by S A Ison
TEN
Kansas City, MO
Hogan and Trish were in the front of the house. It was late afternoon. They’d been out in the garden pulling weeds and checking the growth of the vegetables. So far, Hogan was pleased to see that everything was growing well. They’d had good sun to rain ratio. Caleb was down for a nap, and both were enjoying the quiet of the day. That morning, they’d had a baby goat born. Mother and kid were doing well and were segregated, for now. The other goats were in the pasture. The rabbits had also managed to produce and in a few more weeks, those animals would be processed and the meat canned. There was no other way to preserve them, other than to smoke the meat.
Hogan thought that perhaps, he might try that method, if only to see how the meat tasted. They had also spent part of the day dragging deadfall back to the property. Trish had made a kind of frontal sling, carrying the baby with them. It had been peaceful in the woods and cooler, out of the sun. The leaves on the trees were now filling out. He saw deer tracks, but he would not be hunting until the fall.
They’d also had a bumper crop of new chicks. Thirteen of them. One of the other hens was also sitting on a pile, so they hoped for even more chicks. Once the chicks got big enough, they would process the meat and can that as well.
“I’m hoping that we’ll get more chicks this fall, sometimes I get another batch. It just depends on if the hens go broody again.” Trish had said.
“Maybe this fall, I can bag a couple of turkeys. That would be nice.” He’d said.
“That really would be nice.” She’d grinned and kissed him. A smile now creased his face at the thought.
“What on earth are you smiling about?” She laughed, looking at him.
“Ah, just thinking about turkeys.”
“Gorp. You know, not that I’m a fisherman, but about a mile and a half from here, there is a pond. Maybe one of these days, we can go fishing down there. What do you think?” She laughed, wrapping her arms around his middle.
“Yes, that does sound good. Do you have a fishing pole? Or tackle?”
“No, but with the amount of junk in the barn, I’m sure there’s something there. It just takes digging out.”
“You know, you got suckered when you bought this place. The previous owners should have taken everything.” Hogan laughed down at her.
“I know, I know, but I was just so happy to get the place, it didn’t occur to me that they wouldn’t take their junk. Honestly, it was more trouble than it was worth, to try to get rid of it. It took me over a month, just to clean the junk out of the stalls in the barn. I had to haul all that crap to the dump. I didn’t get curb service. After that, the rest I just left, unless I needed the space.”
They were interrupted by the sound of an engine. It was such an odd sound; they’d not heard any vehicles in months.
“Go into the house, don’t come out unless I call.” Hogan said, pulling the AR15 around. He then pulled his Glock and checked it, then put it back behind his back. Hogan’s heart was thundering. This couldn’t be good. He wondered who would be out and why come down this road. There were very few homes and as far as he knew, the homes were deserted. He and Trish had gone to each of her nearest neighbors earlier that spring. No one had been home in any of the houses. They’d not gone in and at one home, they could detect the scent of decay from inside the house.
Someone had died, by either starvation, natural causes or murdered. There were two other farms on the road, and both had been abandoned. There were no livestock or any indications that there had been. Hogan walked to the fence, the dogs were around him, quiet. He supposed they sensed his fear and apprehension. He looked over his shoulder and could see Trish by the front window. He smiled; she had her weapon drawn.
The sound of the vehicle drew near, it didn’t sound like a car, it was something bigger. He walked out of the gate and went farther down the drive. He was surprised when an ambulance drove by, then slowed and stopped. It backed up and came abreast of Hogan. The AR15 was aimed at the vehicle, but not at the driver. The man inside nodded and someone on the passenger’s side got out and he heard the door slam. A woman came around the front of the vehicle and walked toward him. The dogs whined and wagged their tails inside the fence. The woman looked familiar, but he wasn’t sure why. He heard the screen door slam and looked behind; Trish was walking toward them a smile on her face. She came through the gate and ran to them. He looked back at the woman.
“Dr. Wang?” He asked confused. The woman looked at him and then behind him and a smile split her face.
