“Tyler?!”
“Yeah, man!” he replies with a grin. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Is Oasis still here?”
“You bet your ass it is. We’re not lettin’ this world take our home from us.”
“You can’t know how good it is to hear that.”
“Karo, you were exiled. I can’t let you beyond this point.”
“I’m not here to get back in. I brought these people here. They’re good people. This man’s a doctor and she’s a lawyer, they can help.”
“And the kid? Looks a bit worse for wear. Is he infected?”
“No! No he’s not!” Norman frantically interjects.
“We can check for that now, so don’t lie to us. If the test comes back positive we’ll shoot on sight, no questions asked .”
“I promise you, he’s not infected, he’s just had a difficult life.”
“Haven’t we all.”
The Corporal rises to his feet, and motions for his unit to lower their weapons.
“Stand on up now, no sense in treatin' you like prisoners, we don’t take those.”
Karo, Daisy, Norman, and Patrick join the armed unit on their feet. Daisy brushes hair out of her face, Norman gives a comforting gesture to Patrick, Karo places his hands on his hips, regarding Corporal Farley.
“So, why don’t you tell me what’s in that cooler you seem to be so careful with?”
“Blood, from a man who didn’t turn.”
The Corporal’s face stretches, his gaze bounces to his teammates, then back to Karo.
“That so? Pretty bold claim.”
“It’s true, I watched the man get attacked, get bit, then die. He never turned, he didn’t get infected.”
“Listen Karo-”
“I’m not fucking lying!” Karo emphatically states, interrupting the Corporal.
“Calm down now. I ain’t callin’ you a liar, but you gotta know how this sounds.”
“I do, it’s crazy, but it’s true. Can the blood be tested?”
Karo’s stance remains firm, his eyes do not wander, they do not glisten, his fingers do not tap nervously, and his breathing holds steady. The Corporal’s gaze narrows, his face becomes rigid, and his tone deepens.
“You’re not lyin' are you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Holy shit.” utters the Corporal. His head raises, his brow lowers, his gaze does not break from Karo, “Allan, go bring the Commander to the gate, and hurry.”
“What’s going on?” Daisy inquires, as her head turns to see one of the soldiers race off.
“I can’t let Karo into Oasis, that’s not my call, but I know him. He’s never was one to stretch the truth, or make wild claims. I always considered Karo to be a fine man, respectable, and to be entirely honest I never agreed with the exile. You killed a man trying to harm your wife, a rapist, can’t say I see anything wrong with that.”
“Does that mean you’re going to let us into Oasis?” the doctor asks, unable to hide the underlying excitement in him.
“That’s also not my call, but I’m not gonna turn you away. There’s other people that handle screening. You’ll talk to them.”
The military man returns his attention to Karo.
“As for you, old friend, you need to talk to the Commander.”
“Commander?”
“Colonel Batts. People took to callin’ him Commander, guess it just rolls of the tongue better.”
“What about Maria and-”
“Yeah, figured you was gonna ask about them.”
“Them?”
“Maria’s doin’ good, she’s our top doctor, leads the hospital. Your daughter’s good too, real good kid. Smart, unruly, a bit like you.”
The rugged nomad’s lip quivers, his eyes dampen, his chest fills.
“Maria talks about you all the time. She refuses to let you be remembered as a just a killer.”
“Thank you, Tyler.”
“Come on now, I ain’t much for this mushy shit, let’s go talk to the Commander. He should be at the gate by the time we get there.”
The large metal gates at the entrance to Oasis have been fortified, numerous times from the looks of it. Barricades grew larger and deeper as they neared Oasis. A sturdy wooden bridge that connects two large watch towers has been constructed just beyond the gate, towering above it.
The gates are slightly ajar, a myriad of soldiers stand around them. The nomads are stopped near the entrance. Karo is told stand back as the gates are pulled fully open. Norman, Daisy, and Patrick fidget as the doors grind. Several more soldiers await on the other side, just past the entrance. The soldiers gesture for the new arrivals to enter. Daisy pauses and looks to Norman, who nods, not needing audible communication to understand her. She turns to Karo, a somber smile upon her face.
“I can’t thank you enough for getting us here. We didn’t get along well at times, but you kept your word. That Corporal wasn’t wrong, you are a good man Karo.”
He bows his head to Daisy, her face scrunches, and she waves him off.
“I don’t think so, if this is the last time we’ll ever see each other we’re hugging.”
He sighs, but she ignores it, latches onto him and embraces him. She leans in close to his ear.
“Keep yourself safe out there.”
She loosens her grip, her eyes wet, her face red and flushed. She thanks him again, then goes to Patrick. Norman, with tears in his eyes, throws his arms around Karo and holds him tight.
“Thank you Karo, thank you. I know I haven’t said it, but Jack’s death wasn’t your fault. Don’t hold onto that.”
“Thank you Norman.”
“I mean it. Don’t take any risks you don’t have to.”
“I won’t.”
“You sure you’re going to be alright, on your own again?”
“I’ll manage.”
“Maybe we-”
“No, you belong here. You three have earned the right to some sort of normalcy.”
