I can’t help but grin while he shuts the door. Our relationship had only first started when the infection begun, forcing us into this extreme situation. We’ve been so tense, so on guard, that it’s a refreshing change to see playful Mason again, even if it’s only temporary.
I comb through the snarls in my hair, trying to be careful and wince when yanking through the worst of the knots. Finally, I win the battle and pull my hair back. Putting my comb back in my bag, there’s a knock on the door. “Five minutes.” A voice calls.
I tap on the bathroom door and reiterate the message to Mason. Guess I’ll have to wait until later to enjoy his playfulness. My stomach growls, and I’m thinking food is probably a good thing. With two minutes left to spare, Mason joins me. He shoves his shoes on and pulls a shirt over his head, before we go into the hallway together.
Brie and Jared obviously showered, too. It’s a small bit of luxury we haven’t had, and normalizes everything just a bit for us. Normal is nice. Weird, but nice.
“I called Becky,” Brie tells me. “They’re all doing well. I told her about this place, offered to send someone for them, but they want to stick it out, for now.”
“I hope that’s the best choice.” Mason says.
“We’ll have to try to talk some sense into them soon.” I say.
“Good luck trying to get Jack to leave.” Jared points out.
Hmm, I’d have to try to think of a way to convince him.
Jerome pops his around the end of the hall. “C’mon guys, you must be starving.”
“Got that right.” Brie smiles.
Jerome leads us through the maze of hallways, this time into a large, cavernous room. It has an institutional feel to it, but it’s detracted by the delicious smells that a rational person would never think of associating with institutional food. Last time anything smelled this good, we were in Mariette’s kitchen. I boost Baby bear on my hip, whose nose and energy seems to be awakened by the smell. This raises my hopes that the hot food here will be better than our last hot, indiscernible meal at the barracks. It was good, don’t get me wrong, and I was grateful for it. I just prefer to not play guess-my-food if I don’t have to.
This huge kitchen/dining area is set up cafeteria style. Jerome leads us to a line and hands us each a tray. “Just point to what you want and they’ll get it for you.”
I point to some eggs and am handed a plate. I do the same for the bacon next to it. Yep, this place is okay in my book.
After we’ve all filled our trays, we find a table. Jerome sits with us, explaining different areas we’ll be seeing. He also tells us the few ground rules. Simple, logical things really, no theft, violence will not be tolerated, that sort of thing. It’s the last rule that raises my hackles a bit. We can’t leave without permission. Not crazy about that one stipulation.
Even though taking a shower was wonderful, and the food rocks, I’m still overly anxious to meet up with the good doctor and get some answers. I turn to Jerome. “Do you know when the doctor will be available?”
“When we’re done here, I’ll take you to his office.” Jerome answered.
I nod, and start eating a little faster.
Dr. Ford’s office is really quite bare. There are no diplomas on the walls, or any other personal touches. Tan walls, a desk and some chairs, but not much else.
I look at Mason. He gives me a small, reassuring smile, no doubt sensing my nervousness. Brie and Jared went off with Jerome to explore, taking Baby bear with them. Mason insisted on staying with me. I’m glad he did, even if I knew he would.
The anticipation was killing me. Just when I think I can’t stand one more second, the door opens. Dr. Ford’s familiar, though now somewhat haggard, face smiles when he sees us. “Kat, Mason, I’m so glad you guys made it safely.”
“Thanks, doc, us, too.” Mason shakes his proffered hand.
“Hey, doc.” I say, shaking his hand when Mason releases it.
“I’m not even sure where to begin.” Dr. Ford sits behind the desk, across from us. “What’s it like out there?”
I shudder involuntarily, but it’s Mason who answers. “Not good.” He says quietly.
Dr. Ford rakes a hand across his face. I can see the tension in his eyes. “Did you see many survivors?”
I shake my head. “We didn’t see any. One family, but only their daughter was infected, no one else.” Except that one group, my conscious sneers at me.
“What happened?” The doctor asks, “Did they all succumb to the infection?”
Mason answers softly. “Kat saved her.”
