“Ah. Yes! Did you guys make it back to the safe zone? Were you there when it fell?”
Garcia’s face dropped.
“No. We had some ... complications.”
Breanne and Steve had walked into the tent. Breanne popped her head out and interrupted. “Hey, Soldier Garcia. Uh, where is your mess hall – that’s where you get your food, right?”
Garcia shook his head. “No dice, sister. Mess hall’s shut down. We’re on MRE’s.”
Breanne looked confused at that.
“Packaged meals.” Garcia said with a shrug.
“Oh. ... Right. Well, where can we get some of those? We haven’t eaten for a while. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse and chase the rider.”
Garcia grinned. “We got a few extras in our tent. Let me grab you some.”
“Wait, we’ll come with you.” Tammy offered. Breanne followed willingly enough. Steve looked like he’d prefer to do anything else but followed as he did not want to be left alone.
“Enter mi casa!” Garcia announced as he gestured them in through the doorway.
Tammy noticed two other men as she stepped inside the tent. One was lying on a cot and had raised himself up to his elbows. The other was sitting at a desk, apparently cleaning his pistol. Pieces of the gun were spread out in front of him on the table. He looked up at the newcomers but quickly returned his attention to the piece in his hands.
“Hey ... It’s you.” The soldier in the cot said. After a closer look Tammy remembered him too. It was that Collins character. She smiled at him. “Hi Collins, how are you holding up?”
He snorted, looking slightly poignant. “Not so good. Forgive me for not getting up.”
Garcia had gone ahead and was rummaging through a shelf. He came back with several packets just in time to overhear what was being said.
“Come on Collins. Cheer up. You’re depressing our guests!” He said it jokingly, but Tammy could clearly see the concern in his eyes. He caught Tammy’s eye and gave her a sad smile. Then seemed to remember himself.
“Ok, you’ve got a choice of Spaghetti, another spaghetti ... cheese tortellini, UH! Four dicks of death – pass on that one – OH! Beef ravioli. That one’s not too bad. ... This last one is Chili with beans.”
He looked at his guests. “What will it be?”
Steve surprised Tammy by speaking up first. “Um... What’s four dicks of death?”
Garcia shook his head with a grimace of distaste. “It’s actually called ‘beef links in beans’. It tastes terrible and,” He cast an embarrassed glance at the ladies. “well, looks like four dicks.”
“You mean it looks like male genitalia. Jeez Garcia, show some class.” Collins piped up from his cot.
That broke the tension a bit. Everybody picked their meal, making sure not to select the beef links. Then they stood there, trying to make sense of the packages. Garcia noted the confusion, so offered to cook the meals for them. The guests had no idea what to do with the MRE’s so quickly agreed. With practiced ease, Garcia had the meals cooking and ready to eat shortly.
Tammy, Breanne and Steve stayed to eat their meal with the three soldiers. It gave everybody a chance to tell their story. Well almost everybody. Steve was his usual withdrawn self, and the other soldier; Brown, did not offer to share either.
Tammy was sad to hear that Mark Peters had died but encouraged to hear about the survivors that they had set up at this school called the ‘Ren’.
Then it was Tammy’s turn to share her story. In typical newsie fashion, she remembered a remarkable amount of details.
Tammy laughed out loud when Collins explained what ‘ALF’ and ‘EMU’ meant. She had mentioned the names that Frankie had called their flight crew. Apparently, Alf stands for annoying little fuck, and Emu is a reference to the bird that can’t fly, which made sense when she considered the helicopter rescue and subsequent ride.
She caught herself when Collins, Garcia and even Brown stared at her with wide eyes. She felt her temperature rise in embarrassment and offered a quick apology.
“No! It’s not that, Tammy.” Garcia started.
Collins finished for him. “We just haven’t heard anybody really laugh for ... well, for a while now. Your laughter ... It’s beautiful.” That made Tammy blush even more.
When the meals were finished, the soldiers were kind enough to offer some tea. Breanne and Steve declined, and headed back next door to their own tent. Tammy was still too wired to end the day, so she stuck around.
