Viral Misery | Book 3 | Revelations

by Watson, Thomas A.

  “You really are doing a very good job,” Wendy told her.

  Having heard so much about the Caravan Man and lately the Caravan, Linda knew they didn’t offer aid, but what the Pokémon had told them seemed to contradict that. “We don’t want stuff. Just tell us, or me what I’m not doing right,” Linda said, and thought she saw Wendy’s mouth twitch. “I mean, if you give us something, we’ll take it if we need it but…” Linda just stopped and dropped her eyes to the ground. “When I make a mistake, someone could die. Some have died because I made a mistake.”

  “Linda,” Arthur started as the doors burst open and girls poured out, clearly excited. “We’ll do what we can but I’m sorry, nobody, not even I can think of everything. We just do the best we can,” Arthur told her. “Can we offer you some advice that’ll make your lives easier and safer? Yes, and that’s why we’re here,” Arthur told her as the first of the group reached them, stopping behind Linda.

  The other six girls from the council pushed through the throng to stand in a line behind Linda. All six nearly left when Arthur called them by name as he nodded to each one. “He’s been close, watching us,” Linda replied over her shoulder in much better spirits, but still a little depressed.

  “Linda,” Arthur said, and she turned to face him. “I need you to call the guards on the road and let them know to let my Caravan drive in,” Arthur told her. Linda didn’t appear nervous about that, but a few behind her did. “The Caravan is donating some gear to the Slayers,” Arthur said, and that got everyone’s attention.

  “I’ll do it!” one behind Linda said, and took off to the resort.

  Stepping close to Linda again, “Linda, one of my new daughters is with us today. I only mention it because this week her hair is purple,” Arthur paused with a sigh. “We didn’t get along at first but now I love her dearly and if anyone makes fun of her hair, it would really fucking piss me off,” he warned.

  To Arthur’s surprise, Linda started chuckling and turned around at the mass of girls. “Quinn, can you come up here?” Linda called out, then added eight more names before turning back to Arthur. “I promise you, Mr. Caravan Man, nobody will make fun of your daughter,” she told him, trying not to laugh.

  Shifting his eyes from Linda as the group parted and a tall girl made her way to the front, Arthur’s eyes got a little wide. By her face Arthur knew she was around fourteen, but she was taller than Wendy. The girl was pretty but her hair, on the right side it was blue, the middle was bright green and the left was neon orange. The colors were so perfectly separated Arthur wondered how in the fuck Quinn had even done it. Then he saw eight other girls come up with dyed hair, but theirs were solid colors from red to metallic gold.

  Turning to look over his shoulder at Wendy, “Is Chloe going to do that?” Arthur asked. “I thought it was just Chloe, but other girls dye their hair in vivid colors, too. Is it going to spread to all of my girls?”

  “Babe, only three of our daughters have changed the color of their hair to a color not found in nature,” Wendy smirked, then looked at Quinn. “I like it!” Wendy winked and got a huge smile from Quinn.

  Linda and many others were joyful that Arthur cared so much for his new daughters. They’d heard all about the kids the Caravan Man had taken in. Hearing the love in Arthur’s voice made some even envious of those kids. “How many daughters do you have?” Linda asked.

  Letting out a long sigh, “One hundred and twenty-one,” Arthur moaned. “And eighty-seven sons.”

  “Your girls love you,” Wendy smirked.

  “So much so, they try to drive me crazy,” Arthur countered. Reaching up and taking off his fedora, Arthur looked at Linda then ran his eyes over the large group. “Slayers, I want to tell you all, I’m very sorry,” he told them, holding the hat over his chest.

  Many turned to look at each other, wondering what he’d done to be sorry for. It was Linda who asked, “For what?”

  “I was fooled, and some of you paid for it,” Arthur said bowing his head. “That group on Dugan Road. My buddy and I met them. I’m sorry I didn’t kill them then. They did give me an uneasy feeling, but it wasn’t enough to make us investigate them. Because of that, some of you paid for it. On behalf of the Caravan and myself, I’m sorry.”

  The group just looked at Arthur in stunned silence. It was the fact the Caravan Man felt obligated to provide protection to others in a world gone insane that just blew them away. All looking at Arthur knew it bothered him.

