The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “But there’s nothing on that list, Danny,” Elliott said. “Really, it’s not even three full days. How much can end up on that list?”

  “This is Beginnings,” Danny replied. “Anything is possible and now, thanks to you, we will have a first on that list.”

  “What did I do?” Elliott asked. “I merely allowed a shop owner to go home for the day.”

  Henry spoke, “We needed in. We needed something for bribery.”

  “Bribery?” Elliott asked. “Whom are you bribing?”

  Danny replied, “The guard at Texas Town.”

  Elliott lifted his hand. “I am lost. Why are you bribing the guard?”

  “To let us in,” Danny said. “It seems Texas Town has closed shop. Shut down. No one gets in. No one gets out. We received a simple radio call wishing us luck in our endeavors and they will be out of contact until the danger passes.”

  Henry added, “So they locked their gates and are now canning.”

  “Canning?” Elliott nearly choked. “They shut down to can?”

  “And to dig in,” Danny said. “It seems their leader, Mr. Biggles, says his town is in a state of panic and he needs to assure them they will be safe when the extinction level meteor occurs.”

  Elliott closed his eyes. “Frank. Did you tell …?”

  Danny interrupted, “That was my first thought. So being the reasonable guy that I am, I assured them the meteor fear Frank has so wonderfully instilled in our town was a simple misunderstanding derived when Frank was excited about the arrival of the Meteor movie from a run.”

  “I’m taking it they didn’t buy that?” Elliott questioned.

  Henry shook his head. “Biggles told me he knows the Frank meteor was a false alarm but now, Frank is their God. Their psychic source, so to speak, because …” Henry exhaled. “They claim to have an astronomer among them with a telescope who has spotted a large meteor headed directly our way.”

  Danny rambled, “So if by some slim chance this is true, not only will I have to write down that Texas Town shut their gates, but also that devastating meteor is due to impact earth in …” He looked at Henry. “What time frame did they give?”

  Henry answered, “Three weeks.”

  “Should we believe this?” Elliott asked.

  Danny shrugged. “I don’t know. We can’t dismiss it, can we? But we can’t do anything until we get into the gates of Texas Town. And we can’t get through the gates until we get a bribe for the guard.”

  Elliott snickered. “Gentlemen, have you tried just going there?”

  Danny rolled his eyes. “Of course, Elliott. How else do you think we came up with the bribe idea? We went and couldn’t get through. The guard said if we brought him one of those Hawaiian shirts Ben makes, he’d sneak us in.”

  “Your authority didn’t wash?” Elliott inquired.

  “Nope,” Danny answered. “It didn’t mean thing. They did say if Joe or any other Slagel showed up, they’d let them in. Back to square one. I really don’t want to put anything on the list.”

  With a thinking, ‘hmm’, Elliott nodded. “Too bad they don’t know about Jimmy’s return.”

  “They do,” Danny said. “Everyone knows. They keep asking about the party.”

  “Danny.” Elliott nearly stomped. “I thought I told you it was to be kept a secret until Joe knew.”

  Danny smiled. “Uh, Elliott, aside from the fact that this is Beginnings, it’s been eight hours. I’m sure Joe knows.”

  “True.” Elliott paused. “Okay, tell you what. Go home or have a drink here. We’ll take care of this tomorrow. That still gives us time to keep it from the Joe List.”

  Henry had to ask, “How?”

  “First I need to get Jason to go with me,” Elliott said. “He’s a scientist. Perhaps he’ll have an opinion on this meteor situation.”

  Henry ridiculed facially, “That still won’t get us through the gate.”

  “You said bring a Slagel. We’ll bring Jimmy,” Elliott stated.

  “Jimmy’s not here,” Danny said.

  “How do they know that?” Elliott tilted his head. “No one has seen Jimmy, so how will they even know if it isn’t him.”

  Danny glowed, “Man, Elliott, good thinking.” He gave a swat to Elliott’s arm. “Bright and early tomorrow though, okay? I want to nip this in the bud before it gets too far.”

