by Newman, AJ
The air was heavy with burned rubber from the tires sliding on the concrete and burning fuel. It was July in South Alabama, the air was muggy, and the mosquitoes were horrible. Jill’s body ached, and she slapped at a mosquito before her eyes opened. She didn’t move as she surveyed the ground in front of her. The concrete was cold and damp, chilling her to the bone, but her back was warm with Bo plastered to her. There was no danger in view, so she rose up and almost fell to the pavement when she tried to use her right arm. She remembered George had shot her. She hoped he was dead. She could see Barbara on the ground in front of her but panicked when she didn’t see Jon.
She felt a hand on her shoulder. “Jill, I’m glad you’re awake. I know you’ve been beaten to hell in the wreck, but are you okay otherwise?”
Jill worked her way up to a sitting position and noticed the bandage on her arm. “Thanks for tending to me. How did I get here from the plane? I can’t remember anything after the plane when down.”
“I carried you both away from the plane. I thought it might catch on fire. Here’s a chocolate bar and a bottle of water. We need to get away from here before someone comes to scavenge the crash site. They might not be friendly.”
“How is Barbara?”
“I think she’s just like the rest of us, a bit battered and bruised. I’ll wake her up now.”
Jon shook Barbara’s shoulder until she woke up with bleary eyes and a dazed look on her face. “Where am I? Did the plane crash?”
Jon said, “You’re about twenty-five miles northeast of Mobile, sitting in the middle of Highway 65. We must be just above Bay Minette. I need you to quickly eat and drink some water so we can move to a safer location to decide what to do now. We’ll gather our belongings and sort out what we can and can’t carry. I have to ask. Barbara, are you immune?”
“I’m not immune as far as I know. We don’t have a test for immunity other than to expose the subject to the virus. Jon, the virus hasn’t killed everyone like has been spread by ham radio operators and the few radio stations still in operation. There are pockets of survivors all over the country who have secluded themselves from the infected people. Many are ruled by bad people or good, meaning people who have turned to the dark side for their own survival. That means it will be difficult to tell who are actual friends or just trying to get Jill and your blood to make themselves immune.”
Jon was astounded. “I thought the blood transfusion working was a hoax?”
“No, it’s true, but it takes just about all of a large man’s blood to make one person immune, and the blood types need to be compatible. You die, but they live. Don’t let yourself get caught.”
Chapter 17
Alabama northeast of Mobile – July 2038
There were only two backpacks, so Jon gave them to the ladies after filling them with the lighter items. He packed two medium-sized gym bags with water, extra weapons, ammo, a first aid kit, and a mixed bag of things that could be useful. He gave the girls a jacket to stuff below the backpacks and a loaded pistol.
Jon gazed at Jill and Barbara. “I had gathered a large cache of gold coins, jewels, and silver during my stay in Las Vegas. Too bad I can’t leave some here to pay for our purchases.”
Barbara asked, “Who would you pay?”
“I don’t know, but it would make me feel better about taking this stuff. Ladies, are we ready to travel?”
Jill moaned, “No, but let’s get this show on the road while I feel like walking.”
Barbara said, “I’m still not happy with going all the way down to Dauphin Island and then having to backtrack and head home.”
Jon was exasperated with the hardheaded woman. “Look, you can go anywhere you want to go. No one is forcing you to come with us. There are millions of cars and trucks ready to drive to your parents' home. I just thought we should all get to a safe place, rest up a bit, and then with clear, rested heads, decide what to do. Just make up your mind. You are safer with a policewoman and me than on the road by yourself.”
Barbara sighed. “I guess you’re right.”
Jon winked at Jill. “Besides, we might find an airplane, and I can fly you to your home and then go on to Dallas before returning home to my parents.”
Barbara said, “Oh, hell, no! You helped me escape from the soldiers who took over the CDC, but you also nearly killed us crashing the plane.”
