“It certainly would, thank you.” Mason answers. I’m still arguing with myself.
“How long, do you think it will take, if they find a cure I mean?” My gaze flies to John’s face as he asks.
“We don’t know.” Mason says glumly.
I just can’t stand it anymore. “If there was…something we could do, something that might work, would you want to try it, even if it could be potentially dangerous?” I keep my voice low.
I know that Mason’s staring at me. Maybe it’s not the smartest idea I’ve had, maybe it’s the guilt I feel for killing those men, but I can’t do nothing for Rachel. That would make me a monster, too.
John’s gaze is now locked on mine. “I suppose I would want to try it, if there was something we could do. It has to be better than the alternative.”
We are all silent for a moment while we consider this. It’s Lisa, who none of us noticed come back into the room, that breaks the silence. “Please, if you can help her, do it. We’ve seen what happens, on TV.” Her voice breaks and she’s not able to continue.
Finally, I look at Mason, and see the understanding in his eyes. “I can’t make any guarantees.” I tell the couple.
“We understand.” John says, standing. He leads us upstairs, to Rachel’s room. I turn in the hall before her doorway.
“I think I should do this alone.” I tell Mason. I don’t know if it will work, and I don’t want him that close to the infection.
He moves back to the top of the stairs and sits down. “I’ll be right here.” I can read the anxiety on his face.
John opens the door and stands back next to Lisa in the hall. I enter the room slowly. Rachel is on her bed, she appears to be sleeping. As I get closer, I can see her sweat drenched hair and the redness of her skin. The fever must be getting worse.
I sit next to her bed on a chair and try to focus. My plan is to start with the lowest shock possible, and slowly work my way up. What makes me nervous is overshooting my stopping point. I’ve already seen the results of that.
I take a shaky breath and touch my palm to her arm. She jumps slightly but I see no further reaction. I sigh and do it again, turning it up a notch. By my fifth time, Rachel’s entire body convulses, and she shoots up into a sitting position. “What the hell?” She screams at me.
A relieved grin bursts across my face. I feel moisture on my cheeks, I can’t believe it worked! Her skin is already returning to its normal color, and the rash on her neck is disappearing before my eyes.
Lisa, John and Mason crowd the door. It takes Lisa no more than a second to reach Rachel’s side.
“Oh, thank heavens!” Lisa cries. She turns to me. “How can I ever thank you enough?”
“No need,” I tell her. “No need at all.”
Mason looks at me, first in awe, then with concern. I can feel the energy I just used, as I try to stand up, catching myself on the back of the chair, just before my legs give out. Mason pulls me out of the room and back downstairs, John following shortly after us.
“Is there something I can get you?” John asks me.
I look at Mason. “I think she just needs a few minutes to collect herself.” He answers for me, and then looks at me. “Do you think you need the bathroom again, you know, while you have the chance?”
I nod. I’m too tired for talking. Mason gives up on supporting me while I try to walk and carries me into the bathroom. He sits me gently on the floor and goes back to shut the door. After he locks it, he scoops me back up again and leans me against the sink.
“You better get back.” I warn him.
It only takes him a second to comply. When he’s safely by the door I reach my hand to the outlet, and recharge for the second time in less than a half hour. I try not to think of the possible ramifications of this, and keep going until I feel the energy coursing through me. Maybe if I charge more, I’ll need less? I have no idea.
We manage to make it out of there with few questions. They’re so grateful, I think they’re not asking how I did it out of sheer gratitude. John insists we take all the spare gas he has, and Lisa insists we take some food and water. We hike back to the Jeep and continue on our way. Jared drives, and I hug Baby bear close, sitting in the back seat with Mason.
We eat the food Lisa gave us as we drive. I give half of my sandwich to Baby bear, and fill up his small bowl with water. He’s really been an incredibly easy travel companion. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to keep him around, but I know it will be at least until he can handle being on his own.
