Lethal Seasons (A Changed World Book 1)

by Alice Sabo

  They walked two blocks past storm-damaged houses to a short cul de sac. Five low profile houses crouched on the street, two to either side and a slightly larger one at the end. The first one on the right showed signs of habitation with curtains in the windows and a tidy front yard. Wisp couldn’t feel anyone, but he wondered who had chosen to leave the main building. Reclaimed lumber, pipe and other construction materials were stacked outside the big house on the end with a handcart and a few tools. Wisp could feel Bruno concentrating deeply inside the house.

  He walked up to the front door and knocked. After a moment Bruno limped out. “Wisp, my friend. You are back safe and sound!” Bruno slapped him on the shoulder.

  “I’ve brought some new people that might be interested in a house.”

  Bruno stared at Joshua and Mary where they waited on the front path. “A young couple.” His voice was tight with grief. Wisp felt them flinch misinterpreting his grief for something darker.

  “Their farm was attacked,” Wisp said.

  “Bastards!” Bruno swore. He approached with a hand out to Joshua. “I’m sorry to hear that. Everyone okay?”

  Joshua shook his hand. “Um, no. That’s why we’re here.”

  “Lost my whole settlement,” Bruno grumbled. “Still don’t know why.”

  “Oh!” Mary took his hand in both of hers. “I’m so sorry.”

  Bruno melted a little. “Look at you with a babe on the way. Of course, you need a good place. A big place with room for a family.” His voice broke a little. He stomped past them, gesturing them to follow. “Come!”

  Bruno led them around the corner to a long low house on a large piece of property. The yard was overgrown, but a path had been cut through to the front door. “This is a good one. Has a greenhouse in the back. And a nice lawn for the kids to play on.” His kind words were in contrast to the gruff tone he’d taken. Wisp could sense a growing compassion in the couple. They could see beneath Bruno’s bluster to the sorrow he was drowning in.

  The entry way was full of light showing a dusty, empty home. Bruno gave them a tour. There were two wings with a total of six bedrooms, three in each. A big country kitchen, with a table that would seat twelve, had a wall of glass looking out on an overgrown yard that sloped down to a stream. Mary looked around the kitchen and started to cry.

  “What’s wrong?” Joshua was alarmed. He grabbed a chair for her.

  “It’s a-maz-ing,” Mary hiccupped through her tears. She sat in the chair and sobbed.

  Bruno grinned at Joshua. “Women get a bit emotional when they’re that far along.” He took Joshua’s arm. Look here at these walls. Good solid construction. The appliances are electric, so everything can be left as is.”

  Wisp slipped back out the front door, unnoticed. He was sure that the farmer folk would stay. Another asset for this settlement. He headed back across the campus to his room, surprised at his feeling of ownership. It was a good space, safe and somewhat isolated. He could always take a place further out in the neighborhood. He wondered if Kyle and Ruth would stay. She was the sticking point. Kyle would go wherever she wanted to go. He wasn’t sure what he could find that would make her want to stay.

  Wisp stopped at the edge of the campus, where he could see the young fruit trees, the green fields. Someone in a big hat was crouched in the vegetable garden, probably weeding. A horse called, and all six of them ran across the back meadow kicking up their heels. It was a happy day, but something was off. This was a good place, for now, even a safe place. But there was something in the wind that abruptly put him on edge. Something was coming, and he had a feeling that it might be a good time for him to stay put. He checked the sky, brilliant blue and without a cloud. Sometimes he felt this way before a big storm. There wasn’t a breeze, the day was hot and still. Could be a storm.

  Chapter 48

  “Consistency was the difficulty. The communities that thrived could only do so with great redundancy built in. That required that sustainability be tied to larger numbers.”

  History of a Changed World, Angus T. Moss

  The room was silent after Melissa’s announcement. Nick couldn’t believe that he was going to hear the story of the creation of the virus. It was a mystery everyone living would want explained.

  “I’d love to hear about this if you’re willing to tell us,” Angus said gently.

