In the Lone and Level Sands

by David Lovato

  “Come on!” Jason said a moment after hitting the ball way off course. He watched the little white sphere whiz across the green felt and hit the four ball. It ricocheted into another ball, one of Evan’s, and sank it into the corner pocket.

  “Well thank you, Jason,” Evan said. He chuckled, then looked down at Mal, who held her pool stick sideways, tipping it up and down slightly. She giggled at Jason’s misfortune, and looked up at her father.

  “Is it my turn, now?” she asked.

  “Yes, do you want me to help you this time?”

  “No, I got it.” Mal tilted the stick up and rested it against the table. She was just tall enough to shoot.

  “Just breathe, and when you’re ready, go,” Evan said.

  “Mmhmm!” Mal took a deep breath, blinked, and then took the shot. The cue ball slammed into her target, sinking it. She cheered and jumped up and down.

  “Jeeze, Jason,” Daisy said. “You’re getting schooled by a little girl!” She laughed. Stephanie joined in.

  “Steph, Daisy! You’re on my team!” Jason said. He grinned.

  “I just call them as I see them.” Daisy winked.

  “Don’t worry,” Stephanie said. “When it’s my turn, I’ll get one of ours in!” Jason flashed her a frown and stuck his tongue out.

  Cynthia’s eyes kept moving back to Vanessa, holding the book tightly in her hands, legs drawn up on the chair she sat in.

  “Hey,” Cynthia said. She smiled, and sat in a chair across from Vanessa, who looked up from her book after finishing the page.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “I’m sorry if I’m taking you from your book. Is it good?”

  “It is.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “It’s a short story collection. Have you read any Stephen King?”

  “Just a few of his novels. Seems like I haven’t had time to read in ages, even before this. My life was pretty hectic, but I was doing something great.”

  “What did you before this?” Vanessa asked. She closed the book and set it on the arm of her chair.

  “I was a florist. Daisy’s my boss, but we ran that little place together, essentially. It’s almost more of a hobby for me, a hobby I get paid for, you know? Pretty good deal, heh. And then I have my daughter. Lord knows I love her, but she takes a lot of my time too. God, and then Evan and I were going through a divorce… It’s been very weird for us, and it still is. I feel so exhausted. I just wish we could be happy.”

  “It’s hard seeing you two clash like you do, but can I tell you something I’ve noticed?”

  “I don’t see why not.”

  “It almost seems forced, the coldness, the bickering. It seems like you want so badly just to fix things and get along. I might be out of line, but I think you two were meant for each other.”

  “You think so?” Cynthia said.

  “I really do. I just have a good feeling about you guys. You know, Butch and I weren’t always ‘in love’ and everything wasn’t always right. We almost broke our engagement over some fight, and I don’t even remember what it was. You know what? Whatever split you up, whatever’s keeping you two from being one again, it doesn’t matter. Not anymore.”

  Cynthia laughed after a short, melancholy silence. “Looks like I’ve got some things that need working out. I can only hope to stay in my right mind, for Mal’s sake.”

  “You’ve been great. Your daughter is lucky to have you.”

  “Well, thank you. Lately, I’ve felt so hopeless. I don’t think this’ll just go away anytime soon. I can’t tell Mallorie that, though. Basically, all we’re doing is fleeing one location for another. This place may be safer than the Cardigan, but how long can we really hold up?”

  Aimes, who had overheard this last bit, walked over to them.

  “I’m sorry to eavesdrop, but I gotta say I know how you must feel. But we really are secure here. I’ve seen some smaller bases run into problems, but Fort Knox is huge, and it’s locked down. We haven’t had any trouble since day one. We’ll be just fine.”

  “I feel better, knowing that,” Cynthia said. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Call me Matt.”

  “I’m Cynthia. It’s nice to meet one of the many anonymous faces of the military.”

  “Nice to meet you. And the man over there, the girl, they’re your family, right?”

  “They mean the world to me. I don’t know what I’d do without them. Do you have family here?”

