The Longest Road (Book 2): The Change

by Thompson, A. S.

  “Well now, Harry, it looks like you are going to be useful after all,” Nick said, changing his course to the kitchen. He came back with a protein bar. “Get a U.S. map and mark down every place that still has supplies.”

  “Done!”

  Nick tossed him the bar and said, “Good boy.”

  1449 hours

  Kelly Hanks stood outside the doorway leading in to the sailboat's stateroom. Inside, Lisa lifted up the last box of supplies.

  “I think that's it. I'm gonna do one last sweep, just to make sure we aren't leaving behind anything useful.”

  Kelly grabbed the box and mouthed a big "OKAY" for Lisa to see. She walked on the stained wooden deck and met Collin at the dock.

  “Lisa is making one final pass, but this looks like it's everything.”

  “You girls did a great job,” Collin said, extending his arms to grab the box. “After the service, we are hitting the road. Make sure the girls are good to go. I don't think we are ever going to come back here…”

  Collin stopped talking because it appeared that Kelly wasn't paying attention.

  She was listening, but her eyes were focused out into the ocean.

  “What is that? Look! Out there!” Kelly exclaimed, using her hands to block the sun. “I think I see a boat!”

  Collin set the box down and similarly shaded his eyes.

  “I think you're right. I wonder who it could be?”

  “Other survivors maybe? Look inside the box, there should be a pair of binoculars, I think.”

  Collin unfolded the flaps and located the binoculars. He pulled the black caps off the lenses, and then targeted the boat. At first, Collin wasn't sure, then after focusing the image to his eyesight, it became clear as day.

  “Son of a bitch,” Collin said, smiling. He handed the binoculars to Kelly. “See for yourself.”

  “Is that Alex?” Kelly asked, unsure of who she was seeing. “Didn't they leave in the pickup truck?”

  Collin started waving his arms to signal the approaching boat. “Yes it is, and yes they did. Must have run into a problem, but it doesn't matter. They are back!”

  By the time the fishing boat hit the dock, fifteen minutes had elapsed. With the exception of Harry and Steve, everyone from Camp came out to welcome the group's return. The atmosphere was like that of a homecoming parade for a soldier. Hoots, hollers and whistles filled the coastal air. Despite their own bad luck, their faces wore bright smiles; excited for their friends' overdue return.

  “Welcome back, cuz!” Collin said, embracing Alex not even a second after he hopped off. “You guys are a sight for sore eyes. I can't tell you how glad we all are to see you!”

  “You too,” Alex replied, pulling away from the hug. He looked out at the campsite. He didn’t need Collin’s binoculars to notice the circular cage, the scattered debris and the devastated landscape. “What the hell happened here?”

  Collin temporarily ignored Alex’s question to help Eddy and Matty off the boat.

  “It's great to see you guys!”

  “You too!” Eddy replied, stretching his legs. “Damn it feels good to be on land again.”

  “It's just good to not be surrounded by infected,” Matty added.

  Then, Collin got back to Alex's question. “I'll fill you guys in on the details later, but it's not good. Long story short, a biker gang overran us. Minus Steve, this is everyone who made it.”

  Alex's mouth dropped in disbelief. Eddy’s eyes opened just as wide. Matty stood there, unable to process the gravity of the situation.

  Nick stepped forward and added his own account.

  “We tried to put up a fight, but they destroyed us. Had it not been for West here, we would all be done for,” Nick finished, patting Craig West on the shoulder.

  Alex looked confused.

  “West? You mean Eli? When did we start giving people nicknames? I knew I shouldn’t have left!”

  “My name is West, Craig West, actually. That is a long story, too. I'll debrief you later.”

  “Debrief me later...Oooooookay,” Alex replied, still confused. He directed his next question to Collin. “So what's the game plan? Rebuild or are we still planning on sailing out of here?”

  “Rebuild? Yes, but not here. We are getting ready to take off.”

  Matty ran his hands through his hair for the tenth time. He was beginning to process everything. He didn't mean to interrupt, the questions just came spouting out.

