by Sweet, Dell
A few minutes before, the guard had changed. The night shift consisted of only two guards, and they were already sharing a joint together out back of the building. He heard their low voices and laughter as he worked his way out of the woods, bringing only what he needed, and around to the front of the house.
He hesitated at the front door. He was fairly certain there was no one inside, but he couldn't be positive. Anyone could have slipped in while he was out gathering weapons. He closed his eyes for a moment, shifted the pistol in his hand slightly, and then reached down and turned the knob.
The door swung open to a dark interior. Cold, no heat... No sounds. He stepped inside.
Rochester NY: Joel
Midnight
It had almost gone without a hitch. It had taken him a few minutes for his eyes to adjust, but once they had he had set off through the house. He thought back on it now as he bent his weight to the shovel, digging more out of the bottom of the shallow grave...
As he had searched his ears began to tell him things too, they were upstairs, he could hear minute creaks as body weight shifted on the floors above him. He could hear weeping from somewhere above him too. The sound made a sob catch in his own throat before he choked it back and headed for the stairs.
Scott had been out in the open, tied to a post for the railing. Joel had caught him in the process of trying to fight his way free. His mouth was gagged, but he immediately stopped his struggles when Joel came into view at the top of the stairs. Joel bent forward carefully, the step creaking loudly, and cut the bonds on his wrists. A second later he was passing Scott a pistol as he worked to free his jaw up. Joel passed him a canteen, and Scott sipped carefully, his lips blistered and cut, before he handed it back. His voice was scratchy, rusted.
“Kill the ones out there?” Scott asked in his whisper croak. His eyes were hard.
Joel shook his head. “They're getting high... Won't be a problem... Where are the girls?”
Scott nodded and headed down the hallway with Joel following. He stopped in front of the door. “One of them went in a little while ago... Probably... Probably...” He shook his head, unable to continue.
Joel whispered, “Don't lose it... We'll go on three, fast, but don't let the door make a lot of noise. Try to stab him, not shoot... Don't want to alert those others.” He held Scott's eyes until he nodded.
Joel turned the knob slowly and counted down quickly. His shoulder hit the door but it didn't give completely, just flexed, cracked loudly, and then sprang back at them. He cursed under his breath. “Take it down; take it fucking down,” he whisper croaked.”
The door splintered and finally opened. The guard inside was waiting, a gun in one hand, the form of a nude female beside him, a vague shape tied to a radiator across the room. A hand rose and pulled the gun down. The gun went off as they were tackling the man, and then everything went bad fast.
Joel drew his knife across his throat to cut off a scream that had begun, but even he knew it was too late. Scott scrambled up and made his way to the radiator and began untying the woman there. Joel bent, pushed the man aside and saw Amber. She moved quickly and he pulled her to her feet. They were out the door seconds later, all armed with the pistols Joel had bought, all ready, scrambling down the stairs two at a time. The front door burst in as they hit the bottom of the stairs and the two men that burst through never stood a chance. They ran over the top of them as they were still falling and spilled out into the night.
The whole area was on alert. The guards were out, dogs running everywhere, Joel saw. The dogs were no problem. It wasn't like the movies; the dogs didn't know who they were looking for. They managed to make it three blocks north, nearly out, before Joel realized that Amber had been hit. She stumbled, he pulled her to her feet, but she stumbled again and when he looked back he saw the blood that covered her entire side and soaked her leg. There was no time, he bent and took her over his shoulder, hearing her cry out in pain as he did, but there had been no other option. They had made the blockade a few moments later and had, had to stop while they tried to figure a way around.
There were too many of them. Two dozen standing around watching, but they were not trained to do it. Most of them had never hunted, didn't know how to watch, what to look for. Joel had laid Amber on the ground and Haley had pulled her into her arms and held her, both crying silently. Behind him, several blocks back at the house where they had been held the grenades he had rigged to a timer finally went off. The men scattered, ran, started to regroup and then began to run through the streets back to where they had been. Joel and Scott picked up Amber together and ran through the darkness, sticking to the deepest shadows for the next half mile until they were well beyond the city and the gangs that were out looking for them.
Joel and Scott collapsed onto the ground while Haley held Amber as she died. Dawn had not been far away so they had taken refuge in a nearby house and waited the day away. No one had come near. They had rested up during that time and when it was dark once more they had left the shelter and brought Amber with them...
Joel bent to the shovel once again. They had all taken turns, it was nearly done. He took a deep breath, stepped away from the hole and the others nodded. A second later they were lowering Amber into the hole.
She was dressed in clothes the Haley had taken from the house just a short time before. A long dress, her face pasty white and smeared with dried blood. But peaceful nonetheless. A half hour later they were back in the house ransacking it, looking for anything that might help them. They had a half mile to travel, a short distance, Joel had thought when he had hidden the truck he had driven here in, but a long walk now that he knew they might be anywhere looking for them. They left a short time later and made their trip to the falling down garage next to a flattened diner where Joel had hidden the truck.
The house had given them virtually nothing. No water. No food, a couple of coats and that was it. The truck was a welcome sight with its cache of food and water, and they had spent the next hour just sitting quietly, eating, replenishing their fluids, not talking.