“How close are we, do you think?” Brie asks, breaking me out of my Baby bear thoughts.
I toss the map to Mason. He unfolds it and looks at us. “Maybe one more day?” He tells us.
“At least we have the gas now.” Jared says.
“Yeah, I was worried when you guys took so long.” Brie told us.
We had already explained what held us up. Brie was beyond excited, and Jared is still regarding me with an awe I don’t feel I deserve.
Ignoring their reactions is much easier than it normally would be. Too many questions bounce around in my mind. How was Rachel so obviously infected while the infection wasn’t here? Does that mean I’m not really driving it back like we assumed I am? And if it’s so dang contagious, then why weren’t all instantly infected?
What the hell is going on?
All I can hope is that Dr. Ford has some answers for me, for us. I don’t know if these questions are on anybody else’s minds, but I’m sure not going to bring them up for discussion.
Thanks to the new map, that Mason thought to acquire from John, we have an update of the local terrain and back roads. We’ll be crossing the border into Ohio any time now. If we keep going at this rate, we might reach Columbus by tomorrow morning.
Chapter Nine
As the sun begins to fall beneath the horizon, it highlights something we haven’t seen much of lately. People. And not just any people, as we get closer, I notice that they’re soldiers. My hand flies to my back pocket. I have numerous security codes from Dr. Ford. I just hope they work.
Mason looks to me, slowing the Jeep down as he does. “What do we do?”
“Just go slow.” I tell him. I hope it’s the right thing.
The tension in the Jeep is palpable. We have no idea what to expect. As a rule, when I see a military blockade, I freak out a little. Call me crazy.
We approach the gate and Mason stops the car. We’re surrounded by soldiers now, guns drawn.
“Step out of the vehicle.” One of them commands. We do as he says, Brie holding tight to Baby bear. “State your business.” The same soldier orders in a brusque tone.
“We’re on our way to Columbus, to meet Dr. Ford from BioNano. He’s expecting us.” I tell them, too scared to move an inch. I wish they’d lower their weapons.
I see the soldier touch his ear, speaking softly. I imagine he’s wired to someone who is able to confirm our destination. “Your name?” He asks me.
“Katarina Greene.”
More murmuring and ear touching. “You have a code?”
I look around me. “It’s in my back pocket. I have to get it out.” He nods and I slowly pull the paper from my back pocket and hand it to him.
“I’ll accept the first one. Don’t use it again. You all have to go through the medical checkpoint before you can continue. Standard procedure.”
His eyes fall on Brie. “What is that?”
Brie looks panicked. “That’s a baby bear.” I pipe in before anyone else can answer. “He’s a specimen.” Not really, but I wasn’t giving him up now.
The talking soldier bristles and settles his gun on Brie. “Is he infected?”
“No,” I answer quickly. “He’s perfectly fine. Dr. Ford needs to know why.” I really hope whoever’s on the other end of that headset doesn’t have the ability to confirm my lie.
“Well, then I guess he needs to get checked by medical, too. You can drive your vehicle through. One of you. The res
t of you follow me.”
He starts towards a green tent, and all of us but Mason follow. He drives the Jeep through the space the soldiers made in the barricade. I don’t take my eyes off him, hanging at the door of the tent until he’s making his way over to me.
The medical staff is nicer than we expected. They examine Baby bear curiously, but ultimately clear all of us for any possibility of infection. Lucky for me, none of their tests include electricity.
Once we’re cleared from the medical tent, we are taken to a makeshift mess hall. The smell of hot food, something we haven’t had in days, fills the air, making me realize I’m hungry. From the looks on everyone else’s face, they’re hungry, too.
Jared, Brie and Mason all talk amongst themselves, a little nervously. I’m too busy eyeing the soldiers around us. They’re so somber and controlled, it’s a little intimidating. Though, I suppose, this being the front lines of this new war that they have to be. I mumble a quick thank you, as I accept my tray of food, and follow everyone to an empty picnic style table.
