by Jay Brenham
“We might be able to get you on board a ship that has taken a few refugees,” Norris said, misinterpreting Sam’s expression.
“We were trying make it to Hampton,” Gloria explained.
“Hampton?” Chief Norris’ eyebrows drew down over his eyes. “What’s there for you?”
“We thought maybe the infection hadn’t gotten there yet,” Sam said. “Since they closed the tunnels and bridges out of Norfolk.”
“I’m sorry,” Norris said. “Hampton fell shortly after Norfolk. The only thing that you’ll find there is more infected.”
“What about the Outer Banks of North Carolina?” Gloria asked.
“And southern Maryland,” Sam added. “Just south of Annapolis?”
“The main island in the Outer Banks was lost but some of the smaller barrier islands that didn’t have bridges to the mainland are okay.”
Gloria sighed with relief. She’d told Sam that her mother was on one of the islands that required ferry access.
“And Annapolis?” Sam asked.
“There isn’t a major city in the Western world that hasn’t been overrun with infection at this point,” said Chief Norris. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“My wife and son are in Maryland. Not in Annapolis, but just south of it.” Sam said roughly. “I can’t give up if there’s a chance they’re still alive.”
Chief Norris tried to switch topics, “I don’t want to give you false hope. We were told the highway system in most developed countries was perfect for spreading a virus with this sort of incubation period. The 20 minutes to two hours it takes the infection to set in was just enough time for someone who was unknowingly infected to drive to another area. If something like this broke out in one city I think we could have stopped the spread. The virus doesn’t spread through the air, it spreads through fluid transfer, which I’m told is inefficient. The fluid transfer would have been good if we were dealing with a different virus, one that didn’t destroy the person’s mind and cause them to attack the uninfected.”
“Is there a plan?” Sam asked.
Norris rubbed a knuckle over his chin. “For the world or for you?”
“I was thinking of the world but we might as well get specific. Any plans for us?”
“There are two options we can give you. The first is to take you back to one of the refugee ships. You can probably get a spot there.”
“I appreciate that offer,” Sam said. “But I can’t abandon my family. Not until I know they’re really gone.”
Chief Norris nodded. “I understand. Our second option is to drop you off at Raft City…” Chief Norris trailed off, waiting for someone to ask.
Gloria took the bait. “What’s Raft City?”
“Raft City is a floating refugee camp. Anyone who could get their hands on a boat left the city. A bunch of refugees started tying their boats together up in Mobjack Bay so they could trade for food and weapons and watch each other’s backs.”
“Can we go there even if we don’t have a boat?” Sam asked.
“Maybe. They require a quarantine before they allow anyone to tie up.”
“Why? Did something happen?” Sam asked.
“Two refugee boats tied up at Raft City one day at dusk. Everyone allowed them to spread out and sleep on the decks of their boats. At first people were welcoming out there. That’s how things are when you think life will go back to normal.” He smiled humorlessly. “Just as everyone was settling down for the night I’m told screams spread through the camp. Some of the people on the refugee boats had hidden their bites—at that point, people didn’t realize a bite was a guaranteed infection. Ever since, the refugees at Raft City have really changed their outlook.”
“What do you mean?”
“Before that happened, the people there banded together as a group of survivors. It was like after 9/11. Everybody wanted to help. That’s why the boat owners let the refugees sleep on their decks. But since the outbreak, Raft City has been far less accepting of newcomers. They require a quarantine and I’ve seen them turn people away altogether.”
“What about food?” Gloria asked.
“Right now they’re surviving on what they’ve brought with them. We were there two days ago. Anyone with a fishing pole or a crab pot was using it,” Norris said. “Canned food will last forever; they might as well catch what they can while it’s biting.”
“You say it like they’re going to be there for months,” Gloria said.
Norris shrugged. “Who knows. They might be.”
“What about water?” Sam asked.
“I don’t know. I assume they’re using whatever they have on board. It hasn’t rained since the infection started and little boats like those don’t have desalinization plants like a Navy ship. Even this craft doesn’t have desalinization; we have to get water from another source. Eventually Raft City is going to have to find another water source.”
“Isn’t the Navy helping them out?” Gloria asked.
“I wish we could, but we can barely feed ourselves and it probably won’t be long until the ships can’t even do that. It could get ugly,” Norris said.
The three of them were silent. The idea of America’s military not being able to feed itself was not one that came easily to any of them.
Norris turned to Sam. “So what’ll it be: refugee ship or Raft City?”
“I told you. I can’t give up on my family. Maybe in Raft City I can get a boat to take me up the coast. Let’s see if they’ll take me.”
“We’re tasked with reporting on Raft City’s status, so we were going there tomorrow anyway. Tonight we’ll anchor out. Two of my guys will stand an armed watch while everyone else sleeps. We have two mattresses down in the supply room; they’re yours tonight. You’re free to use the head and shower, but make it quick because we don’t have an infinite water supply.”
Sam nodded. “I understand. I’m grateful for your help, Chief.”
“What about me?” asked Gloria. “I need to get to the Outer Banks. My kids are there.”
“I don’t know.” Norris’ voice was apologetic. “This area of Norfolk is our area of operation right now. I may be able to get you hooked up with a transport headed that way.”
