The Strain

by Jacqueline Druga

  Hector interrupted. “Maybe if we knew what was going on, Joe. Maybe everyone would be less angry. No one told us anything.”

  “In Joe’s defense,” Dean said. “We started learning how bad this was just this morning while everything was going on with that new camp.”

  “How bad is it?” Joe asked.

  “Over sixty,” Dean replied.

  Hector stepped back. “Oh my God.”

  “It’s that fast,” Dean said. “So you can see where Ellen is coming from.”

  “Joe,” Ellen said. “I know it is fast. I just came up with the idea and implemented it.”

  “Your heart is in the right place,” Joe told her. “But the way you went about it was wrong. If you did it right, let the parents know, this is a great idea. But they need to know. These are their children.”

  “And mine too,” Ellen said. “Alex, Billy, Joey and Nick. All in there.”

  “Hear me out,” Joe lifted his hands. “Let’s do this right. Plan this. You want to take them away. Put them in a bus, drive them a hundred miles away with not so much as a kiss goodbye or a hug.”

  “Then give them a choice,” Ellen said. “But my kids leave today and right now. Yes, without a goodbye kiss or hug. You know why? I’d rather not kiss or hug them for two weeks, then never kiss or hug them again for the rest of my life.”

  Humbled.

  Her words humbled Joe.

  He nodded once. “Okay. Okay. We tell them right now everything and we give them the choice.”

  Ellen hugged him. “Thank you, Joe.”

  “Dad?” Hal asked. “Want me or Danny to tell them.”

  “No, I got this. I’ll do this. Tell your Frank to get ready to move out. Those who choose to send their kids will go right away. Those who are against, their kids can come out after the others are on the bus. This is what we’re doing. We’re securing our future.” He placed his hand on Ellen’s cheek and winked. Then Joe stepped back, walked through the people, up the steps of the school and drew their attention.

  It was his place to do so, his home, and Joe, for the first time in a while, emotionally felt like he was finally back.

  EIGHT

  A secondary truck was needed, not so much for the children, but Joe insisted he couldn’t send twenty-four people without supplies. Chaka and Hank loaded the truck with bushels of fruits and vegetables. And while Lars did not believe the bacteria was on the food surface or the bushels, Chaka disagreed.

  “I am not a Hubra of science,” he said. “But I do know, that it was used as a weapon against the earlier primal. It would get on the food in the fields and the primals would eat it or touch it and die.”

  To be on the safe side, Lars then told her to err on the side of caution, leave it outside of New Town for a few hours before bringing it in, and wash anything not cooked.

  A few children stayed behind, but most waved goodbye to their parents as Frank drove the bus from Beginnings.

  The children went from upset and crying to quiet. Some asked questions and Frank tried his best to answer them. He knew he was probably wrong in what he told them. But the truth was, Frank didn’t know much about it. Only what he was told in a crash course telephone conversation with Dean.

  When he arrived, Jess was waiting on him just outside the entrance. Frank told the kids to stay seated and he stepped off the bus.

  “Hey, Jess.”

  “Frank.” Jess shook his hand. “Tigger and Doyle are both inside getting things situated for the kids and Jenny. They’ve given us the space.”

  “They know they cannot leave. They can’t come back to Beginnings.”

  “We know.”

  “How is the attitude?”

  “As far as I can tell, pretty good. I mean there’s one English speaking interpreter so we conveyed what we could. They seem to understand what is happening and why the kids are here.”

  “Because this thing won’t affect me, I’ll be back and forth. But since you’ll be here all the time …” Frank reached into his back pocket and pulled out a case. He opened it and gave a translator to Jess. “Allow Doyle and Tigger to use that if need be, I want that back.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Danny will be working on more, but these are all we have.”

  “I’ll keep it safe.”

  “Thanks,” Frank said.

  “And Frank … I’ll keep the kids safe, too.”

  “I know you will. Is Lou in there?”

  “General Liu. Yes. He’s in the headquarters.”

  “Great, stay here with the kids. I’ll be back. I just want to hear for myself.”

