He reaches for the tea and downs all of it. “I’m a lot better, sweetie.” He sways a little. “I just need to hydrate. I still feel a little dizzy but it’s getting better.” He looks at me.
I hug him. “I’m so glad you’re okay. A little paranoia we can manage, with medication. We have a fair amount of Seroquel in there.”
He hugs me back tightly. “I love you, Mom. Thanks.”
I rub his back. “Would you like some grape juice or anything?” He’s been sick for a couple days.
“Yeah, I’m still thirsty. Is there more tea? I think that stuff saved my life.” He heads through the kitchen to the dining room, sitting at the table, putting his hand to his head. “I’m feeling kind of faint.” I get him a mug of tea and a glass of elderberry juice made from the syrup.
“Either one. I am just so thirsty. I’ll probably drink anything that’s in front of me.” Then I head in the kitchen to spell Dixie.
“Do you want to take a turn with Simon, destemming?” I ask her. “One box down!”
“Mom!” I hear Simon. “It’s Jose!” I race to the walkie talkie.
“Are you all okay?” I ask.
Twelve
Jose’s Perspective
Reconnaissance Mission
“Okay, Mazama first.” Jose starts the pickup while the rest pile in. “Everyone got your walkie talkies on?”
Rob looks around at the group. “We’re ready.” Mazama Sporting goods is only about a mile away, down streets that are like a ghost town. The group heads there directly, entering what was a busy intersection. As they’re crossing it, Jose realizes there are abandoned cars.
“Would you have left your car if you were sick?”
“If you needed a doctor!” Faith says, snottily.
The rest remain quiet looking around at dead people laying on the sidewalks, near abandoned cars. It’s a bizarre scene.
They turn in the parking lot, noticing a couple guys out front of Mazama Sporting Goods. “What are they up to?” Jose asks, suspiciously.
“Somehow, walking into two paranoid, likely violent men doesn’t appeal to me.” Rob laughs.
“¡Esperamos!.” Let’s wait, Jose laughs too. “¡Cochinos!!” Dirty pigs.
“They’re coming this way.” Katie says. Faith hides. Rob opens the window a crack.
“Stay back! State your business.”
They back up as one explains, “There’s an army behind us. They’re after us!” They turn around, shooting at the invisible army, shattering store windows. Turning back to the group, bullets begin flying at the truck.
“Everyone down!” Jose yells.
Rob puts his gun out the window, shooting as one man crumples to the ground. “One down,” He says. “The other one is running. Let’s wait a minute or two before we get out.”
The group sits in the car, stiff with anxiety, waiting for the next volley of shots.
“This is like a war zone.” In one swift movement, Jose leaps from the truck, dropping into an automatic crouch, expecting more assailants, remembering the guerilla warfare in Guatemala. His senses are heightened as his heart pounds in his chest, creeping forward, he breaks into a sweat. He waves, motioning the group forward. “Let’s go! He’s out of sight.”
“I’m moving the truck up to the door,” Rob says, starting the engine. He keeps it low, quiet, rolling closer to the store, backing the pickup bed up to the door.
“It’s a total pain out here,” Faith complains.
“You wanted to come so stop complaining,” Sam tells her.
Everyone gets out as Rob stands guard out front with Faith. Jose, Sam, and Katie enter the store. Everyone is clear on which supplies to gather. They divide into two groups each going in different directions.
Katie and Jose grab large, multi-pocketed packs, filling them with ammo, guns, bigger knives than they have at home, and fishing gear. Jose grabs a book on hunting and carving, then camo clothes in a variety of adult sizes, a couple tents, and a string of sleeping bags he’s tied together. Heading to the truck, they throw in the supplies, heading back in for another run. This time, grabbing more packs, they fill them with freeze dried food, first aid supplies, water purifiers, and load them in the truck. Sam is behind them with more supplies.
Jose asks Rob. “What else do we need?”
Rob looks around. “We’ll go check. I think that guy is gone. Lowe’s is right there, though…” He nods at the Lowe’s next door, emphasizing to keep an eye out.
