“Ray …”
“Come on, Robi.” Ray laughed. “Your theory is the best one. Doc’s is …”
“He has one.”
Ray stopped.
Silence.
“Repeat that,” Ray said. “Cause I swear you said that Doc has one.”
Slowly, Ray’s eyes met Robi’s. A certain seriousness hit his face.
“I saw it. In his lab. Today,” Robi said.
That caught his attention.
<><><><>
Ray lifted his head from looking in the microscope. “This is the alien you’re talking about?”
“Yes.” Robi nodded.
Bishop and Doc looked on.
Ray laughed. “You gotta be shitting me?”
“Ray,” Robi asked, “didn’t you see it?”
“I saw. You think that’s our alien? Well … if that’s our enemy.” Ray fluttered his lips and pulled out his revolver. He shifted the chamber and turned. “Watch me take it out. Watch how easy I beat the bastard.” He walked to the door. “You got that from Sparky?”
“Whoa!” Robi leapt forward to him. “Wait.”
“Dude,” Bishop spoke up. “You can’t kill a boy’s pet. That’s just wrong.”
Ray turned around. “So is this, believing it’s an alien. If you people actually think there’s an alien living in a sick Yorkshire terrier then …”
“Did you look?” Robi interrupted. “Did you look at it?”
“I did,” Ray said. “And I may be a low level educated man, but I know enough that anything under a microscope looks monstrous.”
“This thing is different,” Robi argued, “it has eyes and gills. Like a fish taking oxygen from water, it’s taking oxygen from the blood cells. That’s not normal, Ray.”
“Neither was the weapon that wiped us out,” Ray said, defending his position. “You want to know what it was. If it’s a foreign invader, it came from the Chinese or the Russians or Israel. One of them created this bug. It’s running its course. If we have an enemy waiting to invade our soil, it’s not in some sick puppy, it’s across the oceans waiting to get here. And instead of worrying about kicking the butt of some microscopic bug, we need to worry about getting enough people together to beat the son of a bitches that sent it here.” Ray gave a single nod. “Understand? Now I have work.” He turned and walked out.
After a beat, Robi exhaled and walked to the door. “Excuse me.”
“He’s right,” Bishop said. “Anyway you look at it, he’s right.”
Robi paused by the door to listen.
Bishop continued, “Someone wants our land. No matter who or what they are, we have to prepare to take them out.”
<><><><>
The room was mostly dark, and Bishop would have opted to knock had he not caught the sound of voices.
Faint, muffled as if coming from a speaker turned down low.
The voices told him Robi was in her room.
The door ajar, Bishop raised his hand to knock.
“Mommy, come on,” a girl’s voice said.
“I can’t,” responded Robi, “I’m filming. You go on. Daddy will do it.”
A male voice said, “Mommy’s afraid.”
“Mommy’s not afraid,” Robi said.
Bishop didn’t knock, especially when he caught a glimpse of Robi.
She sat at a desk holding a video camera, watching the little screen. Her mouth moved with the words spoken. It wasn’t the time to bother her. Bishop lowered his hand, and turned.
The voices stopped.
“Did you want something?” Robi called out.
“Uh … I …” Bishop stammered, “sort of.”
“Come in.”
Bishop opened the door. “I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Robi reached up and turned on the desk lamp. “I was saying goodnight to my family.” She gave a sad smile.
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too.”
“At least you have that,” Bishop said. “I didn’t think to grab the videos.”
“You grabbed Juanita. For …” Robi said and shrugged, “her own sentimental value.”
“True.” Bishop walked to the desk.
“Of course, I don’t know how talking to that doll, and responding for her, holds sentimental value, but to each his own.”
“Thanks.”
“Sit.”
Bishop did.
“What did you need?” Robi asked.
“A couple of things.” Bishop seemed nervous. “You know …” he gave a fake chuckle, “I’ve been here a couple days and I don’t even know you.”
“Ray’s been here a couple of months and he still doesn’t know me.”
“No, Ray knows you.”
“Are you here to discuss me?” Robi quipped. “I don’t do that.”
“Sorry.” Bishop lowered his head. “I wanted to thank you. Thank you for taking care of me when I was sick, for going to Utopia, even though I don’t think you want to.”
“I don’t.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes,” Bishop answered, “because, really, if you have a good reason for not wanting to go, maybe it is worth looking at and …”
‘It’s my own reason. Not good enough. My son is the main reason I am going.”
“Nick’s a great kid.”
“Yeah, he is and he deserves more of a life.” With a disbelieving huff, Robi stood and walked to her dresser. “What kind of life we can give him in a world so fucked up, I don’t know. But I can try.”
“Did you ever stop to think, what if you, Doc, what if the invasion theories are wrong?”
“You mean what if no one did this on purpose and nature decided it was time to clean house?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want to think that. Because that would mean we’re it. This is what is left of the world, or at least not much more.”
“So you stick to the invasion theory?”
Robi only looked at him.
