Miles of Death-6

In the morning, I wake slowly and for the first time since I can remember I could smell bacon. Real Bacon and it had my stomach growling instantly. I dress slowly, looking out the window. I could barley see across the yard the rain was coming down so hard. It was not going to be fun getting back to the car in this. How long could one storm blow for anyway? All I knew was I was sick of the wet and cold like I was sick of seeing the dead.

I make my way to the kitchen, I can hear people laughing and talking like they didn't have a care in the world. I thought of my grandparents, alone some where with no heat, no food and an endless storm raging above their heads. I needed to get on with it, I needed to get back on the road. I couldn't just sit around and wait for it to pass.
I walk in the kitchen and Sarah sees me first. "Good morning Aria, did you sleep well?"
I smile kindly for the first time. "I slept like a baby, thank you."
She smiles back at me. "Good, how about some Bacon and eggs?"
My mouth literally watered. "That sounds like heaven to me."
Sarah laughs, "Its been awhile since you had bacon huh?"
I nod. "Not much of that left that's still good and I don't know how to butcher and animal."
Ben sets a cup of coffee down and pulls out a stool. Why was he always making people drinks?
"Have a seat, make yourself comfortable."
I sit awkwardly. "Thank you for all of this, I don't know how I can repay you for all of this."
Ben smiles. "You could stay, help us manage the farm. Despite how it looks, its a lot of work, even with four people."
I take a sip of my coffee. "I have to get to Virginia as quickly as I can, Its important. Maybe after I can come back?"
Grace brings over a plate for me and sits down next to me. "You haven't heard have you hunny?"
I look at her curiously. "Heard what?"
Logan watches Aria as he drinks his coffee. "There is no more Virginia. They dropped bombs down the entire eastern coast before the outbreak took them all, they thought if they hit the effected areas it worn burn and kill the virus. It didn't. But Virginia is a waste land now, just like California."
I look around the room. All of them not looking at me and picking at their food. "How do you know this?"
Grace takes my hand. "Come with me, I will show you."
I leave my plate and follow Grace into the den. "They taped the last few news broadcasts before it all went dark. This is the last one, see for yourself."
She hands me the remote. "I'll be in the kitchen, I'll keep your plate warm for you. Take all the time you need."
I don't wait for her to leave. I sit on the couch and press play. The women comes on the air talking about how many had already died and which areas were effected. Just as she is talking about it, reporters start chattering around the room so much that the news anchor stops and asks what is going on. They list the states that have been bombed and are no longer showing any life, by this time four hours had passed since the first bombs were dropped. And then the TV goes black. That's was the last bit of information given by anyone on the situation. I shut the tv off and just sit there starring. I didn't know what to think or how to feel. All this time I had thought that if I could just get there, if I could just see for myself that some how I would know what to do. Now there was nothing. There were no Grandparents to check in on because there was no way they could have survived the bombs. All I wanted to do was scream out in the deepest pit of rage but I just sat silent. I didn't even notice that Logan had come in and sat next to me.
"I'm sorry kid, did you have family there you were hoping to find?"
I look at him not even sure of what he said. I couldn't even form any words. I hear Raya's voice and turn.
"Her Grandparents, she thought they might have made it like she had. Its all she had left, the only plan she had."
Logan watches me, I can feel his eyes on me. "You'll have to get a new plan now. Plans change and shift all the time, even before all of this. You cant put all your eggs in one basket."
I didn't have the words to explain to anyone what I was feeling so I decided to just get up and walk back to the kitchen. Grace sets the plate in front of me.
"Just eat, one bite at a time. You need your strength. No matter what, your going to be okay here. Were here for you."
I muster up a small smile. "Thank you. But I don't know if im staying. Virginia might be gone, but that doesn't mean I want to stay here."
Grace nods slowly. "Because you don't want to let anyone close again? So it doesn't hurt if something happens to them?"
I shake my head. "No, people are not the problem."
Grace takes my hand. 'what is Honey?"