They set up near Collins’ cot, and the foursome had a nice conversation interspersed with occasional banter from the three soldiers. It was obvious to Tammy that the men had grown close. She couldn’t help noticing that Brown and Garcia kept looking at Collins with concern in their eyes. Tammy correctly figured that the syndrome was causing Collins a lot of pain, and the young soldier was suffering.
Brown excused himself after a while. The soldier picked himself up from the ground next to Collins’ cot, patted his friend on the chest, and got back to his desk to continue to clean his gun.
Garcia, Collins and Tammy continued to talk for a while. Tammy was shocked, but not surprised, to hear that almost every soldier in the camp was suffering from the syndrome. Garcia didn’t say it, but his mannerisms clearly showed that his good friend was nearing the end stages.
Tammy watched Brown leave the tent, leaving the cleaned and assembled side-arm on the table. Garcia became somewhat agitated when he followed Tammy’s gaze to the weapon. There was a large silencer tube sitting beside it. Tammy and Garcia exchanged a knowing look.
The weapon was meant for Collins.
She pushed the thought out of her mind and continued to chat with Collins. He had trouble speaking loudly, so she sat on the edge of his cot. Garcia moved off, leaving the two to talk in private. They talked of their lives as children, schools, and families. Tammy could tell that Collins was sad. His discomfort got really bad at one point, and the young man curled up in pain.
Tammy looked on in concern. Collins winced; his eyes tightly shut. When he opened them again, Tammy could see tears shimmering.
“I’m afraid, Tammy...”
Tammy nodded and placed her hand on his. He looked up at her with a fragile expression.
“Hey, I’m sorry about earlier.” He quickly continued when he saw her questioning look. “Garcia is right. I got terrible pick-up lines.”
Tammy smiled. “I’m sure they have worked like a charm for you.”
Collins chortled at that. “Ah I wish. Truth is, I” –his eyes met Tammy’s– “I’ve never even kissed a girl...” He whispered the last.
Tammy could see the desperation in the young man’s eyes. Spontaneously, she bent her face over his. She looked deep into his eyes, as she bent closer. Her lips just inches away from his. Her hair cascaded down, creating a wreath around his face. Tammy leaned in closer yet and brushed her lips against his. His mouth opened, his hands had found her back and drew her in with urgent need. She kissed him. As hard and as passionately as she had kissed anybody in her life. She felt his tongue probing into her mouth and welcomed it with soft touches of her own. They kissed for several long moments; the world forgotten around them.
Reluctantly, the kiss ended. Tammy laid her head on the young man’s chest, as he quietly wept.
Slowly, regretfully, Tammy broke contact. She sat up and looked at Collins with a warm smile.
“I hope that was ok.”
Collins smiled back. He hesitated for a moment then blurted it out. “Wow. What have I been missing!” He laughed softly, then grew more earnest. “Thank you, Tammy.”
She merely smiled back at him.
She said her goodbye a couple of minutes later and stood up. She was somewhat surprised that there was nobody else in the tent. She walked out of the door into the evening.
Brown and Garcia were both standing outside. Brown nodded to Tammy, as Garcia gave her a small smile and a wave. Both men were obviously grateful for what she had d
one for their friend.
She hesitated at her own tent entrance. Tammy turned and looked back at the two soldiers.
“What’s his name?”
“Rob. Robert.” Garcia smiled. “I’m Esteban. And this is Benjamin.” Tammy digested that, then with a nod entered her own tent.
She stood inside the doorway after zipping it shut and sighed in the darkness. After a few seconds, her eyes adjusted enough so she could make out the inside of the tent. She looked over and saw Breanne and Steve in their cots. They had been kind enough to set up her cot as well.
She suddenly realized just how tired she was.
Chapter Thirty-seven
The Ren
October 31
The sun rose above the eastern horizon bright and crisp that next morning. The clouds that had gathered overnight quickly burned away to leave a single-toned light blue sky overhead. The temperature was still cool with the chill of the night. It made the sun’s rays all the more inviting. This would have been a nice morning to sit out in a sunroom or on a deck, with a good cup of coffee. The silence hanging in the air inviting peaceful contemplation and reflection.