“Trish? Oh my god, is that you?” Dr. Wang laughed and Hogan turned as Trish stepped past him. He watched the driver, and then looked back at Trish and the doctor. Trish was hugging the smaller woman and Hogan smiled. He’d not seen her since his last day at the hospital.
“What on earth are you doing out here?” Trish asked the doctor. Hogan noticed that the smile trembled a little.
“Ah, yes. Well, the Hive has sent me out, looking for survivors. I’m supposed to do a wellness check on anyone in the outlying areas of Kansas City.”
Hogan snorted and then apologized.
“Sorry. Are you now working for the Hive?” Hogan asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry to say I am. I don’t have a lot of choice in the matter.” She said in a soft voice, looking over her shoulder at the driver. Hogan looked at the man, he was wearing a black uniform. He seemed bored by it all.
“What’s going on? We’ve not seen or heard anything for months. Do you know if the power is coming back on?” Trish asked, her voice just as low.
“The Hive or Hives have taken over. I’d say about ninety percent of the population is now housed there. There are very few that live outside the fence. There still isn’t much information coming in. Sadly, there was so much destruction in the city, that many cannot go back to their homes. No, most everyone lives at one of the Hive locations. There are three now. There are a few, like yourselves, that are scattered outside the Kansas City boundaries.”
“So, do we have to worry about someone showing up and trying to force us to go to the Hive?” Hogan asked, his voice low, but angry. He felt Trish’s hand on his shoulder.
“No, I think the Hive has accomplished what it set out to do, which was to encapsulate most of the populous. To keep it under control. I’m supposed to give the survivors that live farther out, vaccinations.” Wang said, nervously, again, looking over her shoulders.
“What kind of vaccinations? And are they compulsory?” Hogan asked with an edge to his voice.
“I’m told it is for the fallout from all the nuclear bombs that were dropped. Personally, I think it is a little too late. I’ve been pretending to inject, please just go along. I’m not sure what it really is, but if the guard thinks you’re getting the shot, he’ll report back, that I did my job. I’m hoping that will keep the Hive satisfied.” Dr. Wang advised, opening a medical satchel.
Hogan looked at Trish, who nodded.
“Can you fail to mention that you ever saw us out here? Anyone who comes will be eating a bit of lead for breakfast if they do.” Hogan said quietly, rolling up his short sleeve. He felt the alcohol swab and he watched as the driver watched the doctor. Hogan was turned in such away, that the needle looked like it went in and he saw the liquid squirt away. He made a wincing face, and then Dr. Wang rubbed the spot with the sterile swab.
Trish rolled her sleeve up and Hogan stood partially in the way to block the driver’s view. He noticed that once Dr. Wang was finished, the driver turned his attention away. So, the man was watching. Hogan was sure that he’d report back. He turned his attention back to the doctor.
“Are you being forced to do this?” Trish asked softly.
“Yes, they watch me and my family. There have been many who’ve gone missing, one’s that complain too loud or fight too hard. I do what I can to mitigate what’s going on, but there are so many eyes.” She said, her eyes tearing up and she wiped at them. Hogan felt the impotent heat of rag
e snake its way through him.
“Do you think at some point they will come for us?” Trish asked nervously.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. I’ve not come across a lot of people out here. I’d say most of them are now at the Hives. I’d suggest if you do get power back, disconnect it. Using it will just draw unwanted attention to you. I don’t see this changing any time soon. The Hive seemed more concerned about people within a fifty-mile radius of Kansas City, you fall well outside of that. From what I understand, the Hives are filled to capacity. I don’t think they need to go looking farther out.” Dr. Wang explained.
“Hence the vaccinations.” Hogan nodded darkly to her case.
“Yes, I’m almost afraid of what they want me to inject into people and I can’t do it in good conscience. So, I try to skirt around that.” She whispered.
“Thank you. Hopefully they’ll not come to look for us.” Trish said.