Jill jumped to Jon’s defense. “Your friend caused the plane to crash. Jon saved your skinny little ass by using the plane to throw George around so I could tackle him. Then George shot me and sent a bullet into the cockpit’s controls. That’s what caused the plane to crash. You owe Jon and me for saving your butt.”
Jon drew Jill close and hugged her. “Thanks, Jill, but I’m afraid Barbara is still in a bit of shock from yesterday’s events. Come here, Barbara.”
Barbara joined them. Jon said, “Group hug. We’re all we have, and we need to band together.”
They hugged, and Jon thought it made Barbara feel better, but it made him want to get home to his parents. He hoped the community of Dauphin Island had closed the bridge to the mainland and warned all boats not to land. That was their only path to survival. Then it dawned on him, his group might not be welcome.
Before they broke apart, Barbara said, “I want to thank both of you for helping me escape even though it wasn’t in your plans. I’m also grateful you took care of George. He would have been a major problem for me personally, and a danger to all of us. Thanks.”
The plane had crashed just before the Highway 59 junction. Their plan was to walk south on Highway 59 toward Bay Minette and find an abandoned car. Then they could cut across on backcountry roads to the Battleship Parkway across Mobile Bay and on to Dauphin Island and safety, they hoped.
The sun was barely above the pine trees, and the scent of pine was strong in the musty humid July morning. Jon led the way carrying the two bags. A few minutes after they turned south on Highway 59, Bo sniffed the air, and his tail wagged. Jon stopped and took in a deep breath through his nose.
“Hmmm, I smell wood smoke, bacon, and something else that smells great. Too bad, we can’t stop in and beg for a few strips of bacon. Come on, Bo. No bacon for us today. Girls, keep your eyes peeled for people.”
Jon looked at Barbara and snickered because she had a mask and gloves on. Barbara heard him and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“You’re wearing the mask and gloves when no one is around.”
Barbara replied, “I’m not immune, and I’m scared shitless. You are a jerk.”
A few minutes later, Barbara got excited and said, “Hey, there’s a share-the-ride car park! There are a bunch of cars.”
They picked up the pace and were soon standing in front of the cars and a few pickups. Jill said, “Barbara, stay here so we can look the cars over before you join us. The cars could contain bodies.”
Jon moved to a minivan but backed up quickly when he peered in and saw the rotting corpses. He told Jill to search for a car without bodies on the north end, and he took the south end. Every car but one had one or more bodies. Jon knew they were only a few miles from the city. “Let’s move on. We can’t have Barbara take a chance on becoming infected. I know Bay Minette has several used car lots where we can find a car. Let’s move on.”
The odors of human existence grew stronger as they walked south on Highway 59. The air was heavy with wood smoke, odors from cooking, and human excrement. Jon felt as though eyes were staring at them from behind every tree and window blind as they passed a few houses.
“I have this spooky feeling we’re being watched. Be ready for anything,” Jon said.
Jill snorted, “I’ve been a military and civilian policewoman for eight years. I’m used to people watching me with disgust on their petty little faces.”
“That was a bit cynical, wasn’t it?” Barbara said.
“Nope, a large percentage of the larger cities hate cops because we throw their asses in jail for selling drugs, extorting businesse
s, and selling little girls to old men. Many of our cities are cesspools of corruption and seventh-generation welfare bums.”
Jon asked, “Is it really that bad?”
“Not now. I’m sure the plague churned through the large cities and wiped out the scum as well as the decent citizens,” said Jill.
Barbara said, “General Jones, the man in charge of the immunity project, says there are gangs still alive in many of the cities. He says they make Mad Max movies look tame. He’s trying to round up as many soldiers as he can to form an army large enough to wipe them out. The problem is, he needs a vaccine to keep his soldiers from dying from the plague.”
Jon said, “I’m a bit simple, but if the gangs can live in this mess, why can’t others?”