“Thank you,” Gloria said. She sounded like she was on the verge of tears. “Thank you so much.”
Norris held his hands up, palms facing her as if he could physically forestall her raised hopes. “No guarantees, you understand? But it’s possible. The Navy would probably rather put you on a transport headed that way than have to feed another person. For now, why don’t you guys clean yourselves up? I’m sure some of my guys have clothes you could throw on while your stuff gets washed.”
#
Steam was already filling the small bathroom. It had been a week since Norfolk had fallen to the infected and Sam had done nothing more than wipe himself down with a wet cloth.
The salty taste of dried sweat washed off of his head and into his mouth, a reminder of the effort it had taken to escape the city. His escape had less to do with proper planning, he realized, and a lot more to do with luck. He wondered how Jack and Theresa were faring, he hoped they would make it. He hoped his family would make it. He’d pulled Gloria aside earlier and, after making sure they were out of earshot, asked her not to mention that he’d been in the military.
The egg timer rang, indicating that his time in the shower was up. He pulled the borrowed woodland camouflage over his head and tossed his clothing in the washing machine. He’d been given specific instructions not to turn the washing machine on while he was taking a shower because it would cause his shower to alternate from freezing to scalding.
The borrowed camo fit surprisingly well, and as he stepped out of the head and onto the hot deck, he saw Gloria speaking with one of the men on watch. She too wore a clean shirt and pair of pants, borrowed from one of the enginemen who was on the small side. Sam turned right and opened the door beneath the conning tower. There was a stee
ring wheel and other controls there; the craft could be steered from below as well as from up top. He turned right again and climbed down the ladder well, through a watertight door, and into the craft’s common area. A flat-screen television hung on the wall and a gaming console sat beneath it. Ethernet cables snaked into the different bunk areas. The whole place looked wired for a gaming marathon.
Chief Norris had told them to sleep in the supply area but gave them free reign to use the air-conditioned common area during the heat of the day. Sam sat down in one of the reclining chairs in the common area. He was asleep in minutes, his body finally releasing the tension of the morning’s escape.
#
Sam awoke to Hilton and Robinson sitting down in the recliners next to him. A plate of chicken wings and white rice sat on the small table in front of him.
“Chow time, boss,” said Robinson with his thick southern accent.
Sam glanced up in surprise. “For me?”
“None other.”
“Thanks.”
Hilton slid a Styrofoam cup of red juice towards Sam. Bug Juice, that’s what sailors called the Kool-Aid type drink that constantly cycled in the Navy’s fountain drink machines. He usually detested the stuff, but now he welcomed the sugary taste. Just as Sam was taking a drink, Gloria walked in holding a plate of food. Apparently she’d gotten the memo about chow time.
“Hey guys, is there an open seat?”
Hilton moved his feet from the extra chair. “Here you go.”
Robinson nodded invitingly.
“So Robinson, I know Hilton is a corpsman, what’s your job on the craft?” Sam asked.
“I’m an engineman. I keep the engines running but I also help out on deck when they need it. We’re a small crew,” Robinson said.
“Oh cool,” Gloria said. “So you’re the one who makes sure everything works when it needs to?”
“Pretty much. There are a few of us responsible for maintenance of the engines,” Robinson added. “I couldn’t do it by myself.”
“And Hilton, Chief Norris said you aren’t normally stationed on the craft. How did you get on here?” Sam said.
“Pretty much the same way you did, except I was floating in the water in a life raft when they found me,” Hilton said.
“Old Mr. Modesty over here isn’t gonna tell you the whole story,” Robinson laughed.
Hilton rolled his eyes but Robinson continued.
“His ship was one of those that stayed tied up to the pier. Some guys who were infected got inside before anyone knew that this thing was a virus. The fuckers attacked him but he managed to get away. He took a goddamn—”
Hilton interrupted. “Robinson, c’mon man, nobody wants to hear this shit and I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“Sorry, Hilton,” Robinson said, abashed. “I know those were your friends.”
“It’s okay, man. Don’t worry about it.”
Robinson and Hilton both looked a little sad, like someone had just kicked their dog, but then Robinson cracked a smile.
“What are you smiling about?” Hilton demanded, still a little on edge.
“Just the fact that you cut that damn life raft off the side of the boat and jumped a hundred feet into the water.”
“So what?”
“Do you know who does the maintenance on those life rafts? Some poor undesignated seaman who doesn’t give a shit. He just signs off the maintenance check. Probably doesn’t even look at the lifeboats before he signs off. You’re lucky it inflated when it hit the water.”
A big smile spread across Hilton’s face.
“You’re fucking-A right I was lucky! Probably some asshole like you did the maintenance on it. Actually, if someone like you had done the maintenance the damn thing probably wouldn’t have opened. I would’ve been shark bait for sure.”
Sam glanced at Gloria. She looked relieved that a possible argument had been quickly resolved. Sam was happy to see how both of them handled the situation. Clearly they were both tough, capable people to begin with, but what he liked was that Hilton and Robinson did not pretend to be something they weren’t. It was clear that Hilton had had some sort of harrowing survival tale but he preferred not to talk about it. He didn’t pretend to be Rambo, just waiting to pull out his amazing skills on the infected horde. What struck Sam most was their genuine modesty.
