Sleepers (Book 7): Sleepers 7

by Druga, Jacqueline

  “First, I know everyone is excited,” Michael said, standing next to Patty. “We counted twice. That’s why it took so long. We wanted to double check. The ballots are separated and available for anyone who wants to count them after we make the announcement. One person at a time.”

  Stilton, usually a reserved man—unless he was drinking, then he thought he was the town comedian—spoke up. “Pastor Mike, if you counted them, we trust you.”

  “Thank you,” Michael said. “We had one hundred and thirty-one ballots cast. We allowed the eight soldiers to vote.”

  I looked immediately to Alex. He glanced at Beck with daggers.

  “Nineteen people received votes. I think I’ll let Patty tell you the

  top four.”

  Patty stepped forward. I was curious to hear her talk to everyone. She rarely spoke. “Thank you for trusting me with such an important process. We as a community decided that the top four vote recipients would lead. The one with the most votes will be the leader. The one in second place is second in charge, then third.” Nervously she unfolded a piece of paper. “These are the names of those chosen to lead this community. I must say it is no surprise that they are leadership. Fourth in charge, Major Gavin Beck.”

  Everyone applauded.

  Alex quickly looked at Beck. “Fourth? For real? Man, that’s sucks.”

  “Alex, I’m fine with that. I would be fine if I wasn’t chosen.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  Patty continued. “Third, Alex Sans.”

  Alex let out a surprised, “What?”

  Beck chuckled. “Third? Man, that sucks.”

  Alex held up three fingers in disbelief.

  “Second in charge,” Patty said. “Daniel Stevens.”

  Alex tossed back his head. “Oh my God.”

  “Me?” Danny said shocked. “Sweet. That is so cool. Thanks everyone.” He took a step back when Alex looked at him. “What? Dude, you still got in there.”

  “And finally, our leader…”

  I wondered who it would be. It was like waiting on the academy awards. It was going to be a surprise considering it wasn’t Alex.

  My money was on Randy or Miles.

  “Please congratulate him,” Patty held out her hand. “Our leader,

  Sonny Wilson.”

  I didn’t mean to it was just a reaction to my shock. “I won?” I jumped up with a loud, “Yes! I’m the leader! Yes!”

  Alex spun around and faced me.

  I cleared my throat. “I’m humbled. Thank you.”

  Through partially closed eyes, Alex shook his head.

  Beck nudged him. “We’re a team. Be happy.”

  “Who said this wasn’t a popularity contest?” Alex said. “He gets the women underwear and goodies and he wins?”

  “Actually,” Beck said. “There’s only twenty some women and—”

  “Stop,” Alex snapped.

  Clearly Alex was upset, so to lighten the mood, I inched to him and whispered, “If you think about it, it’s like The Stand. Remember the one part where they are electing leaders and you know it’s gonna be the main characters? You just know it. And lo and behold it was. Not that we’re main characters, but we’re like main people.”

  Alex shook his head again. “Exactly. It was a popularity contest in The Stand and it is now. At least you got something from reading the book.”

  “Book?” I asked. “It was a book?”

  With a huff Alex stormed away.

  “Where are you going?” I asked.

  “I’m doing a recount,” Alex said.

  “Alex, come on,” Beck said as if he were being ridiculous. “The count is right. Why are you doing it again?”

  “Because,” Alex argued sorely. “No surprise, my ass. Of course it’s no surprise. You think it’s a coincidence that the guy who got Mera Granny Panties and her teenage baby daddy are the top two leaders? I think not.”

  Danny whistled. “Man, he is mad.”

  I turned to Beck. “You aren’t mad, are you?”

  “No. And really, neither is Alex. He’ll be fine. Congratulations, Sonny.” Beck shook my hand.

  I was the brand new, first ever, official leader of Haven. I was surprised and overwhelmed when everyone circled around me with their congratulations.

