree light etched boxers, Steve was unclothed. “Yo, cuz, you like that kick? That’s what I call a solid front ball technique. Just like you taught me.”
Alex didn't respond, instead he brushed past his cousin. He dropped his gear bag on the kitchen table and set his rifle on the gun rack.
“Uh, Alex, everything okay?” Steve asked. “You seem pissed.”
“You seriously don't remember, do you?” Alex said, pulling out his gear piece by piece.
“Remember what…” Steve started to ask, but was interrupted when Sarah slid open the divider to the main bedroom in the back.
“Called that one,” Alex whispered under his breath. He knew Sarah was the reason Steve missed the morning's hunt. He didn't blame her though.
“Hey, Alex,” Sarah called out, using the door to cover her naked body.
“Morning, Sarah,” Alex replied. He finished downloading his bag, and then walked over to the cupboard to grab a protein bar.
“Sorry, I can't really come out for a proper greeting…” she began to say, but Alex cut her off.
“Don't sweat it, I was just leaving.”
Steve put up a hand to try to stop his cousin.
“Alex, what gives? What do you mean? Remember what?” He asked, now beginning to sound impatient.
“Doesn't matter, wasn't that important I guess,” Alex said, brushing rudely past Steve for a second time.
Alex slammed the door against the side of the RV on his way out.
***
Steve closed the door and sat at the table.
What wasn’t that important? He thought.
Sarah came out from the bedroom with an oversized T-shirt as a lone covering. She gave her boyfriend a long kiss, and then opened the cupboard next to the sink intent on starting a pot of coffee.
“What was that about?” she asked, rummaging around for the coffee grounds.
“I really don't know,” Steve answered, removing the gritty sleep from his eyes.
He was still waking up and the slight confrontation first thing in the morning didn't help. He rose and wrapped his arms around Sarah from behind. Their bodies rubbed against each other and Steve kissed the back of her neck seductively. The positioning was remnant of how their morning started.
“Look at you,” Sarah said, turning around and placing her arms around his head. “Someone is a little excited this morning.”
“It’s not me! It’s ‘little Steve.’ He tends to get that way around you,” he replied, smiling.
Despite the playful, sexual references, Sarah could tell that something was bothering her boyfriend. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Steve said, trying to avoid the question with a kiss.
Sarah pulled back. “Don�
��t think you’re going to get out of this with your kisses. They’re good, but not that good.”
“Damn, I thought my kisses were ‘irresistible’ as you like to put it.”
“As a girl, that’s what I’m supposed to let you think,” she said, biting her bottom lip to engage in a little seducing of her own. “So spill it, what’s up?”
“I really don’t know. Alex was pissed at me for not remembering something. I mean it’s not like I forgot the-”
Immediately, Steve knew.
“What do you mean? What did you forget?”
Deep in thought, Steve pulled back from Sarah without answering. He scrambled to the bedroom and tossed on the first combination of clothes he saw, dirty and clean. He sloppily laced up his boots and gave Sarah a quick kiss on the cheek as he flew out the side door.
Sarah was a patient person, but when she received no answer after repeating herself, she yelled out, “Steven Patrick Brason, stop this instant!”
Like a good boyfriend, Steve stopped in his tracks. He turned around but just long enough to answer, “I messed up. I forgot about the hunt.”
Sarah’s eyes widened with her gasp. She, too, realized the importance. “Go! I’ll find you later. Love you.”
“Love you, too!” he said, blowing a kiss her way.
Steve sped across the helipad, dodging various camping tents and hopping over surplus supplies. At the opposite side, he was stopped by Josue Crespo, who was making his way up from the beach.
“Steve! Hey, Steve, wait up a sec,” Josue said, jogging over.
Attempting to stay in stride with Josue was Jenny Seaton, daughter of the late Colonel Mark Seaton.
Six months prior, Josue and Jenny had also survived the massacre at The Eye. With the passing of her father and brother, Jenny was without a family. Sarah and the others looked out for her, but the noble Argentinian, Josue, really took her under his wing.
“Hey, Joey. Hey, Jenny. What's going on?” Steve asked, paying attention but continuing to scan Camp for Alex.
“Hey, Steve!” Jenny replied in her normal, animated, thirteen year old tone.
“Not too much. How about you?” Joey asked, taking a second to catch his breath.
“I'm good, just kinda busy with something. Everything okay?”
“Ya everything is good, just wanted to give you the new supplies list for Collin. Jenny, can you bring out the list?”
Jenny was already on top of it. She tore off the large, legal-sized paper detailing Camp's food, water, power, and weapons resources.
“Here you go, Steve!” She said, handing over the paper.
Like at the Eye, Josue was the facilities manager at Camp. He appointed Jenny his assistant- a title she both graciously and enthusiastically accepted.
“Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. By the way, does this include the C-4, grenades and other explosives we’ve been storing in Sweetie?”
Joey put a hand to his forehead. “I knew we forgot something. We’ll go after this and tally those up.”
“Great. I'll get this list to Collin ASAP. But hey, quick question, have either of you seen Alex?”
Both shook their heads no, and Joey replied, “At least he's not over by the dock, that's where we came from.”
“Oh, Steve, guess what? Captain Tamlin and Mr. Spencer are back and it looks like they caught some fish, crab and clams and I think some mussels too, but I don’t really like those! Mmmm, I love clams,” she said, mouth watering at the prospect of a delicious dinner.
“Ya, looks like they caught a bunch, so we should have a good dinner tonight,” Joey agreed.
