Charged (13 page)

O
nce we cross the line into what was, just a few hours ago, infected territory, my anxiety is through the roof. We talked about stopping, but ultimately decided against it. Mason and Jared drive in shifts, covering as much ground as we can, as quickly as possible.

Thanks to our scary stop before, we have not only a full tank of gas, but a full gas can, too. The smell is kind of giving me a headache, even with the windows down. It’s nice to know we don’t have to stop for a while though, especially after last time…

After a few hours, I make Mason stop. We’re on top of a large hill and I figure it’s time to send out another energy sphere. I aim southwest, and let one fly, even though I don’t see any evidence of the infection. I want to play it safe.

Since we’ve stuck to the back roads, we haven’t run into anyone else. This is more than fine by me. Brie and Jared go back and forth in a debate over what is happening to those who were infected, once I zap them. Brie thinks that they’re cured. Jared argues instead that they fall back. I try not to think about it.

I wish there was some way that we could communicate with Jack, Mariette and Becky, but all of our cell phones are still not working. If we ever find a land line, we can give them a call. So far, we haven’t come across any. It sure would help to know where the infected area begins now, though.

W
e have another issue coming up though. We’ll have to cross the Hudson River to continue on our way. This means a bridge, and even worse, main roads, unless some sort of miracle happens.

As we make our way to the eastern banks of the Hudson, I study the map, trying to find the safest possible way across. It’s not looking very good. I direct Mason towards the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. It seems the most obscured. Unfortunately though, there are still some major roadways to contend with. We travel north along the back roads of the river, until Mason suddenly turns, veering off course.

“Where are you going?” I ask, confused.

“Look,” he points.

I see a marina come into view. A beautiful marina, filled with boats of all varieties. And I see one that might just get us across the river. Mason sees it too, because he pulls up right next to it.

In the mayhem of the infection spreading, some wonderful person left a barge and tugboat docked at the small marina. We all get out of the car to assess the situation.

“Huh.” Brie says. I’m with her.

“The barge would be extremely useful. Not only could we get across, we could even take it down river partway, save some miles.” Jared comments.

“Yeah, have to get off well before the big cities though.” Mason agrees.

I eye the small dock suspiciously. “Um, guys? Not to be the pessimist here, but I don’t think that dock is going to support the Jeep.”

Mason and Jared look at each other, and I have a feeling they will find a way.

Fifteen minutes later we clear the barge and tugboat. Brie and I watch from the edge of the barge with Baby bear, while Mason and Jared use some steel beams they found to try to get the Jeep from the dock to the barge. I insisted all of our supplies board with Brie and I. just in case. It’d be bad enough to lose the Jeep, but all of our food, too? That’d be catastrophic.

I almost squeeze my eyes shut as Mason closes the last few feet and the Jeep boards the barge. Jared lets out a whoop and Brie and I rush to help him and the beams onto our new mode of transportation.

I have to admit there are worse ways to travel. I’m officially sold on river travel. The barge moves slowly, and as we pass by some more urban areas, I’ll admit that I get nervous. I throw an energy ball into the river, just to be safe, and watch from the front of the barge as we pass by one abandoned waterfront after another.

Almost too soon, Mason and Jared call from the tugboat. It’s a shame we can’t risk taking the river down further. I pass Baby bear to Brie, and begin helping the guys lug the steel beams.

“Ready to switch, Mason?” Jared asks.

“Sounds good, I’m tired anyway.” He climbs into the back with me.

I feel him looking at me as we drive off again, rather than see him. I’m still trying to lose myself in the scenery, staring out the window, though it’s not really working.

Mason squeezes my hand gently. “How are you doing?” He asks.

I turn my attention to him, his concern causing his brow to furrow and a frown marring his handsome face. “I’m feeling better.” I tell him, trying to comfort him.

“I know that you’re
feeling
better,” he whispers, “and I also know that you’re stressing out over what happened back there.”

I stare at my hands. “Yeah, I am.” There’s no use in lying to him, apparently I’m not as good at hiding my emotions as I thought.

“You had no other choice, Kat.” He turns my face to his, so I have no choice but to look him in the eye. “You know that, right?”

“Most of me does.” I tell him.

He pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around me. It helps, as we continue driving and night starts to fall.

I’m not sure when I fell asleep. The sky is brightening, and when I look behind me I can see the soft light of dawn over the horizon. Mason and Brie are both still sleeping, Brie softly snoring and, I notice, covered with Jared’s jacket. I shift in my seat, adjusting Baby bear in my lap, and trying to get some blood flowing in my right leg, which is asleep.

I catch Jared’s eyes in the rearview mirror when I’m settled. “Any idea where we are?” I ask him quietly.

He shakes his head. “I was going to stop soon. I don’t want to go too far in the wrong direction.”

I see a hill in the distance. “Stop up there,” I tell him, “At the top.”

