The Last Mile Trilogy

by Jacqueline Druga

  “You were attacked by a mob. Are you sure you didn’t hit your head?” Ray asked.

  “Why are you asking me that?”

  “Because you said you were in Pittsburgh and everyone in the world dropped dead.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well.” Ray pulled up a chair. “You’re in Dallas. And the only thing that hit the world was the shock of Kennedy being killed yesterday.”

  “What … what?” Bishop sat up more.

  “Yes. You were trampled in the hysteria.”

  “It’s … it’s not 1965.”

  “What?” Ray asked. “Why would you say 1965?”

  “That’s when Kennedy was killed.”

  “Get the fuck out of here. Man, don’t you pay attention. The assassination happened in 1963.”

  “And you’re saying I’m in 1963.”

  “Yep.”

  “Did I time travel?” Bishop asked.

  “Not that I know of. You may have air traveled, or drove here.”

  “I’m in Dallas in 1963?” Bishop said in shock. “How did that happen?”

  Robi’s voice answered, “It didn’t.” With a chuckle and shake of her head she walked in the room. “Ray’s messing with you. He said he was going to, I told him not to. You’re so bad, Ray.” Robi smiled and extend her hand to Bishop. “Robi Pierce. You are?”

  “Bishop Dean.”

  “Nice to meet you, Bishop. Glad we don’t have to refer to you as Stranger Guy.”

  Ray added, “Or Ranger Spy.”

  “Huh?” Robi chuckled. “Anyhow, Bishop, how are you feeling?”

  “Just a little sore,” Bishop answered. “That’d be it.”

  “The bite wasn’t bad,” Robi said. “It was the infection we had to try to beat. You had a really high fever, but we were able to combat it.”

  “The dog bite?” Bishop asked.

  Robi nodded. “The dogs were infected with the virus differently. It made them rabid, and slightly mutated. You haven’t run into any dogs at all?”

  “No,” Bishop shook his head. “Then again, I really just started venturing out. Where am I?”

  Ray answered, “Fort Pierce.”

  “I’m at an Army base?”

  Ray shook his head. “No, that’s what we call this place. Because we have it locked down and tight. Dogs attack. Cats, too, but they are freaky when they hit. Plus there were the few infected that didn’t die with the drop. They’re kind of like the dogs.”

  “Oh, my God. Maybe it was just big cities. I’m from Buffalo, but I locked myself up for a while. I mean the apartments in my building gave me the food ….” he sat up. “There are people that got sick and didn’t die? It is like the movie Omega Man?”

  Robi snickered. “That’s good. Sort of.”

  Ray added, “They remind me of zombies, but they aren’t dead.”

  “We’ve tried to help a few,” Robi said.

  Bishop asked, “Did it help?”

  Robi shook her head.

  “No,” Ray intervened, “in a way it did. When we introduced the anti viral, they died.”

  “Are you feeling strong enough to get up? Maybe eat something?” Robi asked.

  “Yes, I’d like that,” Bishop replied. “But there’s something you need to know.”

  Both Robi and Ray knew what was coming.

  “I had a …”

  Robi interrupted his sentence with a shake of her head. “Juanita?”

  “Yes. Yes.” Bishop answered. “Juanita.”

  “You called her name,” Robi said.

  Solemn, Ray laid a hand on Bishop’s shoulder. “We couldn’t find her. We looked.”

  “Then she’s out there. If you knew what she meant to me. We have to find her.”

  Robi nodded. “Maybe once you’re strong enough … but we went out twice. And Bishop, I’m sorry, the chances of her being in one piece after …”

  “Robi.” Ray softly scolded. “Come on, be sensitive.”

  “I’m sorry,” Robi said.

  Bishop shook his head. “No, you’re right. I know what the dog did to me. There’s no way she would make it. Let alone be in one piece.”

  Robi shifted her eyes to Ray, “And you told me to be what?”

  Ray waved out a hand to her. “Why don’t you head down to the kitchen? I’ll help Bishop get dressed, and we’ll meet you.”

  “Sounds good.” Robi patted Bishop’s knee. “Glad you’re fine and are with us. Everyone is anxious to meet you.”

