by Anson Barber
Was I supposed to take her away and leave them? I couldn’t take them all. There was room in back of the van, but not the box, which was meant for only one passenger. With four-against-one odds, they might get desperate and try to overpower me during the trip.
“Son of a bitch!” I huffed as I paced inside the small space. On any other run I might have risked it for the sake of keeping them together, but right now getting Corey out and back to California was more important.
“Okay,” I said to myself, calmly. “The older boy is capable of taking care of the younger two.” I pointed at them with my index fingers.
I wasn’t going to take a kid back to the Outer Banks, and the teen might give me a run for my money strength-wise. Even in his infected state, he looked rather large.
“I was sent to get a woman. I’m going to take in a woman.” One way or another, someone would be coming for her.
I carefully wrapped the woman in the dark bag and carried her to the van.
“They won’t be alone for long. You’ll be with them again. I promise.” I assured the sleeping woman as I loaded her in the box and locked it.
I went back to the boys, leaving all of the blood I could spare from my cooler. This sucked. They were going to wake up and not have a clue what had happened or what to do next. I couldn’t waste time sticking around ’til sunset. The best I could do was leave my business card in the older boy’s hand with a note.
DON’T WORRY, SHE IS OKAY. WHEN EVERYTHING IS SAFE CALL THIS NUMBER AND I’LL HELP YOU FIND HER AGAIN.
I drove on for a few hours and found a hotel. I parked in a shady spot and went inside to secure a room.
“You got one in there?” The old man at the desk asked me. He had that look about him. The kind that said he didn’t approve and that he might make a few phone calls after I went to sleep.
I stared, too tired to get into it with him. I was going to have to drive on to find a new hotel.
I chose a larger place with interior corridors and fancy lights hanging in the lobby. It might be one of the last times I stayed in a hotel for this kind of job.
It dawned on me that my hunting days might soon be over. I could go back to tinkering on cars. I could even afford my own garage with the money I had saved, not to mention what I was being paid by Mr. Mitchell.
As happy as I should have been, something pulled at a tender spot in my chest. What would happen with Emery?
She was a doctor, dedicated to helping others. She was rich and beautiful, and…
I realized then there was no place for me, the mechanic, in her life.
With this oppressing revelation, I drifted off to sleep.
I didn’t sleep peacefully. I had constant nightmares.
I pictured the three boys I’d seen as they woke up in fear without their mother. I saw Corey as the drug test backfired and it did unspeakable things to him. I saw Emery, her eyes green, her hair shiny. This time the drug had worked, but I knew she was about to give me the “it’s not you, it’s me” talk.
I woke up more exhausted than before.
I checked out and grabbed some coffee. I wanted a good head start before I had to pull over and explain to this woman the situation she was in.
“Though with luck, it won’t be for long,” I reassured myself.
When it was nearly time for her to wake up I unlocked the lid and swung it open, my UV flashlight handy in case she attacked. Sitting next to the sleeping woman in the box, I glanced at my watch and waited.
She snapped awake and started looking around right away.
“Just relax. You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you,” I assured her in my softest voice.
“Where are the boys?” she fretted for their safety above her own. Genetically or not, she was definitely their mother. Damn.
“They’re still back at the bus.”
She started to cry. I hated that, the dull gray mascara-like tracks it made every time. She collected herself after a few minutes, and then with a nod she took a breath.
“The last time someone took me in, I was able to bargain for my release,” she whispered as she looked down at her shirt and unbuttoned the top button.
“Whoa, hold on there.” Her fingers froze on the next button.
I wasn’t repulsed by her, of course. But knowing some other Hunter had used this woman’s devotion to her children like that? God.
“What’s your name?”
“Melissa.”
“I’m sorry, Melissa. I would never do that. I was only sent for you. I didn’t have room for them. I’m not going to call any attention to them, though. I promise. I even gave them my spare blood and my number so they can find you when this is all over.”
She covered her face, distraught. “Over? It’s never going to be over!”
“I think it will be. Soon,” I said sincerely, and my tone made her look up at me. “How old is the bigger boy?”
“Nineteen.”
“He’ll be able to look after the other two?” She nodded sadly. “I’ll help you find each other again. I promise.” She nodded once more.
I gave her a moment to walk around outside the van so she could stretch her legs and come to terms with what was happening.
I could catch her if she ran, but this Haunt had a reason to escape that the others didn’t. Nothing would stop her from getting back to her children. Not even me, if she was given the chance. I had to keep my guard up.
“You have a choice. You can either be handcuffed in the passenger’s seat or put back in the box. What would you prefer?”
“Front,” she breathed.
I secured her with the handcuffs and then secured her seat belt.
“You’re a Hunter?” she asked when I got in and started the van.
“Yes.”
“You’re the nicest one I’ve ever met.”
“Thanks. But I’m guessing the others were pretty horrible, so I’m not sure if that really means much.” I winked at her and she tried to smile.