I sigh frustrated. "Time, nothing to do. I don't like having time to think and mull things over. I don't want to get comfortable just to have to leave again."
Sarah sits next to me. "Why don't you just stay till the storm has passed at least and make up your mind then. I have plenty of things to do around here if you want to stay busy. I'd appreciate the help."
I smile at both of them. "Alright. Thank you again, for taking us in. You didn't have to. You could have killed us and no one would even know about it or come looking. Instead you gave us a meal and a roof and I appreciate it. I know Raya is happy to have found a group."
Ben pushes her plate closer. "Were happy to have more survivors, come now, eat up before it gets cold. You can come help me in the barn after if you would like?"
I take a bite and he smiles. "Good. Your gonna make it kid, I cant say for certain but, I just have a feeling."
My smile fades. "Why didn't we get sick to?"
Sarah and ben look at each other. Logan comes in with Raya. "Were immune. Something in the DNA."
I turn to look at him. "Is that a guess or do you know something we don't?"
Sarah laughs. "Two peas in a pod the two of you."
Aria looks at him curiously and he just smirks at her. "I know a thing or two. The last report that came through my unit was a doctor who had discovered a birth defect in a percentage of the population that the virus didn't effect. They said one percent would live."
I Look at him. "One percent is a lot of people alive still."
He nods. "It is but then you have to take in to account all the bombs they dropped, sicknesses that one gets out there and the number drops even more."
I eat another bite. "Did they have a location where they planned to rebuild again?"
Logan looked surprised at my question which I found a little odd. It was a reasonable question.
"Even if they did, do you think anyone would have made it there?"
I look at him and around the room, they all were watching me. "Yes. Someone would have gone if they were on their own, hoping someone else would make it. When your on your own out there for a long time, your willing to try anything."
Ben and Logan exchange a look. Ben smiles at Aria. "He said the same thing when he came here. He wanted us to try and go see if there was anyone."
Raya sits down with a plate next to me and smiles. "Aria would have gone. She is strong like that and determined and she knows how to take care of herself. If I didn't find her, I would still be stuck in all deadsville Texas alone."
I smile at Raya, "You would have been fine, your not so bad out there yourself."
She smiles. 'So Aria, you interested in taking a drive to this location?"
I turn and look at Logan. "Where is it?"
Logan downs his coffee. "Forget it, its gone now. Come on Ben, lets get started in the barn."
Ben gets up and they both put their coats on. Annoyed I stand up. "So that's it then, your not going to tell us where?"
Logan sighs. "Your just a kid, don't worry about it, its not worth the risk."
I raise my chin. "Despite my youthful looks, im not a kid and I haven't gotten too comfortable. I'm not scared to go out there. And what happened to there is not a lot of us left and we should stick together?"
Logan smiles. "So that's it then, your going go out there and save the world?"
Sarah sighs. "Logan, enough..I think she has had enough for one day."
Logan smiles. "No, she needs to learn this Sarah, you all do. Everything you knew, its gone. Everyone you know is dead and their not coming back. You cant help those people any more than we can help ourselves. Be thankful with what you have and make it work. That is what we do now. We have power, water and enough food to stay alive for years to come. And it would be stupid to leave it behind."
Ben and Logan walk out and head towards the barn. I sit down and rub my eyes. He had a point but it wasn't enough to give up. She had to get the location somehow. Raya shakes her head at me as if she knew what I was thinking. I just smile and continue eating my breakfast. I would get it out of him one way or another.

Over the next few days despite my best efforts Logan has remained tight lipped and refuses to talk about the location any further. I even had Raya try to seduce it out of him which she was happily willing to do. But he saw it coming and shot her down. I was beginning to think he was full of shit. That he made the whole thing up. But, the curiosity got the better of me. Here I was in the middle of the night searching his bag in the barn like a FBI agent. I had managed to get it out of the house after dinner without him noticing and I was just winging it from here. I find his wallet and open it. His military Id and drivers license were in it.
"Logan Thomas Garland, age twenty seven. Ha, I knew you weren't thirty yet."