  “Everyone?” Bishop asked. “How many?”

  Robi answered, “There are six of us. We’ll see you in the kitchen.”

  After she was gone, Bishop looked up to Ray. “She seems nice.”

  “At times.” Ray handed him some clothes. “Manny sent these. You’re about the same size.”

  “Thank you.” Bishop took them and stood. “God, you’re tall. Did you play basketball?”

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “You’re tall.”

  “I sucked at it. Besides, basketball is too violent. I’m passive.” Ray, with folded arms gave an intimating smile to Bishop.

  <><><><>

  “So this was a church,” Bishop said as he walked down the hall with Ray.

  “Still is,” Ray replied. “You’ll have your own room. I think Greek was preparing it. Not sure.”

  “Greek, is that his first name? Last name?”

  “Nickname. Long story. Nice guy. He’s our brainiac. If we were Gilligan’s Island, he’d be the professor. Of course, Robi’s pretty smart, but she doesn’t like it to show. Gives all the credit to Doc.”

  “The guy who took care of me?” Bishop asked.

  “That’s what Robi will tell you, we all know better. So will you once you meet Doc.”

  “I’m excited. And I can smell food.”

  “We eat all right.”

  “Barbecue?”

  “Excuse me?” Ray asked.

  “The smell of barbecue is what brought me in your direction.”

  “Oh, we were burning dogs. Manny made rice. He makes good rice.”

  “I look forward to it, I am hungry.”

  “I bet, and Stranger Guy...” Ray stopped him. “I really am sorry about Juanita. I know what you’re going through. I’ll help you search when you’re feeling up to it.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  After a firm squeeze of support to Bishop’s shoulder, Ray turned him into the kitchen.

  It was a large cafeteria-style kitchen with a huge metal table set up.

  All but Nick were present.

  “Everyone,” Ray called for their attention. “This is Bishop. Though he got injured, he found us via our dog burn fest.”

  Robi seated at the head of the table, stood and pulled out a chair for Bishop. “Manny made his English Rice.”

  Bishop paused in sitting. “English Rice?”

  Robi shrugged. “That’s what he named it. It’s what he calls any rice dish that has stuff thrown in it. Very good.”

  The thinner younger man set a huge pot on the table. “I made extra. I’m Manny.” He wiped off his hand and shook with Bishop.

  Greek leaned from across the table and extended his hand. “Jim, but everyone calls me Greek.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Bishop shook hands.

  Silence.

  Bishop sat, and then looked at the much older man seated diagonal from him. He had to be at least eighty-five. His hair silver and tossed. “And you must be Doc,” Bishop said.

  No answer.

  Greek gave Doc a nudge. “The Stranger Guy is talking to you.”

  “Oh.” Doc turned around.

  “You must be Doc,” Bishop repeated.

  “Birch trees don’t bloom in June,” Doc replied. “At least I don’t think. Early spring. Who ever told you that was off their rocker.”

  Bishop just stared.

  Doc slammed his hand to the table. “Why you looking at me like I’m a moron?”

  “I’m con
fused.”

  “Figures.” Doc huffed. “Isn’t that what you asked me?”

  Greek intervened. “Um, I asked that.”

  Doc huffed again. “Then dag nab it, why’d you tell me Stranger Guy was talking to me?”

  Bishop spoke, “I was. I asked if you were Doc.”

  “No!” Doc barked. “Ain’t my name. All these Ninnies call me that because they can’t recall my name. It’s Alfred.”

  Everyone sang out, “Oh” at the same time.

  Ray snapped his finger. “I knew it was something like that.”

  Robi nodded. “Alfred.”

  Doc looked perturbed. “See what I mean?” He fluttered his lips and saliva sprayed everywhere.

  Bishop tried a not-to-be-rude-inconspicuous swipe across his own face. “Yes.”

  “Just call me Doc. Everyone else does.”

  “Thank you,” Bishop said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Well, can’t say that I do know him,” Doc said, “but let me think on that one?”

  Robi leaned into Bishop said in a whisper, “Just nod.”

  Bishop nodded.

  “Hey!” Nick entered the kitchen. “Am I late?”

