Pine Bluffs, Wyoming
“Hi, Travis, thanks for stopping by,” Cassidy said, fully opening the door to the small house she had called home since her arrival there.
He smiled and replied, “Hi, you look happier.”
“Please come in,” she said, motioning with her arm for him to come in.
He crossed the threshold and stood uncomfortably in the vestibule. He had thought long and hard about what he’d say and do during this meeting. He had resolved to do whatever she wanted without argument.
“A drink?” she offered.
“Sure.”
“I made some vodka martinis; thank God olives don’t spoil too easily. I made it a bit dirty; I remember you like it that way.”
“Good memory,” he said and happily took the drink from her.
Since Cassidy’s arrival in Pine Bluffs, she knew Travis more than anyone. He had made himself available and was present for anything she ever needed. She appreciated this and had come to trust him, so what she was about to tell him came hard, but she found it necessary for both of them.
“I also have some snacks, Betty the baker—I love that name—makes some of the best baguettes I’ve ever had. Maybe my memory’s gone bad, but I swear they’re the best. If you drizzle some raw honey on them, even better,” she said with a sweet but nervous smile.
Travis hadn’t seen her like this before. Yes, he had encountered a gentle and nice side of her, but this was different. She was going out of her way to make him feel special, almost as if this was a date of some kind.
“Thanks, looks good,” he said, taking a slice of bread with honey.
She settled into her chair and looked at Travis fondly.
He returned her pleasant gaze and said, “Um, I have to say this is very nice, but I sense something is up.”
“Before I tell you what’s on my mind, I wanted to tell you how grateful I am. I cannot thank you enough. You saved my life and ever since day one have been helping me. I wouldn’t be here without you, and for that I’m eternally grateful.”
“So here comes the but.”
She looked down and said, “But…I need to go and I don’t think it’s the best idea you come with me. I know you said you want to go find your fiancée and that’s great, but I have a long journey ahead of me, and I need to do it without distraction or diversion.”
“So you don’t want me to come along because I’m looking for my fiancée too?”
“Are you really going to look for your fiancée, or are you just trying to find something to do?”
“Can’t I do both?”
“I can’t help but think that you might think there’s something that might happen between us.”
“You mean romantically?”
“Travis, please don’t get upset. I am truly grateful to you, but the magistrate talked to me. He told me all about Lori.”
Hearing this, Travis hung his head and mumbled something unintelligible.
“I know you loved her. I don’t know what you think you’ll accomplish by coming with me. I can take care of myself and—”
“You need me. It’s a dangerous world out there and you haven’t seen it. I have.”
“I won’t be going alone; the magistrate has offered me a vehicle and several armed and capable men. He called it a thank you present.”
Shaking his head, Travis blurted out, “He backdoored me.”
“No, he didn’t. I had already made up my mind earlier. I need to go find Devin and, like I said, without distractions or diversions. If you want to go find Tess, then go; do what you need to do.”
A feeling like someone had dug out his heart hit him. He didn’t love her nor did he have romantic feelings for her. He just looked at her as someone fragile and alone. He had been trained to protect and that’s just what he not only wanted to do but needed to.
“Travis, look at me,” she said.
He lifted his head and asked, “What?”
“I’ll be fine and so will you.”
His hand was shaking when he lifted the full glass, spilling some martini on his pants. “Damn.”
“Let me get you a napkin.”
“No, just stay seated.”
She did as he said and sadly looked at him.
Emotions rose in him and his lips trembled. “I loved Lori, but I couldn’t save her. I look at you and see someone I might be able to save. I lost Tess months ago, and then lost Lori. You came into my life the same day I lost her. I felt that God must have put you there so I could get it right.”
She walked over to him and took his hand.
“I understand, but I need to go find Devin and you need to go find Tess or whatever you need to do. I’m not your responsibility, and I don’t mean that in a way to make light of your commitment to me.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, I’m just disappointed, but I’ll be okay. I’ll be honest, I just feel lost and alone.”
“So do I, but I just know your destiny is not with me. I have a long journey ahead and I hope at the end of it, I’ll find Devin. I won’t stop until I do. That could take years, you know that.”
“I know.”
They enjoyed a few more drinks and finished off the bread and honey. When the evening came to a close, Travis felt sad because he knew he’d never see her again and because he didn’t know what to do with himself.
She embraced him tightly and said, “Thank you, Travis, I’ll never forget you.”
“Goodbye, Cassidy.”
He exited into the darkness of the night. Cassidy had made up her mind; she was going it alone. Not the type of man who aimlessly wandered, he needed to find another purpose, and what that was still eluded him, but he’d find it.
Day 236
May 24, 2015
Charleston, South Carolina
“No, Tess!”
