ALL IS SILENCE

by Robert L. Slater

  Zach jogged down the slope. Charley was hugging Spike, his head on his chest. Zach knelt, pulling Charley gently away from Spike’s ravaged body. There was blood everywhere.

  Zach shook his head, “Charley, I don’t think… We can’t...”

  “No, you gotta save him.” Charley’s tears tore at Zach.

  Spike’s body shook as his eyes opened, searching. A whimper escaped his lips. Those eyes, so simple, so full of pain. Blood flowed from dozens of rips in his clothes and his flesh.

  “Hey, dog man.” Zach coughed, “You saved Lizzie. Good job.” Zach ran his fingers through Spike’s thick hair.

  Charley sobbed, a howl in the emptiness.

  Spike’s hands raised up to Charley’s face and made a sign Good Job and then dropped; his eyes slipped closed.

  “Spike,” Charley howled. “Don’t go. Don’t go away. Don’t leave me.” He laid his face on Spike’s chest, ignoring the blood and wounds. His small arms reached around Spike, trying to hold him.

  Zach’s throat tightened. Of all the deaths he’d seen, Gramps’ was the hardest to bear. Zach had cried then, but not since. Not even for his dad. But his cheeks were wet with tears for Spike and Charley. Spike was like a big kid. Zach wrapped his arms around Charley and pulled him up, holding him as much for himself as for Charley.

  Charley let himself be held for a moment then squirmed out of Zach’s grasp, pushing him away. He knelt again at Spike’s side. His hand reached out tentatively to touch Spike’s grizzled face.

  Zach knelt down next to him.

  Charley’s face contorted, tears running down. His body shook, his breath came in short gasps. “We need to bury him.”

  “We need to leave.” Zach glanced around. “Lizzie and her dad need a hospital.

  “We need to bury him.” Charley’s eyes demanded.

  Zach sighed. Arguing with a 12-year-old. He couldn’t find the words to explain to this boy that taking the time to say goodbye to his beloved friend with a burial might mean that his other friends would die. So he simply said, “Rest in Peace, Spike. You were a good friend.”

  Zach hustled to the RAV. Charley stayed behind, weakly pushing snow over the still form of his friend.

  35

  ZACH DROVE TO THE top as near as he could to the wounded. He hopped out and swung the back door open wide. “We need to get them to Provo.” Zach refused to say The City. “It’s about 30 minutes. I bet they have medical care. Can you get Charley to come?” Nev headed down the hill as Zach walked over to Blackhawk.

  The big Native nodded in acknowledgement.

  “Blackhawk? Can you get the snowmobiles on the trailer? And bring the prisoners. The people in Provo ought to appreciate the gear, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah.” Blackhawk grinned.

  They loaded the wounded carefully—Lizzie and Nev with Rachael driving the RAV. Jess with Zach in the Tank keeping an eye on Mannie’s condition, with Charley with Saj in the back.

  Further back Blackhawk drove the big beast of a truck pulling the trailer full of snowmobiles; with Duke and BeeGee guarding the Independents and renegade Collectors in the back.

  Zach’s eyes strayed to the white RAV Rachael was driving with Lizzie inside. His rag-tag, fugitive fleet following him on their way to Provo. He prayed that the truck Blackhawk drove and its contents were their ticket into Provo, rather than the eligible young women in their company.

  What if something happens to Nev? What if they took her from him? Can’t worry about that now. “Jess, where to?” Zach asked.

  “We took an exit off I-15 that led us to a guard house.”

  Sure enough, when Zach saw University Parkway there were orange cones. He pulled onto the off-ramp. Plumes of smoke rose in the distance over Provo.

  “As long as there’re no Zombies we’ll be fine.” It didn’t sound as funny as it had in his head, but Jess humored him with a hollow laugh.

  At the guardhouse were half a dozen well-armed soldiers. They looked like real Army, not the impromptu paramilitary start-up in Idaho. He let the Tank roll to a stop a few feet short of the gate. The man without a rifle in his hands or a helmet on his head approached. “Who are you and where are you from?” His name patch said Benson.

  The other soldiers splayed out around the vehicles.

  “Zach Riley, Sedro-Woolley, Washington. We have wounded people. We need a doctor.”