  “Absolutely. I’ll find our Jimmy tonight. They’ve not interacted with many of us so that will be easy.” Elliott extended his hand and shook with Henry and Danny. “Get some rest. Good evening, gentlemen.” Smiling, Elliott turned. He paused slightly, when he heard Henry whispering, ‘I still say we break into the shop’. The criminal comment caused Elliott to pause slightly but with a shake of his head, he dismissed it and moved on.

  ***

  Andrea had baked a pie, actually three of them, and a batch of brownies so her family could enjoy dessert while they vacationed. She even made some Humble Bread that Joe wanted to save, especially since Jimmy arrived back.

  At that moment, digging into apple pie, Joe basked not only in his baked goods but in the arrival and presence of his second oldest son. Of course, Jimmy also seemed to be enjoying that pie while he talked away as they all sat in a circle.

  Wiping his mouth, Jimmy set down his empty plate, “But that was early on, before we removed the weeds from St. Augustine. I never really thought we’d get that place in shape. We did but that was after evading inspections for months. I really didn’t want anyone to know we worried about getting tan.” Jimmy exhaled. “When Jess arrived …”

  Frank’s slight huff interrupted Jimmy and all eyes were suddenly staring at Frank.

  Joe asked, “Is there a problem, Frank?”

  “No,” Frank replied like a dejected kid. “Well, yeah.”

  “What is it?” Joe questioned.

  “Okay. Well, not to be rude…”

  Everyone moaned.

  “Shut up!” Frank barked. “Since we cleared the bodies and cleaned up, we’ve done nothing but listen to Jimmy talk. Not that he’s all that boring, but you won’t let us talk, Dad.”

  “Father, may I?” Hal requested. “Frank, we’ve missed Jimmy. We’ve all listened to you talk.”

  “Yeah, but Jimmy hasn’t,” Frank said. “Really, think about this. We haven’t seen Jimmy in eight years. It’s only been like a year since Jimmy saw us.” Frank fluttered his lips. “Fuck, he went longer than that without seeing us when he did that sub tour in the Persian Gulf.”

  Brightly, Robbie looked up. “Dad, he has a point.”

  Hal nodded. “I didn’t look at it that way.”

  Ellen added, “I think Frank’s right.”

  “Hey,” Jimmy defended. “Am I that dull?”

  Joe hem-hawed with a tilt of his head, “No, not that dull but things on this end of the country have been a bit more exciting when it comes to the Society.”

  Jimmy gasped in offense. “So should I take it …”

  “Oh!” Frank excitedly spoke, “Like when the warehouse exploded and Robbie lost his arm.” Frank nodded. “That was exciting.”

  Hal intervened, “Let’s not forget when they had you, Frank.”

  Frank pointed. “And the train rescue you pulled off. Speaking of rescue … what about Robbie’s one arm rescue out of the helicopter last month?”

  Hal chuckled in enjoyment. “He used his feet to maneuver the M-16.”

  “Fuckin’ beautiful. That was beautiful, Robbie.” Frank reached behind Ellen to give Robbie a pat on his back.

  “Thanks.” Robbie tilted his head in bashfulness. “Nothing beats you and the killer babies.”

  “Thanks.” Frank smiled. “But I think Hal get honors with his killer sword. Man, he decapitated a Savage with skill.”

  Hal blushed. “Frank, how about …the bear?”

  Robbie and Frank started laughed.

  Frank caught his breath. “We all tried to take him.”

  Robbie added, “Hal tried to pull a to
p rope maneuver…”

  “Please,” Hal snickered. “You tried to clothesline him.”

  “But …” Robbie lifted a finger. “That wasn’t as bad as Frank trying to get him in a sleeper hold.”

  Hal laughed loudly. “I forgot that. Oh my God. No matter how many times we hit that grizzly …”

  Robbie continued, “We’d get slammed.”

  Frank added. “Tossed, beaten.”

  Hal sighed out after a laugh breath, “But it took Dad to say …”

  “Enough,” Joe said. “I couldn’t believe you three idiots were wrestling with a fourteen foot grizzly bear.” He shook his head. “That’s why I shot him but not one of you noticed.”