The food doesn’t look very appealing, but it smells good, and it’s hot. We all dig in. It tastes better than it looks, although that could just be because it’s the first real meal any of us have had in a while.
It feels like it’s been weeks since we’ve left Becky and Nate with Jack and Mariette. In reality, it’s only been a few days. I suppose it doesn’t help that we haven’t had a real night’s sleep since then, either.
The talking soldier comes up to our table as we finish eating. “We can offer you each a bunk tonight, if you would rather wait to travel until the morning.” His demeanor had softened somewhat, but he still seemed detached in a way.
It’s appealing, the thought of resting outside of the Jeep. I’m too anxious to see Dr. Ford to vote yes though. But it’s not just me, so before anyone else can answer I say, “Can we let you know in a little bit?”
“Sure.” And he walks off again.
“What do you think?” Brie asks, her eyes looking a bit hopeful if you ask me.
I shrug. I want to hear what everyone else thinks first.
“I think we should go.” Jared says, surprising me. “We shouldn’t wear out our welcome here.”
“I agree.” Mason adds.
“Sorry, Brie.” I say. She groans. “We can be in Columbus by morning. I’ll bet they have actual rooms there, with showers and everything.”
Yeah, it was low, but I went there. I knew the prospect of a shower would be too hard for her to resist. I was right, I can see her caving. “Alright,” she relents, “let’s go.”
I don’t start to feel better until the barricade is far behind us. I suppose we were lucky. I can’t imagine we would’ve gotten through a barricade on a main road so quickly. Being around so many people again was disconcerting. It was hard to turn myself off of high alert.
Mason and I rest, as best we can in the back of the Jeep. Baby bear cuddles up on my chest, keeping me warm. I really try to relax and go to sleep. My mind and body are both exhausted, despite the energy I have left coursing through me from this morning…was that just this morning? I’m having a hard time thinking straight.
Eventually, the rhythmic pattern of the street lights entrances me, and my heavy lids fall. My thoughts are incoherent, but I’m too tired to care.
When my eyes open again, I can see dawn streaking across the sky. I realize we’re not moving, that’s what woke me. I sit up a little, maneuvering Baby bear onto Mason, trying to find the threat through the window.
“Relax, it’s just a red light.” Jared assures me. He speaks softly, and I notice Brie sleeping in the passenger seat next to him.
I relax slightly, and really take a look at my surroundings. It’s far more urban than anyplace we’ve been since we left home.
“It’s weird, right?” Jared catches my eye in the rearview mirror. “Being here, it’s so…normal.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I just hope it’s as safe as it seems to be.”
Me, too.” Jared agrees, before he gets lost in his own thoughts.
I stretch as best I can. I’m as well rested as I’m going to get, it seems. I focus on the scenes outside my window, a neighborhood just beginning to awaken. “We have to be getting close.” I say to Jared.
“We’ll be there soon.” He replies. “We should probably wake them up.”
“Give them a few more minutes.” I say, they look so peaceful, why force reality on them so quickly.
“What was the address again?” Jared asks, I read it to him quietly. He notices the tension in my voice. “Are you ready for this?”
“I don’t really have much choice, do I?” I sigh. “I just hope that Dr. Ford has some answers for us, and some insight on what to do next.”
“Me, too.” Jared answers. Brie begins to stir, and Mason follows quickly after.
“Wow,” Brie’s mouth hangs open. “Where are we?”
“We’re in Columbus.” Jared answers.
“Yeah, we’re almost there.” I add.
“Cool.” Mason says, stretching. “I’ve had enough driving for a while.”
“I think we all have.” Brie agrees. “Look at all these people.”
Jared turns and smiles at her. “I know, freaky, right?”
“Hey, isn’t that the street?” Jared turns the Jeep before we pass it by. I have no doubt when the building comes into view, that it’s the right one. Another military barricade surrounds it. Of course we have to go there.
