by Jeff Olah
Turning back to Ethan, Ben was shaking.
“I’m so cold.”
As the words left his mouth, Ben closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat. He was fading. His lips were now a light shade of blue and he was sweating.
Ethan slowed the SUV and twisted in his seat. Opening his right hand, he brought it around quick, slapping his young friend across the left side of his face. “BEN!”
The kid shot up straight in his seat and once again opened his eyes. Turning to Ethan, he said, “I’m fine, I’m just very tired.”
“You can sleep all you want when—”
Ben leaned forward in his seat and again squinted into the night. “I think I see them.”
His young friend was now hallucinating and Ethan was at a loss. They’d reach the gate to the university in seconds, but then they still needed to find the others and somehow convince those holding them captive to allow Carly to treat Ben. He was beginning to lose hope.
“See who?” Ethan humored his injured friend. “Who do you see, my friend?”
Ben lifted his left arm, winced through the pain, and pointed out through the windshield. “It’s them, they found us.”
95
Again seated on the opposite side of the Gulfstream G280 and now facing a less than pleased Marcus Goodwin, James Dalton waited in silence. He’d left the cockpit as the pilots agreed to attempt a landing and although the man seated less than three feet away said otherwise, he knew they were in for a rough couple of minutes.
The pilot had indicated that although it was possible to put down in the open space near the far end of runway number two, he couldn’t guarantee they’d be able to refuel and get back into the night sky without an altercation. Dalton remembered him using the word luck more than once.
With the tarmac coming into view through the window opposite him, Dalton squinted into the darkness and was just able to make out the growing number of silhouettes crowding the far end of the runway. As they grew closer to the airfield, the number of infected were now too many to count, and one by one they turned toward the sound of the descending jet. Gripping tight to the armrests, he watched intently as they moved into groups of threes and fours and started toward the private hangars.
Turning away from the window, Dalton took in a calculated breath and waited for Goodwin to notice he was looking at him. After a few seconds of awkwardly staring, Goodwin acknowledged the younger man, without turning to face him.
“What is it, Dalton?”
“I just want to be sure I understand what it is that we are doing. It’s not that I’m questioning anything, it’s just that I want—”
Interrupting, Goodwin smiled. However, he still hadn’t given Dalton his full attention. “Yes, the plan has changed. The reason we are here has also changed. We are refueling and then we are leaving.”
“Las Vegas, sir?”
“Yes, I have faith that Anton and his men made it out.”
“So the team we have here?”
Touching down, the jet began to rapidly slow as those in close pursuit continued their death march from the opposite side of the runway. After what seemed an eternity, Goodwin finally turned away from the window.
“I should have never allowed Josie to talk me into returning here. Her team was little more than a few private security contractors and a handful of criminally insane deviants. Their incompetence actually did us a favor.”
“Sir?”
“How comfortable would you have been sharing a trip back to the coast with Maddox and those other degenerates? Yes, they serve a purpose. Sort of like a hammer in a tool box. It doesn’t look as pretty as all the other tools and isn’t quite as intricate—only a handle and a large striking surface—but it does what it’s meant to do. As does Maddox.”
Within a hundred yards of the hangar, the co-pilot returned. He stood hunched over the chair opposite Dalton, looking up at the ceiling and biting into his lower lip. After a few beats, he cupped his hands together and looked down at Goodwin.
“Refueling is going to be a problem.”
Goodwin turned back to the window. He didn’t like the way this conversation was beginning. He was growing tired of the hailstorm of issues the first half of this trip was experiencing. It was time he took control.
“We are going to refuel and then we are going to head to Nevada. Excuse my over-simplification of our itinerary, but where is the problem? Does this twenty-five-million-dollar jet not suit your needs? Have I not gone to extraordinary lengths to keep you alive? Have you even had come within a hundred feet of the infected?”
“Mr. Goodwin, while I’m appreciative of what you’ve done, I don’t quite understand how that relates to our current situation. We do have a slight issue that requires your attention; however, I also have a solution that will see us safely back in the air within the next thirty minutes.”
This was progress. A problem and finally someone other than himself to offer a solution. Goodwin turned toward the slender co-pilot, and with a grin, began to nod.
“Yes, now we’re getting somewhere. First, why don’t you give me a rundown of why it is you’ve come back here… and then you can tell me how you’re going to fix it.”
“It’s the flight back to the coast.”
Goodwin leaned forward in his seat. “Yes?”
“We don’t quite have the fuel to make the flight to Nevada, as well as the return trip to the coast. And with the crowds outside, we also don’t have the necessary time to completely refuel. Although, if we can draw them away from the hangars and give ourselves another five to ten minutes, we may just get what we need.”
Goodwin nodded and looked back to Dalton. “We do have the keys to the fueling truck, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Dalton said, “yes we do.”
“Good, then there isn’t a problem.”
The co-pilot breathed out heavily and looked back toward the cockpit. “I’m not sure the two of us can pull this off on our own.”
“Mr. Osborne…”
The tall man straightened up. “Yes?”
