Waves of Solace

by Ariel Bonin

  WAVES OF SOLACE

  WAVES

  OF

  SOLACE

  ~

  ARIEL BONIN

  Copyright © 2017 Ariel Bonin

  Turn & Walk Publishing

  Cover Design by Amy Anderson

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1540646507

  ISBN-10: 1540646505

  For Ross—my personal solace.

  Prologue

  Eleanor didn't want to become one of them—one of those monsters. The adults called them turners. She wasn't entirely sure why. It either had to do with how a person turned into a monster after they died, or something about a corporation in California she'd heard mentioned a few times. She found it hard to believe that turners were once people. She'd seen it, though. She'd watched her grandpa get bitten, and then he'd turned, attacking her father before he could understand what had happened.

  But that was months ago. Eleanor's mother, Sally, was at her wits end. Hungry, tired, dirty…depressed. They both found it hard to keep going—that was until they met a man named Brian Tasker. Brian had an island. Sally didn't want to believe him, but had run out of options, so she let him take them on his boat. When they got to the island, Eleanor wanted to take off her jacket, but Sally wouldn't allow it. Her mother didn't want anyone to see it.

  "Welcome to New Canaan," a woman said when the newcomers walked into a building called 'the clinic.' "I'm Dr. Anderson. You poor sweetie," she said to Eleanor, "I'll get you checked out right away."

  "That won't be necessary," Sally said, shielding her daughter.

  The doctor narrowed her eyes. "But you've been on the road for a long time. Surely you want your daughter to receive some medical care…?"

  They all stared at one another in tense silence. Brian gestured to the girl but directed his question to her mother. "Are you hiding something? You assured me that no one was bitten…"

  Sally pushed back her shoulders and raised her chin. "And that was the truth. No one here has been bitten."

  "Something else then?" Brian asked.

  The woman took a deep breath. "Nothing that should concern you."

  "I beg to differ," Anderson said. "We have a responsibility to the people on this island. We must keep them safe…from all threats."

  Sally laughed without humor. "Eleanor's not a threat. She's only nine years old."

  Brian and the doctor exchanged a knowing glance. "Threats come in all shapes and sizes now…" he said.

  Anderson stepped toward the girl and Sally shot her a warning glare, but it went ignored. "Sweetie, you can tell me what's wrong. I'm a doctor—I only want to help you."

  Eleanor ignored her mother's protests as she pulled up the sleeve of her Hello Kitty jacket. A bandage covered her forearm but was free from blood or other markings.

  "It's not what you think," Sally said as Anderson removed the bandage. Two red scratches blemished the girl's tan skin. Anderson raised her head in alarm.

  "Then what are they? How did you get these, Eleanor?"

  "She got them from crawling under a wire fence," her mother said quickly.

  The little girl was tired of lying, tired of being afraid of what might happen if she told the truth. She leaned closer to the doctor and said, "One of the monsters did it."

  Sally gasped. "Ellie, stop—"

  Eleanor evaded her mother's cupped hand as the woman tried to cover her mouth. "I got too close and it scratched me. That's all… I used my knife before it could hurt me anymore."

  Anderson frowned in confusion. Gently, she raised her own hand and felt the back of Eleanor's forehead. "When did this happen?"

  "Two days ago…"

  The doctor glanced at Brian once more. His furrowed brow matched hers. "That's impossible," he said. "No one has survived even a single bite or scratch. They always burn up with a fever and then it's all downhill from there—"

  "No one that we know of," Dr. Anderson corrected. "But if what you're saying is true, and based on the scabbing of the scratches, I am inclined to believe you. You really haven't had any symptoms?"

  As Eleanor shook her head, her mother said firmly, "No, she hasn't."

  Anderson smiled at the girl and took both of her hands in her own. Absolute awe shone through her voice as she said, "Then you, my dear, carry the one thing that none of us do."

  "What?" Eleanor asked, allowing her fear to finally drift away.

  "The cure."