“You were dead,” Haley said at last. “The guy went over, kicked you, was going to shoot you in the head, but he decided not to because you were dead.” Her eyes were bright, tears perched on the lids ready to fall. They fell as Scott spoke.
“I couldn't do anything, Joel. Nothing.”
Joel caught his own emotions. They had been right on his sleeve for days, it seemed. He took a minute and composed himself.
“Alive. I was alive. I came to and thought all of you had died. I was in bad shape, bleeding, leg messed up... I thought you were dead.” He stopped, gained his composure once more and then started again. “Later back in Watertown, I couldn't remember if I looked well enough. If I made sure you were dead, but I decided I didn't. I didn't and it ate at me.” His throat tightened up and he had to stop. “So I came back,” He said at last.
Haley came to him and hugged him. “Thank you,” she said. “I am so glad you did.”
Scott nodded and they all fell silent once more. Haley wiped at her eyes and then stood and walked away. “Sorry... They were about to trade us... Pat...” She choked. “Amber and me.” The tears nearly overtook her once more but she fought them back.
“Okay... So we go back to Watertown again... I have my house set up. We go back and decide what's next.” He looked down at his leg. Blood had seeped through the bandages. “Leg's shot,” he said by way of explanation. The silence held for a second.
“I should look at that,” Haley said.
“Later,” Joel agreed. “Ready, Scott?”
“Yeah. Yeah I am.”
“Okay, let's get going. I want to be as far away from this fucking place as I can be by daylight tomorrow.” A few minutes later they were running a fast as they dared in the moonlight, heading back toward Watertown.
April 15th
Watertown, New York
Joel
Joel sat on his front steps and quietly st
ared over Linden street. It had changed for the worse. More than a dozen small quakes had hit over the last few days since they had been back. The houses were leaning more, including his own. Last night they had received some skip coming out of Manhattan. For twenty minutes they had been in whatever pocket that had been there and they had talked back and forth like they were right next door. There were no more illusions. The people he had talked to had come cross country, all the way from LA. There was nothing left. It was all gone. There was no help on the way. The Army was not on the way to put things right.
“Hey,” Haley from beside him. He had been slipping deeper into thought again.
“You were drifting away,” She said, as if she had read his thoughts.
She did that a lot lately, caught him, or he drifted a lot lately, maybe both. “I was... I was thinking about all of it. I think we should go to New York, wherever they are, outside the city. They sounded legit,” He raised his eyes to hers.
“As legit as anything in this world,” she shrugged. She looked around the street that really wasn't a street any longer. “Can't stay here... I know you know that.”
“I know... I think safety, if there is anything like safety any longer, is going to be in numbers. And we don't have enough numbers. We're too few.” He looked at her and waited for her acknowledging nod.
“We can be there in a few days. If they are where they say they are,” Haley added.
“Do you think they aren't? Did you feel something?” He looked unsure.
“No... I felt they were straight with us, and I felt their offer to join with them was straight too.”
“Anybody join this conversation?” Scott asked as he walked out of the house and sat down next to Joel. Joel Laughed.
“Join in. We were talking about New York. Those people last night,” Haley said.
“Ah. It's a no-brainer though, isn't it?” Scott asked.
“We think so,” Joel agreed. His face was pensive.
“Got concerns?” Scott asked.
“Same old stuff. Really it's all about whether they're real or not,” Joel said.
Scott nodded. “I think they are I don't see the percentage in luring us down there if they're just fakes. We'll come armed and ready for bullshit, they have to know that.” Scott seemed to consider. “I just don't see it. I think they're the real deal. I've been thinking about it too,” he sighed.
Haley raised her eyebrows.
“The finality of it all. I mean the fact that from here to the other side of the continent the world's done up,” Scott said after a lengthy pause.
Joel nodded. “Hard to wrap your head around, I get it. It's the same for me. That's what we were just talking about. So,” Joel brushed his hands against his, jeans and then stood from the step. He flexed his leg. Stiff but pain free. It needed exercise to work it out. “I guess we should go get a truck and get moving.”
Haley and Scott stood with him. “Where you think for a decent truck?” Scott asked.
“Probably check out on the strip. There are a few custom shops out there, about a dozen car dealerships and a few truck dealerships. I'd like to find something setup for off road. Save us some time screwing around... Probably save road time too.”
“And they aren't staying there much longer. It will help us when we move on with them,” Haley added.
“Makes sense,” Scott agreed.
“Or strike out on our own,” Joel said.
“South?” Scott asked.
Joel nodded. “They said the land went into the sea.”
“They said there was land in the distance though,” Haley said at the same time as Joel. “It got into my head... Well, that's not exactly true. It's like I dreamed about it before they said it. Like I knew it would be,” he shrugged. “I know, spooky.”
“Not really. I mean the world is gone. All the things you count on. Maybe now there is survival... Some sense that kicks in and guides you,” Haley said.
“Now that's spooky,” Scott said. They all laughed uneasily.
“Still,” Haley said. She let her argument drift away unstated.