Devin woke suddenly, sweat glistening on his forehead and arms. A yellow glow from the fluorescent floodlights cut through slits in the tent flaps and hit his cot. Unable to fall back to sleep, he lay there listening to every noise with suspicion that one creak or footfall would be someone coming to slice his throat. To make matters worse for anyone who could sleep were the screams of pain and despair coming from the captives. He had survived the day; he just needed to continue that streak. More cries of pain echoed. He wondered who they were or what their lives were before the Death had come. Selfishly he was happy it wasn’t him crying out, begging for mercy. Their screams began to turn his stomach; he knew some came from children. Just a couple weeks ago he and Tess had first journeyed there to rescue the teenage siblings of the little kids. That mission had ended in utter failure. Now his second incursion into Renfield’s domain had resulted in another failure and this one was almost fatal. When his mind wasn’t listening to the countless sounds around him, he took advantage of the time to formulate an escape plan. Any idea of just making a run for it was dashed when Renfield ordered a man to accompany Devin at all times.
Charlie Grimes was the man given the job of being Devin’s babysitter. He was short and stocky with huge muscular arms. Charlie made it known the second he and Devin were alone together that he resented having to watch over him, but it was standard operating procedure to closely watch all new recruits until they proved their loyalty.
Not knowing what this meant, Devin asked.
Charlie’s response was simply, “You’ll see.”
This also plagued Devin as he lay there, eyes staring into the blackness of the room he now called home. What would the test be? Would he have to murder someone? He knew that when it came time to take that test, he just might fail.
As the early morning hours crept towards dawn, the screams and anguish of the tortured souls died down. When the sun finally made its appearance, all he could hear was casual talking and snoring from the various tents and makeshift structures used as barracks.
He swung his legs off the cot and stood up.
“Where ya goin
g?” Charlie asked.
“You’re awake?”
“No, I just sleep light. Now, where ya going?”
“I have to take a piss.”
Charlie tossed off the thin blanket and got up.
“You don’t have to go with me; I’m not going anywhere. I want to be here,” Devin said in an attempt to appease him.
“Regardless, my one and only job is to keep an eye on you.”
“Charlie, seriously, I’m just going to the latrine.”
“Then I’m going too.”
“Fine,” Devin said and exited the barracks. Outside the scene was tame as opposed to yesterday afternoon. His makeshift barracks was one of a dozen constructed from two-by-fours and plywood. They were built in a row near the main entrance of the shipyard; behind the barracks were ten old military GP or general purpose tents, also used for barracks. At the far end of his row of wooden barracks sat a latrine. It serviced both rows of barracks and was one of the most disgusting places he’d ever been in. At one end of the building stood eight toilets; they were nothing more than five-gallon buckets with toilet seats on top. The showers were at the opposite end, again nothing glamorous. Two-inch PVC pipes were fastened to three of the walls and had holes poked in them. From some of the grumbling, it sounded as if the water wasn’t even hot. He couldn’t decide what was worse, five-gallon buckets for toilets or cold showers.
Charlie did exactly as promised and followed Devin all the way to the bathroom, even watching him urinate.
“Are you going to watch me go poop too?” Devin joked.
“Yeah, I was given an order and one thing you’d be wise to keep in mind is that if you defy an order, it could mean death. Now you don’t want your little pecker burned up, do ya?”
Devin thought that was not a good outcome, so he would do what he was told without question.
He finished and they both walked back. Devin couldn’t resist, so he asked more questions. “How long you been with Captain Renfield?”
“About three months.”
“Where are you from?”
“St. Augustine, Florida. They picked me up during a raid.”
This got Devin’s attention. “So you were in my shoes before?”
“Yeah, now can you shut up? Your questions are hurting my head.”
Their arrival back at the barracks was timely. The first mate, Silas, was there. “Mr. Chase, the man I came to see.”
Hearing this made Devin almost faint. Had he been found out?
“The captain wants to test your loyalty early. You’ve been chosen to go on a reconnaissance party. Lucky for you it’s close by.”
“Am I to go too, sir?” Charlie asked.
“Have you been tasked with watching his every step?” Silas asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Then you know the damn answer, son. Get your gear and meet at the motor pool in an hour.”
“Where are we going?” Charlie asked.
“You’ll find out, just make sure you and your butt buddy here have your gear, no weapons just yet, though.”
“Yes, sir,” Charlie replied.
Silas marched off.
“Where do you suppose we’re headed?” Devin asked.
“Don’t worry about it. Just follow me, keep your fucking mouth shut and do what you’re told.”
Devin nervously followed Charlie to the staging area. There he found another ten men, all armed with personal packs at their feet. Just behind them were three trucks.
“Toss your shit in the red truck,” a large man with a long thick beard ordered.
They did as he said and quickly reassembled to hear the details of their mission..
“We received some credible information about where the people who attacked us a couple weeks back came from,” the man said in his scratchy voice. “Our job is to close in and get eyes on them. We’ll see what we’re up against, and if it looks feasible, we’ll attack them, kill the men and take the women and children.”
The men in the group began to get excited at the prospect of fresh meat.
Hearing this, Devin knew he’d be tested and it wouldn’t be easy. Taking advantage of his proximity to the front gate, he counted the men; there were double what he and Tess had counted before. It was obvious that they had beefed up their security following their attack. He then began to wonder if the hole in the fence to the south was still there. He figured they’d found it and fixed it, but it was worth trying to find out.