  “Take off? What do you mean? Where are we going?”

  It hit Collin that the others probably hadn't heard the President's broadcast. They had not heard the message of a vaccine and deployment zones. But, before Collin could answer, the next set of survivors exited.

  Charlie led Ally, Marilyn, and her son, Christopher, off the fishing boat. By now, Dylan had turned off the boat, and took up the rear. They huddled next to one another at the end of the dock.

  Collin leaned over to Alex.

  “Uh, who are these people?”

  “Oh shit, introductions. Right,” Alex said, hitting himself on the head. “Everyone, this is Charlie, Dylan, his sister, Ally, and these two are Marilyn and Chris.” Alex thought about introducing everyone on Camp's side, but shook his head. “You all can introduce yourselves.”

  Collin waved hello and introduced himself, then peered inside the boat.

  “Diane!” he shouted. “Diane, where are you? Get out here! What's she doing in there? Going over her notes or something?”

  Both Eddy and Matty looked to Alex. Neither was prepared to deliver the news.

  Alex grabbed Collin by the shoulder, and led him away from the others. “Collin,” Alex started to say, his voice somber and saddened. He shook his head ever so slightly. “I'm so sorry...”

  Collin pulled away. At first, he thought Alex was playing a crude joke.

  “Quit messin’, dick. Where is she? Diane, would you come out already…”

  “Cully...she...she didn't make it,” Alex said, embracing his cousin. “I'm so sorry, brother.”

  Collin's lower lip quivered. He looked at the boat one final time and then his eyes passed over everyone else. They just stood there. Some shocked. Others, those who didn't know Diane, bit their lips and waited awkwardly. No one knew how to respond to the news. Collin hoped that this was the worst prank of all time. But it wasn't. Diane was not aboard.

  “No,” he whispered. “Di...Wha-what happened?”

  Alex released his hug and stepped back.

  “It all got so crazy, so fast,” he said, pacing and shaking his head. “Man they were everywhere. Hundreds. Thousands. She went back for her notes, while we held them off. But there were just too many of them. We were overrun, we had to retreat. She made it to the door. But they got her. There was nothing we could do. I am so sorry, Cully.”

  Collin looked up at the sky. He inhaled deep, and then attempted to exhale the hurt away. Then, he closed his eyes and pinched his tear ducts.

  “At least you guys made it.”

  “The vaccine,” Nick started to ask, “was Diane successful? Do we have the vaccine?”

  Again, Alex was forced to be the bearer of bad news.

  “No. We don't. Before she died…,” Alex paused. Out of sensitivity, he changed his words. “Before we had to evacuate, Diane told me that she was almost there. She said she needed just a little more time. I'm not sure what else she had to do, though. And whatever it was, along with all of her notes and samples were lost up there.”

  Collin shook his head. “Just my luck.”

  He couldn't help but find humor in the disastrous outcome. His girlfriend, dead. The vaccine, same.

  “It's gonna be okay!” Alex said to Collin. Then, he began to pace up and down the dock. His next words were for everyone, to raise their spirits, to rally them. “We just have to keep moving forward! We will find a cure! It might be a week from now or a year from now, but one of these days we will find one!”

  “I want to believe,” Collin said, raisi
ng his bandaged hand. “But I just don't know anymore.”

  “What happened?” Alex asked, coming back to Collin. “What's wrong?”

  Nick answered for him. “Collin got bit, saving my life.”

  “What? Cully, is that true? You're infected? When?”

  Collin nodded.

  “Last night. It's coming up on twenty-four hours.”

  “Doesn't Trinity take over in forty-eight? What are we gonna do?”

  “That's why we are leaving. Apparently, you guys didn't hear. President Tufase came on the radio with an emergency broadcast. He said they have a vaccine, and will be deploying it at designated drop sites. The first one is just outside of Boise.”

  “Idaho? What is that, like a thousand miles?” he asked, knowing full well he failed geography. “What the hell are we waiting for? Let's get going!”

  “It's around seven hundred,” West corrected. “I need another hour or two on the RV. A couple stray rounds hit the engine block. I’ve almost got her running.”

