“You're welcome to stop here on your way back. We'll help you in any way we can. Just be careful out there. We've seen some real characters go through here. Some with guns blazing.”
They gave him a few freshly picked strawberries and allowed him to go on his way.
They allowed Grandma her privacy, and for that Liam was most appreciative. “Goodbye Grandma,” they said while they waved him through, “nice to meet y'all.”
For the first time in his life he thanked his father for moving them so far out into the suburbs they were bordering on rural.
I need to start keeping a list of things to thank Mom and Dad for when I see them.
6
Marty fell asleep as soon as she was positioned inside the tiny trailer. She wasn't entirely comfortable, but it beat that miserable ride in the back of the military truck.
Soon she was dreaming.
Marty's vision focused as she became aware of her altered state, but it was very dark. She waited while her eyes adjusted to the low light. As if on cue she heard the clops of running feet heading in her direction. A small group of young people were in a narrow corridor between two tall buildings.
“Help!” One of the young women cried out from the back. Four or five people ran by Marty as she stood there. Only one stopped to look back. As her brown hair swished away from her face, it was evident to Marty she was watching Victoria.
“I'm so sorry,” was all that Victoria could get out for her beleaguered fellow-runner before she resumed her own escape. Even in the darkness Marty could see the girl on the ground had been brought down by one of her pursuers.
Before she could get moving again, one of the infected pounced on Victoria from the shadows, pushing her to the ground, both tumbling—Victoria screaming in surprise while the attacker merely snarled. They came to a rest at Marty's feet, causing her to stumble backward into some trash cans.
The plague victim was on top of Victoria—he was much larger and quite aggressive. She screamed wildly for a few seconds, but then seemed to reconsider. She quieted down, to just a quiet whisper of crying. Her eyes were closed.
“Victoria, don't give up.”
A final yelp was soon lost to the victory bark of the dead man pawing away at her. The man's teeth were hovering over Victoria's jugular. It was only a matter of time…
Marty looked away—and was grabbed and pulled into a dark doorway.
It was Al. Finally, he was back.
“I was beginning to think you'd left me. After seeing Clara but not you, I thought I was on my own.”
They were inside the building. Al was leading her through dark hallways, but appeared to know where he was going. “There are many layers to this battle. Clara represents a difficult one for me to solve. This memory is far more important to you. The clues it provides are manifold, if you're willing to see them.”
“This is a memory? But Victoria didn't die in a dark alley. She was killed in Liam's home.”
“Are you sure? About either?”
Al wasn't known for speaking directly about anything. Was Victoria attacked in a dark alley? It seemed impossible or she would never have survived that night. No one gets up and walks away from an attack like that. Could that memory be real? She knew for certain Victoria was killed by Hayes. She'd seen it with her own eyes.
“Al, stop. Where are we going?” Marty realized with some genuine shock she was being pulled through the darkness of the structure and was running the whole way. Was it magic?
“Not magic. That's ridiculous Marty. We're in your head, remember? Anything is possible. But right now we have somewhere we need to be. There's something I must show you as it happens.”
They ran for several minutes. While scary on the face of it, Marty was reveling in the feeling of the wind at her face. She'd not run with any speed in probably 60 years, and seldom any further than the length of her backyard with her children.
They came out in a large space, outdoors. It was the same celestial waterfall she'd seen back on that railroad bridge as they escaped St. Louis. She remembered the whole event with clarity now that she had returned. The waterfall, she knew, represented all the known planets in existence—each drop was in fact a tiny representation of a planet. Marty couldn't even guess at the number she was seeing. The waterfall began high up; she couldn't see the top. It descended into a small pool of water surrounded by vibrant green grass and several types of strange flowers. The pool drained down off a cliff, out of sight. It was much as she remembered it, but there were some changes.
Next to the waterfall she noticed a large glass window centered on a dark metal door set into a rock face. Al was walking directly to the window. When he looked in he put both arms up on the door frame as if catching his breath.
“We aren't too late.”
Marty walked to the door, trying to look in. Al, noticing this, moved out of the way. Inside Marty could see a well-lit room with a small wooden table in the middle. She thought she recognized the table, but she had no frame of reference for what was sitting on it.
“No, you wouldn't Marty. That is one of the very first personal computers. My oh my, Marty, you really haven't touched a computer have you? You're seeing what your mind projects when you think of a computer. Wow. That is an original 8088, I think.”
“But what does it mean?”
“I'm sorry, Marty; I don't have time to explain it all, but I'll show you what I can. First, I want you to notice all the other windows in this room. Do you see them?”
She looked through her window and could see several other doorways with their own portals. They were all darkened and she couldn't see anyone standing as she was, looking in.
“But they're there. Each window you see is a representation of someone trying to access—what's inside that room. I know you want to know what it is. But I cannot influence you at this critical juncture. I can only tell you that the key to getting into the room is held by you, and it is tied to the memory you just processed back in that alley.”
“Victoria? But she's dead, right?”