Jose and Katie take Rob’s guard position, while Rob heads in with Sam and Faith. They return loading more water purifiers, freeze-dried foods, tarps, special blankets, a couple more tents, and full packs. Then they head in for more.
Jose sees movement with his heightened sense of awareness, coming from the side of Lowe’s. He pulls out his pistol in readiness but they’re too far away. He prays they won’t come closer. He watches them approach, every nerve ending tingling. “Be careful everyone, there’s someone out there. Let’s load up.”
The walkie talkie crackles. It’s Eliana. “Jose?”
“Not now,” He tells her, wanting to get in the truck before communicating.
“I think we’ve got everything worth taking,” Rob says, carrying the last full packs.
A volley of shots breaks out from the top of Lowe’s. A blow to Jose’s calf, crumples him to the ground. “I’ve been hit!” He yells, grabbing his burning calf as blood soaks his pantleg, dripping between his fingers.
“I want to go to the mall,” Faith complains
Rob’s strong arms pull Jose into the truck, stuffing the walkie talkie in his pocket. “Focus, Faith!”
“Start the truck!” Katie yells as Rob revs the engine.
“Go, go!” Jose yells.
The tires squeal as Rob jerks the truck around in a cloud of dust. He slams the accelerator to the floor, flying out of the lot.Katie grabs the walkie talkie off the floor where it’s sliding around. “Eliana, do you copy?”
As the truck roars down the road, Eliana asks, “is everyone okay?”
Katie yells. “No! Jose’s been shot!” Katie applies pressure to stem the blood flow as they race towards home.
Thirteen
Eliana
Hubby Injured
Sheba wines at the front window as the pickup pulls in. Rob supports Jose to the door.
“Simon, Eli, come help me. It looks like Papa is injured.” My heart races in time to the knots churning in my stomach.
“Eliana, try not to worry too much,” Katie admonishes. “The bullet just grazed his leg. It should heal up if you can stop it from getting infected. We should go so we can continue our mission to the hospital.” Simon and Eli support Jose, woozy and out of it, into the house to the couch in the back room.
“Let me look at his leg.” Jonathan follows us over to the couch. “Can you get me some rubbing alcohol or vodka or something to clean it with?” Jose is moaning in pain.
“Do you have any codeine?” Jonathan asks
“Yes. And there’s morphine from Grandpa.”
“Bring the codeine. We’ll just give him a little.” My breath expels in a whoosh as Jonathan begins caring for Jose. While the water is heating, I get the Everclear, which I use for tinctures, from the pantry. I get the comfrey salve, a cloth, and bandages from Katie’s supply. I carry those in with a pair of scissors and tape. Jonathan cuts the pants back to the knee.
“Did you give him codeine already?” My mind races in circles about how much he’s suffering, how badly he’s hurt, and how long he’ll be in pain.
“I did.” I feel tears at the corners of my eyes, not wanting him hurt. I yearn for his touches, whatever it is we have now. I am grateful Katie stemmed the bleeding, but it needs proper cleaning to stop infection. I watch over Jonathan and Jose, suddenly aware that I still love him. Jonathan soaks the wound in alcohol and Jose moans. It will take time for the codeine to kick in.
“He ought to have stitches, but maybe it’ll be okay without,
” Jonathan says. “Or maybe I can do the stitches when they get back from the hospital.”
“Jonathan, we have the supplies, can you do it?” I ask.
“Yes.” Jonathan’s whole demeanor brightens. “Can you bring them?” I run back into the kitchen, bringing hot water and the surgical supplies. I watch Jonathan stitch the wound, while Jose grits his teeth against the pain. He swabs the closed wound with alcohol.
“Don’t you want to put some comfrey on it?” I ask, my chest tight. “It will heal faster without infection”
“Yeah, go for it” Jonathan says.
I apply it, watching Jonathan bandage up my husband, hardly breathing. What will I do with my love for this man if we can’t find a way to connect again?
