“I’m sorry, I missed that,” she said, earning a frown from the Chief.
“No problem, young lady,” he said, although his expression said differently. “I just pointed out that we haven’t had many remnants in the valley yet. And when I say ‘yet,’ that means that I am expecting them. Many of them. My own personal research is showing a trend. The remnants get up, move around, do the things they do for one reason and one reason only: survival of the fungus inside them. Right now, that fungus is feeding off the hosts, staying in optimal conditions: dark, moist. It is also trying to propagate by heading to the cities, finding centers of population. Soon there will be no infection opportunities left in the cities and the remnants will disperse into rural areas. This phase will be characterized by a greater sense of urgency in the remnants. We’re seeing that now. They are moving during the day. The need to propagate will override self-preservation.”
“Yeah!” Chase agreed. “We saw some creep…, er, remnants when it wasn’t dark.”
“I noted the same today in Paducah. They initially were active at night because the temperature was more optimal for the fungus survival rate and it slowed the decay of the remnants. They had to move, but there wasn’t the urgency: the host bodies, the remnants, were still fresh. They are beginning to decay and be less hospitable for the fungus. This will cause the fungus to be less selective about moving only during optimal conditions. Their optimal temperature range is from about 40 up to 60. We will see more and more of them moving outside of those conditions.”
“How do you know all this? What do you mean ‘personal research’?” Marilyn wanted to know.
This time the Chief didn’t even bother to address her, or even look at her. His back was to her as he spoke to Chase, and Marilyn could see a red flush of what she assumed was irritation climb his neck and go partway up his bald head. “As I was saying, once the remnants start moving back out to the country, we’ll be ready. Did you see our welcome sign to survivors on the way in? That also doubles as a remnant booby trap. By means of an electric trigger, we can put down many remnants on a permanent basis, reducing the total possible remnants that make it this far.”
Marilyn wanted to ask about that, too, and about the sign, but she knew she had fallen out of favor. She stayed close enough to listen as the Chief went on about the defenses and the resources, but she found herself drawn to stand and walk closer to Sonya and Honey. As the Chief began explaining about the chickens being an immediate source of protein, and having enough grain on site to feed them for a long period of time, while the hogs he kept at a distance were accessible now but might not be in the future if the remnants were to overrun the valley, Marilyn tuned him out and tried to talk to Sonya. “What do you think? About this, I don’t know, whole thing I guess.”
Sonya stared at Marilyn evenly. “I think…that as long as we stay here, it doesn’t matter what I think. And I’m ready to leave now.”
Marilyn nodded. “I wanted to like it. It’s safe from the creepers. There are other people. But I just get a sense of something wrong, even though I can’t put my finger on it.”
“I don’t think it’s something wrong with the place,” Sonya said. “Probably not even something wrong with the people, even though Sparky does creep me out. But I don’t think I’d ever fit in here. Maybe that’s what you’re feeling, too.”
“That’s not it. I think there’s something we aren’t seeing. It’s like a farm pond at sunrise. When the rising sun’s light is reflecting on the surface and it’s still a little dark out, it looks pretty. But when the sun comes all the way up and you can see clearly, the pond’s full of cow manure and algae. I think the longer we stay here and the more we know, the more we’re going to need to get away.” Marilyn stopped. “But when we leave, it might just be you and me. Chase seems to be okay here.”
Since meeting Sonya, Marilyn had been having a hard time reading her, but when the words came out of Marilyn’s mouth about leaving Chase, Sonya’s feelings were easy enough to read. “I know. And you know what? If he is okay here, he should stay. I know what I have to do. I’ve got to get to Florida. And he has been a big help in getting that way. And I like him. He makes me feel better about things. But it would be selfish if I made him leave here. I can’t promise he’ll be safe. I can’t promise that we’re not….” her voice caught, and Marilyn was surprised to see that Sonya was near tears, “That we’re not wasting our time going to Florida.”
