Dead Drop Series (Book 1): Dead Drop (Rise of the Elites)

by K. S. Black

  “Rough night?” He poured some coffee into a mug and set it on the counter in front of her. “I have powdered milk and sugar. And if you’re brave, we have some goat’s milk. It’s actually pretty good. It doesn’t taste much different than regular milk.”

  “Black is fine.” She picked up the mug and inhaled deeply. “You didn’t steal this, did you?" Her tone was serious. Then she laughed. “Your bed is comfortable, but I tossed and turned all night. I think I managed to get some sleep in between all the crazy dreams I had.”

  “Yesterday was rough.”

  “It’s been rough for a while. I lost my dad two days after I met you all. And yesterday . . . The people in the SUV were family friends. The young woman was their daughter. I used to change her diapers. She was studying to be a teacher.” Julie’s eyes started to water. “I’m sorry. I told myself that I wasn’t going to do this again. Everyone’s had some sort of loss.”

  Cooper handed her a paper towel. She wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

  “I’m sorry about your dad and your friends.” Cooper took a sip of coffee unsure of what to say next.

  “Yeah.” She stared down into her cup and sniffled.

  “Hey, Dad!” Hayley walked into the kitchen with a small basket full of eggs and Okami at her heels. “Oh sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt you guys.”

  “It’s okay. Your dad and I were just having some coffee. Oh my gosh. Look at all those beautiful eggs.”

  “I know, right?” Hayley smiled at Julie. “Does anyone want to make a cheese omelet? We have some freeze dried cheese.”

  Okami raced over to Kevin, toenails clicking against the tile floor. Kevin kneeled down and scooped the puppy into his arms. “I do.” With one hand holding Okami, he tugged Hayley’s ponytail with the other.

  She didn’t turn around. Instead, she set the basket on the counter and walked away.

  “Hayley. Don’t go.” He reached for her arm but caught air.

  Cooper raised his eyebrows.

  Kevin let out a deep sigh and set the puppy on the ground. Okami ran after her.

  “I’ll go.” Julie started to walk out of the kitchen.

  “I’ll come with you.” Cooper said.

  When they got to Hayley’s room, Julie knocked on the doorjamb. The door was open. “May I come in?”

  Hayley was lying on her stomach across the bed. “Sure.”

  Cooper stood outside the door.

  Julie sat down on the bed. Hayley pushed herself up and sat cross-legged.

  “I don’t know any of you very well,” Julie said, “but I feel a connection. I felt it when I first met you all. You know what I mean?”

  “I feel it too.”

  “I know you’re mad at Kevin for wanting to leave.”

  A fat tear rolled down Hayley’s check and splashed onto her leg. “Why does he want to leave us?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure he has his reasons. And I bet those reasons have nothing to do with you or your dad.”

  Hayley wiped another tear away before it could fall. “But I don’t want him to go. What if something happens to him, and we never see him again? I don’t understand why he can’t stay here.”

  “Sweetheart, sometimes people do things for strange reasons. Kevin needs to find out where he belongs. He’s not trying to hurt you. But don’t let your hurt feelings keep you from saying goodbye to anyone. Ever. You’ll regret it.”

  Julie took the strands of hair that had fallen out of Hayley’s ponytail and tucked them behind her ear. “Don’t hold me to this, but I get the feeling this won’t be the last we see of him.” She used her thumb to wipe a tear from the corner of Hayley’s eye. “I’m starving. Is Kevin a good cook?”

  “Oh, my god! He’s the best. I sure hope you know how to cook ‘cause I’m not going to do all the cooking when he’s gone. My dad can barely boil water.” Hayley’s face brightened a little. Julie grabbed her hand and pulled her off the bed.

  CHAPTER 46

  June 6 –Tucson

  They all gathered for dinner the night before Kevin planned to leave. Mark and Ray had joined them at Julie’s insistence. Kevin set his fork down on his plate and leaned back in his chair rubbing his protruding stomach. "Who would have thought you could make freeze dried meat and canned food taste so good? Thanks for putting this dinner together for me.” He looked over at Hayley and Julie. “I'm handing over my spatula to you. Use it well, dudes."