"Did you?"
I jump and toss the bag in the stall next to me and turn around. I already know its him. But I pretend to be surprised.
"Oh hey Logan, Didn't hear you come in."
He watches me closely. "Did you get a good look at everything?"
I roll my eyes and put my hands on my hips. "Its not like I didn't try to do it a better way, you wont spill so I had to look."
He shakes his head. "Why do you care about some idea of a camp?"
I step a little closer to him. "Why do you care if I go find it or not? What are you hiding? Did you make it up?"
He laughs. "You need to find yourself a hobby Aria."
I grab his arm when he tries to walk past me. "Your a liar. You never heard of any damn camp did you? You just were trying to leave here and they wouldn't let you. I want to know what the fuck is going on around here that none of you are telling us. Why do Sarah and Ben say they grew up here and not a single picture in this whole house has them in it? Who are they really, and how the fuck do you have power with no generator, no wind mill or a solar panel? You better start talking."
He shoves me hard into the wall and grips the front of her shirt. "You want to live, you better stop asking questions, you better stop sneaking around and putting a target on your back. If you run, they will find you and haul your ass right back here. They already got your car, all your things. Right under your damn nose. Your not getting out of here without me so shut your mouth, do what your told and maybe when its time I will let you come with me."
I knee him in the balls and run as fast as I can out of the barn and towards the house. Before going in I take a few breaths to get my breathing under control. My hands shake on the door knob but I turn it anyway. Everything is quite in the house, most have gone to bed. I make my way up the stair case tip toeing towards Raya's room. I just need to get her to come with me and we could get the hell out of here now. I didn't know what the hell was going on but I knew how I felt when I came here. Something was off and I was done playing their games. I would leave with or without her, but I hoped she would listen and come with me.
I open the door slowly. I hear a male voice and almost shut the door again but I had to see what was going on.
"What does she know about this place Raya?"
Raya sits on the bed sipping her wine. "Nothing. She hasn't figured it out yet. She is still trying to find out where the camp is."
I watch as Ben tucks a piece of hair behind her ear. "Do you think she will except it like the others?"
Raya sighs. "No, I think were going to have to kill her Ben. She is too smart, too good out there. If she got away she would cause trouble for us."
I slowly shut the door and run back quietly to my room. I had never been more mad in my entire life. Who the fuck are these people, who the hell is Raya? Had she known the whole time? She was in Texas, what would she have been doing all that way away from their precious farm. All I knew was I wasn't spending another second in this place. I dress quickly and pack what I need from my room. Quietly I ease my way down the stairs to the kitchen. I listen for anyone around but everyone is up on the second level. I put some food and water in my pack and slip out the back door. As soon as my feet are off the porch I run, I run like there is a gun pointed at the back of my head and I don't stop running until I can no longer see the farm anymore. I needed a car, I needed to get the hell away from this place or they would find me and I wasn't waiting till morning.

A hour into my hike I stumble on another farm house. This one is dark and cold looking. I go inside and light a candle I took from my room. I damn near swallow my tong. Everywhere around me was stacks of supplies, tools, fuel and weapons. I had hit the mother load, which means I needed to get out of there quickly, this would be the first place they would check once they saw I was missing. I fill up a duffel of ammo and food and water and weapons, just grabbing what ever is there, not wanting to waste any time. I grab two gas cans and run out the back. I see a truck near the tree line and I run to it.
"Please god, if you exist, let the keys be in it."
I open the door and throw my stuff inside.
"Aria!"
I freeze for a split second and then I hop in the car as quick as I can but he has the door.
"You wont get far without these." He holds up the car keys.
I glare at him. "Your not coming with me, your one of them. you will just knock me out and take me back to that shit hole. Raya said they have to kill me, their going to kill me."
Logan shoves me so hard I land in the passenger seat. He gets in and shuts the door.
"I'm not going to kill you and were not going back there. Were getting the fuck out of here. I came here just like you, I didn't know before it was too late. I was going to go the night you came, using the storm as cover but I couldn't leave you there like that."
