“I’m sorry,Ciara.”Alexsurrenderedtothereality.“I’m sorry thatIcouldn’tprotectyou.Itried,Ireallytried.Ithoughtbeing homewouldbeenoughtokeepyouandIalive.Iknew we’dhave sometrouble,butIneveranticipatedthis.Ineverexpectedto havetokillHoward,Ineverexpectedtogetstucksomewherein themiddleofthecity.Ineverexpectedeverythingtocome crashingdownarounduslikethis.”
“Dad…”Ciarastaredathim withafocusedstare.
“I’m sorry.I’m reallysorry,Ciara.”Alexshookhisheadand sighedagain.“Ciara,Iloveyou.Iloveyoumorethanyouwould everknow.Ialwayswantedyoutohavethebestlifepossible.I wantedyoutogrow upandhaveafamily.Iwantedyoutonever needforanything.”
“No,dad…” “Iknow you’veheardallthis,orthisisallclichebut,it’sthe truth.”HestaredatthedashinfrontofCiara.“Thisisit,though. Thisiswhereitallcomestoanend;thetwoofus,trappedina junkerofamilitarytruck,surroundedbythesemonsters,with nohopeofmakingit.”
“Dad,wouldyoupleasestop!”Ciaraspokeupinprotest. “Wouldyoupleasejustturnyourdamnheadandlookoutyour window!?”Shegesturedtowardhissideofthetruck.
“Hey!Youwatchyourmouth!”Alexglaredatherangrily. “You’retwelve,you’renotan–”Hepausedforamomentashis eyesmetherhand.Shewaspointingtowardthewindow behind him intently.Hequicklyturnedhisheadtoseewhatshewas gesturingtoward.Hiseyesweremetwithsomethinghehadnever expectedtosee;anothervehiclewithpeopleinit.
Mitchellliftedhishandtowaveatthepersoninthedriver seatthathadfinallynoticedthem.Hemaintainedhisstareatthe man,tryingtopiecetogetherthesceneinhishead.Heknew he’d seenthismanbefore,butwhowashe?
“Waitasecond…”Mitchell’sthoughtsallfellinline.“No. There’snodamnway–”
“–that’swhoIthinkitis…”Alex’svoicereflectedhisshock.
WashereallystaringatMitchelSwartz?Wastheotherperson, thepersonthathaddrivenupbesidethem outofnowhere,really Aria’shusband?“That’sMitchell.”
“Mitchell?”Ciaraglancedatthemanintheothervehicle,she
didn’trecognizehim,buthisnamesoundedfamiliar.“Who’s Mitchell,dad?” “MitchellSwartz.Aria’shusband.”Alexstareddirectlyatthe otherman.Hecouldfeelhisheartpoundingandhishead spinningfrom whathadbecomehisreality.
“Youwereright,misterMitchell.Therearepeoplethere!”Lilly pointedattheobvioussceneinfrontofherwindow.
“AlexanderLangley?”Mitchellspokethenamequietlyinthe directionoftheothercar.Histhoughtwasconfirmedbyaslight nod.Theothermanmouthed‘Mitchell’,henoddedback.Thetwo ofthem hadestablishedtheother’sidentity;theyweretwomen thathadmetonlyacoupleoftimes,andneitherexpectedtoever seetheotheragain.Neitherofthem reallywantedtoseethe otheragain,bothforthesamereason.Thesecondstickedbyas theybothstaredateachother.
“Arewegoingtohelpthem,misterMitchell?”Lillychimedinto figureoutthesituationasbestshecould. “Arewegoingtoaskthem forhelp,dad?”Ciaratriedtopull Alexbackintoreality.AlexnoddedbackatCiaraandrolledthe window downacoupleofinches.Mitchellreciprocated,pressing theautomaticbuttontoslidethepassengersidewindow down.
“Hey,uh…”Alexhesitated.“Mitchell.”
“Alex.”Mitchellmotionedtowardthegirlbehindhim.“Alex’s daughter.”
