The Morgan Strain Series (Book 2): Point of Proximity

by Lockwood, Max

  “My parents were shot, point blank, by our police department,” the boy said.

  “Why?” Alec asked.

  “When the panic started, our little police department didn’t know what to do about the infected people causing destruction and being violent. So, they just started shooting everyone. One day, my parents went to the gas station to fill up on gas so we could get out of here. People were already looting the stores, so my dad filled up his truck and refused to pay. There was no use for money at that point. A big shot police officer got into an argument with him. My dad started yelling at him and the officer thought he’d gone into a virus rage. He took out his gun and shot him. Then, my mom saw what happened and freaked out. She got shot, too. You can’t tell me about justice until you lose your parents for no reason.”

  “I’m sorry,” Alec said. “That’s terrible.”

  The boy sniffed and nodded, his eyes looking at the floor. “So, what was it like for you?”

  “Not much different,” Alec said. “We were given orders to shoot those who were clearly infected and actively putting people in harm’s way. I couldn’t take it anymore. I just left. The rest of the department was gone, anyway. The city was in complete shambles.”

  “If it weren’t for Mike, I wouldn’t be alive,” the boy said.

  “Is that the man who’s in charge here?” Elaina asked.

  He nodded. “He took me in. When things got really bad, he started a team to defend the town from infected people. We sit on the roof and snipe at the infected people who make their way into town. I was good with a gun, so he let me join them. Once he had enough people, he led a sort of resistance against our local government. They didn’t care enough about the town, so they let him have control. We’ve been here keeping it safe ever since.”

  “For how long?”

  “Oh, maybe about a month,” the boy estimated.

  “What can you tell us about Mike?” Elaina asked hopefully.

  “I can tell you that he keeps up with the news. He’s been cursing your name ever since the virus came to town,” he smirked. “His family has been here for a long time. He blames your virus for ruining his history here.”

  “But—” Elaina started. “What’s your name?”

  “Thomas.”

  “Thomas,” she said gently. “I know that Mike’s been good to you, but he’s wrong about me.”

  “But he said you’re Elaina Morgan. I saw your face on the television.”

  She sighed. “Yes, but I wasn’t the one who spread the virus.”

  “Prove it,” Thomas said simply.

  “I can, but I need a good laboratory and experts in the field of virology.”

  He laughed. “You’re not going to find that here.”

  “But I’m really innocent. I’m not responsible for what’s happened.”

  “She can stop the virus, too, but she needs a lab and a safe place to work,” Alec added.

  Thomas shook his head. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “Can’t you talk with the others and try to convince them?” Alec asked. “She’s innocent.”

  Thomas shook his head again and began to walk down the hall. “If that’s the case, then I feel sorry for you.”

  “Why?” Elaina asked nervously.

  “These guys take their brand of justice seriously. If you can’t prove to them that you’re innocent, then there’s no hope for you. They’ve more or less made up their mind about you. If you can’t prove it, then it’s over.”

  “Wait,” Elaina shouted after him. “Let me explain the whole story to you. Then you’ll understand.”

  “No more talking,” Thomas said, finding a bench in the middle of the cell block. “I was on duty last night and I just want a little peace and quiet.”

  “But—” Elaina protested.

  “I’m done talking,” he said, raising his voice.

  Elaina slumped back in her seat. The kid was useless. He had probably been brainwashed by the other men and wouldn’t believe her story anyway.

  “Don’t worry,” Alec whispered, nudging her shoes with his. “We’ll convince them.”

  “How?” she cried. The tears of frustration in her eyes were dangerously close to spilling over. Anger burned inside of her. She desperately wanted to get into the lab to work on her serum and replicate it. She was still healthy, even though the virus was in her system. If she could keep it suppressed in her own body for this long, then she figured she could suppress it altogether with a little more work.

  He pursed his lips. “I don’t know. But, you convinced me of your innocence. I know what it feels like to be angry at you for this destruction. Now I know it wasn’t your fault. If you can do it once, surely you can do it again.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Have you figured out what you’re going to say at the trial?” Alec asked Elaina after sitting in nervous silence for about an hour.

  “I don’t know. I can tell the story from the beginning, but it’s hard to understand if you don’t know Bretton Vincent,” she groaned. “I just wish Natalia was here. She could back me up.”

  “I briefly met him. I could talk about how awful he is,” Alec replied, clenching his fists.

  Elaina gave him a half-smile, but her face fell back into a frown. “I really appreciate it, but I don’t know if they’re going to let you testify on my behalf.”

  “Why not? I know you the most out of everyone here.”

  “Yeah, but they also think we’re a couple. They can’t really ask you any questions about my character and expect to believe it.”

  Alec’s head dropped. “You’re probably right.”

  “Hey, Jimmy,” Thomas said to the man walking toward the cell. “What’s up?”

  “The boss said he wants to move the trial to tomorrow. He said there’s some activity a few miles north of town that he wants to check out.”

  “Is it anything serious?” Thomas asked, looking uneasy.

  “He thinks that it’s just a small group of infected. The job would only take five to seven guys to clear them out, but that wouldn’t leave enough for a trial, and everyone is really looking forward to it.”