  “There’s not a lot to say,” Melissa said, bitterness lacing her words. “About the time I got pregnant with Lily, he started to change. Now when I look back, I think it must have been a small stroke or a tumor. But the change was gradual. I didn’t realize how bad he’d gotten until he locked me out of his study. He was doing some kind of secret research, but that wasn’t anything new. He’d done work for the government before that he couldn’t talk about.” She stared at her hands, knotted in her lap.

  “I knew he’d done something to me when Lily was born. Her eyes. It scared me. I asked him if he did something to her, but he just kept saying it was all for the good.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “Then one day he disappeared, and so did our savings. He’d booked himself an around the world trip.”

  “He was patient zero,” Kyle said in a stunned voice.

  “I guess so. He started in New York, Miami, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Beijing, Delhi, Bagdad, Paris, Amsterdam. He died on the flight into London.”

  “But how can you be sure?” Ruth asked.

  “He left me a note saying that he had created a virus to kill off the biobots.”

  “Why?” Nick asked.

  “Who knows? He was so secretive he wouldn’t even share that with me.”

  “Did you work with him?” Angus asked.

  “No. I’m a kindergarten teacher. I never had anything to do with his work.”

  “How did you end up at Rutledge’s lab?” Nick asked.

  “He kidnapped me,” she said with a shrug. “I don’t know why. Maybe he didn’t realize Ben was already dead. Maybe he thought Ben did something to me. I’m pretty sure Rutledge took my blood.” She showed them the faded bruise on the inside of her elbow. “So he must have thought there was something in my blood. I don’t know, maybe Ben did change me.” She rubbed her face wearily. “I want to thank you for taking care of Lily and William.”

  Angus went to his desk, and after poking through a drawer returned with Iris’s scarf. He offered it to Melissa. Her eyes glistened with tears when she saw it. “My sweet Iris. Were you there? Do you know what happened to her?”

  Angus looked to Nick.

  Nick hesitated, not sure how to soften the blow, but considering her recent past, he decided to be blunt. “She was shot by Rutledge’s guards.”

  Melissa’s eyes went wide. “What? Why?”

  Nick bowed his head. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure. I think Rutledge sent the guards to kidnap your kids. She fought back. Gave William and Lily time to escape. She killed one of the guards.”

  Melissa jerked back from Nick’s words. “She...my little girl killed a man?”

  “I’m guessing by the positioning of the bodies. I wasn’t there for the confrontation. She had a shotgun. The man down had an automatic weapon.”

  “Why?” she moaned. “Why would he kill my daughter?”

  “Was she different, too?” Kyle asked.

  “No. I had Iris when he was teaching. He hadn’t gone into research, yet.”

  Nick felt let down. There was no great reveal. No grand conspiracy, just two petty men doing weird things. Silence settled over the room. Nick had a lot more questions, but he wanted to let Melissa recover some more.

  “Well, that’s all I wanted to say. Let you know who we are. I’ll get the children. We’ll go.”

  Angus scooted to the edge of his seat. “You have a place to go?”

  “We’ll find something,” she said, eyes on her hands.

  “You are welcome to stay. We have grown very fond of William and Lily. And Lily has her heart set on learning to ride Socks. And William is s
till quite traumatized by his capture. It would be best to let him stay here where he feels safe.”

  Melissa shrugged. “Are you sure people will want us?”

  “Absolutely,” Angus said firmly. “To most of the people here, you are simply Lily and William’s mother. We are delighted to reunite the family. That doesn’t happen too often. Rest and let your past lie undisturbed. But I thank you for letting us know.” Angus stood up.

  Melissa let him help her to her feet. He escorted her to the door. “My door is always open,” he said in parting.

  Chapter 49

  “Children born during this time have an entirely different understanding of family. Mother, father, sister, brother changes to whoever survives to care for them. In their lifetime they will lose, on average, fifty percent of their relatives and friends.”