  Cynthia knew from the moment the words exited her mouth, they shouldn’t have. Aimes’s eyes lowered, and his lips pursed together. But he looked back up quickly, and smiled.

  “The only family I was able to get in touch with was my wife, Julie. She’s eight months pregnant, and we talked over webcam on the first day, until signals went down. It was horrible, but she said she and her sister would be headed to their parents’ estate. It’s a secure location. Sturdy doors, out in butt-fuck nowhere.”

  “Yeah, it’s one thing being called away from your family for regular military duty,” Vanessa said, “but in the midst of all of this, wondering if she’s okay… I’m sorry it has to be like that. I’ll pray for you.”

  Aimes nodded. “Thanks. I know I’ll see her again. She’ll be fine. You know what her sister said to me before the feed went down?”

  “What’s that?” Cynthia said.

  “‘Don’t worry, Matt!’ She was so stern, so serious, I’d never seen her like that before. ‘Julie and I will get there safe.’” Aimes looked like he wanted to cry. He sniffled, but no tears came. It was as if he had used them all up.

  “She sounds like a strong woman, her and Julie. You’re right. They’ll do great.”

  “It’s all I can do to stay here. I tried calling her parents, but not everywhere has power, anymore. It’s unbearable not knowing how she’s doing. And the baby…”

  “Just don’t worry too much about it,” Vanessa said. “You’ll go crazy, thinking the worst.”

  “Yeah,” Aimes said.

  “Hey, Cynthia!” Evan said. “Are you gonna go again?”

  Cynthia flipped around, having forgotten about the game, and nodded.

  “Oh! Yeah, just a minute!” She turned back to Aimes and Vanessa. “Looks like it’s my turn.”

  “Go,” Aimes said. “Have fun. I’m fine.” He laughed a little. Cynthia went off to take her turn, and Vanessa picked her book back up. “I’ll let you finish your reading, I’ve got some things that need my attention anyway. It was nice getting to know you. Most of the people we’ve picked up keep to themselves. Can’t say I blame them, but it’s nice to talk to someone other than the guys sometimes.”

  “Anytime,” Vanessa said, then returned to the book.

  ****

  A soldier sat at a table in the mess hall, all decked up in military uniform. There was a Velcro patch on the right side of his chest that read “Williams”. A half-eaten Swiss and roast beef sandwich and a sealed bag of chips sat in front of him. One arm rested on the table, the other on his lap. He was alone. Evan had seen him a few times before; he never spoke to anyone. Rarely did anyone approach him.

  As Evan ate, he looked at the soldier from time to time. He felt bad, even though he didn’t know anything about the man or his situation.

  “I wonder if someone should go talk to that guy,” he said, looking at his friends gathered at the table. “This is the third day I’ve seen him, and that’s all he does. He eats slowly, like he’s in a daze, then just sits there for a while, then leaves.”

  “Something’s up,” Jason said. “I just don’t know what I’d say, if it were me. Some things are best left alone.”

  “He just looks like he’s in pain. He needs someone to talk to.”

  “Look, we all have our problems, hon,” Daisy said. “Unless you’re willing to say a few words, I don’t think anyone will.”

  “I’m just going to go see if he’s all right,” Evan said. “I’ll be right back.” The others nodded.

&nb
sp; Evan walked past several tables of people. The conversations were loud and filled with spirit, but all of that faded when Evan arrived before the soldier.

  “Sir,” Evan said. The man didn’t look up; he did everything he could not to make eye contact. He tensed, and sat still for several awkward seconds.

  “I just thought I’d come over here to… Well, we don’t know each other of course, but you just look like you needed someone to talk to.”

  There was still no reply.

  “Is there nothing—”

  “Muhhhhhrmm!”

  Evan was surprised, but he got the message. He was determined to help the guy, but it wouldn’t happen this day. He sighed as he walked back to his table.

  “Anything?” Cynthia asked.

  “He’s a stone wall, but maybe sometime he’ll be more willing to open up.” Evan picked up his sandwich and took a bite. The others continued eating.

