The Death Trilogy (Book 2): The Death: Eradicate

by John W. Vance

  “And what about David and Eric?”

  Without hesitating, she answered, “I’ll have to have faith that the chancellor won’t kill them. When the timing is right, I’ll go find them.”

  “What will you do if he’s killed them?” Travis asked.

  “Then my search is over. My baby and I will go and live out our days somewhere safe.”

  “That’s it?”

  She gave Travis a hard look and answered, “Trust me, if he’s killed them and I have a chance to return the favor, I will.”

  Denver International Airport

  Horton held the phone away from his ear, not because it was too loud, but because he didn’t want to listen to another word the caller was saying. He was tired of being told what he needed to do or that he needed to do it differently or what he had done was wrong. He had imagined greater autonomy when he was given the chancellorship years ago. He never thought the council would micromanage the entire operation. What upset him the most was the loss of Lori. It wasn’t so much he couldn’t find another mate; it was that his failure to stop her was a huge embarrassment that had almost cost him his position. There was no urgency in finding her, as what secrets she knew were useless now. Their plan for the cleansing was underway, essentially the cat was out of the bag, but finding her was not operational, it was personal.

  During the weeks that had passed since her escape; he had executed the operation known as the cleansing. The plan was moving forward, but killing tens of millions by firing squad was not a quick process. His desire was to selectively kill. He wanted to keep the best and brightest, those with skill sets that could be used. He also was determined to allocate time to ensure all those in the camps had their DNA sampled. If they passed, they would be spared. The way his system worked was simple: there was the elite class of which he was part of, the warrior class, the chosen class and the working class. If your DNA was unsuitable or you had no value, you were considered a liability and disposed of. However, his selection process was slowing down the cleansing in North America, and that didn’t sit well with the council, hence the phone call.

  He looked around his adorned office while the person on the phone droned on. He loved and admired the artwork he had collected, not just the unique paintings but the sculptures. Being in a position of power gave him certain luxuries and privileges; one of those was collecting the finer things from the old world. He had his people scouring the old museums to pull together a collection that would rival anyone’s.

  The voice on the phone began to yell louder, jarring him and pulling him back to the present.

  “Yes, I’m here,” he said into the receiver. “Yes, I understand, right away, thank you and bye.” He looked at the now silent phone, and just before he placed the receiver on the base, he threw it across the room in a fit of anger. He stood and walked towards a cabinet and opened the veneered door. Inside were a dozen crystal decanters with the most select whiskeys and scotches. He pulled a short stubby decanter out, grabbed a glass, and made for the tufted chocolate leather couch. He sat down, poured a glass and relaxed. He no more than took a sip when the doorbell chimed. He grunted and yelled, “Yes, what is it?”

  The door opened and his new chief of staff, Roger Wilcox, was there. “Sir, the people you requested are here.”

  He rubbed his eyes and thought; not having a clue, he asked, “Who did I request? Please remind me.”

  “Sir, David and Eric…”

  His eyes opened wide; the names jogged his memory. He jumped to his feet and barked, “Good, good. Bring them in ASAP.”

  Roger nodded and closed the door. A moment later the door opened again and in came David and Eric.

  Horton walked over to them with his hand extended and said, “Gentlemen, thank you for coming. I appreciate it.”

  David looked wearily at Horton but took his hand. He understood the politics of things and how important it was to keep up good relations, especially with the chancellor. “Mr. Chancellor, what can my son and I do for you?”

  “Please come in and take a seat. Drink, food, anything?” Horton asked.

  David and Eric shook their heads.

  Everyone sat in the front lounge. An uncomfortable silence and awkward looks occupied the first moments, but Horton quickly remedied it by coming out and speaking his mind. “David, do you know where your wife is?”

  “Excuse me? I didn’t know she was missing,” David said, a look of surprise on his face.

  “Yes, she had a breakdown of sorts and just up and left. We imagined she might have gone to see you at Camp Sierra.”