  It was a position I would accept and take seriously and, of course, I would give my all. As soon as I figured out what exactly being the leader entailed.

  19. Alex

  “Give me the baby, Alex.” Annoyingly calm, Beck held out his hands and wiggled his fingers.

  “I got this, I got this,” I told him, pacing about trying to calm Hope, who was crying like a champ in my arms. First day home and it was insane.

  “Alex,” Beck called again.

  I grumbled. Phoenix tugged at my pant leg then darted around my body chasing Keller like I was a post on a playground. “Gentlemen, chill,” I snapped.

  Beck stared at me then huffed. I guess he sensed my irritability and was ready to take Hope. He had a diaper over his shoulder.

  “Beck, I appreciate you wanting to help. But I got this.”

  “She’s crying.”

  “Babies cry.”

  “She is sensing you tenseness. Trust me. Let me have her.”

  “Beck, she has gas or something,” I said. “Nothing is calming her.”

  “Alex, I’ll ask one more time, then I walk away.” Before he did that he snapped his fingers at Phoenix and Keller and they ran into the next room leaving my legs alone.

  “Fine.” I handed him the screaming baby. “Not like you’ll calm…”

  She stopped crying. The second Beck took her she stopped crying.

  “What the hell?”

  Beck stared at the baby and spoke in this weird, serial killer meets Mr. Rogers smooth voice. “Sometimes children feel how upset we are. You are upset. She knows I’m not. What’s bugging you, Alex? Are you still sulking about the election?”

  “Why the hell are you talking to me like that?” I asked.

  Danny had just walked in to steal a cookie and he answered, “He’s talking like that so he can keep the baby calm, Thank you, Beck, I was going insane.”

  “Oh,” I said. “And I am not sulking. I’m irritated.”

  Beck walked over to the cradle and placed the baby down.

  “Why would you take her to put her down?” I asked.

  “She’s sleeping.”

  “That fast? Is she alive? You didn’t smother her or—”

  “Alex. Stop.” Beck shot Danny a look when the youngster laughed. “She’s fine. She fell asleep fast.”

  “Dude,” Danny said, “maybe you need to do another recount.” He snickered. “You recounted six times the last three days.”

  “I was just being sure. No, I’m done. I accept defeat.”

  Beck shook his head. “Alex, you weren’t defeated. You just didn’t come in first.”

  “What the hell kind of thinking is that? I bet you were that dad at Little League who thought every kid should get a trophy for trying.”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “Dude, Beck is right,” Danny said. “You didn’t lose. Randy lost. Miles lost. You made top four.”

  “Yeah, but how am I no longer the leader?” I asked.

  Danny shrugged. “You lost.”

  “Danny,” Beck warned. “Alex, it’s the way things went. Stop sulking.”

  “I’m not sulking. Like I said, I’m irritated. Sonny is walking around acting like he’s all bad—”

  “No he’s not.” Beck laughed.

  “Now he’s leaving. He’s upstairs packing.”

  “I can hear you!” Sonny yelled.

  “Not for long. You’re leaving!” I shouted back.

  “He’s going to look fo
r a new home for us,” Beck explained. “We decided this.”

  “He’s leader and he’s leaving.”

  Sonny set his bags on the floor with a thump. “Alex, I can gladly stay back and you can go with Miles. Would you like that?”

  “Who will take care of the baby?” I asked.

  “Everyone,” Sonny answered, stepping into the room. “Beck. He’s great with kids.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I know,” I said. “But I don’t want to go.”

  “Then I have to,” Sonny replied. “Because I’m not trusting anyone else but one of us four.”

  “What about Beck?” I asked.

  “I can go,” Beck said.

  “No way,” Sonny insisted. “You are not leaving me alone with Alex and the screaming demon child.”

  “That’s not right, or nice,” I said. “Wait until I tell Mera what you said about our child.”

  “She knows,” Sonny said. “Why do you think she sent the baby home? Levi said Hope could stay, but Mera couldn’t take the screaming. She said the only time Hope stopped was when Beck held her.”