He knew what the man was asking without him even having to speak the words. Goodwin was used to it. Before the world went to hell this kind of thing—people unable to fully articulate their thoughts in his presence—happened every single day. It was as comical as it was exasperating. And over the last few years, he’d grown tired of these types of conversations.
Narrowing his eyes, Goodwin smiled. “You’re assuming that I have no intention of getting my hands dirty, or maybe that I am incapable of doing anything besides giving orders?”
“No,” the co-pilot said, “I just thought—”
As the jet rolled up alongside a row of four private hangars, Dalton peered out through the windows once again. The crowds were now within fifty yards and closing in more quickly than he was comfortable with. “Mr. Goodwin, I think we should get about doing whatever it is we are going to do. Time is no longer our friend.”
Standing quickly from his chair, Goodwin pointed toward the cockpit and motioned for the man he called Mr. Osborne. “Walter, have Nicholas stay behind the controls. Myself and Mr. Dalton will go after the truck and bring it back. You will need to clear the path for us.”
“I’d be happy to,” Walter said.
Goodwin started for the door with Dalton close behind. “Once we’ve got the truck, you’ll need to stay close by, help get us started, and make sure none of the infected come close.”
Removing his suit coat, Goodwin laid it across his seat, unbuttoned his cuffs and began rolling up his sleeves. “Also, have Nicholas respond to Josie… let her know she’s on her own.”
96
The two sets of headlights were nearly indistinguishable as they raced toward the intersection from opposite sides of the city. Pushed back against the five-foot retaining wall at the corner of University Avenue and Emerson Way, the group collectively held their breath and watched to see which of the two vehicles would reach them first.
&nbs
p; Down on one knee, Griffin spoke quietly to the others as he looked to the right and then back over his left shoulder numerous times. “That has to be Josie or someone from her group; she was never going to let us leave. She was using us to find Ethan. Something must have gone wrong.”
Her knees ached and as the growing pain in the pit of her stomach again began to flare, Helen leaned forward, laid her hand on Griffin’s shoulder, and motioned back to the left. “That’s my husband, I know it. That’s has to be our car.”
Nodding, Griffin placed his hand over hers and turned back to the others. “I need you all to get back away from the street.” His voice quickly trailed off as the sounds of the racing engines grew closer. And making eye contact with Frank, he increased his pitch and intensity. “Go, take them back into the trees. They haven’t seen us yet—they don’t know we’re here.”
He had no way of knowing if that were true. Hell, he had no way of knowing anything at this point. His head still pounded and his vision continued to grow blurrier with each passing moment. He wasn’t quite back yet, not even close to one-hundred percent. Maybe fifty to sixty percent, but at this point, that would have to do. That’s all he had.
As the others turned and started back toward the treeline, Frank narrowed his eyes and began to shake his head. “What are you going to do, just sit out here and play peacemaker?”
Griffin leaned in close and spoke into Frank’s ear, wincing as he motioned to the right with his pistol. “No, I’m going to kill everyone in that vehicle.”
Inching into the shadows, Cora squatted behind a short outcropping of golden elderberry. She watched as the others filed in behind Frank and stared back at the street fifteen feet away. Whispering to no one in particular she said, “He shouldn’t be the only one out there. He’s still not any better and needs our help.”
Shannon shuffled forward and crouched between Cora and Frank. “Cora’s right, Griffin isn’t in any condition to—”
In the distance, one of the vehicles must have slowed or stopped. Only the sound of one set of tires and the low hum of its motor could be heard rapidly approaching. Leaning forward and closing his eyes, Frank held his left index finger over his mouth, calling for silence.
Calling out to Griffin, Frank stood and started for the street. “What’s going on?”
Stepping off the sidewalk and out into the street, Griffin didn’t turn. “Not sure. Looks like whoever was coming had a change of plans.”
Frank stepped slowly to where the thick underbrush receded near the edge of the paved walkway and leaning into the last tree, peered down the long block. “Something’s wrong.”
The large blue vehicle sat less than a hundred yards away. It was now positioned alongside the opposite side of the street and had dimmed its headlights. The ominous SUV appeared to be idling, as it shook ever so slightly against the blacked out background.
Taking a step back toward the sidewalk, Griffin dipped his chin and spoke quietly to Frank as the second vehicle rapidly approached. “Go back.”
Frank’s attention had already shifted. He didn’t respond. He’d already turned to the left and was moving away from the trees as Griffin raised his weapon and followed.
“Frank, wait.”
For a second time, the older man failed to acknowledge Griffin’s request. He continued to walk faster as the second vehicle continued to rush toward them, now less than fifty feet from the intersection.
“Griffin, get the others,” Frank’s voice broke as he pointed at the massive black SUV bearing down on them. He could only manage two words. “It’s Ethan.”
The two silhouetted figures in the distance now moved more quickly and had already stepped out from under the nightshade afforded by the dense row of pine. The larger of the two ran out into the street and began waving his arms. From this distance, it could have been anyone. Although as he continued forward and the light of the full moon flooded the man’s face, Ethan moved his right foot off the gas pedal and breathed a sigh of relief. His friends had made it out.