“I like the invasion theory much better. At least if there’s an invasion coming there’s some hope for the future, right? I thought I was the Omega man for a while … and … and you don’t want to hear me ramble?”
Robi shook her head. “You thanked me. Anything else?”
“Yes.” Bishop stood. “I just wanted to know if you needed anything.”
“Me? Why would you ask that?”
“Because you stick to yourself. You have a lot of things to pack up, I didn’t know if you needed help, or …”
“I’ll handle it. Thanks.”
Bishop nodded. “The offer stands.”
“Thank you.”
Bishop started to leave. “You know, Robi … like I said, I haven’t been here long. I don’t know you. But I know this. The world’s an empty, lonely, place. To isolate yourself from …”
“If you are about to attempt to psychoanalyze me and give me advice … don’t.”
“Ok,” Bishop lifted his hand. “I’ll save it. Just thought I’d try.”
“Others have and others failed.”
“I see why. Good night, Robi.”
“Night Bishop.” Robi waited until he had gone, and in the silent, loneliness of her own room, cigarette in hand, Robi grabbed the video camera, and returned to saying good night to her family in private.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
June 28th
I-79 South, West Virginia
The slightest bump caused a creak in the roof of the vehicle and Robi lifted her head, hands firm to the steering wheel. “Are you sure that thing’s secure?”
“Yes,” Ray answered, staring at the map. “It’s not going anywhere. That’s the fourth time you asked in the last two hours.”
“I could just see us losing it.”
“Then we’ll get another.” Ray turned over the map. “Any idea why we’re going this route south?”
From the back seat, Nick answered, “Greek said only two callers
called that radio station according to Bishop’s list. If it’s a good place to start looking for survivors, why didn’t more call in?”
Robi shrugged. “Probably because people don’t have television.”
Ray gave her a quirky look. “I’d guess it’s more because they’re all dead.”
“In West Virginia?” Robi asked.
“Yes.”
“No, way.”
“I’m telling you …” Ray paused. He sniffed. “Man, Nick, what is up with that dog today?”
“He can’t help it,” Nick said defensively. “Just open your window.”
“Did you feed him something bad?” Ray asked.
“Nope. Probably car sick.”
Ray grumbled, “A car sick dog? It’s sick all right; you should let me put that dog out of its misery.”
“Uh!” Nick shrieked. “Dude, have a heart.”
“I do.” Ray turned in his seat. “That’s why I think we should kill it.”
“You are so wrong,” Nick said. “You encouraged me to have him as a pet.”
“That was before I knew we were taking a road trip.”
“Guys,” Robi called out, “we’re six hours into our trip and you two can’t stop bickering. Keep it up and you’ll ride with them.” Robi pointed backwards with her thumb.
“Speaking of them,” Ray said.
After glancing in her rearview mirror, Robi whined when the second vehicle, driven by Manny passed them, “What now?”
“I saw a sign for a service station,” Ray said.
“They can’t possibly need gas again,” Robi replied.
Nick said, “Probably Doc again. He said his bladder’s acting up.”
“Swell.” Robi shook her head. “Can’t he piss in a bottle or off the side of the road?”
Ray shrugged. “He probably has to do a sit down.”
Huffing in frustration, Robi followed as Manny pulled off the highway and turned down a minor road. They drove about a mile before hitting a hole-in-the-wall gas station, which was located down a slight grade.
“Great!” Robi put the car in gear. “See anything?”
“Looks clear. But can’t take a chance.” Ray grabbed his weapon. “Nick, you have to go?”
“No, I’m good.”
“Stay put. OK?”
Nick nodded.
Ray got out of the car, and walked around to Robi’s side.
Robi, too, disembarked from the car weapon in hand. She aimed her voice to the vehicle in front, “What’s wrong?”
Manny pointed to Doc who hustled to the building.
“Figures,” she said in a whisper as Manny and Bishop walked toward her and Ray.
“Why don’t you get back in the hummer?” Ray suggested.
“Nah might as well get some fresh air,” Robi said. “With Sparky and his butt problem...”
“Tell me about it,” Ray replied. Quickly his eyes shifted at the soft sound of a growl. “Was that Sparky?”
“No,” Robi replied.
Holding his weapon, Ray’s eyes lifted fast from the car to Bishop when he heard his shouted warning to Robi.
The words, “Robi, watch out!” followed by the pumping of a shotgun, caused Ray to pivot his body.
A dog.
A huge mutated husky was high in the air, jaws open and lunging for Robi.
Too close. Too fast.
One step brought Ray in front of Robi, but before he could even fire off a shot, the beast, mouth wide, sailed into him full force. The weight of the hit knocked Ray back into Robi, and she slammed against the vehicle.
The dog, growling and snarling, held tight to Ray’s throat. He fumbled with the dog and his gun.
One shot fired and the dog released Ray and flew back. Ray dropped to the ground, and so did Robi.
Bishop lowered his shotgun and ran with Manny over to Robi and Ray.
