Reset (Book 2): Salvation (20 page)

Just on the outside chance that Blake had arrived and warned the others about Salvation, Malcolm pulled the Salcom van over about a half a mile from Rantoul. He didn’t want the others to see the Salvation vehicle and worry.

It was only a short walk, it was a warm day and the van was out of sight.

Wandering into town, it took everything not to run down the street hollering out.

But something wasn’t right.

It was quiet, too quiet. Where was everyone?

Malcolm knew he was in the right place when he saw three solar buggies. Three of them meant Blake had arrived.

He refrained from calling out, looking around as he walked. It looked like a community picnic had taken place in town. Tables were set up and there was a grill. Food was left on the table. Flies buzzed about the food.

Perhaps they took off in a hurry, but why didn’t they take the buggies? A few steps beyond the tables, Malcolm spotted them. It looked like two bodies, covered in cloth sat outside the church. He couldn’t be sure they were bodies, he had to get a closer look.

“Hold it!” A female voice called out. “Stop, or I’ll shoot.”

The racking of a gun chamber rang out.

Malcolm stopped. In fact he lifted his hands. “I mean no harm. I’m looking for my friends. I’m supposed to meet them here.”

“Who?” she asked.

“Nora. Jason …” Before he finished saying any more names, the door to one of the stores opened and a man stepped out.

Malcolm recognized the clothing, he had also worn that clothing when he was released from the Genesis lab.

The man walked up to Malcolm. “John said you’d be arriving. I met him and Meredith out east. They sent us.”

“Us?” Malcolm asked.

“There are four of us.”

“Where are my friends?”

“They were gone when we got here, they left word, Marilee knows.”

“Who? And you said there are four of you? Where are the others?”

“Helping.”

“Helping?”

“Yeah,” Cole said sadly. “Come this way.”

<><><><>

Malcolm wanted to vomit. In fact it took everything he had not to throw up the second he walked into the church and saw it had been transformed into a make shift hospital. More than a dozen people were in there, laying on cots, intravenous lines in their arms.

Cole explained he was a doctor and like Malcolm was unknowingly part of a Genesis project. He, along with another man and two females, were told by John to come to Champaign.

“They were sick when we got here this morning,” Cole said. “Marilee was helpless. She was doing great, but I felt so bad for her, I haven’t had a chance to talk about the others.”

Malcolm nodded and looked at Marilee. “When did everyone get sick?”

“It started yesterday evening, we were sitting down to eat and people started getting sick all of the sudden. Coughing, shaking, and fevers. I mean it was scary,” Marilee said. “Our doctor was the first to go. But a lot of folks said they were feeling off all afternoon. I was spared. Cole here got the IV bags done and has been giving them pain medication.”

Cole said, “I had to makeshift out of old things. The first aid kits have pain relievers and I been trying to get people to take those.”

“Is this the virus?” Malcolm asked. “The one that hit before?”

“I don’t know,” Cole answered. “Unfortunately, none of us have seen it. But whatever this is, hits hard and fast. We lost two since I got here and the others … well... the others aren’t far behind.

“I’m sorry for this,” Malcolm grabbed Marilee’s wrist. “I will do whatever I can to help. But can you excuse me for a second.

Malcolm used needing to get the van and checking for supplies as his excuse. The truth was, he just needed a moment. He needed to absorb what he saw.

An entire town was sick and dying. His friends had been there and gone and Cole and the others had just arrived. Maybe it was coincidence, or timing, Maybe Jason, Nora, and the others didn’t have anything to do with the illness.

There was a chance, albeit slim, but it was one that Malcolm clung to. The only way he could stop from being overwrought with guilt was by believing they had nothing to do with the town’s sickness. Even though a part of Malcolm knew and believed differently.

<><><><>

When Nora finally fell asleep mid afternoon, Jason decided to take Meredith up on her invite to go fishing. Hunter went with them as he had scouted the area and found a great fishing hole. After an hour, Hunter left them alone.

In an unindustrialized world nature took over in more ways than one. The fish were surprisingly large and easy to catch. And even more so, Jason was surprised how easy Meredith was to speak with. It was the first time he had any conversation one on one with her. Since she made her living theorizing, Jason was eager to pick her brain.