  “I told him he was doing the best he could, as we all were,” Wendy said, and all the eyes turned to her, but Wendy was looking at Linda. “I never met the group or talked to them, but I saw them several times on patrol and I’m just as guilty as he is. You do the best you can, and try to never make the same mistake twice.”

  Understanding, Linda gave a nod and turned to Arthur. “Mr. Caravan Man, we got the ones back the same night they’d taken them. Don’t feel too bad because we’d traded with them before. It was luck that a Pokémon saw the group take our patrol, knew who they were, and let us know,” Linda told him.

  Still dejected, “My group is bringing in gifts, but I’m asking for those who were taken by that group to get first pick,” Arthur stated. “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to know who, and you can think of this as a Christmas gift from the Caravan. But I do ask that you don’t tell the other groups about this, at least not yet.”

  “What are you bringing?” Linda asked.

  “A lot of things, but mostly guns and ammunition,” Arthur replied, and Linda felt faint.

  “How much?” she panted out because they barely had three thousand rounds now and couldn’t let anyone practice shooting except with the pellet guns.

  “A hundred M4s, sixty 9mm pistols, twenty .22 pistols, thirty .22 rifles, eighty thousand rounds of 5.56, five thousand of 9mm, and a hundred thousand rounds of .22,” Arthur replied and Linda gave a stumble, catching herself on Cathy before her legs gave out. “The .22s are to train on,” Arthur added.

  Before the virus, Linda and many of the others wouldn’t have known what Arthur just listed, but they damn sure did now. “How did you know?” was all Linda managed to get out.

  “Linda, there has to be like a hundred different calibers of rifles you guys are using. Shit, my buddy counted sixty-three Henry Rifles, but in eleven different calibers. I didn’t even know they made that many calibers of rifle,” Arthur replied. “In time I’ll help you get more, so everyone’s using the same caliber. That’s very important when you’re fighting.”

  Filing that away, “So, you want the Slayers who were taken to get first choice of guns?” Linda asked for clarification.

  Nodding, “Yes, but make sure they know how to shoot. I’ll be sending over some stuff to help on that as well,” Arthur said then smiled. “This is for the Slayers. You don’t trade it, not even the ammo, to the Terminators.”

  That got a collective gasp from the group. Nobody traded ammo, that’s what everyone wanted. The only one any of the kid groups traded ammo to were the Terminators. That’s all the Terminators wanted, more bullets, but they did use those bullets to kill those who threatened the groups the Terminators were allied with. So everyone always traded what ammo they could to the Terminators.

  For the first time, Wendy stepped up to Linda. “There are also several boxes of feminine pads,” Wendy grinned. Now really convinced she was asleep and dreaming, Linda was catatonic.

  “You’ll need to organize groups to offload the trailers. I’m sorry, but we’re tired after dealing with the Witchers,” Arthur told them. One of the other girls on the council grabbed Linda by the shoulders and shook her out of her shock, and Linda quickly told them what’d happened to the Witchers while Arthur talked to Jason on the radio.

  Everyone turned to see an MRAP top the rise and follow the road into the valley where the resort sprawled. Other vehicles followed pulling trailers, with a Stryker bringing up the rear guard. The excitement from the Slayers was like electricity in the air. Not o
nly was the Caravan Man here with his wife, the Caravan was here, and they’d brought them gifts. Not toys or novelties, they’d brought things to help them survive in this world of viral misery.

  Linda couldn’t help but grin when a girl got out of a Suburban with shiny purple hair, who she assumed was Chloe. Then the grin slowly faded as Linda realized Chloe was dressed like the Caravan Man and his wife when Chloe put on a fedora hat. She was wearing the same kind of gear like the Caravan Man, his wife, and the Terminators. Then Linda saw other kids getting out dressed the same way. When Jo Ann and Sally climbed out of the MRAP Linda was in awe because it was obvious the Caravan Man taught those he’d brought in.

  Staring at the kids, Linda totally missed adults getting out. That was, until Joseph walked over to his dad with Sarah. The excited chatter of the Slayers died almost instantly as the nearly five hundred girls followed Joseph with their eyes. Sarah glanced around and couldn’t help but notice the Slayers gawking at Joseph. “What did you do?” she whispered to him.

  Looking around the area as he headed over, “I have no idea,” Joseph shrugged.

