Shoulders sunken forward, Neil pulled out the half-opened pack from his back pocket and surrendered the chewing gum.
Keeping his hand out, Binky cleared his throat. “The other ones too, Neil. Give ‘em here.” He stuffed the three additional packs into his hat and said, “I don’t know how you keep getting out and frankly, I think I’d rather not know, but you gotta stop, okay? Being cooped up in this town can get, well, boring. I get it, especially for a kid with an adventurous spirit such as yours.”
Neil used his striped, long sleeve shirt to wipe his cheeks. “Does this mean you won’t tell my dad?”
Binky sighed. “Your dad would have a fit and probably give ya a good spankin’, but I think you’ve learned your lesson, right?”
Neil seemed to understand the meaning of Binky’s leading question and arched eyebrow. “Yes sir!” the boy answered, happy for a moment before fear replaced the joy. “Wait, does that mean you won’t tellhim, too? You won’t tell the Pre-”
“Are my ears ringing?” interrupted a man who seemed to slither up behind the two. The hooked-nose man was dressed in all black, with a white strip around his neck. “Did I hear my name being called?”
Binky spun around, keeping the gum-filled hat hidden from view. “Good morning, father. What a pleasant surprise.”
Neil regretfully but necessarily stuffed the squishy handful of gum into his pocket. Then, he shuffled behind a wooden pillar and remained silent.
“Good morning indeed!” the man replied, inhaling a large breath through his nostrils. “And here I am surprised that I am not the only one up before sunrise. Might I inquire as to why you both are up? A walk perhaps?”
“Just making my normal rounds,” Binky answered, but when he noticed the man staring suspiciously at Neil, he answered for the boy, too. “I came across Neil and he was…”
Wide-eyed, Neil was mortified for the truth and the grave repercussions of his actions.
“And he was trying to get inside the bank, but I reminded him we keep that and the other unused businesses locked up for storage.”
“Is this true, Neil?”
Neil subtly nodded his head up and down.
Binky leaned inward politely to obstruct the man’s piercing vision. “Neil was asking me about maybe using the open space in the bank as a play area for him and the other kids, maybe putting in some toys and games. I was just telling him that I would have to run it by you, and then you showed up and here we are.”
Binky’s face was sincere and without any tell of deception, but Neil licked his sugary lips and swallowed, hoping the lie would pass.
The man’s neutral lips slowly curled into a small smile. “Well aren’t you such an ambitious and proactive boy,” he said, looking from Neil to the bank. “As I have said before, the bank and other unused businesses on this block remain vacant for a reason. For they remind us of a time riddled with sin and greed; unclean and unrighteous…”
The man’s posture changed as he straightened up and tilted his head to the side.
“But that is not to say that what was once unholy cannot be redeemed, reborn, and repurposed for good. So, my ambitious child, I will give consideration to your proposal, but in good time.”
“Hear that, Neil? He’s gonna think about it. For now, get on home before you catch a cold. Go on, now.”
Neil ran off without saying goodbye.
Binky was ready to leave but a hand on his arm stopped him. “Before you go,” the man began, locking eyes with Binky’s, “may I ask you a question?”
Binky stared at the man’s grasp, knowing the request did not come with a choice. “Of course.”
“Will you ever join us in celebration? I can make arrangements for you to switch.”
“You know my role here, father,” Binky said, slowly breaking free from the hold. “As much as I would love to, I believe it would be a disservice to the others. I am fine, though. It’s my cross to bear.”
“My cross to bear,” the man repeated, smiling. “I like that expression. The implication that we all carry some derivative of conflict, reminds me of our fallible humanity, and of course Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I hope you do not mind if I use the expression?”
“Not at all, feel free,” Binky said, putting on the uncomfortably full hat. “Well, I should get going. Good day.”
