by Ned Sahin
I take the exit to enter the town. We drive around to decide on the best spot for lodging tonight. I remember my sightseeing trips where I desperately looked for street parking to park my rental car. The difference is that parking is not an issue in this small town. There are only a few streets anyway.
We pass a sheriff’s office, a clinic, a Chinese take-out, a bar, a car wash, a church, and a hotel. There is also a building called Nevada Native Museum. We should skip the museum hopping and just get inside the hotel to rest.
I haven’t seen anybody around so far. It looks like a ghost town except for a crow cawing to the sound of the truck’s engine. I hope it’s not some kind of a warning sound for anybody.
I park the truck backward in front of the hotel to make sure we are ready to drive off anytime. Emergencies seem to happen frequently in the post-apocalypse.
It’s one of those two-star motels that travelers use for a night during their long trips.
The briefcase guy wakes up the couple. I take the handgun from the glove box and check the magazine.
“Wait for me here,” I say.
“I’ll come with you.” The guy gets off the truck with his briefcase.
I glance at his box-shaped bag and smile. He is emotionally attached to it.
“You better keep your best friend safe,” I say sarcastically, and he chuckles.
The front glass door is unlocked. There is a creepy couch in the waiting area and an even creepier counter. Woodworms seem to be consuming the hotel slowly while hiding under a thick layer of dust.
On the side table next to the couch are a few travel brochures of what to do in this area. They are probably about visiting the only museum, eating at the only restaurant, and drinking at the only bar, I guess.
I look for room keys behind the counter while the guy peers at the sticky notes on the corkboard.
As I expected, there are no real keys. I see a stack of RFID cards instead. Without authorizing them on the computer, I know that they are useless.
I open the drawer under the computer. I see a card with “MASTER” handwritten on it. We leave the lobby to meet the others waiting outside of the truck. Everyone follows me to the nearest room on the first floor. I scan the card over the reader. A green light flashes. The couple goes inside the room.
The briefcase guy goes into the next room.
“Would you like to stay in separate rooms or the same room?” I ask Kathleen.
“The same room. We better not get far from each other,” she says. It’s a good idea. The couple proved that they are not threats but it’s better to be cautious about the briefcase guy even though he seems to be friendly. He works for the Republic after all.
We enter the room. The queen-size bed is untouched. It looks like there haven’t been any guests staying in this room since the hotel closed its door.
Luckily, there is water running in the bathroom. Either the town’s water pumps still have the battery to power them, or the hotel’s water tank is not emptied yet.
After taking showers, we go outside with some of the pre-packaged food from our backpacks. Carlson, his wife, and the guy come out of their rooms after hearing us walking by.
We go to the lobby to have our dinner. We push the dust away on the couch and chairs.
“We are thinking about staying here… The town looks empty and I saw some condos with gardens. Water pipes seem to be working too... I don’t see a point of going to the West,” Carlson says. That’s a big decision.
“Nothing is waiting for us there,” his wife adds.
I think it’s not a bad idea. If I didn’t have a family in San Francisco, then I wouldn’t have wanted to go on a risky adventure toward a dangerous land either.
“What about you? By the way, I think I didn’t catch your name,” Kathleen says to the briefcase guy. I have noticed that I don’t know his name either.
“They call me Crypto... If you don’t mind, I would be glad to continue the trip with you.” He shares looks with Kathleen and me. There is no surprise in his answer. He has to deliver the briefcase to Weck Highland a.k.a. Monster.
“And afterward?” I ask. From his sudden pause while eating his dried fruits, I can tell that he wasn’t expecting this question.
“Hm… Then… I guess I will get away from the West as far as possible with my sister... Assuming if he keeps his promise,” he says.
“Come join us, buddy!” Carlson gently hits his back with a big smile. Who knows, maybe I might come back to this little town after uniting with my family too. It wouldn’t be a permanent move, though. I still want to go back to Purple Haze. I think about Sunshine and her family every day. I gaze at the wristband she made for me.
The sun starts to settle down as we tell our stories to each other and share our dreams about the future.
Our conversation gets interrupted by the startling sound of Harley-Davidson motorcycles parking in front of the hotel. We all run behind the counter to take cover.
From the lobby, I can see at least six bikers getting off their loud toys. Some bikers have their spouses with them. They all look like they are in their 40s and are wearing casual clothes without any branding or hints of group affiliation. I hope they are not one of those aggressive biker groups.
They neither have weapons on them, but I am pretty sure some of them have handguns, if not all. We are outnumbered and outgunned, but we still have the advantage of a surprise attack.
We look at each other while hiding behind the counter. None of us is sure about how to react. I decide to choose a polite way instead of a hostile approach. We should show them that our group is not a threat.
I go around the counter and head out of the lobby. Others follow me except Crypto. He stays behind the counter. A voice inside tells me that he knows them.
As soon as I open the lobby door, they all turn their heads to us at the same time with their eyes wide open. Some of them reach for their belts or bags.
