The Flu 2: Healing (24 page)

“What’s that?”

“That we do our best to make sure this world never gets this bad again. We have a chance. A fresh start. After this is done, let’s do it right.”

Lexi smiled gently at him, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him, then she settled into Bill’s embrace.

* * *

Damon, NY

Tigger fell fast asleep on Mick’s lap and Chris wasn’t far behind. Mick knew they had been going for days and probably felt safe enough to rest finally.

Chris wrote in his journal as he rested against Mick. Occasionally Mick took a peek and he saw his name. There was nothing better than his reunion with the boys. After Mick cleaned up, they ate supper and hung out by themselves.

He’d be lying if he said he didn’t shed tears of gratefulness as he took a shower. He spoke to Dylan, out loud, telling her he was sorry that he lost the boys and would do whatever he could to make the future as best as he could.

Watching Chris write, Mick thought back to their conversation, only because he saw the words ‘double headed coin’ written in the notebook.

“It was really smart of me, wasn’t it Mick?” Chris asked.

“Yeah, yeah it was. Actually brilliant.”

“Then how come you didn’t find us right away? Did you get lost in the woods, too?”

“No. No I didn’t. I followed the gravel road.”

“But I left you an awesome clue saying
not
to follow that trail.”

“I know. I didn’t give you enough credit.”

“So you actually thought I just accidently dropped my coin?”

“I did.”

“Well, next time you’ll get it right.”

“Let’s hope there s never a next time.” He kissed Chris and laughed when Chris made a comment about him always kissing them.

They talked and then grew tired.

Chris yawned and that made Mick pull from his thoughts. “You okay?”

“Yeah, tired. That’s all. Long day.”

“Why don’t you go to sleep? I’m gonna go catch a smoke,” Mick said. “And find Briggs, see if I can work with him about getting us a way to get home.” Risking ridicule, Mick bent down and kissed Chris again. He slid out from under Chris, stood, then bent down and lifted Tigger, placing him in bed. “Why don’t you get in bed before you pass out on the floor?”

“Okay.”

Mick started to walk out.

“Mick?”

“Yeah?”

“Glad we’re back together. I love you.”

“I love you too.” Mick winked. He walked down the corridor, pulling out his pack of cigarettes. He took the side door out, not wanting to be too far from the boys.

When he stepped outside and lit up, he saw Briggs sitting by the truck, a phone in his hand. He looked as if he were sending a message. Mick walked toward him.

“Evening.”

“Evening.” Briggs stood. “You guys okay?”

“Oh, yeah, we’re fine. Thank you. Tigger is asleep and Chris is just about there.”

“They have to be exhausted. They had a hell of a day.”

“They did. I have a question for you,” Mick said. “Do you have anything you can give us so we can make the trip back home?”

“I’m sure we can get together something. When are you wanting to go?” Briggs asked.

“Tomorrow. Maybe one more day of rest.”

“You’re joking right?” Briggs asked.

“Why would I joke? We can’t stay here.”

“Why not?” Briggs questioned.

“This isn’t our home. We have a home. We have family in Lodi.”

Briggs nodded. “I understand that and I’m not saying to stay here long term. I’m saying to wait.”

“For what?”

Briggs took a moment, he moistened his lips. “You came with my scout crew from Erie. You obviously know there’s a wedge of hostiles set up in the middle of your path.”

“Yeah, I do, I’ll go south and around.”

“Just to be sure, you’d have to go to Maryland.”

“What’s the issue with this?” Mick asked coldly. “I want to take my boys home.”

“Then take them when it’s safe.”

Mick laughed.

“You think that’s funny?”

“When exactly will it be safe?” Mick questioned with sarcasm.

“My men and I plan—”

“Oh, that’s right.” Mick cut him off. “Your men.”

Briggs shook his head. “What is your problem?”

“You’re not seeing it because you’re on the inside. Take a look around. Look at what you have. Made civilization into a militaristic society.”

“You think? Have you been to Damon? Harrisburg? Philadelphia. Damon isn’t the only pocket in our control. They aren’t military installations. They are towns.”

“There it is. The word. Control,” Mick said. “Control is the exact reason you have that wedge in Erie. How did they get there? Do you know who they are?”

“Yes.”

“And I’m willing to bet they were part of this all.” Mick’s arm swung out. “You can’t project a dictatorship without someone wanting to be the bigger guy on the block.”

“You think that’s what this is?” Briggs asked with an edge. “You think this is a dictatorship? A monarchy?”

“I think you saw the end of the world as an opportunity.”

“Fuck you.” Briggs said with an ‘up’ motion of his chin. “You think this is an ego thing? A rule the world thing? Think again. You wanna do this? Go ahead. I’ll gladly step aside and put you in charge. Go on. It’s yours. You put together protection from the assholes who will band together out there. You work with people to rebuild farming and feed, clothe, house and meet the medical needs to fifty thousand people. Because that’s what we had at last count. Fifty thousand. We’re working on a structure so we can all work together.”

“No one asked you to do it.”

“And nobody stepped to the plate. Someone had to.”

“And that person just so happened to be you.”

Briggs growled his frustration. “You’re not getting it are you? No, of course you wouldn’t. Because you don’t know. You were locked away safe and sound.”

“I kept my people that way.”

