“Harlan Downs? Who is he?” the man asks.
I shrug. “You tell me. You seemed to know him.”
A smile spreads across his chiseled face. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. I wasn’t looking at the Revs, or whoever this Harlan Downs is. I was just happy to see other survivors, that’s all,” he says, holding his hands out.
I hold his stare. “I don’t believe you.”
He laughs. “How can you be so sure? That’s been several weeks now, and recollections can be such funny little things.” He looks around the farm again. “You know…I could use a place to rest for a few days. It looks like the weather might turn nasty soon.” He turns his attention back to us. “I could be useful. I don’t know how to mend a fence…I was an internist before this virus put me into early retirement…but I…”
“You’re a doctor?” Chloe asks, interrupting him.
“I am. Well, was,” he says.
“Our friend might be infected,” she says.
He raises an eyebrow. “With the virus?”
“No, he was the one injured by the explosion. We tried to stitch him up, but he’s getting worse instead of better.”
“Ah, I see. Okay. Let me have a look at him.”
They turn to head back toward the house.
“Chloe, wait,” I say, stopping her. “We don’t know this man. He could be dangerous.”
“He’s a doctor…that’s all I heard, and that’s all I care about. If he can help Erek, then he’s welcome in our house,” she says firmly.
She turns and walks toward the house. The man smiles and falls into step behind her.
Wayne and I look at each other. He sighs. “Better go keep an eye on him,” he says.
I nod. Together, we follow Chloe and the man who just lied about knowing Harlan Downs into the house…praying he can treat Erek’s rapidly worsening condition.
* * *
Meredith
The leader is growing as dark and restless as the clouds above us.
We could see snowfall soon. I wonder if we’ll still be on this wild goose chase once the storm closes in on us. I shiver, thinking about how much colder it’s going to get once that happens, especially out in the elements, with no protection.
Suddenly, he stands and signals to his men. They begin assembling, requiring no words from him, yet understanding what he needs them to do. I haven’t had time to learn their hand gestures, so I’m forced to ask, “What are we doing?”
He looks down at me. “We’re heading home.”
I can tell by the hard set of his jaw he’s not happy about it.
“Why?” I ask, though I think I know.
He glances up at the sky, frowning. “We’ll have to regroup after this storm blows through.”
“You know how to read the weather?”
He laughs. “Not hardly, but I’ve lived in Asheville long enough to know when it’s going to snow.”
“And your cure?” I ask. “What about her? She’ll die out here without shelter and food.”
“She’s resourceful. She’ll find a house to hunker down in until it passes,” he says.
“And you’re fine leaving without her?”
“No, but what other choice do I have? I’m no closer to finding her now than I was when I found you.” He helps me to my feet. “Besides, I need to go check on the farm.”
“Why?”
“The blast we heard yesterday?”
“Yeah. I thought it was thunder.”
“Landmine,” he explains. “Something or someone tripped one of the mines bordering the property. I need to make sure it did its job. I’m not willing to lose the property to another group of survivors.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask why you brought everyone with you on this little outing,” I say. “Shouldn’t you have left someone behind to keep a watch on things?”
“I did leave people behind,” he says, “but two guards at the gate might not be enough if a large group finds the farm.” He looks at me. “And I brought everyone else because if you leave a large group of men behind, someone inevitably starts playing king of the hill.”
“You’re worried they’ll plan an uprising, given the chance.” I look at the men lining up around us. They seem downtrodden, but every now and then I glimpse a spark of fight hiding behind their dead eyes.
Their leader must sense it, too.
He follows my gaze. “I’ll kill them all before I let them overrun me.”
I nod. His rationale makes sense, even if it is a little chilling. “How far a walk is it?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Not far. We’ll get there by nightfall. If we hurry.”
* * *
Chloe
I watch the man evaluate Erek’s injuries.