  "You could stay and keep cooking for us." Hayley said.

  Julie got up from the table. “We made dessert, too. Hayley, will you help me bring it in?”

  They came back with six small bowls filled with chocolate custard.

  Mark and Ray sat quietly and didn’t contribute a word of conversation at dinner. They stood up and pushed their chairs in.

  "If you don't mind, Julie, we're going to take our desserts to go and save them for later." Mark grabbed his bowl and handed another to Ray.

  "Watch your back in Bisbee, man." Ray said and followed Mark out the front door.

  Julie's eyes narrowed as she watched them leave.

  "So you made this with goat’s milk?” Cooper tried to ease her tension.

  “We did. Hayley’s really good at milking, but I need lots more practice. I think I make the nannies angry.” Julie and Hayley shared a laugh between them.

  Cooper put a large spoonful of custard in his mouth and smiled. Chocolate custard covered his teeth. “I like it.”

  Everyone laughed and picked up their spoons to copy him.

  “We’re going to try and make some butter next.” Hayley licked custard off the back of her spoon.

  “That should be interesting.” Cooper shifted the conversation to Kevin’s trip. “Are you all packed?”

  "All I need to do is load one more bag in the morning.”

  "What's the name of the place you're going to again?" Julie asked.

  "The West Wind Community. It’s about a hundred miles from here. They grow organic and bio-dynamic produce. They’re big into aquaponics. When the tanks get too crowded, they sell some of the fish. Tilapia I think. It’s pretty good. They work hard, but it’s the most peaceful and laid back place I’ve ever been. And the women…some of the prettiest boho women in the Southwest live there."

  Hayley rolled her eyes. "I know that aquaponic gardens use fish and fish poop to fertilize plants that grow in the water like hydroponics, but what's bio-dynamic produce?"

  "It's produce that's grown and harvested with a spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to farming that’s based on lunar cycles."

  "A-plus for Deputy Dawg,” Kevin said. “How’d you know that?"

  “I know lots of things.”

  “I bet you do,” Kevin said.

  Cooper’s mouth formed a straight line. “Not to put a damper on your plans, but you do know there’s a very high likelihood that West Wind is going to look like every other place we’ve been through, right? And there’s a chance they won’t let you in if they’re still there.”

  "You worry too much, Cooper. They'll be there. The community is well off the beaten path. They're almost totally off the grid and self-sufficient. Whenever I've been there before, they've welcomed me with open arms, plus I have a big bag of something that they've always appreciated. It’s all going to work out.”

  “It’s your life after all. I respect that even if I don’t agree.” Cooper gave him a half-hearted smile.

  “You know that I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but I gotta go, dude.”

  CHAPTER 47

  June 7 – The Holy City outside of Lawton, Oklahoma

  Fires to the east of Bowie forced Jake and Michele to travel west towards Wichita Falls on their way to Oklahoma. Road blocks and abandoned cars prevented them from driving through the city. Instead, they wound their way around Wichita Falls and headed north to Lawton, Oklahoma, the home of Ft. Sill Army post.

  Michele pulled out the atlas she had found in one of the cabins in Bowie. Her t
houghts went back to happier times that seemed like they happened another lifetime ago. She tried to keep the sadness at bay by talking.

  “I can’t believe that I finished basic at Ft. Sill almost five years ago. I remember this place we went to when my parents and little brother came out for my graduation. There it is.” She placed her finger on the map. “The Holy City. The place looks like you’re stepping into a bible story when Jesus was alive. It’s just outside of Lawton.

  “Good idea. The inmates are starting to get antsy in the trailer.”

  “This place is inside a Wildlife Refuge, so there’s a good chance there won’t be too many people there. If the area’s clear, we can let the animals out to graze.” Michele looked at the map again. “There’s a big lake close by, Lake Lawtonka. I‘ve been there a couple of times. We can do a little fishing and top off the water supply.”