“Ciara.”Shesmiledathim.“Hi.” “ThisisLilly.”Mitchellpointedatthelittlegirlinthefrontseat thatwasstaringattheothertwo.
“Oh,hi,Lilly.”Alexsmiledovertoheraswell.“How areyou?”
“I’m OK…”Sheshylyreplied.
“That’sgood.I’m surethere’sagoodreasonforyoubeingwith Mitchell,huh?” “Yes,thereis.I’m takingcareofher.”Mitchellnoddedin agreement.
“He’stakingmetohisnew house,andmommyanddaddyare goingtocomelater.”
“That’sthestorywe’regoingwith,yeah.”Mitchellsmirked. “It’scomplicated.”
“OK,canwepleasejustgettothepointwherewegetoutof thissituation?”Ciara’svoicewasgettingimpatient.“Igetit,you guysareawkward,butIdon’twanttodiehere!”
“Yeah,weshouldprobablydothat.”Alexmadehisstatement inagreementwithCiara.“Hey,so,wecouldreallyusesomehelp here.Youcanprobablyguesswedidn’treallyintendtoendup likethis.”
“Theinfectedthatweresurroundingyouguysspokeforthe situation.”Mitchelllookeduptowardthefrontofthetruck.“It lookslikeyouguysaren’tgoingtobetakingthattruckanywhere. Wecandefinitelygiveyoualift.”Mitchellglancedforwardand towardtheemptyroad.Therewereinfectedthatwerestill around,buttheyhadbegunignoringthegroupforthemoment. Iftheyweregoingtodosomething,theyneededtodoitassoon aspossible.“Ihaveaplan;sittight.”Mitchellrolledthewindow upandstarteddrivingforward.Hepulledintothedrivewayofthe houseandturnedthevehiclearoundsothatitwasfacingthe oppositedirectionofAlex’svehicle.
“Whydoyouguyshavetobelikethat?Whycouldn’tyoujust askhim forhelp?Isitreallythatawkward?”Ciarachastisedher father.
“Itis,actually.Wedidn’texactlygetalongthelasttimewe met.”Alexglancedback.“I’m gladhe’swillingtohelp.”
“Whathappenedthelasttimeyouguysmet?”
“Oh,boy.Well,heconfrontedmeaboutAria.Itwasbackwhen thathappened.Doesthattellyouanything?”Alexshookhis head.“Let’sjustsayhetrackedmedowninalocalbar.We’dmet beforethen,andI‘dbeendrinking;soIspunaroundandwasall; ‘Hey,Mitchellbuddy!How’sitgoing?’Herespondedwithan incrediblypainfulrighthooktothesideofmyhead.NextthingI know,I’m staringupattheceilingfanandtheroom isspinning. ThenhestepsovermeandtellsmethatIwasthefirstperson he’deverhit.Hefollowsthatupwith;‘IfyouevercomenearAria again,you’llbethefirstpersonIputintheground.’Hewasa littleangry.”
“Hesucker-punchedyouandknockedyouonyourback?” Ciarastaredatherfather.“You?”Shethenglancedbackat Mitchell.“Gotknockedflatbyhim?Thatguy?”
“I’dbeendrinking!”Alextriedtosaveface.“Eitherway,andno matterhow youcutit,Ideservedit.He’stheonlypersontoever putmeinmyplacelikethat.”
“Wellthen…”Ciaralaughedandstareddownatthefloor. “Don’tbringitup,please…”Alexpleadedwithher.“Let’sjust getoutofhere,OK?”AlexwatchedasMitchelldroveclosertothe truck.
“Alright,soI’m goingtopullforwardandopenthebackdoor, thenyouopenyourdoor.Areyouguysgoodtoclimbinlike that?”Mitchellglancedbacktowardthecontentofthebedofthe truck.“Andwhatdoyouwanttodoaboutyourgroceries?”