  When Joseph reached his mom and dad, Arthur introduced him and Sarah to the council. None even looked at Sarah, since Arthur didn’t introduce her as Joseph’s other half or the future mother of his grandchildren. Pushing past Sarah, Linda was the first to step forward, holding out her hand to Joseph. “Nice to meet you,” Linda smiled at him.

  “So, you’re the head Slayer Dad told me about,” Joseph chuckled. Not only Linda but all the Slayers did a double-take at Joseph, then as one they turned to Arthur.

  “He’s our son by birth, but all the kids belong to us and another couple, Jason and Samantha,” Wendy answered because Arthur was turned around watching Jason and Samantha walking over. It wasn’t heated, but it was very evident they were arguing.

  Turning back to Joseph with a bashful face, “I’m trying to do my best,” Linda smiled out.

  Laughing, “Hey, the Slayers impressed my dad, so that’s an accomplishment,” Joseph told them, and that filled all of them with pride. “We got the stuff here,” Joseph told them, jerking a thumb at the trailers.

  Despite the cold, Joseph was only wearing a light long-sleeved shirt under his vests. “Are you going to be one of the trainers the Caravan Man sends over?” Linda asked hopefully.

  Giving Linda a wink, “I’ll come over,” Joseph told her, and a collective chorus of long sighs sounded out from the Slayers.

  “Linda?” Arthur called out, and saw Linda literally tear her eyes off of Joseph. When she finally turned to him, “You need to get the stuff. I’m sorry, but we’re tired. The reason we came over so soon was the Witchers had at least one patrol out. We wanted you to have the guns and ammo to deal with them.”

  Turning to look at Joseph and Sarah, “We have beds. You can lie down here if you want to rest,” Linda said, but it was clearly aimed at Joseph.

  “Are you hungry, Joseph?” another girl called out, and Arthur gave a long sigh.

  Taking the hint, Linda turned and told the others it was time to start and led them over to the trailers. Grabbing his dad by the arm, Joseph pulled Arthur away and Jason followed them. Sarah was looking at the Slayers unloading the vehicles, and many were following Joseph with their eyes until it was their turn to grab a load.

  Samantha stopped beside Sarah as Wendy headed over to Jo Ann and Sally. Sarah was still watching the Slayers ogle Joseph. She knew Joseph was cute, but thought the young girls were being a bit dramatic. Glancing at Samantha at her side, Sarah cleared her throat.

  “Ahem,” then asked, “Samantha, why are they staring at Joseph like that? They aren’t looking at Shawn or the other guys like that.”

  Shifting her body until she was facing Sarah, Samantha chuckled. There wasn’t a doubt by any that Sarah was intelligent. Most of her life Sarah had moved around people with power, and Samantha knew a lot of that wasn’t because of Sarah’s intelligence. Sarah was very pretty. But Sarah couldn’t connect what was right in front of her.

  “Duh,” Samantha sang out, making Sarah startle. “Joseph’s a fucking hunk, girl!”

  Cocking her head and thinking that Samantha was making a joke, Sarah saw she wasn’t. “He’s nice- looking, but a hunk?” Sarah blurted out.

  Biting her lip, wondering how to deal with this because Samantha really liked Sarah, but if Sarah didn’t notice something, it wasn’t in her world and therefore didn’t exist. Throwing caution to the wind, “Yes, a hunk, Sarah. That’s the reason you acted like you hated him at first sight,” Samantha replied.

  Getting pissed, “He was an asshole,” Sarah growled.

  “Oh, I’m sure he was because he had his own reasons to act like he hated you,” Samantha replied, taking the anger out of Sarah. “Sarah, I know why you hated him. Granted, not that day, but after getting to know you, I so fucking saw it.”

  Crossing her arms, “Oh, do tell,” Sarah challenged.

  “Sarah, you had your life planned out. You were going to change the world or as much of it as you could, and you were going to do it alone,” Samantha told her and Sarah gave a startle because she hadn’t told anyone here that, but it was true. “You were going to marry, but only when it suited you, and to someone who could help your career. You didn’t believe ‘love’, real love truly existed, except between a parent and child,” Samantha continued, and Sarah got a look of panic on her face that Samantha was able to read her so well.

