“Pieces of shit,” Lamar muttered.
Kyle motioned toward the others. “Want to tell me why they’re here? And where’s Jesse and Jane?”
“They went with Dr. Berning to go get a map.”
“Who’s Dr. Berning?” Cooper asked.
Kyle’s mouth dropped open. “Come again? Did you say a map?”
Though Kyle knew Turner was heartbroken over the loss of his father, something else burned behind his eyes. Something beyond sorrow, or fear, or even terror. It took Kyle a few seconds to pinpoint the emotion.
Dread. Heavy, soul-crushing dread.
Taking a deep breath, Turner looked over at the other men. “We’ve got more problems than just the dead on the horizon.”
From the corner of his eye, Kyle noticed Teresa edge closer.
“What kind of problems?” Teresa asked.
“Radiation from the power plant in Russellville. Dr. Berning said meltdown will happen soon, and then the shit will come this way. They planned on leavin’ tomorrow in some plane they have access to. Someplace without a nuclear power plant close by.”
“Oh, shit,” Cooper whispered. “I’d forgotten all about Arkansas Nuclear One! It ain’t too far away.”
“Map? And why are those fools here?” Kyle urged.
“I heard two of them talkin’ in the woods about it the other day. When I came back and spread the news, we decided if they’re leavin’, so are we. Together. Figured we needed an ace in the hole to make them take us, so Jesse and Martha convinced Dr. Berning to come here and offer medical help to Turner.”
“Let me get this straight—y’all planned on holdin’ them hostage, forcin’ them to take us, yet they left to get a map? What the fuck?”
“Kyle, the doc said their plan was to go get a map that listed all the reactors around the world. That way, they’d know which location to head to that didn’t have one. Jesse figured if we had the doc and the map, they’d have no choice but to let us go with them.”
“I know a place where there’s not a nuclear power plant,” Teresa interrupted.
“Where?” Turner asked.
“El Salvador. It’s where I’m from.”
“That’s too far away! Besides, what the hell are we gonna do once we get there? Go live in the jungle?” Kyle snapped.
“My father has a big estate about thirty miles from San Salvador. Room for all of us, I swear. It’s surrounded by high walls—basically a fortress.”
Ignoring the stupid woman, Kyle addressed Turner. “How long have Jesse and the others been gone? And where were they headin’?”
“About three hours. They went to Clinton.”
“Son-of-a-bitch! That’s a fairly populated area! No tellin’ how many munchers!” Kyle shouted. He stood and walked across the room, stopping directly in front of Dirk Kincannon. “How many does it hold, and who’s flyin’ it?”
“The plane holds twelve. Denaryl Rice is our pilot,” Dirk answered.
“Is it true? About the radiation? Your plans to evacuate in the mornin’?”
Dirk nodded.
“Any more of your men left at the lab?”
“No. It’s just us and Dr. Berning.”
Kyle knelt down in front of Dirk. Lowering his voice so the others wouldn’t hear, he said, “Look, I won’t apologize for what they did to lure you here. I’m sure you understand their fears. My fears. Your own. We’ve been through hell and back, and I found out another terrifying tidbit I ain’t shared with them just yet. It will affect us all, no matter where we go.”
“And that would be?”
“It ain’t just humans affected by this. A pack of dead dogs took down Reed.”
“Holy shit,” Dirk whispered.
“Please, I’m beggin’ you. We’ve got a total of thirteen, countin’ us all. I can tell you’re a man of your word. Agree to take us with you, and we’ll all work as a team. That map must be of great importance if Dr. Berning and my friends decided to risk their lives to get it. They ain’t back yet, which means they’ve probably run into trouble. We’ll need all hands on deck to pack up what we can, and carry the wounded to the Humvees. You have my word my group will work with you. I ain’t got anyone’s life to swear on anymore, but I swear, if you help us, we’ll do the same.”
Dirk and Drake exchanged glances. Drake gave a slight nod of agreement. “Agreed.”
Kyle stood and addressed the room. “Looks like we’re headin’ out. We’ll all be workin’ as one unit now. They’ve agreed to let us come with them, as long as we agree to fight by their sides. Can y’all do that? Work as a team, put the past behind us, and go try to find someplace to live out our future in safety? Only aim at the dead, and not at each other?”