  A voice came from the secluded group of WHO survivors. It was Charlie. He assumed the role of leader and took a step forward.

  “Well, since we’re all done enjoying our cruise, we can help with whatever you need, eh.” He paused to hear something from Dylan. He listened intently, nodded, and then continued. “Dylan here, says that if you need help with your RV he can help. He worked on our LAV's in the army.”

  West had already observed the Canadian tattoos on Dylan's triceps.

  “Canadian Army, huh? What do you think, Travis? Should we give 'em a pass?”

  Travis chuckled.

  “Not everyone can be perfect I guess. They seem harmless enough.”

  “Harmless, eh? Look here hoser...”

  The playful banter between the two countries' retired armed forces went on for some time. Like every military, even among its own individual forces, there was trash talking, one-upping, and stories of why they were the best and the bravest. After the lighthearted joking subsided, both sides extended handshakes and half-hugs, welcoming the others. The new group seemed to integrate with the ease of old friends reuniting. Lisa, Kelly and Jenny personally welcomed Ally, Marilyn and Christopher while the military men behaved like boys.

  For a moment, it seemed as though nothing was wrong. Like the world was back to normal and life was as it was before.

  Alex and Collin stood shoulder to shoulder, taking it all in.

  “So where’s Steve?” Alex asked. “Busy getting Sweetie ready or something?”

  Alex's question caught the ears of the others. This time, the sides were reversed. Travis, Nick and West’s smiles disappeared as they looked to Collin to divulge that painful truth.

  “He's with Sarah...”

  Alex didn't understand why Collin sounded so heartbroken.

  1619 hours

  “Sarah was an amazing girl,” Alex said, finding a place in the sand between his two cousins. “She was taken far too soon.”

  Collin agreed without hesitation.

  “She sure was.”

  Steve said nothing. He pressed against the dressing that covered the bullet wound as he stared beyond the low tide's gentle break, out at the last sliver of sun. Within seconds, the orange lights appeared to be sucked into the dark blue.

  Alex lifted up a half-full bottle of Glenfiddich and said, “After our last couple of days, I figured we could all use some of this.”

  He popped the cork off the bottle of whiskey, took a sip, and then handed it to Steve.

  Steve consumed two large gulps, and then passed it over to Collin.

  Alex broke the silence. “I have a confession, guys…”

  “You coming out of the closet?”

  “Haha, set myself up for that. Good one, Cully.” Then, he paused and took a deep breath before continuing. “Ever since Billy died, I felt so alone. I started hating...everything. This world, this fucking gypsy-style life. Hell, even you guys! My own flesh and blood. I guess I was jealous. You had people and were happy, and I hated that you did and I wasn't. Childish, I know...It's funny because I knew how I was feeling, but I didn't care. I was like a real life version of Darth Vader. It just felt easier to hate, ya know?”

  “Vader? Really?” Collin interrupted. He chuckled at the Star Wars reference. “It's cool, Alex, we forgive you. Don't we, Steve?”

  There was no reply as Steve's mind was obviously elsewhere.

  “Thanks, cuz, but I still need to get this shit off my chest…”

  “That’s what she said!”

  “Haha two for two, bring it in,” Alex said bumping knuckles with Collin. “Mike would be proud.”

  “Last interruption. Sorry, go ahead,” Collin replied, taking a sip of whiskey.

  “On our way back from Vancouver, I had a moment of true clarity, like life kicking me straight in the nads.” He paused to take a sip of liquid courage. “I have been feeling so angry, so lost, so alone, but there was no reason for it. I have been a gigantic dick, and I sincerely apologize. I love you guys. You are my family. I know that you will always be here for me. Mike's gone, and so is Bill, but I still have you guys...”

  Collin rubbed his injured hand, and Alex noticed.

  “...And no, fuck that shit, Cully! You aren't dying! I will not accept that! We are getting to Boise, and we are getting you that cure! I don't care what it takes!”

  “Okay, okay, okay,” Collin replied, handing the bottle back to Alex. “Besides, who would look out for your asses?”