They walked in silence well behind the Chief and Chase now, no longer even caring about the conversation ahead of them. Marilyn wanted to share her feeling of being guided, of knowing that her purpose was to help her new friends, but something told her that was not the thing to say. “Sonya, I promise you, when we leave here, we’ll get to Florida. I’m not sure why, but I know we are supposed to do that. If Chase is supposed to stay here, he’ll know. I want him to come, too. He’s better at seeing ahead, and planning. He’s getting better at that all the time. But if it is just you and me, we’ll make it somehow.” She put her arm around Sonya, expecting to be pushed away. Sonya did push her away, but for a brief second Sonya leaned into Marilyn, and Marilyn felt something important had happened.
Chapter 24 – Chase
Chase followed the Chief around the compound listening to the Chief’s explanations for each feature of the compound. The Chief had a very clear idea about how daily life should be carried out, even under the direst of circumstances. Chase realized that this was a safe place where he could finally sleep through the night, not always worrying about what was next. Before all this had happened, he had been somewhat on his own, but with people always available to take care of him when he needed them. Then after everything changed, he had truly been on his own, with only himself to look after. He had begun to come to grips with the new reality when reality had expanded again by two more people. Good people. Smart people. Capable people. But they often looked to him for answers to daily problems. He wasn’t sure how the role of planner had fallen to him. Maybe it was in his nature to take it on. Maybe that’s how he had become a quarterback. Even as quarterback, though, there had been a coach calling in plays and advising him. He realized he missed that. And now here was someone who could do that for him again.
The Chief pointed out the self-contained sewage system, the hydroponic garden, the fish, the chickens, the well which could be solar powered, wind powered, or in direst emergency, manually powered. He talked about future plans: damming the creek and putting up a small hydroelectric plant. While all this was being explained, Chase was aware of Sonya and Marilyn walking behind and listening, but he felt they weren’t as appreciative as he was.
He also felt they didn’t understand the situation. Everything, everything the Chief was saying indicated that they would be welcome to stay. As long as they wanted. So Chase saw two options: go out into the world, take their chances finding food, safety, shelter, gas, and Sonya’s father. Or they could stay. A guaranteed supply of fresh food. Electricity. Music. A place to sleep where they didn’t have to think about creepers in the night. Or, if he believed the Chief’s theory, the creepers would soon be coming out in daylight and leaving the cities. He had seen the number of creepers in St. Louis at dusk. He tried to imagine what had happened when that population had swelled with all the creepers coming in from the country. If (and he was close to believing it was more than an if, it was a when) the creepers began to flood back into the countryside, there would be no nights or days without creepers. Encountering them would be a daily thing. Creepers in the roadway, creepers every time they stopped. He knew he had to talk to Sonya and Marilyn about these things before they completely made up their minds to leave. Marilyn especially.
Marilyn had no reason to leave. He knew if he could convince her, they could both work on Sonya. If he could only put Sonya off for a few months. He could talk to her about putting up signs for her dad. If she was looking for him, and he was still alive, she had to believe he would be looking for her. He could f
ind her here as easily, maybe more easily, than she could find him somewhere in Florida.
Chase noticed that the Chief seemed to have finished talking and was looking at him expectantly. “Uh, really cool place you have.” He felt like an idiot. He had no idea what the Chief had said last. “I mean, you are completely prepared. Having a cold drink today probably will go on my list of most favorite things ever. And having a hot dinner that doesn’t come out of a can or a bag…priceless. But…well, I was wondering if we might be able to impose on you to take showers or something? You guys are so clean. We might be used to our own smell, but you don’t have to be.” The Chief smiled.
“Of course. I don’t know what I was thinking. You can shower in the shop, the girls can take turns at Main Quarters in Tracey’s shower.” He led the way, indicating the main shop to Chase and asking the girls to follow him to main quarters. Chase noticed that the Chief pulled a small walkie-talkie from his belt and let Tracey know they were on the way back. That seemed a little strange to Chase, but he wrote it off as some of the Chief’s constructive paranoia. After all, the man was hyper-ready, and probably expected people around him to be as well.