“Then how did you see her memory?” He had a bit of his old smile as he said it, though he was much more serious than he'd been in their past meetings.
“She's still alive? She wasn't attacked in that alley? But she was definitely shot in Liam's house.”
It was par for the course for Al. He never gave her a straight answer. She was left grasping at straws.
Looking away from the old computer and focusing on Al once more, she took a stab at piecing together his cryptic hints.
“So, Victoria is still alive. I saw her in that truck on that dark road being attacked. I saw her in that alley being attacked. I'm seeing her real memories, just as I saw Liam's in an earlier vision. This is incredible. It means Victoria didn't die when she was shot.”
She perked up as she said it.
“You got it, Marty. You already know Liam's heart. You are seeing the truth of Victoria. You are creating a triad of heroes. Focus on that. Don't let go of that thought. Ever.”
“Yeah, but what good will that do? An old woman and two youngsters. How are we heroes? What the heck are you not telling me?”
“Oh, Marty, my dear. There is an entire universe of information I'm not sharing with you right now. I wish I had the time. All I can say is that everything you're doing, everything you're seeing, these memories, your real life existence, and the people you're fighting—will help you understand how to get into that room,” as he said it he was pointing his thumb through the glass window, “before anyone beats you to it. You three are the key. Only you three.”
With that she woke up. She found herself in the bike trailer once more.
“Victoria is still alive.”
Ahead, her chauffeur responded by putting more effort into cranking the pedals.
We're coming Victoria.
Chapter 14: Eurydice
The last hour of Liam's bike ride brought him into territory that was more and more familiar. Houses he
recognized. Potholes to avoid. There was very little activity, alive or otherwise, on the roads winding though the wooded properties of the area. It gave him plenty of time to think, while keeping his eyes open for trouble.
He tried to summarize the crazy chain of events which brought him here.
Victoria's death.
Getting kidnapped and imprisoned by Hayes.
Seeing behind the curtain at the CDC Camp.
Spending the night in the woods with Grandma.
Surviving the day with the Boy Scouts.
And now, an early morning bike ride home to avoid Hayes and his search party.
Seems so simple when you draw out a list. But the first was the most painful. Liam felt like he'd been spinning wildly these past few days without Victoria at his side. He'd only just met her, but she had given him a glimpse of the future. Someone strong to help find the light in these dark times.
Why am I remembering this now?
The quiet countryside reminded him of jogging along these roadways in peaceful times. Before the end. Back then his biggest fear was a careless driver. Now, the men and women lurking in the creeks and cornfields were constant reminders that even a simple relief stop could turn fatal. He looked down to watch his feet turn the cranks. When he coasted he could hear the whine of the tires on the asphalt.
If he wasn't pulling such precious cargo he could almost coast and ignore everything wrong since sunrise. Just him, the bike, and the sky.
But not her.
His mind was a turbulent mix of emotions and scheming when he caught sight of his own street. His house was up the hill a ways, and hidden by trees of the secluded neighborhood, but he was home.
Out loud he said, “We made it.”
He took a moment to collect his thoughts as he rolled to the stop sign at the end of Riverside Drive.
So much had happened since he'd last seen his parents. Were they home waiting for him? What if they weren't? How would they greet him? What would he do if they were still away? If they were home, what would they think of the dead girl in their foyer? Maybe Phil took care of the body. What if she changed?
He couldn't settle himself down. Each question produced two more.
Deep breath.
He had done so much since the sirens. He even felt a satisfying pride peeking out from his psyche. Not many people would have been able to rescue Grandma twice amidst the backdrop of the Apocalypse. Liam practically did it on his own.
Well, he did have help from time to time.
Of course, his helpers often ended up dead.
His thoughts turned inward and dark. No matter what else happened, no matter how proud he was of himself, no matter how proud his parents might be, he would never forget those who laid down their lives to make this reunion possible. It was the least he could do for the dead.
Thank you, Victoria.
He bit his tongue.
2
Liam turned his bike and trailer onto his own street, and climbed the gentle hill past the few houses between the entrance and his. It was about the length of a football field.
As he approached his own house his heart felt crushing despair. One Humvee sat right up against his garage. Another sat between his house and the neighbor's nearest him. It wasn't unreasonable to think there were others hiding in the area. Whatever else was going to happen, Liam had allowed himself to walk right into this trap.
Hayes popped out the Humvee on the driveway, giving Liam a big wave. “Hey, bud. Good to see you!”
He had changed clothes. He was wearing the same style Hawaiian button-down shirt his dad favored. Dad was either inside as a captive, or dead. Or Hayes just found his stash of ugly shirts and decided to help himself. Of all the things to survive the destruction of the whole house...
Liam's mind was dancing wildly at the unfolding scene.
Two people got out from the other side of the Humvee and were walking around the backside of the truck. First in view was the red-headed driver Liam had seen a few times already. Behind her was a young girl about Victoria's age, dressed in jeans and a brilliant white cotton t-shirt. Her dark hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail. She was as clean as if she had just walked out of the shower. Liam's vision was blurry from the admittedly emotional sloshing going on in his mind. He refused to cry at the desperation of it all.