“If it means gettin’ out of this cave alive, hell yeah,” Turner yelled.
“Anyone got somethin’ to say? Now’s the time,” Kyle urged.
No one did.
Kyle leaned down and removed the ropes from Dirk and Drake. “Don’t make me regret this. I’m puttin’ a lot of lives in your hands. If this goes sour, I swear, I’ll come back and eat your faces off.”
“I gave you my word, Kyle. I don’t go back on it,” Dirk replied. “Now, let’s get to packing. Drake, you and Warton fix those cots into gurneys to carry out Winters and Turner. Tell Denaryl to come here and help us secure food. We leave in thirty.”
“I can’t leave without takin’ care of Mason first, and could use some help diggin’ a grave.”
“I’ll help you, Cooper,” Teresa said, rising to her feet. “Like you said, he was a good kid, and he deserves a final resting place.”
Kyle looked over at his chief. He could tell he wouldn’t budge on his idea. He’d been insistent to bury Reed and Walter back in Bentonville, too, despite the dangers of remaining out in the open. “There’s tools by the front door. Hurry, and be careful.”
“There’s no gas in the tank! Shit!”
“There’s a pump right over—oh, sorry. Forget there’s no power.”
“It’s okay, Dr. Berning. We’re all scatterbrained at the moment.”
“Okay, let’s think about this. We’ve been gone for what, four hours now?” Jane asked.
“Five,” Everett answered.
“They’ll come lookin’ for us. I know it. I say we just wait here.”
“And I’m sure the others at the lab didn’t like us being gone so long. I imagine they’re looking for me.”
Jesse stiffened. “Do they know where our camp is?”
“Yes. Kevin Warton followed Mr. Addison the first day they met.”
“Oh, shit! Will they—”
“Use deadly force? Most likely, if they feel threatened. They are former soldiers, you know.”
“Then we aren’t gonna just sit here and wait! There’s got to be some gas around here, or a way to get it from the pump. Jane? Hand me the flashlight, please.”
Jesse made a loop in the garage, searching every crook and crevice for signs of a gas can. “Look! There’s one,” she yelled, racing over to pick it up. “And it’s full!”
“Hallelujah!” Jane yelled.
Running back to the Humvee, Jesse hefted the can and filled the tank.
“I’ll get the keys,” Everett muttered, limping across the concrete floor. “That’s two problems solved, and just leaves one.”
“Which is?” Jesse asked, tossing the empty can on the ground.
“The door.”
“What?”
“The door. Which one of us is going to open it? Jane can’t run, and again, I can’t either.”
“Then I will. Jane? You get behind the wheel. Doc, you get in the passenger seat and roll down the window, rifle ready. Aim for their heads, not the body.”
“I’m not a very good shot,” Everett whispered.
“Tonight, you will be, or this is the end of the road for us,” Jesse admonished. “Leave the back door open. I’ll be in a big hurry to get back inside once I do this. Jane—the second I’m inside—you slam yo
ur foot to the floor.”
“Okay, but as soon as we can, we’ll need to switch places. I don’t think I can handle smashin’ into them like you did.”
“You can do it, Jane. I know you can. Start her up.”
Jane climbed into the driver’s seat, and Everett settled in on the passenger side. Jesse walked over to the garage door, hands hovering above the latch. She waited until the engine started. Jane turned on the headlights.
“One; two; three!” The sound of the metal door opening was loud. Jesse didn’t look out into the yard, afraid of what she might see. Instead, she turned and ran back to the Humvee, jumping inside. “Go!”
Jane floored it, and the Humvee shot out of the garage. The bright headlights and noise caught the attention of the dead roaming around the front yard. Jane screamed, yet kept driving.
“Just follow the road! Don’t veer from it! You’re doin’ just fine!”
The ride was bumpy and rough, but Jane managed to keep the Humvee steady, mashing bodies as she drove. By the time they reached the main road, they were clear.
Jesse patted Jane’s shoulder. “See there? I knew you could do it! Uncle Reed’s gonna be so proud of you!”