  “Am I on duty?” Thomas asked.

  “No, you have orders to stay here and guard these two. I know it’s not much fun, but you could probably just sleep here. I don’t think they’ll figure out how to escape any time soon.”

  “Okay,” he replied, not seeming too pleased with his order. “Can you watch my post for a second while I go to the bathroom and get something to eat?”

  “Sure,” Jimmy said. “But hurry—I’m supposed to go out on watch soon.”

  “I’ll be quick,” Thomas said before turning on his heel and running out of the building.

  Once Thomas was gone, Jimmy looked into the cell like he was looking at animals at the zoo. He studied them before opening his mouth to speak.

  “So, what’s your deal?” he asked, wagging his finger between the two. “Are you like Bonnie and Clyde?”

  “No,” Alec answered quickly. “We’re actually trying to cure the virus.”

  Jimmy smiled. “Save it for the trial. I’m hoping I can be on the jury. I’d love to hear what you have to say for yourselves.”

  “Do you plan on actually listening to us, or has everyone already made up their mind?” Elaina asked.

  “Oh, sure,” he said lightheartedly, “we’re all very interested in your story. That’s why I’m disappointed that it’s all being delayed. We have to wait to try you tomorrow, which means the execution is pushed back to the next day.”

  “Execution?” Alec gasped. “You can’t plan an execution!”

  The man looked confused. “Then how will the firing squad know when to show up if we don’t plan it in advance?”

  “She’s innocent! You don’t just kill innocent people because you believe whatever crap you hear on the news!”

  “Calm down, boy. You’re probably not going to be executed. In fact, since y
ou used to be a cop, I bet that means you’re a good shot. You could make a good addition to our organization.”

  “Screw your organization,” Alec spat. “I’d rather die than join a group of people who get their kicks from torturing and killing innocent women.”

  “Suit yourself,” he said, turning toward the door. Elaina could see Thomas running back with a plastic shopping bag. “I’ll see you two tomorrow.”

  Jimmy gave Thomas a pat on the back when he returned to his post. He was out of breath and had red circles on his cheeks that matched his hair.

  “Hey, Thomas,” Alec said, anger bubbling up through his voice. “Don’t you think you could have mentioned the fact that they plan on murdering us after an unfair and biased trial?”

  Thomas shrugged, pulling a sandwich from the bag. “I thought you knew.”

  Alec tilted his head back in frustration, knocking it against the concrete wall. “For someone who acted like he was so disgusted by violence against innocent people, you don’t seem bothered by this at all.”

  He gave Alec a look of disgust. “That’s different. They were my parents and they were perfectly healthy. They didn’t do anything wrong, other than run their mouths a little too much at a police officer. She’s the one who has a killer virus named after her.”

  “For all the cop knew,” Alec retorted, “your parents were dangerous.”

  “He could have given them the benefit of the doubt.”

  “So could you,” Elaina chimed in.

  Thomas scowled at them. “Don’t,” he warned.

  “Don’t what?” Alec asked.

  “Don’t be messing with my mind,” he explained. “I don’t think I should trust what you’re saying.”

  “We’re not saying anything,” Alec replied gently. “The only thing I know is that a lot of people have been treated unfairly during the panic. We’re all victims here.”

  Thomas looked confused, as if he were beginning to change his mind about Elaina and Alec. Elaina watched him as his mind turned with internal struggle against what he was told by either side of the argument.

  “I’ve started to work on a cure,” Elaina said. “I’m so close to completing it, but every time I get somewhere with it, I have to pick up and leave again. If I can keep people from getting sick, no one will ever have to experience what you and your family went through.”

  Thomas fidgeted where he stood in front of the cage. “This is pretty messed up,” he said. “Everyone’s been talking about how evil you are, but you don’t seem evil at all. When you talk to me, it seems like you’re actually a good person.”

  “I’m not perfect, Thomas,” Elaina said. “but I didn’t do this. If you want to help us get out of here, then you’d be helping the rest of civilization if I manage to make my cure.”

  Alec and Elaina waited as the thought washed over Thomas. She could practically see him imagine the possibilities in his mind.

  “Even if I wanted to,” he said, “I just can’t.”

  “Why not?” she asked, her heart racing. They were getting somewhere with the kid. “Everyone is gone and you have the key. You can right a wrong here.”

  “I can’t. First of all, I’m still not sure if you’re telling the truth or if you’re messing with me.”

  “Even if we were,” Elaina said.

  “And we’re not,” Alec interrupted.

  “Should two healthy people die?” she finished. “Especially when one has the knowledge of how to stop the virus?”

  He shrugged. “Even if what you’re saying is all true, you can’t just escape these people. I can let you out of the cell, but they have eyes all over the town. They can see everything that’s happening from a mile away.”

  “Just leave that part to us,” Alec said. “We’ll wait until everyone is preoccupied, then you can let us out. You can tell them whatever story you want. We just need a little help getting out of here and getting untied.”

  “Speaking of,” Elaina said, holding up her bound and bloodied wrists, “is there anything you can do about these ropes? I’ll put them back on if anyone comes by, but I’d be so thankful if you’d let me give my arms a rest for a little while.”