“They were,” she said as I pulled out on the highway.
“Can I ask you something personal?” I looked over at her. She gave a nod. “I thought Haunts weren’t able to…you know.” I sounded like a seventh grade boy, unable to say the word sex.
“Not willingly,” was all she needed to say about that.
I changed the subject. “So what are your boy’s names?”
“The oldest is Jonathan.”
“Tell me about him.”
“He played basketball in school. He’s very good. He might have had a chance at a college scholarship. The next is Austin, he was seven when they came. He loves music.” I frowned, knowing he would stay seven until he was cured. Emery had explained it to me—the alien fluid did its best to mimic and control our bodily functions. In some ways better, and in other ways a lot worse. Regeneration was one of the upsides, but there was never any new growth, just repairs, trying to keep the body exactly as it was when they transformed.
“And the youngest is Luke,” she went on. “He turned five a few weeks ago, but he still looks four. He loves anything his big brothers do.” She smiled, but there was a sadness there as she began telling me her own story.
Her husband was missing. She didn’t know what happened to him. He had called her the day the ships arrived and told her to take the boys and leave the city. They tried, but they didn’t get far. They were infected the first night.
As I had guessed, the boys were all the spitting image of their father. She seemed pleased by that for a moment before the sadness and worry took over again.
The night went by quickly with her chatting away about her children proudly, the way moms do.
Her words started to slow down, and I looked at the clock. She was just past the ten hour mark.
“We’re going to have to stop soon. I’m going t
o have to move you back inside the box while you sleep. For your own safety.” She nodded. “I know this is a horrible thing. But here’s something you don’t know. There’s hope. A real chance to fix this. And believe it or not, you’re helping me by getting me into the Outer Banks tomorrow. I need your cooperation, so I can help you and your boys. I need you to look at the bigger picture and trust me.”
She was watching me intently, no doubt trying to read my face. I didn’t mind.
“I know you want to escape, to try to and go back to them. Maybe you could. You could help them by stealing blood from the bodies at the funeral home for another night or two until another Hunter is sent after you. Or you can trust me when I tell you we’re close to a cure. If all goes well Jonathan can play basketball again at school, and Austin can have his friends over for Guitar Hero tournaments while Luke cheers them on.”
She started to cry again.
“I have people I care about who are infected too. I want them to be better.”
She nodded. “Okay. I believe you. I’m not going to be a problem.”
“Good. Thank you.”
I unlocked her cuffs and she climbed in the box, adjusting the mat.
“Just remember, there’s hope. Real hope for once,” I said as I locked the box.
I hopped outside and pulled out my phone to call Emery.
She didn’t answer, nor did her father. I figured they were busy, working right up to the last second.
I smiled at the message beep.
“You’d better make sure you get in bed before you fall asleep, Emery Estelle!” I scolded her playfully. “I miss you,” I said more seriously. “I wish I could hold you right now while you slept.” God, that sounded pathetic. “I’ve been telling the woman I’m taking in that she needs to have hope for the future. It got me thinking about our future. I…” I chickened out. “I guess we’ll talk about it when I get back. Take care. See you soon.”
I tapped the phone against my forehead. “Why didn’t you just tell her you loved her, dumb ass?” I said to myself as I got back in the van.
Would it be any better if I said it when she could look at me with her green eyes and tell me we had no future together?
Chapter Seventeen
When I could barely keep my eyes open, I found a place to stop.
The hotel I’d come across was pretty crappy, but I was so tired it didn’t matter. I fell into the bed, not even bothering to change.
I woke to the shrill sound of the wakeup call and began my routine. Shave, shower, coffee, breakfast, hit the road. I skipped the workout.
Once the sun was gone I pulled over to let Melissa out.
“How did you sleep?” I asked as I secured her with the handcuffs again.
“I never know,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Hungry?” I handed her a bag, knowing the answer had to be yes.
She nodded and bit into the bag. She had it empty before I got the van started.
“It tastes so much better like this,” she mentioned absently when she had calmed. “At the mortuary it’s had time to go off.” She looked over at me, embarrassed. I gave her a sympathetic smile.
We got to OBX at around four a.m. Not a lot of time to get her checked in and find Corey before he went to sleep for the day.
Especially because we ran into a bit of snag at the information center.
“Welcome to the Outer Banks Facility, Melissa,” Tina said it like she was at Disney World. “Let’s get some information first. Where were you when you were infected?”
“St. Louis,” she answered. I wandered off to the candy machine while I called Emery. Like the night before, she didn’t answer. I didn’t leave a message.
I went back to check on Melissa’s progress.
“All right. Next list all your immediate family members, even ones you know have died.”
Melissa took a breath and began listing everyone.
“Jason Robert Jacobis, Jonathan Robert Jacobis, Austin Philip Jacobis, Luke Alexander Jacobis.” Her lip trembled.