I’m assessing his bedside manner as much as I’m ensuring he doesn’t do anything to hurt Erek further. Daniel is right, we don’t know him. He could be a fraud…maybe he sold hotdogs before the world ended. He could be dangerous. But, there’s no way to be sure of either...people don’t exactly carry framed diplomas and certificates around in this post-Rev world. This is how desperate I am to save Erek’s life…I’m willing to try anything from anyone.
The man straightens and looks at me. “Your friend is on the verge of hypovolemic shock.”
“I don’t understand.”
He pours alcohol over his hands and massages it into his palms. “He’s lost too much blood,” he says. “I don’t believe he’s bleeding internally.” He turns and looks at Erek. “There’s no swelling or obvious tenderness, but he’s a sick man.”
“Can you save him?” I ask, concerned.
The man frowns. “I’m sorry. There’s not much I can do for him, short of a blood transfusion.”
The tears I’ve been fighting finally win the battle. I put my hand over my mouth. “There must be something you can do. You said you were a doctor!”
He shakes his head. “Without a transfusion, his organs will begin to fail and…”
“There’s a clinic just outside of Lowell,” Allyson says. “We used to raid it for first aid supplies. I could get there and back in one day, two tops,” she says. “But you’ll need to make me a list of supplies,” she tells the physician.
“Allyson,” Wayne says softly.
“If I bring you the supplies, can you make it work?” she asks the doctor, ignoring Wayne’s quiet protests.
“If you bring the right supplies back, I can perform the transfusion,” he says confidently. He looks at me. “Are you sure, though? There are no guarantees. There could be complications…serious complications,” he warns.
I nod. “If it gives him a chance, I’m willing to risk it.” I look at Erek, then back at the doctor. “Have you ever done a transfusion outside of a hospital?”
He looks like my question offended him. “I need you to go through the house and bring me every kind of medication or vitamin you can find. Okay?” he says. He turns his attention to Wayne. “I also need warm water, salt, and clean rags…and some fresh garlic, if you can find it.”
Wayne nods and leaves the room.
Erek groans; a grim reminder to all of us.
“I also need washcloths soaked in apple cider vinegar,” the man tells Daniel. He looks at Allyson. “Go find some paper and a pen, so I can make the list.”
Orders given and received, the others exit the room like good surgical assistants; I stop by the bed on my way out and press my lips against Erek’s cool forehead. I hope upon hope this man was sent by God to heal Erek. What would I give to ensure his survival?
Probably anything.
I turn and leave the room to go scavenge the house for supplies.
* * *
Meredith
“There’s a light on in the house. Several, actually,” I whisper.
We’re hiding in the woods, just outside the gate to a large farmhouse. I see a barn and what looks to be small tents peppering the property. The leader appears irritated, bothered that anyone would dare
trespass on his kingdom. But this is a new day and a new law; when people find shelter, they don’t sit around waiting for an invitation to go inside.
Finders keepers, and all that jazz.
“I thought you said you left two men behind,” I say.
“I did.”
“Could they be inside?”
He shakes his head. “They’re not allowed in the house. Not anymore. The people inside must have overpowered them.” He looks back at the house. “They’ll pay for that.”
We stare at the house for a few more minutes.
“Why don’t we just tell them the house already belonged to you?” I suggest. “They might be reasonable people.”
“They’re obviously armed if they killed the guards,” he argues.
“So? Aren’t you armed?”
He runs a gloved hand over his mouth and says, “Okay, let’s go. Just you and me, though.”
“Why not everybody?”
“Two dozen men are noisy,” he says. “I want to maintain the element of surprise for as long as we can.”
I nod. Fine, whatever.
He quickly relays the plan to his men, then we set off toward the house, careful to stay on the main path. It’s dark and cold, and I feel a barely contained anxiety prowling under the surface of my skin.
We climb the steps of the front porch, quietly.
The door is unlocked.
He places a finger to his lips, signaling for me to keep quiet. I nod. We open the door and creep through the foyer and into the family room. It’s empty, but I can hear the soft sound of voices somewhere in the house.