  Thomas looked around to make sure no one was looking before gesturing her arms toward him.

  “Thank you,” Elaina smiled as she pushed her hands through the space between the bars.

  He pulled out his pocketknife and pulled at the knots until they loosened up. They fell in a coil around her elbows.

  “Much better,” she said, lightly touching her wounds.

  “Can I be next?” Alec asked eagerly.

  “Fine,” Thomas said reluctantly, quickly untying the knot. “But if anyone comes, slide those back on and pretend like nothing happened.”

  “Of course,” Elaina said, pleased with their progress.

  Alec and Elaina waited a little while before testing their luck with Thomas again. They didn’t want to push him so far that he pushed back.

  “Have you given any more thought to unlocking the door?” Alec asked gently.

  Thomas chewed at a hangnail. “I don’t know. I think it’s too dangerous.”

  “Don’t worry about us,” Elaina said. “We’ve been doing this sort of thing for a while now.”

  “Not you,” he said, raising his voice. “If they find out that I was the one who let you escape, I could be held for treason. Do you know what the punishment for treason is?”

  “Is it the same as allegedly releasing a virus?” Elaina guessed.

  “Bingo,” Thomas said. “They’ll kill me. And for what?”

  Elaina was about to open her mouth to answer him before Alec shot her a look to shut up.

  “They can’t kill you if they can’t catch you,” Alec said so quietly that Elaina had to lean in closer.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, a curious look coming over his face.

  “If you let us go, you don’t have to stay here.”

  “Where would I go?”

  “With us,” Elaina said. “Or wherever you want to go. The point is, you don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to. We can help you get out.”

  Thomas ran a hand through his greasy orange hair. “I don’t know about this. Life isn’t bad here. Mike and the guys treat me pretty good.”

  “Until they don’t,” Alec added darkly. “If they would kill you for doing the right thing by letting us go, then what else would they kill you for?”

  Thomas looked like he was going to cry. “I can’t just leave. Even if I wanted to go with you, we’d get caught.”

  “Have some faith in us, Thomas,” Alec smiled. “You’re talking to the two people who escaped military custody and have gotten out of more sticky situations than you could even imagine. I don’t want to brag, but we’re damn good at this.”

  A tiny smile appeared across Thomas’s face. “It’s still very risky. You don’t know how their operation works.”

  “That’s why we have you,” Elaina added. “If we combine your knowledge with Alec’s police officer instincts, it should be no problem. If we leave when it gets dark, we can move under the cover of night. What time is it now?”

  Thomas checked his watch. “One-fifteen.”

  “That gives us plenty of time to plan. Why don’t we just sit down and talk about different possibilities for the next few hours, pick the best plan, and polish it so we’re ready to move at night?” Alec said, rubbing his hands together.

  Elaina smiled at Thomas. “You could help us stop the virus.”

  He frowned. “I can hardly think right now. There’s just too much going through my head. I need to sit down and think.”

  Elaina watched as he strode down to the end of the hall and started pacing back and forth. He looked distressed and Elaina was worried that they had pushed him too hard. He had clearly cracked.

  “What do you think?” Elaina whispered to Alec. “Did we go too far and break him?”

  Alec looked over his shoulder, then back at Ela
ina. “Perhaps, but maybe that’s not a bad thing.”

  The two of them turned to watch the teen pace back and forth while he made one of the most difficult decisions of his life. Elaina would have felt more pity for him if he weren’t deciding whether she should live or die. It was just too much pressure for one kid to handle, especially one who thought he’d live a relatively normal life in a small town.

  “How long do you think it will take him to decide?” Elaina asked, feeling more nervous as time went on.

  “I don’t know, but I hope he hurries up,” Alec said as he watched the kid. “We don’t have much time.”

  Chapter Twenty

  For the rest of the night, Natalia sat in her father’s office, reluctantly listening to him rant and rave about how his work on the virus would completely change the world. She zoned out a time or two, but when she came back into focus, he was still talking about himself. Her eyelids were growing heavy and she just wanted to be away from him.

  After an hour of watching her head bob, Bretton finally noticed that his daughter was growing tired. He excused himself from the room, promising that he would arrange for accommodations to be made for her.

  “Sit tight,” he said, “and don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

  He exited the room, but not before ensuring that his office door locked behind him.

  Once he was out of earshot, Natalia sprang up from the couch and explored the room, looking for anything that would help her or her friends. On his desk sat lab notebooks filled with numbers and formulas that she couldn’t even begin to understand. She found one that looked informative and carefully detached it from the binding. Then, she folded it neatly and tucked it in her sock, just in case she encountered anyone who could understand what it meant. She couldn’t say for sure, but Natalia suspected that her father was up to no good.

  Other than that, there wasn’t much to his office. His fridge and cupboards were stocked with foods that made her mouth water. It appeared that whoever was in charge of making him happy had gone out of their way to ensure he still got fresh meats and produce. Somewhere, there was an underling in charge of going to the river to fish and create fresh sushi rolls. Natalia found the whole thing ridiculous.