"My thoughts are more along a selfish line." She rubbed her neck. "If someone decides to wage war for this place, the more able-bodied men and women we have to fight, the better our chances."
"Sounds reasonable. We need talk to the group before we make a conscious effort to look for survivors, but I like your idea. Of course, food can become an issue if we have too many mouths to feed."
"True." Randi flopped back into her chair. "Think about it."
Her father walked in and gave them a quizzical look. "Mija, go rest."
"Thanks, Dad. First, I'm going to help Mark figure out if we can connect solar panels to the RV. He already has water connected and the generator running."
"I'll come with you."
They found Mark tanning another hide. "Can you spare a few minutes?" Randi asked. "We have to go into the basement to get the solar panels."
"Sure. This can sit for a while."
"Do I need to break in?" Josh asked.
"No." Randi took off at a brisk walk. "Come on." She led the men to the river bridge. "I didn't show y'all this the other day, because it's not necessary for us to access it, but your uncle had me put an escape panel for the house."
"Where?"
Randi pointed to the platform leading to the bridge. "Here." She kneeled, unhooked the latch, and flipped the platform up. "After you."
Josh and Mark climbed into the tunnel. Randi followed closing the hatch after her.
"Shouldn't we leave it open?" Mark asked.
"You want someone to tell Dad I've been inside the house?"
Josh held up his hands. "No. My last conversation with him about moving into the house didn't go so well."
"Exactly." They walked down a sloping tunnel to a wall. Randi pushed on it, and a hidden door that led to the basement closet popped open. The closet contained the storage tanks for the composting toilets and nothing else. "Want to see the house before we carry the panels up?" Both men nodded. She led the way from that closet into another. Large bags of water treatment chemicals lined the wall. A small shelving unit held water testing supplies and bottles of water. "There are two wells that feed the house, and the pumps are powered by gennies, solar panels, and wind turbines."
Mark examined the chemicals. "Are the wells fouled?"
Randi shook her head. "No, they're great. Good quality water."
"Why the chemicals, then?" Josh asked.
"Your uncle knew y'all would be here long-term. There's a possibility of contamination in the future, or of the wells running dry and having to use river water so the chemicals will make it safe to drink." Randi opened the door leading out of the closet. "At least that's my guess. This is the rest of the basement."
Josh looked at the shelving units running the length of the room. "MREs, jerky, bottled water."
The other shelving units contained boxes of seeds, medications, suture kits, oxygen tanks, "To Mr. Barker's specifications."
"What are these other rooms?" Mark asked.
"The smaller one in the corner is a bathroom with a working shower, and the larger is a stocked lab."
"Uncle Reg is planning to try to develop a vaccine or a cure. If he makes it here." Josh opened the door to the lab and looked around. "Why else would he have built this?"
She looked into the lab. It had metal morgue tables with water faucets and shelving units that contained any kind of supplies he might need. Centrifuges, a mass spectrometer, and several other pieces of equipment that she forgot the names of sat on a large table that spanned the east wall. The north wall was lined with several types of microscopes.
Josh closed the lab door and Randi walked to the back wall of the main room. "The extra panels are over here."
Mark gave the basement a longing look. "Wish we could talk your dad into moving inside."
"I doubt that'll ever happen." Randi motioned to the men. "For y'all, he won't say a word, but he'll have a conniption if anyone else tries. After all, y'all are invited guests of the owners."
They followed Randi up the stairs. "I get that, but it's such a waste for the house to sit here empty," Josh said.
She'd learned a long time ago not to argue with her father when it came to his principles. The man was more stubborn than a six-headed mule. "This is the first floor. Basically, a large family room and kitchen. There's a bathroom and one bedroom down here."
The kitchen had a large, stainless electric stove with a ceramic top, a stainless, two-doored refrigerator with a freezer beneath, and a farmhouse sink. "I know there's a water well, but are the solar panels enough to power all this?" Josh asked.