“
Your people,
” Briggs said
.
“What is so different from what you did, and what I’m doing? I’m just doing it on a larger scale. You don’t know what’s out here. If you did, you wouldn’t have taken your boys on a road trip and you certainly wouldn’t be bringing them the long, uncertain route back home to a place close to the hostiles.” Briggs stepped closer to him. “You think three days out here is enough to give you an idea of what happened to the world? While you were informing your town of this flu — which we all watched on the news — we were caring for our sick. When the government brought you in supplies to test a cure, we were burying our dead. And while you waited for the flu to pass, we were already rebuilding. It started long before the world ended. We had the insight to plan ahead.” Briggs tossed up his hands. “Only thing was, we kind of thought we’d hear from you. From Lodi. But we got nothing.”

“That’s because this isn’t right. Not at all,” Mick argued. “Guns, soldiers, tanks. Going from town to town, gathering people, making them think you’re the answer.”

“We are.”

Mick shook his head. “You’re the answer because you took all the food.”

“It was organizing the food until this country got back on its feet to grow its own again. Organizing so everyone got and no one was without.”

“It was not for you to do. We have a president. We have a government.”

Briggs lifted his hands. “Where are they? Last I heard they were in a bunker ordering your town everything it needed and now nothing. No word.”

Mick laughed. “You left them nothing to restructure with.”

“They have a whole country. They should have been rebuilding before things fell too far apart. You have another answer?”

“Yes. Yes,” Mick squeaked. “Let it alone. Leave it be. Let towns be towns and be on their own. If the government broke down then let the towns take care of their own.”

“That’s your answer? What about when you run out of food for your town? Go to the next one? Take from them? Who will they take from?” Again, Briggs shook his head. “I’m not going to argue with you about what I built here. I’ll give you what you need to get back to Lodi. Just … just get them boys back safe.” Briggs turned and started to walk.

“Briggs.” Briggs stopped.

“I’m not an asshole. I’m really not,” Mick said softly. “I’m grateful for what you have done for my sons. I understand what you’re saying about all this …” he waved about his hand. “It’s not for me. It’s not for my town. I really can take care of my own.”

Briggs nodded. “I believe that.”

“I won’t come to you for help. But know Lodi is there if you need anything. Just leave us out of this all.”

Another nod, and Briggs continued to walk.

Out of the darkness a voice carried to them. “Lodi already is a part of this all.”

Both Mick and Briggs turned.

Doc walked up the path, his lit cigarette illuminating his face. “I didn’t want to interrupt you two in the middle of your pissing contest.”

“Excuse me?” Mick asked. “They what?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Hold on big guy,” Doc lifted his hand. “No worries. Lodi didn’t join the cause in your absence. They just got suckered in.” He approached them both. “Egos aside guys, I just got off the phone with Lodi. We have a big problem.”

Journal Entry

It feels good to be with Mick. I know we were safe and all, and I was the cool kid driving, even though I hit Jonah Briggs. But it was still awesome to see Mick. He really looked for us and didn’t give up.

I thought it was funny and I’ll tell him when he calms down, that I couldn’t believe he didn’t get my clue with the two headed coin.

He seems uptight. Probably nervous because of all the military around here. I know something is bothering him because he is smoking again. My mom always hated when he smoked, but it don’t bother me none.

I heard him and Jonah arguing about something. At first I thought they were gonna duke it out and I didn’t want to miss it, so I jumped out of bed and ran to the window. They were standing a good distance apart. They weren’t really screaming, just talking loud. I guess when you’re big like that your voice is big too.

I don’t know when we’re leaving to go home, but I hope that Mick waits until the bad guys are taken care of. Not that I don’t think we’re safe with Mick and all. But he’s only one man. And for as cool as Mick is, they have a lot of guns and they don’t hesitate to shoot. I know. I saw.

Heading back to sleep. Mick still didn’t come back yet. Man, he must be smoking a lot.

16. Preparations

Lodi, OH

The Lodi Diner was set up like a war room. Since it wasn’t open, Henry and Kurt moved the tables together to create one big one. A large map of the United States was center, along with three phones.

“Did you tell the president he can’t do that?” Kurt asked.

“He doesn’t have the manpower anyhow. Reserve units he was able to get in touch with are far west. A few south,” Henry replied.

Nelson was on hand. “We got in touch with them last night after your call. They’re ready. Militia units we can move out whenever. Reserve units not committed to anything are waiting on word from the president. Gotta get the president to give word to allow them to give my units down in Texas access to the bio suits. I have men who are willing to do that once they get instructions.”

“I’ll get on that,” Henry said, “get clearance. I will personally instruct each grouping. I want men paired in teams for the mission.”

“Did the president say if the homeland director remembered anyone sending failsafe alerts?” asked Kurt.

“He wouldn’t know. Homeland guy went AWOL.

“Shit,” Kurt exclaimed. “Probably looking for family.”

“Nelson,” Henry said, “we know we have reserve units waiting on executive orders. Do we know their locations?”

“Further south. Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Texas. I got a handle and am in good connection with what remained in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.”

“How many still remain? I know some were going east,” Henry said.

“A lot, actually,” Nelson replied. “We weren’t sending everyone. We have to have people here to help. Cleveland isn’t dead. They have tens of thousands remaining.”

Kurt swiped his hand down his face. “If the Kentucky location goes hot, this is another nightmare, worse than the flu, because we don’t have resources to handle it.”

Henry grimaced. “There’s no power there. It probably already is hot, and our best chance is to burn it out, do an inventory of what remains first.”

Nelson asked, “I know Briggs needs men to head toward Erie once he comes up with a plan.”