These things went largely unnoticed by the people staying at the Ren. The shuttered windows blocked a lot of the view and added to the general feeling of confinement that most were experiencing. People put energy into their tasks to get over the oppressive feeling.
Most of the group had taken advantage of the showers and running water. Freshly showered individuals made their way out of the basement throughout the morning, and impromptu clothes lines were strung in the main gym as people washed the few clothes they had.
The solution found for drying clothes was ingenious. Nancy had suggested that they put up the badminton posts and string rope between them. It worked well, especially when the high windows were opened, allowing for some air to move through the place. Patrick and Ethan grabbed a badminton rackets and a birdy and had a quick game, to the amusement of a few folks.
Some people took it upon themselves to keep lookouts. Although maybe it was more a case of folks wanting to spend time away from the rest of the group. Lookouts spent equal time watching the world outside as they did in introspection. Claire hung out with Maria at one of the lookout spots. They didn’t speak much but seemed to find comfort in each others’ company.
John continued to run classes on weapons basics. Just about everybody attended the classes. John started his morning class with a bemused look at his audience, which had doubled from the day before. “Interesting, how everybody suddenly wants to learn how to use a gun!” He was met with a few embarrassed smiles. “I guess the zombie apocalypse bodes well for the N.R.A. eh?”
Keith also held another training session on hand-to-hand combat. His second lesson focused on diverting an attacker’s energy and using it against them. Keith demonstrated this by taking down both Joe and Patrick. He let Joe grab his shirt, then with two quick movements had the large man on the ground. Patrick was a lot more careful but didn’t even get to lay a hand on Keith, as the oriental man grabbed the other’s wrist and with a quick side-step had the rich man face-down on the mat. Keith’s movement was so smooth that he seemed to float across the floor. He would glide forward or backward and turn and twist all in one smooth motion. The group was entertained, but also very impressed. Everybody agreed that it was well worth the time.
The day dragged on without any further excitement. Some folks went downstairs to use the gym equipment, while a few others spent their time in the library or media room.
The guards maintained their vigil over Craig and Jack, switching out every few hours.
Meals were cooked and consumed in relative silence, as folks started conjecturing about Jack’s health and what was going to happen later that afternoon.
As supper time approached, more and more people started to congregate in the hallway near Craig and Jack’s room. The quarantine room, as people had termed it, was quiet.
Then it was time.
There was no window set in the door, so nobody knew what things looked like on the other side. Everybody had gathered in anxious silence. John walked up and without ceremony knocked loudly on the door, startling some of the people in the hall with the sound.
“Craig! It’s nearly supper time. How is Jack doing?” He called out through the door. For a few seconds all that could be heard was shuffling and the sound of a desk as it was bumped into. John and Emily took a step back from the door, they had pulled their weapons off their shoulders and were now holding them low and ready.
“Hey John. We’re fine over here. Jack’s getting better.” Craig called out from the other side. “Yeah can we get out of here?” Jack added. “Our waste bucket is stinking up the place!”
That broke the tension. Several people in the group let out their breaths and one or two broke out in laughter that was louder than the comment merited. John unlocked the door and stood aside as Craig and Jack walked out. The relief was palpable as Jack looked no worse for wear. The young man greeting the crowd in the hallway with an embarrassed smile.
The mood turned celebratory. Almost as if Jack had won some prestigious prize or scored in the big game. Emily and Bill nodded with respect, Ern slapped his back, and Nancy wrapped him up in a hug. Near the end of the crowd, a stern-faced Joe was standing with his arms folded.
Craig and Jack came to a stop in front of the big African American.
“This is not easy for me.” He said. Craig and Jack waited for him to continue.
“I’m sorry. I was wrong about you. I was only looking out for the welfare of my family and–” Rachel nudged his side. Joe shook his head and looked down at his feet.