Dr. Ford’s eyes grow as wide as saucers. “Hmm. Maybe we should continue this in the lab.”
“Hey, doc?” Mason asks as we get up. “We can keep Kat’s, er, abilities, to just us for now, right?”
“Of course.” Dr. Ford assures him. “This way.”
The lab is just that, a lab. Lots of white and things I would probably break if I touched. I sit on a stool, in a safe place away from all of the equipment.
“May I start with a blood test?” He asks me.
“Okay.” Needles are not my favorite thing, but I figured I was in for this when I signed up.
He draws the blood quickly, and surprisingly painlessly, while I focus on Mason. No way am I watching the needle.
“Good, I’m going to have some tests run on this, as soon as I know the results, I will let you know.” Dr. Ford smiles, “Now, onto the next step, let’s see what you can do.”
“Um, I think we need some more room.” Mason says.
“Yeah, doc, I don’t want to hurt your lab.” I say.
“Oh, right.” He looks sheepish. “Good point. Follow me.”
A couple of elevators and a stairway later, Dr. Ford opens a door to blinding sunlight, and we find ourselves on a roof. Dr. Ford points down to an unused, mostly dilapidated, basketball court. “Let ‘er rip.” His excitement is almost overwhelming.
I look at Mason, who shrugs. All well, here goes nothing. I motion for them to stand back, as I create the now familiar energy sphere in my palms. Dr. Ford’s eyes almost pop out of his head. I throw it at the one remaining basketball hoop and watch as it’s obliterated.
When I turn back to Dr. Ford, his mouth has popped open along with his eyes. “That-it’s just incredible, never seen anything-can you do it again?” He sputters.
I throw one more, not quite as strong, and we all watch as it pops in the court below. Suddenly, the doors next to the court fly open and five armed guards step onto the court. I shrink away from the edge and out of sight. Mason follows my lead. To both of our shock, so does Dr. Ford.
“Um, shouldn’t you tell them it was just a test, that everything’s okay?” I ask.
“Nah, they could use the excitement.” Dr. Ford says before leading us back towards the lab.
He’s all business when we return. He asks question after question. I answer honestly. Mason begins to doze off a little. Dr. Ford keeps at it until there’s a soft knock at the door. I giggle when Mason almost falls out of the chair.
It’s Jerome, informing us it’s time for lunch. Dr. Ford leaps up, with one final parting question. “If I can find something to get a sample into, can you give me one of them? A smaller one, perhaps?”
My eyes dart towards Jerome and I’m glad that Dr. Ford kept his question vague. “Sure, doc, anything to help.” Jerome eyes me curiously but doesn’t say anything.
“Oh, Jerome,” Dr. Ford says, “There was an incident of sorts on the old basketball court. I’d like someone to get me a sample.”
I see Mason suppress a smile. “Sure thing, Dr. Ford. We’ll get someone on that asap.” Jerome answers.
“Thank you. I’ll see you two later.”
“Bye, doc.” Mason and I call as we follow Jerome.
Brie and Jared are waiting for us, holding a table. They didn’t get their food yet, which I think is sweet. It makes me happy that even in all of this insanity, Brie and Jared found each other.
&n
bsp; Lunch seems much too quick, tasty, but short. As soon as Jerome gets up, I know he’s bringing Mason and I back to Dr. Ford. I promise Brie to talk later and head back for round two of testing.
Figuring the level of Dr. Ford’s excitement, it doesn’t surprise me that he has something set up to test my energy. I give him smaller, less powerful spheres, and a larger one before I feel the need to recharge again.
He loves this almost as much as the first demonstration. It makes me feel awfully self-conscious, but it’s in the name of science, right? Can’t let my bashfulness stop from possibly saving the world.
After an hour or so of analyzing data, Dr. Ford turns to Mason and I. “It’s utterly remarkable.”
“Um, thanks, I guess?” I’m not quite sure what the appropriate response is for such a statement.
“No, really. It’s an organic energy, something like lightning, but you’ve mutated it, adapted it to your body.”
