by Locke, Linus
“What do you mean ‘all too often’?” Greg asked. Intrigue was washing away the panic. “And before you give me some bullshit answer, I just want you to know that I will need to know what you know. If you expect me to find a way to make this work, then you can’t keep anything from me.”
“Of course, we have no intentions of leaving you in the dark. If you want to bring the child back, we will show you how.” He signaled to Elliot, who stepped over to Greg’s desk and tossed down a manila envelope.
Picking it up, Greg turned it over several times in his hands before opening it. Inside was a folder. He pulled it out and opened it up. “What is all of this?”
“You see, many years back a scientist, very much like yourself, accidentally came across a way to bring people back from the dead. Unfortunately, the energy the body needs to produce to keep a body alive is extraordinarily more than we imagined. Therefore, they would only live for a few minutes, and their bodies would decay rapidly.”
“So you need me to find a way to … essentially fuel the body’s need for energy? Allowing it to stay alive for much longer?”
“From the looks of it, Greg. You need to find a way. I’m not the one with a dead boy on my hands. We’ll be sending you a gift. Expect it to arrive late tonight,” Kyle Granderson said in a tone that ended their meeting.
Greg spent the remainder of the afternoon in his office. He had the jitters so bad he vomited several times. He would wait until everyone has gone home before continuing his research on the boy. Even with everything the president had promised, Greg knew he still needed to do some things on his own before he was ready for whatever assistance they were going to offer him.
“I can’t do it by myself. I can’t do it by myself,” Greg repeated. He paced around his office for several hours the next morning. After three hours of sleep, he often found himself slipping. There is only one person here who has the intelligence required to assist me with this. I can only tell him what he needs to know. Nothing more.
“Good morning,” Brian Sawyer said as he walked into Greg’s office. Brian was the kind of guy who kept his dark-brown hair short, but he was too busy with “real things” to comb it, so it was always a bit of a mess.
Greg jumped up and closed the door. “You’re my most trusted colleague, Brian,” Greg stated as he looked up to the much taller man standing in his office. “I’ve done something terrible, and I need help fixing it.”
“You know I will gladly help you in any way possible. Just let me know what you need.” Brian didn’t know it then, but he would regret those words.
Over the next couple of days Greg and Brian worked almost none stop. Brian went home each night to his family, but Greg stayed behind. He only told Brian half of what was really happening, and Brian only recorded half of the truth, despite his promise that he would record none of it. He never told Brian about the frequent visits from the President. He never told him about the bodies that the President had shipped to the facility in the dark hours of the night. One day, however, Brian found out a little too much.
After Sam returned from the dead, Greg knew that he had either failed or been lied to. The latter seemed more likely. He looked Sam in the face–he looked right into that terrifying face with its dry, gray eyes–and he apologized to the boy. All of his pain and sorrow poured from his body, and he prepared himself to die. Nothing could have prepared him for the pain he was about to suffer.
Chapter 13
Jonathan looked up at Elliot as he swung slowly from the tree. Jonathan had tied him up by his neck with hopes that as he decayed, the weight of his rotting body would someday fall from his head. At least for a while, Elliot would not rest. Not yet. Although Jonathan knew it was no longer the same person in the body, he figured this would be the only punishment he could provide.
For as long as his neck would hold out, Elliot would hang from this tree. The fiend Elliot groaned and reached for Jonathan as he stood below him. “At least I gave you a nice view,” Jonathan said as he looked down the interstate toward Denver. “Perhaps someone will come along and release you from the flesh that binds you to this world.”
“I don’t disagree with what you’ve done, Jonathan. You’ve seen firsthand that I would have done the same thing. Do you really think it’s a good idea leaving him like that?” Laikynn confronted Jonathan as he climbed into the passenger side of the Jeep. She knew that she had done similar things, even worse things, but seeing someone else do these things made her realize how horrible of a person she could be.