  David looked at Eric and turned back to Horton and said, “No, we haven’t seen her. Is she okay?”

  “Unfortunately, I don’t think so. As you know, she’s pregnant, and I don’t know what happened, but she just had a complete meltdown and fled the base. We’re obviously concerned for her and the baby’s well-being. She was a vital part of our design team for Arcadia.”

  “When did she disappear?” Eric asked.

  Horton opened his mouth and was about to tell the truth, but he cut himself off. Thinking the truth would sound odd, he lied. “A couple days ago. We’ve been looking for her since, but nothing. She just up and left.”

  “You think she went to find us at Sierra?” Eric asked David.

  “This is all my fault,” David said in a somber tone.

  This comment piqued Horton’s interest. “Why do you take responsibility?”

  “The way we left things, I, um, I wasn’t the nicest person. I’m sure you’re aware of the accusations I made about you and her.”

  “I am, but I don’t pay that any attention. I did notice her emotional state had begun to slip around that time. We had the hardest time getting her back to work. Then she began to have delusions, and next thing we know, she’s gone.”

  “Is there anything we can do?” Eric asked.

  “Yes, there is,” Horton answered.

  David and Eric looked desperate to help.

  “I need you two to stay here, under our care. We will find work for you. We’ll send for your things.”

  “But don’t you think she’s going there to look for us. Wouldn’t it be better if we stayed there?” David asked.

  “You asked if you could help, and that is the best way. Stay here.”

  David and Eric exchanged looks and then nodded in agreement. “Very well.”

  Horton wanted to just tell them everything, taunt them with the truth and then have them killed, but he held back. His anger with the council drove him to do the exact opposite of his emotional instinct. They might hold some value if he happened to find Lori; he could use them against her. His orders from the council were to move past his own personal desires for revenge, but deep down he couldn’t control himself. He wanted to defy the council. He wanted to find her just so he could see her watch her family die in front of her eyes. Never in his life had he felt so emotional about someone. He couldn’t explain the draw she had on him, but her rejection of him was legend, and the troubles she had caused him deserved retribution. After all the years of disciplined patience and planning he had endured, he couldn’t look at this pragmatically. Finding her and exacting payment from her was a fire that burned in his chest.

  Day 210

  April 29, 2021

  North Topsail Beach, North Carolina

  Tess woke up thinking about her and Devin’s vigorous discussion concerning the boys and the deal she had struck without his input.

  Devin was very leery of Alex, and something told him they couldn’t trust him.

  She insisted that the way to a hungry boy’s heart was through his stomach.

  He disagreed, but the deal was set, and Devin gave in but insisted she consult him before she made anymore rash decisions.

  She agreed.

  A whimper from Melody’s room tore her away from her thoughts; she jumped out of bed and ran into her room.

  “I’m here, sweetie,” Tess said, coming up to the side of the bed.<
br />
  “It hurts,” Melody whimpered.

  The mere fact she was talking was an improvement from yesterday.

  “Where does it hurt?” Tess asked.

  “All over, but my neck and here,” Melody cried, pointing to her jaw.

  Tess felt her, and her fever was still present. She opened a bottle of Advil and dumped one in her hand. “Here, take this.”

  Melody lifted her head and opened her mouth.

  Tess popped in the small capsule and gave her some water.

  “I’ll be right back. You need to eat something,” Tess said and left as quickly as she had come. She walked into the living room and found Devin asleep on the couch.

  “Dev, wake up,” she said, pushing him.

  He shot up and looked around, his eyes as wide as saucers. “What is it?”

  “I think I know what’s wrong with Melody.’

  Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he said, “Huh, what?”

  “Melody—I think I know why she’s sick.”

  “Infection.”

  “Kinda but this is specific.”

  He swung his feet off the couch and sat up. As he stretched, he curled his toes into the thick Berber carpet and yawned. “Go ahead.”