  Chapter 1

  Andrew Flynn was ready to leave the clinic. His temperature had returned to normal and his wound was healing. Dr. Anderson had placed Andrew's arm in a sling to inhibit shoulder movement until his stitches came out the following week. She told him he would have a nasty scar, but it was better than being dead. Most people couldn't say they'd survived a bite from a turner. He had been lucky enough to get away while it was only a single bite—any more than that and he would have bled out on their way to the island.

  The morning of Andrew's release, his friend Caren showed up with Jacob. The woman, who was pregnant with her own, had been nice enough to watch his ten-month-old son while he was recuperating. Lindsey and his teenage daughter Zoey were already there. They'd stayed at the clinic, only leaving his side to freshen up in the private bathroom. While he'd slept for hours on end, catching up on much needed rest, the twosome had played game after game of cribbage. At one point he'd felt well enough to join in, the simple activity a moment of pure bliss.

  This morning, when Andrew was done changing into his freshly washed jeans and a gray t-shirt, Brian showed up at the door.

  "Ready for the grand tour? Everyone else has done it—you're the only ones left."

  Andrew looked to Zoey and Lindsey, the latter holding Jacob on her hip. They both smiled at him expectantly. Andrew grinned and directed his attention back to Brian. "Lead the way."

  This was the first chance he'd really gotten to look at the man—he'd been a little distracted (trying not to die) when they'd first met. Brian Tasker was about six feet tall with an average build. Andrew guessed they were close in age, due to the light flecks of gray in his beard and at his temples. The rest of his hair was black and cut short. His dark brown eyes were observant and welcoming, as if you could ask the man anything and trust that he'd give you a straightforward, knowledgeable answer.

  Before Andrew could assess him any further, he said, "Alrighty then. Follow me." They walked down a long corridor, the dated hallway tiled with squares of light green and yellow. More rooms branched off, housing the occasional patient. Almost all were elderly and Brian confirmed this. "Our older folks who need the extra care stay here in the clinic. We do our best to make them comfortable and give them the attention they need."

  "What do you do about supplies: medicine, food, clothing…?" Andrew asked. The question had been gnawing at him since he'd become conscious.

  "We make supply runs to the mainland about once a month. In and out—real quick. We've managed to keep a low profile, thank goodness. We gather medicine from the hospitals, senior housing and family practices. Clothing is either made or collected from stores on the runs. We're lucky to have such great soil on the island—we grow all our food. Well, the rest comes from our animals: dairy cows, beef cattle, pigs, goats, chickens…"

  "How'd you get them on the island?" Zoey asked somewhat in awe.

  Brian's mouth quirked into a smile. "Eh, that's a good question. It wasn't pretty. Let's just say that I hold much more respect for Noah now. I'll leave it at that."

  Everyone chuckled at the image.

  It was Lindsey's turn to ask something now. "What about power? How do you keep this place running?"

  "As I'm sure you know by now, this was a naval base in war time. Most of it got stripped after it was shu
t down, but the buildings still stand. We were able to get power to the clinic and reserve almost all the fuel for that one building. Everything else is solar-powered or has no electricity. Lanterns and candles aren't so bad when you get used to them. If the Amish could do it before, then we can certainly do it now," he said with a grin.

  They reached a set of metal double-doors with a window in each one. Bright sunlight streamed through, drawing them out into the lush surroundings. Brian pushed through one of the doors and held it open for them. Everything outside was so green it was practically electric. Andrew turned his gaze upward, savoring the sun on his face and the pleasant twitter of tropical birds.

  "Our group members have mentioned bungalows. What's the deal with those?" Andrew asked. He watched Lindsey point out a brightly colored flower to his son and lean over to smell it. The sight caused his heart to swell.

  Am I dreaming right now? How can this be possible?