Fourteen
Simon
Flirting
God, Simon thinks, bored. His shoulder is aching and he’s tired of destemming grapes. He’d rather be in the kitchen with Morgan but it hurts less to sit down, so he’s at the kitchen table. He had to sacrifice the couch to Jose. At least he can see Morgan from here. Simon thinks, She’s got great legs and such a cute ass!
“Hey, Morgan, I’ve got another bowl of grapes here,” Simon reports. “Are there more to destem?”
“I’ll get them. I’ll bring you another box.” She picks up the box and as she carries it in, Simon admires her. “Here you go.” She places the box on the table and takes the bowl.
“Wish I could help you guys in there,” Simon lies, partially. He’d like to be near her, but doesn’t really want to cook. Simon listens to Eliana and Katie talk about how Jose is doing. Such a fucking weird world we live in where going to the store can mean getting shot. It blows his mind to think that just a few days ago the world was normal and now it’s crazy.
“Hey, Eli, come destem with me, man!” Simon calls out.
“Stop whining!” Eli teases, joining Simon at the table. “Can’t destem by yourself?”
“It’s fucking boring.” Simon raises his eye brows at Eli, looking pointedly at Morgan. Eli nods almost imperceptibly. They’ve got the nonverbal communication thing down pat.
Fifteen
Sam
Reconnaissance Mission
The reconnaissance team returns to the pickup. “I told her the bullet just grazed his leg. Our only concern will be if an infection sets in,” Katie explains as they load up.
“Let’s take the back way,” Sam directs. “I think there will be fewer obstructions since people rarely use these roads.” They find the back roads behind Lowe’s to be much easier to travel. “I hope we can get near the hospital.” Worry niggles at Sam’s mind.
“Traffic was really bad around the hospital. It might be safer on a residential road.” Katie’s voice is strong, directive. “What if we can’t get close enough to the hospital?” Tension creeps in to her voice.
“We can park at Eliana’s office and walk from there,” Sam reassures her. “It’s about four blocks.”
As they get closer, the streets get worse. It looks like the whole city was trying to get to the hospital. Cars are everywhere as people must have been desperate to get to the hospital, leaving their cars behind. They manage to get to Eliana’s office and park in the garage.
“I think we should eat the sandwiches first.” Sam passes them out.
“Is this all we have?” Faith wines.
Sam stares her down. “Faith, behave like an adult.”
After eating, they each get out with two empty backpacks per person, walking towards the hospital. Katie’s key will let them in a back door. It’s a little longer walk but as they see people running around in front of the hospital, they know it will be worth the distance.
“Come this way.” Katie directs them as they jog east, past the ER, then north towards a back entrance. The worst traffic is around the ER which is stagnant. There are abandoned cars behind the hospital, but it’s passable. No one seems to be around the heart of campus but they see a small group of paranoid people beating on the ER doors.
Sam’s shoulder’s tense, the stress of walking outside weighing her down. Katie leads them toward a back entrance, then shifts directions as Sam sees a slender woman in jeans and black Nikes coming towards them, arms waving madly. Sam’s heart jumps into her throat, concerned the woman is crazy. They’re heading around the back to an inconspicuous door, not daring to stop while the woman screams. Sam’s shoulders tighten wondering what she wants. She doesn’t seem crazy, but this isn’t a good place to find out.
Katie swipes her card and as the door opens, they all race through. While the door closes, Sam sighs with relief, leaning against the wall.
“How far from here to the supply closet?” Sam asks.
“Not far.” Katie reports, leading them down the corridors. This part of the hospital is empty, thank God. No one seems to be around. They turn down another corridor, hearing loud voices in the distance. Katie swipes her key card, opening the door to the supply closet.
Sam looks at large bottles of medicine. Some she’s never heard of, but many are the medications Jonathan and Katie want. Sam fills one pack first with familiar names, then less familiar. She adds scissors, needles, tape, and other surgical supplies she thinks they can use. Both of her packs are filled quickly. She puts one on her back, the other like a front pack, regulating her breathing, which has gotten pretty shallow. She turns around. “How are you guys doing?”