“If we have a warning message, then Malcolm went to a lot of trouble to get it to us,” Meredith said. “He’s in a position where he can’t speak. He’s obviously with Salvation people and knows what they are up to.”

“But like what?” Jason asked. “I mean Salvation is called Salvation, right?”

“It’s a city behind a wall. That tells me rules. We also have to remember, one person’s utopia is another’s prison. When it was built it was created as a sanctuary, a safe haven. There’s no need for that now. Look at this world. The air is clean, green plants everywhere, and more oxygen. Personally, I don’t want to live in a replica of what we had.”

“Yeah, me neither. John says we need to go off and start our own town.”

“He has his reasons and they’re valid,” Meredith said. “There are others coming from The East and Blake has people meeting us. In a little bit of time we’ll have as many people as Rantoul.”

“I loved that place. If it were up to me, I’d say we move there.”

“Or become one of those communities that meet here. Either way, we should stay connected with those people.”

Jason agreed. He and Meredith covered a wide range of topics on the return trip to the fort. When he arrived back he was surprised to see Nora up and about.

“John and Blake are on fish gutting,” Meredith took the fish from Jason. “I’ll bring these to them. I want to cook it right away.”

“Thanks,” Jason said then walked to Nora. “You’re awake.”

“I am and wow, did you guys catch all that?”

“We did,” he answered proudly. “It was such a great time. We’ll have to go. Meredith came up with the idea to take the crackers from the MRE’s and make some sort of bread crumbs.”

“That’s an awesome idea.”

“So how are you doing?” Jason asked. “We didn’t get a chance to talk this morning. Last night …”

“I know. I know.” Nora held up her hand. “I had my freak out. My melt down. I think I just got scared. I like stability and I just don’t have it here.”

“Yes, you do. You have to see it. The entire country is ours for the taking. We pick a place, we settle in, and start planting like Rantoul. We stay close to here for trade. We’ll get through this.”

“So you think Salvation is that bad?”

“I don’t know. I just don’t think it’s for me.”

Nora nodded.

“Hey, I wanted to talk to you about something. About Rick.”

“You’re hurt because I want to see him.”

“Not at all. I understand. I just want you to know, I want, and plan to keep my promise to you.”

“What promise?”

“Whatever you decide, I’m with you. If you want to go to Salvation to find Rick, I’m next to you.”

“Even if Malcolm says we shouldn’t?”

“If you want to go even if Malcolm says that, then I’ll go with you.”

“Thank you. I need to resolve things. I think if I do, I’ll be better.”

“And you’ll get resolution.” Jason stepped forward taking Nora into his arms. “I promise you. There will be an end game to this.”

<><><><>

Trey wasn’t a natural, but he made an attempt to pretend he was. Awkwardly he put together the solar lamps that had charged all day during their drive. They made good time taking the same route as Malcolm. They were certain of it.

Just after crossing the Mississippi River on a bridge, that Maggie called the ‘scariest experience of her life’, they stopped at a strip mall that faced an aid station and made camp inside an old Starbucks.

The self-igniting heating shells were supposed to be easy to use. Pop this, move that, and voila! Trey had a hard time with those as well. But he managed and heated their meals. They reminded him of the quick meals his mother used to buy when he was a kid. Beef Stew in a little plastic tray that popped in the microwave.

Carrying the food he walked over to Maggie. She had been on her Aldervice, but Trey didn’t eavesdrop. He was curious when he saw her demeanor.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Six out of forty had the virus, one carrier.”

“I would think you would feel justified.”

“No. Makes me worry about what is out there. The ones from California. It’s just worrisome.”

“Here. Eat your dinner. I think I got it warm enough.”

“Thank you,” she took it. “And thanks for setting up a camp.”

“Badly, but hey let’s face it, neither one of us are good at this.”

“No, we aren’t.”

“I would think I’d be better. After all, when I was teenager the world was obsessed with the apocalypse. Hell, there were television shows about it.”

“Really? How did they fare in their predictions?”

“Pretty good.”

Maggie sighed out. “You know, Starbucks was one of the last businesses to stop. I remember that.”

Trey nodded. “They stopped being the trendy place and became a place where you could get a cup of coffee and bowl of soup, or oatmeal. They never turned anyone away. After my family died I was always at Starbucks, and I volunteered there, too. Which is funny, because when they were in full swing before the virus, they were a billion dollar company charging people an arm and a leg for a fancy drink.”