“Pay attention,” Charlie barked and then smacked him on the back of the head.
“Sorry, I didn’t get much sleep.”
“I’m sorry, do you ladies need some private time?” the large man asked.
“No, sir,” Charlie replied.
“I’m not an officer, just call me Poppy.”
Charlie talked a big game to Devin, but the way he’d been treated by everyone else, Devin could tell he was very low on the totem pole.
“You two, you’ll ride with me. The rest of you divide up between the other two trucks. We leave now.”
Devin went to get in the cab of the truck but was stopped when Poppy yelled, “No way, in the bed.”
Nodding, Devin climbed into the bed and sat down.
Charlie was allowed in the cab.
Seconds later the truck sped off and out the main gate.
Poppy drove fast down the abandoned and dead roads of Charleston. Occasionally, Devin would see a person or small group wandering around. Their tattered clothes clung to their thin frames as they scurried like rats to hide upon hearing the vehicles. The Death had killed over ninety percent of the population, leaving vast amounts of food for the remaining, but those surpluses were dwindling, forcing many to scavenge. With marauders and pirates like Renfield’s men, the risks of venturing out became high, but people needed to eat.
Poppy made a hard left and entered a large upscale residential subdivision. The windy narrow streets were littered with leaves, debris and garbage.
Devin didn’t know how much longer they’d be driving but deep down hoped it would take hours more. Horrific images flashed through his mind as he thought about what they were going to force him to do. He hoped he could do it, but then again it really depended on what it was. His mind then raced to Brianna and the children. He prayed they were safe, but regret filled him when Tess’ voice shouted in his head not to leave the children alone. He had violated his promise to her, and if he were to ever find her, he was willing to deal with her wrath as long as they returned to find everyone safe in North Carolina.
The truck suddenly and without notice screeched to a stop with the two follow-on vehicles pulling to either side of the street in a tactical maneuver they had been taught.
Devin craned his head around the cab and saw they had left the community. The road narrowed and continued straight into a large grove of thick trees. He didn’t see any houses or other improvements, but in the far distance a glimmer caught his eye. They must be close, why else stop, he thought.
The radio crackled as Poppy gave the other vehicles instructions. Both those trucks pulled forward and into the tree line, one truck going left, the other right.
Poppy now pulled forward, following the truck to the left, but stopped twenty feet before entering the woods. He swung the truck around and backed it into a large space between two large oaks and turned the truck off. He immediately jumped out and barked, “Dumb ass in the back, get out and start gathering branches.”
Devin did as he asked, knowing what he was trying to accomplish.
Within ten minutes Devin and Charlie had cut down enough live branches to camouflage the deep red truck.
“Charlie, you’re staying here to watch our back. Here’s a radio. Call us if anyone—and I mean anyone, even a fucking two-year-old—starts coming.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Dumb ass, you’re coming with me,” Poppy snapped and began to hike further into the thick woods.
Devin jogged up beside him and asked, “How fa
r?”
“Just up there.”
They approached the other truck and stopped.
“Gather around,” Poppy ordered.
They did as he said, some pushing Devin around in a blatant display of disrespect. Devin thought his treatment was similar to the hazing he’d received during his first year in his college fraternity. The obvious difference was if he stepped out of line here, it would be fatal.
“You stay here.” He pointed to one man. “Guard the truck and be available to back up Charlie near the road. The rest of us will go to the edge up there,” he said, pointing further ahead.
Devin could see the trees open up two hundred yards to the south of them.
“Once we get there, lay low and crawl up and, for fuck’s sake, don’t talk loud or stand up. The old man told us they have a perimeter that’s guarded.”
“Where’s the old man? Why didn’t he come with us?” one man asked.
“Don’t worry about it. He’s provided good info before, so no reason to doubt him.” Poppy sneered. He spat chewing tobacco juice on the leaves and continued, “Our job today is just to get information. If we think we can engage, I have the prerogative, but I don’t see that happening today. Now does everyone understand?”
Everyone nodded.
“Let’s go,” Poppy ordered and began to march off.
Quietly and slowly they crawled up to the edge of the trees. Doing as they had been told, no one broke the invisible line that was the edge of the forest.
Taking cover behind a large oak tree, Devin peered out. He wasn’t expecting to see what he saw, but then again, he didn’t know just what he should have expected. Fifty yards away a shallow and narrow waterway ran east to west. On the south side of the inlet sat a long and fairly wide wetlands; just past that was land with houses and improvements. Just with the naked eye Devin knew it was an island because he could see the Atlantic Ocean just beyond it and the wetlands and river appeared to surround it on three sides. The houses and other structures dotted the island as far as he could see, running east to west with large stretches of open space in what Devin guessed were overgrown fairways for a golf course. A single bridge spanned the river and connected to a causeway. A fortified barricade manned by a few men sat directly in the middle of the bridge.
The Death: Extinction Page 4
