Reset (Book 2): Salvation (23 page)

Thump. Thump. Thump. Her heart beat in her ears, the room spun, she looked up to Nelson.

“Our time chasing you all is done,” Nelson said.

The soldier aimed at Nora. At that instance, she remembered what Hunter taught her, how he told her she was quick. But Nora couldn’t react. Her body trembled in fear and shock that even with everything moving in slow motion, she couldn’t command her hand to reach back and grab her arrow gun.

Yet, someone did. Jason. She saw him pull, then fire his weapon. The short arrow from the small crossbow style gun sailed through the suit and into the neck of the soldier. His gun went off as he flew back.

“No!” Malcolm screamed. It was unexpected and something he didn’t have time to stop. John was killed instantaneously. And all hell broke out in that tent.

Were the assassins there to ensure that no one fought back, or there to execute the entire bunch, Malcolm didn’t know? He would never know.

He didn’t just have the arrow gun he also had a pistol given to him by Norris. He pulled it out to shoot, and before he could fire into the tent at the only soldier, Jason had taken him out.

Malcolm rushed for the bio room only to see one of the medical team had drawn a gun.

He lifted his own weapon to fire, but just as he aimed, through the corner of his eye, he saw the soldier from the gate running his way, then he felt the bullet sear into his leg and Malcolm went down.

From the ground, still aiming on that tent, Malcolm discharged his weapon.

One of the medical personnel took a hit to their gut and dropped his gun as he fell to the ground. Meredith clutched to John’s body as if she were protecting him. She held his head close to her body, crying out in agony as she hovered over him.

Nora pulled her hand from John’s and watched as one of the DC lab crew, Patricia, took a bullet to the back as she raced for the door.

They were sitting ducks, frantic sitting ducks and all that occurred happened in seconds. Blake was physically fighting with one of the medical workers, trying to get his gun, another one of the medical workers aimed, and Nelson ran out.

She had to do something. They were armed as well.

As she reached for her arrow gun, Jason grabbed hold of her, pulled her toward him, bodily blocked her and then reloaded his weapon. It was then a soldier entered the bio room. He wasn’t armed with a handgun; he had a rifle. An automatic rifle.

Nora knew there was no chance against that. Nowhere to hide. Nowhere to run.

The end was at hand.

The soldier lifted his weapon but before he could depress the trigger, a huge spear came from behind, plunging straight through his torso. His arms went outward, the rifle dropped and his body shook for a second. As he dropped to the ground, Nora watched as Hunter ripped through the plastic of the room. He stepped inside with a determined stride. Without missing a beat, knife in hand, he swung out cleanly slicing through the neck of one of the medical workers, then threw the knife at another. It spun, end over end, and landed in the chest of the last standing man. Hunter turned, pulled the spear from the soldier and walked back out.

Nora didn’t even know that Hunter was in the vicinity. She believed they had left him two hundred miles away.

He ended the pandemonium in the tent, stopping what would have been a massacre. But they were not without loss.

Meredith was beyond consolation and Nora didn’t know if the shock of what happened to John would ever heal. She held her friend close to her body, crying from the depths of her soul.

John was gone. He was really gone. Without warning, he was shot dead.

Nora couldn’t speak, again, she tried, but the shock of everything for some reason caused her throat to tense up. She grabbed on to Jason.

There was no gunfire, no other noise except for crying.

Afraid to move, Nora didn’t want to leave Jason’s side. It may have been finished in that bio room, but what happened outside? Was it over? Eventually she would know, but for the time being, Nora stayed there frozen in the aftermath and sadness of all that had transpired.

No one knew exactly what was supposed to happen. Everything was speculation. Worry from Hunter and concern on the part of Trey caused Malcolm to come up with a backup plan, and Norris with his further speculation, initiated Malcolm’s plan.

Malcolm would never know if he acted prematurely, on time, or too late. His gut told him it could have been worse.

When it was all said and done they had sadly lost John and two others from the DC lab team. Dr. Cole was spared, Malcolm was grateful because he only took a hit to his leg, and Jason was the recipient of a wayward bullet to his hand when he shot an arrow in the throat of the soldier.

They would have lost more if it wasn’t for Hunter.

Hunter lived on instincts and Malcolm couldn’t ignore the fact that their new friend was insistent that there was going to be trouble. When Trey also warned of that, Malcolm not wanting to alert the others, or cause alarm, tucked Hunter unknowingly in the back of the van.

He told him, “Just stay in here. If there’s trouble you know what to do.”

Malcolm didn’t expect to hear what he did from Norris. Norris believed Malcolm was one man, but in truth he wasn’t.

When he moved the van he was able to alert Hunter to the possible traps that were set.

Unfortunately, there were only two of them. If Malcolm moved too soon, it could have been worse for those in the tent.

The snipers on the roof never fired a shot.

Hunter had taken them out long before the blood results were in.