  Robbie squealed out a laugh. “Frank yelled out …”

  Hal imitated Frank, “He’s weakened. Get him!”

  “Hey,” Frank defended. “He was.”

  Ellen watched Jimmy toss and turn his head from left to right to listen to the ping-ponging story. When she made eye contact with him, she smiled gently. “Don’t worry. I wasn’t there either.”

  Joe exhaled in a satisfied manner as he stood, and made his way to the coffee pot. “I have to say, and I hate being biased, but the best I have seen yet was when Frank beat God.” He returned to his seat. “That was a moment.”

  Hal looked peaceful. “Worrisome, but great. I’ll agree.”

  Robbie snapped his fingers. “Hey, Frank. Whatever happened to the shock balls?”

  Frank winked “I have them. Don’t worry.”

  “Hold it.” Jimmy held up his hand. “Frank beat … God? Now I am really lost.”

  Joe tried to explain, “Well not really God. His name is Creed. He just calls himself God.”

  Hal furthered the story. “He lives in LA. We discovered him and his people when they kidnapped Robbie and Ellen.”

  Robbie corrected, “Not really. Chris discovered us then they kidnapped El and me. We just didn’t know the extent of their civilization.”

  “Mutants.” Frank shook his head. “Fuckin mutants. Most of them don’t have skin.”

  Ellen added, “But Creed is hot. He has skin.”

  Frank scoffed, “He’s the only one. Jimmy, some of them are even … invisible.”

  Everyone blasted out, “What?”

  “Yeah,” Frank argued. “Invisible.”

  Irritated, Hal argued, “Frank, please. They aren’t invisible.”

  “Yes, they are,” Frank said. “Have you seen Christopher lately?”

  “Well no …”

  “There ya go. He’s invisible.” Frank nodded.

  “Hey.” Joe smiled out the word. “I got an idea. Jimmy, I’m gonna guess that right now your head is spinning.”

  “Actually, yes,” Jimmy replied.

  “Well, then.” Joe clapped his hand together once. “Let’s clue Jimmy in on some of the things he’s missed. Since we’re sitting in a circle, why don’t we do it this way? Skipping over Jimmy, of course, each of us has to tell him something he missed about the person to our right.”

  Immediately, Robbie stood up.

  Joe glared at him. “What are you doing?”

  “Moving.” Robbie went over and sat next to Frank.

  Ellen gasped, “Oh great. Make me tell a Joe story.”

  Frank shook his head, walked over, and sat down in Robbie’s original seat, “I’ll tell a story about Dad.”

  Joe chuckled, “This ought to be good.”

  Hal stared at Frank. “Tact please, Frank.”

  Frank gave a thumbs up. “Tact.”

  “I mean it, Frank,” Hal warned. “Tact.”

  Frank scoffed. “Hal, please, I have tact.”

  Jimmy shuffled with excitement, “This is gonna be great. No one has changed.”

  “Especially Dad.” Frank pointed backwards toward Joe. “Check this out. He’s still giving us new moms. Number thirty or something like that.”

  “What!” Joe blasted.

  Hal shook his head. “Nine.”

  “Nine!” Joe yelled. “What in Christ’s name is wrong with you?”

  “No, guys, Dad’s right,” Robbie said. “I think it’s ten.”

  “No,” Ellen argued. “Isn’t it in the teens?”

  Frank scoffed. “El, please. Teens?”

  “Hey!” Joe barked. “I have not been married ten goddamn times.”

  “Then am I right?” Frank asked.

  “No!”

  “Hal?” Frank quizzed.

  “No.” Joe reached over and shut off Frank’s mouth with his hand. “Ellen isn’t right either. I have not been married that much. It’s six or seven …” Joe paused. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter. The count started over after the world ended. So there.”

  Jimmy’s head lowered as he smiled and listened as the bickering continued. He supposed they would eventually get to the story telling but it didn’t matter. He enjoyed listening nonetheless. They were his family and like he had just previously spoken, despite how much they would argue, none of them had changed. Not one bit. For that, Jimmy felt extremely gratified.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  There really was a reason that brought Dean there. He needed to see. He just finished an endeavor that lay heavily on his mind so perhaps Dean sought approval, if approval was the right word.