“Hopefully not. Like I said, it is so remote out here and you’re far enough out. You’re the first people we’ve run into today.” She said.
“Should we have stayed hidden?” Trish asked, nervously.
“No, your place doesn’t look abandoned. The driver would have stopped. Or, had the power come back on and you used it, you’d have been noticed sooner or later.” Wang said, looking over her shoulder.
“Maybe mention that we’re squatting here and are planning to head farther east. If the subject comes up.” Hogan suggested.
Smiling, Dr. Wang nodded. “I sure will. I’ve got to go. Good luck Trish and Hogan. I don’t mean this the wrong way, but I hope I never see you again. That will mean that you’re far away from the Hives.”
Trish stepped forward and hugged Dr. Wang. Hogan took her hand and shook it with both of his.
“Be safe Dr. Wang. Good luck.” He said softly and saw the sorrow in her dark brown eyes. She nodded and went around the front of the ambulance and got back into the vehicle. The driver pulled away, not looking back. Hogan let out a long breath.
“Jesus Christ. I wonder what in the hell was in that syringe.” Hogan said, watching the ambulance vanish down the road.
“There’s no telling. Maybe something that would make us sick and die a slow death.” Trish said and shivered. “Thank God she was the one doing it, I’m sure someone else would have tried to give us the shot.”
“They’d have tried and would have died; I’d have killed them both and gotten rid of the ambulance. Drove it into someone’s abandoned barn and left them to rot.” Hogan snorted, turning to Trish. He pulled her to him and held her for a long moment.
“Did I ever tell you that I loved you, woman?” He grinned down at her.
“Oh no you don’t, you white devil. Don’t you play those tricks on me, I know you want this big ol’ booty.” She laughed when he lifted her off the ground and went back through the gate. The dogs followed, yapping happily after them.
“Hell yeah, I’m not crazy. Let’s go get some afternoon delight, I think we dodged a big one.” He grinned, kissing her neck.
Ӝ
Topeka, KS
Ian looked up and down the road. They’d been walking all night and sunrise was heading their way fast. They’d need to get off the road and find some where to sleep the day away. Both were beat and it was hard to walk without stumbling from drunken weariness. They’d come across several cars, but each time they either couldn’t find a key or the car was dead. The houses they came across, were just as dead. Through the night, they’d kept up a jog and walk until it was damned near impossible to lift a foot. He could see they’d traveled a little over twenty miles.
They’d kept to the road, because there were less obstacles to trip over. They’d stopped only once to rest and eat, both of them starving. Megan had found several cans of ravioli, a few boxes of raisins, some crackers and they had four extra bottles of water. She’d also thought to bring a can opener along with two spoons. It had been the best thing he’d tasted in months.
Now, they needed a place to hunker down. Traveling in the day would be dangerous, because the ground was so flat, they could be seen from miles away. There were several homes ahead in the distance and they’d have to choose one of them. They had two more nights of hard traveling ahead of them.
“Let’s go check out those houses over there. Let’s also see if they have bikes or cars. My feet are hurting like hell.” He said, pointing in the direction of the houses. They were just dark blobs on the horizon, but Ian knew they were homes. He looked around; things were becoming clear in the predawn light. They needed to move, before their silhouettes could be seen.
“Come on, we need to get a move on, that light is coming fast.” He said and began to run. He could hear Megan behind him, grunting with each step. He knew he was pushing her, but if they were caught, he was sure they’d be shot. Within ten minutes, they reached the first house. The windows had been broken out and the front door kicked in. The yard was strewn with trash and debris from the house, the grass growing up and engulfing much of it. There was another house farther up, that looked the same. He didn’t see any vehicles.
“Which one should we take?” Megan panted, bent at the waist.
“We have the time to check them all out. Let’s see if there is a flashlight of some kind, that would really help us.” Ian smiled at her. They walked up to the first house. The light was now illuminating the yard, but the interior of the house was dark.