  Brian spoke as they walked down a dirt path between the leafy bushes and trees. "When the base was functioning, most of the inhabitants stayed in bungalows. Many people were housed here with their families. Each one has a kitchenette, small living space, bathroom, and the number of bedrooms varies. We'll be sure to get you into one with three bedrooms." Andrew glanced back at Zoey and watched her face light up at the prospect of getting her own room. Brian continued on to say, "With your arrival, the island has a total of sixty-seven people: nineteen women, twenty-five men, and twenty-three children. When people started to realize that they were safe here, I think the instinct to repopulate kicked in. We've got eight infants, including your Jacob, and more on the way."

  Andrew fought the urge to look at Lindsey when Brian said this. It wasn't like he needed any more children, and Lindsey wasn't pressuring him to have more, but to say that he'd like for her to be pregnant was an understatement.

  "Do you have any kind of schooling for the children?" Lindsey inquired, and Andrew knew exactly where she was headed with this.

  Brian nodded. "We teach them basic skills from the old world—reading, writing, math—but also the things they need to know now to survive. We just want them to be prepared for anything."

  "Is it like a one-room schoolhouse or are there different grades?" she asked further. Andrew smothered a grin as he listened to her skirting around the subject.

  "The school is in one of the buildings on the old base. Basically we've split the children into three grades: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. We have five kids in each and one teacher who alternates days."

  "Would you like another?" she asked finally.

  Brian paused to stare at her in surprise and Andrew smiled. "She was an English teacher," he offered so that the man could understand her eagerness toward the subject.

  "Wow…absolutely. Elizabeth will be pleased to hear that. I think she's been a little bogged down lately."

  Lindsey visibly sighed with relief and Andrew rubbed his hand across her back in support. When she gazed up at him, her eyes were impossibly bright, the sunlight turning them into the color of warm honey. He wanted to kiss her so badly, but held himself back.

  Brian guided them to a large open space filled with picnic tables and covered by just an A-frame, wooden roof. Various types of grills surrounded the area. "This is our makeshift dining hall. Since the eating space is so small in the bungalows, we built this area for everyone to meet for meals if they should wish to do so."

  Andrew was inspired to get their group here for a celebratory meal—it would be a shame not to. They'd spent so much time on the road together; it was going to be strange for them to be apart. He knew if he got Lindsey in on it she could help him get the rest of the group to agree upon a meal together.

  "So if you follow me this way, there's someone I'd like for you all to meet," Brian said, leading them down another sandy path. They stopped in front of a short structure with various antennas and satellite dishes mounted to a flat roof. Brian knocked twice on the solid door and waited. It swung open and a bald man with piercing blue eyes greeted them. "Everyone, this is General David Kirkman," Brian stated with a nod.

  The man shook each of their hands as Andrew said, "It's an honor to meet you. I'm Andrew Flynn. This is my daughter Zoey and my son Jacob."

  Lindsey shifted Jacob to her opposite hip and extended her dominant hand. "Lindsey Richardson. It's a pleasure."

  Andrew forgot where they were for a moment as he tried not to gape at her in shock. No one else would catch what had just happened, but that was the point. She'd done it only for him—she'd dropped her married name and given, what he assumed to be, her maiden name. Now he really wanted to kiss her.

  "The pleasure's all mine," Kirkman said politely. "Welcome to New Canaan."

  _____

  The last stop on the tour was the one place Lindsey had wanted to see the most—their bungalow. The general had instructed Brian to give them number six, as it was one of the bigger lots. In amongst the wild, exotic plants, a white structure took form. With a short red roof and two sets of windows, she still considered it quaint for being the largest accommodations—but it was absolutely perfect in her eyes. An open porch extended off the front and she could picture herself and Andrew sitting out there every night as they discussed their day.

  "Well, this is it," Brian said with a casual sweep of his hand. "There are few furnishings, but I'll be by later with some essentials to get you started, not to mention, a little bit of food."

  Andrew offered his weathered hand. "Thank you so much. Really. From the bottom of our hearts, we can't thank you enough."

  Brian returned the handshake. "We've all been out there…we know what it's like. Anything you need, we are all more than happy to help." He dug his hands into his pockets and glanced at Zoey. "Say, you're probably about the same age as my boy Tommy—fourteen, fifteen?"