  “I understand.”

  “I’ll be back.” After a swat to Jess’ arm, Frank walked into the town. He had one more set of the earpieces, and pulled it out, returning the case to his pocket. When he stepped inside the main headquarters, he saw General Liu, sitting at a table, sipping from a cup. “Hey.” Frank said and walked to him. Just as the general opened his mouth to speak, Frank held up a finger for him to wait. He walked over and placed the earpiece over his ear. “Wait.” He turned it on. “Okay, that should work. This is so we can speak when I am here.”

  The general’s eyes widened and he jumped, nearly falling from his chair as he stumbled to a stand.

  “Takes some getting used to,” Frank said.

  “This is amazing. I understand you.”

  “Apparently you in Beginnings are very high tech. You have everything.”

  “We do.”

  “You are very generous.”

  “I am.”

  “And humble.”

  Frank smiled. “Anyway, I wanted to thank you for taking in our children.”

  “It is an honor to be bestowed with such trust.”

  And a few of them are my kids, too.”

  “Then an even bigger honor,” the General said.

  “And I don’t want you to think we don’t trust you because we’re leaving a couple people here. We just don’t want that to fall on you.”

  “I understand. We have many that would help.”

  “I know,” Frank said. “I’ll be by, as well.”

  “Can you not carry the sickness?”

  “No.” Frank said. “I’m immune.”

  “How fortunate your people are to know you the military leader will survive.”

  “I’m sure they are celebrating. Anyhow I want you to know, we’re not mooches.”

  “I am not familiar with that term.”

  “We don’t to take from you and take advantage, so I brought fresh fruits and vegetables. Lots of them. I’ll bring more in a couple days, so please feel free to eat up.”

  “That is so kind. Our cooks will be very happy to have fresh produce.”

  “And I will be happy if you save me some of that food,” Frank said. “It’s really good.”

  “It is my pleasure.”

  “I have to say goodbye to my kids. I’ll see you in a couple days. Hopefully, we’ll have a handle on how to deal with this.”

  “If you should need our doctors …”

  “No.” Frank interrupted. “No. We need healthy doctors. So keep them away. I appreciate it.” He shook the general’s hand. “Lou.”

  The general removed the earpiece and handed it to Frank. “Safe journeys.”

  Frank took the piece, nodded and walked out.

  After saying his goodbyes to Jessie, he stopped and kissed Nick, he caught Joey who immediately made himself at home, running about, then made his way to Billy and Alex who were still timidly standing by the bus.

  “I gotta go guys,” Frank told them. “I will be back in a couple days.”

  “So, Uncle Frank, what’s the deal with this bacteria?” Billy asked. “Are we looking at the next epidemic?”

  “Bill, your guess is as good as mine. You probably know more than I do.”

  “Which is exactly why I should be there. Helping.”

  “Bill.” Frank crouched down to be at his level. “Come on. As smart as y
ou are, you are still a kid. Now I know I don’t treat you like that. But I need you to be a kid right now, so you can be safe. Can you do that for me?”

  “Doesn’t entail me having to play ball or color obscure pictures, does it?”

  “No.” Frank smiled. “It means no playing around with anything medical. Just be you. But listen to the grownups here. You’re their guest. Okay?”

  Billy nodded.

  Frank cupped the back of his head, brought him closer and placed his lips on Billy’s forehead. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He turned to Alex, and before he could say anything she threw her arms around his neck.

  “I wanna go home, Uncle Frank.”

  “I know, Sweetie, I know. We need you here to be safe. It’s safe here. You mom, dad and me, we don’t want you guys sick. This is the best way.”

  Against his shoulder Alex nodded her head.

  “Hey, Hey, I have something for you.”

  “What’s that?”

  Frank stood and went back on to the bus, when he came out he handed his gift to Alex. “This is a solar charger. You leave it in the sun during the day and you can charge this at night.” He pointed to the phone.

  “Whoa.”

  Billy leaned toward her. “Why does she get a phone?”

  “Well, it’s not just for her, it’s for all of you. There are some things a girl is more mature about. This will be one of them.”