Chase peeled off from the rest of the group. When he arrived at the shop, Sparky was tucked back in a small area he had partially walled off with large packing crates. He had pulled the Suburban in. It was still its old battle-dented self, but it was clean, and it didn’t smell so much like mashed creeper any more. “Thanks, Sparky.”
Sparky shrugged. “No biggie. I just took it down to the creek and rinsed it off. Besides, the Chief likes all vehicles parked inside at night. And I sleep here, so if I didn’t wash it, I’d a had to sleep with the stink, anyway.”
“Makes sense. Now I guess I better take a shower because I imagine I’ll be sleeping in here, too, and you won’t want to put up with my stink.” Sparky indicated a door. Chase grabbed his personals bag out of the Suburban. He sniffed each article of clothing and found the ones that were least offensive. Getting laundry done was going to be a priority, too. He grabbed his toothbrush and his soap and shampoo and headed into the shower.
When he stepped out thirty minutes later, he felt better in many ways than he had since waking up that morning to a silent house. Had that only been just over a week ago? Bathing in ditches and creeks hadn’t really left him feeling clean. And there was something about a hot shower. Sparky was still back in his room, and judging by the glow, he had a monitor set up back there. Chase wondered if he was playing games. He wouldn’t mind a little Call of Duty. Chase stopped. He hadn’t even thought about playing a game or anything like it in the last few days. They had once been a huge part of his life, and now thinking about playing seemed odd. He shook himself, and then called, “Are you coming? I think dinner’s supposed to be ready soon.”
The glow died and Sparky poked his head out from behind a crate. “I usually don’t eat with them. I’ll go in later and clean up leftovers, or make a sandwich.” He went back to his game. Chase stood there feeling awkward. Finally, he left without saying anything more.
As Chase walked across the compound, he looked around, newly appreciative of everything that had gone into the construction. What had seemed like a neat idea before now seemed much more than that to him. His respect for the Chief had grown with each aspect of survival, with each plan laid down and executed.
When he entered Main Quarters, dinner wasn’t ready yet. The Chief wasn’t in evidence, nor was Marilyn, but he could hear her in the kitchen talking to Tracy. Sonya sat in the big front room alone, idly thumbing through a book. Chase glanced at the cover. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. He had heard of it, and he thought he remembered something about Machiavelli, but couldn’t come up with exactly what it was. Sonya looked up as he entered.
“Listen to this.” She read from the book, “‘Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries - for heavy ones they cannot.’ Does that make sense to you?” She looked back up at him again.
He was so shocked by her appearance that what she was saying didn’t sink in. He shook his head, continuing to study her. There was a glow to her skin from the shower. Her hair was still a little wet, and not spiked up. She looked…vulnerable. Not tough. She always put on so much heavy eye makeup, but wasn’t wearing any now. He had wondered why she still put it on. Anyone looking at her now, studying her as he was, could never mistake her for a boy. There was a softness there that she normally didn’t have. He realized that she was very pretty. The word ‘elfin’ passed through his mind. It wasn’t just her short hair. She had very fine features, and beautiful eyes.
“Are you okay?” she asked him.
“Yeah, sorry. Just not used to seeing you all cleaned up. Not used to being cleaned up myself, or maybe not used to being in a regular house.” That sounded lame to him. He looked at the walls, which arched up over his head, following the curve of the Quonset building. He forced a laugh. “Well, a sort of regular house.”
Sonya waved toward the kitchen. “Yeah, Tracey has an awesome shower. I went first, and I wanted to stand under the hot water for a week, but I got out quick because I knew Marilyn was waiting. Tracey has these big bottles of shampoo, and fancy soap and stuff.” She stood up to put the book back on the shelf, and he realized she was wearing Tracey’s clothes, too.
“Nice outfit.”