Barbara said, “The general told us the gangs took over their turf before the plague got to their area and killed anyone attempting to enter their territory. The virus is deadly but spreads from person to person through coughs and the exchange of body fluids. You can catch it from a cough fifty feet away, but not a city block away. This disease wouldn’t have been so deadly if the Russians hadn’t tried to cover it up because it was evidence they still had ongoing biological weapons research. It was in Europe and the USA before we knew it existed. The damned rich Russians and some of their political elite fled their country and went to safety in New York, London, Sydney, and other major cities away from Europe.”
Jon stopped walking. “Did the general ever give an estimate of how many people are left in the world?”
Barbara replied, “He thinks there are millions spread across the globe. Our government has over a hundred thousand people in two camps that had been meant to house the prisoners from the Terrorist wars in Europe. They were built, stocked, and closed down when a Texas congressman found out the president was bringing them to our country for a civil court trial.
There are also almost a million more survivors on our ships and isolated islands in the Pacific. There were early hopes that Hawaii could have been a safe haven, but a couple of cruise liners full of half-dead passengers landed without permission, and our soldiers didn’t want to shoot them to keep them from landing. The whole island of millions died because they didn't want to stop the people at the water’s edge.”
Jon said, “Well, Barb, you certainly cheered me up. I now have a smile on my face and can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.”
Barbara’s face flamed with contempt. “Jon, we can’t save every non-infected person, but the infected must be put down like rabid dogs. The virus doesn’t kill quickly, and everyone infected can spread the disease for a couple of weeks before dying. One person could spread the disease to an entire town.”
Jon said, “Girl, lighten up. I was just pulling your leg.”
“It’s not a joking matter.”
Jon smiled, “Barbara, life has dealt us a shit sandwich. We can deal with it as we keep living or start dying along with the others. I, for one, will keep my sense of humor as armor against life’s little problems.”
Barbara took off, walking ahead of them until Jill asked, “Shouldn’t you be behind us since we are immune. We should be able to stop anyone from reaching you, but not if you lead the pack.”
Barbara stopped in her tracks and didn’t say a word while they passed her. Jon whispered to Jill. “I don’t care if she’s got a burr up her ass, she can play nice or get the heck away from us.”
Jill nodded and whispered, “She’s scared to death, and besides, I think she has a crush on you.”
“No way.”
“Way.”
Jill bumped her shoulder against Jon, and they kept walking until Jon raised a clenched fist and said, “I see people peeking out from behind that sign up there on the left.”
They kept walking but kept their guns ready for action. They were in front of the sign when a man stepped out from behind the sign. He yelled, “Keep on moving and stay on the main street or you’ll be shot. We don’t want no damned plague here in Bay Minette.”
Jon said, “Our plane crashed up on Highway 65. We’re heading southeast and don’t intend to stay here. We hope to find a car and get on with our trip. We don’t want to harm you.”
“How have you avoided getting the plague?”
Jon lied. “We were on vacation up in Montana without any contact with the outside world. By the time we arrived back at the local town, everyone was dead. We camped in the woods until we hoped the plague had run its course and decided to fly home to a small city south of Mobile. We ran out of gas.”
The man smiled. “Keep heading south on 59, and there is a used car lot on the right side of the road just before town. It’s on the corner of the Bay Minette Bypass and 59. Take your pick. You might have to siphon some gas from other vehicles. Everyone still living has taken all the cars they’ll need. Now, move on. You seem like a nice guy, but we won’t take in strangers.”
Jill said, “We don’t blame you, and thanks.”
The man tipped his hat and walked out of sight.
Jon led them away down the street but took the next right turn. Jill had a scowl on her face. “Why are we taking a different route? The man even told us where to get a car.”
“I don’t want to be ungrateful but beware of strangers bearing gifts. Let’s sneak up on the car lot and perhaps avoid a trap. I’ve seen too many of those horror movies where the teenagers keep running into the rooms with the chainsaws instead of hopping in a car and getting the hell away from the predictable massacre.”
Barbara’s face puckered up. “You don’t trust anyone, do you?”