The laughing between Hilton and Robinson began to die down, which Sam took as a cue to speak up. “So what led you guys to join the Navy?”
Hilton spoke first. “I grew up in Ohio and never traveled much but I always wanted to. I knew I needed to do a job where I could help people and the Navy could provide both.” He made a self-deprecating grimace. “Although, since I joined, I’ve mostly just helped sailors nursing colds and hangovers.”
“Those reasons are as good as any I’ve heard,” Gloria offered. “How about you, Robinson?”
“Well, I grew up in Georgia and…well…I always liked the water,” Robinson said.
Hilton started laughing. “Are you fucking kidding me? That’s the worst reason I have ever heard for joining the military. You could have been a damn lifeguard and been near the water.”
Robinson raised his eyebrows and the same grin he’d had earlier went across his face. “That might be true, but if I was a lifeguard I wouldn’t have gotten to sit on this tin can with your pretty face.”
They all laughed. Sam realized that these two men had known each other for less than a week but were interacting as if they were lifelong friends. It was the shared experience of going through a stressful event that had brought them together. Just like he and Gloria were more familiar with each other than people who’d worked in the same office for years.
“How about you two?” Hilton asked. “Tell us how you ended up in this city.”
“I grew up in upstate New York,” Sam said. “Not a lot was going on up there so when I was offered a job working for the shipyard I jumped at the chance to move. I figured I could always move back if I didn’t like it.”
Gloria was looking at him, watching him lie. She didn’t say anything though. He felt a little guilty lying after the hospitality they’d received, but he couldn’t afford to let these people know he’d been in the military. His family needed him.
“And I grew up in Norfolk,” Gloria said. “Not much else to say. I never wanted to live anywhere else, except maybe the Outer Banks. We always vacationed there at a beach rental my family owned…” Her voice trailed off.
Talking about family had become an unspoken taboo. They all got quiet after that and focused on their food.
“What time is it?” Sam asked as he finished his plate.
Hilton glanced at his watch. “A little after two.”
“You were knocked out down here for a few hours,” Robinson said. “It must have been hell out there. How did you two survive?”
“I only made it through the initial outbreak because of my neighbor, Jack.” Sam suddenly thought of the Motorola walkie-talkie that was left in the car when he escaped and his heart sank. It was the only way that he’d had to communicate with Jack. Right now Jack was probably tuning in to his radio every hour on the hour, hoping to hear Sam’s voice.
What chance did Jack have of getting out alive? If the military wasn’t even mounting rescue operations to save their own ships, he doubted they’d waste their time for an old man and his sick wife. Still, he owed it to Jack to pass on his location, as well as the location of the soldier in the convoy truck. Excusing himself from the conversation, Sam left Hilton and Robinson with Gloria.
Sam began to sweat as soon as he walked onto the deck. The air-conditioned area that the crew slept in was certainly preferable to the hot deck. He dropped his paper plate and plastic utensils in the trashcan at the back of the craft. The paper and food products would be pulped on the ship and thrown overboard and the plastic would be melted down into large disks to be taken away once the ship arrived in port. The world had gone to hell but the Navy was still
running as if the world could be salvaged. There was something comforting in that, Sam thought, even if it proved fruitless in the end.
He climbed the ladder to the top of the conning tower and stood for a moment, watching the water slip by. The craft was running parallel to the Norfolk shoreline and, for the first time since coming on board, he took the time to look at it. Columns of smoke dotted the low skyline and infected could be seen walking along the beaches.
He turned away from the view and toward Chief Norris; he had to do whatever he could to get Jack out of that mess.
#
From his metal chair atop the conning tower, Chief Norris steered the craft as it patrolled the coast line. Like the rest of the crew, he wore green woodland camouflage, topped with a matching boonie hat. A large gray tarp shaded him from the sun.
The sheet metal wall around the top of the tower was only waist high, but Sam knocked on it anyway, just to be polite.
Norris opened his mouth to speak but Sam beat him to it.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping me and Gloria back at the base.”
“You’re welcome. Have you changed your mind about where you want to be dropped off? You have until tomorrow morning when we get to Raft City.”
Sam shook his head. “I’m sticking with Raft City. I don’t know if I can trust anyone there but I need to find my family.”
“Fine with me.” Norris frowned in thought. “But I want you to think about a couple of things.”
“What’s that?”
Norris looked away. When he looked back at Sam there was sadness in his eyes. “Two twin boys and a wife. That was my family. All three of them saw us off on the pier when we left, the same one where I picked you up. When I saw your car I was hoping against the odds that the two of you were my family. I’m not holding it against you—that’d be stupid—but when I saw your car screeching along, I prayed it was my wife and kids.”
Sam nodded, waiting for Norris to continue.
“You can be safe. I can take you to a ship. You’ll get hot meals and you’ll live. The chances of your family being alive out there are small. Maybe zero. You escaped, you know what it’s like better than I do. Think of the odds and choose to live. There’s no need for you to lose your life too.”