“He deserves far worse. Even after that painful death, he deserves to continue suffering.”
“I agree with that, as well, but there i-“
“You kept them in cages,” Jonathan interrupted. “You could have put them down. Now look at what has happened.”
Laikynn felt her heart ache and had a salty taste in her mouth. Without another word she drove back to the devastated town.
Jonathan looked out the window but didn’t really see anything. Could what Elliot said about my father be true?
Guillermo walked through the pile of bodies, driving Kadavre into the skulls of any dead body that even twitched a finger. It was an awful job, but he knew that someone had to do it, and he understood it would be harder for someone who really knew these people. He watched as Eric and the others fenced off the opening in the common area where the wall had been knocked down. It probably wouldn’t be repaired until spring.
As the headlight beams coming toward him caused his shadow to grow over the common area, Guillermo pictured himself as a giant, stomping on the fiends and keeping everyone safe. A laugh escaped him as he realized that he would be a giant who likes to grow vegetables. “Alegre Gigante Verde,” he said. He didn’t use Spanish very often, but in this situation it had to be done. It was a silly thought for a grown man to have, but he didn’t want to lose sight of who he was, and he was the type of person to name weapons and think silly thoughts in order to keep a smile on his face. What little happiness there was left in this world could go a long way toward helping everyone.
Jonathan hopped out of the Jeep and walked toward his friend. “How are you doing?”
“Good,” Guillermo responded. He looked at Jonathan with concern. “How are you? And don’t lie to me, my friend.”
“I am fine, Guillermo.”
“I don’t’ think so. I saw another person in you tonight.”
“Is that bad?” Jonathan asked, knowing what his friend was talking about. “I think I learned something tonight, Guillermo.”
“What’s that?”
“This world is the same as it has always been. There are still bad people, there are good people, and there are dead people. I do not want to be bad or dead,” Jonathan explained. “But mostly, I do not want to be dead.”
“I don’t either,” Guillermo thought out loud rather than answered.
“When I look at you, Guillermo,” he said while looking at the bodies his friend was walking through. “I see a man who is strong enough to do what needs to be done. I have to be strong enough, also.” He looked over at Laikynn as she made her own rounds through the bodies. “If that means I have to be a bad person to keep good people safe … than that is what I am going to do.”
“You’re not a bad person, Jonathan. Just remind me never to piss you off.”
Jonathan smiled a thin smile and laughed a short, quiet laugh, but Guillermo would take it as that little bit of happiness Jonathan may need today.
“I wish Tyler and Layla were here, man. I miss them already,” Guillermo said.
A knot formed in Jonathan’s throat. “I was not strong enough to keep them safe before. If I had a second chance, Guillermo, I would keep them alive.”
“What do you mean?” came a voice from behind them. It startled them both.
Jonathan looked at Brew Master Eric. “Our friends were in there.” He nodded at the common area. “I am so sorry for sounding selfish. I know your friends were, as well.”
/> “Look around, Jon. Do you see anything missing?” Eric asked with a sad yet crooked smile. There was sorrow in his eyes, along with kindness and wisdom.
Jonathan and Guillermo both turned in a circle, unsure of what they were supposed to see. “I do not understand what I am looking for?”
Eric pointed to the lot where they parked the cars. “Do you see it now?”
They examined the lot, and Jonathan’s heart skipped a beat as he noticed what he was saying. “The Prius.”
“I sent your friends away before the shit really hit the fan,” Eric said.
“Thank you,” Jonathan said as he reached to shake the man’s hand. “Where did you send them?”
Eric looked to Laikynn. He was sure he could trust them after what they had all been through, but he didn’t feel it was his place to say.
“We have friends in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They’ll be safe there. We made the plans to send them before this happened, as we’re not equipped to deliver or care for a baby here,” Laikynn assured them. “They would have left right after you, but we made the call to send them as soon as we realized this was happening. Right now we need to protect that baby.”