  “It’s all shiny and new,” Alex said.

  “It is. There are two games on here. The Bubble one and chess for Billy. Also, so you aren’t confused, there are only three numbers in here. Mommy’s, Pap’s, and Mine. That’s all you need. If you want to talk or text you do so.”

  “Can I take picture?” she asked.

  “Yep.”

  “Thank you, Uncle Frank.” Alex kissed him on the cheek. “You’re the best. I asked my Dad over and over for a phone. He said kids don’t get them.”

  “Your Dad isn’t me.’

  “Oh, Brother,” Billy groaned.

  “He’s not.” Alex grinned. “How did you get this?”

  “Don’t you worry.” Frank winked. “I have my ways.”

  <><><><>

  “What the hell?” Dean patted his chest, back pockets and opened drawers in the lab.

  “What’s wrong?” Ellen asked. “I’m trying to get these anti-infection agents mixed, I could use some help.”

  “I can’t find my phone.”

  “Did you leave it in the cryo?

  “I may have.”

  “Dean, you’re the only person in Beginnings with a small flip phone. Check your pockets.”

  “A ha!” he said. “You’re wrong. Danny issued me a brand new one. Even loaded all my contacts. Got it all ready for me.”

  “That was nice of him.”

  “It’s just …” Dean lifted folders. “I know I had it.”

  “You’ll find it.”

  “Can you … can you call it for me?”

  Ellen huffed. “Dean, can we worry about this later?”

  “You’re right. You’re right.” Dean waved his hand about. “I’ll help mix. Then I’ll …”

  “Dean?” Henry called into the lab. “Do you have a minute?”

  Dean exhaled. “Not really, we’re mixing anti-infections.” He turned around. “Is there … holy shit what happened to you.”

  Ellen lifted her head from her work and looked. Henry’s face was dirty with spots of blue bruises and his white tee shirt was covered with blood. “Oh my God. What happened?”

  “Frank. Frank is what happened.”

  Dean moved closer. “How did Frank do this to you? He’s been gone taking the kids to New Town.” He peered over his shoulder. ‘By the way, Ellen, great name.”

  “Thanks. About time someone else besides Danny names something. Henry, why is your stomach bleeding”

  “I was impaled.”

  “Impaled?” Dean asked.

  “Yeah, see the hole in my shirt.” Henry reached for it near his belly. “Maybe not. Anyhow, one of the pellets hit me and it didn’t break. It’s embedded in there. I’m not worried about the marks on my face. But I’m afraid this one will eventually explode and the gel will get into my bloodstream and kill me.”

  “That won’t happen. I don’t think.” Dean hunched over and lifted Henry’s tee shirt. “It’s hard to see. There’s so much dried blood. Ellen can you …”

  Ellen extended down a wet cloth.

  “Thanks,” Dean said and wiped.

  “Ow.”

  “Quit being a baby.” Dean wiped again. “Okay. I see it. It’s in there. Won’t be hard to get out.” He pressed on it.

  “Ow,” said Henry.

  “Stop. Henry, the blood is dried,” Dean said. “When did this happen?”

  “A few hours ago. We were up at the training field. Frank is training Hank. He’s bored, I guess since he’s unemployed.”

  “He’s been unemployed ten hours,” Dean said.

  “Yeah, well, Frank gets bored fast. He had me bring up Marcus, but Hank ended up shooting me.”

  “That still doesn’t explain why you didn’t come right here.”

  “Oh, I wanted to, Dean, I did,” Henry replied. “Then Marcus got scared and ran. I had to chase him because all hell broke loose in town when El held the kids hostage.”

  “I had good reason.”

  “True.”

  “That ended almost two hours ago,” Dean said.

  “I was waiting on Danny Hoi. He had to transfer my two hundred Danny Dollar reward,” Henry said. “I was the tip that led to finding him.”

  “You don’t say,” Joe’s voice entered the lab.

  “Shit.” Henry lowered his shirt. “Oh, hey Joe.”

  “Oh, hey, Henry.”