  History of a Changed World, Angus T. Moss

  Wisp changed course toward the main building. He wanted to talk to Nick about this odd feeling and to get a sense of what kinds of things he should be doing for the settlement if he decided to stay. He saw a man walking up the street that led to the train station. As he got closer, Wisp realized he was wearing a uniform. The man saw him, waved and headed for him. Wisp could feel his general uneasiness, even before he saw Wisp’s tattoo.

  “Hello there.”

  Wisp nodded a greeting. “Can I help you?”

  “I was looking for Nick. Do you know where I could find him?”

  Wisp escorted the man into the building. It was then that he noticed the lack of security. People knew him, and he looked different from most people with his long white hair, so he was easily identifiable. But anyone that managed to elude the Watch could enter the med center uncontested. Another thing he should tell Nick.

  Wisp took the man to Angus’s office, where he sensed Nick. The door was open, but he knocked on the doorjamb, and entered before the stranger when Angus beckoned.

  Nick, Angus, Kyle and Ruth were gathered in a meeting in the circle of comfortable chairs that Wisp had been in once before. He thought it said something about the man that his meetings took place in comfort with refreshments. Despite the thoughtful accommodations, Wisp could sense it wasn’t going well. There was a heaviness to the room, frustration and concern were the top notes.

  “Frank?” Nick said as he stood to shake hands with the stranger. “What brings you here?”

  “Well, I, um...” he hesitated, looking around at all the people. Wisp felt the uneasiness tumble into distress. “I don’t mean to interrupt anything important.”

  Nick seemed to catch the same feeling. He introduced Frank as the manager of High Meadow train station.

  “Of course, we know Frank,” Angus said with a welcoming smile. “You come over every year for your flu shot. Sorry to say there isn’t one this year. Is that what brings you?” Angus waved Frank into a seat.

  Wisp stayed because he thought this might have something to do with that sense of wrongness he’d felt earlier.

  “I thought you folks should know that the station is going to close for a bit.”

  “Shit,” Nick snapped.

  “Nicholas!” Angus scolded.

  “Sorry.” Nick shot Angus an apologetic look. “What happened Frank?”

  “I’m not sure. We got the notice that the Continental Line is being shut down for about two weeks. No explanation. Just get out and maybe we’ll tell you when to come back,” Frank said, his voice sounded sullen, but there was great apprehension underneath.

  Wisp felt Nick’s emotions flicker between fear and anger. Nick looked over to Angus. “He can stay here, can’t he?”

  “Of course, of course,” Angus said. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to Frank.”

  “Um, my wife Etta...”

  “Is welcome also.”

  Frank’s deep sigh of relief, stuttered with raw emotion. “Thanks. I’ve been with the trains since I was a kid. Started with them polishing floors. I don’t know what I’ll do if they don’t reopen the station. And Etta, well she’s beside herself. We’ve been living in those quarters since before Zero Year. It’s our home.”

  “Do you need help moving some things?” Nick asked. “We’ve got a van and plenty of space here. We can store some stuff for you, if you want.”

  Wisp moved back as Frank’s emotions overflowed. He was fighting tears. “I always knew you were a good guy, Nick.” Frank swallowed hard. “I wasn’t sure what to do. But I thought I would check with you. You’re a smart guy. And you, you...”

  Nick patted Frank on the shoulder. “We need to help each other.”

  “Exactly” Angus was on his feet in a flash. “I need to let Tilly know we will have a few more guests. Come join us for lunch.” He checked his watch. “It’s about that time. Then we can take you back in one of the vans with a few strong hands to get your things.” He glanced at Kyle. “Why don’t you and Ruth set up in the lab. Nick and I will work on the other things.”

  Angus effectively broke up the meeting. Frank left mumbling his thanks, headed for the cafeteria. Ruth made excuses about needing the lavatory and left the room. Nick joined Angus at the ether console. Kyle stood staring at a key in his hand.

  “Lab?” Wisp asked him.

  “Angus gave me the key to the chemistry lab.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “I don’t know where it is.”