“Is that where the rest of you will head now?” Jonathan’s question stung Laikynn. She had hoped he would ask her to go with him. She would decline of course, for she had many things that needed to be done, but to be asked would mean so much to her.
“No,” she responded sternly. “We need this town–this location. We will remain here and rebuild. Then send for others when the time is right.”
“What do you mean you need this location?” asked Jonathan.
“Nothing to concern yourself with, Jonathan. You two need to get some rest. I’ll wake you in a few hours, when the sun rises. And you can be on your way.” Laikynn turned away. She did a great job of hiding the pain she felt. While Jonathan and Guillermo slept, she burned the common area and every body that was in it. The fire grew so hot it melted the snow for thirty feet around the building, but it filled the mountain with the wretched scent of burning flesh.
The fire in the common area was still burning when Laikynn walked into her small house to wake up Jonathan and Guillermo. The light of the flames flickered through the windows, giving off the illusion that she had cast the light from her burning red hair. It was six in the morning, and the sun hadn’t risen yet. She sat down gently on the bed next to Jonathan. He was on his side facing away from her. She decided not to wake him, instead she walked to the couch and woke Guillermo and left before he could wake Jonathan.
“Jonathan. It’s time to go,” Guillermo said as he rocked Jonathan with his foot.
“Why are you kicking me?” Jonathan asked, still groggy and not ready to wake up.
“We have to move. If we leave now we can be in Iowa tonight, assuming, of course, that the way is clear.” Guillermo assured him. “I’ll drive first so you can sleep a bit longer. Let’s go.”
Jonathan sat up slowly and rubbed his forehead. His eyes hurt, and he knew he needed more sleep than what he had. He could also tell that Guillermo needed more sleep also. “Are you sure? You look tired, as well.”
“I’ll be good for a few hours. Then you can take over driving.”
“Where is Laikynn?” Jonathan asked as they stepped out of her house.
“I haven’t seen her,” Guillermo lied.
“She left a few hours ago,” Brew Master Eric stated. “Made a run down south to pick up some things. She’ll be back in a few days.”
“She did not stick around to say goodbye?” Jonathan asked. Now he was the one feeling hurt.
“I’m sorry, but she has to be quick, Jonathan. You understand.” Eric said as he tried to comfort the teen.
“Of course,” Jonathan said. “We better be going. Tell her I will come back.”
“I’ll let her know. I took the liberty of fueling up your BMW. You will also find that all of your ammo is replenished. There are a few extra rifles in back, and I topped off your gas cans in the trunk. I had some guys run into Denver a few days back and grab stuff for an oil change. I wasn’t sure how long it has been, but you should be good for a while now. Good luck.” Eric said as he shook their hands.
“Thank you,” said Jonathan.
“It was great to meet you, my friend,” Guillermo said. “I hope we meet again.”
“Likewise,” said Eric.
Jonathan climbed into the passenger’s seat of the BMW and looked back at the two AR-15 assault rifles on the back seat and the two ammo boxes on the floor. He was kind of glad they hadn’t put the .50 cal in here. He didn’t want to see it again. But it was the first time that back seat was empty of anyone else since they left Clay Hills. He looked out the window at Guillermo, perhaps there would be someone going with them after all.
“I can’t leave right now, Guillermo. I have to help out here first. I’ll be waiting for you when you come back this way,” Reese said.
“I don’t know where we will go after we get to Iowa, but I promise to come back.” Guillermo wrapped her in his arms and they hugged for what seemed like forever, but when it was over Guillermo knew it happened way too fast.
Guillermo climbed in the BMW and Jonathan looked at him. “I guess it is just you and I, brother.”
“That just means there is no one to slow us down now,” Guillermo responded. He didn’t shed any tears, but Jonathan could see he was heartbroken by leaving Reese behind.
I know how you feel, Jonathan thought.