“IwanttogetCiarainfirst,thenI’llgrabwhateverIcanfrom theback.”Alexpointedathisdaughter.Mitchellnoddedand reachedbacktoopenthedoor.Alexfollowedandopenedhis,the twodoorscreatedasortofblockonbothsides.Itwasn’tideal, butitwasagoodplan.Alexturnedandsteppedfrom thetruck, thenturnedbackandgrabbedholdofCiara.Hepulledherfrom thetruckandliftedherupintotheothervehicle.Shescooted overontothepassengerside.
“Alright,pullforwardacouplefeetsoIcantrytosalvagesome ofthis.”MitchelldidasAlexrequested.Hepulledforwardand Alexsteppedalongthesideofthetruck.Hereachedinand startedpullingoutboxesofrandom food.
“Alex,youneedtospeedup.You’vebeenspotted.”Mitchell noddedtowardoneoftheinfectedthatwaswatchingAlex. “Dammit.”Alexgrabbedontothesideofthewheelchaircart andpulleditdown.Thecartfelltoitssidefrom hisweight, causingitscontentstofallontotheroad.Alexbentdownand startedtossingasmuchashecouldintotheopendoor.Aftera few moments,hespunandhoppedintotheopendoorofthe vehicle.Hepulledthedoorshutandtookinabreathofrelief. “Alright,Ciara;whatdidwemakeitoutwith,kiddo?”
“Let’ssee.”Shelookeddownattheopenspacebyherfoot. “Yousavedmostofthebreakfaststuff.Yousavedthechocolate granolabars.”
“CanIhaveone?”LillyshotherrequestbacktoCiara. “Please?”
“Sure!”Ciaragrabbedoneoftheboxesandhandedittoher. “I’lltakeonewhenyou’redone.”
“OK!Thankyou!”Lillysatbackinherseatandstarted pullingtheboxapart. “So,there’sallthat.”Ciaraturnedaroundandlookedintothe areacontainingLilly’sluggage.“Onecaseofwater,onetwelvepackofsoda,aloafofbreadandtwojarsofpeanutbutter.Oh, thenthere’sallthepizza’syougrabbed.”
“Well,that’smorethanIthought.”Alexsighed.“Wasn’t everything,butthat’sfine.Wecanmakethiswork.” “Areyouguysallsettledin.”Mitchellglancedbackatthem. “Alex,pleasebucklein.”AlexchuckledatMitchell’srequest.“I’m beingserious.Thelastthingweneedisforyoutoendupinjured ifwegetinanaccident.”AlexstaredatMitchellwithalookof confusion.Heshookhishea
dinconcessionandpulledthebelt acrosshisbody.“Thanks.”
“Noproblem.”AlexlookedovertoCiara.“See,Itoldyouwe’d makeitoutofthere.”
“Youwereabouttostartcrying…”Ciara’scomebackwas snarky;notsomethingAlexexpected.
“So,whereareyoutwoheadingoffto?”Mitchellpeeredupat therear-view mirror.“JusttellmewhereandI’lltakeyouthere.”
“Homeplease.MagnoliaCourt,cul-de-sacrightoffEverview Drive.Youknow wherethatis?”AlexpattedMitchellonthe shoulder.
“Ithinkso.That’s,what,eightmilessouth?”Mitchellshifted thecartodrive.“Chatty’susedtobeoverthatway,right? Everview andNorthSixth?”
“Yeah,that’swhereChatty’susedtobe…”Alexquietly confirmedMitchell’sstatement.
“What’sChatty’s?”CiaranudgedAlex. “It’sabarIusedtogoto.”Alexsmirked.“Istoppedgoinga longtimeago.Ithinkitburneddown,orsomething.”
“Abar…”Ciara’srealizationclicked.“Oh.Thebarwherethat happened.”Sheturnedawayandchuckledquietly.
“Yeah,yeah;laughitupnow.”Alexbumpedhershoulder.“So, Mitchell;how haveyoubeen,pal?Wehaven’tseeneachotherin years.”