I patted her shoulder as Tina typed.
“We have a match. Your husband, Jason is here.”
Melissa gasped in shock. I was a bit concerned as to how this was going to change my plan to get Corey out. I didn’t have much time before he fell asleep. That would complicate things.
“Your husband is being housed at a condo in Salvo,” Tina continued. Salvo was on Hatteras Island.
I was somewhat relieved by this information. It gave me an idea.
“Won’t it take some time to get her pass worked out? It might be safer to keep her someplace closer for today since she’s going to need to sleep soon.” I patted Melissa’s shoulder, hoping she got my hint.
“I would rather go someplace safe as soon as possible, I can feel myself winding down.” Melissa played along. “I can find him when I wake up.”
“Sure. Let’s see…,”
“Anything at the Willows? I was hoping to check in on someone while I was here,” I said.
“If you don’t mind sharing a room with another woman who just got here, I have a place on the first floor.”
Melissa nodded. “That’s fine.” I could have hugged her.
“Okay. Here’s your ID, I’ll have your pass ready when you wake and someone will take you to your husband.”
“Thank you so much.” She smiled as got up to follow me to the van.
“This place doesn’t seem that bad. Maybe I should have you bring the boys—”
“Looks can be deceiving. They’ve just had a riot here. Give it a couple days, make sure things have calmed down. If you want them here you can call me and I’ll arrange it.” I gave her my card.
She gave me a sad smile. “I’m glad Jason is here.”
“So am I. You’ll all be together again soon, I’m sure of it.”
We pulled up alongside the Willows. I parked by the side of the building and unlocked the door to the back before letting Melissa out.
“This is it?” she asked in a hushed voice as we walked in. “You’re taking someone back with you? Someone who can help?”
“That’s right. Let’s get you settled.” I took a moment to show her the game room as we passed.
Corey was there playing ping pong against a wall by himself. He met my eyes and gave me a little salute. I nodded toward the door.
He nodded back and I kept walking, telling Melissa about the island like a tour guide, but she’d noticed our exchange. She didn’t say anything. She just looked at Corey again and followed me.
I got her settled and thanked her for going along with this before I dashed back to the van. I checked the handle on the door to the back; it was now locked and got in the driver’s side.
“Corey?”
“I’m in here.”
“Good boy.” I rested my head against the seat and started the van. “Let’s get out of here. Stay quiet until I get us through the gates.” Mr. Mitchell’s man had arranged to be on duty at the first gate like before. I just hoped the riots hadn’t caused them to bump up security and have additional vehicle checks at the other two gates.
“Can do. I don’t have a lot of time before I fall asleep. I can feel it.”
I glanced at my watch. “Sorry I cut it so close.” He should have been up for a little longer.
“I haven’t eaten today,” he said. “You don’t have any in the cooler.”
“Yeah. I had a situation. I’ll get you some when I stop to sign out at the visitor’s center.”
“I don’t think they have any.”
He was right.
Tina gave me a sad smile when I asked if I could refill my supply.
“Sorry, hon. I wish we could help, but we won’t have any until tomorrow.”
“You know these people don’t just get hungry when the
y don’t eat, right? They lose control.”
“We know, but there was a raid during the riots. We’re on strict rations until the next shipment comes in. Should be here tomorrow.” She went back to tapping away on her computer.
“Of all the rotten timing,” I muttered as I went back to the van. I noticed a number of shuttles sitting by the visitor’s center unused. The tall grass growing around them made it clear they had been out of commission for some time. Most likely due to another budget cutback.
“This whole island is falling apart,” I said as I got in. The riots had been a symptom, not a cause of these problems.
“I know. I never thought I’d be so happy to be locked in a box,” Corey said from the back.
I laughed and drove toward the gate.
At the first gate, I held out my license and my hand like normal.
One of the regular guards joked with me about taking a vacation as he took the blood scan. Rick again checked the rear cabin, dutifully ignoring Corey inside.
“See you later,” I smiled and pulled out.
Thankfully there were no additional searches on the way out. As I made it through the final gate, I let out a sigh of relief.
“We did it! You’re out!”
There was no response from the back. Corey had already faded off into sleep.
I stopped at a hospital and used my Hunter credentials to requisition a few bags of blood. OBX had already tapped them to make up for the shortfall, so they couldn’t give me much, but it would be enough ’til tomorrow.
I drove for a few more hours. During that time I speculated as to why Emery hadn’t answered my calls. Had something happened? Was she okay?
She was busy, that much was certain, but too busy just to say hi? I was worried she’d had time to process our last conversation and decided she was angry with me. Even as I found a hotel and went to sleep I wondered how badly I’d messed things up between us.
Once on the road again, I was eager to let Corey out. I pulled onto the side of the road well in advance to get ready. I stayed in the driver’s seat and kept the door to the back ready to slam shut if he lunged.