Both of you boys are destined for greatness. You are remarkable young men and I know the path you choose will be good and honorable. You have it in your hearts to make this world what it needs to be, make it a better place.
This world is a new place and has changed. Please promise me it will not change you.
With all of my heart I love you. I love you more than I could write on this paper.
Be strong. Be brave. Live life for every single second. It’s too short.
Again, I am proud and I love you.
18. Final Battle
October 19th
Damon, NY
Forty men left at dawn. Two hundred and ten lined the streets of Damon. Every vehicle was utilized. They were determined to defeat the rebels and exterminate the threat of the virus.
Even Doc was suited up to go, he had to. They didn’t doubt that there would be injuries. They expected them. The midnight scouts estimated over a hundred rebel soldiers. The plan was simple. Outnumber them, outgun them, and outsmart them with minimal casualties. Take prisoners if need be. Life was too scarce to lose any more. There was only one life that wasn’t sacred and that was the life of Shane ‘Ace’ Drummond. For him there was no mercy, but that mercy had to be given if Mick didn’t locate the virus.
“Mick,” Briggs walked by him. “We’re ready.”
Mick nodded. He stood with the boys.
“You’re scared, aren’t you Mick?” Chris asked. “It’s okay. Maybe scared isn’t a good word.”
“Yeah, I’m scared,” Mick told him honestly. “Scared can be a good thing. We’re going into battle, there’s always a risk. You know that right?”
“Yeah,” Chris waved his hand dismissively, “but it’s you. You’re the mighty Mick Owens. I’m not worried. And just to show you how much I have faith in you…” He reached into his pocket and handed Mick the coin. “I didn’t give it to you when you went for the virus. Didn’t want a virus attached to it. But this is for you.”
Mick’s hand closed around the coin. “Oh, God. Chris.”
“What?”
Mick shook his head. “This means a lot. And just in case… you know…” Mick hugged Chris into him. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mick.”
Mick looked down to Tigger. “I know you hate it, but can I lift you up, one more time for a good hug?”
Tigger raised his arms. “I’m sure it’s not gonna be the last.” He wrapped his arms tight around Mick’s neck.
“I love you, Tig. Be good.” Mick closed his eyes, one arm holding tight to Tigger, the other wrapped around Chris. He didn’t want to let go. He didn’t want to walk away. But his internal clock was ticking. “I… I gotta go boys.” He tried hard to keep his emotions in check. “I’m sorry.”
“Why you apologizing, Mick?” Chris asked. “Gosh, don’t do that. We understand. We’ll see ya soon.”
Mick kissed his sons one last time.
Just as he turned, Chris called out. “Hey, Mick?”
Mick looked over his shoulder.
“Remember, you got this. You’re our hero, you know.”
Every muscle in Mick’s face tensed up and his throat closed. That was it. The last he’d hear Chris’ voice, the last he’d see his boys. He lifted his hand in acknowledgment and turned around.
His guts swirled with an echoing, screaming pounding to get out with every step he took. His eyes welled and glossed with tears and his face grew red and hot. Mick was in agony. He said his last goodbye.
He wanted to look back one more time but he didn’t. He couldn’t. He just kept walking.
Las Vegas, NV
“I can’t thank you enough,” Matt told Lexi after stepping from his mother’s room. “She is doing great. Both of you, I thank you.”
Bill looked to Lexi then to Matt. “We need to talk, Matt.”
A look of worry immediately crossed his face. “You’re leaving. That’s what it is, isn’t it? Is there anything I can do to get you to stay?”
Lexi said, “I have no plans to leave. We have too many that are ill. But Matt, is there anything we can do to get you to leave?”
He produced a half smile. “Why would I leave?”
“Not just you,” Lexi said.”Everyone. This whole damn place.”
“What? That’s insane.”
Bill added. “And it’s insane to stay here. Eventually we can all return, but for now, it’s too dangerous.”
“SARS is highly contagious,” Lexi said. “It’s carried by animals, insects, rodents, you name it.”
“But you shut the lab down,” Matt said.
“Animals, birds, they all got through,” Lexi explained. “I know this is your home. And you know what? Come back. It could be crazy to leave here and you could very well wait it out. But in the last two days we have had nine more cases of SARS.”
“What if we all have it?” Matt asked. “We’ll carry it wherever we go.”
“Start packing,” Bill suggested. “Isolate the sick, care for the sick. Start moving. Most incubation periods are a week to ten days. We move further east, away from the threat. Wait. Then move again, until the time frame has passed and no one is sick.”
“That really sounds kind of crazy,” Matt said.
“Your choice,” Lexi said. “As a health professional in this field, I recommend we all go. Bill and I will stay the course with you. We’ll travel with you.”
“Go where?” Matt asked. “Do you know how much we have?”
Bill nodded. “It’ll be a big move. Heck, send scouts out now, look for a town, a place, one that’s vacant. Staying here is not the answer.”
“Do you honestly think it isn’t safe?” Matt asked. “With everything you believe, is it dangerous?”
“I wouldn’t say go,” Lexi told him. “Your pilgrimages will eventually stop. The location of that lab will carry everything west with the wind and the animals and so forth will bring it here. So much escaped that lab. The only way to stop this thing from going any further is for all of us to leave. Leave it behind.”
“Sad as it sounds,” Bill interjected, “the painful truth is, the west is a biological wasteland right now and we need to leave.”
12 Miles West of Erie, PA
Dylan’s eyes were bright and smiling as she held on to Dustin in the picture taken on the Fourth of July.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Mick whispered as he stared at the picture. “I wanted to raise the boys, I wanted to be here for them. I’m sorry. But I’ll see you soon. Both of you.” Mick brought his lips to the phone, looked once more, then powered it down.
The convoy had pulled over.
It was the point where Mick and Briggs parted ways. Mick’s squad was ready, and before he veered off with them, he approached Briggs.
Briggs inhaled and lowered his head. “Are you sure?” he asked Mick.
“Yeah. It has to be done. Got my weapon, got the incendiary grenades. I’m ready. This is where you and I say goodbye.”
“Radio when you’re in and have your mother and Lars. We’ll start timing the coordinated attack once you search for Ace and the weapon. Weapon first.”
“I got it,” Mick said. “Listen, there’s something I need you do to.”
“What’s that?”
Mick grabbed Briggs’ hand and placed the phone in it, along with the coin. “Give those to Chris. I don’t want them on me any longer. Can’t take a chance I’ll contaminate them. And this…” He reached to his back pocket and handed Briggs the letter. “You give this to them tomorrow or the day after, okay? Not today. Not… today.”