“Let’s go slow, I don’t want to trip and fall on something and get hurt.” He advised. They moved into the house cautiously, Ian listening intently. He was sure no one was here, but he didn’t know if animals took up residence. They move toward the kitchen, and weak light was coming through the window at the sink. It wasn’t much, but it helped. Going over to some drawers, that had been pulled open, he moved the junk around. He smiled and pulled up a small LED flashlight. Holding his breath, he clicked it on. Bright light made him wince.
“I don’t think there will be any food, but let’s take a quick look around. Then go to the next house.”
“Maybe if we also see a good place to hide, and sleep.” Megan yawned, causing him to yawn as well, his jaw cracking with the effort of it. Careful not to disturb a lot, they looked in the cupboards and pantry. No food was found, but they did find one bottle of water between the refrigerator and counter. They looked around the rest of the house quickly, the whole thing had been torn apart. The TVs had been toppled over and smashed. Ian wondered why people did that? Destroy whatever came into their path. Assholes, he supposed.
He and Megan moved to the next house. It was the same, destruction and no food. They did find a bicycle in the carport, but the tires were flat. There was a tire pump and they’d give it a try later. Moving to the third house, they were more cautious. There had been no damage to the exterior.
“Do you think someone still lives there?” Megan asked, looking around.
“No, there’s debris up against the front door. No one’s opened that door for months. Be careful though, just in case. Let’s also look for a weapon, it might come in handy.”
They entered the house and Ian moved the light over the space quickly. It was as he thought, there was a thick layer of dust all over everything. Moving to the kitchen, they checked the pantry. There was a dented can of peaches, two tuna cans, and there were Raman noodles on the floor, a mouse having chewed through the wrapper. He grabbed the peaches and tuna, putting them in the bag. He didn’t find any water. They moved through the house and to the back bedrooms.
“Look through the nightstands for a weapon and I’ll look in the closet and dresser.” Ian said.
“I found another flashlight.” Megan grinned, clicking it on. Ian moved quickly through the drawers but found nothing.
“I found a gun and a box of shells.” Megan said excitedly, holding up a snub nose, .38 special.
“Awesome.” Ian grinned.
“Do you just want to crash here?” Megan asked, looking around.
�
��Hell yeah, but we can’t. If I were looking for us, I’d look here first.” He smiled crookedly.
“Guess you’re right.” She said, her shoulders slumping.
“Let’s go back to the first house. The bed on that was up pretty high. We could sleep under it, and I don’t think anyone would see us. Also, there’s a bathroom next to the bed. We can open the window and punch out the screen. That way, we have an exit, if we need it.” Ian suggested.
“Good idea. We don’t have to sleep on the carpet, do we?” She asked, making a face, causing him to laugh.
“No, we can find some clean sheets and make a bed under the bed. But, I’m so tired, I don’t think I would care.”
They went back to the first house, by now, the sun was glowing brightly, casting the landscape in soft colors. They quickly ran in, and Ian stood in the doorway, looking around.
“Are you going to shut the door?” Megan asked.
“No, we’ll leave it as we found it. Let’s go get some sleep.” He said tiredly.
Ӝ
It was an overcast day, and Tilly was glad. She was now planting corn; she had a stick and a sack of seeds slung over her shoulder. As she walked, she poked the stick into the raised mound and then dropped a kernel of corn into the hole. She walked on a step then repeated. Behind her was a six-year-old, covering the holes. Her mind was wandering, and she thought about the night before. She’d come back to her cell and there were three guards. They’d turned and looked at her.
“What?” She’d asked them.
“Where are your roommates?” A tall, beefy man asked.
“I don’t know. That’s why I told the lady earlier, I hadn’t seen them, and I was worried.”
“So, you don’t know where they are?” The man asked again.
“No, I don’t. I’m worried. I didn’t see them at dinner. Can you find them?” She had asked, worry on her face. She just hoped that she was a great actress.
“When did you see them last?” The man asked.
