Deep Freeze: Protocol One, Book 2 (Protocol One Saga) (12 page)

There were a lot of factors that went into our nearly two month post exile stay in the bunker. Weather played a huge part. One day cold, the next day snow, and then it would warm and start all over again.

According to Peter and his pal’s at the space station, weather would be more than likely in the north east region of the United States be thirty degrees or more below normal for years to come. That tossed out any chance of growing anything outdoors.

We knew within five days of the exile that Craig and the others made it safely to the destination. By radio and using an awful ‘hick’ accent, Skyler identified himself as Rufus Dylan of Kansas. Dylan being keyword that he arrived at the Dylan campsite.

Rufus informed us he was staying put and looking for survivors and was getting ready to prep his farmland. His story was elaborate and had I not known it was Skyler, I would have believed the entire tale of living in an old missile silo. After all, we’re we doing the same in Protocol One.

Melissa was another reason we didn’t leave. She had far too much to do. Items that could be stored in the colder weather; seeds and so forth, all of which Tony and I took and hid on our many bogus scouting missions.

We didn’t look for survivors. We stored everything in Elwood City. Including gas, even though I knew where the repository was.

The hardest things to sneak out were the chickens. We took them more recently. They were harder to get than medical supplies. Those we took while Tom was on watch and everyone slept.

It was a well crafted plan. We were taking from ourselves. It was easy at first, but then as the end of March neared, people showed up.

Some hearing the call, some Gil had reached out to.

We were at capacity in Protocol One. No longer was it the exuberant establishment for a few, it was housing more than we ever imagined and rations were stricter.

While all of that made up the delay in what we were going to do, the ‘when and how’ were crucial. Melissa pushed that it had to be soon or we’d miss a good harvest. Skyler slash Rufus said things were ready to plant.

But Gil and Gwen were always around.

Gwen especially.

I trusted Gil, and didn’t say a word to him, but if Tony, Joie, Melissa, Nelly, Tom, Peter, Baby John and I all up and left, Gil would chase right after us. We had to leave all at once. Together, making haste and distance before we were discovered missing.

Then the opportunity presented itself.

Gil had to go west for a few days. Apparently those who had taken over the west bunker had emerged and we reaching out, along with a group of survivors in Indiana.

All of that was what Gil told me.

“It’s all part of the long term plan. There’s a lot of people out there,” he said. “I know it’s a gamble but I have to get them onboard with us before the government does.”

I understood that, I did. After all, I had read the deleted text messages of Gwen’s. I wished I could tell Gil what I knew, but I couldn’t tip my hand. Besides he probably already knew.

In fact a part of me truly felt guilty for slipping away while he was gone. I knew I’d eventually see him again, but he wouldn’t understand my reasons.

As I said goodbye to him before he left, I embraced him and thanked him.

“I’ll be back,” Gil said. “You’re not worried are you?”

“A little yeah.”

“Don’t be. I’ll be fine.”

My guilt over the fact that I knew I was going to hurt him was something I could not tell Tony. He was still convinced Gil’s nice guy bit was all a ruse and I was a fool.

He didn’t know Gil for all those years. I did.

It was all planned.

We’d give Gil two hours to make sure he didn’t return. Tom would rig the exterior video feeds and the one in the bay, then he’d fake ill. The replacement guard would come in just before lunch. Melissa and Nelly moving about at that time wouldn’t be unusual.

Tony and I were schedule for a quick run after lunch and made it known we were taking Joie with us so she could see the outside world.

They, along with the baby and Peter would meet at the Bay. Their getaway truck would leave just before Tony and I, that way if the guard figured out the feed he would only see us leaving with Joie.

Everything we wanted to take was squeezed into our typical survival gear we brought with us.

Even Joie had no clue what we were doing. Not telling her was a given when I realized my little plan to have her be my spy had the potential to backfire.

Suddenly the tomboyish girl was basking in all the girly things Gwen taught her. It irritated me and made me a little jealous that they got along so well.

What the heck happened?

Was it really that important placing down your knife when done cutting meat, or how to position your napkin to let the wait staff know you are finished?

Or how to properly enter and exit a room like a lady.

Obviously Gwen left out ranting and raving in her lessons.

“They should be gone,” Tony said as he sat down across from me at our lunch table. “Anna?’

“Um … yeah,” I replied, my eyes transfixed on Joie and Gwen. They always had a lesson over lunch. They sat together, both upright and proper. Gwen was saying something, I couldn’t make it out.

“Did you hear me?” Tony asked. “Eat your soup. It could be a while.”

I was anxious about leaving, and my meager lunch of soup and a hard roll wasn’t appetizing enough. I missed the days when Nelly cooked. Some new guy took over. “Yes, I heard,” I told him.

“None of them are here. What are you doing?”

“How did that happen?” I nodded toward Gwen and Joie.

“You. You caused it. You volunteered her. You set it up.” Tony broke his roll. “Don’t worry though, soon enough you can undo all the classy things Gwen taught her.”

I gasped. “Are you saying I don’t have class?”

“No. Eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Fine.” Tony took my bowl of soup.

“They’re dabbing the corners of their mouths. Daintily.”

“Anna, come on. It’s a post impact world. Who cares?”

“Obviously, Gwen. Of course, once she leaves here she has the bunker palace. You think she really likes Joie? I miss them fighting.”

“I think she does. I think it’s more like making up for what she lost.”

His words caught my attention and I looked at him. “Excuse me?’

Tony paused as his mouth hovered the bowl to drink the soup. “Think, Anna. You of all people know this. Her daughter? Her first husband?”

I remembered and the second I did, I inhaled loudly and my hand shot to my mouth. “I forgot. Oh my God, I forgot. The plane crash.”

“Yeah, she would have been Jackson’s age. She was Joie’s age. That’s why I think she took a liking to her.” Tony slurped the remainder of his soup in a way Gwen wouldn’t approve and stood. “Speaking of which, it’s time to go.”

Again … once more, I felt guilty. I didn’t even like Gwen and I felt guilty for snatching Joie from her. I had to remind myself what Gwen was up to. I watched Tony get Joie. Joie stood and did that ‘cheek to cheek puckered lips but not a kiss’ thing and happily walk with Tony toward me.

I actually waved at Gwen. She turned her nose up and looked away.

Guilt gone. At least at that moment.

“We ready?” Joie asked. “I can’t wait to see what it’s like out there,”

“We’re ready,” I said.

“Will I see a lot?” she asked.

Tony replied as we headed from the dining area. “More than you think.”

I took one last look back before leaving, my last look, and then the three of us, hand in hand, walked out.

Goodbye Protocol One.

There was a certain feeling of emptiness that already accompanied my guilt. We pulled out of the gates of Protocol One and I wasn’t happy. I wished that I were. I knew we were doing the right thing. It just felt empty.

Tony didn’t portray anything but excitement, as if we were going on a long awaited family vacation.

We had just reached Elwood city when the radio call came in from the guard in the safe room.

He couldn’t figure out the video feed problem.

“Worry about the exterior. Shut it down and restart,” Tony told him. ‘The interiors aren’t as important.”

There was no mention of Nelly, Melissa, Tom or Peter. That was a good thing.

Another good sign was the Milestone National Bank. It was where had hidden the items. All of them were gone. A little note in the dust on the wall read ‘Thanks, