Darkness United

by KC Luck

  “Captain O’ Grady, I’m not asking. I expect—” she started when Taylor held up a hand to stop her.

  “Actually, we can use any extra help,” she said. “We have surgical masks your people can wear for protection, but I can use resources to move people to the hospital if they can’t move on their own. Plus, relocating some of the tent city if necessary.” Taylor looked hard at Grace. “I would appreciate it if you oversaw a lot of this for the next twenty-four hours. I have to go take care of something.”

  Willing to help in any way, Grace nodded. “Whatever you need,” she said, surprised Taylor would take herself out of the immediate action right then. “But may I ask where you will be?” Grace saw Taylor and Jackie share a glance. There was tension in it and if she had to guess, whatever Taylor was getting ready to do was not popular with the other woman.

  Taylor cleared her throat. “There is a fugitive on the loose. A murder was committed and I need to go capture him before he does more harm,” she said.

  Grace tilted her head. “Alone?” she asked. It was not the standard operating procedure to try and apprehend a fugitive solo.

  Still, Taylor gave a nod. “Yes,” she said. “There aren’t too many places in the vicinity he can be hiding.”

  Grace shook her head. Although she remembered Sergeant Barnes was an excellent soldier and MP, letting her go out alone was unacceptable.

  “I’ll go with you,” she said, leaving no room for argument in her tone. Both Meg and Jackie spoke out at once.

  “What?” they said. Taylor and Grace shared a look. She could tell the woman was conflicted. Having experienced backup would be appreciated, but putting someone else at risk was not Taylor’s style. Finally, she gave a slow nod and then looked to Jackie.

  “I am willing to take Major Hamilton. She has field experience,” Taylor said.

  Jackie narrowed her eyes and scanned everyone’s faces.

  Grace saw the woman calculating all the different scenarios

  and possible outcomes. Yes, she thought. This is a very smart woman. But can she keep her emotions in check?

  Grace assumed Jackie knew there was a history, albeit brief, between her and Taylor. The question was how much did the woman trust Taylor? Finally, Jackie let out a slow breath and met Taylor's eyes.

  “I want you to be safe,” she said softly, and when Taylor gave a slight smile, Jackie turned to Grace. “Thank you for being willing to assist her with this, Major Hamilton.”

  Grace nodded. “And my squad is at your disposal,” she added at the same time Meg sat forward. Grace saw her glance in her direction for a moment before addressing Jackie.

  “As well as myself and my crew,” she said. Grace clenched her teeth in frustration. This was the last thing she wanted. Meg needed to be back on her ship and safe from any risks. Unable to help herself, she reached out and touched Meg's forearm. The skin was warm and the tingle it gave her only made Grace wish even more the woman would take back her offer. But that is not the kind of person she is, Grace thought. She won’t leave when there is help needed. The realization only made Grace desire the woman more.

  Before she could argue against Meg’s decision, Taylor stood up from her chair. “That is appreciated, Captain,” she said before focusing on Grace. “And I want to leave at dusk.

  I think the man might be stupid enough to use a campfire, so we may be able to spot him easily.”

  Realizing her chance to dissuade Meg had passed, Grace squared her shoulders and also stood. “Very good,” she said. “I’ll advise my squad.”

  CHAPTER 22

  exi was frustrated. Arms crossed, she stood outside the Lhospital and tried hard not to lose her temper. The visit to the tent city and the general anxiety over everything happening had her in a bad mood. The fact Anna just explained she was staying the night to work at the hospital instead of coming home to rest did not help. And I have this damn kink in my neck too, she thought twisting her head from side-to-side, while she waited for Anna to lock up her bicycle.

  Once she was done, Anna turned to her. “Lexi, I know you're unhappy, but I have to do this,” she said. “Dr.

  Ambrose is still out, and more people are coming in with flu symptoms.”

  Lexi was unhappy, that much as true, but she also knew her wife would never stop trying to help people who needed it. That was one of the reasons she loved her so much.

  Arguing about it would not improve the situation. Instead, she opened her arms and pulled Anna into a hug. “Promise me you will wear a mask and take breaks,” she whispered into the woman's hair. “I'll ride back in the morning and check on you.”

  She felt Anna nod against her chest. “I promise,” she answered. “I’ll miss you, and I miss Joe.”

  Lexi sighed and squeezed Anna a little tighter before letting go. “I love you,” she said as Anna backed away. Her wife blew her a kiss and then turned to go in the front door.

  For some reason, the sight of her disappearing inside filled Lexi with uneasiness. The woman who meant more to her than anything in the world was walking into a place filled

  with sick and contagious people. She knew Anna was strong and healthy, but no one was invincible. Lexi considered going in after her to try and convince her to come home.

  Then, she shook her head and climbed onto her own bicycle.

  Groaning at the five-mile ride ahead of her, Lexi pushed off.

  The movement ran a line of pain into her lower back and she almost stopped. Maybe I’ll just go crash in Taylor and Jackie’s extra bedroom, she thought, but then dismissed the idea. With Sam and Laura gone, there was more work to do back at the farmhouse. She could not leave everything up to Alice, Will, and the others. Lexi started to pedal and as she picked up speed, her back loosened a little. The breeze felt good on her hot face.

  For a late November day, it felt unusually warm. At least it is not raining right now, she thought, noticing the late evening sun starting to set over the treetops. In fact, the light shining into her face seemed especially bright. So much so, it hurt her eyes and she narrowed them to see. In a half mile, she would be deeper among the trees on the backroad which would take her home. Those would block the light until the sun went down. Exactly what I need, Lexi thought just before she sneezed.

  AS THE SUN SET IN THE twilight blue sky of what was the end of a beautiful day, Laura rode with Sam down the trail.

  They found one which followed a set of railroad tracks leading in the direction they wanted to travel. At points, the tracks moved near the highway. When that happened, the two of them would cautiously go up onto the pavement to check on things and look for road signs. So far, there was nothing much to see but abandoned vehicles of all kinds. It was almost eerie. No noise, no movement, no people.

  The trail broke into the outskirts of a small neighborhood community. The place was walled and the houses beyond it looked large and elaborate. “What do you think?” Sam asked

  her as they held back to survey the homes. “Skirt it? Or see if anyone is friendly?” Laura pursed her lips in thought.

  She did not get a sense of any danger from the lavish community. In fact, it was very quiet. Plus, the point of their trip was to talk to people and see what they knew. Still, she was enjoying the alone time with Sam. Glancing over at her partner, she shrugged.

  “I’ll do whatever you think,” she finally answered and Sam nodded.

  “Then I think we check it out,” she decided. “Come on Lester. Let's follow the wall. There has to be a gate and maybe it’s open. Then we can make some new friends.”

  Luckily, their decision was the right one. The wall did have an opening and a few people came out to greet them. Laura was surprised to note it was mostly women and children.

  Excitement over meeting someone new who might know something was evident on their faces. Laura was a little disappointed she could not give them better or more detailed information.

  “So, the power is still out everywhere?” a woman with a toddler clin
ging shyly to her leg asked.

  “I’m afraid so,” Laura answered. “And some people believe the blackout is worldwide.” This announcement sent a ripple through the gathering.

  “And what about the cities?” asked a man with a severe limp. “Have you been to Portland?” Sam and Laura both shook their heads.

  “I rode up from Corvallis,” Sam answered. “People were getting by, but a lot of people were leaving too.”

  “But we’ve just come from Astoria,” Laura added.

  “Things are good there. Everyone has come together to work on growing food.” A few people smiled at that

  revelation and Laura imagined she might see some of these faces back in her town when she and Sam returned.

  “Well, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like,”

  another woman offered. “We don’t have much to offer you, but most of these houses are empty.” Laura and Sam shared a look, and then Laura saw her nod.

  “It’s getting late and four walls with a roof will be better than the tent,” she said. Laura agreed. “Plus, we can put up the horses in the garage.” Sam turned back to the woman who made the offer. “Thank you. We appreciate it and it will only be for a night. We want to get to Oregon City.”

  “Oregon City?” the first woman with the toddler asked.

  “That’s a long way and you will have to go toward Portland.”

  “I’d reconsider,” advised a gray-haired man. “I don’t think everyone along your route is as friendly.”

  Laura was not sure what to make of the news. Clearly, Sam felt the same.

  “Can you be more specific?” she asked.

  The man only shrugged. “No,” he said. “But I will say a group of our guys got together a few weeks ago to go check on things in Portland. They never came back.” Laura glanced at Sam and their eyes met for a moment. Are we sure about this? she thought. As if reading her mind, Sam gave her a smile of reassurance.

  “We'll stay away from the rough spots,” she said and Laura smiled back. She believed in Sam and knew there was nothing she would not do to keep them safe.

  LEANING AGAINST THE doorframe leading into their bedroom, Jackie watched Taylor organize her backpack.

  “Explain to me again why you’re leaving to do this in the middle of the night?” Jackie asked. Taylor zipped a compartment closed and turned to look at her. Her

  handsome face was patient, and there was love in her eyes.

  And a lot of purpose though too, Jackie thought. She already gave up the argument of Taylor not going at all. Her superhero was determined to go catch the fugitive.

  Taylor stepped closer and took Jackie's hands. “I want to catch this guy by surprise,” she explained. “There are a few places I expect he is hiding, and if we can get to them under cover of night this will go easier.”

  Jackie frowned. She did not like any of it. The mention of

  “we” was no less a part. Still, knowing Taylor would be doing the task with a second experienced MP made her feel a little more reassured. If she had to guess, the beautiful Grace Hamilton was not the badass warrior Taylor was, but the way the woman carried herself did make Jackie believe she knew how to fight. She was smart enough to realize being feminine was no indication of a soldier’s battlefield abilities.

  Still, she did once have my Taylor, she thought and lifted her chin to look deep into Taylor’s eyes.

  “And this major? She’s the best person to take with you?”

  Jackie asked. “She has other soldiers with her.”

  Taylor paused and studied her face. If she could tell Jackie was jealous, she did not show it. Instead, she leaned in and gave Jackie a soft kiss. “Grace Hamilton will watch my back. I trust her,” Taylor said. “You should too.”

  Jackie sighed and slipped her arms around Taylor’s shoulders. She kissed the woman again, harder, and wondered if they had time to send Taylor off with something more. To keep me fresh in her mind, she thought. As if in answer, there was a knock at the front door. Taylor gave a low growl, apparently having the same idea Jackie had the moment before.

  “Soon,” Taylor whispered and with another peck, stepped past Jackie to go to the foyer. Jackie turned to follow as Taylor let Grace inside. Dressed in camo fatigues, she looked more formidable than in the Class-A uniform she wore earlier. The assault rifle slung over her shoulder helped, too.

  Now she looks ready for combat, Jackie thought and was reassured.

  “Are you ready?” Grace asked, and Taylor nodded.

  “Let me grab my weapons,” she replied and headed toward the bedroom, while Jackie stayed. She locked eyes with Grace. The woman's face was serious and all business.

  “I have my team ready to help with the Saturday Farmers Market tomorrow,” she said. “They will screen everyone coming in for symptoms and triage any with signs of the flu to the hospital.” Jackie nodded. She appreciated the help.

  Canceling the important weekly trading event seemed like an overreaction so she, with Greg's agreement, decided to let it take place. People needed a means of bartering for food and supplies for the week. They would take measures to keep people safe and thankfully, the army was available to provide resources. “Thank you,” Jackie said as she heard Taylor coming back. She felt a lump form in her throat, knowing the woman she loved was about to leave. To do something dangerous, she thought. “You'll keep her safe?”

  Jackie whispered to Grace before Taylor could hear. Grace met her eyes with nothing but serious determination there.

  “I will,” she answered, and then Taylor was with them.

  Her pack was on, and she carried a rifle similar to Grace's plus her handgun in its shoulder holster. She paused at Jackie's side.

  “I'll see you soon,” Taylor said, and Jackie turned while giving her a dazzling smile.

  “I'll be waiting,” she said and took Taylor's face in her hands. “And don't do anything crazy, Taylor Barnes.”

  Taylor smiled back. “Of course not,” she replied and kissed Jackie before moving toward the front door. “I love you.”

  “I love you,” Jackie said and kept her smile in place as she watched Taylor and Grace walk away from the house. In her heart though, she could not help but worry.

  CHAPTER 23

  eaning back on the edge of a teacher’s desk in one of Lthe hospital classrooms, Anna looked at the young faces of the squad Grace assigned to help her. Sitting in the schoolroom chairs, they listened carefully to her instructions so far, while holding white surgical masks in their hands.

  “The key is for people to avoid spreading the flu virus,” she advised. “Assess people’s health looking for the symptoms I described, but at the same time give out the soap. Advise everyone to rigorously wash their hands.”

  Corporal Miller, the soldier in charge, nodded. “Yes, ma’am,” she said. “We understand. Major Hamilton also made it clear we need to avoid alarming residents.”

  Anna tilted her head thoughtfully as she assessed the soldiers in uniform. That seems impossible, she thought but understood why the major might be worried. The last thing Astoria needed was an all-out panic. Ideally, people would just stay home, wash their hands, and get plenty of rest.

  Those were the best measures to take until the seasonal virus ran its course. “I agree with Major Hamilton,” she said.

  “Seeing your group here and in masks will be unsettling enough. Just be as friendly and reassuring as you can.” The idea of finding them street clothes to change into crossed her mind, but before she could suggest it, she heard someone calling her name from the hall. The voice sounded panicked. “In here,” she called out and Roger, the grandson of the old woman Edith who was brought in yesterday, burst into the room.

  “She can't stop coughing! She's turning blue,” he exclaimed, and Anna hurried across the room.

  “Corporal, I don't have anything more,” she said over her shoulder as she followed Roger out, almost running to the quarantine rooms she had set up. More people with severe s
ymptoms had come in overnight. With Edith, it brought her number of hospitalized flu patients to seventeen and was already taxing their limited resources. In her heart, she knew it was only going to get worse if they could not get people to take the risks seriously.

  When they arrived at Edith's room, Anna did not like the look of things. One of the hospital nurses was working to help the old woman sit up to breathe easier. As another sudden bout of coughing struck Edith, it was clear she was in great distress. Edith shook. Her sweat-soaked gray hair and her flushed face were concerning. Fatigue, coughing, fever, and chills, Anna assessed as she moved to the woman's side. “Edith,” Anna said. “I need you to try and relax. We are here to take care of you.”

  Using her stethoscope, Anna listened to the old woman's lungs. Even over the coughing, she heard they no longer sounded clear. A quick touch to her forehead and Anna confirmed Edith was burning up. There was no doubt in Anna's mind what was happening, and a wave of real fear rippled through her. What was initially the flu, which was scary enough, turned into something much more complicated. Pneumonia.

  GRACE HEATED A TIN of water over a small campfire. Taylor started off against the idea of stopping, until Grace explained she had instant coffee. At the promise of the rare treat, Taylor relented. Both were tired and frustrated. So far, the search for the murderer turned up nothing. The idea of doing the hunt at night had seemed like a good strategy, but all they came across were some cold campfire rings. The

  fugitive was apparently holed up somewhere concealed.

  They agreed this was likely a sign he made another attempt at a home invasion and was this time successful. The idea did not sit well with Grace. Somewhere, people were in trouble. Or worse, already dead, she thought as the water boiled and she poured it into two cups.

  After adding the precious dark crystals of caffeine-infused goodness, she handed one to Taylor. “Thank you,” she said, and Grace watched her blow on the liquid while clearly thinking through their situation.