  * * *

  An oversized, white marble statue of Jesus situated atop a tall base made from native granite stones welcomed them to the Holy City of the Wichitas. The Wichita Mountains provided the backdrop to the tourist attraction. Paths meandered through the Holy City with its biblical representations of Herod’s Court, the Garden of Gethsemane, and Tomb of the Resurrection. The area was rocky and hilly but had plenty of grass for the livestock.

  Everything looked exactly as she had remembered until they approached the chapel. There had been a beautiful, native stone cross nearby, but the memory was now marred by a man’s body hanging from it, his neck, wrists, and ankles bound to the structure. He had been crucified. His skin, a strange waxy yellow, had burst and relieved the body of some of its putrefied contents. A piece of silver duct tape with something written across it was stuck to his shirt.

  Jake stopped the LAV. They both took a good look around before they got out with their rifles. She made a makeshift mask with a red bandana. The breeze carried the smell of wet rot and rancid meat. She walked towards the cross but only close enough to read the black writing scrawled on the tape. Murderer. Hundreds of flies formed a cloud around the body and some flew towards her. She tried unsuccessfully to wave them away. After she stepped back a few yards, the insects lost interest and flew back to the body.

  What had happened to drive people to do this to another human being? Crucifixion was an excruciating way to die.

  “I don’t know if this is such a good idea anymore. Who knows what kind of people we might run into here. They certainly don’t mind taking justice into their own hands.” Jake stepped up beside her.

  “We’re not going to be safe anywhere.”

  He scratched the back of his head. “Stay with the vehicle while I take a look inside the chapel.”

  Michele agreed without any argument. Jake walked towards the main building with his M-4 in his hands and his shotgun slung across his back. He pushed open one of the double doors and stepped inside.

  She forced herself to remain calm as she waited for him to reappear. A few minutes later, he walked out the door and down the brick pathway, his face covered with a blue bandana.

  “What was it like in there?”

  “Trashed. Bullet holes in the wall. Six dead. But I couldn’t tell how they died. Looks like they haven’t been dead for more than a day or two. The virus maybe? But I’m not sure. They didn’t look shot up. There was trash and food scraps all over the floor. They were using the place as a privy, too. The bodies smelled bad enough, but it was probably disgusting in there before they died. We better check the area out before we find a place to camp.”

  Michele already had her shotgun in her hands. “Let’s go.”

  * * *

  They walked along the paths that led to the gift shop, the outdoor amphitheater, and Herod’s Court. Michele stopped to look at the three wooden crosses in the distance. She thought about Jesus nailed to the cross—My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? The words echoed through her head as a lump formed in her throat. She stared at the crosses feeling lost. Why have you forsaken me?

  Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her back towards the path. “Where’s your head? Come on let’s go.”

  She turned her head to look back, letting Jake lead her forward. Her fingers felt for the Saint Christopher’s medallion around her neck.

  * * *

  They stopped at the Tomb of the Resurrection. “Listen.” Jake put his finger to his mouth.

  Someone was crying inside the darkened structure. Michele leaned in closer. He pulled her away from the entrance, and they stepped out of hearing range to talk.

  “It sounds like a woman,” Michele said. “You might scare her, so let me talk first. She might feel less threatened by me.”

  “Okay, but you’re not going inside. She could be armed or sick, so just try to get her to talk to you from where she is.”

  “I know. Let’s just assess what’s going on and play it by ear.”

  Jake agreed, and they went back to the tomb.

  “Are you okay in there?” Michele poked her head in the entrance, but Jake pulled her back gently.

  A woman answered. “Leave me alone!”

  “I’m not going to hurt you. What can I do to help you?”

  “No one can help. We’re all going to die for our sins.”

  “Are you sick?”

  “No. Leave me alone. I told you there’s nothing you can do for me!”

  “Can you tell me what happened?”