Rick believed he was spared from being euthanized. He was told he was just leaving Salvation. He didn’t know, told Malcolm he hadn’t a clue that it would go any other way, until he was face to face with the barrel of a gun.

Hunter stopped that.

Marilee and her son were cornered. They clutched to each other believing they would be gunned down. Until Hunter arrived removing their assassin and pulling them out of the way so no one was any the wiser.

The young man, a product of a post nuclear war, a young man who wanted to see the world, ended up being much more than anyone bargained for.

Despite Hunter’s victories and all that he had done, no one could say, or do anything to take away the heartbreaking defeat they felt over the loss of their friend, John.

He had not shown any emotion until then other than laughter but Hunter showed the complete opposite when he learned that John was killed. He walked into the tent, dropped to his knees, and cried out a sound from his heart and chest. One nobody else could ever make.

He was inconsolable and shared that only with Meredith. He requested they be left alone in that tent and they stayed there for an hour.

When they emerged, Hunter had John’s body tightly wrapped in cloth, and he carried him to the van.

John would need to be buried. But not there, and not then.

They had stayed long enough, and radio chatter increased on the Aldervice. Progress reports were needed. At one point Cole replied, pretending to be Nelson, conveying that all went as planned and they were cleaning up.

Whether it bought them more time, remained to be seen. The truth was, eventually someone would show up and they had to leave before that happened.

They gathered what they could from the Jacksonville site and left.

<><><><>

Before everything went down, Malcolm was able to use the Aldervice to tell Trey to stay where he was. He’d be there. That Rantoul was their destination. After, of course, they stopped at the fort and grabbed the rest of their supplies.

Malcolm could barely walk. Cole did a quick fix but said he’d need surgery. Jason was more fortunate the bullet went straight through his hand.

Once they got to Rantoul, Cole would do his best. There were no guarantees.

But Rantoul would not be a long-term place. It couldn’t be. Once the massacre was discovered, Malcolm was certain, Salvation would head there.

They had to stay one step ahead and it would be that way for a long time.

Rantoul was a step in that preparation. They had been canning and drying meat, all food that would help the group in survival along with grains and seeds. Also, Rantoul would be the final resting place for John.

While Cole had helped the dying people of Rantoul, Malcolm dug graves, he used the farm equipment, and also a shovel, but he dug those graves. He never thought he’d be back to dig one more in the new cemetery placed on the grounds surrounding the church.

When they arrived, Trey was digging one.

He was relieved to see his father but worried about the injury.

Cole didn’t want to waste time, Marilee showed him where the medical office was and he immediately took Malcolm there.

They arrived back on the cusp of dusk. They’d rest for the night and have a service for John and Maggie in the morning, then move out.

Four different vehicles, four directions, to throw off Salvation. All meeting up at the same place.

That was the plan.

Meredith was quiet all evening and in a deep state of mourning. She stayed close to Hunter who not only dug John’s grave, but also worked on a marker for it. Nora believed that Meredith felt safe with Hunter, that the world couldn’t hurt her when he was there. A lot of the group viewed him that way.

While she wouldn’t eat much, Nora was able to get her to sip on a cup of moonshine. It would relax her and help her sleep.

The others rested by the fire pit. It had been a long day, a hard day, and six hours later, Cole was still working on Malcolm. Nora spent her time checking on his progress and checking on Marilee and Meredith, avoiding her own situation.

Rick.

He was back in her life. How would she justify what was happening between her and Jason? Did she need to justify it? She hadn’t really spoken to him much other than to hear about how he was almost killed.

Jason was handling things fine, he was confident and not jealous, or worried in anyway. He was in the church working on his service for John and Maggie when Nora checked on him.

“Oh, perfect,” Jason said, accepting the moonshine.

“I didn’t know if it was against church rules to get you a drink.”

“Well it is not only acceptable, it is expected.” Jason smiled and grabbed her hand. “Hey, how does this sound?”

“Go on.”

Jason lifted the paper and read. “John was the fiction writer who made us all see the reality of survival. He was never without a sarcastic and humorous thing to say. His quips will be missed, but many will live on.” He set down the paper. “Just random thoughts. What do you think?”

“It’s good.”

“You okay?”

“Yeah.”

“You haven’t talked to him yet, have you?”

“No,” Nora answered in a whine. “I mean what am I supposed to say, ‘oh, hey Rick, by the way, in the last few weeks, because you know, it’s been thirty years, I found a hot guy, who used to get facial peels, to sleep with.’”

“Hot guy? And come on, we’re more than bed partners and you know it.”

“Yeah.”

“And you don’t need to tell him about us yet. That will come. We have time. Just talk to him, I’m sure he has a ton of things to share with you.”

“I do want to know about Lilly.”

“See. Go talk to him,” Jason said.

“What if he…?”