“I was born after the first year of the virus,” Maggie said. “I was one of the first to go into Salvation and well, they started priming me for this job. I was maybe thirteen. I don’t remember what the world was like before the virus.”

“I do.” Trey said. “It bounced back a bunch of times. We’d get down, but right back up. Even after the war. I mean, sure you had cities like Nashville and Cleveland that were abandoned, but we were resilient. Until we couldn’t be anymore. It was like the virus was never satisfied and each time it came back it wanted more.”

“Until we had nothing more to give.” Maggie handed him a water.

“Yes. At the end, everything changed. Businesses stopped worrying about the almighty dollar and started worrying about people. Everyone was about helping. I thought, my God, in our darkest hour humanity shone brighter than it ever had. Why couldn’t it be like this before the virus?”

“What do you think of humanity now?” Maggie asked.

“I think the world is less human now than ever.”

“How can you say that? In Salvation we have food, medical care. Playgrounds.”

Trey snorted a laugh. “Play grounds... you say that like it’s a special thing.”

“It is. The children are allowed to play.”

“Children playing should be a given, not a privilege. What Salvation is, and to those of us outside that work for Salvation, that’s not humanity at its best, it’s humanity surviving.” Trey paused. “When you find my father what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. Depends what the Council in Salvation wants. We need a solution before they take over. They don’t care if humanity shines, as long as it survives. As you know, they’ll want to ensure that … at any cost.”

A silence encompassed them as they ate their meals. Unspoken thoughts, they both knew what, ‘At any cost’ meant. At least Trey did, and he had to convince his father to avoid getting to the point where ‘At any cost’ included him.

Maggie and Trey entered the city limits of Champaign from the south. Malcolm, in the stolen Salvation van went west. He never saw Maggie and Trey.

“Where are they going?” Trey stepped from the buggy. “They’re high tailing it. He had to have gotten here yesterday.”

“Maybe his friends left,” Maggie suggested. “Damn it.”

“Or …” Trey took a few steps forward and pointed. “They went there.”

Maggie turned around and looked at the store window with the message about Rantoul. “We don’t know that.”

“Yeah, I’m betting that Preacher is the same one that my father told me about.”

“Okay, so we know where he’s headed.”

Trey arrived at the buggy and grabbed a map. “Doesn’t make sense.”

“What?”

“He went west. Rantoul is north. What do you want to do?” Trey asked.

“Go to Rantoul. We can find out where he went from them.”

“How do you know it’s even viable?”

“Trust me,” Maggie got in the buggy. “It’s viable.”

<><><><>

John cupped both his hands over Nora’s as he guided her in using the short arrow handgun that he acquired on the road.

“It doesn’t shoot like a crossbow,” Nora said. “I can shoot one of those.”

“No it doesn’t. It’s much lighter.”

“I’m missing my target every time.”

“It’s surprisingly accurate,” John told her, “once you learn how to aim. Our big friend can shoot these blindfolded.”

“I’m curious as to how he does with the spears he has.”

“I’m willing to bet Ninja assassins have nothing on him. Now try.’

Nora lifted the weapon.

“No. You’re shooting like a revolver. Your line of sight is lower.”

“Why is that?” Nora asked.

John scoffed. “How the hell do I know? I didn’t design these …”

“John!” Hunter called out loud and sternly, then whistled and pointed. “Friend.”

“Malcolm?” John looked at Nora.

Then Hunter said, “Many. They have big vehicle. Getting in it. Driving here.”

“Is it Salvation?” John asked.

“No, friend. Cole.”

John’s eyes widened. “Dr. Cole. They must have gotten to Rantoul and learned of our destination. Wonderful.”

“Who is Dr. Cole?” Nora asked.

“Part of the group we met in DC.”

With Nora they hurried to the gate. Jason, Blake, and Meredith joined together and they excitedly opened the gate.

The large box vehicle pulled closer and stopped.

John expected Cole to step out with the few others from the DC site. He didn’t expect not only for Malcolm to be the driver, but Marilee to be there as well.

As if she saw a long lost friend, Nora blasted her way to Malcolm. She embraced him tightly. “Oh, God, you’re safe.”

“Yes. So are you.”

Instantly, Malcolm was overwhelmed with greetings.

