At Night's End

by Benham, Tara

  “This is McCaid, over”

  “Long here, over”

  “Micah check, over”

  “Henry, check”

  “I have spotted each of you. I have yet to find……”

  “McCaid look!” Ever was pointing excitedly towards the bottom screen.

  “Guys, there’s something in sector six. It appears to be a human laying down under the same cedar we had been under, in a fetal position. I can’t tell if it’s an adult, child, male or female.”

  “We’re headed that way now.” Master Sergeant Long was the only one to answer but watching the screens we saw each of them turn and head towards the area we had indicated. I decided while we waited to see and hear something from the guys to tell Ever about the lady in the lab with Dad.

  “Dad wanted me to apologize for asking you not to come to the lab with me. A lady, Calea Andersen is in there with him. At first I thought she might have been a welcomed invite, but now I’m not so sure.” I broke down the events to her, how the lady looked and we discussed possibilities.

  “The CDC probably sent her down to monitor his research. You know Dad likes to work alone that’s probably why he wasn’t so happy when he was whispering to you, but seemed friendly in front of her. He might not wanted to have hurt her feelings.” I just nodded. Dad was definitely a loner, so I’m sure that was all there was to it. I went ahead a told her about the hug from Henry as well. She grinned then lamented how much she wished Micah would do something, anything to verify what she already thought she knew. I reminded her once again, that it was probably just that he hadn’t had alone time with her. The words alone time reminded me that I needed to confront her about the Baxlie situation.

  “Ever, you have to quit pushing Baxlie towards me. He’s really nice, and now that you’ve made me notice, I can see he’s handsome too, but I like Henry. It’s not fair to Baxlie, Henry or myself to be put in uncomfortable situations where feelings have to be brought up so early.” I was chiding her but she was taking it with a grin. “Also, we need to keep our eyes on Milo and Darcy. When we get a chance we need to have a talk to her about being safe and low key. Dad’s kindness might not continue to extend to Milo if he crosses any of the rules.”

  “Yeah, I noticed the looks and quiet touches. Especially after their one on one time in the woods.” Ever still made no apologies or comments about what I had said about Baxlie. I decided to let it drop. I knew if she knew I was serious she would be better. I was still watching the screen as the guys made their way closer to the body we had noticed on the sector six screen. Without sound I couldn’t tell if they were trying to alert the person they were approaching, but I assumed they would so that the person wouldn’t be startled.

  “Look, they’ve reached the person. It looks like a girl. I wonder who she is, and how she got on the property.” Suspicious Ever came back quickly. “I hope they let us into the conference room with her so we can find out everything.”

  “I wouldn’t get my hopes up Ev.” She sighed in resignation but I was with her, I hoped we got to be in there too.

  “McCaid, over.” MSL Long voice was coming out the walkie-talkie again.

  “Here, over.”

  “There is a door on the inside of the closet in the room you are in, it opens into the hallway that leads to the exit. We would rather not bring the child into the main room until we’ve had a chance to speak to her thoroughly.”

  “I am not a child” I heard a yell in the background.

  “Okay sir, over.”

  Ever was already at the closet and was opening the door at the back of the closet by the time I ended communication with Master Sergeant Long. I was continually amazed at all the hidden passageways that Dad had included in the house that I had never even knew. I would have to ask him for a current blue print or map of the house, and soon. I could not be expected to be fully trained and prepared for any upcoming events if I was not in full knowledge of the layout of the house. I heard voices in the hallway indicating that the guys had made it into the house again. I heard scuffles and grumbling and growling as well.

  “Door is open guys.”

  “I ain’t stayin in this house, and I ain’t going home. You can’t make me. Just let me go, I didn’t do nothing wrong. I was just coming to find my brother.” This little girl was wearing boy’s clothes, and had her hair pushed up underneath a hat trying to make herself look like a boy. I was getting ready to make a comment when I noticed Henry had a stone cold look on his face.

  “McCaid, Ever, This is my little sister Sasha. Sasha this is McCaid Dobbins and Ever Clemont.” Henry definitely did not looked pleased at all. She couldn’t have been more than twelve or thirteen. I was looking at her in shock and so was Ever.

  “Did you throw that rock at our friend?” Ever asked.

  “I don’t have to answer you.” She stuck her tongue out at her. Henry knocked her in the back of the head. Not hard enough to hurt her, but enough to get her to stop.

  “You just wait until I get a hold of Mamm and Pap. You are going to get it girl. You can’t just go off running so far off away from home. You could have gotten hurt or killed.” I saw the anger slip from his face and relief that she was okay take its place. There were tears on the little girls face.

  “Sasha, are you okay. Is there a reason you came all this way to see Henry?” I was hoping to sound supportive and not condescending. The tears changed to sobbing.

  “You can’t call them Henry, they’re sick. Thomas died from the same thing. I had to run away to get to you. I was able to ask the people in town where you were staying. I came in the back way, but then some fence or something went up. I heard guys talking. They said no one could enter or leave except through the door. It was locked. I threw the rock ‘cause I got startled. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. Please, please don’t make me leave.” She was heaving and shaking. I had been kneeling beside her and went to wrap my arms around her when Master Sergeant Long stopped me.