  Zoey looked pleased at the mistaken increase in age. Lindsey knew she always strove to come across older to the adults. "No, I'm thirteen."

  "Ah, yes. Anytime you'd like to come over, he's got quite a good selection of board games and books. I know he'd be thrilled to share them with someone his age."

  "Awesome! Can I come over tomorrow?"

  Brian laughed, the sound deep and still foreign to Lindsey. "My schedule's clear. I think you're askin' the wrong person, though."

  Zoey glanced at her father, who was watching the whole conversation with an amused expression. "Can I, Dad?"

  Andrew's lips parted to reveal his handsome smile. After briefly raising his eyebrows, he said, "Fine by me."

  Zoey let out an excited "yes" and Brian responded, "We're at lot number three, just a few down from you. Tomorrow's Saturday, so there's no school. Come on over after breakfast."

  After they parted ways, Lindsey and Andrew stared at the house before them, their home. Zoey rushed up the steps and opened the squeaky front door. Lindsey was having a hard time moving and Andrew could tell as he grasped her hand and urged her forward. They crossed the threshold together, Jacob's babbling amplified in the nearly empty room. A single wicker chair and end table occupied one corner of the tiny living room, and a kitchenette was visible to their left. A short hallway held four doors, one for each bedroom and the single bathroom. One was open, presumably by Zoey as she searched for her new room. The white walls and light-colored floorboards were covered in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs. It would need a serious cleaning, but nothing they couldn't handle.

  Tears swamped Lindsey's eyes as she took in their surroundings. She hugged Jacob a little closer and tried to remember to breathe. Andrew must have heard her shuddering breath because he turned around and frowned at the first tear on her cheek.

  "Hey, what's wrong?" He placed his free hand on her soft cheek and wiped away the moisture with his thumb.

  Lindsey shook her head as her lower lip trembled. "This can't be real…it can't be. I feel like I'm living in a dream world."

  "It is real, Linds. I've been thinking the same thing, but we've earned this.
We deserve it. After everything we've been through, don't you think that?"

  Eventually, she nodded. "I do." A watery smile shone through her tears. "I think I'm just in shock."

  Andrew's gaze softened. "That makes two of us." He leaned in to place a tender kiss on her lips, and when he pulled away he directed his attention to the infant in Lindsey's embrace. "What do ya think, Jake? Will this do for our new home?"

  The two adults beamed as he reached forward and grasped his daddy's nose with a giggle.

  Chapter 2

  Andrew and Lindsey spent the remainder of their day cleaning up the dusty bungalow. They opened all the windows to air out the stagnant smell, allowing in the warm ocean breeze. Zoey hung out in her room, which contained a plain, twin-size mattress on a simple wooden frame, a hoop-style, canopy bug net and a rickety night stand. She was the only person to still retain their belongings, so she carefully placed them about the room, her treasured photograph front and center on the stand. She retrieved a dog-eared copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone from the bottom of her bag and moved to sit out on the front porch as Jacob played with a few spoons that had been found in the kitchen drawers.

  Brian came by around lunchtime with a large box of things to get them started, along with a bag of fruits and vegetables. Once again, they thanked him profusely, then carried their goodies inside. Among the essentials was a blanket to put in the bottom of the box to use as a crib for Jacob until a real one could be supplied. Two sets of sheets were also inside. Lindsey looked at Andrew and asked, "Want to help me put these on?"

  He agreed, delighted to assist her with the simple task. They walked down the short hallway and into their bedroom. The furniture was the same as in Zoey's room except for that it was a full-size bed with two end tables. Lindsey flung the white fitted-sheet over the mattress, letting it float down until it came to rest on the soft surface. Andrew used his free hand to stretch it over one side, while Lindsey did the other. Once it was in place, they did the same with the flat sheet, tucking it between the mattress and box spring until it was tight on both sides. Due to the warm temperatures, the only other layer they needed was a thin white blanket. Lindsey stuffed each pillow into a crisp pillowcase and puffed them up at the head of the bed.