  “Tetanus.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No, but I remember the girls’ parents didn’t believe in vaccines. It makes sense. She was hit in the leg with a rake. I bet if I took a look at that rake, it was probably old and rusty and God knows the germs and other shit around. I’ll ask them, but I’m willing to bet she has tetanus.”

  “Who gets tetanus?”

  “People who aren’t vaccinated.”

  “How do we cure it, antibiotics?”

  “I don’t know exactly, but I think you can’t do anything about it but let it run its course, and I don’t know how long that is.”

  “That’s it? Just let it run its course?”

  “As far as I know. But to make sure, I’m going to stop by a bookstore in town and find a medical book.”

  Devin scratched his head and stood up. He looked down at her and asked, “I guess that makes me babysitter for the day?”

  “That’s right; you’re the manny.”

  “Wonderful,” Devin said as he tiredly staggered towards the front door. “Very well, I’ll be on diaper duty, but now I’ll go see a man about a horse,” he said as he exited the condo.

  Tess smiled as she watched him leave. She enjoyed his sense of humor; it matched hers in many ways. Again a feeling of attraction hit her, but she quickly dashed the idea as she thought of Travis. Not wanting to think about anything remotely romantic, she went to get ready for her long and busy day.

  Devin leaned in and grimaced. He wanted to be the third person instead of Brianna, but Tess insisted he needed to stay to protect the girls. It wasn’t that he disagreed with her, he just was concerned they might encounter the group Alex had mentioned, and knowing that Brianna and a snot-nosed kid was Tess’s backup gave him concern.

  “Wipe that grouchy look off your face and keep your radio on,” Tess reminded him. “We’ll be back before sundown.”

  “You guys be careful,” he said.

  “Always,” Tess said, a shit-eating grin gracing her face.

  Devin stepped away from the Humvee, gave a wave to Brianna behind the .50 caliber, and said, “If you find Twinkies, I’ll do your night shift for two weeks.”

  Tess started the Humvee and drove out of the driveway and headed north.

  Brianna turned around and yelled, “If I find Twinkies, I’m eating them, and don’t forget to feed Brando.”

  Devin waved again, this time with his middle finger.

  Brando was sitting next to him and whimpered as he watched the Humvee drive away.

  Devin looked down and said, “I’m worried too, boy. I’m worried too.”

  The drive into Jacksonville followed the route they had used coming into town. As she navigated the roads and streets by memory, she peppered Alex with questions, most of them personal.

  Alex continued his stubborn behavior and refused to answer.

  The city of Jacksonville resembled every other city or town they had encountered, vacant and ransacked. Mother Nature was quickly taking back the roads, parking lots and sidewalks. Sprouting out of every crack and crevice were tall weeds and grasses. Covering like a blanket in some areas were large piles of leaves. She and the others had discussed a few times how long before the signs of modern society would be wiped clean. Was it a thousand years, ten thousand? Those conversations often pivoted to the ultimate question of whether humans would survive and prosper again. This latter question began to concern her as she and the others took notice of how few people they had come across since leaving Reed, Illinois. It’s as if no one was immune east of the Mississippi. They had seen a few people here and there, but the numbers didn’t match the estimates of survivors. She had heard early on that approximately ten percent of the population had survived, but where were they?

  Tess’s first destination was the Barnes & Noble store; there she also hoped to scavenge food and water from the café attached to it.

  She backed the Humvee up to the front entrance and took hope that their first stop might be a success from the fact the glass doors were still intact.

  “Bri, take watch. Alex, you’re coming with me,” Tess ordered.

  Alex pulled his small J-framed Smith & Wesson revolver out of his pants pocket and gripped it tightly. He stood next to the doors, anxiously waiting for Tess.

  Tess scanned the parking lot for any movement. None seen, she headed for the doors, rifle in hand. She peered into the darkened store and smiled. “Looks surprisingly promising. I don’t think anyone’s been here before.”

