The Project Eden Thrillers Box Set 1: Books 1 - 3 (Sick, Exit 9, & Pale Horse)

by Brett Battles

  “Why?” Paul asked. “What is it?”

  “Please,” Sarge said again.

  “Sure,” Nick said, standing. “Sure. No problem. Come on, Paul.”

  Paul hesitated a second, looking at Sarge, then rose and followed his brother into the hallway that led to their shared bedroom. Nick was going to head all the way back, but as soon as they were out of their parents’ sight, Paul grabbed his brother’s arm, put a finger to his own lips and said, “Shhhh.” He pulled Nick down to the floor, and they crawled back to the open end of the hallway to listen.

  “You can’t know that,” their mother said, sounding scared.

  “Vonda, this is going to get worse before it gets better, maybe a lot worse. They want us to stay in our homes, but we’re still sitting ducks here. The only way we can insure the boys don’t get sick is to get them out of here, out of this zone.”

  “They’re shooting people who were trying to get in. They won’t even think twice about doing the same to someone trying to get out.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that, and I think I might know a way.”

  “What way are you talking about?” she asked.

  “Better if I tell them at the same time.”

  “I don’t know. I’d rather they just stay here.”

  “Sweetheart, we can’t argue about this. It’s our boys’ lives we’re talking about. If they stay here, I think there’s a good chance they’re going to die.”

  There was silence for a moment, then, “Okay.”

  Sarge suddenly raised his voice. “Boys?”

  Paul motioned for Nick to crawl back down the hallway with him.

  “Boys! Come back out here!”

  Once they reached the door to their room, Paul said, “What?”

  “Come out here,” Sarge said. “Your mother and I need to talk to you.”

  A few seconds later, they were all sitting around the living room.

  “I think the news people aren’t telling us everything,” Sarge began. “My guess is they probably haven’t even been told themselves. Here’s the thing. I think this illness is a lot worse than they’re making it out to be. The reason we’re in the zone now is because someone who was sick must have passed through this area at some point. That means there’s a chance someone right here in town is infected, maybe more than one.” He looked down at his hands for a second, then back at the boys. “The bottom line is, you can’t stay here. If you do, you might die. Part of our jobs as parents is doing everything we can to keep our kids alive. So I want you two to get out of the quarantine area.”

  “What about you and Mom?” Nick asked. “You’re coming with us, right?”

  “My hip would never make it,” Sarge said. It was something that had bothered him for years. “And your mother…”

  He seemed unable to finish, so their mom said, “I’d only slow you down.”

  “No, you wouldn’t,” Nick argued.

  But they all knew she would. Their mom had put on some weight over the years. Not enough to be called fat, but enough to make her winded after a long walk.

  “She’s staying with me,” Sarge said. “That’s not open for discussion.”

  He pushed himself out of his recliner and went over to the desk in the corner. He searched through several of the drawers before he found what he was looking for and came back.

  It turned out to be a map of Eastern California. He unfolded it and spread it out on the coffee table.

  “You’ll take your dirt bikes. We’ll top off the gas from the tank in the car. Then you’ll head out this way.” He drew a path east across the map, toward Nevada.

  “There’s no road there,” Nick said.

  “I think that’s the point,” Paul told him.

  “They’ll be expecting people to head west or south,” Sarge said. “That’s where the cities are. And you can’t go north because China Lake’s right up there. The Navy will have that whole area blocked off. They’ll never think anyone would go east.” He tapped the map. “When you get past this point, you’ll be out of the zone. Get on the first road you see, and keep going into Nevada. When you get there, keep a low profile, and don’t let anyone know where you’re from.”

  “I’ll put some food together,” their mom said, already heading toward the kitchen. “You can carry it in one of your backpacks.”

  “You’ll need some money,” Sarge said. “I got about five hundred dollars stashed away. I’ll give that to you. But I don’t know how long you’re going to be out there on your own, so make it last.”

  “We will,” Paul said.

  Nick stared at his brother. “We’re really going to do this? We’re going to leave them?”

  “Yes. You are,” Sarge said before Paul could reply. “Now go get changed. You’re going to need some warm clothes. The nights still get cold.” As they headed toward the back, he added, “And bring your sleeping bags.”

  SARGE DECIDED THEY should wait until just after sunset to leave. When the time finally came, the boys rolled their dirt bikes out of the garage. Paul’s was an old Honda, while Nick’s was an even older Yamaha, both 125s. Each boy was wearing two T-shirts, a sweater, a jacket, a pair of jeans, and long johns.

  “Promise me you won’t ride without your helmets,” their mother said.

  “We won’t,” Paul told her.

  “And you’ll call us once you’re out.”

  “Yes. Yes.”

  Though they were carrying their cell phones, chances were they wouldn’t have a signal out in the middle of the desert. But even if they did, Sarge told them not to use the phones until they were out of the zone, in case someone could track them.

  Nick and Paul both hugged their mom.

  “Remember, walk your bikes through town,” Sarge said. “Don’t start ‘em up until you reach the other side of the highway. Better if nobody knows you’ve gone.”

  “Yes, sir,” Paul said.