“Iknow.”Mitchellpaused.“I’vebeendoingalrightforthemost part.Well,upuntilabouttwoweeksago.It’sbeenanadventure, forsure.How aboutyou?How haveyoubeenholdingup?”
“Uh…”Alexthoughtabouteverything.“Youknow what,man; it’sbeenhell.Theselasttwoweekshaveactuallybeendecent though.CiaraandIwerehunkereddowninourhouse.Where haveyoubeenholdingout?”
“Home,anofficebuilding,aradiostation,thehospital,a hotel,agasstation,ashoestore,Aria’sbakery,amilitarycamp,a church,myhouse,theBarber’shouseandnow we’rehere.” Mitchellcountedtheplacesoffonhisfingers.“Yeah,that’sitI think.Goodtohearyouguyswereabletostaysafeatyour house.”Mitchell’scommentcameacrossasunintentionallybitter.
“Well,Iwouldn’tcallitsafe,butit’sbeenfairlycomfortable.” Alexshrugged.“Wegotlucky,Mitch.We’vehadtodealwiththe militaryaswell.”
“Theytransportedusfrom thehospitaltotheirbase,thenwe stolethetrucktogetAriahome,andthengetaway.”Ciaramade hercommentandimmediatelyrealizedthatshehadsaid somethingsheshouldn’thave.“I’m sorry,dad.”
“Aria?”Mitchellhitthebrakeonthecar.“YouwerewithAria?” “No,Mitchell,notlikethat.”Alexheldhishandsforward.“I wasn’twithAria.Wewereatthehospitalwhenthisallstarted. Sheshowedupandweendedupatthesamemilitarycompound. Then,whenweleft,sheaskedustotakeherhome.”This statementclickedwithAlex.“Wait,yousaidyouwenthome.”
“Yeah,Idid…”Mitchell’svoicetapered.“Youknow what happenedthen?”
“Ido.”AlexputhishandonMitchell’sshoulderagain.“I’m verysorry.ItriedashardasIcouldtohelpher.Iknow youdidn’t wantmenearher,butweendedupinthesameplace.AllI wantedwastogetherhometoyouandkeepherhappy.Iwasn’t tryingtodoanythingmorethanthat.”
“Stop,Alex.”Mitchellglanceddownward.“Thatwasyearsago, man.Weallmakemistakes.Iwasn’taskingforthatreason,Iwas askingbecauseIwantedtoknow whathappenedbeforeshe…”
“Ifithelps,theonlythingshewantedwhenshefoundoutwas togethome.Shejustwantedtogethomeandbewithyoufor whatevertimeshehadleft.”Alexleanedbackintotheseat.“I triedtomakethathappen.Ireallytried.”
“Ibelieveyou,andthankyoufortrying.”Helookedbackupat Alex.“Didshesufferatall?Wassheuncomfortable,oranything likethat?”
“No.”Alexshookhishead.“Ipromiseyouthatshedidnot suffer.Shewastestedbyafriendofmine,Andrei,anditwasa simplebloodtest.Wedidthetestandheletmehelpherescape beforethemilitarytriedtodoanything.”
“Andrei?”Mitchell’seyesgrew wide. “Yeah,hisnameisAndreiGrigorev.He’sabitofpsycho,tobe honest,butheprovedthathewasatleastsomewhathumanto me.WhenhefoundoutthatAriawasinfected,hetoldmetoget heroutofthere.”Alexlaughedslightly.“Youknow,Inever thoughtIwouldbethankfulthatsomeoneIknew wasunderthe careofthatcrazyRussian,buthehelpedAriamorethanI would’veeverexpected.”MitchellkepthiseyesonAlex,they remainedwidened.“What’swrong,man?”
“Nothing.”Heshookhishead.“Yeah,no.Nothingiswrong.” “Youlookedlikeyouhadseenaghostorsomethingjustnow.” Alexquipped.