  Wisp led Kyle through the school to the science labs. He pointed out the four rooms labeled Chemistry. “I guess you can take your pick.”

  Kyle peered into each room, finally choosing the first and largest one. They stepped into a dusty classroom that smelled faintly of chemicals. Wisp could feel Kyle’s contentment.

  “You are pleased.”

  “Angus asked me to do some research that coincides with my personal interests.”

  “Will you and Ruth be staying?”

  Kyle tipped his head in thought. “I think she will find this to be a comfortable place. Things are more degraded than we realized.”

  “She didn’t know.”

  “No.” Kyle shook his head. “And I think she doesn’t fully believe Nick. We have been very isolated in our work.”

  Wisp felt Kyle’s unspoken question. “Nick’s right. I’ve been cross-country from coast to coast. I’ve been down to the gulf and up towards Canada. There have been days, weeks that I traveled without feeling another human mind. Whole cities abandoned to squatters and looters, but there are so few that they can take what they want without ever seeing each other. Restaurants, department stores, factories, supermarkets all abandoned, torn open and emptied of useful things.”

  “How can that be?”

  “I think there is a tipping point that makes people move. A town can lose half its population, and people remain. Other times a smaller loss makes them scatter. Perhaps it is who is lost or a certain percentage that is too much and people move away. I don’t know the statistics. I bet Ep could tell you.”

  Kyle smiled. “I bet Epsilon is working on that sort of thing right now.” Kyle looked around the lab. “Where do people move to?”

  “Another question for Ep, but I imagine to a larger population center.”

  Kyle’s thoughts went fuzzy. Wisp recognized the feel as his brother concentrated on a problem. He left without Kyle noticing. Ruth was wandering down the hall checking doors. Wisp pointed out the lab for her, then headed back towards Angus’s office. He passed some of the rooms that were private quarters now. At a cross corridor, he noticed Elsa and Dieter standing in the doorway to their room.

  “Is there a problem?”

  “We’d like to go outside,” Elsa said.

  “We don’t know the rules,” Dieter snapped.

  Wisp understood that completely. “I will show you the rules,” he said. “Come with me.” He led the small biobots back toward the entrance. As they approached the front doors, he turned and pointed behind them. The entry way was a two-story box with doors leading off to stairwells and hallways. Across fr
om the front doors was a large display case holding a colorful poster clearly painted by children. It said: Be nice to everyone. Do your fair share. Be generous. Dance when you hear the music.

  “As far as I know, those are the rules here.”

  Dieter spun with an angry glint in his eye. “Is this a joke?”

  “No.” Wisp couldn’t sense his emotions. That struck him as very odd. “This settlement is a good place. Safe. You have full access to any common areas. The private rooms should be treated as people’s homes—knock to gain entry. If you have questions, you can ask anyone. Meals are served in the cafeteria.” He led them down the hall to the cafeteria pointing out the menu board and hours of operation.

  Elsa smiled. “Thank you for letting us know.”

  “What will be required of us?” Dieter asked.

  “What is your skill?”A long minute passed while Dieter stared at Wisp. He waited, curious about not feeling the little man’s emotions. Sensing the need for a bit more give, Wisp took the first step. “I am an EE. Mostly I work as a finder,” Wisp offered.

  Dieter seemed to come to some decision. “We are Fonts. I am sciences and Elsa is arts.”

  Wisp wondered if the Fonts were so packed with knowledge that there wasn’t any room for emotions. He’d never met anyone with an eidetic memory. Perhaps that was why they felt so different. “Angus will be very excited about that. Would you be willing to set up a school for the children?”

  Elsa clasped her hands and went up on her toes. “Really? They’d let us teach?”

  “They are concerned that the children are getting a patchwork education. That there will be no one to replace skilled workers in a generation.”

  “My fear as well,” Dieter grumbled.

  “Do you wish to speak to Angus yourselves or would you like me to broach the subject with him?”

  “Could you?” Elsa asked. “We don’t know the people here. You could judge it better, I think.”