A stomach-turning familiarity washes over me.
I know these voices.
I want to scream…loudly…loud enough to tell them to run before it’s too late, but the noise would trigger the army waiting outside. It would be a bloodbath. I can’t warn them. Instead, I follow the leader toward what appears to be a kitchen.
The voices grow louder as we get closer.
Daniel and Chloe are standing at the sink with Wayne and a woman I don’t recognize.
I can’t stifle the sob that escapes my lips.
My family and I together again.
Reunited just before we die.
* * *
Daniel
An expression of surprise draws my attention to the doorway. I do a double take, convinced my mind is playing tricks on me.
It can’t be.
But it is.
Meredith.
My lungs freeze, and if you could die from shock, they’d be digging my grave.
Chloe looks at the door. “Meredith!” she cries out in surprise.
She runs and grabs Meredith, embracing her tightly and weeping at the same time. Meredith is crying, too, and she looks scared. I glance at Emily. Her face is pale, and her lips are drawn into a thin line. I reach for her, but she steps back, putting Wayne between us.
The man standing beside Meredith draws his gun. “I hate to break up this little family reunion, but you’re standing in my kitchen.”
Meredith
“Meredith suits you much better, Jane,” he says with a sneer.
I’m afraid to look at him. I pull away from Chloe and wipe my eyes. “Jane is my middle name,” I say quietly.
“And you know these people?” he asks.
I nod. “I was traveling with them…before.”
“Well, that’s going to make killing them a little more awkward,” he says.
“Kill us? Why?” Chloe asks. “We’re not hurting anyone.”
“No?” he asks. “You killed two of my men and moved into my house. Where I come from that’s pretty hurtful.”
Chloe shakes her head, confused. “What are you talking about? We didn’t kill anyone. The house was empty when we found it.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She puts her hands on her hips. “Well, I don’t care what you believe. It’s the truth.”
“Chloe,” I say in warning.
“What?” She turns and looks at me, fear and anger blazing in her eyes. “We don’t have time for this! Erek is sick, Meredith. He could die.”
“Erek won’t be the one dying tonight,” Wayne says evenly.
“Are you threatening me, hillbilly?” the leader asks him.
Wayne shrugs. “I don’t make threats,” he says, taking a step forward.
“Wayne, stop,” I say. “Please.”
The leader points the gun at Wayne’s chest.
I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
“How many more of you are there?” the leader asks.
“Looks like you’re about to find out,” Wayne says.
My heart is thundering in my chest. I turn…slowly, so I don’t alarm the man pointing his gun at my friends. A figure emerges from the shadows.
I draw in a sharp breath.
It can’t be.
The man in the doorway is handsome…disarmingly so. There are a few more wrinkles around his eyes now, but other than that he looks just like I remember him. Beautiful. Intelligent. My heart flutters, and I curse myself for allowing that long-buried desire to worm its way through my veins. I hate him, but not as much as I hate myself for wanting him still…after all he’s done to wreck the world.
I should have made sure he was dead.
Nelson smiles at me, ignoring the others. “Hello, Mere. How’s daddy?”
“Dead,” I answer.
His lip twitches. “Well, that certainly is a shame, isn’t it?”
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the ability to craft yet another story, and the patience to see it through to the end.
Thank you to my husband and children…I love and appreciate you all more than you know. Thank you for being patient while Mommy worked on this project.
Thank you, Kendra, for another beautiful book cover. You’re so talented, and I’m so proud of the work you do!
As always, thank you to Shaunda…the best sounding board I could ever ask for. I love that you’re not afraid to tell me when something doesn’t make sense. I love brainstorming with you!
Thank you to all the friends who listened to me talk through different scenes, working out the details here and there. And thank you Allison, for allowing me to create a beautiful character with your name. She’s been one of my favorites!
Until next time….
* * *
[1] World English Bible. Galations 6:7 (2019)
Revenants Series (Book 2): Remnants Page 25