  Suddenly, Doc sprang up from the table with a heavy point at Nick. “How many times have I told you? Don’t bring that backstabber in here with you, Boy! He’s lying to you.”

  “Sorry.” Nick hunched and turned left, speaking to no one. “Sorry, Dude, you have to go. You know Doc’s rules.” Nick nodded. “Bye.”

  Doc sat down. “Thank you.”

  “Not a problem,” Nick pulled up a chair on the other side of Bishop. “Nick.” He extended his hand, and then sat down. “Sorry I’m late. I wanted to find this.” He handed the backpack to Bishop. “I saw it out on the street and thought maybe it was yours.”

  “Damn it, Nick,” Robi scolded. “I told you not to go by yourself out there.”

  Ray lifted his hand. “I was with him.”

  Before Robi could say anymore, Bishop gasped loudly with happiness.

  “Oh, my God.” He grinned. “It’s my bag.” He hugged it. “Oh my God. Thank you.”

  “Not a problem,” Nick said and adjusted his seat.

  Immediately following the unzipping of his bag, Bishop shrieked, “You found her!”

  Silence hit the table.

  He pulled the ceramic head from the bad. “She’s in one piece. Juanita.”

  Forks dropped, eating ceased, and everyone stared.

  Finally, Robi spoke up. “That’s Juanita?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, my God.” She sat back. “We were looking for a person.”

  “Dude,” Nick said, “you spazzed out over a head?”

  “Not just any head,” Bishop replied, “Juanita. She belonged to my parents. You can say she’s been an icon in my family forever.”

  Ray nodded with an exhale. “Whew. Here I thought, you were you know …Gone.”

  “No.” Bishop shook his head. “I’m sane. Aren’t I, Juanita?” He paused and in a higher voice said, “Yes, sí.”

  Bishop looked around. He didn’t quite fully understand why everyone stared at him so oddly, but they did.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The large rectangular room served as a recreation room slash living room, and they sat around in a circle on the furniture. After politely declining an invitation to stay in Fort Pierce, Bishop had been asked where he was heading. With his reply of “Utopia” he had everyone’s attention. “Yeah,” Bishop continued, “that’s where I’m heading. Utopia. But thanks for the offer to stay. I appreciate it.”

  Manny had to ask, “Utopia?” He watched as Robi stood and without saying anything left the room.

  “That’s where everyone went, you know. To Utopia.”

  Manny shook his head. “I never heard of a city called Utopia.”

  “It’s not named Utopia,” Ray intervened. “I think that’s what Bishop is calling it. A utopia is a perfect world where everything works the way you want and you have everything that you need.”

  Manny chuckled. “Utopia doesn’t exist.”

  Robi entered the room with her comment, “It does or at least it did. We don’t know.” She walked to the coffee table in the middle of the circle. “Here. So-Cal. Remember. We named it that.” She showed Bishop a map. “Here’s where we think it is.”

  Bishop took the map. “That’s like where I pinpointed it, too.”

  Ray smirked. “Well, man, if you were listening they gave latitude and longitude.”

  Doc called out, “The big mistake.”

  Giving a look of ‘ignore him’ Robi spoke, “We had it marked and mapped, too. Not that I was really keen on joining up.”

  Ray laughed. “I think it’s because Robi likes to say what goes.”

  Bishop asked, “Is that why you’re still here? Is that why you didn’t go?”

  “No,” Robi said and rolled the map, “we didn’t go because the signal stopped.”

  “Maybe your radio died like mine.”

  “Your radio didn’t die,” Robi said, “they stopped sending messages.”

  Doc cried out, “They stopped sending messages because they’re all dead. Goddamn aliens.”

  Robi waved out her hand.

  Bishop asked, “Did you try to contact them?”

  Robi shook her head.

  Doc commented, “No! Why we gonna make the same mistake. Give the goddamn aliens a signal to lock on to.”

  Robi shrugged. “Doc destroyed all microphone capabilities. We could have replenished, but, out of respect …”

  “And because,” Ray added, “on the outside chance his hair brain theory was right, we were being cautious.”

