The Flu 2: Healing (5 page)

Mick made decisions his entire life based on the passion in his gut and not the knowledge in his head and that worried Rose. The boys had just lost their mother, brother and grandmother. As much as a testosterone filled getaway seemed like the thing to do, Rose wondered if Mick had a clue what was outside the town limits.

Rose had returned to Lodi at the height of the flu epidemic. She watched people panic, rush to the streets, to the hospitals, break into stores. She saw the confusion and chaos. And it wasn’t long before that Lodi put up an iron wall to keep people out. A wall many tried to break through.

Mick was there to hold it; he was the one who kept law and order. And now there was only one deputy remaining, one law enforcement agent. Mick was gone.

Did he suddenly think with the end of the flu, so came the end of any threat? Rose thought it unfair of him and selfish. Yes, he was hurt. But so were the boys. And so was everyone else in Lodi.

Being hurt and emotional left one vulnerable. What kind of world remained out there where he was taking the boys? Nothing was hunky dory anymore - she knew that. Rose’s gut wrenched with worry for her son and grandsons. Mick was a big man, but was he big and strong enough to keep those boys safe?

Mick and those boys were all she had left in the world. And while she prayed for their safety, she grew angrier by the hour. They had been gone a little over a day and it was a day too long.

She stayed in her home, declining dinner with Tom and Lars, who supported Mick’s decision. Of course they would. They weren’t out in the world like she was. Tom checked off a clipboard, sending out trucks for supplies and opened a video store.

Rose couldn’t sit idly by, pretending that all was fine while watching a movie she picked up at Tom’s. If things were going bad during the flu, the bad didn’t die off.

The bad may have paused, but for how long? Her instincts told her something was awry. Tom told her she was crazy.

Her son stood well over six foot five, and Rose pushed six foot with her boots on. She had a thick, tough body that didn’t waver in strength even though she was sixty-two.

Nor did her attitude. She was tough as nails, and barely flinched, even in the worst stages of the flu.

In the morning, after Tom sent out the trucks, Rose got on her motorcycle and decided to do what no one had in a week. She went out to check the perimeter of the town.

The ‘iron wall’ of strength that Mick had erected to protect the main entrances to Lodi was gone. The trucks were moved, and the motorcycle brigade gone. Most of the bikers had packed up and left after they helped bury bodies. They went out to find their families. The few remaining soldiers had left as well.

Then, so did Mick.

Rose didn’t see anything, of course; it was flat. But it was when she was visiting the new cemetery outside of Lodi, that she smelled it.

Smoke.

Something about it made her hair stand on edge. She focused her view to the trees in the distance and couldn’t see anything. It could have been someone starting a fireplace. After all, the air did have a chill. Maybe she was being neurotic and looking for something, and maybe it was coming from within Lodi. She just thought it was odd that she had to go outside of her community to grab the scent.

From the cemetery she couldn’t tell, couldn’t get a good direction or lock on it. There was only one way to find out, so Rose hopped back on her bike, and headed back into town.

* * *

Doe’s lips moved, and they closed some against the cloth. Mick smiled in relief. “He’s responding.”

“Finally,” Ethan stated. “Let’s see if he’ll take the bottle yet.”

Mick removed the soaking cloth and tried enticing the toddler with the bottle. He didn’t seem ready to take it. “Not yet. But he looks better, doesn’t he?”

Ethan tilted his head. “A little, not much. We’re getting there.”

They had driven back into town. The man who was packing was long gone. The gas station didn’t have the electrolyte drink and they used up more time looking for it. Finally they located a child’s version of it and were getting some results.

It helped Doe but it wasn’t what he really needed. At the fire station and EMT garage there were no IVs, and nothing else that would help.

Ethan scratched his head. “This little one has to be seen by a medical professional. Unfortunately, I haven’t a clue where we’d find one.”

“I actually do,” Mick said. “Lodi. Lars Rayburn is there.”

“Lodi isn’t that far, a couple hours’ drive. This child, if you keep trying to hydrate him, could survive that and stand a fighting chance.”

“I know. I guess, I’ll have to cut the trip with the boys short. I’m certain they’ll understand.”

“You carry that cell phone. Does it work? Maybe you can call that doctor.”

Mick shook his head. “Cell phones went down a few days ago. Actually, one of the last calls received by Lodi was from the president.”

“Of?”

“The United States.”

“Wow, I thought he was dead. What did he want?”

“Since two of his government guys were in Lodi, he was letting them know he was trying to … restructure … or whatever.”

“That’s good to hear,” Ethan said. “Will it work?”

“Can’t think about that right now,” Mick said. “Let’s get this baby some help.”

Ethan gave a nod, handed the rest of the infant electrolyte water to Mick and both men got in the truck.

Mick continued to try; intently focusing on the baby, and suddenly, saving the child was most important to him in the world.

* * *

“What are you writing?” Tigger asked, peering over Chris’ shoulder.

Chris repositioned himself at the tiny kitchen table in the camper. “Stuff.”

“A story?”

“No. Well, sort of.” Chris shrugged. “Just stuff that happened, my thoughts.”

“Can you read them to me?”

“I can tell them to you.”

“Yeah, but I miss stories. No one reads me stories anymore.”

Chris closed the cover to the notebook. “I’ll read you a story tonight before bed, okay?”

Tigger nodded then climbed up to sit across from Chris. It was a task for him, being so small. He exhaled, a breath too big to come from him, as he perched his chin against the palms of his hands and peered with a sideways glance out the window.

“What’s up little man? You bored? Wanna play a game?”

“Would you be mad if I said I wanted to play with the kids?”