  Beck smiled.

  “Okay, gloat,” I said. “You’re leader, Sonny. Who is in charge when you’re gone.”

  “Uh, dude,” Danny held up his hand. “I’m vice leader. You’re like the Secretary of State, and Beck is Secretary of Defense. Dude!” He turned to Sonny. “We have a cabinet.” They high fived.

  “And this is our leadership.” I walked toward the door. “I’m out of here. I’ll be back.”

  “Alex, where are you going?” Beck asked. “The baby is here.”

  “Shit. Can you keep an eye on her? I just want to double check everything. If Sonny is leaving I want to make sure communications work and that the truck is good and they have what they need.”

  “I double checked,” Sonny said.

  “Can’t double check yourself, Sonny,” I told him. “It’s like a writer editing their own work.”

  “I edit my own work.”

  “Yeah, and have you read your Doctrines out loud? Beck? Can you?” I asked.

  “Sure, go on,” Beck said.

  “Thanks. Sonny, perhaps while I’m gone you can fill in, VL Dan the Man here on his leadership duties.”

  “I can do that,” Sonny said. “I’ll make a list.”

  Leaving our block gave me an instant sense of peace, a break from the baby and from Sonny. Even though I only had Hope for a couple hours, it seemed like a lot longer. Sonny was working on that list and I was sure it was gonna be blank, unless the three of them were coming up with ways to irritate me. They were having fun at my expense since Sonny won the election. Humming Hail to the Chief every time Sonny entered a room, having Renee make him a t-shirt that said, “I am Leader now,” and the worst was Sonny saying his first order of business was to declare a Tom Selleck Day.

  Hell, Tom Selleck was all my idea of a joke on him. One that backfired.

  Whether I was annoyed or not, I still had responsibilities to the community. The same ones that Sonny hadn’t done. While I had a chance and was baby free I was going to handle those responsibilities and catch up. Someone had to, Sonny certainly wasn’t.

  20. Mera

  It was the first time I took more than five steps in many days. Javier gave me permission to go by the window and watch Sonny and Miles drive off.

  Because of my lack of memory I didn’t know exactly what type of world they were headed into. I know my gut told me it wasn’t good.

  I was proud of Sonny and my son. They were the main leaders in the community. I could only hope that everyone felt the same way. I did, and didn’t know everyone. It was strange, having the sense of memory without specifics. Like when I was told something that wasn’t true, or right, I could feel it was wrong deep inside.

  I didn’t know what movie it was that caused Alex’s and my first fight, but I was certain it wasn’t I Am Legend.

  There were two people who seemed to take me down memory lane with the least amount of stretched truths. Randy and Michael.

  When they told me things from their memory, I felt them to be correct. Sonny wasn’t one to give memory tales, he just flipped open the notebook. I would have found him boring had he not looked so much like my husband Daniel.

  Daniel was the one person in my life who had died that I still carried a tremendous pain for. Jeremy felt resolved even though I missed him with all of my heart. Jessie felt fresh, like a topic I didn’t want to touch.

  They were my children, there was and always would be a connection whether they were alive or not, which was why I was so baffled at my lack of connection with Hope.

  Phoenix and Keller came in to see me. I didn’t recall knowing them, but I felt I loved them. I didn’t remember their names, but did feel a connection to them.

  But not little tiny Hope.

  I felt like a failure. Why couldn’t I feel a connection if she was my daughter?

  Beck had the best explanation.

  I had time with Phoenix and Keller, so it was embedded in me. Same as with the other kids and Danny. However, with Hope I didn’t even know I was carrying her until I was halfway through the pregnancy, and after I had her I got sick. He believed the connection would grow within me. After all, he told me he believed I was the best mother he had ever known, aside from his own, of course.

  Then he flashed that rare smile. It always kicked in a memory. The second he smiled like that I flashed to a moment in a warehouse.