But, wow, she looked just like Victoria.
He stopped his bike a couple dozen yards down the street. Unsure what to do. He put his head on the handlebars as he straddled the top tube.
“Hiya, Liam. Why don't you and Grandma come on up the way. We have a lot to discuss. I promise I won't shoot anyone this time.”
This time. Ha!
He was preoccupied with all his options. He could turn around and try to escape. He could hide his gun and try to kill Hayes when he got up close. Maybe he could find some help.
None of them seemed to offer real hope. Killing him was probably the closest he could come to a plan with any chance of success, but he had never killed anyone—alive—and didn't think he had it in him to gun the man down in cold blood. Even if he deserved it.
The only option was to take his medicine and see where the windy road ended.
“Grandma, I have to stop here for a minute. We'll get you out soon. I promise.”
He hailed Hayes, got off his bike, and began walking it in. As he closed the distance he regained his composure and was able to study the girl standing on his driveway in better detail. She was very pretty, that much was obvious. She seemed to be part of their team. No—
Her hands were bound in front of her, held low. The zip ties were hard to see, but they were there. She was standing patiently, unmoving. Looking down at her feet.
Liam was now at the edge of his front lawn. Stopped. Mind jumping all around. “Why won't you let me and Grandma go? Why are we so damned important to you?”
“I thought you figured it out back at the medical camp. I've seen the tape of the old man who spoke to you while undergoing treatment. You know what this whole thing is about.”
He didn't know how to respond without making himself look dumb. Was he missing something obvious? He knew the experiments were done specifically on older people, but the volunteers made it sound like they were donating their bodies to science so they would make a difference in finding the cure. They were the most viable test subjects available.
Liam felt in his pants pocket for the photo. He knew it had the address of the colonel's family. His last words were pointedly about Bart's age. He had said, “It was his age. I know it. That man was 106!” Was there something specific about a person's age that made them important? Grandma was 104. Did that make her more worthy than someone 94? It might explain Hayes' obsession with her.
“The colonel's last words to me were that the old man was 106. He said the reason he was such a good test subject was his age. You want Grandma because she's almost the same age.”
“Can you come up here where we can talk without shouting? I'm surprised you haven't said anything to my pretty friend here.”
Hayes walked over to the young girl but she shirked away when he got close. The mannerism was recognizable as something Victoria had done during their journey.
He froze in disbelief. Seeing the girl for who she was at last. “Victoria?”
She bobbed her head up and down, over and over. Tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Ah, yes. I told her I would shoot you dead if she said a peep. I had to be sure you wouldn't try anything heroic. Nor would she. Can you two agree not to do anything stupid for the next five minutes while we all get reacquainted?”
They both nodded with enthusiasm. Victoria in silence, and Liam in sympathy silence so as not to get her in trouble.
“Alright then. You can go down and meet your boyfriend, but just be aware of these machine guns and who's inside the house.”
Victoria ran down the driveway, bound hands and all. Liam had to keep his hand on the bike, but he dismounted just in time
to catch her in a one-armed hug. They held each other tight, but Victoria was using the opportunity to pass information.
“Your parents are captive inside. Hayes wants to trade me for Grandma and he says they'll leave the rest of us alone. I missed you!”
They kissed briefly, but the moment was ruined by their tormentor. “Alright! That's enough of that. You kids need to separate or I start shooting. Yuck!”
Victoria and Liam separated, but Liam kept his hand on her back as they both looked up at Hayes. A small token of defiance.
Liam's emotions were splashing over the rim. He felt the joy of the reunion. Happiness she was alive. Anger at Hayes. Fear for his parents. Love for Victoria.
Whoa. Say what?
Maybe not romantic love exactly, but at that moment he would have laid down his life for the girl he thought was already dead.
That was as good a definition of love as any.
3
“Victoria, you can hold Liam's bike. He and I have some things to discuss.”
Liam didn't want to let her go, but he saw no alternatives.
“It'll be OK. Just stand here with Grandma. I think she's sleeping.”
They traded spots and Liam turned his back to Hayes so he could look at Victoria.
“I can't tell you how good it is to see you.”
She gave him a big smile as she wiped the tears still on her face. All she could say was “be safe.”
As he turned back toward Hayes he knew where things were going. Hayes held all the cards. He would have to give up Grandma.
“Liam. Let's take a little walk. Not too far of course, those zombies are everywhere.”
They walked down the driveway, around several large patches of blood and gore on the ground, and began walking up the street, away from Victoria.
“I'm impressed Liam. I don't think I've ever seen such dedication by a young man your age for an old lady like your grandma. I thought it was an act back at the Arch when we first met, and then I thought you were trying to impress your gal, but seeing you get dear old Marty out of the camp and across all this hostile terrain alone... Well, I guess I have to give credit where it's due.”
Siren Songs: Sirens of the Zombie Apocalypse, Book 2 Page 25