“I was not finished,” the man said, prompting Binky to turn around. “Our fallibility is what defines us as human beings, but our choice to believe in God is what separates us from the unworthy and the demons in this world. But do not misunderstand me; all who claim to believe are not true believers. For it would be unwise to think they are no snakes in the Garden of Eden. For worse are we to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to those who would lie, those who would cover up truths, those who might think they are doing right when in fact their cause was misguided…”
This time, Binky gave a little. He shifted his weight, thinking, though not believing, that the man was referring to his covering for Neil.
“So I would hope that trust is not misplaced...In humanity of course.”
“But did Jesus not sacrifice himself for others? A cause at the time that even his disciples presumed misguided?”
“Indeed He did,” the man nodded. “If I may say, you have certainly come a long way, Binky. I remember when you were led here. You were a sad soul, broken and swollen with hate-”
“What are you getting at, father?”
“Just that you can trust me and trust in me. As with the others, I am here to guide the willing. You are on a good path, Binky, and I would be saddened to see you falter and digress to sinful habits...for even white lies are lies. For when the end comes, and its time is nigh, we need to be pure of soul.”
Somewhere in south-central Utah
December 2, 2009
0225 hours
"Storm's almost here," Agent Kim said, leaning over the steering wheel to catch a glimpse of the changing weather.
Outside, what was left of the moon was sucked into the encroaching clouds. Then, lightning surged through the sky revealing for a moment, the seemingly endless area the storm system covered.
Marilyn sat in the passenger seat with her arms holding gently onto Christopher's sleeping body. "As long as we get to the bunker safely, I don't care if it rains for the next year." She reached for the heater, but first asked, "Agent Kim, mind if I turn down the heat? It's getting a little too warm."
"Not at all. Probably better so the fog doesn't keep building up," he said, wiping the border of the windshield with his palm. "And call me David."
"Thanks, David."
Her movement caused Christopher to stir awake, but Marilyn kissed his head and whispered, "Go to sleep, honey." After, she continued caressing Christopher’s hair and staring silently out the window.
"You're a good mother, Marilyn. You've managed to keep him safe this whole time."
"Thank you, but it hasn't been easy. I just try to make the best decisions for us.”
"The father?"
"Dead. No, it wasn't from all of this I mean. Ken was killed by a drunk driver."
"I'm so sorry."
"So am I. He was coming to the hospital the night I was in labor with Chris. Sad, Ken never got to see his own baby.” Sniffles stopped Marilyn from disclosing more. She wiped away the tears under both eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring the mood down.”
"No, don't be."
"It's been a crazy couple of days. We’ve traveled from Vancouver to Washington, then to you guys. Everything that has happened is just so, so crazy.”
“Ya, tell me about it.”
“Since we have some time now, why don't you tell me about yourself?"
"Well, as you can tell by my eyes, I am Asian," he said, happy to receive a chuckle from Marilyn. "Let's see, parents emigrated from South Korea to Hawaii where they had me. Fast forward a few years, I met my wife at UH. Joined the Navy at twenty-two. Had my first and only baby at twenty-four. Here, I actually have a picture.�
�
Kim dug into his back pocket and pulled out a leather bifold wallet. It was empty except for the inside flap. Snugly behind the plastic was a picture.
"May I?"
"Of course."
Marilyn slid out the photograph and admired the Kim family and fairytale setting.
"That was taken a few years back in D.C. during the Cherry Blossom festival. That's my wife, Mel, and son Ano. She wanted a Hawaiian name. I wanted a Korean name. Guess who won."
"We women always do," she replied, smiling. "You have a beautiful family."
"Thank you," he said, accepting the wallet. "So after my four years in the Navy, I joined the Secret Service. Been with them ever since."
"And your wife and child?"
David Kim pursed his lips and shook his head ever so slightly. "When the outbreak hit, I was with the President traveling from D.C. to Blue Springs. My wife was back in Hawaii visiting family for Thanksgiving. I managed to get them on a flight for VIP's, and they were on their way to the bunker, but...but someone brought the infection onboard and the plane crashed a few hours in."
"I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Me too. I just hope they went fast," he said, fighting back tears. "Look at me, now I'm the one bringing the mood down."