  “Glad you’re back.”

  “Hmm.”

  “We heard you ran away,” Henry said. “Although some people thought Frank killed you.”

  “Makes sense,” Ellen said. “You haven’t been very nice to him.”

  “Okay. Okay,” Joe said. “Henry, how did you know I was at the trailer?”

  “Frank told me,” Henry replied.

  “Frank told you.”

  “Yeah, he asked if I would call in the tip because he didn’t want it to seem like the reward was fixed. You know, since he did the posters and all. I liked the sketches. Did you see the age progression sketches, El?”

  “I did. Incredible likeness.”

  Joe grimaced. “How did Frank know I was there?”

  “He saw you,” Henry said. “He just left the trailer. Was getting it set up for Hank. He said you didn’t age as much as he drew you.”

  “Yeah, Henry it was only a few hours.”

  “That makes sense. Frank still worked hard on those drawings. Then again, he has a lot of time on his hands since you fired him.”

  “Jesus Christ, if I have to hear that one more time.”

  “Joe.” Dean interjected. “What brings you here?”

  “Not to hear Henry whine, that’s for sure,” Joe replied.

  “Joe that isn’t very nice,” Henry said. “I’m injured. Hank shot me with a pellet. And I think it’s bleeding again since Dean was playing with it.”

  “I wasn’t playing with it,’ Dean spat.

  “The reason I’m here is because I just wanted an update,” Joe said. “Where are we with our bacteria? Any new patients.”

  “No. No new patients. Right now we’re mixing up agents. Using Hank’s blood. It’s holding the infection at bay,” Dean explained. “But it won’t forever. We need to beat it in the bacteria stage before it takes hold and becomes the virus. After that, we can’t help them.”

  “And that’s why you feel going back in time is the best option?” Joe asked.

  “Absolutely,” Dean replied.

  “Oh! A time trip?” Henry asked. “Can I go?”

  “No.” Joe said. “You cannot. In fact, we don’t know who
is going because according to Danny, everyone is going to bring their idea to the meeting and we’ll vote on it. I figured, whose ever idea gets picked, they’ll go back in time.”

  Ellen said. “They can’t go alone, Joe.”

  “I know. Maybe we’ll do a drawing of those who gave ideas. I’m still working on it.”

  “That’ll be mine,” Dean said. “I have the best idea on how to do it. Mine will get chosen. I’m sure of it.”

  “What time is the meeting?” Henry asked. “I want to go. I’m gonna come up with an idea. What do we need, Dean?”

  “Twenty-one hundred doses of antibiotics. Preferably four or five different types.”

  “So we’re looking at ten thousand pills we need to get from the past.” Henry gave a thumbs up. “Gotcha. Can you fix my wound now?”

  “Yes,” Dean answered. “El, do you mind? It will only take a minute.”

  “No. Go on. I can talk to Joe.”

  “Thanks. Let’s go Henry.” Dean pointed, took a step and stopped. “El … can you please just call my phone. I feel lost without it.”

  “Fine.” Ellen reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.

  “We’re all gonna regret going back to this,” Joe said.

  Ellen held the phone to her ear. “It’s ringing.”

  Dean looked left to right. “I don’t hear it.”

  “Is it on silent?” Henry asked.

  “Shouldn’t be.”

  Ellen’s eyes widened, she then smiled. “Oh, hey, Sweetie. No, I’m just checking. I’ll call you back, okay? I love you. Bye.” She hung up. “Dean, I found your phone. Seems it’s safe and sound, a hundred miles away with our daughter.”

  “Alex has my phone?” Dean asked. “How … how did she …” After a grumbling growl, Dean spun on his heels and barged toward the door. “Frank.”

  NINE

  “He is,” Hal said, tapping his pencil against a notebook, while intermittently picking up a glass and sipping on moonshine as he sat at his dining room table with Elliott.

  “Captain, you don’t know that.”

  “Absolutely, I do. He’ll either come up with the hair brain solution to getting those antibiotics or will win the draw. Either way my brother will be one of those going back in time.”