“No excuses.” He mumbled.
He looked back up at the father and son. First, he turned to Jack. “I’m happy that you are ok, Jack.” Next, he turned to Craig and locked eyes with the tall man. “Craig, I apologize.” And he held out his hand.
To Craig’s credit, he did not hesitate. He shook hands with the big man and smiled. “All’s forgiven, Joe.” Then his face lit up with a mischievous smile. “Hey Joe. There is something you can do to make good on your apology. We didn’t have a bathroom in there. Used a bucket...”
Joe hesitated, then smiled broadly himself. “Hey man, guess cleaning up shit is better than eating shit!” Several folks laughed. Before moving away, Joe turned to Jack.
“Hey Jack, we just about got that radio set up. Want to come help us out with it after supper?”
“Yeah for sure mister Collins!” Jack replied enthusiastically.
“Ok. You folks go ahead and get some supper, while I go... Uh, pay my repentance.” He said with a smile as he walked into the classroom.
Chapter Thirty-nine
Jack
October 31, 5:20 P.M.
The military grade radio had been set up in the media room. It seemed the most fitting place. Jack walked in and found Ethan finishing his scan for television broadcasts. His search bore no fruit, and he turned the tv off. Emily was sitting at the radio, getting the power unit attached. Jack started walking over to her but held up when Ethan called him and walked over.
Ethan was a year younger than Jack, but nearly matched the older boy in height. He was powerfully built and had the looks of an athlete.
“Hey man...” Ethan stated as he walked up to Jack. “Glad you’re ok.” The younger boy continued hesitantly.
Jack smiled. “No worries. I got this condition. I think everybody just got really scared.”
Ethan smiled back. “Ok. Cool, man.” He offered his hand, and they shook on it.
“So, are you all better now?”
“It takes a bit of time, but yeah the pain is fading.”
Ethan nodded with an earnest look. Then changed the subject. “Hey, didn’t you go to Kennedy? I remember seeing you around the halls. You were in grade 12, right?”
“Yeah that’s right. I remember you too. You were on some of the sports teams. What was it; football and baseball?�
��
Ethan grinned. “Football, baseball, lacrosse, and track and field.” He ticked off his fingers as he counted. “No rest, man. My dad even wanted me to try out for the basketball team, but then I’d have to drop one of the others.”
Jack nodded. “I played on the junior soccer team in my first year, and that was more than enough for me.”
“Yeah, those soccer dudes do some serious running, man! There’s a few of them on the track and field team too. ‘Go Tigers’, right?” Ethan smiled again. “I’m glad you made it, man. Us Tigers, we got to look out for each other!”
He leaned in conspiratorially. “Besides, my sister thinks you’re cute.” Both boys chuckled.
“Well, I won’t hold you up any longer. Catch you later, Jack.” With a nod, Ethan moved off.
“Hey Ethan.” Jack called out to him before he was out the door.
“Thanks.” Was all he said. Ethan acknowledged it with a thumbs up and left the room.
“That’s a good bloke.” Emily said from the other side of the room. She had witnessed the exchange.
“Yeah.” Jack agreed as he approached. “So, what do we have here?”
“What we’ve got here is the ‘AT RF1350. It’s a 50-watt mobile radio. And it is ACE!” Emily seemed happy with the gear. “I’ve got the unit ready to go. We still had to charge the battery, but she is all powered up now. All that’s left is to mount the antenna.” She said as she motioned to the antenna lying at her feet. It was a thin metal ‘whip antenna’, roughly ten feet in length.
“We’ll have to get on the roof, somewhere near this corner, and feed the cable out the window.” Jack thought out loud.
Emily nodded. “We’ve got a fifty-foot length of cable, so we have a little bit of playing room. Once we got the antenna installed, we’ll have a right proper set-up.”
Joe caught the last bit as he walked in. “Oh hey, Jack. I think Keith will help with the antenna. Feel well enough to get on the roof?”
Apocalypsis Immortuos | Book 1 | Syndrome Page 26