by Calen, Tom
“Come with us,” the second voice said. The words clearer to him now.
“I can’t,” spoke the first. “Not now.”
He could sense the owner of the first voice withdraw from his proximity, leaving only the one shadow which had grown more distinct.
“Mike, can you hear me? Look at me, Mike.”
The shadow soon became detailed and he recognized Paul standing over him.
“There ya go, buddy. You’re on the boat, Mike. The doc’s going to patch you up in a minute. Just hang in there. You’re going to be fine and waking up in Cuba,” Paul said to him.
“How…here?” Mike asked weakly.
“It was Derrick, Mike. He followed us, and found you. He brought you to the ship.”
As he tried to speak again, the familiar lapping of his skin by a warm tongue followed by the nuzzling of a wet nose brought a smile to his weary face. Derrick had saved them both it seemed.
Around him, Mike began to hear feet scurrying purposefully. Men shouted orders across the ship’s deck, and the low rumble of the engine reverberated as a soft breeze against his skin told him the ship was beginning its journey.
“Let’s get him down there. Their infirmary is pretty well stocked, so I have everything I need,” came Dr. Marena’s voice.
“Okay, Mike, the doc’s ready,” Paul informed him. “It’s going to be okay now, Mike. We’re going to Cuba. It’s over, Mike. We’re safe.”
“Safe,” Mike said, as hands lifted him from the deck and gently carried him below deck.
The End.
The story continues in:
The Tilian Effect:
Book Two of The Pandemic Sequence