“Nora.” Jason set down the pencil. “I think you’re missing an important point. Rick married someone else. He fell in love and loved this person for years, right? He told Malcolm that he felt bad because, basically, he was over you. When he woke up today …he loved his wife. That doesn’t go away Darlin’. Now, instead of pacing, wasting time and being worried about his feelings toward you, be a friend and ask about his feelings toward everything.”

“Wow, you’re good.”

“I know.”

“Even with harsh skin.” Nora leaned forward and kissed him. “I’ll be back.”

“I’ll be here.”

Jason was right, and Nora, carrying the jug of moonshine, walked outside. Rick was by the fire. He looked out of place. The only one there that was from Salvation. Although he could talk about subjects of the past and everyone would understand.

When she arrived, Rick had just finished telling a story about the virus and how things shut down. He peered up to her with a “Hey.”

“Hey.” Nora sat down and put the moonshine on the ground next to her.

Rick nodded at the jug. “I knew you like to drink, but are we bypassing glasses now.”

“No.” She laughed. “I’m just making sure everyone has some.”

“How are you Nora?”

“Sad. My friend was killed. We lost a newcomer.”

“And?”

“And what?” Nora asked.

“Well, I was waiting. You used to follow sad with sarcastic or funny no matter what the subject. Unless it was like, tragic. But that was you. You covered your feelings with humor.”

“I think I lost my funny.”

“No.” Rick said.

“Yeah, no kidding. When I told everyone I was a comedian, they said, they didn’t get it. They said I don’t strike them as funny. Hunter laughs at my jokes.” She shrugged. “How about you? How are you?”

“Tired. Emotional. Glad to see you.” He squeezed her hand. “Even though I probably look like my father to you.”

Nora crinkled her brow. “You do.”

“I figured as much.”

“I know you remarried. What happens now with your wife? I mean, you’ll want to go back for her and Lilly.”

“I’m dead to them.”

“Oh, no.” Nora gasped. “What did you do?”

“Nora, no.” Rick laughed. “I’m dead. In Salvation you leave when you turn seventy. That’s the rules, like it or not. On your seventieth birthday they throw you a ‘Better Life’ party, your family all say good bye, your spouse gets a settlement, and they take you, and put you to sleep like a dog. But …” he exhaled. “When they took me they told me they were taking me to your group and I would live with all of you. I was happy that I didn’t have to die, but I … And I’m so sorry if this hurts you, but I would rather be home with Jeanette right now.”

“I’m not hurt. I understand.”

“She has my heart.”

“Okay that stung a little bit,” Nora said. “But I’ll get beyond it.”

“There it is. A tad of humor. Maybe you just need to bring it out.”

“Maybe.”

“So, do you have, I hate to use the word boyfriend, but someone you’re close to in this new world for you?”

“Kind of yeah,” Nora said.

“Malcolm?”

“What? No.” Nora laughed. “Jason.”

“The guy who looks like he used to be a pop star when he was young. The preacher?” Rick shook his head. “He a good guy?”

“Actually, he’s a really good guy.”

“Good. Because I’ll be watching.” Rick grabbed her hand. “We always had a good connection. I need that friendship with you. And whatever this world tosses, we’ll get through it.”

“Yes, we will.”

“Now pass me that moonshine, will you?”

Nora did so, with pleasure.

<><><><>

“The bullet was deep,” Cole explained to Trey. “Luckily he’s fleshy.”

From the other room, Malcolm yelled out. “I’m not fat, if that’s what you’re saying.”

Cole pulled the door closed. “He’ll have to take it easy on that leg. It’ll heal. He’s not resting as you can see, so if you spot Nora and that jug of moonshine, send her in here.”

“I will. Can I go talk to him?”

“Sure. But make it quick. I want him to sleep.”

Trey thanked Cole, and after a single knock walked into the small hospital style room. “Sorry, I’m your nurse.”

“I’m fine. Just please send Nora in here with the moonshine.”

“I’ll do that.”

“While I’ve been in here, have you guys discussed where we are headed?”

“Not really. East. That’s as far as we got.”

“I just wished we knew. I mean, are they already chasing us, will they chase us?”

Trey’s eyes widened.

“What?” Malcolm asked.

“Maggie’s Aldervice. I can make a private connection without Salvation hearing. They’ll think Maggie is calling, they don’t know she’s dead.” He pulled out the Aldervice.

“Who are you calling?”

The Aldervice beeped.

Colonel Norris answered. “Maggie, how are you feeling?”

“It’s not Maggie. It’s Trey.”

“Yes. I am well, aware. You need to take care of yourself.”

“Can you tell us anything?”

“SalCom notified me there was trouble. We lost four medical personnel. They say the Genesis people slaughtered them all. We’re supposed to start a search tomorrow for them. We believe they headed south. Not sure. Maybe back to Texas. We’ll find them. Eventually. As long as they stay away from the Wasteland. My men won’t go there.”