Nora backed up making room for the others to say hello. “Where’s Amy?”

“Amy passed away early on. She was killed.”

Nora lowered her head. “I’m sorry. So was Grant.” When she raised her eyes she saw Marilee. “What is she …?”

Malcolm held up his hand. “I’ll explain all that. Can we just get inside please? More than you realize,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of time.”

<><><><>

“Go?” Jason asked. “Go where?”

“I believe,” John said. “Malcolm is pretty much saying we should run.”

“I gather that too,” Jason said. “Considering he said we need to go.”

Meredith asked. “Is Salvation that bad? I mean, Nora’s husband is there.”

“Rick is alive and fine he just wanted to know that you were,” Malcolm told Nora. “He’s also remarried.”

“Ouch,” said John. “Could you have any less tact?”

“We don’t have time for tact.” Malcolm said strong. “We don’t. It won’t be long before they find us.”

Nora spoke up. “We know that there are things questionable out here. Salvation raided Rantoul. Took their children and killed some of the residents.”

Malcolm shifted his eyes to Marilee then back to the group. “Listen to me. Salvation will always say they have a good reason for what they do outside their wall.”

“So it’s that bad inside?” Jason asked.

“Inside it is a clinical, sterile, and perfect utopia, where all your medical and daily needs are met. They tell you what to do, where to go and what job to have.”

John gasped with sarcasm. “Sounds like hell.”

Malcolm grunted. “We are the enemy. To them, those of us frozen were part of the conspiracy to release the virus. Guilt by association. There is no court system it’s a panel of people. There are no jails, its execution. The only choice is how they execute you. Our best case scenario is they get us, they try us, and hang us.”

“Worst?” Meredith asked.

“Shoot us on sight. I didn’t know we were the enemy until I went out to help them find the other Genesis labs. The one in Texas. No one had come out of stasis and they terminated them all...”

“Killed them all?” Meredith asked.

Malcolm nodded.

Hunter finally spoke up. “How many from Salvation will come?”

Malcolm started to answer, but since it was the first time he actually looked at Hunter, he stammered. “Um, uh, a lot.”

“East.” Hunter said. “We go east. No one goes east.”

“Before we decide,” Malcolm said. “There is something I need to tell you …”

“Malcolm.” Maggie’s voice called out over the Aldervice, and she sounded frazzled. “Malcolm.”

Hunter looked left to right.

Everyone looked around.

Malcolm cringed and reached to his pocket.

“I know you were in Rantoul,” Maggie said. “Trey and I followed you. It’s just us right now. No one knows you took the van. Malcolm, please answer.”

Malcolm brought the Aldervice to his mouth. “Why can’t we just go? Forget about us. I’ll leave the van. We’ll disappear. Never to be heard or seen again.”

“You can’t do that and you know why. You will run and keep running until they ultimately catch you. What kind of life is that?”

“Dad,” Trey spoke up. “Please. You saw. You know.”

Nora shook her head. “Is that Salvation?”

Maggie answered. “Yes.”

“You want us?” Nora asked sharply. “Like criminals? We didn’t do anything wrong. What did the kids do?”

“What?” Maggie asked surprised.

“The kids of Rantoul. You came in and took them all.”

“We took them to give them a better life. They’re happy, fed, and educated. Loved. They didn’t deserve to live on this side of that wall.”

Nora blasted. “That was not your call! You had no right to take them.”

“It’s a good thing we did now, isn’t it?” Maggie snapped back.

“What is she talking about?” Nora asked.

“Didn’t you tell them?” Maggie questioned.

“I just got here.” Malcolm replied.

“They’re dead. Your whole town of Rantoul is dead.” Maggie replied. “Of the virus.”

Her words cut through causing a silence.

Maggie continued. “Those who have survived this long have immunities. But not like Malcolm and Trey who got the vaccine and it worked. I know you couldn’t care less about me but I was exposed to this. It lives beyond its kill frame. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring for me, but I do know this. If I am not here to negotiate this then there will be no choices with the Council. Do the right thing, all of you. Do the right thing.”

The Aldervice beeped as she ended her transmission.

Jason stepped forward. “What is she talking about?”

Malcolm squeezed the device so tightly he could have crushed it. He ran his hand across his face and glanced to those who looked to him for answers.