  Sarge shook hands with his sons. “You guys take care of each other. Now, get a move on it.”

  Their house was on the western edge of town. The boys walked their bikes to the street, turned and gave their parents a long, final wave before heading east.

  Randsburg was deathly quiet as they moved through town. It wasn’t a big place to begin with, but there was usually someone outside at this time of the evening. But if not for the lights in several of the windows, it would have seemed like the place was deserted.

  As they neared the western end, Paul said, “I need to make a stop first.”

  Nick looked at him for a moment, then his eyes widened in understanding. He shook his head. “Dad said no stops.”

  “I don’t care. I’m not leaving without telling her goodbye.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Then keep going, and I’ll catch up to you.”

  Nick stopped. “I’m not going without you.”

  “And I’m not going without talking to her,” Paul said, halting beside him.

  They stared at each other for several seconds, then Nick said, “Fine. But make it quick, okay?”

  Paul smiled, and started pushing his bike again. “Sure. No problem.”

  As they walked up to Lisa Jennings’s house, Paul sent her a text telling her to come outside, but not to tell anyone. Less than sixty seconds later, the kitchen door opened and she stepped out.

  As soon as she saw Paul, she ran over and threw her arms around him.

  “I’m so scared,” she said.

  “We all are,” Paul told her.

  They held each other for a few minutes, kissing a couple times, but mostly hugging. Finally, she noticed that Nick was there, too, then she saw the motorcycles and her face scrunched in confusion.

  “What are you guys doing with your motorcycles? You heard everyone’s supposed to stay home, right?”

  “Uh, yeah,” Paul said. “We know.”

  “Then what are you doing?”

  “Come on. We got to go,” Nick said.


  “Go where?” Lisa asked.

  Paul glanced at Nick.

  Nick shook his head, then leaned toward his brother and whispered, “Dad doesn’t want anyone to know we left, remember?”

  “She won’t tell,” Paul said, not bothering to lower his voice.

  “Tell what?” Lisa asked.

  Paul hesitated only a moment before he spilled the whole plan to her. If he couldn’t trust Lisa, whom could he trust?

  As soon as he finished, she said, “I’m coming with you.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s going to be dangerous.”

  “As dangerous as hanging around here waiting for the Sage Flu to get me?”

  Nick stood silently by his bike, saying nothing, but the look on his face clearly showed he didn’t think Lisa coming along was a good idea.

  “What about your parents?” Paul asked.

  “Dad’s not even here. Got stuck in L.A. when this thing happened.” She tilted her head toward the house. “Mom doesn’t have to go to work at the motel tonight, so she’s been drunk off her ass all day. Finally passed out thirty minutes ago. She won’t notice.” She looked over at Nick. “I don’t want to stay here. I don’t want to die.”

  Nick frowned, but then he nodded and said, “Okay.”

  Five minutes later, as the three of them were walking down the road toward the highway, Lisa’s mother, still passed out on the couch, coughed.

  Twenty-Six

  ASH WOKE THIRTY minutes before dawn. In the bathroom, he peeled off most of the bandages that covered his head. His face was still swollen, though much less so than it had been the previous day. Bruises still encircled his eyes and covered his cheeks. Those, he knew, would be with him long after the swelling disappeared.

  He studied himself in the mirror, trying to figure out what he would look like once trauma caused by the surgery had passed, but his imagination failed him. He’d have two eyes, two ears, a nose, and a mouth. Ultimately, that was all that was important.

  After shooting practice the previous day, Pax had given him an extensive tour of the subterranean facility, and set him up with access to the computer room and the well-equipped gym.

  The gym was where he headed as he exited his room at 5:45 a.m.

  He was surprised to find someone else already there. It was the woman from the day before, the one he’d seen in the cafeteria but hadn’t met yet.

  She’d been doing stomach crunches as he walked in, but the second she heard him her head whipped around like he’d scared her.

  “Sorry,” he said. He took a few steps in her direction. “I’m Ash.”

  As she got off the bench, he thought she was going to walk over and shake his hand, but instead, she headed quickly to the wall, made her way around him in as wide an arc as she could, then exited the room without saying a word.

  He stared after her, confused, but ultimately she wasn’t important. There was work to do.

  He had to be selective in what exercises he did so he wouldn’t rupture the stitches that seemed to cover his head, but he was still able to get in a good workout.

  After a shower, he went back to the firing range and spent two hours working with the SIG. His groupings had gotten to the point where they were consistent from set to set.

  His next stop was the cafeteria for breakfast. Bobbi was in the kitchen, apparently on temporary assignment from upstairs. She made him an omelet with bacon and toast on the side. As he was finishing up, Pax arrived, holding a sweatshirt in his hand.

  “Just took a look at your work on the range,” Pax said. “We’re going to have to offer you a place on our target shooting team.”

  Ash glanced at him, then returned his attention to his food.

  “Bobbi, you got some more eggs back there?” Pax called out.

  “You already had your breakfast upstairs,” she told him.

  “Doesn’t mean I’m not still hungry.”

  “Doesn’t mean I have to cook for you again, either.”

  Pax made a sour face toward the kitchen. “It’s not like I have time to eat anymore anyway.” He looked at Ash’s plate. “You done?”