  Ironically, in doing so, Dean was forced to take a look at himself as he looked through the glass window into the nursery. The hall was light and Dean’s own reflection came back at him as he stopped en route home to see the new child Andrea had delivered not an hour earlier.

  There were two infants in the nursery. Looking at them and still seeing his reflection, Dean chuckled at the thought of how he looked like some sort of spirit lingering over their cradles.

  The watchful eye.

  Like God.

  Not that Dean likened himself to God, but the thought made him think about something he hadn’t in a very long time. God.

  Ellen was the first to step to the name calling podium when it came to Dean’s spirituality. She referred to him as an atheist. Dean argued that. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in God. He just wasn’t quite sure what God was. A higher power? Absolutely. The prototype for man’s image? That was one thing Dean doubted. To Dean, man could not have been made in God’s image. If that were the case then God certainly couldn’t have looked like the silvery hair, holy Charlton Heston image that everyone art depicted him. He had to have resembled Cro-Magnon man. After all, that was the earliest of men and there were bones and skeletons to prove that.

  God the Neanderthal?

  God was something, an essence, a spirit, alien being that was experimenting one day with a small uninhabited planet. It didn’t matter. The essence of God brought forth faith and good in more people than not.

  Whenever Dean found himself doubting even slightly the existence of God, all he had to do was look at a newborn baby. No matter how many births Dean witnessed, each one was more a miracle than the one before.

  As a scientist, it amazed Dean how a single cell could generate the complexity of the human body. Not only that, but a tiny replica of an adult in a body that grew and formed constantly.

  In no way could science recreate what nature or God created, not on its own. Cloning, a viable means of replicating a life form isn’t possible without a strand of DNA. DNA must come from the body that nature created then that clone creation has to grow in nature’s creation as well. To Dean’s knowledge, no one in the scientific community of the old world had achieved the ability to synthetically create DNA and cells to make a walking, talking human being.

  Nature or God has a hand in every scientific endeavor, no matter what way one thinks about it.

  But what was happening to nature? Why wasn’t God lending a hand in repopulating a dead world? Two children. At the rate of reproduction, if things did not pick up, Dean could very easily see man facing his extinction. Standing, staring, and watching the two infants, Dean found himself questioning the rights and wrongs of science steppi
ng in and giving nature a hand. In the old world, people didn’t embrace it. They feared it and believed it morally wrong. Was it? Or was it God himself that gave man the knowledge to step in?

  Before heading home, Dean pressed his hand to the nursery glass and right then and there, he argued the semantics of those very questions within his own mind. He had to.

  ***

  Had it been the old pre-plague world, Mike would have expected it, but the world had died long before. Perhaps that was why the large presidential convoy came as such a shock to Mike. Of course, the Secret Service agents weren’t there, but they were replaced with soldiers and military vehicles. The force that George Hadley brought, even though it was small enough for his men to take out, was too many for Mike to allow in his town.

  George understood and really made no fuss about Mike’s stipulation that George, two guards, and his right hand …. man or woman were welcome. George simply agreed and yawned.

  George had heard about the big lawman of Lodi. Never did he expect what he encountered. Rough and tough, Mike exuded authority in a rebel sort of way. George prided himself on being good at reading people, but getting a good read on Mike was difficult. Mike rarely changed his facial expressions or tone of voice. Talking to him was the only way George would break through that exterior, even if he didn’t like what lay underneath.

  The late hours had crept up and Mike brought the four to the Bed and Breakfast, a building that was rarely used.

  Mike had prepared one room. That was it. The two guards were able to leave and be replaced. That was Mike’s rule, but for as far as Bertha went …

  “She can stay in here with me,” George told Mike. “It’s roomy enough.” He stepped further into the room. “Nice. Thank you.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need me to prep another room?”

  “Nah,” George shook his head. “Is there running water?”

  “Yes,” Mike answered, “and heat. Power is minimal, so we encourage lantern usage at night. Can I ask how long you plan on staying?”

  “That I don’t know,” George replied. “At least through tomorrow and maybe the next day.”