"Not sure. The solar panels are on the outbuildings and on the roof here, but the wind turbines supply most of power to the house. I think."
"Sounds reasonable. Solar has limitations. As does wind power." Mark inspected the wiring. "Uncle Reg thought of everything, didn't he?"
Randi went up the stairs. "Yeah, he did."
"This floor has ten bedrooms and four bathrooms."
"Composting toilets?" Mark asked.
"Yes. They drain into the basement, and the gray water's funneled out to the garden."
"Impressive." Mark walked into one of the bedrooms. "Did you do the power or did you farm it out?"
"Subcontractors. We always sub out electrical, but my normal company couldn't handle this." Randi lifted a shoulder. "It was fun to build. I've never done a self-sustaining home before." She scuffed her toe against the floor. "While I was doing it, I made plans to build my own quasi-self-sustaining home. Even bought the land."
"None of us could've ever expected this." Josh leaned against the wall. "Wonder if Uncle Reg will make it? They're traveling with two kids. I can't imagine being out in that mess with children."
"Dude, David's not a kid. He's in college." Mark cuffed his brother on the shoulder. "He's only six years younger than me."
As they climbed down the stairs, Randi asked, "How did the shooting lessons go?"
"I dread taking them back."
"I'd offer to go with you, but that'll only make things worse."
"Candy showed spunk." Josh ran his hand over the handrail. "I have a newfound respect for her."
Back in the basement, Mark inspected the solar panels. "Not sure these'll work. I'm not up on RVs, but I don't think we have any of the equipment necessary."
"It was worth a try." Randi held in a sigh. The thought was too good to be true anyway.
"On our next run, we'll try to find an RV supply store." Josh turned to Mark. "Won't that work?"
"Probably not unless we go into San Antonio and find a big place."
Randi looked at him. "How do you know all of this?"
"I like to read."
Reading was one thing, but the kid seemed to have an eidetic memory. On the next run, she would find every how-to manual she could for Mark to read. No telling what information they might need in the future.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Reginald drove while Mary Anne dozed. Dry trees with a few evergreens dotted the hillside. The emptiness of the road provided an eerie feel. Chills wrapped around Reginald, and he increased his speed.
Near Leakey a tall metal fence blocked the highway. Mary Anne sat up as he pulled to a stop. "What's going on?"
"Not sure." Reginald pointed to the fence and the armed guard standing above them with what looked a submachine gun pointed at them. "Stay here." He climbed out of the Lincoln and held his hands up. "Hello."
"State your business," the guard called.
"We have no business in the town." Reginald pointed to his family. "We're headed to California and need a way around your blockade."
"Turn around and go back to Junction."
Fatigue wore on him. He didn't want to go out of the way. Not when they could zip through this town. Reginald took a deep breath. "Won't you open the gate and allow us to drive through?"
"Nope."
His fists clenched into tight balls. "We only want to go through. You have my word we mean you no harm
."
"Nowadays, a man's word ain't worth spit."
How could Reginald make this man understand? "We're tired and need to put a few more miles between us before we stop for the night. Don't make me backtrack. "
"Hang on, let me get Vixen. She'll decide if you can come through, stay, or if you have to go around."
"Vixen?"
"Our leader." The guard motioned to another man. "Watch him."
Reginald drummed his fingers against the Lincoln's roof. The guard never moved the weapon off him. He shifted from one foot to another. Maybe they needed to go around. He stepped back, ready to leave as the gates slid open. A tall woman clad in a tight, black-leather bodysuit strode over to Reginald. "I'm Vixen." Her violet eyes bored into him. How did the woman have purple eyes?
"Reginald." His heart thudded in his chest so hard he imagined the raven-haired woman could hear it. For some reason, she terrified him.
"Alton tells me you want to join our town."
"No. We just need to pass through. We're tired and need to make a few more miles before we stop for the night."
"Where are you headed?"
"San Diego."