  Alex took another sip and passed it to Steve.

  “I know, right?”

  Steve downed the last of the contents with scary ease.

  “I guess since we are laying it all out in the open, there is something I want to say,” Collin said, grabbing a handful of sand. He let it pass through his hand like an hourglass. “Life is the greatest gift we could ever have. And love is the greatest feeling we could ever embrace…”

  “Cully,” Alex interrupted, “getting a little philosophical are we?”

  “Hey, I didn't interrupt you, did I?”

  “Well, you did question my Vader reference. And with the ‘that’s what she said.’ Sorry, I'm an ass I know, go on.”

  Collin smiled. Alex always was the comedian.

  “I don't have to tell you guys about death. We have all lived through enough for a hundred lifetimes. But like life, loss will always be there. It's the necessary evil. But you can't let it consume you. You don't want to look back on this life with a mind full of regrets and a heart full of hate...”

  Collin was speaking generally, but really hoping to break through to Steve. He could tell that his cousin was in bad shape.

  “...I guess I just want to say that no matter what happens, no matter what shit life dumps on your plate, no matter how bad it hurts or how hard it gets, promise me you'll keep moving forward. Never give up, never settle. Promise me that.”

  Alex didn't take the promise too seriously, but when he looked into his cousin's eyes, his carefree smile disappeared.

  “Ya, man, I promise.”

  “Good. Steve-O?”

  Both Collin and Alex looked to Steve. He was physically there, had been the entire time, but it was as though he was just a shell.

  An awkward silence loomed until he finally spoke.

  “What the fuck does it matter? What the fuck does anything matter? I tell you what, take your 'live life to the fullest, no regrets' bullshit and feed it to someone else.”

  Steve rose to his feet, and started to walk away. “It's time for the service.”

  “What the hell, Steve…” Alex started to say, but Collin held him back.

  “Let him go.”

  Alex let out a low growl.

  “I know Sarah's death is killing him, but it doesn't give him an excuse to be a complete dick to us.”

  “If I recall, you weren't too far from that,” Collin stated matter-of-factly. “I'm not calling you out, just saying that anger speaks differently for people.”
/>
  “Shit...you're right.”

  Both cousins rose to their feet. They brushed the sand off their clothes and wiped their hands clean. Alex started to walk away, but Collin stopped him.

  “Alex, before you go. There is something else...”

  Alex cocked his head to the side.

  “...I know this isn't what you want to hear, but just in case...in case I don't make it. You need to watch out for Steve. He needs family now more than ever. You understand?”

  “Ya, I got it. But you better not be going down that road, especially with all your talk about never giving up,do you understand?”

  “Got it,” Collin chuckled. “Let's go lay our friends to rest.”

  Alex looked down at the shoreline. Lisa Spencer was standing there all alone.

  “Go on without me, Cully. I'll be up there in a minute.”

  Alex trekked through the soft, cold sand, making his way to Lisa. She looked tragically beautiful. Her silhouette against the ocean waves. Standing there all alone, nothing but a flower in her hand. She didn't seem to notice or at the very least care about the cold Washington water as the waves pushed past her feet.

  Despite his efforts to do otherwise, Alex's hand startled her. “Sorry,” he said, positioning himself so Lisa could read his lips. “Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.”

  “It's okay,” she responded. She signed the words out of instinct.

  “I heard about your dad. I know how much he meant to you. I just, I wanted to come over and tell you how sorry I was.”

  “Thanks,” she mumbled, trying to delay tears.

  Alex didn't know what made him do it, but he stepped in and hugged her. She felt his tight embrace and squeezed back just as hard. Then the tears came.

  “I just miss him so much!”

  Alex knew she couldn’t see his lips, but he replied, “I know how you feel. It's going to be okay. Trust me, it will get better.”

  The two stood there for a short while. No words, just the feeling of supportive energy flowing back and forth.

  Lisa gave one last squeeze and then released her grip. The skin surrounding her eyes was red and puffy. She used her long sleeve to wipe the remaining tears away.