“Yes, fine job, Jane. Fine job,” Everett added. “That was some ride! At least this time, I didn’t throw up.”
Jane started shaking. “Crap, my adrenaline’s crashin’ fast. We need to switch places.”
Pulling over onto the shoulder, Jane and Jesse swapped seats. Jesse put the Humvee in drive and eased back onto the highway.
“Are my eyes playing tricks on me, or are those headlights?” Everett asked.
“Jesus, let’s hope they ain’t soldiers!” Jesse said, gripping the wheel harder.
“Look! They’re flashin’ their lights at us! I bet its Reed and Walter! I knew they’d come lookin’ for us!” Jane squealed.
“Don’t be so sure, Jane. Could be a ploy to get us to stop. I see two sets of headlights, and that makes no sense. They wouldn’t risk takin’ two. Gotta be soldiers,” Jesse answered. A knot of fear rumbled in her stomach. They’d gone through too much—come way too far—to let the quest end at the hands of more government men. “Everett? Be ready with that rifle. I mean it.”
The two Humvees barreled down the highway. Jesse slowed and stopped in the middle of the road, rolling down the window. “Give me a rifle, Jane, and take the wheel if I have to floor it. I’ll be busy shootin’.”
The first Humvee pulled within ten feet. Jesse thought her heart would explode with happiness when she heard Kyle yell, “Jesse? It’s Kyle!”
“Thank God!” Jesse yelled back. “Yeah, it’s us!”
Jesse handed the rifle back to Jane and pulled up alongside Kyle’s Humvee. She’d never been so glad to see a friendly face.
“We’re headin’ to the hangar, so follow us! We’ve got everyone, and they’ve agreed to let us go with them. You got the map?”
“Best news I’ve heard since all this happened! Yes, we got it. Let’s get outta here!”
The two Humvees pulled forward, waiting for Jesse to turn hers around and follow. Once the convoy was moving, Jesse smiled. She looked over at Everett, who seemed shocked by the turn of events. “Well, how about that, Dr. Berning? Guess the power of persuasion just made us travelin’ buddies. Between my uncle and Turner’s dad, they convinced them to take us! What a Christmas present!”
Everett looked down at his watch, then out the window. In a low voice, he whispered, “It’s after midnight. Christmas is officially over.”
Jesse ignored the weird comment, busying herself with driving and talking to Jane. Knowing their world was about to change—this time for the better—was the best high she’d ever experienced.
Ever.
CRUSHING BLOWS - Friday, December 26th – 1:15 a.m. – Central Standard Time
Dirk pulled into the parking lot of the small airport near Clinton, doing a full circle of the area, letting the headlights illuminate any potential threats. Seeing nothing, he drove over to the first hangar where the Gulfstream was housed.
“Please, don’t say anythin’ to them. Let me tell Jane, and Turner tell Jesse,” Martha said from the back seat.
“Of course. Let us get inside first, do a sweep to make sure we’re alone, then while we prep the plane, you can have some private time.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kincannon,” Martha whispered. “For everythin’.”
“Welcome, ma’am. Okay, Warton, ready?”
“On it,” Kevin replied. “Be back in two shakes.”
Dirk stopped directly in front of the door. Kevin jumped out, rifle up and ready, and ran inside. Not a sound was made by any of the occupants of the Humvee while they waited for him to return.
“All clear! Let’s go!” Dirk said after Kevin appeared back at the door, thumbs up. In seconds, all three Humvees were inside the large area, and Kevin shut the door.
“Mrs. Addison, let’s get you and Turner inside the plane first. Then, we’ll bring in Jane and Jesse.”
“Martha. After all this, please, call me Martha.”
Dirk nodded. “Drake? Need some help with Turner.”
The men climbed out and opened the back door. They eased Turner from the backseat, Martha right behind them. Kevin moved ahead, readying the stairs.
“Turner!” Jesse yelled from behind them.
“Jesse? Get Jane over here, please. We’ll need some help situatin’ Turner in a seat,” Martha said.
The strength in the woman’s voice, the sheer determination to not give any indication something was wrong, made Dirk shake his head. His initial perception of Martha as an overwrought, unstable woman he’d met in the woods, vanished.