She stared at him for several seconds. "Then why do you want to go through here? Unless you have no sense of direction."
"Uh."
"Very eloquent, Reginald." Vixen touched his chest with her long blood-colored fingernail. "Why don't you tell me the truth? We'll get nowhere if you continue with your lies."
"We're not headed to San Diego, but San Antonio." Reginald hoped she bought this version. "I have family waiting for us."
"Try again."
"I'm telling you the truth. We don't want to drive on I-10 because of what we've encountered on the major highways. We'd rather take a circuitous route." His hand shook as he ran it through his hair. "Look, I'm tired. My family is hungry, and we want to get through your barricade." He stepped closer to the woman. "If that's not possible, then fine. We'll turn around." He should've taken the detour to begin with instead of meeting with this woman.
"Your family in San Antonio is dead."
"How do you know?"
"People from every corner of the country live here." Vixen raised an eyebrow. "San Antonio fell early on. If that's even where you're headed."
"We still have to try."
"Come into our town and stay for a while." Vixen motioned with her gargantuan handgun for Mary Anne to drive through the gates.
"No, we'll go around."
"Stop, Reg." Vixen pinned him with a stare. "You said you're tired. It's time for your family to rest a bit." She again motioned for Mary Anne to drive into the town. His wife climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine.
A stranglehold gripped Reginald's throat and sweat poured down his back as she drove into the compound. "Do not hurt my family."
Vixen gave him serpentine smile. "Well now, that's up to you. Isn't it?"
"What do you mean by that?" He swallowed the boulder in his throat and his desire to throttle the woman. "I've done nothing wrong. Leave my family alone."
"Come on inside, and we'll talk."
He had no choice but to follow the woman since she'd taken his family hostage. Someone had walled up the minuscule town for a few miles with sheet metal fences. Vixen led Reginald to a government building. Once inside, he glanced around. They'd gutted the place and it looked more like a lounge than a government business. Overstuffed leather sofas and chairs filled the room.
"Take a seat." Vixen pointed to a sofa. "Can I get you a drink? Water, soda?"
Reginald shook his head. "Where's my family?"
"They'll be along soon." Vixen sat across from Reginald. "I wanted to talk to you alone first."
"Why?"
"I don't know where you're really headed, and I don't blame you for not telling me." He started to interrupt her, but Vixen held up a hand. "I want you and your family to stay here. At least for a day or two." A man interrupted them and whispered to Vixen for a couple of minutes.
"Why do you want us to stay?" Reginald asked when they finished talking.
"We can offer you shelter and protection. Danger waits outside these walls."
Reginald scoffed. "No kidding. We've managed just fine so far."
"No you haven't." She leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees. "You lost your son and another man who was traveling with you. That's not 'just fine'."
Swallowing, Reginald stared at the woman.
"Your wife's injured, in pain, and suffering emotionally." Vixen flicked a piece of imaginary lint off her leg. "Your daughter and the other little girl are exhausted."
Why did Mary Anne tell them what had happened? Rest sounded good, but could they trust these people? "What do you want from us?"
"After you rest for a few days, We'll expect you and your family to work like everyone else in the town. Nothing more. Nothing less."
"We can't stay here." Reginald stood. "I have family waiting for us."
"If they're alive. Look, you don't have to stay forever. Long enough to recover from the arduous journey you've made thus far." Vixen leaned back. "Silver Penny is a long way from Leakey.
You've had to make many detours along the way, and you must be exhausted. Rest a few days, work a few days to repay the food and lodging. Then you can be on your way."
"I have to talk to my wife first. Privately." He couldn't shake the feeling if they didn't get out of there, they would never be able to leave.
*****
Josh yawned and rubbed his face. The sun hung low in the sky. His shift would end soon. Mr. Martinez walked in to take his turn. "Morning, Mr. M."
"Josh, how many times must I ask you to call me Xever?"
"Sorry. Hard habit to break."