“Mom!” Nick raced around the car and knelt by his mother.
The sound of barking dogs, lots of barking dogs filled the air.
Nick looked up. A pack of eight dogs barreled their way.
“Get her in the car!” Manny ordered. “Get her in the car!”
Robi was out cold. Blood gushed from Ray.
The barking grew louder. The dogs were closing in.
Bishop fumbled with the Humvee door. “Shit.” He turned. Reaching down with a swoop of his arm, he snatched Robi by her shirt. “Get Ray!” he yelled to Manny and Nick. Bracing Robi against him, he opened the door wider. “No time!” Throwing Robi onto the driver’s seat, Bishop spun, raised his weapon, and fired.
Yelp!
One down.
He shot again. Another hit. Then again. Shift-pump-fire.
Just as Manny took out his first dog, Bishop finished the last.
He breathed out his exhaustion and exasperation, and turned. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he saw Robi. She had awakened and was staring dazed.
“Is everyone all right?” Bishop asked. “Nick?”
Nick nodded.
“Manny?” Bishop asked.
Manny, hands on Ray, shook his head.
“Robi?”
Robi closed her eyes.
Greek had stayed in the car. Doc had emerged from the bathroom after the fact. Together and quickly, they carried Ray into the service station and Robi whipped out the emergency medical bag.
There was nothing in there that could help, but she tried.
Ray had lost too much blood.
She asked to be alone while she operated and gave it all she had. But the truth remained; she worked on Ray after the fact … he died rather quickly.
Robi cried. She stayed behind with Ray’s body for a few moments of solitude and cried. No one knew and no one would. She said goodbye to a man who had become her friend and a sense of security for her.
Robi didn’t want to convey it, but a part of her was frightened. Scared to travel the roads of a beaten America without the likes of Ray by her side. He was the strength they needed, and a person that would be sorely missed.
The others knew it would be a vain attempt at saving Ray. Manny especially, since he had never felt a pulse, and there was nothing left of Ray’s neck. Robi took an exuberant amount of time, and they all waited outside the service station. Silent, but watching for another wave of trouble.
When Robi finally emerged from the station, she did so with a sad shake of her head and an immediate embrace to her son.
They didn’t leave that area until they had buried Ray. They held a small prayer service around his grave and headed back to the vehicles.
Silently, Robi reached for her driver’s door. She paused to look at the pool of blood on the pavement.
“I’m sorry,” Bishop said. “We should have moved the ….”
“No.” Robi shook her head, opened the door and stopped. “Bishop, thank you. Thank you for taking the reins out here.”
Bishop nodded with a long blink.
“In a sense you saved my life and Nick’s.”
“Ray … he … he’s the one that saved you.”
“Yeah,” Robi said softly. “I know.” She exhaled, gave a sad smile to Nick who was already in the car, and prepared to slide into her seat. Again, she hesitated. “Bishop?”
Bishop stopped as he was walking away. “Yeah?”
“Will you ride with us?”
“I’d like that.” After giving a signal to Manny that he was riding with Robi and Nick, Bishop walked around to the passenger’s door and got in.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The speedometer read only forty-five miles per hour. Robi couldn’t go faster, and even at that speed, she feared Bishop would fall off the roof of the Humvee.
“What the hell is he doing up there?” Robi griped.
“He said he saw a place,” Nick replied from the back seat.
“I wish he’d get down. He’s gonna fly off and get hurt.” Robi tried peering out of the windshield; it was useless. “Bishop!” she yelled. “Get in here!”
Robi looked cross at him.
“I signaled Manny that we’ll turn,” Bishop said, “so you can pick up speed. We got another good five miles. Bet me there’s a farm beyond those trees.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Robi asked.
“The farm.”
“What farm?”
“Ferber’s.”
Robi’s mouth dropped open. “Pretend I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We saw a sign about twenty miles ago. It said Ferber Farm,” Bishop explained. “Then when we were coming down that big hill, I thought I saw it. At first I thought it was one of those farmer market places, but after seeing through the binoculars, I don’t think so.” He turned his body and faced the back seat. “Nick, I saw an apple tree. Apples, Dude.”
“You want to stop and pick apples?” Robi asked.
“And why not?” Bishop questioned. “I also saw corn stalks and … ready for this, I think I saw a cow.”
Nick said, “Milk!”
“Dude.” Bishop gave a high five to Nick. “Milk.”
“Assholes,” Robi snipped. “Milk from a cow is different than the milk you get in the stores.”
Bishop stared at her for a moment, and then snickered. “Uh, Robi, milk comes from a cow. How can it be different?”
“It’s processed afterward.” She shook her head. “And how did you signal Manny that we would stop?”
“Like this.” Bishop pointed out, and then pretended to turn a steering wheel.
“And you think he understood?” Robi asked.
“Sure.” Bishop shrugged.
“It didn’t dawn on you to say to me to turn up ahead, and then when they saw my turn signal, they’d follow?”
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