Fallen

by J. Dursky

  Chapter 17

   

  I walk down into the basement to be near Lila and to speak with the Doctor. I walk straight to Lila and give her a kiss. There is something that makes me feel relaxed in her presence. The shower was much needed, I feel much better now that I am clean. I am happy to get out of the sweat soaked clothes. I am still wearing clothes that are comfortable as well as grey slip on sandals, yellow gym shorts, and a bright green T-shirt. I turn from holding Lila and face the Doctor.

  "Dr. Hunter, can I talk to you?"  I ask.

  "Sure."  He says. 

  Lila and I part ways. She goes to where she made our bed for the night and Dr. Hunter and I walk to the other side of the basement so we can talk in private. 

  "How big is this? Is it global?"  I ask.

  "I have a feeling you are about to ask me a lot of questions I am afraid I don't have the answer to.  We’re unsure how far it has spread, because we’re unsure where it started." He answers.

  "There has to be more you can tell me about it."

  "I have told you everything I know thus far.  I have explained why they are strong, how it spreads, and that it originated somewhere east of here.  And to be honest, all the information I have given you so far has been classified.  I only told you because I know you can help."

  "So you think I may be immune to this or what?"

  "Not immune, resistant.” 

  “Is there is a difference?” 

  “The easiest way to think about the difference is, when someone is immune, they are not affected. You are immune to the effects of magnets. When someone is resistant, they are affected, but they overcome the effects. You are resistant to the wind.”

  “That makes sense. So you think this has affected me?”

  “We need to get back to the base to run some tests.  If you hold the key to all of humanity being able to survive this, you are obligated to help, just as I am." 

  I give him a confused look.  "What do you mean like you?" 

  "Everyone plays a role in this.  Some are soldiers. Others are researchers, subjects, or decision makers.  No matter who you are we all have a common goal, survival." 

  I am exhausted from everything that has happened over the last 24 hours. I tell him we can figure out the details in the morning.  I walk over to where Lila is already laying down.  I lay next to her.  She is using a flashlight to read a book. It is a book that I wrote about us. It is about how we met and how we feel about each other. It was a stupid assignment in my English class, but now it gives me butterflies seeing her reading it. 

  "Hi baby."  She says with a half-smile on her face.  "Bed time?"  She asks.

  "Yeah, I am tired."  I say.

  "I bet you are Sweetness."

  We both went through very traumatic events today. I don’t want to compare them, but I think hers is worse. I worry about her. I don’t want to drive her off so I will save small talk for later.  

  I don't hesitate. I lower myself on the air mattress she set up earlier.  I lay next to her, she is warm, she smells good, and for all I know, this may be the last time I get to do this. I don’t want to take it for granted. Every time I lay down beside her she rubs my hair. There isn’t much so it feels good on her palms. It also tickles me a little, in a good way. I can feel how much she loves me in her touch.  I lose myself in the moment and fall asleep.

  Sunday Morning

   

  I wake to the sound of a car door slamming.  I hear voices and footsteps approaching the house.  A voice comes over a loud speaker. 

  "Dr. Hunter, if you are in there, please vacate the premises immediately.  We are required to transport you back to the base.  Failure to comply may result in civilian casualty."  

  We are all awake now.  We look at one another and start getting up.  I am putting my shoes on when I see soldiers in the front yard through the window.  I walk to the sliding door to let them know not to use force to enter.  I open the door and it seems like chaos.  Voices all around me are yelling different orders, there are seven or eight guns pointed at me.  Dr. Hunter comes out and tells them to lower their weapons.  He tells them there are no Fallen here. 

  A man stands on the deck above and behind us from where we are standing. He is dressed in a camouflage uniform with his pants tucked into his boots. He has red hair and pale skin. He is large and broad. He looks like the type of man who would be in charge.

  "Thank you for keeping the good Doctor safe last night, I am General Austad.” The man says looking at me. “Bring the boy and come with us Doctor, we have more important things to do today.  No need to make this complicated."

  "We are coming. Don’t hurt anyone.  I would like to request all four of us have access to the base."  Dr. Hunter tells him.

  "Negative.  My orders came directly from the President this morning.  You and the boy are going back to the base.  No more, no less." 

  Dr. Hunter turns and looks at me.  He has a look on his face as if he is trying to tell me something.  I tell Lila to stay inside and motion to Jensen to come outside with me.  

  "I do not object to returning to the base, I have new information and believe we should permit two more to enter the base."

  "What part of, no more, no less, did you not understand?"

  "He is the one from the video, General!"  He says in a stern voice.

  "I don’t know what video you’re talking about.  You know I don't care about your little science experiments, I care about completing my orders..." 

  Jensen and the Doctor walk up the stairs to meet the man on the deck.  He turns and walks with them as well as several soldiers.  I start to walk up the hill but I’m stopped by four soldiers making a square around me. 

  “I will get you clearance and send someone for you later this afternoon.” Dr. Hunter says as he walks away.

  I attempt a small step around the soldier in front of me. He steps as I step. He is blocking me. I make eye contact with him and he gives me a stern look as if to say, “Try something.”

  I smile.