by JJ Liniger
“We have a Code Green in the middle sector,” an automated voice blared overhead. “Repeat Code Green.”
I leapt back from the broken glass scattered across the floor and from those who had first burst through. My pulse hammered in my ears as I raised my hands in defense. The people stampeded toward me and continued down the narrow hallway, scurrying away. Most ran to the entrance Alex, and I used and the others dispersed among the other hallways.
No one said anything to me or stopped.
“Look out!” I yelled. Worried Samuel would be trampled by the fleeing refugees, I grabbed and pulled him close.
“Are you okay?” I asked Samuel, running my hands over his face and across his shoulders, flicking off pieces of broken glass.
“Yes, I am fine. And I’m usually careful.”
He had heard me. Emotion welled inside of me unlike any other time in my life.
“Forgive me. I’ll do better.” I hugged him close. The top of his head came to my chin and his body felt fragile. How long had it been since he’d done anything to stretch his muscles and give him strength?
“I did that long ago. There’s nothing further to forgive.”
“You’re an amazing boy. Thank you.”
Was this parenting? I’d never experienced anything like it. The same unconditional love I saw in my parents, but now felt it myself. How did Monica look this kid in the eyes and not want him?
Pounding of boots rumbled through the corridor announcing the Takers return to duty. Did they intentionally allow those infected to escape? Maybe. Whatever their reasons, I didn’t want Samuel and me to be part of it.
“Where can we hide?” I asked.
He thought for a moment. “This way.”
He grabbed my hand, and I followed, running down the hall toward the dark area I had entered with Alex. Instead of turning right to the back door, we traveled left and then a quick right. We paused in a pitch black area. I felt cold metal. I smelled cleaner, like the antibiotic chemicals used in hospitals.
“This is where they do my testing,” Samuel whispered. “We can hide here until things calm down.”
“Has this sort of thing happened before?”
“Don’t know.”
“Where’d they go?”
My hand on his shoulder bounced as he shrugged. I had to remember I was talking to a kid. My kid. So much I wanted to learn.
Where was Alex? Jacob said he needed to check a report. Where did he go to do that? I’d think he’d be notified immediately of the outbreak. Why didn’t he come check on us when all hell broke loose down here? From what he said, Samuel was important to them. Something wasn’t right.
They had microphones on the inside. Did they also have cameras? Probably. Which meant they knew exactly where we were. Why weren’t they coming? Maybe they wanted us to escape.
“Find HIM!” Alex’s voice echoed off the glass walls.
I grabbed Samuel and pulled him closer. Would I have to fight my only friend to keep my son with me? We leaned toward the open doorway.
“I can’t delay her being Taken any longer. Carole’s doctor confirmed that she’s infected. Once Mrs. Porter recovers from surgery, she’ll be brought down here. We have to find him before that happens!” Alex yelled.
Mom was sick? It wasn’t only allergies or stress that induced her heart attack. All because of me. My hand clenched at my side. I needed to find a way to stop this from spreading and keep anyone else from getting it. Now!
“Yes, sir,” several voices replied and then stomped together in pursuit of Samuel.
“Was that about Gramma Porter?” Samuel asked.
“Shhhh, yes,” I whispered.
Samuel released a deep sigh, and I felt his shoulders slump. “I hate this.”
“So do I. Now, stop talking.”
The thumping of feet grew silent. Now was our chance to slip past them. Holding my son’s hand, I stepped through the doorway. Though mostly dark, my eyes had adjusted to see objects and silently walk around them.
Being greeted by the moans of those confined in the blackout section, I knew we were close to the back door. The noise made my hairs stand at attention. My hand felt along the wall until it came across the metal knob. Things were finally going in the right direction when the handle turned and the last rays of sunlight peered through the open door.
Thank God.
We crept along the shrubs. Samuel stayed close to my side, his body trembled and his eyes wide with wonder. When was the last time he had been outside?
Peaking over the top, I saw the empty parking lot. I needed to think fast. Where should we go? The Town Hall. Few went there. Alex could only be so many places at once. It was worth the risk.
“This way,” I said.
Between the hospital and the Town Hall was about a mile. I could run the distance quickly, but what about Samuel? We needed to remain unseen. Samuel followed my lead, his eyes never stopped looking around at the dry dirt and remaining shades of pinks from the sunset. His mouth hung open in awe.
“Where are we going?” Samuel asked.
“Have you ever seen Grampa Porter?”
“No. All I know is that he is sick and needs rest.”
“Yeah. We can hide there until we figure out where to go next. Unless you have a place, you’d rather go.”
“The church!” The boy grinned, but it quickly faded. “Mr. Black would know that.”
Running along flat dirt, we approached homes and slowed. Several of the houses had lights on and appeared cared for similar to Alex’s neighborhood. Maybe we should go home instead. It was abandoned. At either place, we’d have to be careful, or we’d be spotted.
“It smells so nice out here,” Samuel said.
The air seemed normal to me, with only a slight increase in humidity from the storm earlier. “What do you mean?”
“It’s natural. I haven’t left Down Under in…” He paused. “Don’t know, but a long time.”