  “Why? You want this?”

  There was still half a piece of uneaten toast, but Pax shook his head.

  “No. I need to take you up to see Matt.”

  As they walked toward the stairs, Pax handed the sweatshirt to Ash. “Put this on.”

  The sweatshirt was zip-up style with a hood. Ash figured it must be a little cold topside, so he did as Pax instructed.

  “Hood, too,” Pax told him.

  “Why?”

  “In case anyone’s watching.”

  “Watching?”

  “You’d be surprised how good surveillance is these days. Can see right through a window from miles away.”

  “That sounds a little paranoid.”

  “Welcome to our world.”

  At Matt’s office, Pax opened the door for Ash, but didn’t go inside with him.

  Matt was the only one there, sitting at his desk and writing something in a hardbound notebook.

  He looked up. “You’re looking better today.”

  “Not as good as I’d like,” Ash said.

  “I can understand that. Have a seat.”

  Matt wrote something else in the notebook, then closed it and leaned back, considering Ash.

  “What?” Ash asked. “Has something happened?”

  Two quiet seconds passed. “The guy who helped you get out of Barker Flats wasn’t our only inside source.” He paused, then put his forearms on the desk and leaned forward. “We got a message this morning from another one of our people that appears to indicate time might be getting short for your kids.”

  “What was the message?” Ash asked quickly.

  “The number four.”

  Ash furrowed his brow.

  “It’s simple code,” Matt went on. “It means danger.”

  “Can you find out what kind of danger?”

  “It doesn’t work that way. This was all he was in a position to tell us.”

  “At the very least, can he give us their location?

  Matt was silent for a moment. “We’re pretty sure we already know where they are.”

  “What? You know?”

  “You’ll leave in three hours.”

  Pushing his chair back and standing, Ash said, “I need to leave now!”

  “That’s as soon as our plane can get back here. If you leave now, you’d still get there quicker if you wait. I know it’s not easy, but we can use the time to finish prepping you as best we can.”

  Matt pressed a button on his desk phone.

  There was a single ring, then Rachel’s voice said, “Are you ready?”

  “Yes. Bring her in.” He hung up, then looked back at Ash. “Sit down. Please. I promise you we’re doing everything we can.”

  It took all of Ash’s effort to lower himself into the seat. Moments after he did, the door opened, and Rachel and the girl from the gym entered.

  The girl’s long black hair had been pulled into a ponytail when she’d been working out, but now, except for a strand she twisted nervously in her fingers, it hung free over her shoulders.

  Rachel had a hand on the woman’s back, urging her across the room. As they neared, Ash stood. Instantly, the woman took a quick step back.

  “It’s all right, Chloe,” Rachel said. “We’ve already talked about this. He’s not one of them.”

  One of what? Ash wanted to ask, but he held it in, not wanting to scare the woman again.

  Finally, Chloe gave Rachel a nod.

  “Good,” Rachel said in a calm voice. “Chloe, this is…” She stopped and looked at Ash. “What do you want to be called? Adam? Cooper?”

  “Ash, if it’s all right by you,” he said.

  She smirked. “Your call.” To Chloe, she said, “His name is Adam Cooper, but he apparently goes by Ash. Ash, this is Chloe White.”

  “Hello,” he said, trying to keep his voice
gentle.

  Chloe cringed a bit, but didn’t retreat. “Hi.” There was a momentary lull, then she said, “You’re not one of them, are you?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Chloe motioned at Rachel and Matt. “They say you’re in the Army.”

  “Yes…well, I don’t know now. Maybe.”

  “Some of them are in the Army. Not a lot, but some.”

  Ash looked her in the eyes. “I’ve only been in the Army. Nothing else.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She nodded to herself several times. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I just…I don’t want to…go back, you know?”

  “Go back where?” Ash asked.

  “It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to think about it. Please don’t make me think about it.”

  “Come on, Chloe,” Rachel said quickly. “There are a few things we need to take care of before you leave.”

  Chloe allowed herself to be led back to the door. Once there, she turned to Ash and said, “Nice to meet you. I’m sorry. I’m not…I’m not always like this.”

  As soon as she and Rachel were gone, Ash looked at Matt. “What was that all about?”

  “She’ll be going with you.”

  “Her? Why?”

  “She’s your guide.”

  Ash stared at him. “Did you not just see her?”

  “She’s the only one familiar with the facility your children are in.”

  Ash glanced back at the door. “This girl can really help me?”

  “Yes. She can.” Matt paused. “You need to understand that these people did something to her while she was with them. She used to be strong, uncompromising, but they broke her before we could get to her. Piece by piece she’s putting it back together, but it’s slow. Most of her life…well, let’s just say that it’s like she’s starting out again. Sometimes she slips. Maybe we shouldn’t have told her you were in the Army, but it was better it came out now than later. She’ll be okay.”

  “If she’s taking me to where these people are, isn’t there a danger she’ll slip again?”

  Matt hesitated. “Perhaps. But you were a surprise to her, an unknown. She already knows what to expect where you’re both going.”

  “Are any of the rest of you coming?”