  Nearly telling Samantha to shut up, Sarah just gave a nod in agreement. “This virus didn’t really change your plans in life. You just figured you were going to have to work harder to do what you set out to do,” Samantha told her, and Sarah’s face went pale. “Then you met Joseph, and your world stopped. He’s smart and a total hunk. Sarah, he could be a men’s model and you know it. You just try to tell yourself he’s not that good-looking because you don’t, and never did, think you could ever land a man like that without political connections.”

  Noticing Sarah’s face was pale but she wasn’t arguing, Samantha continued. “You acted like it was Joseph’s fault for making you desire him and throwing a wrench in your plans because you wanted him. You wanted him to be a part of your life. Everything you wanted to accomplish, a part of you was willing to throw away, just for the chance at a life with Joseph, but the rest of you hated that. It was like you were sacrificing your life’s work and plan, so you hated Joseph for having the nerve to be a hunk and make you desire him.”

  With wide eyes, “How did you find this out?” Sarah mumbled.

  “Just got to know you, Sarah,” Samantha smiled.

  Then Sarah remembered, “You said that’s why Joseph hated me?”

  Nodding, “Because you acted like you hated him, which was why you got Joseph to take you seriously as a rival,” Samantha told her. When Sarah furrowed her brow, “Joseph has never had to work to get any girl, Sarah,” Samantha stated bluntly.

  Then Samantha busted out in a wide grin. “Until you came along, Sarah. You didn’t give in to him at any point. Not once did you coo over him or just go along with what he said. I know because I asked Wendy and yes, that’s why Wendy liked you, because you stood your ground and didn’t fawn all over Joseph.”

  “Joseph really does love me,” Sarah stated proudly.

  “Girl, that boy is head-over-heels for you,” Samantha clarified. “Now, if Arthur hadn’t made you two kiss, I’m sure by now, one of you would be hurt and the hate would be real. Because neither of you were willing to take the chance, but Arthur took care of that.”

  Looking over at Joseph talking to Arthur and Jason, Sarah put a hand on her chest. “Is it normal to love someone so much it hurts?” Sarah asked timidly.

  “That’s when you know the love is real,” Samantha told her. “Sarah, remember when Joseph said he loved mayo last week when he was helping make sandwiches for the little ones and Little Momma agreed with him? Even putting mayo on her sandwich?” Samantha asked, and Sarah nodded. “Sarah, Littl
e Momma hates mayo but Joseph likes it. That’s been happening all of Joseph’s life, and he was looking for a woman who could think by his side and not follow his lead.”

  Understanding now, “I think Vicky might be in love with Joseph,” Sarah stated.

  “No, Little Momma is in love with Joseph, as is nearly every girl at the ranch,” Samantha corrected.

  Jerking her head toward the Slayers, “They don’t act like them,” Sarah pointed out.

  Giving a long sigh, “Sarah, they’ve been around him daily, so the blatant goo-goo eyes stopped, but Joseph still gets them, I assure you,” Samantha told her. “Have you looked at the pictures of the girls Joseph went out with in high school?” she asked because they were displayed around the house.

  Curling her lip, “I’ve looked at some,” Sarah admitted with a growl.

  “Hey, if it wasn’t for you, in a few years I probably would’ve shot Joseph,” Samantha told her, and Sarah gave a startle. “Sarah, bitches just threw themselves at him and he would’ve lost all respect for women. I can tell you the only reason he still has it is because of Wendy. In Joseph’s defense, it’s hard to respect the other sex when they just lay down for you.”

  Trying to find a fault in that theory but couldn’t, “What about the pictures?” Sarah asked.

  “Have you noticed how those girls were built?” Samantha asked.

  Shrugging, “They were pretty,” Sarah replied.

  “Yes, but how were they built?” Samantha repeated and Sarah just shrugged. “Those bitches had bodies built for sex,” she stated. “Hourglass figures with hips and a rack.”

  Like she’d never looked at her own body Sarah looked down but with the vest and gear on, Sarah thought she looked like a boy. “No, you don’t have that type of body,” Samantha confirmed for Sarah. “You have a slender athletic build. But you landed Joseph anyway because he saw something more than just sex in you. Yes, you’re very pretty, Sarah, so don’t get alarmed but don’t worry about it. Joseph’s in love with you and thinks the world revolves around you.”