“Notquite,justheardthenameofone.”Mitchellmumbledto himself.“Anyway,let’sgetyoutwobackhome.” “Youguysmanagedtojuststayhomethiswholetime,without incident?”Mitchelllookedintotherear-view mirroratAlex.“Well, exceptforthetimeyouwereatthebase.”
“Almostwithoutincident.Ourneighbormetanunfortunate endafterhebrokein.”AlexlookedoveratCiara,shewasstaring outthewindow,focusingonthepassingtreesandtheother houses.“Hewasinfected,though.Ididn’thaveachoice.”
“Youdon’thavetojustifyyouractionstome,Alex.Iwouldn’t expectyoutobethetypetoactoutsideofwhatwasnecessaryto saveyourself,oryourdaughter.”Mitchelllookedbackdownatthe roadandglancedatthestreetsigns.“HaveImissedtheturn?I feellikewe’vebeenonEverview forawhilenow.”
“It’sthestreetthathasnoend,Mitchell.”Alexlaughed.“But no,youhaven’tpassedit.Let’ssee,we’reat…”Hestaredoutthe window.“Winston?You’vegotaboutfourblockstogo.You’llsee thebigsignthatsaysMagnoliaCourt,turnright,headdownthe roaduntilyougettothecircle,thenit’sthefirsthouseonthe right.”
“Alright.”Mitchellpressedon.“So,otherthanyourneighbor, noincidents?How haveyouguysmanagedthat?” “We’vebeensurvivingoffthefoodwehadfrom beforethisall happened.Thatandmywifewasabottled-wateraddict.”Alex shookhishead.“Ihateditbefore,butnow I’m almostthankful forit.It’skeptourhidesoutofthefryingpan,that’sforsure.”
“Ifyoudon’tmindmeasking,Alex,whereisyourwife?Holly, wasn’tit?”Mitchell’sinquirywasmoreinvasivethanhenormally was,butitwasavalidquestion.
“She’snolongerwithus.”Alexturnedhisheadtolookoutthe window.“Turnatthenextroad.” “Oh,I’m sorryIasked.”Mitchellturnedthewheeltotheright andstartedtoslowlymovedowntheroad.Hepeeredatthetrees thatblockedhisview intothearea.“Isitfurtherdown?”
“Yeah,youhavetotakethisroadforaminute.Thenthehouse isontheright,firstone.”Alexpointedtotherightatthewhite house.“Also,don’tbesorry.Shepassedawaybeforeallthis happened.ItwasthesameaccidentthattookCiara’sleg.”
“Dad,thefrontdoorisopen.”Ciarachimedinwitha distressedthought.“Ithoughtyoulockedit!”
“Idid.”Alex’svoicefellintoadeeptone.“Ihadafeelingthe lockwasn’tgoingtohold.” “Alex,we’vegotinfectedinthearea.There’soneacrossthe street,andIthinkoneinyourbackyard.”Mitchellpointedout thepotentialthreats.“Thisplaceisn’tsafe.”
“Iknow.Iwasthinkingthattoo.”Alexstaredattheopendoor tohishouse.“Mitchell,Iwantyoutopulluptothecurb.I’m goingtogetoutand…”Alexpaused.HelookedovertoCiara,then backatthehouse;itwastimetomoveon.“IsitOKifwestick withyouandthelittleoneforawhilelonger?”
“Whatareyougoingtodo,dad?”Ciarastaredathim inquisitively.
“That’snotaproblem.Doyoujustwanttogonow–” “No.”AlexcutMitchelloff.“Ihavetodothis.”Heturnedtothe backareabehindtheseatandgrabbedtheredcontainer.“I’m goingtooweyousomegas,butI’m goingtoneedthis.”
“Dad,whatareyouplanning?”Ciaraonceagainaskedhim. “Youaren’tgoingtodowhatIthink,areyou?” “Iam.”Alexglancedbacktoher.“It’sover,Ciara.There’s nothinglefthereforus.Weheldoutforaslongaswecould,but everythingthathashappenedistellingmethatweneedtojust go.”