“Actually, I do usually trust people, but now, I find a bit of paranoia tends to keep me on my toes. If I’m wrong, we walk a mile or so too much. If I’m right, we might have saved our lives.”
Jill said, “Let’s quit bickering and get back to business.”
They were a bit surprised to see so many people peeking out from behind windows and porches. This was the most living people Jon had seen since leaving Oregon. It also frightened him. There can’t be many immune people, so these people must be doing something to keep from being infected. A few miles later, Jon took a left turn down to a side street running along Highway 59. He led them on to a position where they could see the car lot.
Jill saw them first. “Son of a bitch! Jon was right. Barbara, look to the left of the red Silverado. See the man with the rifle. Crap, there are others, and one of the bastards has what looks like a flamethrower mounted on his back. Let’s get the flock out of here.”
“Keep your heads low and follow me. Let’s get as far from here as possible,” Jon said.
They snuck away and skirted the town until Jon saw a farm truck sitting beside a tractor. The older Ford had a toolbox in the back and was clearly a farm work truck. It had the large crew cab and a fifty-gallon diesel fuel tank in the bed. Jon opened the door, and the keys were in the ignition. The only thing Jon didn’t like was the truck had a gas engine but a diesel fuel tank to refuel tractors and other farm equipment. The spare tank would’ve come in handy.
Jon twisted the key, and the ten-year-old truck roared to life. “Ladies, your coach awaits you.”
Jon drove south, made the turn on Highway 31, and headed to Battleship Parkway without any issues or people trying to kill them. The closer they were to Spanish Fort, the more homes and businesses were encountered, which made Jon and Jill uneasy. There weren’t any people or signs of any live people. There were plenty of rotting corpses and skeletons visible in front of homes and businesses. Several businesses had been burned to the ground, and others had broken glass and multiple bullet holes. The situation abruptly changed when they approached the first bridge on Battleship Parkway. The road was blocked with several large trucks on both the east and west bridges. There was a huge white sign with big red letters. It read, ‘GO AWAY! IF YOU CAN READ THIS WE CAN SHOOT YOU!!!’
Before Jon could stop, bullets struck the pavement beside them. He hit the brakes, sliding the truck to a stop. He selected
reverse and drove back as fast as he could. He only stopped when he rounded the turn in the road about a mile behind them.
“Holy shit, that was close!” Jon said as he spun the wheel around and peeled out. The truck shot forward, and Jon drove until he found a safe spot in some woods along the road to hide the truck.
The women were quiet during their flight from the ambush. The truck came to rest, and Jill said, “Are we going to have to swim across Mobile Bay?”
“I’m thinking,” was all Jon said as the women teased him.
Barbara said, “We could have landed close to my parents’ home and not had to swim at all.”
“If we’d stopped along the way and filled the gas tanks, we could have flown on to Dallas, and I’d be drinking a beer by my folks’ pool.”
“Ladies, if cows could fly, we’d all be covered in cow shit. Now, we can backtrack all the way up to Highway 65 and cross above Mobile Bay or find a boat and go across on water. As for me, I’m not backtracking. I’m driving on down to Daphne and borrowing a boat from the marina there. We can take a powerboat or sail. With our recent shortage of gas issues in mind, I recommend we take a sailboat.”
“Do you know how to sail?” asked Barbara.
“Yes, my parents have a 2028 Hunter 46. It’s a nice old boat. A good sailor could sail around the world in it. We just need a small boat to get across the bay.”
Jon fired the engine up and headed to Highway 98 south. Jill said, “Jon, you didn’t wait until we voted.”
The truck slid to a stop, throwing the girls forward in their seats with the seat belts biting into their shoulders. He looked at Jill and Barbara. “Bo and I are going across Mobile Bay in a borrowed boat. You two can come with me or take the truck wherever you want to go. After resting up for a week or so, I’ll be glad to help both of you figure out how to get home. Any more questions?”
Barbara and Jill exchanged glances, and both broke out laughing. Jill finally said, “You’re very cute when you try to act tough.”
