by Cooper, DJ
Emmett shaking his hand said, “What brings you into these parts?”
Ray said, “We are travelling and had to make a stopover for a few days.”
Emmett nodded his head and asked, “I saw you hightail it out of the warehouses. What were you doing in there?”
Ray responded, “We were trying to get a look at the camp to see what is going on in there. Do you know anything about it?”
Emmett nodded, saying, “I’ve been watching for a bit now and it seems that anyone goes in… well they don’t come out. Least wise not alive anyway.”
Dickie’s eyes widened as he spoke, “Are they executing them all?”
Emmett said, “Not exactly, you see they got that Ebola in there and even the healthy ones are crammed into the tents all the same. There are some that go into the smaller tents and they seem ok. But anyone that makes trouble or seems like trouble, well, they are just taken to the fence.”
Dickie asked, “The fence?”
Emmett replied, “Yea, some they line up at the fence and just shoot em as soon as they arrive.”
Ray said, “We’re trying to get to Osceola Mills and need to know the routines of the camp to pass.”
Emmett looked nervous saying, “What business you got there?”
Without saying any names, Dickie explained how they had come to bring Mandy and Aaron along. He told him about the gang ransacking their home and that they were trying to help her get to her parent’s house. They did not know much about Emmett and did not want to jeopardize Mandy and Aaron’s safety.
Emmett shook his head saying, “There ain’t no one left in Osceola Mills, that’s where they keep all the black suits.”
Confused, Ray said, “Black suits?”
Emmett replied with a chuckle, “That’s what I call the guys that are running the show. I don’t know who they are but they all wear the same damn black suit. They look like there was a going out of business sale at J. C. Penny on black suits and everyone got in on it.”
Ray and Dickie shared a look and knew it was the same as the things they saw back in Auburn. They thanked Emmett and turned to leave. They both knew this was not going to go well for them if they were caught. At this point they were deserters and figured it was best to move along and avoid the camp and Osceola Mills entirely.
Emmett said, “Hold up there. We got some folks from Osceola Mills right here in these woods, maybe someone knows your friend’s parents.”
Dickie said, “It is worth a try, how can we find out?”
Emmett said, “Well, we can check in with Frank and Ruth, they know just about everyone who’s out here.”
Ray looked at Dickie and said, “We don’t know her parents’ names.”
“Well, let’s go see Ruth and see what she knows anyway.” Emmett said.
They both nodded and followed Emmett down a trail that led back into the woods. It wasn’t long before there were a number of ragged looking people looking at them as they passed. All had hollow eyes and quietly stared as the strangers walked past. These people had a grey look about them almost as if death had already come, but they didn’t know it and lingered in this world.
Coming into what looked like the center of the group they found an older man sitting on an old stump smoking something that looked like rolled up leaves. He didn’t look as ragged as the others they saw. With his large round belly and stubby fat fingers, he looked well fed.
Emmett asked him, “Where’s Ruthie gone to?”
The man looked up and said, “She’s just over the hill, she’ll be right back. Whatcha got with ya Emmett?”
Emmett said, “These two are looking for the parents of a few people in their group.”
Ray looked at Dickie, neither one of them liked the way he said group. Something was not right here, although neither of them could put their finger on what was wrong, they passed knowing looks that told one another OPSEC was important.
Dickie said, “Yes, they lived in Osceola Mills.”
Stepping out from behind a stand of trees a surprisingly lovely woman stood before them. She did not look worn or grey like the others. Her shoulder length blonde hair hung in her eyes a bit. She was older, but seemed fit, even formidable.
Extending her hand, she said, “Hi, I’m Ruth, how many are in your group?” It was almost as if she didn’t hear what Dickie said, but only cared about their numbers.
Dickie picked up on this and said, “Well, Ray and I have been helping others get to their homes. Seems like most of them are just families and couldn’t defend themselves. We have been trying to help them get home. Not really sure of how many there are, it changes along the way, but we’re just a small group maybe fifteen or so.”
Nodding to Ray he said, “Sound about right Ray?”
Ray looked at each of them, pursing his lips like he was thinking and said, “Yea, I’d guess that is pretty close.”
Ruth asked, “You say they are defenceless?”
Ray nodded, saying, “Mostly, you see… we scout ahead and then go back and bring them up. Because there is only Dickie and I to keep them protected, we need to take things slow.”
Ruth looked almost excited saying, “Well, just bring them on over here. We can look after them while you two do your scouting.”
Dickie trying to look impressed with the suggestion said, “Wow! That would be great. You sure you wouldn’t mind the extra burden?”
Ruth responded, “Not at all, shall I have some of our guys come help escort them?”
Ray shrugged, “Do you think it will be necessary? It seemed pretty quiet.”
Emmett looking them over said, “It’ll be alright if you just wait until after dark.”
Ruth agreed and sent them to get a cup of coffee and rest up before dark. Dickie and Ray took the opportunity to look around at the group. The people were ragged and hungry looking. Dickie noted an almost savage look about them and that some were shaking. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was, but knew there was something very wrong here.