"No, you're fine."
"I guess everyone has lost someone," Kim declared melancholically. "Just make sure you keep him safe. I think it was cliché to say before, but now, with all this, kids really are the future."
Marilyn kissed Christopher's head. "Alright, we need to change subjects to something that won't make us depressed."
"Agreed."
"How about the plan?"
Kim turned on the overhead light and grabbed the map of Utah off the dashboard. He unfolded it, needing only the western half of the state. "You see where highway 50 meets the 15? That's about where we are."
Marilyn spun the paper toward her and located the intersecting highways. "Okay, and then?"
"We are heading south on the 15 now, and in a few hours we cut east and hit the 89, I think? Ya, the 89. We stay on that for an hour or so. Then there's a little service road that takes us to our destination."
"The bunker."
"Yup, the Fox Hole. It's a top-secret site beneath Bryce Canyon National Park. We should arrive at the access point by daybreak."
Christopher rotated his body and head, but went right back to sleep.
"What's going to happen when we get there?"
"With the information we have? This will change everything. I'll speak with Vice President Simmons and tell him about LIFE's involvement with the outbreak, President Tufase's assassination, the massacre at Blue Springs, the truth behind the Ambrosia vaccine; everything."
"And hopefully they believe us?"
"I see no reason they wouldn't. Especially after they see the President's video declaration. There's no way they can't believe us," he said confidently. "Plus, Matty acquired some additional footage of testing from the production facility. It should be a home run."
"Then what happens?"
"I assume the government goes after and arrests Liz Baron and everyone who had a part in this."
Marilyn stared blankly out the windshield. Thick drops of water began to splatter across the glass, sounding like miniature bombs. "Let's hope so," she said, cautiously optimistic.
0312 hours
Inside the tarped truck bed, Matty was sleeping uncomfortably upright. Charlie sat next to him, using Matty’s shoulder as a pillow. On the opposite bench, Ally leaned forward resting her head near her knees. Her right hand held on to her brother's left, and for the duration of the drive Dylan had been mostly out of consciousness.
Then came a loud POP! Followed by a repeating thump as the truck was pulled to the right.
Charlie's un-patched eye snapped open, awaking him abruptly from a good dream. "Did you guys hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"What's going on?"
"Sounded like we got a flat," Charlie answered, making his way to the tailgate. As the truck slowed to a stop, he grabbed a loaded rifle, unzipped the covering, and hopped over the tailgate. "Stay here."
Matty did as requested, but peeked outside.
No protection from the pouring rain, Charlie met Kim at the front right tire and asked, "What happened?"
Kim shined a light at the flat tire. "I was busy checking for infected. I saw it at the last minute and swerved. Didn’t swerve far or fast enough," he answered, directing his light a hundred feet behind the truck.
Abandoned and wrecked cars created a natural funnel. Near the mouth of it were pieces of scrap metal.
“Seems to me like you reacted fast enough. Only caught the front left, could’a been all four.”
"Still...so stupid," Kim said, kicking the busted tire. "I should have been driving slower and paying better attention."
"Shh," Charlie uttered politely. His gaze jumped to the bordering businesses. "Something doesn't feel right."
"I agree," Kim said, sensing the same off-putting feeling. "We should change the tire quick and get out of here quicker."
Charlie nodded. "What do you need from me?"
"Grab the spare and jack. I’ll turn off the headlamps. It’ll be better to work in flashlight."
As Charlie retrieved the necessary items from the back, Agent Kim returned to the front.
"David, what's going on? Is everything alright?" asked Marilyn.
Christopher was awake beside her, equally as nervous.
"Everything is fine," Kim answered assuredly. He turned off the ignition, but left the keys. "We got a flat tire. We're changing it now. Don't worry."
In the back, Charlie was dragging out the large spare tire. "Matty, reach under your seat and hand me the jack and lug wrench."
"Here you go. What's going on, Charlie? And don't tell me it's just an inconvenient flat. I saw the spike strip."