Another reason to get this fixed. In the distance, several voices screamed. Were they happy or fearful? Were the escapees welcomed back by their families or were they seen as a parasite who needed isolation?
I paused for a moment to make sure I had my bearings straight and could lead us in the right direction. Samuel stood next to me, still looking around in wonder. The neighborhood had grown while I was away and I wasn’t completely sure where the streets would lead us. The fading sunlight gave me a marker to follow as we weaved through the community.
The closer we came to Town Hall, the buildings looked abandoned. Approaching the next house, I heard something. I paused and brought Samuel against me.
“Do you hear that?” Samuel asked.
I nodded.
The noise was inconsistent. I slowly walked to the next house.
A teenage girl sat on the front porch. She appeared a little older than Samuel and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Arianna, are you okay?” Samuel asked her.
She jumped, her dark brown hair came over her shoulders and down to her waist. The red scrubs made her pale skin look lighter. I thought she would run, but she remained seated.
“I can’t find my family. They are gone!” She continued to cry.
“I’m sorry.” Samuel sulked, walking to her.
“What do I do? I don’t want to go back in there.” Her tears turned into shoulder-shaking sobs.
I frowned. Had her family left her? How many others wandered the streets with nowhere to go? My heart hurt and my shoulders slumped forward. When it couldn’t get worse, I found another example of pain.
Samuel sat with her on the porch. Arianna hugged him tightly. The boy with more than anyone his age should have to handle comforted the girl with nothing. Those who should’ve protected the kids abandoned them. At least Samuel had me and I wouldn’t leave him again.
“We are going to the Town Hall if you want to come with us,” I offered.
She mumbled to Samuel, but I couldn’t hear it.
/> He shrugged.
I stepped closer to them.
“Is he safe?” she whispered.
Samuel nodded.
Arianna wiped her eyes and stood from the porch. Samuel walked by her side and we continued cautiously at a slow pace.
Once I find a cure, it’ll save Mother and others infected. What about those like Arianna who had no family? I didn’t know the answer. Maybe Mother and Alex had thought of it. They’ve had years of researching and making plans.
Around the next corner, I saw the clock tower at the top of the political building. I still found it strange that my parents called this place home. Thank God it was isolated from everyone else. My SUV rested silently in the lot. With long steps, I made it from one patch of broken concrete to the next piece. The front door opened smoothly, and we scampered inside and down the hall to my dad’s office. Samuel and Arianna looked around as we walked, taking in the tattered surroundings.
“Have you guys been here before?” I asked.
They shook their heads.
“My parents lived here for, I guess, a few years. Dad’s not doing so well. He’s sleeping and won’t wake up. It’s kinda creepy, so I don’t want him to scare you.”
I opened the door to the office, greeted with the steady beeping of my father’s machines. It had the same antiseptic smell as the stainless-steel room down under where they tested Samuel. Was it comforting or stressful?
Arianna gasped when she spied my father. She clutched Samuel’s arm.
“Is he all right?” Samuel asked, shrinking back against me.
“Doesn’t look like it, but I’d like to hope so.”
Dad appeared no different from the last time I saw him. Thankfully, Dr. Worrell fixed whatever caused the alarms to go off. His debilitated body didn’t appear able to handle a recovery.
“Mother has water and yogurts in the refrigerator and books on the shelf if you want anything.”
Samuel grabbed two bottles of water. Giving one to Arianna, he sat beside her on the other bed and whispered something in her ear.
Silence gave me a chance to think of what to do next. Assuming Alex was right, and the poison originated from God. His punishment for Monica’s belief that I rejected her and she passed on that rejection to Samuel. Somehow I needed to undo that damage. To do that, I needed to visit her again. Would it be safe for Samuel and Arianna to come? Probably not.
“I need to check on something,” I said. “You guys stay here.”
Arianna nodded.
“Where are you going?” Samuel asked.
I could lie to him and make up an excuse. If I had planned it out better, I would’ve, but I couldn’t think of anything. He deserved the truth because it involved him, too.
“To see your mother.”
“I want to come.” He stood from the bed.
I shook my head, his response not surprising me. “It isn’t safe.”
“You said she’s kind and friendly.”
“That was a long time ago. She’s changed.” I fumbled for words. “It’s hard to explain.”
Samuel paced closer to Dad and then turned back to me. What would it be like to go through most of your life not knowing your parents?
“Did she hurt you when you saw her?” he asked.
“No.”
She saved me when her alligator could’ve killed me in the water.
Would she do the same for Samuel?
“Then she won’t hurt me.” Samuel appeared confident and peaceful as he walked to me. Unfortunately, he had received stubbornness from both parents. Mixed with his confidence, most likely nothing I said would dissuade him.
“Alright, you can come. Arianna, what do you want to do?”
She looked at my father and then back at us. “I’m coming.”
“It’s not safe, she has this pet allig—”
“She’s the alligator lady?” Arianna tucked her knees against her chest. “No way! I’m not coming! She’s crazy.”
I sighed. “That’s fine. Help yourself to anything you find.”
“Boy, please stay.” Her eyes darted to my father and then back again to her friend.
“I want to meet her. She’s my mom.”