  “I’m sorry McCaid, but she said that her family is sick, and one has already died. We need to get her checked out first. Henry, see if the nurse is still in the den. McCaid, please go and get your father.”

  “Yes sir” We both answered at the same time. I stopped Henry right outside of the door for the command room. I wanted to talk to him away from everyone to make sure he was okay. Hearing that his parents were sick, and finding his little sister about a hundred miles from home is big news face.

  “I’m sorry about your parents and your brother.”

  “Thank you. I feel like I should go home and check on them and let them know about Sasha.”

  “If that’s what you feel like you need to do we can talk to Dad about it?”

  “Maybe, I need to make a call first before I do go home.” He excused himself when he found the nurse. He was talking to her adamantly as I assumed he was telling her the story about his little sister and his family. I moved passed him and back to the wall where the intercom was to reach Dad.

  “Dad.”

  “Yes McCaid? What do you need this time?” He sounded more tired than aggravated.

  “Dad I need to speak to you.” I paused remembering Miss Andersen. “In private. Please.”

  “Okay, I’ll meet you in hallway between the lab and dining room.”

  I scanned my bracelet and went into the hallway. I waited for Dad and tried to decide what I was going to say. If it was spreading to people who don’t take vaccination on the regular than it may be more serious than being presented to us as a whole. I hadn’t been able to watch the news for the last twenty four hours so I’m unsure of any improvements with the situation. I was last in my thoughts about what could be done if this starting to spread, when I heard the door to Dad’s lab open. I turned to face him prepared to tell him everything that was happening, when Miss Andersen came out.

  “Miss Andersen can I help you?”

  “Yes, your father said that there was a restroom in the den that would be more….” She look
ed haughty “appropriate for me. Can you tell me where it is?”

  “Through that door and directly across the room.” I pointed to the door that was behind me. Poor Dad, he must not be very happy having to deal with her all this time. “Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to go speak with my dad.” She didn’t even acknowledge me again, but just headed to the door. Oh she’s a fun one. I knocked as I opened the lab door. Dad was sitting at his desk with his head in his hands. He looked exhausted. “Dad?” Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, McCaid I’m just tired. What was so important you needed to see me in private?” His still had his head down and eyes close as I started to speak.

  “The intruder was a little girl. She’s Henry’s little sister, Sasha. She came all the way here from western Kentucky to find him. She said her brother Thomas had died and that he mother and father were sick. Dad I know that people can get sick every day, but what if it’s the same thing? Henry once told me that the Amish don’t believe in vaccinations. If that’s true and they have the same thing, it means that this thing is contagious.” I could hear the hysteria in my voice and took a deep breath to try to calm down. I was on the third count when I looked at Dad. He was looking at me and his was white as a ghost. I gasped and knew without him having said anything that whatever it was it was spreading. “Dad the nurse was still here, she was going to check out Sasha.”

  “Caid, please send Henry and Sasha both in please. Tell Long that he will need to activate code 723 immediately..”

  “Dad…”

  “McCaid please, go do as I ask. All I will say is that what we do not know yet if it is contagious, but it’s looking like it is. It hasn’t been released to public yet. What has been released isn’t necessarily true either, although I think they believe it is true, but the ones in quarantine are not improving. They show initial improvement, but then rapid decrease in health has been noted. I can’t tell you anything else. Do whatever Master Sergeant Long instructs without questions. After I speak with Henry and Sasha, I will go into lock down you will not contact me further, no matter what. You know what you need to do.” Before he could excuse me I made him give me a complete map of the house and land, including the new property, or properties so it seems. I needed to have knowledge of everything if I was going to be prepared to my fullest. I ran over to him, gave him a hug and left to send Sasha and Henry in to speak to Dad. After sending them to Dad, I grabbed Ever and pulled her into the command room where Master Sergeant Long was standing watching the screens in deep thought.

  Chapter 17

  Code 723 had been initiated for the past three weeks. Complete lock down no one comes in no one leaves our property. The nurse and Denver’s dad both left understanding they would not be allowed back in for an unforeseeable future. Sasha had checked out fine and healthy and was allowed to stay. Henry called a family friend who passed it on to his parents that Sasha was okay, and then a few days later the family friend called to tell him they had passed on. I tried to console them both, but Ever said it would probably be best to give them a time alone to weep and mourn. We had been having daily meetings with Master Sergeant Long in the command room since the lock down began. Suspiciously there had been no more news reports since the director of the CDC gave his report weeks ago. We had decided that we would do some test training to help improve the skills of us who had been getting training from the beginning as well as to start the training for the others. Micah agreed to do a three day course on medical safety and training, as well as emergency management course with Master Sergeant Long. Henry and Sasha were going to teach living off the land courses for gathering food, wood and starting fires once they were ready. Ever and I were going to teach mixed martial arts to everyone. Baxlie and Denver, who ended up actually being a decent cook, were going to teach basic cooking skills both indoors and on an open fire. Milo was in charge of monitoring the fences when not in class, and Darcy was going to set up a schedule for school work in between the training course. Dad and Miss Andersen never came out of the lab, and never contacted us for anything. Occasionally I could hear movement down the den area which I assumed was Miss Andersen using the “more appropriate” bathroom, but other than that they were secluded from us. School, training and waiting was the only thing that was on the schedule for a while.

