The Flu 2: Healing (27 page)

Anyone that had survived the flu in that small town didn’t survive the breach.

It was absolutely, without a doubt, a hot zone. Bill found it difficult to maneuver in the suit, worse than the one he wore when he battled the flu. Even though he never needed to wear one, it made others feel as if they were protected – from him.

Several times he had to stop and check to see if he had torn his suit. He hadn’t, but his delays ate up time. Perhaps he was just being neurotic, but it was better to be neurotic and safe than complacent and dead.

With time running out on their tanks, Bill and the other man set the C-4 explosives in the lab. They burned out what remained in the lab, the containers, the holding units and everything else, but what had already escaped into the air was too far beyond them.

It was the best they could do. They stayed until their tanks neared empty to make sure there was no flash fire that could get out of control, and then they left the town.

* * *

Damon, NY

“Jake is going to be just fine, it’s just a stomach flu, that’s all,” Mick told Chris.

“Then why can’t I see him? You don’t think he has one of them viruses that escaped, do you?”

“To be honest, Doc probably thought that,” Mick said, “but he doesn’t now.” He placed a plate of food at the table before Chris and then one before Tigger.

The table came to Tigger’s nose.

“You want me to make you a booster?” Mick asked.

“I’m not a baby,” Tigger said. “I drove a car.”

“What?” Chris laughed. “You tried to get away.” He turned to Mick. “When I hit Jonah Briggs, Tigger tried to leave me there. Good thing his pint sized body couldn’t reach the pedals or see over the steering wheel or I would have been abandoned.”

“I gave it my best shot,” Tigger replied as he adjusted to kneel on the bench. “How come you made eggs, Mick?”

“That’s what I wanted to make.”

Chris sniffed the food. “Smells good. Jonah Briggs said we could have anything. There’s beef in a can, you know.”

“I know. I wanted eggs.” Mick sat down at the table.

“You always make us eggs,” Chris said with a peaceful smile. “I remember when you used to come over in the morning, get us ready for school, and make us breakfast.”

“That’s because your mom used to think Ho Ho’s were a healthy meal.”

“I got more than that,” Tigger said. “You guys would leave for school and me and Mick would have a really cool lunch. We’d go to Medina a lot for lunch.”

“No way, that’s cheating.” Chris said. “Wasn’t that cheating, Mick?”

“Spoiling is more like it. Besides, your mom hated to cook.”

Chris paused with his fork to his mouth. “I miss her. I miss her and Dustin and Gram. I miss them so much, Mick.”

Mick reached over and grabbed Chris’ arm. “I miss them too. We will for a very long time.”

“Do you think about them a lot?”

“Every day, a hundred times a day. Everything and anything makes me think of them.”

“Me, too,” Chris said. “One day we’ll see them again, though.”

“Yes. But not for a long time.” Mick retracted his hand and started to eat.

Briggs’ voice entered the cafeteria before he did. “We have a man in,” he said. His boots squeaked as he skidded to a stop. “I’m sorry, you’re eating.”

Mick waved him to the table. “Join us. There’s plenty, grab a plate. Food’s on that counter.”

“I think I will.” Briggs took a look at the plates and walked to the counter to retrieve a meal. “Bacon and eggs. Nice. We had beef in a can you know.”

Chris lifted his hand. “That’s what I was telling him, Jonah Briggs. But he insisted on cooking a Mick meal. It’s good though, don’t worry, Mick can cook some eggs.”

Briggs joined them at the table. “It smells great. Thank you.”

“You were saying something?” Mick said. “About a man in?”

“Ah, yes,” Briggs said. “I spoke to Tom.” He looked at Chris. “You need to call your pap before you go to bed. He was saying that.”

Chris gave a thumbs up as he ate.

“Anyhow,” Briggs continued, “thought you’d want to hear the update. Tom’s a bit frazzled, seems he took in a teenager named Joey and a baby that you found.”

Mick sat back with a relief filled expression. “Ah, yes, Baby Doe. He must be doing well. Joey has to be the teenager that worked with him.”

“Don’t know,” Briggs said. “He couldn’t talk long, but long enough to say, ‘We have a man in there’. The ‘Rebels’, as I like to call them, wanted to barter for your mom. Seems she was in a motorcycle accident and was hurt, but will be okay, from what Tom said, because Lars is there.”

Mick dropped his fork. “My mother was in an accident?”

Briggs nodded. “I’m sorry. But this Lars is inside the rebel camp with her.”

“Lars is a famous doctor,” Chris said. “He’s the reason most of us in Lodi beat the flu. You know Rose will be fine if he’s there.”

“I’m sure …” Mick faltered, “ I’m sure he will take care of her.” He looked at Briggs. “Lars Rayburn was the trade?”

“Yes. Tom said he’ll get us the information we need about that camp. He may code it, but he’ll get it to us.”

“They aren’t gonna let him contact us.”

“He already checked in to say he was with your mom, so that’s hopeful.”

“That
is
very hopeful,” Mick agreed. “Knowing that Lars is there makes me feel better until we can get in there. But Lars... why was he the trade?”

Chris answered that. “He’s the big celebrity, Mick. You know that. Everyone wants Lars. Maybe they have a sickness that no one can cure but him.”

Out of the mouths of babes
, Mick thought. To Briggs he said, “Or something else.”

“Exactly,” Briggs said.

“What?” Chris asked. “Why are you guys looking at each other like that?”

“Sizing each other up,” Tigger said knowingly.

Briggs laughed. “That kid cracks me up. The vocabulary he has.”

“Wait until he swears,” Chris said. “You won’t be laughing then.”

Mick looked at Tigger. “And we’re not sizing each other up. Christ. You boys...”

“I think you two should,” Chris said. “Really, think about it. It would boost morale, having wrestling come back.”