Jared pulls over and I dig out the map, and hand it to him, along with the compass, telling him I’ll be right back. I take advantage of a well-placed bush, before I make my way to the top of the hill to look around. All to the north and west of us seems clear, but I’m able to make out the metallic fog towards the south. I go back to the Jeep, to warn the other’s before I throw another sphere. No need to scare them by waking them up with the after-shock.

I clear my throat when I reach the Jeep. Brie is awake, she and Jared interlocked from mouth to thigh. They jump apart, Brie blushing and Jared grinning idiotically. I smile, happy for Brie and hoping I didn’t interrupt their first kiss. “Sorry.” I tell them.

“Not your fault,” Brie says. She glances at me and I wink at her. I don’t miss the huge smile she throws my way before she composes herself.

I wake up Mason. He bounces right up, a morning person, even after sleeping in a Jeep. We let Baby bear out to do his business. I wait for everyone to get back into the Jeep before I climb back to the top of the hill. I turn to the freaky metallic fog, focusing my energy. I try not to use quite as much as yesterday, just in case. Now that I know I can run out of energy, I need to be careful.

Since I’m getting used to the aftershock, I brace myself for it, and manage to remain on my feet. I crouch down, watching the effect the energy explosion has on the metallic fog. I see the edges of the fog left after the explosion retreat, waver and then disappear altogether. I’m not sure if this supports Brie’s theory, Jared’s, or neither.

Regardless, the fog is barely visible now, so it’s safe for us to continue on. Mason notices I look tired when I climb into the front seat next to him. Brie suggests we stop when we find some place with electricity. I don’t argue with her.

I make a big effort to improve my mood, or at least my outer appearance. Both Brie and Mason’s concern seems to be growing by the minute, and if they’re worrying about me, then they’re not paying as much attention to covering their asses as they should be.

We stop for lunch when we cross the border into Pennsylvania. I figure we’re about halfway to Columbus now. It’s hard to be certain though. And just because the first half of the trip was mostly uneventful, doesn’t mean we will bode as well for the rest of the trip. All things considered, we’ve been lucky so far. It makes me wonder when our luck is going to run out.

Baby bear eats most of my lunch. I’m not really hungry, and after forfeiting my sandwich I nibble on a blueberry muffin Mariette packed. Bless that woman and her kitchen.

“We’re going to have to make another gas-stop soon, or abandon the Jeep.” Jared breaks the bad news.

We all look at each other. We all remember too well the last time we stopped for gas. As I look at each of them, I realize that they are all looking at me. Oh. “I don’t know. What do you guys think?” I don’t want this to be my decision.

“We’re making great time with the Jeep. It’d be a shame to lose it.” Mason points out.

“But is it worth the risk?” Brie asks quietly.

“I don’t know.” I murmur. They’re all still looking at me. “I guess we can try, but the first sign of trouble and we’re out of there.” They nod. “And this time, we do it my way.” I can’t help but add.

Mason shoots me a look, but I hold firm. I get the overprotective boyfriend bit. Really, I do. However, if I’m the one who has to bear the brunt of my actions, I’d feel better if it’s my decisions that get us there. He must see something in my expression, because he doesn’t push it any further…for now, anyway.

I pull out the map, and try to figure out not only where we are, but also the safest possible town to stop in. “We need to find a place that’s not too big.” I say.

“What about this place?” Mason points to the map. “I don’t think that we’re too far from it.”

“It can’t be too big,” Brie pipes in. “It’s hardly a dot on the map.”

Jared shrugs, “Looks good to me.”

Just like that, it’s decided. First, I’m relieved that the decision was not left solely up to me. It doesn’t take very long for the anxiety to kick in though. By the time we reach the last crest in the dirt road before the town, my heart is pounding in my chest. “Pull over up here, Jared.” Even my voice betrays me, wavering as I speak.

Jared pulls over and we all get out. “Hey,” Mason pulls me aside. “We’ll do this your way. Forget about before. Tell us what to do.”

What I’d really like to tell him is to stay here with Brie, Jared and Baby bear, where it’s safe, and let me go check out the town, see if it’s there’s any trouble. I doubt Mason would agree to this. In fact, I’m pretty sure it would be a surefire way to piss him off. I pull him around the back of the Jeep, towards Brie and Jared. Baby bear stretches in the backseat before rolling over, not concerned with our stopping.

I look at all of them, already eyeing me expectantly. “Brie, Jared, you guys to stay here. We’re going to leave you the gun, and everything but the gas can to look after. Mason and I will go ahead and check things out.”

Nobody complains, or voices any objections to my plan.

“Jared, see if you can’t get the Jeep a little more out of sight, just in case.” He nods. I grab two bottles of water out of the back of the Jeep and toss one to Mason. From the look of the sky, it’s still early in the afternoon, and we should be able to get back before dark. “You ready?” I look at Mason.

“Let’s hit it.” He replies.

I figure that it’s maybe an hour long hike to the town from where we left the Jeep, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. I double check the map and compass frequently, leading us through the dense forest towards the edge of the town. As we finally see a break in the trees, I motion to Mason to be quiet and stay down. I see him readjust the tire iron he brought in his hands.