“God, this is just gonna destroy her.”
“No, she’s got you and your son to lean on. Did you see all the gore over the Humvee? Their drive down here wasn’t an easy one. She’s tough.”
Not another word was said as Dirk and Drake took the stairs. Kevin had already turned the cabin lights on, so they walked to the back row of seats and set Turner down in the aisle.
“Okay, let’s load her up with the supplies. Where’s Dee?”
“Already in the cockpit, doing his preflight check.”
“Find the doc and get the map.”
“Baby! We did it! We got the map. Oh, you should’ve seen Jane! She ran right over those corpses like a champ!”
Dirk stepped out of the way as Jesse ran past him. Martha and Jane weren’t far behind. “He’s all set, ladies. Excuse us while we get things loaded up. Should take about a half-hour.”
“Thank you for takin’ us. Means the world,” Jane said.
Dirk didn’t say a word as he and Drake exited the plane. They only made it halfway down the steps when they heard Jesse wail, “No! Oh, my God! Uncle Reed! No!”
Swallowing hard, Dirk kept going. Everett was up head, limping toward the stairs. The woman named Teresa had her arm around his waist.
“Where’s the map?”
“Right here,” Everett answered, holding it up. “Haven’t had a chance to look at it in the light, yet, to figure out the best—”
“Pardon me for interrupting, but I think I can help with the decision as to where to go.”
Dirk studied the woman’s dirty face. She was trying her best to seem helpful, but Dirk sensed a dark edginess behind the façade of frightened woman. “Teresa, correct?”
“Yes. We need to go to a place that doesn’t have a nuclear plant, and where I’m from, there isn’t one.”
“El Salvador, right?”
The look of shock was fleeting, but it was there for a brief second in Teresa’s dark eyes.
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Recognize the accent. Been there before.”
“I’ve only been in the states for a few years. My family has an estate outside of San Salvador. Like I told the others earlier, it’s a big place. Lots of room for us all, and plenty of land to grow food on. A big wall surrounding it. We’d be safe
there.”
The rumble in Dirk’s gut was a warning: the woman was definitely hiding something. “Have you had any contact with your family, Miss?”
“Sanchez. Teresa Sanchez. Sadly, no. But I guarantee you, we’ll be safe there. No fear of radiation.”
“I’ll help Dr. Berning to his seat. Why don’t you help the others unload the supplies? I’ll make sure to talk to the pilot, tell him of your plan. Okay?”
“Of course. Anything I can do to help.”
Dirk waited until Teresa was out of earshot as he helped Dr. Berning up the steps and into the cabin. “What do you think, Doc?”
“Well, I believe she’s correct about El Salvador, though I’ll need to consult the map to be positive. If she’s right, that’s one hurdle jumped. A safe location for us to live at, together, is another positive, if she’s telling the truth. The downside is we won’t be anywhere near a lab.”
“True on all accounts.”
The sound of Jane and Jesse’s sobs reached their ears. Dirk felt Everett stiffen.
“What’s going on?”
Dirk looked toward the back of the cabin. Jesse was on the ground, sobbing into Turner’s chest, and Jane’s face was buried in Martha’s shoulder. “Reed and Walter didn’t make it back. They died while out searching for supplies.”
“Oh, no. Poor things. Help me back there, please? I want to pay my respects.”
“Of course. Listen, do you get the sense Teresa’s playing us? Or is it just me?”
“A little, yes. She’s a bit too eager. Then again, if she’s from there, it’s not a surprise. She’s probably worried about her family. I’m exhausted, and honestly, I don’t care where we go. The only caveat is no nuclear reactors. I’ll let you and the rest of the group figure out where we’re going.”
Dirk left Everett in the seat and headed back outside. A flurry of activity greeted him.
Kevin crossed the floor, sweat dripping off his forehead. “Got all the supplies loaded. Denaryl said the tanks were full, thank God. Hope the gas ain’t been sitting too long.”
“Good. Get everyone inside, and let’s figure out exactly where to go. Teresa suggested El Salvador, but I’ve got my doubts.”
Tainted Future (The Rememdium Series Book 3) Page 20