“Welcome to the luxury suites of Battle Mountain,” I say with a smirk. I open my arms on both sides like a hugging gesture.
“Thank you, sir! I am Gus. How is your day going?” the man closest to us says after momentarily glancing at me and the others while helping remove his spouse’s helmet. I am glad to hear a friendly response to my warm welcome. The polite way gave us a good start.
“It’s Matt. We just got here. On our way to the West,” I say and stop a few feet away from him.
“Ah, nice… I hope there is a vacancy for us.” He laughs. I can see some of his teeth covered with silver, creating a sharp contrast with the yellowish ones next to them. “We were going to Salt Lake City to check on some friends and thought about taking a break here.”
Other bikers check on the hotel and the parking lot. They have smiley faces like Gus.
“Are there keys in the lobby or do we have to break in?” he asks while taking a few steps to the lobby. It makes me nervous thinking about him going inside and seeing Crypto. I hope Crypto is not the person Gus mentioned when he said he is going to check on some friends. I get in his way.
“No need. We found the master key. I can open the doors for you.” I show the card I have.
He stops in front of me and glances at the lobby over my shoulder. Then he rolls his eyes back to me. “I already like you!” He is laughing again.
Kathleen and the couple loosen their stiff postures. They walk to their rooms.
I open the doors to almost all of the rooms on the first floor except the three rooms we occupied. They get in the rooms with their backpacks.
“I will stand the first watch, captain,” one of the bikers says while looking at Gus.
Gus nods his head. The biker goes for the stairs. He probably wants to watch the area from the roof. Gus and his spouse take the room right next to one Kathleen and I are staying in.
“See you later.” Gus waves his hand before entering his room. I smile and wave my hand, then exhale. There will be
no more fighting today.
“Hey…” Gus says, turning back to me. I might have talked too early about not fighting.
“You said you are going to the West... Are you coming from Salt Lake City?” he asks. I know that it’s a tricky question.
“Ah, yes. We passed through the city,” I say.
He shrinks his eyes like he is examining my words through a lie detector. “Anything extraordinary you came across?” he asks.
“Hm… Nothing. Just another dead city.” I shrug and lift one corner of my lips. Mentioning the Museum may bring up a lot of questions. I would rather skip details—at least until I talk to Crypto.
Gus continues to move his eyes on my hair, eyebrows, cheeks, jaw as if searching for my true intention.
“Alright. Good night.” He disappears in his room and closes the door.
I go to the truck and pretend like I am picking up something. I know that the biker on the roof has his eyes on me.
Once he walks away to the other corner of the roof, I leave the truck and I sneak back to the lobby.
“Crypto, it’s me,” I say.
He slowly rises behind the counter. “Where are they?” he asks, scanning the parking lot through the window behind me.
“In their rooms. One of them is on the roof for the watch,” I say. “Who are they? They look friendly but there is something off about them.” It’s time for the truth.
“Bounty hunters. They are after the bag… I am not safe here,” he says. If we get in the truck and leave, they will hear the engine noise and storm out and come after us. If he manages to get one of their bikes to escape, they will be alarmed and go after him. If he stays, it’s a matter of time that they would see him around. There is one option left.
“Why don’t you take the briefcase and spend the night somewhere else tonight? We will pick you up tomorrow on our way,” I say. This sounds like the safest option for everybody.
“I will go to the Chinese restaurant we saw on the street. If I can’t get in, I will be somewhere around there,” he says. This should work. I am sure he will hear the sound of the truck once we are on the street looking for him.
There is only one problem. He needs to get the briefcase from his room. It will be very risky while a biker is scouting the front side of the hotel.
“Okay. I will bring your briefcase with us tomorrow,” I say.
He stops looking through the window and locks his eyes with mine. He stares at me for a few seconds. He is not sure about trusting us.
“Without you, we can’t do anything with the bag. We can’t just go to the Republic and hand it to that… monster. No worries, you will see us in the morning,” I say. I have no intention of taking the responsibility of possibly the only working vaccine in the entire world and the secrets behind how this is all started.
He nods. He looks through the window again. We have to find a way to sneak him out.
“Do you have a cigarette?” I ask.
He narrows his eyes in confusion. “I thought you don’t smoke.” He hesitates for a second, then pulls out his cigarette case and hands it to me with a lighter.
I leave the lobby and go to the other side of the hotel while lighting the cigarette up and breathing in and out. The parking lot is well lit with spotlights on both corners of the hotel, but the sides of the building are dark. I glance through the roof. The biker is watching me.
“Is it warm over there too?” I ask him.
He smiles. “Yeah, man. Desert, you know.”
“I know… It’s gonna be hard to sleep tonight, hah?” I ask. While we chitchat, Crypto leaves the lobby and disappears walking to the back of the hotel.
We survived another day.
Instead of staying with Kathleen in the same room as agreed upon, I slip a Post-it under her door. I wanted to let her know that I will stay in Crypto’s room.
I enter the room and search for the briefcase. I find it in the air conditioner pipe. He is a smart man.