I roll my eyes. "Whatever you say, just start driving and I swear if you head back there I will shoot you myself."
He turns on the car. "That's fair enough. Hold on."
He speeds out of the yard and onto the road. He drives as fast as he can with the rain.
"How long until they notice we have gone?"
Logan looks at her. "Soon, maybe a hour or so. If they were talking about killing you then they would plan to do it before you woke up. Their cowards like that."
I watch him curiously. "Who are they?"
He sighs. "They were with the CDC. Sarah is a one of the technicians that created the virus. That's why their so well prepared. They knew it was coming before it even came. Ben was her boss and the two of them took over the farm by force, they killed the family and pretended to be the original owners."
"Is Grace in on it to? Did she even have kids or break her leg?"
Logan smiles. "yes, Grace is innocent but they wont hurt her. She has been officially brain washed. I tried to tell her the truth once but she wouldn't listen to me. She wouldn't leave there willingly."
"What about Raya? Who is she?"
Logan shrugs. 'I don't know, I don't think that they knew her before you came but like Grace she had no intention of ever leaving but she knows more than Grace does. I think she likes it."
I shake my head. "This whole time, I thought she was my friend."
Logan looks at me. "There are no more friends. Not even Me. Were just to people trying to survive."
I look out the window as the storm rages on. "They wont go that far looking for us, they don't want to loose their farm."
Logan grips the wheel. "I thought that to. I didn't come to the farm alone Aria. I was able to get her out, but, they hunted her. They dragged her back and they killed her. They will keep looking."
I rest my head against the window. "You said she, who was she?"
He continues driving. "My wife, Norah. I tried to stop it but I couldn't get to her, they drugged us both and I couldn't move my body."
I look at him, I want to believe him. The pain in his eyes says he is telling the truth. But I no longer knew what to believe.
"I'm sorry Logan."
He smiles weakly. "We all lost people in this. None of us are whole."
I lean back in the seat, finally letting my body relax. "Where do we go from here? Where can we hide?"
He sighs. "Your not going to like it."
I laugh, "no offense, but what is there to like anymore?"
He laughs, "True. We have to go in a city. They don't go far into city's mostly because of the stench and they wouldn't think we would stay there in it either."
I shake my head. "We wont survive in a city. There is too much dead, too much fires and issues. Its like living in a bomb."
Logan turns off the road onto a wooded lane.
"We don't have to stay long, we just have to set an ambush and take them out. Then we can go back to the farm if we want."
I would have been surprised if I hadn't just learned and saw what I did.
"I hope you know how to do that. How long?"
"A week or two, maybe more?"
I rub my face. "I cant take cities for a few hours let alone weeks."
Logan slows when the rain starts coming down harder. "We will find a way. If we don't, their just going to keep collecting people. Look how easy it was for you."
I shake my head in pure frustration and anger. " Fine, what city?"
"The first one we see. You have a map don't you?"
I swear under my breath. "Had a map, Raya took it."
Logan shakes his head. "We'll figure it out. You should try to get some rest, we can switch when you wake up. You look exhausted."
Something in his tone had the fatigue wearing off. "I'm okay, I can drive if you want to take the first shift?"
He smiles. "I'm okay."
The all to familiar feeling of dread came over me again. Suddenly I just wanted to open the door and jump out but I needed this car and I needed to put some distance in. I would have to stick it our until I could escape. I never should have stopped for anyone, I should have stayed out on my own. I never would have stopped at that farm house if Raya wasn't with me. How had I read everyone so wrong? Why didn't I just listen to my gut and get out of there the first night. I almost bought into their act and I probably would have had Logan never told me about the camp. I suppose I owed him a tiny bit for warning me. Was this another trap? I hoped not, but I knew that from here on out, I was no longer interested in being in a community again. I longed to be back by myself, unaware of the farm and the others. Everything was so complicated all the time, I was desperate to get out of there and get back to doing my own thing. Solitude wasn't a bad thing in this kind of world. It was your salvation.