Xever took a seat. "Everything quiet?"
"Yeah. No problems."
"Good. Why don't you head out and try to sleep?"
Josh leaned back in his chair. "I will in a while, but I wanted to talk to you."
Xever nodded.
"I know you don't want to move into the house, but my uncle and aunt should be here by now if they're going to make it. It's a waste to leave the building empty."
"Son, I know you don't understand my point of view, but if I compromise my values when things get tough, what does that say about me?"
"I'm not asking you to compromise your values."
"Moving would."
Josh held up a hand. "Wait. Please, let me explain my position. Uncle Reg and Aunt Mary Anne are probably dead. Mark and I are their closest relatives. That means legally, morally, and logically the house belongs to us."
"We need to give them more time." Xever clasped his hands together. "It may take them longer than we expect to get here."
"It's already been much longer than I expected. If they were alive, they'd be here by now." How could he make Xever understand? "Even if they aren't dead, I'm Uncle Reg's proxy until he does arrive, and I think it's time to move."
"It's fine if you and Mark want to." Xever stroked his beard. "In fact, I wouldn't blame you. Running water, toilets, showers."
"Mark and I won't do it unless the entire family does."
"Then you'll wait a little longer."
Josh took a deep breath. He'd had this conversation with Xever several times before with the same result. "Yes, sir."
"I'm not trying to be difficult, son, but we've invaded your uncle's land. It's inconceivable we would take over his home also."
"I get it. You feel like you've already compromised your values by being here."
"That I do. It's better now that you're here and have given us permission to stay." Xever ran his hands through his hair. "When I became a Christ follower, I made it my mission to live by those values. No matter the circumstances. It's not always easy, but I do my best to honor Jesus."
"Randi has a hard time with that."
A shadow fell across Xever's face. "I know. She's changed since she got out of the Marines. Tougher. Of course, her rejectio
n of God came long before she went into the Marines."
"It was hard over there."
"How long were you in?"
"Two tours." Josh rubbed his neck. "I planned on a career in the military, but when my parents died, I needed to come home to make sure Mark finished school."
"The world has changed so much over the years. We used to honor our soldiers."
"Yeah. Well, now I don't think we have a military anymore. Why do you think this infection happened?"
"We live in a screwed up world." Xever sighed. "This disease was altered by humans trying to be gods. It's straight from the depths of hell."
"But why did God allow it to happen? I'm a Christian, but I don't get this. God could've stopped it, yet He chose not to."
"Not sure I have the answer." Xever closed his eyes for a few seconds. "We don't always understand God's ways, but He gave us free will. Starting with Adam and Eve sin entered the world. Thus we all have a sin nature. Unfortunately, we use that freedom to try to destroy each other."
"I get it. Yet I don't. It's beyond my understanding."
Xever sighed. "I think it's above the comprehension of most people. Especially me."
"Care to meet with me at least once a week? I need a mentor." Josh swallowed over the lump in his throat. "The youth pastor at my church was my best friend. We held each other accountable to study the Bible and grow as Christ followers."
"What happened to him?"
Josh clenched his jaw. "When this started I looked for Ken. It was too late. He was infected."
"I'm sorry."
Josh fingered the edge of his tee shirt. "I've seen the same hurt in Randi's eyes when she talks about Leon."
Pain flashed across Xever's face. "It kills me to see Adriana resent Randi and blame her for Leon's death. Of course they never had a wonderful relationship, but this is too much."
"What can we do?"
"Other than pray? I don't know."
"I've tried talking to Adriana, but she won't listen to me."
"No, she sees how close you and Randi have become and assumes you'll always take her side."
"She's my friend."
"Randi's a handful, but she's loving and loyal. Even to those who don't deserve it." Xever put his hand on Josh's shoulder. "Adriana is a good woman. I know you've not seen that, yet, but she's usually very sweet. We need to keep praying for those two."
Dark Days (Book 1): Contagion Page 22