  Benson swung his flashlight up, illuminating Mannie’s face. He passed it across Zach and into the back seat.

  “Please,” Jess begged.

  “I need a medic,” Benson said into his mic, “or two, if possible.”

  Benson’s walkie-talkie squawked, “Captain. Somebody IDing himself as Randall Blackhawk, U. S. Army Rangers, says he’s bringing in Utah Independent prisoners and some renegade Collectors as gear to trade. Wounded coming in first.”

  “Check. Benson, out.” Benson spoke into his radio mic, “Provo? Ambulance. Now.”

  His radio blew static and another voice replied, “Roger.”

  “The rest of you are going to have to wait.” Benson motioned with his arm. “Pull over there.”

  Jess gasped in relief.

  “Thank you, Sir.” Zach moved the Tank. Soldiers helped Jess get Mannie onto a flat-board stretcher. Zach stepped down out of the cab and jogged back to the RAV.

  A medic was checking Lizzie’s pulse. “All right, let’s move her.” A second stretcher was coming, carried between two more soldiers.

  Nev kissed Lizzie’s forehead as the soldiers placed her on a stretcher. Zach stared at the blood on Lizzie’s clothes. Maybe it wasn’t all hers.

  “Oh, god, Zach.” Nev looked haggard as she fell into his arms.

  The ambulance, siren wailing, drove into view.

  Zach held Nev tight. None of the soldiers seemed overly interested in the women. “I hope we got them here in time.”

  The medics were pulling aside Mannie’s and Lizzie’s clothes, inspecting the wounds. The ambulance ground to a stop and the back doors popped open. Soldiers loaded both stretchers and then slammed the doors shut. One soldier slapped the door twice to indicate they were good to go and the ambulance sped off with siren howling. Zach closed his eyes and prayed. Let them live.

  While the ambulance and medics had taken care of Lizzie and Mannie, Blackhawk had arrived. Benson oversaw the offloading of the prisoners. He had not questioned their status as prisoners or released any of them from their bonds, though it was clear he recognized some of the Collectors.

  When he had sent them off, he turned his attention back to Zach and the others. “Everybody follow me.” He led them into a building off the side of the road.

  He took Zach into a small room and sat him down at a table. “I assume you can speak for the others.” It was less a question and more an observation. Benson placed a small digital recorder on the table and said, “I need your statement. Start at the beginning.”

  Zach told Benson everything—almost: this time he did keep Glen out of it.

  When Zach got to the part about the renegade Collectors and their interaction with the Utah Independents, Benson had him repeat and took prodigious notes. He asked for details and made some comment about passing on word to his superiors.

  When Benson was satisfied, he released Zach and took him down the hall to his companions.

  There were couches around the room and everyone laid out on them in various stages of consciousness. Charley was asleep in Rachael’s arms. Duke snored on another couch. Nev was curled around Saj. Jess paced in the back of the room. She nodded at him, but didn’t seem to want to talk. A bored-looking guard stood by the door.

  There was food, army rations, but Zach was so hungry it didn’t matter. He shoveled some peaches and crackers into his mouth, then lay down on the empty couch nearest Nev.

  He didn’t think he would fall asleep, but the next thing he noticed was waking to Nev’s lips on his forehead. He turned to find hers with his own as he sat up. For a moment there was onl
y the two of them and their lips. Her warmth surged through his body.

  After a short but satisfying kiss, he pulled back, trying to read how things were by the look on her face. How long did I sleep? He had been tired—was still tired. Tired of running.

  Nev raised her eyes to his. Her face was enigmatic. No answers.

  “Lizzie?” he asked.

  Nev’s jaw tightened and she shook her head. “No word yet.”

  Zach sighed and pulled her into his arms. Let it go. Everything’s going to be fine. Maybe. He held her close. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

  Mannie woke to darkness. He was alive. He had been hit in the first hail of gunfire. But he hadn’t let it stop him. Then he’d seen Lizzie take on Travis. He’d stood there, powerless, watching his daughter face death and win. But she was wounded in the side and the arm. Then Blackhawk had shown up and he’d watched her fall.