“We’re ready to go.” Katie opens the door, peeking out. “All clear.” She leads them back the way they came, racing to the back door, Faith trailing behind. The woman is outside, apparently waiting for them.
“I think we should see what she wants. She doesn’t appear dangerous and she’s been waiting for us,” Sam suggests. “Faith, keep up.” Rob nods as Sam opens the door. Rob slowly raises his shot gun, aiming it at the dark blonde woman.
“Back up,” He tells her. “Nice and slow.”
She backs up, saying emphatically, “I’m not crazy. I just need help. My husband has become psychotic and left with the keys to the car. Don’t leave me here. Please. I’m a nurse. I can help you.” She sounds slightly hysterical.
“She doesn’t sound paranoid,” Sam says quietly to Rob.
“Head up Alder and we’ll follow you,” Katie says. “You look kind of familiar.” She turns to Rob. “She might be telling the truth.”
Rob asks. “What have you seen?”
“Sick people,” she sighs, shaking her head, her blonde bob brushing her collar. “I went to the hospital with my husband where they’re minimally treating the sick. Most of them are dying. My husband was there for two days. At least there was food. He seemed to get better but then he got paranoid, delusional, and violent and they sent us away. I…” She fades off, sounding tense.
“What happened to him?” Rob asks.
She glances back. “He ran off. I couldn’t stop him or manage his delusions. They sent us away without medicine.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Rob says, compassionately. “I’ve been hearing about that. Let’s turn right here,” Rob directs. “Where do you live?”
“On Baily Hill. We have a mini farm, two acres.” She’s younger than Eliana and Sam, but older than the kids, mid 40’s. She’s pretty, trim and fit.
“Do you have family there?” Rob keeps the questions coming.
“No. My kids went away to college. They’re in Washington, at Udub.”
“What do you have on the farm that you can share?”
“We have fruit trees, a veggie garden, chickens, a couple goats, and a couple cows. There’s a milk goat. We have rabbits too.”
“What’s your name? Mine’s Rob.”
“I’m Jessie.” She looks back. “How about the rest of you?” They all exchange names, trusting her.
“How many people were alive when you left the hospital?” Sam asks.
“God! I don’t know. There were four or five doctors, a few nurses, and maybe a dozen patients that were still alive. Many of them seemed to di
e pretty quickly. It was awful there.”
“Turn right here..” Rob looks back at us and whispers. “I think she’s okay. You guys?”
Sam nods and there’s a murmur of okays around her. On Fourteenth Street, they’re running by apartments, hearing someone screaming from an upper balcony.
“Look!” They pause, looking up, seeing a delusional man, screaming on the balcony.
Before they can catch their breath, he jumps. Shock registers on every face, mouths agape. They force themselves to look away as the man crashes to the ground. Sam runs to the body, her stomach roiling, only to find his head, splattered on the ground like a watermelon. Sam turns toward Rob, shaking her head, then clutches her stomach and vomits. She wipes her mouth with her sleeve, walking back to the group.
“God, I’m sorry.” Rob pats her back and they continue on.
“I’m never doing this again,” Faith says.
They cross the main street, skirting abandoned cars. As they near Eliana’s office, Sam’s chest hitches as many violent men, carrying a variety of weapons, clearly salvaged from apartments, swarm toward the building. They’re blocking the garage and the only safe place might be up.
“Up the stairs!” Sam yells, leading the group in a sharp left up the flight of cement steps towards Eliana’s office. She hears feet slapping on the steps behind her. She pounds the steps as fast as she can go to the next landing, passing the second floor as the steps double back over the bushes. She glances over her shoulder, pulling herself upwards, grabbing onto the iron railing. Rob, Katie, and Faith are close behind her but Jessie is near the bottom of the stairs, surrounded by the front runners of the mob. The crowd closes in, fighting each other, and throwing branches. It’s crazy seeing one man shove another into three others as they fall like dominoes into the bushes at the base of the building. Sam’s head jerks around, hearing gun shots. Rob shoots into the crowd, booking down the steps towards Jessie.
Considerable Destruction Series (Book 1): Evasion ( Page 13