At Night's End

by Benham, Tara

  "I'm sorry, I promise you I had no idea he had these, I don't even know where or how he could have gotten them. If you want me to leave, or if you want to press charges on him I will totally understand." Milo had the decency to be ashamed, whether he was truly unaware or just acting.

  "Baxlie please make copies of those photos with the ICN number from his computer, erase them, and contact the police to get a restraining order. Milo for now I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you honestly had no idea that your father had these, so you can stay. Please don't prove me wrong. While these are erasing, let's turn the television on for the late news to see if there's any change in the reports from earlier." Dad turned the TV on just as the pretty blond was starting to talk.

  "Thank you Bob, I'm here still at the CDC in Washington D.C. We were just recently informed that Dr. Victor Dobbins has been working on the antidote for the people who are currently being affected by the mutation of the drugs. He has been working on this new antidote for the past three days, and it looks promising. It was just released that they are now considering the secondary reactions to be an independent and new disease that may be contagious. Insiders say that the test subjects will be getting the antidote within the next two-four days and results will be reported as they come in. If you remember ten years ago, Dr. Dobbins is the man who created the cure for cancer. If anyone can find a cure, it'll be Dobbins and his team. Back to you Bob."

  "Dad? Is that really what you were there for?" I hoped the reporter was right, but was also afraid of the answer that Dad would give.

  "Listen, girls I give you my word that once we get this completed with the computer, and the team is completely gone will have a family meeting, to include Milo, and of course you too Baxlie if you want to stay. Did you all get to download the files on this computer like I asked you to, girls?" Ever and I mumbled that we had and Dad continued.

  "Well that was so I had the research I was doing, and could continue to work on correcting and improving the antidote, but it's not as simple as they're making it sound. These infected people are reacting very different than anything I have ever seen, before I left I had them do MRI's on each of the case studies. I should be getting the results in the next 24 hours. With the results from those and some blood work, I should be able to figure out how to reverse the effects and fight whatever is causing the reaction."

  "The last file was deleted just now, anything further you want me to do?" Baxlie was bouncing with excitement. The adrenaline from knowing he was possibly in on some big secret seemed to thrill him. Baxlie has always been one to seek out adventures, so he would fit right in to the rest of this random assorted group.

  "Do a clean sweep, and shut down both computers. I'm going to go check my email now, and then will head upstairs."

  CHAPTER 11

  We were all perched on the chairs around the table waiting for Dad to start. Darcy and Denver had made sandwiches for everyone while we had been down stairs. Henry, Micah and Master Sergeant Long had moved themselves and Milo back to the guest house, and helped Denver into Darcy’s room upstairs. Henry was sitting on the other side of the table at the end, when he noticed me watching him he flushed a little and winked conspiratorially at me. I still hadn't had the chance to tell Ever, and it was getting late and sleepy so I doubted that I would tell her until the morning. Ever looked at me and smirked a little and whispered "Later” more as a threat than a request. I gave a brief and sleepy nod. Casting my eyes down to my hands to regain my composure I then looked back towards Dad as he started the meeting.

  "For those of you who don't know already, this is Baxlie, he is here in the family meeting because he assisted with deleting some necessary files from Mr. Sallen's computer. He was successful with that, and Milo was successful in helping us switch all the codes on your bracelets, as well the three outside stations and the main station in the house. So now on to what you all have questions about. There's a scientist in DC that came up with a vaccination for rabies ten years ago, and it was decided that it would be mandatory for everyone to receive this vaccination. Everyone was caught up in one year’s time and now only infants and those who move here from other countries still receive the vaccine. Three years ago a new medications was created to help with fighting to eradicate the flu due to a variety of reasons. The first rounds of testing on the animals were successful, but it was not taken into account that it may react to some of the vaccines that humans have been given. The new medication was supposed to immediately cure any new flu viruses with just the one shot or pill. However when they did the final test with human volunteers the reaction was not normal. Apparently the rabies vaccinations left a residual dormant virus in some people. They brought me in to do testing on the original vaccination, to find an antidote as well as to study the cases that were presently affected. I spent my time up there doing what I needed to while in the clinic, but the upcoming weeks and months I will mostly be in my lab trying to come up with a working antidote. Milo will be studying with me, and staying here at the guest house. As for the news casts, I expect everything to be okay after the cure is completed, however because of this news the girls will be getting homeschooled or having their classes transferred to online courses for now so they can have increased training availability as well. Training with the experts will increase to from three hours a day to five on weekdays, and eight hours on weekends. Milo, I will have you meet with each of the experts as they come up and expect you to choose at least one or two that would interest you." Milo nodded but seemed unsure of what kind of training or experts Dad meant.

  "Mr. Dobbins, if my parents agree can I come stay as well. I could help with the technological side, and I could continue with online courses as well. I would really like to be a part of this. You wouldn't have to provide me with any extra training if you didn't want to, but I could be of help." Baxlie was twiddling his thumbs and his leg was bouncing again. I was starting to notice the way his eyes crinkled on the side when he was hoping for a good answer. I felt ashamed that I was taking so much notice to him with Henry right across from me.