As night fell and the two prepared to head back to their camp planning to fill the others in on their explorations. They were startled by someone while they were uncovering the jeep, a weary woman and a small girl in hushed tones signalled them from the woods. Hidden in the trees near their vehicle the two begged that they take them away from there. Dickie looked at Ray, turning to them silently he nodded directing them to get into the vehicle. They crawled to the far side of the jeep and Ray acted like he was checking something allowing them to slip into the back unnoticed by the ever watchful eyes of Emmett.
They had been driving for only a few miles when the woman asked, “Is it safe yet?”
Ray asked, “Safe from what?”
The woman began to cry, begging, “Please don’t hurt us.”
Ray was confused and turned to her asking, “Why would we hurt you?”
She responded, “I don’t know, I didn’t think about whether or not you were bad guys. We just needed to get away from there or we were going to be dinner.”
Ray gasped, “You mean…”
She nodded, saying, “When we were found by Emmett, there were six of us. They actually only unchained us because you were there, we were told that if we said anything to you that they would make us suffer when it was our turn.
Ray asked, “Why didn’t they just take us captive?”
The woman responded, “They wanted to follow you to find out where the rest of your group is. I overheard Emmett talking to Ruth and that’s why we snuck out to try and go with you.”
Ray looked over to the young girl and back to the woman and said, “Where are you from?”
The woman replied, “Altoona, but the black suits have been bringing people to the camp from all over. When they came to start taking people away in our area, we left and hid in the woods. We were pretty hungry when Emmett found us and brought us to their camp. At first they were very nice and gave us food and water, a place to sleep and clean up.”
Pausing,
she looked out the window and continued, “Then on the second day they burst into the tent taking us all prisoner.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she said, “Ron, my husband, fought hard and was killed in the scuffle. They were like animals, cutting him up and carrying off the pieces.”
Ray sat with a look of horror as she continued, “At first I didn’t know why, but once we were taken from the tent I understood what was happening. I watched the man who killed him as he brought his head to Frank and Ruth like it was a trophy.”
Sobbing the woman could hardly continue to speak, yet she went on describing the horrors of the small encampment, “Every few days they would come for one of us. Missy was the last one taken, she had been at the college in Altoona when we met up with her. The women were given to the men of the camp the evening before they were to be eaten for what they called pleasuring. We could hear her screaming long into the night. I think Ruth wanted to save Mary here for Sunday dinner. She said the young ones were the most tender.”
Pulling the child closer to her, she sobbed great heaving sobs, speaking between sniffles and broken words she tried to tell them more, but Ray reached out for her hand saying, “Later, it can wait.”
Dickie said, “I don’t know whether to be pissed off or terrified, we need to get everyone packed up and leave this area RFN.”
Ray said to the woman, “There is no time for introductions or formalities. You are welcome to sit tight and come along or you are free to go when we get to camp. We don’t have a spare vehicle, but might be able to offer you some supplies.”
The woman replied, “I don’t care where we are going, any place is better than here. I have some family in Ohio and could try and get to them.”
Ray replied, “We are going south and can take you south until you would have to head west to Ohio.”
The woman nodded, thanking him, saying, “My name is Julie and this is my daughter Mary. Thank you both for your help, I promise that we won’t be a bother.”
Ray turned to Dickie and said, “No time for explanations, we just need to get everyone into the vehicles and get gone. Hopefully we can get out without a scuffle. I think we need to have John and Roger watch the perimeter with us while everyone else gets loaded up.”
Dickie said, “Gotcha,”
The Jeep sped up the dirt road to the camp, lights shining across the camp's occupants. John immediately knew something was wrong and ran to the Jeep.
Ray poked his head out the window as he ran alongside saying, “We’re leaving… Right NOW!”
John ran ahead to the tent and told everyone to pack up and get ready to pull out in minutes.
Roger was on the tower and came running asking, “What’s going on?”
Ray said, “Packing up, need to DiDi and do it RFN. Explain later but make sure we have everyone there will be no going back because there will be nothing to go back for.”
In less than five minutes all of the gear was stowed and everyone was in a vehicle as they sped out of the encampment and made their way to route 53, the route they mapped out earlier.
Chapter 19
“Luck can change”
“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
They were well on their way and headed south on route 53 by morning, the horror of what they learned spread through the vehicles horrifying some but most just felt anger. Mandy cried and was almost inconsolable at the thought of such a fate for her parents. Julie tried to convince her that her parents were probably just off with family somewhere, but Mandy was sure they would have happily accepted the FEMA offers for help.
John figured she, of all people, knew her parents and was likely right about their fate, but also that they were lucky in the sense that it was a better fate than that of being lunch. Shaking his head, he shrugged off the mixed feelings of anger and disgust. Fear lurked in the back of his mind of the distance they still had to go. It had only been little more than a month and already people had resorted to cannibalism. It suddenly occurred to him that it had been over a month and they had made it little more than half way.