  “Bourbon and Hershey kisses,” I said. “Why did I just remember that moment? You gave me that smile and we were in a warehouse. What happened? Why is that memory breaking through?”

  “That was a prelude to our first kiss. We were always a couple of sorts, but that cemented it.”

  “You wooed me with Hershey kisses and bourbon?”

  “Not on purpose,” Beck said. “I just knew you were pissy and chocolate would help.”

  I remembered the feeling of that first kiss. In the midst of our conversation it hit me. The instant feeling of safety compiled with butterflies in my stomach. Then…I remembered.

  I briefly celebrated having those feelings.

  With all those who talked to me that was the first time anyone invoked a real memory. I knew from that moment on I wasn’t going to just listen to the stories being told, or look at the words on the screen as I typed them, I was going to look at the person as they told the memory.

  That was something I hadn’t done. I hadn’t looked at them when they spoke, hearing, seeing, and feeling their words. That was the key.

  Even if it took a while, I would conquer whatever blocked my memories. I wanted and needed those memories. I wouldn’t stop trying until they came back.

  21. Sonny

  Before the Sleeper event, had someone told me the world would be void of people, I would have envisioned an apocalypse world. Roads buried beneath tress, vines and mold creeping up sides of buildings, and impassable highways.

  I suppose in time those things would happen, but three years after the Sleeper event the world simply looks like a bad part of town. In Pennsylvania the roads weren’t good to begin with, so it was no surprise when we drove through six months earlier that grass had poked through cracks, tree branches lay strewn across the road, and the pavement was broken in many spots.

  In my travels, and I was the one on the road a lot, Pennsylvania’s apocalyptic roads were more of an exception than a rule.

  Sure, debris from storms made its way onto roads, a bad winter caused cracks and potholes, but the roads were still passable.

  There were no extensive new forests like my mind imagined, or foliage that took over cities. The green we saw was more like the vacant houses at the end of the block that no one had lived in for years.

  Kentucky was beautiful. It was one of three states on the journey searching for a new hom
e. I held hope that I’d find the place right away. I was strictly told to keep away from prisons. I didn’t understand that. A prison had all that we needed. Secure grounds, a medical facility, and the ability to section off families. I liked the setup at Indian River, or as many called it, Haven.

  I understood the mental aspect of it.

  It was time to live free. Beck and Alex said to look for expandability and safety.

  Supposedly we were on the free side of the world.

  Pennsylvania had Sleepers; we saw them when we chased after Mera. However, so far on our trip I was wanting to call Ohio the Sleeper capital. We saw them everywhere, even hours later when we crossed the state line.

  Miles was horrible company. He fell asleep minutes after leaving, would snore himself awake and jump up. It was driving me nuts. Plus, I was irritated because we were headed to find a place that Ed was too young to remember.

  “It was the first place we went. My dad always said we went there first because it was a straight shot.”

  Straight shot from where? A straight shot was West Virginia, not Kentucky.

  He had information, a road name—which was correct—and a pretty good idea of where it was. Still, I was doubtful that a kid who was a toddler at the time would know. He assured me it was information from Beck. The Kentucky home was one of four places he was thinking about taking Mera when he removed her from camp in an attempt to save her.

  He opted for Vermont, a place he had never been.

  That made no sense.

  With every passing minute and mile, I grew increasingly doubtful that this wonder place in Kentucky even existed. Until, of course, we found it.

  We saw the house from a distance. The way it was surrounded by a line of trees, the huge plantation style house that looked like a speck in the middle of the property, it had to be the place.

  After navigating our way there by sight, we arrived at a large closed gate. The gate was attached to brick pillars and a stone wall that extended only about ten feet on each side, before it met the line of trees.

  Seclusion-wise it was good, security-wise, not so much. There was nothing to protect us from the Sleepers. The only redeeming factor was that the huge house sat far back at the end of a long driveway.