  When Lizzie passed out he had tried to go to her. Blackhawk was going to hurt him, he could see it his eyes, but BeeGee had interceded for him and he’d fallen near Lizzie, kissed her on the forehead and then the blood left his head. The last face he had seen before the darkness came was Zach, Lizzie’s friend, angry and scared.

  Mannie explored his senses. He was strapped down. His shoulder throbbed. Alive. But what about Lizzie? He needed to know she was ok. There had been a lot of blood.

  He struggled to raise his head. “Anybody there?” His voice came out in a whisper.

  Jess came to him from a dark corner of the room. She looked weary, like she had been sitting up all night watching him. Her hand touched his forehead. “Rest, Mannie.” She smiled.

  “Lizzie?” Before Jess could answer, the world faded away.

  A throb of pain in his chest brought Mannie aware. Pain is good. Means I’m alive. He opened his eyes slowly; the view screamed hospital. Provo, I bet.

  He heard breathing—labored and fluttery. “Hello?”

  The fluttery breath caught. “Daddy?”

  “Elizabeth?” His heart pounded.

  “I can’t see you.”

  “I’m here,” he said.

  Jess’s face appeared beside him. “The sleepyheads are awake.” She smiled at him and pressed the button on the bed to raise him up.

  The motor churned and his head lifted slowly. He closed his eyes as the ceiling spun.

  “Open your eyes, silly,” Jess commanded.

  He did. Lizzie lay across from him. She grinned weakly.

  “Daddy. You scared me.”

  “Scared myself.” That was all he could get out. “I was afraid—” He lost sight of her as tears flooded his eyes.

  Jess eased out of the chair beside his bed. “I’ll give you two some time.”

  Mannie nodded. “Thanks, Jess.”

  “Daddy. I can hardly believe you’re really here.”

  “It doesn’t feel real yet to me either.” The room spun a little. “Lizzie. I’m not perfect. I’m sorry.

  “Stop saying you’re sorry.” Lizzie lay her head back. “I don’t want you perfect. I want you here. I’m not perfect either. But I’d like to get to know you.”

  “I love you, Elizabeth.” His eyes closed. “Now, we have time.” He was exhausted. “See you in the morning.” He felt himself drift out. He tried to hold his eyes open, seeing her smile as long as he could.

  Lizzie let her head fall back against the pillow. Time. She had some now. She forced herself up and drank from the water glass on the nightstand. Jayce’s calculator watch lay there along with one of the extra cell phones. Her eyes teared up. Mama and Jayce. She didn’t have their voices anymore. But she had the memories. Maybe there were some in the house back in Bellingham—VHS tapes or something on the computer. Mama, I’m sorry I broke my promise, but I’m glad I left the house. She pulled the watch onto her wrist. I miss you, Jayce.

  A knocked sounded on the door. Jess slipped in and closed it. “Hey, girl. How are you?” She smoothed Lizzie’s hair away from her face.

  Lizzie smiled. “I’m hungry.”

  Jess laughed. “I’ll tell the doctor you’re awake. If he says you can eat, we’ll get you some food.” Jess kissed Lizzie’s forehead. “Thanks.”

  “For what?”

  “For making me part of your family.”

  Lizzie nodded and smiled. Jess walked out the door and Lizzie closed her eyes. She was so tired. Everything ached. Anytime she moved the wrong way it felt like a hot brand searing into her side.

  A gray-haired doctor entered the room. He looked exhausted. “Good morning, Miss Gooden. Glad to see you’re awake. I’m Dr. Wright. Your father woke up?”

  “Yes.” She felt warm and fuzzy and hoped it wasn’t the drugs.

  “Mr. Guerrero?” the doctor asked in a firm voice. Her dad didn’t wake up, but the doctor didn’t seem concerned. He checked her dad’s chart and wrote something.

  “Is he gonna be ok?” Lizzie asked.

  “He’ll be fine. We gave him the next rabies booster. He needs plenty of rest and time to recover.” The doctor came back to Lizzie’s bedside. “And I am happy to report you and your baby are fine too.”

  “My what?” Lizzie was confused. “You mean Saj?”

  “No.” He smiled. “Your unborn baby. I automatically run blood work. Your tests show you’re pregnant.