“Soyou’regoingtoburnourhousedown?”Ciara’svolume increased.“Youcan’t!Igetmovingonrightnow,butwhycan’twe comebacklater?Iwanttocomebacktomylife!”
“There’snothingtocomebackto,Ciara!”Alexmatchedher volume.“Nothingisgoingtochangehereforaverylongtime! Haveyounotnoticedthatnothinghashappened?There’sbeen norescue,nosignofanyoneelseinthearea!Doyouknow what’s likelytohappentothiscity?It’llbequarantinedandthenburned totheground.Iguaranteeyou,thishumbletownofourswillbe thefirstonethatgetsreportedashavingtheinfected,andthe governmentisgoingtomakedamnsureit’sthelast.”Alex’svoice lowered.“Justgivemethis.GivemetheabilitytosaythatIchose thisforus.Letmeatleastkeepmydamnpride.”Heputhishand onCiara’sshoulder.“I’m sorry.”
“No,pleasedon’t.”Ciara’seyesfilledwithtearsasherfather huggedher.“Please,Iwanttocomeback.”Withthisstatement sheburstintotears.‘Thisiswhereallmymemoriesare,dad. Thisisallthat’sleftofourfamilybeforetheaccident,allthat’s leftofmom.Ifyouburnitdow
n,thenthat’sallgone.Everygood thingthat’severhappenedtous,allthefuntimesthethreeofus had.AreyoureallyOKwithdestroyingthat?”Alexkepthisarms aroundher;shewasright.Thisiswherethemagichappenedfor them.Shewasababywhentheymovedintothishouse,sothis wasallshe’deverknown.Beforethis,AlexandHollyhadspent yearsinvariousapartments,typicallymovingeveryotheryear whenthemilitarydecidedthattheywantedhim elsewhere.When shewasborn,andhedecidedhewasdone,theyfundedthe houseforhim.ItwasbecauseofherAlexdecidedtoquit.Itwas becauseofhertheymovedtothiscity.Itwasbecauseofherthey hadgottenthehouse.Alexpulledtighter,thenpushedawayand noddedtoMitchell.
“Makesureshestayshere.Idon’tknow whatI’m goingtofind inthere,honestly,andIdon’twantherinvolved.”Alexputhis handonMitchell’sshoulder.
“Yes,sir.”Mitchellnodded.“I’llpullthecarupwhenyou’re ready.”HespokequietlyasAlexopenedthedoorandsteppedout. ThegroupthatremainedwatchedAlexwalkpastthem and towardthefrontdoorofhishouse.Thesoundinthevehiclewas silence,withtheexceptionofCiara’ssobbingandLilly’srustling inherseat.TheywatchedAlexwalkuptothefrontofhishouse andpause.
“Don’tcry,Ciara.It’sOK!MisterMitchellisreallyniceand he’llhelp!”Lillylookedbackintothebackseat.“MisterAlex seemslikehe’sanicepersontoo!”Ciarastaredather,itwasn’ta stareofcontempt,itwasmoreofanenviousstare.Ciaraknew thatLillydidn’tunderstandanythingthatwasgoingon,she didn’tgetwhyCiarawassoupsetwithwhatAlexwasdoing.She wasjustachild,moreofachildthanCiarawassupposedtobe; moreinnocentthanCiaracould’veeverhopedtohavebeen. “MaybeyoucancomewithustoMisterMitchell’snew house!” Lilly’seyesgrew inexcitement,Ciaracouldn’thelpbutchuckleat hercomment.
“Maybe…”Ciaraquietlyreplied.
“Hey,Lilly-Anne,whydon’tyouclimbbackthereandkeep Ciaracompany?”MitchellnudgedLilly’sshoulder.
“Don’tcallmethat,MisterMitchell!”Sheprotestedhis statement.“Idon’tlikebeingcalledthat!”