“What about when it runs out?” Mason asks quietly. I know this has been bugging him for a while now.
“We’ll have to run some more tests to determine that.” Dr. Ford answers, not quite meeting my gaze.
The next two days are filled with testing. It’s redundant, therefore rather boring, even though Dr. Ford insists it’s all necessary. Mason remains dutifully by my side, throughout every grueling step. I miss Baby bear, who spends his days with Brie and Jared and only bunks with us at night. I’m beginning to feel as though I’m stuck in some sort of never-ending, test-filled purgatory.
After what seems like forever, Dr. Ford finally turns from his computer and puts his glasses down.
“Enough for today, doc?” Mason asks hopefully.
“Well, yes and no. You guys were very patient through the question portion, and I’m assuming that’s because you’re anxious to get to the answer part.” Dr. Ford pauses. “We’ve reached the part where I have some answers.”
Oh. I guess that’s good, right. Yeah, sure, answers are good. I’m not sure why the butterflies in my stomach seem to disagree.
“Kat, this energy you’ve harnessed, it is part of you now. If you use too much of it, it will drain you, but you are able to replenish it on your own without an external source, this just takes more time.
“As to how it affects the nanobots,” he continues, “they were set on replication, and when whatever glitch happened to cause them to go out of control did, it reset something in them. It seems that this new form of biological energy you’ve created completely reboots them.”
“That’s all good news, right?” Mason asks.
“Yes, all good news. My concern is the rate of which we’ll be able to use this to slow and ultimately stop them. If I can’t find some way to duplicate this energy, well, poor Kat wouldn’t be able to stop them alone.”
Haven’t I sort of already been though? I thought they were falling back, slowly, sure, but back nonetheless.
“What do you mean?” Mason asks him. “I thought it was already working?”
“I see I’ve kept you guys a bit cut off in here the last few days. The latest maps do show a decline in the advance of the infection on the path you took to get here. The problem I’ve found is that the rebooted ‘fixed’ nanobots are still succumbing to the mutated ones.”
“So they’re re-infecting the fixed nanobots?” Mason asks quietly.
“Unfortunately, yes.” The doctor sighs. “If we could get enough of Kat’s new organic energy, we can stop them, but unless I can replicate it, we will only be able to keep a small area contained and uninfected.”
“Can you do it, doc? Replicate it, I mean?” I ask, finding my voice.
“I’m not sure. I’m going to try, though. Why don’t you guys go explore the rest of the facility today. I’ve monopolized you enough. If I need anything, I’ll have Jerome find you.”
“Alright, doc. Good luck.” I say.
Mason echoes my goodbye and we head in search of Jared and Brie.
Chapter Ten
It doesn’t take us too long to find Brie and Mason, mostly because its lunchtime and we meet them in the cafeteria. I scoop up Baby bear from Brie. He’s putting on some weight, so he’s not as light as he was. But he’s still a comfort, as I try not to let the stress of Dr. Ford’s answer session get to me.
When we have our food and find a table, I turn to Brie and Mason and fill them in. “I think we need to get Jack, Mariette, Becky and Nate out before it’s too late. I can get Dr. Ford to send someone out there, I’m sure.”
“I’ll call them as soon as we’re done eating.” Brie says.
Mason and Jared grunt and nod their approval as their mouths are full of food.
It doesn’t take very long at all for Jerome to find us again. In fact, it was pretty much the same allotment we had for lunch every other day. “Sorry,” He looks sheepish. “Doc needs you two again. Said it’s important.”
I shrug. I’m used to it, so is Mason. We get up and follow him with little fuss, down the now familiar hallways to the lab. Dr. Ford rushes us in, and unlike usual, he quickly shuts and locks the door behind us. Now that I really look at him, I notice he looks frazzled.
“What’s up, doc?” Mason smiles, trying to lighten his mood.
“Kat, I am so sorry.” Dr. Ford says.
Fear spreads through me like a slow burn. I can’t think to speak before Mason does. “What’s going on?” He demands more than asks.