  The woman was moving around. A few seconds later she spoke, her voice monotone. “After some of us started getting sick, Frank made everyone else get on the bus. He said everyone who got sick was a sinner and deserved to die like Nathan. He said Nathan was a fraud and was going to burn in hell. Frank said bringing us here was wrong, and Nathan was going to pay with his life.”

  “Who is Nathan?”

  “My husband.” The woman began to sob. “Go away. I should have let them kill me too, but I hid.”

  “Please let me help you. I have food and water if you come out.”

  The woman moaned. “Nathan said that if we all came here, the Lord would keep us safe. He was wrong! My baby girl is dead. Frank made them kill Nathan. Hung him on the cross like our Lord Jesus Christ. It wasn’t his fault. He was only trying to keep them safe. The wages of sin are death.” She started to sob again. “Why am I still here? Why didn’t the Lord take me too? Nathan help me!”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Leave me alone!” The woman began praying the Lord Prayer.

  When she finished, there was a single gunshot and the tomb was illuminated for an instant. Michele jumped back and fell against Jake. “No!”

  He grabbed hold of her arm before she could rush inside. She pulled her arm back with a jerk and gave him an icy glare.

  “Michele, what the hell is wrong with you? What if she was infected? There’s nothing we can do for her now.”

  She dropped to her knees, tears rolling down her face. “What if she’s right? What if we’re all going to die?”

  “Get up.” Jake’s face was flushed. “We’re all gonna die sometime, but I’m gonna live for as long as I can and was hoping to do that with you. You better get it into your head now that we’re not gonna be able to save everyone, and not everyone wants to be saved. You need to buck up.”

  Tears spilled down her cheeks. She wiped her face on her shirt. When she looked up at him, her eyes burned. “Don’t talk to me! I was right the first time I saw you. You are an asshole.”

  CHAPTER 48

  June 7 – Bisbee

  Dreading the final goodbyes, Kevin was tempted to leave before anyone had gotten out of bed but couldn’t bring himself to do that to Hayley or Cooper after everything they had gone through together. He felt like he belonged there. He lacked that kind of bond with his family and had almost convinced himself to stay. But the responsibility was too great, at least that’s what he told himself. He never had to worry about anyone except for himself before meeting them and wanted to keep it that way.

  His friends stood in the kitc
hen when he came in for breakfast. Cooper had opened a can of bacon from his special reserve of stored food. The smoky smell mingled with the aroma of coffee and made him salivate.

  Julie handed him a plate of bacon and eggs. Hayley poured him a glass of water. Kevin sat at the table and ate while the other three stood at the counter nibbling bacon and watching him.

  “You guys are making me nervous. Why are you hovering?”

  “I’m just doing what they’re doing.” Cooper pointed to Julie and Hayley and took a gulp of coffee.

  Kevin put the last bite in his mouth. “Thanks for breakfast.”

  Hayley swooped in and cleared his plate.

  “I guess it’s time I hit the road.” He stood up, took a last look around. He walked out the door with everyone following behind him, including Okami. His gear and supplies were already loaded into the Behemoth.

  “Are you sure you have to go?” Hayley ran up to him, put her arms around his waist, and laid her head against his chest.

  He hugged her back before gently pushing her away from him. “I do.” He kissed the top of the head. “When things get better, I’ll come for a visit or you all can come visit me.”

  Cooper was next in line for goodbyes. He gave Kevin a bear hug and squeezed hard.

  “I can’t breathe!”

  Cooper laughed as he let go. “Stay safe and keep yourself out of trouble.”

  “The ladies of West Wind better watch out, because here I come.” Kevin stroked his beard.

  “Don’t be an idiot, you overgrown boy. Give me a hug.” Julie put her arms around him and whispered softly into his ear. “Thank you for what you did for me the other day. I wish I could have gotten to know you better.”

  He gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek. Cooper opened the back of the Behemoth, and Kevin climbed inside. He pulled the door closed and headed to the driver’s seat. Everyone moved around to the side of the vehicle while Kevin got himself situated.