  ****

  The next day, Evan was eating lunch with his family and friends. He saw the soldier eating, alone as always. Evan decided to try again.

  He’d noticed the man’s name the day before, and decided to address him more formally this time. “Mr. Williams, I’m sorry to intrude again, I just couldn’t help but notice that you’re all alone, and—”

  Williams grunted a couple of times, but there was nothing else from him, and he made no eye contact.

  Evan lowered his head and walked away. Maybe tomorrow.

  He was almost back to his table when a soldier headed over, walked the rest of the way with him, and then sat across from him.

  “Hey, I hate to barge into your business,” the soldier said, directing his gaze at Evan. “But I got something I think is important to tell you. Can you spare a minute?”

  “Sure,” Evan said, then glanced at the man’s name patch. “Mr. Bogart.”

  “You can call me Adrian.”

  “Okay, what’s up?” Jason said.

  “Well, Sean over there was… Is a good friend of mine. We’ve been real good buddies since, well, elementary school, probably. I know him well, and his family, bless their souls.”

  “Is that why he doesn’t say anything?” Cynthia asked.

  “Well, that’s one of the reasons, I guess. Poor guy. He had just gotten back from Afghanistan. It was his second tour… He shouldn’t have even been there in the first place. Doctors said he might have mild schizophrenia. Guess it wasn’t enough to keep him home, though. Well, anyway, he thought he was done. Same thing happened to me. Thought I was done, then boom! This shit goes down. I get a call, here I am.”

  “So, he was called right back to serve?” Stephanie said.

  “Yeah, not long after this all began.”

  “That’s terrible,” Vanessa said.

  “He told me his wife was dead, but not much more about that night,” Adrian said. “It is terrible, but it’s gotten worse since then. You wouldn’t know it looking at him, but he was so full of life. Sean was a great father and husband. And he’s a great friend.”

  “I’m sure he is,” Cynthia said.

  “He’s been out there countless times, looking for survivors, scavenging and all that, but every time, he came back worse and worse off. He’s really lost it. He stopped speaking just a couple days ago. He won’t even talk to me. He’s built a wall around himself. I don’t know what to do. The other day, he shot at one of our own. Claimed it was an accident. Thought he was a zombie.”

  “That sounds awful,” Evan said.

  “I know you’ve been over there trying to get through to him, and your heart is in the right place, but I suggest you stop. For your safety, and your family.”

  “Well…” Evan said. Cynthia nudged him with her elbow. “All right. If you’re worried he’d be violent.”

  “I don’t want there to be any trouble,” Adrian said.

  “There won’t be.” Evan calmly finished his sandwich.

  The next day, Evan was thinking about what Adrian said, but decided to approach Sean anyway. He did so more cautiously than before, and things went the same way they usually did. Evan wanted to break through to Williams, call out the man he was before. Speaking with Adrian only gave him more motivation.

  ****

  Sean was reading a book in the farthest corner of the rec room, just keeping to himself. He occasionally looked at some soldiers who were watching a movie, or at Evan and company playing pool. He frequently brushed his fingers over the handle of his sidearm. He also shook his head from time to time.

  As he lined up his shot, Evan noticed Sean reading. He thought little of it, returned his focus to the game, and took his turn. The balls blasted around the table in different directions, none sank. As Cynthia went in for a shot, Mal looked up at Evan.

  “Are we going to live here, Daddy?”

  “Well, for now, Mal. I think so. The nice soldiers are letting us stay here until they can fix everything out there.”

  “How long will that take?”

  “Honey, it won’t take very much longer,” Cynthia said. She stood aside as Jason scanned the table, looking for the best shot. “Soon, we’ll be able to go back home.”

  “Your mother’s right, sweetie,” Evan said.

  “You going to stare at the balls, or are you gonna make your shot?” Daisy said.

  “Just trying to find the right angle here,” Jason replied. “There’s a science to it, you know.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes. “Sure.”