She frowned. “Not what I would usually pick.” She plucked at the too-large pink three quarter sleeve t-shirt she was wearing. It had a picture of a unicorn on front. “I don’t think she’s worn it in a while, either, but it was the closest thing she had to my size.” She was still wearing her cargo shorts, but her feet were bare. Sonya glanced toward the hallway that led to the kitchen, and then looked Chase in the eye. “I’m leaving tomorrow. I think Marilyn will come, too. I need to know if you’re in, or if you’re staying here.”
Chase’s arguments to stay ran through his mind. He had wanted to talk to Marilyn first, get her on his side, and then work on Sonya. He hadn’t expected to be confronted so soon. “I thought we would stay a little longer than that. It’s safe here. We can eat, sleep, maybe get some ideas on how best to go, if we do go.”
“Not if, Chase. When. I’m going to Florida. That’s all there is to it. Either you’re coming or you’re not. Marilyn said she would. If you can change her mind, fine. It may be the smartest thing to do. But I’m going, even if I’m going by myself.”
Chase could see down the hallway. The Chief came through the door at the end of the hall and closed it behind him, locking it. “We’ll talk more about this after dinner,” he whispered to Sonya. She shrugged. He knew her mind was made up, and he knew she was stubborn. If he could just delay her, there might be a chance. He knew if he pushed her to stay, though, she would leave that much sooner.
The Chief approached down the hallway, wearing a concerned look. “Chase, come with me.” As he passed the kitchen doorway, he said to Tracey and Marilyn, “Hold dinner for a bit. Something’s come up.” He continued past the door, and Tracey stepped out into the hallway behind him.
“Do you need me, Chief?” She took a step down the hallway, and then stopped as the Chief held up his hand over his shoulder, his back still to her.
“I think Chase and I can handle it. If we need more help, we’ll get Sparky.” The Chief didn’t see it, but Chase registered Tracey’s disappointment.
“What is it, Chief?” Chase followed the Chief as he headed toward the door.
“Something a little sooner than I expected.”
Chapter 25 – Chase
The Chief wasn’t running, but in trying to keep up, Chase nearly was. The gate house was the destination. Inside, Chase looked around. He was in a small square room, about ten feet to a side. There were no windows. A ladder in the middle of the room went up to a trapdoor in the ceiling. Along one wall, Chase was surprised to see a bank of video monitors which showed sections of the driveway all the way to the main road. There was also a compl
ex looking radio with a mike. A rack on the wall beside the desk on which the radio sat held an AK-47, a pistol Chase didn’t recognize, and a double-barreled shotgun. The Chief grabbed the AK-47, put the strap over his shoulder, and turned to the ladder. While he climbed, Chase stared at the monitors. From various angles, he watched a number of creepers stagger along the long drive. One monitor showed a view from the compound side of the creek, looking back up the drive. The first of the creepers appeared in that monitor as Chase watched. He turned in time to watch the Chief’s boots disappear through the ceiling. He grabbed a rung of the ladder and began climbing.
The roof of the gatehouse was flat, surrounded by a waist-high railing. Chase and the Chief stood at the railing nearest the creek and watched the creeper stagger across the stream. As it approached the near bank, two more creepers staggered out of the forest behind it. “Damn,” the Chief muttered under his breath.
“I guess this hasn’t happened during the day before?” Chase asked, not taking his eyes from the approaching creepers.
“Not at night, either. The remnants have never left the main roads once they have gotten on them, and we have no neighbors. I’m afraid they’re in the dispersal stage now.” The chief lifted the AK-47 to his shoulder, supported his elbow on the railing, and sighted through the scope. When he fired, Chase jumped. The lead creeper, which had once been a man wearing mechanic’s overalls, collapsed. It was too far away for Chase to see the details, but he didn’t mind. “These may be the first of many.” The Chief sighted again and fired. A creeper mid-way across the creek collapsed, falling with a splash that Chase could see but not hear. Hearing footsteps running on gravel behind him, Chase turned in time to watch Sparky cross the yard, approaching the gatehouse. He held another AK-47 in one hand as he ran.
After Everything Else (Book 1): Creeper Rise Page 14