  Today was the first day that I had had a break. I was laying outside on the back porch on a lawn chair with my eyes closes trying to cherish the last of the summer days for as long as I could. The skies were very clear and blue today, the sun was nice and warm, and there was a slight summer breeze. With my eyes closed, I could almost pretend that this was just another normal day. I had almost made myself believe it too, when someone walked up and blocked my sun. I shielded my eyes and saw Sasha standing above me. She still wore a bonnet that she had packed, but we had convinced her to wear one of Darcy’s old dresses.

  “Sasha, good afternoon, are you okay?”

  “Yah, I guess I’m better. Why are you sitting in the sun McCaid?” Her accent was stronger than Henry but I could still understand her. She broke out into Amish-Dutch sometimes when she was excited, and Henry had to remind her to speak English for the rest of us. She would giggle, but then would remember she was supposed to be in mourning and would quite down again.

  “I’m trying to relax. How can I help you Sasha?”

  “Henry is my guardian now. He said I could continue to practice the Amish ways while I lived here, or I could try to live English. It is up to me. I was wondering if I could try some pants and a long sleeved shirt of Darcy’s.” She looked sheepish, but excited.

  “Sure. What about your hair? Are you going to continue to wear your bonnet, or wear it down? I can braid it for you if you like.”

  “I would like a braid if that is okay.”

  “Sounds good, lets head into the house and get the clothes.” She nodded and waited as I gathered all of my stuff. Yesterday was the first day that both she and Henry had decided to participate in the meetings and with socializing with the rest of us. I hadn’t had a chance to speak with him yet, and when I looked at him during the last meeting he gave a sad smile but looked away quickly. I knew he was mourning, but I still had a bad feeling that whatever Dad had said to him had a lot to do with his isolation as well.

  “Stay tuned, coming up next another announcement from the Director of the CDC will be given in DC in fifteen minutes.”

  “Sasha, please run back to the guest house and grab everyone in there and bring them here to the main house. Quickly.” There was fear in her eyes, but she headed right back out the door and to the guest house. I hit the intercom in the living room and made an announcement. I knew Dad would hear it as well, but wouldn’t necessarily respond. “Guys, there’s about to be an announcement on the news in fifteen minutes about the outbreak. Please come to the living room immediately so we can watch as a group. Thank you.”

  Master Sergeant Long was the first to make it to the living room, he must have been close when I made the announcement because I had barely turned back to the television when he showed up. I told him what the news anchor had just stated.

  “Hopefully it will be good news if the Director is speaking again.”

  “I agree Master Sergeant.”

  “McCaid, call me Johnnie please. We may be working with each other for a while, and Master Sergeant is very formal.”

  “Yes master…. Johnnie.” He gave a quick flash of a grin and nodded that we should sit and wait for everyone else. The girls and Ever were the next to come into the room. They all piled onto the couch with me. It was another ten minutes before the guys and Sasha made it back to the house. The guys scattered around to the remaining seats, but Sasha asked to squeeze in between me and Ever.

  “Good Evening and welcome to the six o’clock news. We are going straight to Ann who is at the CDC waiting for the next speech from the Director. Ann.”

  “Thank you Bob. We are all waiting to hear what this new development could be. Here he is now. ‘Good e
vening and thank you all for coming. Unfortunately I called this meeting to let it be known that we are now insisting on Martial Law for the whole of the United States. All borders will be shut immediately, no one will enter or leave until this epidemic has been eradicated. There will now be a curfew from eight thirty at night until eight thirty in the morning. Work schedules will be adjusted as necessary. Anyone found out past these hours no matter the reason will be arrested upon sight. This mutation has created a new disease that has mixed both rabies and influenza together. This new strain is fast learning and so far all attempts of antidotes have been unsuccessful. You must seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: coughing up blood, bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose or any other orifice that isn’t natural, extreme thirst or hunger, fatigue, or fever. Martial Law starts as of now. We will hear from the President of the United States at eight o’clock with the specific rules of the Martial Law. Good evening and have a God bless you all.” Back to you Bob.”

  “Please stay tuned to the eight o’clock news”

  There was absolute silence in the living room. You couldn’t even hear the breathing of the person sitting immediately beside you. I was frozen in my place I couldn’t move to say anything. I was still trying to process everything I had just heard. Martial Law was serious. More serious that most in the room, including myself could grasp. I was still thinking about everything when I felt Sasha’s shoulders heave and a loud sob escape. I threw my arms around her and wrapped her in a deep hug.

  “Oh, Sasha. It’ll be ok. I promise. We have everything we could possibly need right here within the fence. Speaking of the fence, Johnnie, please immediately go and start it up. Thank you.”