Joel reached over and retrieved his rifle from where it rested against the porch post. He slung it over his shoulder and shrugged once to make it comfortable. “We,” he stared into the open doorway into the house and then stopped. “We don't need anything here. We were running low all the way around, about time to resupply.” He took two quick steps to the door, tugged at the handle and began to close it. He stopped with the door still partway open and laughed uneasily. “Guess it doesn't matter anymore,” he said. Haley smiled; a small, sad smile and she shrugged and turned away.
“Not really,” Scott agreed.
Joel released the door handle, turned and stepped down off the porch. He turned and looked at the house once they were a few hundred feet away. He walked backwards, taking it in. It looked ready to collapse. It was leaning, the foundation cracked and crumbled in places. He turned and caught up to Haley and Scott. He didn't look back again.
Project Bluechip:
Watertown NY: Subterranean Military base.
Commanding: Major Richard Weston
Richard Pierce leaned back as Major Weston leaned in close to his monitor.
“So they're leaving,” he said.
“I think so,” Pierce agreed. “We lost them a few times. We don't have everything covered up there, so I can't say they aren't up to something, but my best guess is that they don't have a clue about us. They're on their way out... I could take it a little further.”
Major Richard Weston looked at him. “How so?”
Pierce reached forward and rifled through a small stack of messages beside his computer. “Came from your Intel guys... Communications” He paused to find his place in the message. “Yeah... Seems they talked via CB to someone outside of Manhattan yesterday... Your guys thought they would probably head that way. Seems likely that's what is going on now. They have a truck; they're making the rounds... Foodstuffs... Camping gear, weapons and ammunition,” he shrugged and looked up at Weston.
Weston nodded. “Keep an eye on it.” Pierce nodded as Weston walked away.
Watertown Center
Joel and Haley
“I say we're good,” Joel said, He looked over the back of the truck. “Nothing left, but to...” He stopped as Haley suddenly went rigid beside him. Her pistol came up fast and a split second later he found he had shrugged his rifle from his shoulder and into his hands. Scott already had his rifle off safety and aimed. Joel turned and followed his aim to where a woman walked slowly down the street toward them.
“No closer,” Haley called out.
“I'm not armed... I'm not dangerous,” The woman said. “I need some help. Some help to get out of this place... Please.” She stopped reluctantly and looked back and forth from the rifles to Haley's pistol. She wore a long denim shirt that hung over her jeans to mid thigh. She lifted it to show she had no weapons belted under it and then dropped it again.
She had a British accent. At times in her speech it sounded more pronounced, at others hardly there, as though she were trying to suppress it, Joel thought.
“Just need a lift out.” She spread her hands out flat, palms up. “Nothing else. I have been stuck here from the first, it's complicated, but I got away from some people that had me.” She seemed to consider the three of them. “Maybe you have got no room to spare?” She looked from one to the other.
Joel spoke. “We have room; it isn't a question of that. It's a question of whether we'll accept you to fill that place.” He lowered his rifle and motioned her forward. “Scott? Make sure she isn't armed.” Scott nodded, lowered his rifle, re-slung it, and started forward. A second later he was patting her down. His hand found the inside of her thigh and started up.
“There's a piece there,” she said quietly. Scott's hand stopped suddenly, just below where the shirt overhung from her waist. He felt her tremble. “It's small... I've been scared. Just something for safety.”
/> “But you said you had nothing,” Scott said as his eyes held her own.
“What's up?” Haley called.
“Got a piece in her... I guess, her panties,” Scott raised his hand and carefully felt the small gun. Haley was at his side when he looked up. “Really small,” he said and shrugged. Haley passed him her pistol. “Keep it on her.”
Haley reached forward and freed the buttons that held the fly of her pants. She reached in and came out with a small .22 pocket pistol. She looked it over.
“Five shot... .22 Mags,” the woman said.
Haley looked up. “I can see that. “So why didn't you say something? Or maybe, why did you say something? This is small enough to stay concealed.”
“Your mate was on his way up.” She shrugged. “Look. I'm alone. I had to have something. This town may look dead, but it's far from dead. I'm just looking for a way out. The road. Leave this place. It's been... It's been bad.” her eyes seemed to cloud at the end. “Mind? It's a bit cold.” she looked down at her open fly.
“Go ahead,” Haley said. She buttoned the fly back and then took a deep breath. “So?”
“So, What's your name,” Haley asked.
“Pearl... You?”
“Haley... Joel, Scott,” she nodded to each with her head. “I guess she's okay,” she told Scott. Scott lowered the gun and then handed it back to Haley a second later.
“We're headed for the city,” Joel told her.
“Syracuse?” Pearl asked.
“No... When people say city around here they usually mean New York... Manhattan,” Joel said quietly. “Why should we make room for you, Pearl? Especially since you didn't want to tell us about this gun?” He had taken the pistol from Haley and was turning it over in his hand. It was very small and didn't seem capable of doing much harm.
“It will kill you well enough,” Pearl said as if reading his thoughts. “It's a bad world. You need another shooter. Who knows what you're going to run into between here and there.” She paused and then nodded at the pistol. “You can see I'm resourceful.” She met Joel's eyes when they swung suddenly up to her own. “I'm not dangerous unless someone is trying to hurt me,” she finished quietly.