“Now why would I be mad about that?” Chris asked. “You’re a kid, of course, you wanna play. Can you wait for Mick to get back?”

“I guess. But what if they stop playing by then? They look like they’re having fun.”

Chris peered out the window. ‘Yeah they do.”

“Don’t you wanna go play? You’re still a kid, too.”

Chris stared at his little brother. He reached across the table and rubbed his hand over Tigger’s wiry hair. “Yeah, I am, dude. Grab your coat and hat. Let’s go out.”

Tigger grinned, widely. He jumped from the table and raced for his things.

Chris swept up the notebook, deciding he’d take it with him in case he got bored. He doubted it though. Maybe what he needed was to get out and be a kid again.

* * *

Lodi, Ohio

Tom had barely returned to the store when Henry Davis popped in. Director of the CDC, Henry had run most of the country when the president went into lockdown. He kept statistics along with Dr. Kurt Wilson of the World Health Organization. The two men, stuck in a room, lone survivors, were some of the few who hadn’t fled their post, the two man epicenter that ran America. Henry and Kurt had instituted the Lars Rayburn Therapy against the flu. It was a long shot, but one that had to take. Henry was the one responsible for the organization of the plan. He had sent supplies to Lodi to help the residents fight off the flu, to help it be the one town that successfully safeguarded itself. And then Henry, and Kurt, with nowhere else to go, no family, had come to Lodi as well.

They arrived right when the town, who all believed had escaped the devastation of the flu, was hit.

“Renting a movie?” Tom asked.

“No, no,” Henry said. “Need you to call an immediate meeting of that council you put together.”

“Mick ain’t here,” Tom said. “He’s a big part of that.”

“Well, this will have to go forward without Mick,” Henry told him. “I heard from the president again. I was finally able to make radio contact.”

Tom whistled. “Been over a week. Didn’t think we’d hear anything from the outside after the cell phones went down.”

“Fortunately,” Henry said, “it looks like they may be able to connect again. They’re hoping in a few days the phones will work.”

“Hot dog, that’s a good thing. Mick has that cell phone for pictures. Won’t he be surprised when I call him?” Tom said. “Is that what the meeting’s about?”

“No.” Henry shook his head. “At last contact they were thinking about making Lodi a central station since we held on to civilization the most. But the president said they’re gonna try to establish from where they are. At least until they can pull more reserve troops in. They locked in contact with some. Apparently, it’s not safe out there. When they sent out scouts, they were ambushed.”

“By whom?” Tom asked with shock. “Who the hell wants to ambush anyone? Is there even anyone left?”

“Tom, you aren’t that naive.”

Tom gave a half shrug. “I guess after nothing happened, after the flu finished, I kind of gave props to humanity in good faith.”

“We all did. But that’s not the case,” Henry said. “People are trying to reestablish their own lives now. They are emerging. Survivors. People are hungry, they’re desperate.”

“You been talking to Rose?” Tom asked. “’Cause she says the same thing.”

“Haven’t spoken to her. But, if you could get everyone together, that would be a good thing. Meet tonight?”

Tom nodded. “Josh Hayward is part of the council, I sent him out for a run. I’ll tell him when he gets back.” Tom glanced down at his watch and stared.

“What’s wrong?”

Tom shook his head. “Nothing. They’re just late. Probably fine.”

“I’m sure they are.”

“Tom, come to Diggins Drug store. Now!”

Rose had called for him. Not by a phone or radio; she had actually called. She shouted loudly, at the top of her lungs, like a mother calling her kids in for supper.

“Tom Roberts! Come to Diggins now!”

Tom slammed his hand to the counter. “Now what in the world is up with that woman? I swear she lost her mind with the flu.”

“She doesn’t sound like she’s in trouble.”

“No, she does not.” Tom cringed at the call again. “Will you excuse me?”

Henry swiped his hand over his mouth to hide his smirk. “Of course.”

Tom walked around the counter and outside. Rose continued to call steadily. Diggins was only a block down the street and her voice grew louder the closer he drew to the store.

“I hear ya!” Tom shouted. “Stop calling my name for crying out loud.” Tom stopped before the store, and looked left and right. “Where are you?”

“Up here.” Rose waved from the rooftop.

“What in the hell woman? Are you stuck up there?”

“Tom Roberts, you think I’d be stuck up and here and scream for
you
to help me?”

Tom was about to respond, but felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to find Lars standing there. “Where’d you come from?”

Lars pointed to the store. “I was in there finishing off the shelves for inventory. Why is she on the roof screaming your name?”

“I don’t know. If you were in there, why didn’t you see what she wanted?”

“Would you?”

“Good point.” Tom aimed his voice upwards. “What do you need, Rose?”

“Come up here, please. Thank you.”

After an exhale, Tom looked to Lars. “Join me?”

“Why not?”

* * *

Diggins was the tallest building in Lodi. Apartments perched above the drugstore, and the only way to the roof was to walk the four flights of stairs. When Tom and Lars reached the top, Rose was looking out, facing the town.

Tom took a second to catch his breath. “Okay, Rose, this better be good.”

“Oh my God,” Lars whispered.

Tom turned to him. “Oh my God … what?” He saw that Lars was staring outward. Before he could see what it was that caught Lars’ attention, Rose stepped to him.

“That’s what I called you for,” she said. “When I was out at the cemetery, I smelled the smoke but couldn’t see it. I figured it may be a fireplace or something, then I came up here. At first, I still couldn’t see it, and then it started. And in the few minutes it took for you guys to get here, it went from a wisp to
that
.” She pointed. “Fuck me, right?”