With one eye on the road and other on his severely injured friend sitting less than twelve inches away, Ethan pointed the SUV toward the sidewalk. And using his right arm to keep Ben back against his seat, he slowly guided the oversized vehicle to the curb.
Out in the street, Griffin was quickly approaching. He also appeared to be shouting. Unable to make out exactly what he was saying, Ethan toggled the automatic windows and leaned out.
He was calm, but spoke quickly and assertively. He wasted not one word as he projected his voice from the driver’s seat. “Griffin, Ben has been shot. Get in, we need to get him to Carly.”
His eyes darting from Ethan to the passenger side of the SUV, Griffin momentarily turned back as Frank also began to run. “Get the others, Ben needs help!”
Shifting into park, Ethan opened his door and stepped out. He looked back into the cab as Ben slumped forward, again beginning to slip from consciousness.
“Griffin, there isn’t time. We have to get him to Carly.”
Ignoring Ethan’s request, Griffin looked in through the passenger window. He took a moment to scan the interior, checking for a seatbelt, and then making sure the injured young man’s weight wasn’t positioned back against the door. He finally looked back at Ethan and nodded toward the interior. “I’m gonna need your help.”
Continuing around the front of the massive SUV, Ethan felt his face beginning to warm and his pulse climbing as he slammed his open hand down on the hood.
“GRIFFIN, YOU AREN’T LISTENING, HE NEEDS—”
As the pair came shoulder to shoulder at the passenger door, Griffin didn’t turn to look at his friend. He instead took a deep breath, reached for the door handle, and nodded back toward the sidewalk.
Ethan’s knees felt weak and his voice caught in his throat as he watched the four women move away from the five-foot retaining wall at the far end of the intersection. They walked single file out of the heavy shrub and one by one began to hurry toward the idling sport utility vehicle.
Still attempting to put all the pieces together, Ethan turned back to Griffin.
“How?”
Releasing Ben’s seatbelt and leaning in through the passenger door, Griffin spoke quickly and quietly. “What happened to the kid?”
His head on a swivel, Ethan took a quick head count as the others approached. “Shot in the right arm; he bled quite a bit before I got it wrapped.”
“Maddox?” Griffin asked.
“Yeah.”
“You take care of it?”
“Yes.”
A slight smirk slid across Griffin’s face as he turned to Ethan. “Good… you ready to do it again?”
97
The interior of the vehicle was unnervingly silent as the two men sat staring at one another, waiting for Josie to respond. They hadn’t spoken a word since leaving the university and as the last communication hung in the air, they all tried to wrap their minds around what was to come next.
With the satellite phone in her lap, Josie clutched the two-way radio in her left hand, breathed in through her nose, and keyed the mic. “Are you absolutely sure?”
A moment of static filled the air and then a man’s voice came through. “I’m standing over his body now. Trust me, Maddox is gone.”
“Okay, get back to Building One, we’ll be along shortly.”
She was lying; she had no intention of going back. Supplies at the university were running dangerously low. Three of the four generators had already failed. Nearly every one of her men were now either dead or infected. And on top of everything else, the mid-sized SUV she chose from the end of the lot had less than a quarter tank of fuel.
There wasn’t a single thing left for her here. She’d done what was asked of her and now it was over. Goodwin’s plan had failed. This city wasn’t worth rebuilding. With Maddox no longer part of the equation and her only chance of leaving this frozen hell threatening to fly away, there was only one thing left to do before ra
cing back to the private airfield.
Tossing the two-way radio to the man seated to her right, Josie grabbed the sat phone, punched in the number, pressed the speaker button, and waited. She shook her head and began counting when the phone rang for a fourth time.
“Four.”
“Five.”
Josie exhaled loudly and looked at the two men. “Six.”
As the phone started to ring a seventh time, a hurried voice broke through. “Josie, Mr. Goodwin has already given you instructions.”
“Instructions? He asked you to call me and tell me that he was essentially leaving us behind. You know as well as I do that he owes us more than—”
The man’s voice on the other end interrupted. “Listen, I just fly the plane. There isn’t a whole lot I can do. Goodwin’s determined to be back in the air ASAP.”
Turning and looking toward the intersection, she cupped her hand over the phone. “This isn’t happening.”
“Nicholas, how long have we known each other?”
A moment of silence and then the pilot could be heard sighing into the phone. “Josie… don’t make this personal. You work for this man just like I do. You know what he’ll do to me if he even finds out I answered this call, so…”
She opened her mouth and raised the phone, but then quickly pulled it away. She knew what she wanted to say. What she’d usually say. What he was expecting her to say. But instead of wasting time trying to convince him to help, and in the process probably piss him off, she’d do what she always did and just help herself.
Closing her eyes and again bringing the phone to her lips, she took a deep breath and smiled, as if he could somehow see her. “Nick, I guarantee you’ll regret this.”
Pulling the phone away, Josie ended the call and tossed it into the backseat. She gunned the engine, flipped on the headlights, and quickly engaged the high-beams. With one last look around the interior, she motioned toward the illuminated street and smiled.