  Doc slammed his hand. “It isn’t hair brain.” He stood up. “You know I’m right. I seen that virus under the microscope. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. Or the effects. Ask Robi Cop, she’ll tell you.”

  Robi was calm. “It was no virus. We don’t know …”

  “Came from outer space, I tell you,” Doc said. “We have a lush and fertile planet. What if we were faced with total environment breakdown? Huh? Well, if we had the technology, we might go look elsewhere. Another planet maybe. So, what’s to say another planet didn’t scope us out? We have all the resources, except they’re tied up and being used by people. If you wanted to move into a house and it was infested with rats, you’d call an exterminator to wipe them out initially, and then hit the ones as they trail in. Well, them goddamn aliens did just that. That virus was their exterminator, now they picking us off one by one. They picked that signal up from So Cal. And now they’re all dead.”

  Everyone moaned.

  “No, I’m telling you. Think about it.”

  Ray said, “We did.”

  “Then ya didn’t think hard enough,” Doc said. “No edible animals died. And those who could take the animal resources are disappearing completely. Clean house.”

  In shock, and wonder, Bishop whispered, “Dude. Whoa. That is the most plausible explanation I have heard yet for this whole mess. Whoa.” Bishop slowly stood up. “Now this whole thing makes sense.”

  “Christ,” Ray laughed. “Him and Doc will be good friends. He talks to a head, Doc talks to air.”

  “Aliens,” Doc corrected, “they astral project.”

  Robi stood. “I’m making coffee. Anyone want some?”

  “What?” Bishop asked looking around. “None of you believe Doc? It sounds plausible.”

  Doc replied, “No, they don’t believe me. Pretend they do. Hey, you wanna head to my room and I’ll show you the evidence I gathered up.”

  “Doc,” Ray interjected, “I’m sure the man has better …”

  “Love to,” Bishop answered Doc. “Please.”

  “Good.” Doc waved his hand in a ‘follow me’ fashion, “Let’s go. Bring your girlfriend; she’ll probably want to hear it, too.”

  “Right behind you.” Bishop lifted Juanita from the table, and clutching her in his arms
he followed Doc.

  In the after moment of their departure, Ray waved his finger. “Oh, we got a good one.”

  Manny suggested, “Maybe he’s open minded.”

  “I like that he talks to the head,” Nick said.

  With the close of a book, Greek caught their attention. “In thinking of this …”

  “Oh, he speaks,” Ray commented

  “I was reading,” Greek defended. “So-Cal, whether there is a base community or not, would be the ideal place for us to go. Ocean, fish, better weather, fertile land.”

  Robi nodded. “And we plan on going there eventually, right. After we gather enough stock.”

  “So why wait?” Greek asked.

  Robi chuckled. “Because you suggested we wait. You said we’d be like the pioneers again. Crossing a deserted land.”

  “Yeah, but I wasn’t thinking,” Geek said. “We have all the resources at our disposal. We could gather what we needed on the way. We should go. Before winter hits. Before the weather gets bad.”

  Ray asked, “Why now? Why the change of heart?”

  “Because that boy has a map. A map of every single living person that called that television. I say we take that map, chart a better course because he was going round and round in circles, and we head to So Cal, find survivors and what we need along the way.”

  “So you’re saying,” Robi said, “move the plan along? Set a course pack up and all seven of us head across the country in hopes of finding survivors and Utopia?”

  Greek shook his head. “Eight of us. Can’t forget Juanita.” He winked. “Think about it.”

  <><><><>

  A boy and his dog.

  How delightful.

  In the darkness of the evening, the moon oddly bright, Robi watched through the door window as Nick played with Sparky.

  The tiny semi mutated Yorkshire terrier was on a thick metal leash and pounced semi normally when Nick would toss a stick. Sparky would grab it, and with a violent twitch of its head, toss the stick.

  Nick would retrieve it.

  “Ah, Nick,” Robi said to herself, “the germs.” She opened the door. “Nick, make sure you are …”

  Suddenly, the tame terrier turned terrifying, its entire look changed and it growled and barked frantically at Robi, leaping at his chain trying to attack.

  “Fuck,” Robi said. “I was impressed at first. Make sure you don’t touch anything until you wash those hands.”