I turn off the bedroom lights and go to the bathroom with the bag. I don’t want the room lights getting the attention of anybody who might be outside.
I sit on the closet and look through papers one more time. There are no eyes on me this time. I have all night to read everything documented.
Before starting my research, the vaccine carton picks up my attention.
I take a bottle from the carton and read the instructions. I then take a needle from the stack. As I glance between the bottle and needle, I begin to wonder if I should trust Crypto’s word with my life. What if it’s not the vaccine? What if it’s another mutated version of the virus?
While these thoughts continue to juggle in my head, I fill the needle with the liquid and inject it into my vein.
Chapter 37
I force myself to breathe. Only a small amount of air goes into my lungs before I feel incredible pain in my chest.
I look at the clock on the nightstand. It’s 3:24 a.m. I straighten up on the bed. My throat hurts. I cough several times, which makes the pain in my chest worse.
It’s freezing in the room. It was 74 degrees when I last checked the thermostat before going to bed. There must have been a huge temperature drop during the night or maybe the air conditioner stopped working. It probably hasn’t had a maintenance check for a long time. Or maybe I am shivering because I only have my boxers on.
I get off the bed to check the temperature scale again. It shows 76 degrees. It must be a fever that makes me feel like I’m freezing. I touch my forehead, and it feels like my head is about to explode from a fire inside.
It’s getting even more difficult to breathe. I cough several times again. It’s a dry and deep cough coming straight from my lungs. My chest continues to hurt every time I cough or breathe in.
I need some fresh air. I think my lungs will function better outside. I open the door and leave the room. I run a few feet into the parking lot. My breaths get faster, but they are still short and painful as if I can’t get enough oxygen into my lungs. It’s a weird feeling not being able to breathe in clean air from outside.
I look at the roof, hoping that the biker in the watch can help me some way, but I don’t see anybody on this side of the hotel. I try to scream, but my voice cuts short due to another series of coughing fits.
My coughs get even more persistent and frequent. I get on my knees. I clutch my chest while I cover my mouth with my other hand.
Kathleen’s door swings open, and she runs to me. “Matt!” She must have heard me coughing. I turn my head to her.
“Stop! Don’t get closer. I’m…infected,” I yell at her while panting.
She stops a few steps from me. Her hands clasp over her mouth and tears build up in her eyes. I didn’t want her to see me on my knees and struggling to keep myself together. I didn’t want her to witness another friend fading away before her eyes. I am sorry, Kathleen.
I can at least prevent her from getting infected. I crawl in the opposite direction to get away from her.
“Matt,” she says. I straighten up on my knees and turn my head to her.
She is pointing the gun to me. “I am sorry…” she says with dull eyes. She pulls the trigger without hesitation. I feel the burning feeling the bullet creates when it cracks my forehead and flows through my skull.
I wake up sweating from head to toe.
My pillow cover and top side of the blanket are wet. I sit up on the bed and take a deep breath. I feel the air flowing in every corner of my lungs. I take another breath in and touch my throat. It doesn’t hurt. I take my head between my hands. I realize what a big gift it is to be able to breathe.
I turn my head to the window for a first glimpse of the morning light. I get off the bed and take off my boxers. I go to the bathroom to check myself in the mirror. Nothing seems off. Splashing cold water on my face, I feel relieved for still being alive and healthy.
I put my clothes on and lift my backpack. I slide out the briefcase
under the bed, then scan the room one more time before heading out to the truck.
I go to the truck and put the stuff in the backseat. A different biker is on the roof. He waves his hand to me. I do the same.
Kathleen opens her door. She must have been waiting to hear me leave my room.
“Good morning,” she says with a smile. Seeing a good friend’s face fills me with unexplainable happiness. This is what I needed after a frightening nightmare.
“Good morning, my friend! Ready for a trip?” I ask.
She chuckles. “Hell yeah!”
I can feel the biker’s eyes on us. She walks closer to me, and I hug her.
“Crypto is waiting for us at the Chinese place,” I whisper to her while hugging, and I step back. She raises her eyebrows and stiffens with confusion before she nods. I know she has questions.
I go to the couple’s room and knock on the door.
“Hi guys, we are leaving,” I say. They don’t respond. I wait for a moment and knock on the door again.
Carlson opens it. “Hey. We’ll be right there,” he says before closing the door back.
The bikers start getting out of their rooms. Some of them take bites from their snacks while stretching their legs and arms. Others start loading their motorcycles with their stuff before hitting the road.
Carlson and his wife finally come out of their room. They walk toward me. “My pleasure meeting you… You are a good person,” Carlson says, giving me an elbow bump.
“Thank you for the ride. We will make this town our home. Come visit us!” his wife says while inspecting the streets.
We exchange best wishes to each other before and Kathleen and I walk to the truck.
I get behind the wheel of our beloved Humvee. Kathleen gets into the passenger seat. I pull the gear to reverse. I hear Gus’s voice right before I start backing up.
“Not saying bye?” Gus yells while walking toward us.