  Evan watched as a soldier slowly approached Sean. “Williams? Are you okay?”

  Sean didn’t reply.

  “How long are you going to keep this up? I know you’re upset, but you’ve gotta move on, man!”

  Sean didn’t even look at the soldier.

  “Come on! We all have it bad here, how is it any different for you?” The soldier waited a moment for a response that wouldn’t come. “Are you gonna talk to me?” He put a hand on Sean’s sleeve, and Sean leapt to his feet, pulled his gun out, and put a bullet in the soldier’s head. People screamed, and the other soldiers moved in.

  “Get back! Get back you fucks! You’ve taken my family, but I’ll be damned if you take me!”

  Evan moved forward. He felt upset, like he didn’t do enough, and now this man had snapped.

  Cynthia’s face was tight with fear. “Evan, what are you doing?”

  “Mr. Williams, please, don’t do this,” Evan said.

  “Sir, get back! He’s dangerous!” a soldier said. He drew his gun.

  “Daddy, please!” Mal said.

  “You again?” Sean shouted at Evan. “Get back, you cretin! You’re not taking me too!” Sean fired into the air.

  What the hell is he talking about? Evan thought.

  “Go get backup!” a soldier said to another.

  Evan backed up, his hands raised, and kept silent. Sean’s pinched, sneering face didn’t turn from him.

  “You can’t have me, you disgusting thing!” Sean lowered his gun and fired a shot at Evan. The bullet pierced his stomach; he groaned and his eyes squeezed shut. Evan collapsed to his knees.

  “Evan!” Cynthia said.

  Mal’s eyes widened and filled with tears. She began sobbing. While Cynthia collapsed next to Evan, Mal buried her face in Daisy’s arms. Daisy hugged Mal and turned away. The others didn’t know what to do.

  “Don’t come near me!” Sean said to the soldiers moving in. One raised his gun to fire, and Sean spun on him and pulled the trigger, but his gun clicked.

  “Grab him!” one of the soldiers said. One soldier, a man named Jenner, grabbed Sean when he reached for another clip. Another, Anderson, helped Jenner. Sean kneed Anderson in the crotch, and he fell away. With his free hand, Sean punched Jenner in the face. Another soldier, a much bigger one by the name of Franklin, grabbed Sean and came down on his head with a sturdy elbow. Sean hit the floor and was out cold. Anderson recovered himself and kicked Sean’s gun across the room. Franklin and Jenner lifted Sean and carried him out of the rec room.
>
  “Is someone getting him help?” Daisy said. Cynthia was in tears, hugging Evan.

  “I’m on it!” Anderson said. He ran limping out of the room.

  Mal broke from Daisy and went to her father. He looked at her, feeling faint. He was still bleeding from his stomach.

  “Daddy, no,” Mal said.

  Cynthia was still latched onto Evan, sobbing. Evan was breathing heavily, but tried to hug Cynthia back. Those still in the rec room were silent. Some had fled the area, but all of Evan’s friends remained, their hearts heavy, feeling every passing second drag them along.

  “Please, Evan!” Cynthia said. “Stay awake, don’t go under! Evan!”

  Evan’s eyes fluttered and his vision blurred. Cynthia’s voice went in and out.

  “Evan, stay with us! Evan, plea—”

  Evan was unconscious.

  ****

  Doctor Clifford Faulkner was a tall African-American man with short, graying hair and glasses with little round lenses. When he spoke, he removed these, his sharp eyes gazing around the room, where Evan’s friends and family were anxiously waiting.

  “Mrs. Jacobson?” he said.

  She stood up and met with the doctor. “Yes, is my husband okay? Is he going to be all right?”

  The doctor barely got further than “He’s going to live” when Cynthia nearly broke down, crying and hugging her daughter, but he continued anyway. “He lost a lot of blood, but thankfully the bullet missed the important stuff. We removed the bullet, and he should recover just fine. He’s very lucky.”

  Relief flowed through Cynthia like a fountain. New tears poured out over the dried ones.

  “Thank God!” she said.