“General Carch is what’s going on. One of the meanest old birds you’ll ever meet, and unfortunately for us, she’s also in charge here.” He looks at me grimly. “She doesn’t think we should wait to try to replicate your organic energy. She’s putting together an engineering team as we speak to create something to drain your energy constantly and use it to charge weapons for our soldiers. You’re not safe here anymore, Kat.”
It’s my guinea pig fear, come to life. I stand frozen.
It’s Mason who jumps into action for both of us. “What can we do?”
“I’ve had Jerome set your Jeep with extra supplies and a cell phone and charger. I’m the only one with the number. I can’t tell you where it will be safe to go, but I’ll check in daily with any updates I have. I can figure this out, I just need more time. You’ll do well to stay away from the cops and army, if you can help it. Whatever you do, don’t use your real names.”
Mason nods. “Jared and Brie?”
“Will probably be safer with you. I wouldn’t put it past that mean old cow to throw them in the brig once she discovers you’re gone.” Dr. Ford says.
Mason nods. “How long do we have?”
“An hour, maybe, but the less time the better.”
“Understood.” Mason pulls on my arm. “C’mon, Kat, we’ve got to go, babe.”
Suddenly, I remember something important. I walk to one of the maps on the wall and find the location I’m looking for, sticking a tack into it. “We have friends here, doc.” I tell him. “A mom, a kid, and an older couple. Please get them out, before it’s too late. We’ll tell them to expect you and be ready.”
“I promise.” Dr. Ford says, as Mason pulls me towards the door. “Be safe, guys.”
“Thanks, doc. You, too.” I answer as Mason and I take off down the hallway.
Jerome must have already told Brie and Jared, because they are waiting for us with Baby bear and their bags packed. It takes me and Mason maybe five minutes to gather our things, then we all follow Jerome to our Jeep. He explains about extra gas, a filled fuel tank, extra maps, the cell phone, water and MRE’s. I’m a little confused by the last one until Mason explains its army food.
Mason lets Jared drive the first shift, and I don’t miss him using his body and Baby bear’s to try and hide my presence in the Jeep, as we exit the gate.
When the gated, fenced building is shrinking behind us he backs off, but grabs my hand and squeezes tight.
I feel horrible, getting everyone kicked out of the safest place we’ve been since this whole thing started. Hopefully,
doc keeps his promise and gets Jack and the rest of our group there for me. At least they’ll be safe.
“Where do you want to go?” Jared asks, not to anyone particular, more all of us as a whole.
“I have no idea.” Brie says, turning in her seat to face me.
I look dumbly at Mason. I really need to snap out of it, but my mind is too consumed by guilt.
“Maybe we should try south for now?” Mason suggests. “They’ll probably expect us to go west.”
“If they don’t have us lo-jacked already.” Jared points out. We all look at each other and Jared pulls over.
The guys get out of the car, and it doesn’t take long for them to find what they’re looking for. Mason holds up a small piece of something I don’t recognize and sticks it on a parked car one space up.
We try again, this time adjusting our route to the south. I stroke Baby bear’s soft fur as he snores gently with my free hand and force myself to think. How on earth did this happen? How did we suddenly become basic fugitives? And what’s more, if Dr. Ford can’t replicate my energy, what will I do? Let the world end? I sigh, and Mason squeezes my hand.
“You alright?” He asks.
“Not really.” I answer truthfully. “But I don’t see any way to get around it right now.”
He gives me a quick kiss on my cheek and begins staring out of his window. I guess he doesn’t see any way around it right now, either.
We travel south for a few hours before we stop to stretch our legs, and let Jared and Mason switch drivers. I have no idea where we are, but I assume somewhere in the mid-west farmland as all we’ve seen is empty fields for a while. The sky is overcast and the day dreary, but this is fine with me, it matches my mood.
We continue on for a while, and since we have no real destination in mind, we toy with the option of stopping for the night. Ultimately, it’s Mason who convinces us to wait until tomorrow night. He wants to put more space between us and Columbus, before we attempt a campout. Nobody argues, though I can’t help the involuntary shudder that runs through me.
Charged (Electric) Page 13