“Chris,” Briggs said, “I don’t really think people are that concerned about it like you are.”

“Not yet, but tease them with the idea,” Chris said. “They’ll be rallying.”

“Well they aren’t rallying around us, Chris,” Mick said. “We’re not young men. We aren’t trained. We’ll both have a heart attack if we attempt to wrestle.”

“Aw,” Chris whined. “Fine. I was looking forward to it too.”

“They could arm wrestle without a heart attack,” Tigger suggested. “Can’t they?”

Chris’ eyes grew wide. “Yeah! Can you?”

“Chris, no,” Mick replied.

“Why? You scared, Mick? It’s okay if you’re scared of Jonah Briggs.”

“I’m not scared, Chris.”

“I won’t ask you again, if you’re scared.”

“Chris,” Mick snapped, “I’m not scared. God.”

“Then you’ll do it?” Chris asked excitedly. “Oh, come on Mick, please? For me. I need this. I’ll commentate, Tigger will cheer. Please. Do this. Please!”

Briggs looked across the table to Mick, then to Chris. “If we do this, Chris, will you stop bringing it up?”

“Yeah,” Chris tilted his head. “Maybe. Yes. Yes. I will.”

“Mick?” Briggs asked.

Mick huffed. “Fine. Fine.”

“Yes!” Chris jumped to his feet. “You two know the rules.” He watched Mick lift his arm. “And Mick, it’s okay if you lose, I won’t think less of you.”

“Chris, what the hell?” Mick snapped.

“Just saying...” Chris looked at Briggs. “And Jonah Briggs, if you lose we won’t think any less of you either. All in fun. Okay?”

Briggs nodded. “I got it.”

“Arms on the table.” Chris instructed. “Join hands.”

Mick and Briggs positioned themselves for a round of arm wrestling.

Chris stood between them. “Ready to cheer, Tig?”

“Ready!”

Chris placed his hand over the joined hands of Mick and Briggs. “On three. I’ll count, raise up my hand and you two go.”

“We got it, do this,” Mick instructed.

Chris genuinely smiled. “One … two … three!” He lifted his hand and let the big men battle.

Journal Entry

I had my first day of school yesterday, it was pretty cool. I didn’t think I’d be so anxious to raise my hand to answer a question. There were only six of us big kids. Jake wasn’t there, but they keep telling me he’s fine. He looks fine. They let me see him through a window
.

Gonna go to school again today. Take Tigger, get Emmie, and wait for my turn. It’ll help keep my mind off of things. Mick is leaving to go to Maryland to shut down a lab that has this really deadly virus. I’m nervous for him, but I know he can do it.

He won’t be around for a couple days cause I know after he gets back he is gonna want to storm the rebel camp and get back his mom.

He better. I love Rose. She is the best. It makes me sad to think that she is hurt. But at least Lars is there and Mick will get them both.

Jonah Briggs is trying to come up with an attack plan on the camp. He said not to worry, they’ll get Rose and Lars out safely. I believe him.

I’m gonna go and say goodbye to Mick. I want to give him my lucky two headed coin, but I don’t want him taking it to where there are deadly germs. What if a germ gets on my coin? I’ll wait and give it to him when he goes and gets Rose.

I got Mick and Jonah Briggs to wrestle. Well, sort of. They arm wrestled last night. It was really cool and took a long time. Tigger was cheering, I was cheering and they both broke a sweat. Man, were they going at it,

But I promised I would never say who won. That no one would know.

And I won’t. Not even here.

17. Leg of the Journey

October 18th

Damon, NY

Mick’s arms held tight to both Chris and Tigger. He didn’t want to let go, but at least this time before he left, he was more than positive that they were safe. He kissed them both and stood. “Okay, go to school. I’ll be back before you go to sleep.”

“Be careful out there, Mick,” Chris said. “It’s bad.”

“I think me and Doc will be fine. Besides, I get to blow something up and you know how cool that is.”

Chris smiled. “You’re the best, Mick. I am so glad you’re the one going to do this. You know why?”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the only one I trust to do this right. Now, get going and don’t waste time, you have to get your mom.”

“I know that.” Another kiss to Chris and Mick lifted Tigger.

“Hey!” Tigger squirmed. “I’m not a baby.”

“You’ll always be my baby.” Mick gave a quick hug and kiss to Tigger.

“Aw, man, Mick,” Chris complained. “Now why’d you have to go and get all mushy like? You better get going before you lose the macho badge after your arm wrestling match with Jonah Briggs.”

Doc stepped into the conversation. “We’re ready to go.” He pointed to the jeep. “You and uh, Jonah had an arm wrestling match?”

“Yes.” Mick nodded then pointed to Chris. “Remember your promise.”

“I swore,” Chris said. “Ain't telling no one.”

Mick flashed a grin to Doc, told him he’d meet him at the jeep and then he walked to Briggs. “Hey.”

Briggs extended his hand. “You have instructions from the virus guys on what to do?”

“Yep, and my phone is charged. Hopefully, the signal extends to there and I can call them.

“Good. And we’ll keep in touch as well.”

“Sounds good.” Mick paused. “Briggs, I know this is an easy thing. And I’m sure everything will turn out fine. But on the outside chance something happens to me, can you make sure my boys get home to the rest of their family?”

“Absolutely. And Mick, awesome show of strength last night.”

Mick grimaced and grumbled ‘Humph’, extended his hand to Briggs and headed to the jeep. He waved once more to the boys as he opened the door.

Doc stood outside of the jeep.

“What are you waiting for?” Mick asked.

“Who won?” Doc asked.

“You will never know.”

“Seriously, come on. Who won?”

Mick simply tightened his lips in a snide smile, shook his head and got in the jeep.

* * *

Erie, PA