  "Yes, you may if you're parents allow it. You can share a room with Milo in the guest house. You will have to have training as well, and can meet each of the instructors. As a matter of fact Henry, Micah and Master Sergeant Long are some of the trainers in various tasks. They live here in the guest house but there are three others that come on a daily or weekly basis to teach other skills. You will meet them starting Monday, as well as the new onsite teacher, Mrs. Martin for Denver, Darcy and Milo. Baxlie please return home and speak to your parents, tell them they can call if they want to talk to me about it, and if they allow it you can move in tomorrow. Be safe going home. By the way this meeting is adjourned." Dad's eyes were weary and red, his fore head was wrinkled, and his shoulders were drooped. I went to him and gave him a big hug.

  "I love you Dad, good night." There was chorus of I love you's from the other girls as well.

  "I love you all too. We'll talk tomorrow about what all happened while I was gone, but I'm sure you are all tired and I'm beat so let's all get to bed." Dad gave each of us girls a kiss on top of our heads and welcomed Denver into the home. She smiled and thanked him for allowing her to move in. She still seemed to be doing well and behaving, but now it seemed weird. I made a mental note to ask Ever what she thought. After her breakdown earlier I thought she might not be ready to dish, plus it was close to four in the morning. I knew that tomorrow would be busy, so I drug myself up the stairs, and didn't even manage to get undressed before falling asleep laying cross ways in the bed. I don't know how long I'd been asleep when I felt someone getting on the bed. Half awake, I turned and saw Ever crawling in beside me. She got under the blankets looked at me apologetically and rolled over to fall asleep.

  The next morning I was up early, looking at the clock I noticed I had only slept about a few hours, but I felt refreshed so I eased out of the bed to keep from waking Ever and headed to shower. The temperature and pressure of
the water felt fabulous. It was helping to take the stress and tension my body had been carrying the last four days. Thoughts were racing through my mind about the possibilities of the disease and how Dad has been acting like it's not that big of a deal. My dad is the most paranoid person I know, so he must either know something that he hasn't told us, or he is acting like it’s okay because it is way worse than he is letting on. Knowing my father I pretty certain it is the latter of the two. Ever interrupted my thoughts knocking on the door hurrying me up, she needed to shower too. I finished washing my hair, and stepped out and into my room so Ever could have her turn. What do you wear when you know that you only being seeing no more than ten people a day, in the middle of the hottest August ever? Well I chose black running shorts and a pink and purple zebra print shirt Ever had insisted I purchase. I was being lazy so I quickly did two French braids in my hair and told Ever I'd see her in the kitchen. I vaguely heard a response but didn't wait for her to say anything else. Darcy and Denver were in the kitchen when I got downstairs.

  "Hey Caidee"

  "Morning McCaid" They both acknowledged me at the same time and fell into a fit of giggles over it. The stress from the past two days seemed to have slipped some from them with sleep.

  "Morning girls." I was glad that Denver came to stay. Ever and I always made sure to include Darcy in our activities, but I'm sure she's much happier to have her own friend with her now. Seeing Denver and hearing her still somewhat obnoxious voice reminded me I needed to ask Ever her opinion on the suddenly sweet Denver that was present these past few days. Standing in front of the refrigerator, staring at fruit versus getting milk for cereal I noticed Denver whisper to Darcy, then they both looked at me and giggled again. I slammed the door and turned quickly, not meaning to lose my temper but I was still tired.

  "What are you laughing about? Please, share."

  "Denver was just saying" more giggles "that it would be interesting if Baxlie does move in and becomes friends with Henry. I mean who would you choose?" I must have blushed because again they started laughing so hard that Denver snorted. The snort perpetuated another fit of giggles, and even made me snicker.

  "Well I can assure you Baxlie is just a friend. He's sweet and super smart, but I'm totally interested in…." Dad walked in so I changed my sentence quickly. "…..having pancakes for breakfast. Dad, girls what do you want breakfast?" I thought I was pretty slick, and Dad didn't let on that he thought anything, even when the giggle monsters at the table lapsed into another cycle of laughing.

  "Pancakes sound wonderful. You make them, and I'll whip up so blueberry topping for them. So tell me how everything was while I was gone?" Dad had already got out the sugar and blueberries and was reaching for a bowl. This morning he had on bright yellow socks, black loafers, green cargo pants that were just short enough to show a stripe of yellow from his socks, and a white button up. My poor handsome father, he was so intelligent but when it came to clothes and what was cool he totally lacked any common sense. Now that I'm older I've started to think that Mom must to have had to lay out clothes for him to wear just so that he would match. Dad has two types of clothes, his business wear which are all very nice suites, and these everyday clothes, which might match if he knew anything about fashion.

  I heard Ever bounding down the steps, just as I was finishing the last batch of pancakes. She looked beautiful this morning, with her hair wet, curly and hanging loose. She had on white and red striped shorts and blue tank. She immediately made herself useful with setting out the plates and cups.

  "Well the fence got placed up, the guys hung out around here, and then you came home. Really that's about it except for specifics, but I can fill you in on those later."