Norman’s hand lingers on Karo’s arm for a moment, a bittersweet smile upon the doctor’s face.
“Go on, enjoy it.”
“Patrick, say bye to Karo.” says Norman.
The timid teen approaches the wanderer, his head down, their eyes not meeting. Karo holds his hand out, the boy stares at it, his lips to squeezed to the side.
“It’s alright, we don’t have to touch, I know you don’t like that. It's been an honor knowing you Patrick.”
The teen jumps, clutching Karo quickly, and detaching just as fast. He retreats to Norman and Daisy. Karo shares a long look with them, then motions for them to enter Oasis. Daisy, Norman, and Patrick are ushered through the opening made by the parted large metal gates, peering over their shoulders to glance one final time at the man who delivered them to their new life.
The Commander stands in the middle of the bridge, high above, the cooler the nomads brought with them in his hands, his attention fixed on Karo below him.
"I’m sorry Karo. You know I can’t let you back in. In order for us to get back to where we were, to rebuild the world, there has to be justice, there has to be law, there have to be consequences, and they have to upheld. I can't say whether the reason you did what you did was right or not, I can't take a stance on that, but killing people can't be tolerated. We have to have a system in place to decide consequences, otherwise we're just like the infected."
"I know. That’s not why I’m here."
"This blood is really what you say it is? It came from a man who never suffered infection? Even after exposure?"
"It's true."
"I could have you shot right now Karo. Don’t bring these people here with false hope."
"It’s not! And they know it! They saw it too, ask them! We were attacked. They got one of us, a man named Jack, he never turned. He bleed out and died. We took what we could of his blood."
"You don’t know that’s what this is."
Karo grimaces, refusing to accept denial.
"Can it be tested?"
"I think so. I'm not a scientist, but we have a few more now than when you were here. It could be pointless, the blood might be too old."
"It’s a sign Commander. It's purpose, my purpose. It's why I stumbled upon those people. It's why that man was found. It’s why he did what he did to my wife. It’s why I got out of work early that day. For the first time in the two years that I held that position I got off work early. Then I found them, I killed him, and I was exiled. All so I could find that blood. To give hope. To bring a reason to live back into this world. To provide a future for my wife and child."
His head hangs low, his face stretches, and his eyes well.
“Don’t worry.” -his chest fills then deflates, almost in one fluid motion- “I won’t ask to see them. I don’t want them to try to come with me.”
"Kara."
"What?"
"Kara, that’s your daughter’s name. Maria named her in honor of you."
There is no warning, no build up, no chance to catch himself, no chance to stop the tears from streaming down his face. He inhales heavily, trying to remain composed.
"Tell her I love her. Both of them."
"I will, but they know you do Karo.” -the Commander hesitates for a moment, his jaw quivering, lightly, as he strains to keep himself composed- “I’m sorry that I can’t let you in."
A long moment passes, the two men standing in silence, their gazes never breaking from each other.
"Your friends will be screened, everyone has to be, and we’ll get started on whatever this is."
"Thank you."
The Commander straightens his posture, standing at attention. Karo bows his head, then turns on his heel and sets off to begin another travel into the unknown.
"Karo!" the Commander yells out to him.
The wanderer pauses, looking over his shoulder, back to the Commander.
"What are you going to do now?"
"You screen people for entry? That means you take in people that pass, you actively do this?"
"We do."
"Then I’ll spread hope. I’ll bring those back that are willing to trust and follow me. The others that are resistant I tell to not give up. All is not lost, there is a future."
"You’re a good man Karo."
"Make sure my daughter knows that."
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
“Halt! Slowly put your weapons on the ground, then hands in the air!”
The moment the first word is uttered KP directs her attention to Rosaline, sternly shaking her head as the young fighter reached for her backpack.
“It’s alright. They’re the scout team, they’re on watch, this is protocol. Just follow my lead.”
The Guide cautiously removes her pistol from its holster, and lays it flat on the ground. She motions for the others to do the same. Rad and Sweetie slide the rifle straps off their shoulders, then place their weapons on the ground. Hawaii removes the pistol from his waist and drops it on the pavement, and Rosaline does the same. The four young adults timidly unstrap their backpacks and let them fall.
“Identify yourself.” the out of sight voice commands.
“Guide KP, sectors 2-F, 3-A, entry code 23-F-4.”
A moment of silence lingers, presenting only the faint gushing of wind to their ears. KP gives each of them an assuring nod. A rustling, a scuttle, then the appearance of ten armed men and women making their way to them from hiding spots within the surrounding defunct buildings.
The armed guards are clad in dingy military gear, complete with dark camouflage clothing. They all carry rifles, wear bullet proof vests, are armed with handguns in holsters along their outer thighs, and machetes sheathed to their backs. This armed unit is not taking chances.
A man and a woman from the troop lower their rifles and circle around to the front of KP and The Family. The woman removes the ski-mask like garment covering her face.
“KP, it’s good to see you.”
KP lowers her arms, gesturing for The Family to do the same.
“Captain McDaniel, it’s good to be back.”
The male soldier removes his mask as well, and extends his hand to the Guide.