“Ready, guys?” Jared asks. This time I have the slip of paper in my hand with the security codes on it. “Because here we go, again.”
Please, please, please let this have been the right decision. I don’t think any of us can handle anything else at this point.
Jared drives up to the gate and parks the Jeep. I roll down my window behind him. The guard approaches slowly. “Can I help you?”
“We’re here to see Dr. Ford. He’s expecting us.” I tell him.
“Name?”
“Katarina Greene…and guests.” I look at everyone and shrug.
“One moment.” He goes back into his gatehouse.
We all wait quietly, anxiously, for him to return. When he does, he buzzes the gate open. “Drive to your right and park in lot D. Someone will be waiting for you there.” He waves us through.
The buildings and parking lots are nondescript. Every so often a soldier walks by, looking very busy, but not really doing anything I can see. Compared to everything we’ve been through the last few days, the place seems a bit anticlimactic.
Maybe I’m just being pessimistic. I mean, at this point, anticlimactic is a good thing, right?
Jared parks the Jeep in the appropriated lot, and before we can get out a soldier approaches us. He seems much more laid back than any of the other soldiers we’ve encountered so far.
“Welcome.” He smiles. “Glad you guys made it. I’ll bet it was a hell of a trip getting here. I’m Jerome, and I’ll be showing you guys around. Dr. Ford is in a meeting for a couple more hours. We weren’t expecting you this soon. I’ll show you to your rooms, get you some food while you wait.”
Baby bear sticks his head up, and Jerome notices him for the first time. “Bear?”
I nod. “A survivor, if you will.”
He shrugs. “This way.”
I’m glad he’s leading, because once we enter the building, its maze of hallways offer no type of differentiation between them. It would be very easy to get lost here. We finally get to an elevator. When the doors open, people are everywhere. It’s awfully overwhelming. Jerome weaves us through them, their curious stares not going unnoticed by us. I can tell I’m not the only one freaking out. Our little group stays huddled together defensively.
“We only have two rooms available, but they each sleep two people.” He looks at us. “I’ll leave it up to you to decide who goes where. The rooms are across the hall from each other.”
“Thanks, Jerome.” I say.
“Not
a problem. I’ll give you guys some time to get settled. I’ll be back at o-eight-hundred and bring you to the cafeteria to get some food.” He goes back down the hallway towards the throng of people.
“How do you guys want to work this?” I ask. Mostly I look at Brie, it’s really her choice.
“I think it would be okay, if Jared and I stay in one room.” She looks at him questionably.
“I’m good with that.” Jared says.
“Alright, let’s meet back out here in an hour.” I say, and we each go into our respective temporary living quarters.
It’s nothing fancy, but it has beautiful things we haven’t seen for a while, like beds, a bathroom with a shower, and electricity. I put Baby bear on one of the beds and I charge up first thing, discovering I needed it more than I first thought. Mason looks at me. “How are you feeling?”
“Physically, pretty good,” I tell him. “Otherwise, a little freaked out.”
He laughs. “Yeah, me, too. Why don’t you take a shower?”
The idea of one perks me right up, but I don’t want to seem selfish. “Are you sure you don’t want to go first?”
“Nah, go ahead. I’ll get some of our stuff unpacked.” He smiles. I can tell he’s relieved to be here.
“Alright, I’ll see you in a few.”
After so many days without a shower, heaven, that’s what this is. I try not to take too long, it’s only fair for Mason to have his turn, too. Hmm, the idea of Mason in the shower sends funny feelings deep within my gut.
I shut off the water and grab a towel. I have exactly one pair of clean clothes left, and try to remember to make laundry a priority later. I get dressed quickly and towel dry my hair as best I can.
When I go back into the room, Mason is watching the small TV. He stands when he sees me, and throws his shirt off. “Good timing. I’ll be out in a few.”
Wow. The shirt-less-ness is a first. Dang. I manage to snap myself out of it, just in time to catch the mischievous grin on his face. “Ok, I’ll be here.”
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