  “It’s a bookstore, that’s why,” Alex said.

  She looked at him curiously and asked, “Is that a joke?”

  “No, it’s the truth. This town is redneck; rednecks don’t know how to read.”

  She slung the rifle and double-checked her gear. Pulling the Glock from the holster on her tactical vest, she press checked to ensure it was loaded. Confident in her equipment, she donned a headlamp and stepped up to the glass door. She pulled out an ASP baton and extended it with a whipping motion.

  “That’s cool,” Alex said, his eyes wide open with excitement.

  She raised it above her head and with a powerful downward thrust brought the ASP down against the door. The force of her impact shattered the glass, and after several more hits, the bits and pieces fell to the ground. She turned on her headlamp and stepped through the door and into the store.

  Alex followed right behind her.

  “Head to the café. Look for anything we can eat,” she ordered.

  He walked off into the dimly lit store.

  She headed into the interior of the store in search of a medical book.

  It took her minutes to find the exact books she needed. Tucking them in her backpack, she headed towards the café. As she drew closer, she could hear Alex rifling through cabinets and drawers. She caught sight of his flashlight beaming off the walls and ceiling. Then all movement stopped.

  She approached and heard the sound of plastic wrappers and smacking lips. She peered over the counter and saw him. His cheeks were round and stuffed with muffins.

  Too busy eating, he hadn’t noticed her approach. When the beam from her headlamp splashed down on him, he jumped. His mouth half open, crumbs fell from it onto his dark T-shirt.

  “Save some for us,” Tess teased.

  “Sorry,” he mumbled.

  “It’s all right, I know what hungry is like. Just don’t get sick.”

  He nodded and held out a tightly wrapped poppy seed muffin.

  She took it and looked at it carefully. The last thing she wanted was to eat mold. She tore the packaging and pulled out the firm but surprisingly edible muffin. “Got to love preservatives.”

  “It’s good too,” he said.

  She took a small bite. The sweet an
d lemony taste was a shock to her taste buds. The overall taste was a bit off, but it appeared to be safe. Again, she looked at it and with a shrug took a huge bite. “You’re right, not bad.”

  “Here, there’s chocolate too,” he said, his arm outstretched.

  She took it and said, “Let’s pack this stuff up. I’ll go get some bags from the checkout area,” she said and walked away. As she was heading to the checkout counter, she thought of Brianna and how she’d love to have the chocolate muffin. She exited the store to find her attentively manning the machine gun.

  “Bri, here, catch,” Tess said and tossed her the muffin.

  “Yummy, chocolate, awesome!” she exclaimed. Sinful joy glimmered in her eyes at the thought of devouring the decadent offering.

  “Anything?”

  “All quiet.”

  “Good, we’ll be a bit, but looks like we found a lot of stuff.”

  Tess headed back in and walked to the counter. There she found the bags and other items that could come in handy, batteries and candy.

  As she began to stuff the plastic bags, something caught her eye. She walked over and picked up a My Little Pony board game. She thought of the girls and how she remembered them liking the characters. She opened the bag and slipped in the game. Then small plush toy ponies came into view; she grabbed those as well. She looked forward to surprising the girls with the gifts. Seeing them smile and be happy was a vision she wanted to hold, but that wouldn’t be. Her radio crackled to life, breaking that vision.

  “Tess, this is Bri. We have visitors.”

  Tess bolted, hollering to Alex as she headed for the entrance, “Stay put. We might have trouble!” Within seconds she was outside and saw a truck parked in front of the Humvee. The two passengers, both men, were out and heavily armed.

  “Whatcha doin’?” one man asked, his Southern accent shining through. An AR-15-style rifle was slung over his chest. His thick dark shoulder-length hair protruded from a weathered beanie.

  Tess raised her rifle and pointed it at him.

  This aggressive posture caused the other man to raise his weapon.