  “I’m pregnant? But that isn’t possible.” Her stomach spun in response.

  “Did you have sex?”

  “Yes, but—” How could she have gotten pregnant? She and Zach had only had that one night.

  “Then it’s possible.”

  She was silent, considering. Thoughts bounced off one another. Having a baby? I’m not ready. Zach? Nev? “Does anyone else know?”

  The doctor shook his head. “No.”

  Lizzie touched her belly. “Thanks.” There were bandages wrapped across it, but it didn’t feel any different. “Can I eat?”

  “Yes, you should. Food is on the way. Your friends take good care of you.”

  “Yes, they do.” The warm feeling grew.

  The doctor excused himself after writing notes on her chart.

  Lizzie lay her head back and closed her eyes. There was a knock on the door.

  “Jess, you better have food.” Lizzie pushed the button to raise her head, instead of trying to sit up.

  Zach brought in a covered tray. “I’m not Jess, but I do have food,” he said, setting it on the rolling table and wheeling it close to her. “Sorry. I didn’t fix it.” He whipped off the lid.

  There were mashed potatoes and gravy and a little cup of applesauce. She lifted a fork full with some potatoes dipped in the gravy to her lips. It was warm and real. “I’m sure it’s not as good as yours.”

  “Thanks.” Zach stared at her, a serious look on his face. “Lizzie?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Next time? Tell me what’s going on, okay? Before you jump off the cliff?”

  “I will. I’ll tell you and Nev and Jess. And Dad.” God. If you only knew what cliff we already jumped off.

  “Everyone’s waiting to see you. Charley wants to say good bye.”

  “Goodbye?” Lizzie’s heart twisted.

  “He’s headed out with Blackhawk and BeeGee tomorrow.” Zach sat down on the edge of her bed. “They’re gonna try to help him find his grandpa.”

  “I don’t understand. The City people are letting them leave?”

  “Uh-huh. They’ve got a boatload of rules here. But they submitted the travel request and it got approved. We’re safe, protected. No more running and fighting.” His smile escaped.

  Lizzie stared at him. “What the hell, Zach? We’re staying? Were you going to tell me what’s going on?”

  “You don’t have to stay, but I’m ready to quit traveling for a while. I think the worst is over. Duke and I’ve got job interviews tomorrow. Gonna be a Collectors here in The City.”

  “You and Duke? Collectors in The City? Jesus, Zach, how long have I been knocked out?”

  “A couple days.
Seems Carter and Travis were exceeding their orders. Collectors really are supposed to bring in people and gear without so much coercion.”

  “You really think it’s safe here?”

  He nodded.

  Nothing is ever going to be safe. But Zach’s boyish grin claimed otherwise. And with a baby on board, safety made sense.

  How did she feel about Zach? And how did he feel about her? Well, if he was the last man on Earth, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. But she was glad he wasn’t. She was glad Nev was here, too. The rest of the thoughts were too complicated.

  Her look must have made him uncomfortable because he shifted and cleared his throat. “I’ll go get the others.”

  She smiled as he stood up and left to get the rest of her family.

  Nev came through the door carrying a grinning, arm-flapping Saj. Lizzie felt warm inside. She put a hand on her bandaged belly as her father’s eyes opened and a soft smile graced his weary face.

  A new family for a new world. In more ways than one. She held out her hands for Saj. “Come to Sissie.”

  Thanks for reading All Is Silence. If you loved it, hated it or felt nothing for it, could you please share a rating and/or a review if you're willing? Please, be honest: One star or Five Stars. I have thick skin and want to find readers who want to read my books. If it wasn't your cup of tea, let people know why.

  You can go to www.desertedlands.com/reviews to find direct links to All Is Silence for all the major book websites.

  LIZZIE’S STORY CONTINUES…

  COMING in 2015 from Rocket Tears Press

  Go to www.desertedlands.com for more information, additional fiction and updates.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I WOULD LIKE TO thank all of the students that I have had the honor of working with through the years. Also the many writers, teachers and librarians who inspired me, also a list to large too mention.

  Most important, though, none of this would have been possible with the support of my partner, Elena and my family: immediate, extended and hyper-extended.