Guillermo backed the BMW up as Jonathan laid the seat back. Jonathan pressed the buttons in the center console to activate the heaters in the seats while they waited for the engine to warm up enough to warm the inside of the car. Just for fun, Guillermo pressed the gas down hard and watched as what little bit of snow was loose enough rooster-tailed in the air. Jonathan smiled and drifted off to sleep.
“He sounded like he was coming back for you,” Eric said without looking at Laikynn as she walked up beside him. “I think he cares for you, Laikynn. You know that he has something he has to do. He didn’t ask you to go because he wants you to be safe.”
“I’m not even worried about that,” Laikynn lied.
Eric looked at her, staring through that lie. “That’s why you didn’t see him off. Besides, you weren’t sent here to fall in love. You have other orders.”
Laikynn stepped ahead of Eric with Reese walking up next to her. Laikynn put her arm around Reese and pulled her close to her side. The car was out of sight, but the engine could still be heard in the distance. “May misfortune follow you the rest of your life, and never catch up.”
Chapter 14
“You shaved!” Mark stated more than asked.
“Of course, I’m heading home to see my wife. I can’t go looking like a bum now can I?” Deacon replied as he walked out onto the deck by the pool. He had also lost some weight; both men had, as Deacon only brought enough supplies for one person and a little extra for emergencies.
“I feel like we have been on this damn boat for a year,” exclaimed Mark.
“Hey now! This is a good yacht, and I told you it’s like a ten day boat ride between Hawaii and California. We are almost there though. Besides, you were the one who wanted to tag along. You see that?” Deacon pointed to a small bump of land in the water. “There are a couple small islands about twenty-five to thirty miles off the coast of California. That’s them. Three hours longer or so.”
“Is anyone alive on the islands?” Mark cupped his hands over his eyes for a better view before Deacon handed him a pair of binoculars.
“I doubt it. When I first came out I drifted close to Avalon on Santa Catalina. Looked like everyone there was dead. Probably had too many people seek shelter there. It seems like a safe place to go with so much of the island being uninhabited. I once met a couple that survived, amazingly I might add, on Alcatraz. They said it was horrible. So many people rushed the ferry looking for safety, and only a few made it off alive.”
Mark decided to change the subject by asking, “Where is our stop?”
“We will anchor down a few miles off the coast of Clay Hills. Then take the boat to shore. I can’t wait to wrap my arms around Sophia and the twins. I didn’t think I’d care much for the twins; I’ve never cared much to have children. I especially never thought I’d take in a couple of orphans, you know? I’ve only known them a short time but I feel like they’re my own.”
“It must be nice to have a family,” Mark said as he thought back on his own parents. He wouldn’t have known, but his parents were on the other side of the country wandering the streets near Myrtle Beach. His mother carried a child’s liver in her right hand; it had been there so long it had dried in place. His father dragged his legless corpse through the sandy beach.
Deacon found Mark’s comment to be slightly disheartening, so he thought it best to not respond. He walked back to the top of the yacht and looked out through the windows. He looked at the gauges and compasses, dials and knobs. There weren’t many of them, and he didn’t know what half of them were for, but he enjoyed looking at them. He went back to watching for a good place to drop the anchor and leave the yacht. Hopefully it would be too far out for anyone to come after.
“Well. This is it. Clay Hills.” Deacon looked pleased to be back to California, and so close to home.
“So why does an Australian move to California anyway?” Mark asked.
“God bless America?” This was more of a humorous question then an answer. “I told you, mate. I came here to be a firefighter.”
“Bullshit,” Mark retorted. “You told me your firefighter story twice in the past ten days. You also told me the story of your aunt and uncle … three times. It isn’t a coincidence that your firefighter pals have the same names as your family.”
“How about you don’t freaking worry about it,” Deacon demanded. “If you want to come with me you need to shut your damn mouth. Right here–the green Tundra.”
“Nice truck!” Mark said excitedly as he followed Deacon across the beach and up into the parking lot. “This thing is a beast. How far from here?”