Charlie put a finger to his lips. "Keep your voice down." He peered around Matty's waist and said, "Don't worry Ally, just changing a tire. We'll be back on the road in no time."
Ally looked worried, but the explanation appeased her.
Charlie waved Matty in close. "I don't want to freak out the others, but something doesn't feel right. It’s like we're in a mouse trap."
Matty swallowed into a dry throat. His eyes darted back and forth, searching the darkness.
"I need you to grab a gun and watch our backs. Can you do that?"
"Whatever gets us back on the road faster."
Next to the wheel well, Charlie dropped to a knee and positioned the jack and started pumping.
Agent Kim stood next to the fender, holding a flashlight for Charlie. "You know what you're doing, right?" His eyes went back to surveying the surrounding area as a cracking sound caught his ear.
"Ya, I've changed plenty in my day. This is easy, even with one eye. I know enough about car stuff to fix most problems, but I owe it to Dylan," he said, momentarily looking back to his friend. "He used to work on our Army's Light Armored Vehicles, so inevitably some of the mechanical knowledge spread to me."
"Where the hell is Pangton?" Matty interrupted.
The beam from his flashlight reflected off the sign in front of them. Water dripped over the green steel and white lettering that read, "Welcome to Pangton. Population 1,508."
"About an hour’s drive from where we need to be," Agent Kim answered ambiguously. "Keep an eye out behind us, Matty."
With the jack at its necessary height, Charlie went to work on the lug nuts. "Damn, these things are on here tight," he said, muscling the end of the wrench for leverage.
"Man, it's freezing balls out here," Matty said exhaling to see his breath. "I can't wait to get to a place where the temperature is controlled. Where we don't have to worry about getting our asses bitten off at night. Or shot off by some mercenaries. Where I can sleep for a week. Where I can finally-"
"Shh!" Agent Kim interrupted harshly. He squinted his eyes and began walking toward an
unknown destination.
"What is it?"
"I'm not sure. Stay here with Charlie. I'll be right back."
"Man, I have a bad feeling," Matty said, foot tapping restlessly as he watched Kim disappear into the darkness.
"Matty, come over here. I can't get this last nut off. I need your help.”
Suddenly, something ran in the alley between a Mobil gas station and liquor store, startling Matty. "Agent Kim i-is that you?"
No response.
"Agent Kim?" he whispered again, but only sounds from the steady rainfall could be heard. As Matty backpedaled to Charlie, his vision panned left to right and back to the area where the unknown thing had moved. "Charlie...Charlie!"
"Finally," Charlie said, standing up. "Matty, the tire's off, but I need your help."
"Charlie, I don't think we are alone. I saw something over there. I think…I think it might be infected. I'm freakin’ out man." His stuttering tone suggested as much.
Charlie snatched his rifle off the hood and pointed it into the shadows. "Where's Agent Kim?"
"I-I donno, I lost him over there."
The tense moment soon passed though, as Matty spotted Agent Kim walking back. “Phew, there he is.”
But for Charlie, the anxiety was far from over. While it was, in fact, Agent Kim, Charlie observed several oddities. "Where's his gun? Why is he walking so calm and slow? Why are his hands up?"
Matty shrugged. "I donno.”
And in that instant, Charlie solved the puzzle. He noticed a red beam illuminate a dime-sized portion of Matty's T-shirt.
"Shit. Matty, do exactly as I tell you. Slowly, put your gun down and your hands in the air," Charlie said, following his own instructions.
"What are you talking about," Matty started to say, but then he heard the sounds of boots smacking against the water, and then the shadows transform into men, all of whom carried long guns. "Oh shit."
Agent Kim was followed closely by a masked man with a shotgun.
"Sorry, they got me," Kim said bitterly. The man behind him used the stock of the shotgun and roughly shoved Kim forward.
"Who are they?" Charlie asked, observing three total masked persons. "Friendly?"
The Longest Road (Book 3): The Other Side Page 24