“KP! Short trip this time, huh?”
She grips his hand, firmly shaking it.
“Indeed John, these are my favorite kind.”
“I’ll bet. You’ll be back for, what, three months now?”
“About, long enough to be a liaison and get them settled in.”
Captain McDaniel scans over the young adults, and the child, accompanying KP.
“So, who are these new comers? I’m surprised to see a kid so young. We haven’t had anyone under the age of thirteen brought here in over thirty years, I think.”
“The kid’s shy, and has better manners than most adults I know.” says KP, flashing a grin to the young boy.
The Guide’s gaze moves over each of The Family, she motions to Hawaii and Zee.
“Those two are Hawaii and Zee. He’s good with his hands, a real builder type, could make for a great engineer. She’s nurturing and patient, and if she’s interested in it, I think she’d be a great teacher.”
She gestures to Rad, winking at him.
“This behemoth is Rad. He’s capable in many areas, I imagine. We haven’t spoken about it yet, but I think he’d fit the Guide Program well.”
She rotates to her left, nodding her head at the remaining two women and the child.
“The three on this end are a little family of their own. That’s Rosaline. I’m not sure if there’s anything she can’t do, there will be a lot of options for her. Sweetie is the woman she’s embracing. I haven’t tried it, but she’s talked about her cooking, and I’ll take her at her word. These days the range of food is so limited, anyone with fresh ideas is welcome. The kid is Mikey, Rosaline’s son. He’s a good listener, and a quick study.”
Her expression changes, a bit of melancholy falling over her.
“Sadly, there was one other, Sweetie’s brother Outlaw. He-he didn’t make it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. We mourn the loss of any human life, it’s all so precious these days.”
The Captain motions to her team. All of the soldiers bow their heads and cross their arms over their chests. She allows a long moment of silence to pass, a show of respect for these grieving travelers. She wipes the corner of her face on her sleeve, inhaling sharply.
“Now, let’s escort you to Oasis. Specialist Ridley keep watch with Fisher, Ford, and Hamill until we return.”
“Yes, Captain.” the Specialist says, gesturing to her team to retake their positions.
The weary travelers fall in line behind the Captain and the Guide. Rad catches Mikey’s eye, giving him a grin. The tall man observes the large barricades blocking the side streets off from the main one they’re venturing down. Parts of the structures look new, appearing to have been built on top of recently. A measure of extra security, he supposes.
The final leg of their journey is a four mile stretch, in which they make a right turn halfway through, crossing onto another wide street. The barricades continue to be present, along with many high rising watch towers, positioned to look out over different angles of the surrounding cityscape, and each of them containing two occupants. The Captain and KP nod and wave to them as they pass. The Family observe a member from every tower return the gesture in kind, then hoist a green flag in the air, that extends above the tower.
The Family share small conversations of wonder and excitement, their chatter ceasing once the large metal gate comes into view. Two large towers, bigger than the previous ones, are positioned on either side of the gate, connected by a sturdy bridge.
The group comes to the front of the gate and is stopped. The Captain exchanges a few words with the people in the towers, then the gate is opened. Just beyond the gate are more people, dozens, an entire entourage, all joyous and happy to see their returning Guide.
KP greets the welcoming party, sharin
g an embrace with most of them, and gesturing to the others. After a few minutes of greetings she comes to an elderly woman in a long white lab coat. She has a tanned complexion, just as the Guide does, but with a more golden hue. KP hugs her, holding the embrace for longer than she did with any of the others. She turns to The Family, holding the hand of the elderly woman.
“I want you to meet Dr. Maria Petrosyan, our chief of medicine, and my mother. She assisted in creating the vaccine.”
Zee smiles and extends her hand to the doctor.
“It’s good to meet you. I’m Zee, and this is my family.”
“Welcome to Oasis Zee, and all of you!”
“Thank you!”
“Quite a diverse family you have here.”
“Yeah we are. We’re a family of choice, but our bond is just as strong as if we were actually related.”
“I don’t doubt that dear.”
The doctor motions for The Family to continue, and she falls in line with them, all of the young newcomers grouping around her as they venture into the city.
Zee slides her arm behind Hawaii’s back, pulling him close as they follow the doctor. Mikey grabs Rosaline’s hand, Sweetie wraps her arm over her lovers’ shoulder, kissing her on the cheek. Rad picks up his pace, falling in stride with KP at the front.
The Family follow the doctor deeper into the community, marveling at the progress that has been made. The central walking path is wide and littered with children playing, parents conversing, and workers getting tasks done. Nearly every person pauses from their activity to politely wave and acknowledge the new entrants.
None of the young adults have ever witnessed what a real city was, not in a full operation, those times are foreign to them. Rosaline imagines this is what it was like. Building after building, each labeled plainly to identify their purpose, Food Mart, House Supplies, Cleaning Products, Basic Medical, and many others.
The young mother’s face lights up upon seeing a grouping of large buildings, ‘School’ written on each of them with accompanying numbers to denote which ages the schools are for. She gleams and shares a look of excitement with her companion, squeezing her arm affectionately.
“This is incredible!” Zee says, her enthusiasm on full display.
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