  "Yeah, Mr. Dobbins it was really quite boring until you got here. Mr. Sallen was a creep, but his son and team were nice. We definitely felt safe with Henry, Micah and Master Sergeant Long here, didn't we Ever, McCaid?" A little bit of Denver's annoyingness came back, and the glint in her eyes let me know she may be playing nice for now, but that I needed to keep my guard up. Darcy seemed to notice the change too, and frowned ever so slightly but didn't say anything.

  "I'll address that comment in just a second, but please Denver you may call me Dad or Victor now. Ever, McCaid? Explain please, you know the rules" Dad may have been threatening us further punishment, but there was slight amusement in his eyes. Dad was in his environment here with us at home. He reminded me of the mad scientist most of the time because he rarely combed his hair, or if he did, it ended up crazy anyways, from running his hands through it. Sometimes you'd see pencils behind both ears, and he'd be searching for a pen to write with, and of course the clothes just added to the whole look.

  "We didn't do anything that broke the rules, in the evenings we watched television together. You may ask Master Sergeant Long, he can verify that no rule breaking was done. I'm unsure as to what Denver may be referring to." I gave the same sly smile back to Denver to remind her of her place her in the house. Ever backed up the story as well, because in all honesty we hadn't flat out broken any of the rules that Dad has set up, there are some that are probably implied that we may have broken, but he didn't ask us that. Bringing the pancakes out to the table I noticed Dad had been distracted by an incoming call from his cell phone. From the acknowledgement he made to the person on the other end, I assumed it was Mr. or Mrs. Carter asking for details about Baxlie staying with us. He walked out of the room, motioning for us to start eating. Ever had made quick time with the plates and cups, and was bringing out the juice as I finished with the putting the pancakes on the plates.

  "Well, Baxlie will be joining us, his parents were persuaded to let him come after hearing some speech about being safe, as well as learning new skills and continuing his education." Dad chuckled. "I think that boy could talk a fish into believing he could survive in water." Confusion was the look on our faces to the reference, but none of us questioned the analogy. Dad had several that I pretty sure he was the only person that ever used them. Dad continued telling us that he would be staying in the guest house as well with Milo, Henry, Micah and Master Sergeant Long. I’m thinking that we probably should start referring to it as the men’s house seeing as none of them are really guests anymore. Pulling on my lips, I was focusing on what having Baxlie and Henry in the same house would be like. Just yesterday I had no interest in Baxlie, and I can’t honestly say I still don’t have any interest. However, I am now more aware of him because of Ever’s revelation than I had been.

  "Poor Master Sergeant, I'm sure he would prefer more mature company sometimes." Dad noted, which caused all of us to burst into laughter, and Dad to raise an eyebrow.

  "Dad, I'm not sure you know this, but Master Sergeant Long thoroughly enjoys having fun and playing tricks on those guys, so I'm quite positive he's okay over there. However, if you are implying you need adult time, then why not ask him to move into the room in the basement?" Darcy's eyes twinkled, but there was a note of sadness as well. We all wondered sometimes if Dad yearned for adult companionship and not just teen girls. Dad never lets on that he isn’t anything but happy with us, but I know he would enjoy Master Sergeant Long here to speak with and possible confide in.

  Dad chuckled and there was the familiar twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “I imagine that he would have to have some sense of humor to have a lasted here with the lot of you.” Grabbing his coffee cup, he headed towards the living room still shaking his head.

  We finished eating our breakfast in silence, each of lost in our individual thoughts. I was still pondering what would ensue over the next several days and weeks, when movement from the others around me brought me back. “So what are the plans for the day?” I didn’t directly speak to anyone specifically but was directing the question more towards Denver and Darcy than to Ever.

  “Well, I have to finish putting my things up in the room before I can start anything else.” Denver wasn’t as snarky as she had been when Dad was around, but she was still more snarky th
an she had been the past few days when he was away.

  I still hadn’t addressed Denver’s attitude with anyone, but with her answer I was relieved to at least know I would have a few hours away of free time away from her. Darcy only responded with a half mumble that she’d be helping Denver with her stuff. Denver had moved her room into Darcy’s and so I’m sure they would have a lot of rearranging to do to make it workable for both of them.

  “I’m supposed to be heading down to the lab with Dad.” Ever had plans to help with setting up schedules for the new household. I’m sure there will be other plans for safety added too with the new help that Baxlie will be able to offer.

  “Well then, I guess I will head out and do a perimeter check then come back and start lunch for everyone.”

  “Lunch? We just ate!” Denver’s outburst cause all of us to look at her in confusion before realizing that she was not as familiar with the size of our property as we were. Even when Denver did visit she mainly stayed at the main house and in the cleared area around it. Even as we were about to get fence training before being interrupted she had only seen the area that we had approached. She had not been introduced to the remaining acres that we owned.

  “Denver, it will take until lunch time for Caidee to walk the length of the perimeter. Really, if you’re going to live here with us, you have a lot of learning to do.” Darcy had never spoke up against Denver before. Denver was surprised and Ever and I just shared a sly grin. As I mentally sent Darcy a “way to go!” Denver recovered and shrugged.

  “I guess so.” With that they gathered all of our plates to put away before heading up to their room to get started.