Arianna scowled, but nodded. A crazy messed up family would be better than none at all.
Last time all I had was an umbrella to defend myself. This time I’d do better. But with what? The sharpest thing in my mother’s drawer was a letter opener. That wasn’t going to do anything against the scales of an alligator. My dad often carried a pocket knife with him and opened the stand next to his bed, finding it tucked in the corner of the drawer.
“Here, Samuel. Put this in your pocket.”
“What for?”
“Just in case. You never know what’ll be out there.”
He pouted, but obeyed, taking the knife from me. Looking it over, he flipped out the blade and then carefully closed it again before placing it in his pocket. It was more important for him to be safe than me. I felt better knowing he had protection.
“We’ll be back soon. Let’s go meet your mother.”
CHAPTER 19
FAMILY
With us loaded in my SUV, I drove out of town. Darkness had arrived, with fast moving clouds covering most of the stars, making an impressive display as they raced across the moon.
“That’s amazing!” Samuel mumbled, staring at the sky.
Driving the same path Alex had when he took me to see Monica, I parked on the edge of the ravine.
Samuel looked around curiously. How much I should tell him about his mother? Alex probably had the same internal debate when he took me here. Now, I had a better understanding of how he must’ve felt.
I turned off the SUV and headlights, letting our eyes adjust to the darkness.
“I’ve said she has changed, but you need more.” I beat my thumbs against the steering wheel. “She has this odd pet, and she’s more animalistic than human. It’s sad and dangerous.”
“Because of the alligator?”
“Yes, and Monica’s unstable.” I sighed and wished I could help her.
“It’ll be okay, Dad.”
Being called ‘dad’ was new and strange, but I liked it. “I hope you’re right. Let’s go.”
From inside the glove box, I found a long-handled flashlight. The bright moon made it easy to see, but if the clouds settled in front of it, then I’d be thankful to have additional light.
Samuel stayed by my side as we walked along the top of the cavern. He kept the awed expression he had when he first came out of the hospital. Bending to the ground, he touched the patches of growth and smelled the stems.
The thirsty soil absorbed the rain from earlier, giving the air a nice earthy smell. I remembered riding in my grandfather’s tractor to the cotton fields and the excitement of the fertile soil being readied for planting.
The boy picked up a palm-size rock and threw it into the ravine.
“Samuel, no!” I yelled.
The rock bounced along the side, gathering dirt until it settled next to the bottom. I turned the flashlight on and scanned the shadows for Monica. It wouldn’t be good to stone her before making introductions.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Your mom’s down there.”
“She is? Where?” His head followed the light’s beam as I double-checked each shadow.
“This way.” I nodded further down the crevice.
I learned from last time, it was easier to walk along the flat and dry surface on top. Samuel stuffed his hands inside the pockets of his hooded jacket. It was probably a habit because the air felt warm, the clouds allowing the day’s heat to remain around us.
“You nervous?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Only curious.”
“Where does your confidence come from?”
“From God,” Samuel answered. “He loves us and doesn’t want to hurt His people.”
God. So many opinions. How could one Deity be both worshipe
d and hated by millions of people? He remained a factor in this mess that I didn’t know what to do with.
“Has anyone told you the theory of where the poison came from?” I asked.
“No. Do you know?” I shook my head in thought.
His hazel eyes reminded me of my mother. He wanted the truth, but that would require blaming God.
Suddenly, I understood why I became the easier target. For the God-fearing people of Becton, compared to Him, anyone seemed like a better option. Originally, I thought it was because Monica was crazy and dangerous.
She had asked me if I loved her. Was she capable of loving someone else? It seemed unlikely. For some reason, my feelings seemed important to her.
Samuel looked up at the night sky. Clouds hurried past the moon, blocking many of the stars. He grinned, his eyes wide, taking in the things I took for granted. I never doubted my parents loved me. Was Samuel curious?
The wind picked up the dirt, swirling it close by. The faint trickling sound of water told me we were near the dam. Peering over the side of the ravine, I looked below. I could use the flashlight, but I wanted to know how well I saw with only the moonlight. White rocks below reflected the light well.
Monica roamed on all fours, laying one large round stone on top of the other. She mumbled and hummed to herself and the alligator stayed at her side. I felt Samuel’s arm brush against mine and I assumed he watched her as well.
What must it feel like to see this animalistic form and know she’s your mother?
The alligator remained outside as Monica scampered into the cave. Was it keeping guard? Did they know we were here?
“Do we go?” Samuel whispered.
“I’m going first.”
Samuel nodded.
I silently stepped to the edge. Placing my hand on the dry surface, I remained steady while quietly lowering into the ravine. My eyes remained locked on the beast. I heard movement from within the den. Which was more important to keep my eyes on, the alligator a few feet away or the crazy lady? I darted my attention back and forth between the two.
A screech from within the cave captured my attention. My heart hammered against my ears. A rock shuffled inside the den followed by a scream. Monica reappeared. Crouched on three limbs, she meandered awkwardly with something in her other hand. It flopped and struggled like the fish had with her sharp nails piercing into its skin. Covered in fur with long back legs, the large rabbit let out a squeal.