Much of the day was spent in slow progression south, avoiding roadblocks, vehicles and other things in their path. John, who was in the lead vehicle, pulled over at the on ramp as leading onto interstate 22.
Jumping out he said, “Hang tight, I’m going back to talk to the others about the highway.”
He reasoned that taking the highway might be just the same as the back roads, but would get them to their next route quicker. Everyone agreed they might give it a chance. Cautiously, they proceeded up the on ramp to the interstate. There was apprehension because they knew if there were trouble on a highway there were few places they could escape it.
The road was clear all the way to route 219, where they began to move south. It too was a highway, but was eerily void of any vehicles. On route 22 there were a number of broken down vehicles on the roadway, but none on route 219 at all. They saw nothing along the route, no sign of people anywhere, just the roadway. No one said anything, but all were feeling uneasy about the ease of travel and the lack of abandoned cars.
Finally, Amy said, “It is funny that only a few months ago we would be angered by traffic and obstacles in our path and now we feel uneasy about how clear the road is.”
They all laughed a little and eased the tension as they came upon the interchange for I-70.
Pulling over, John said, “I think we should take a lunch stop and see about looking at the map again. It will be good to get our bearings and plan the next leg of the trip.”
He hopped out of the Jeep and headed back to talk to the others about it.
When he returned, he said, “We talked and think it would be best if we move forward through the town, then stop in an area where we can have more cover.”
Climbing in, he smiled over his shoulder, for the first time in a long time feeling hopeful. A few miles beyond the interstate they found a small dirt road leading to a dried creek bed, beyond it was a small pine clearing. After checking the area surrounding the little nook for any threats, they were all permitted to get out of the vehicles. Everyone began to murmur about the quick exit the night before.
Most of them got the quick version during the trip, but everyone wanted to hear about Julie and Mary. Renee and Kimmie were clamoring for the attention of the newcomers being overly friendly, when Roger came over to the group.
Looking disgusted at the pair then back to the newcomers, he said, “Excuse me Julie, John would like to talk to you if you feel up to it.”
Julie appearing to welcome the relief from the questions said, “Sure, who is John?”
Roger said, “Follow me, I’ll show you.”
Glaring as Julie and Roger walked away Renee scowled. She made her way back to the vehicle mumbling how much she hated him, Kimmie was hot on her heels agreeing with her making animated gestures in his direction.
Julie watched them as she followed Roger and asked, “What is wrong with them?”
Roger shook his head saying, “They’re just dead weight, don’t pay any attention to them.”
John held out his hand to greet Julie saying, “Hi Julie, I’m John and this is Amy.” Motioning to Amy as he introduced them.
Julie reached out and shook both of their hands, thanking them for all the help the group had given them in escaping Ruth and the others.
John said, “Dickie has already filled us in on what happened so there is no need for you to go over it again. I’m very sorry to hear about your husband.”
Julie nodded, saying, “Thank you.”
John asked, “Where is it you are hoping to get to?”
Julie responded, “My uncle lives just west of Zanesville, My dad’s side of the family are all there.”
John nodded and said, “Ok, let me talk with the others to see what we can do about helping you get there.”
Julie nodded to him and turned,
walking back the way she came.
The sun was getting low on the horizon, the clearing they were in afforded them some cover from the road and the stress of their escape was just setting in. Settling in for the evening would give them some time to assess the area and look over the map.
Small pockets of conversation could be heard as Roger walked through the encampment. He was looking for Jenny to see if she wanted to eat with him. Standing near the end of the truck he leaned on the tailgate. Glancing around, he lit up a swisher sweet that he had been saving since the last scout. Inhaling deeply and blowing out a huge smoke ring, he watched as Jenny excused herself and walked in his direction.
In the brush behind him, he heard a rustling and immediately turned to investigate. The sun was setting and the twilight made it hard to make out what it was, he squinted to see. Watching a moment he realized that the figure moving through the brush was only Kimmie. It was clear that everyone was feeling uneasy, the events of the previous night had them all slightly edgy.
Smiling at Roger as she approached, Jenny said, “Are you hungry?”
Roger turned to look at her saying, “Starved, how about you?”
Jenny nodded in agreement and poked her hand through his arm, practically escorting him to the meal. Amy and Laurie had cooked a large stew with some cast iron corn bread. Almost everyone was seated around the fire talking about the past few day’s events and what might be ahead for them. John and Dickie were talking with Ray about their next direction and how far was left for them to go.
Mark asked Ray, “Do you think it is safe to continue on the main roads and highways?”
Ray said, “Honestly Mark, I’m not sure any roads are going to be safe at this point. People are getting desperate, I think things are worse than we really know. We haven’t had any real news for quite some time, I think we need to get some Intel soon.”
Laurie came over to the group saying, “Danny said maybe we should look for an antenna.”
Ray looked up, with an almost shocked look. He got up and headed over to where Danny was lying. Danny’s fever was lower and he was awake. The antibiotics and lancing of the wound seemed to have had a positive effect, he was already looking better.