“Sounds delicious. Hey, I don't mean to be rude, but I really gotta jet, so I'll see you guys later!” Steve said, taking off without waiting for a reply.
Josue and Jenny waved goodbye and continued with their duties.
Steve circled around the Ranger station but didn't spot his cousin. So, he opened the glass door and scanned the waiting room, but it was empty. He followed the dark carpet to the back of the building and opened the Com-room door. As he suspected, Collin Jacobs, his oldest cousin, was working on the computer. Next to him, computer nerd Matty Finch, was walking him through an unfamiliar process.
“Hey, Cully, hey, Matty,” Steve said, looking around to see if anyone else was in there. “You guys seen Alex?”
“Hey, Steve-O. No, not today,” Collin responded, although he didn't take his eyes off the screen. “Like this, Matty?”
Damn,Steve thought,Where is he?
“Hey, Steve,” Matty began to say, but Collin messed up the most recent command. “No, no, no. Here, just let me do it.”
Frustrated, Matty pushed Collin out of the way so he could take over.
“Ahhh, I hate computers,” Collin said, getting up and rubbing his eyes. The hours of staring at a screen were finally catching up to him. He let out a big yawn and stretched his back.
“Please tell me you haven't been in here working all night?” Steve asked.
“No rest for the weary,” Collin replied, limping toward his crutches next to the door. “Hey, Matty, I'm gonna get some coffee. Want any?”
“If we have some tea, I'll take that,” Matty replied, eyes glued to the screen. His fingers moved like lightning over the keyboard.
“Still limping after all this time, huh?” Steve asked, following Collin to the kitchen. “What did Sarah say?”
“What...you mean you don't find out about me and the others during pillow talk?” replied Collin facetiously. “She said that there might be some internal nerve damage or scar tissue, but she can't tell. The rehab is working and walking is fine, it's running that hurts like a bitch. I feel like Dr. House.”
“Add that to the list of TV shows I miss,” Steve said, momentarily reminiscing. “That sucks about the internal damage man, sorry. Keep up with it. I'm sure it'll heal in time.”
“We'll see. But getting shot in the leg is NOT like in the movies, I can tell you that much,” he said, filling up a cup of black coffee. He took a small sip, and nearly spat it out. “Oh man, this stuff tastes terrible...but I guess it isn't as torturous as listening to you and Sarah get it on day and night. You guys are like rabbits. Maybe that's why Alex doesn't sleep in Sweetie anymore.”
Steve smiled and laughed it off. Both he and Sarah did partake in their share of passionate lovemaking. When Collin got to the point about Alex, though, the tone in the room changed.
Even Collin regretted bringing up Alex. Collin knew the real reason why his cousin didn't sleep in the RV anymore. Everything in there reminded Alex all too much of their cousin Billy, who died during their escape six months ago. It pained them all deeply, but to Alex, it killed him.
“Cully, I messed up,” Steve said, pouring a cup for himself. “I forgot about the hunt this morning.”
“Oh no,” Collin began to say, “Are you serious? Steve-O, I don't mean to make you feel like a dick, but that'sallhe was talking about last week. He was so pumped to get out there and relive the old days. I think he even found a bottle of scotch and was gonna do a toast like your dad used to do.”
“I know, I know,” Steve replied dismally. He drank the entire cup of day-old coffee. “Sarah and I overslept…”
“Overslept, huh? I know I was in here all night, but I'm pretty sure I can guess what that means.”
“So Alex came in and dropped off his equipment and was pissed about something. And the worst part is, I didn't even know what he was pissed about. I remembered after he stormed off, and I've been trying to look for him and apologize.”
“You know Alex, he just needs time to cool off. Give him a little space. We'll all talk tonight. We're still on for family night, right?”
“Ya, you're probably right,” Steve said, nodding subtly. “Are you kidding me? When am I ever not down for video games and booze?”
Out of nowhere, the two heard distant yells coming from the Com-room.
“Collin! Collin!” Matty yelled. “Get back here!”
&nbs
p; “Looks like duty is literally calling for you,” Steve said, rinsing his cup in the sink. “Hey, I gotta jet. My shift is starting soon, but I'll see you at dinner tonight. Oh, by the way, this is the updated list from Joey.”
Steve handed Collin the piece of paper and took off for work.
***
Collin gave the list a quick look-over.
Damn, these are lower than I anticipated,he thought. Then, he folded the paper and stuffed it in his pocket.I’ll deal with this later.
The cries from Matty grew increasingly annoying, so Collin finally screamed back, “Coming!”
Without paying attention, Collin turned the corner to crutch his way out of the kitchen and nearly collided with Dr. Diane Phillips.
DP to some, Diane to others, Dr. Diane Phillips worked at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. She was the chief medical officer at the Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. Diane and her subordinate doctors were responsible for studying the infection that was responsible for the worldwide destruction.
“Whoa,” Diane said, barely avoiding being clipped by one of the crutches. “But just the man I wanted to see.”
“Sorry, Di,” Collin said, moving around her. “One of those mornings. Follow me, I'm heading back to the Com-room.”
“You mean one of those sleepless nights, right?” She asked, knowing full well that he had not spent the night with her.
In the six months they had known each other, Collin and Diane had spent countless hours in close proximity to one another. It was only a matter of time before their friendship evolved into an intimate relationship. They weren't officially dating; just appeased each other’s sexual appetite from time to time.
“Sorry, I know I told you I'd sleep in your…” Collin began to say, but got cut off.
The Longest Road (Book 2): The Change Page 4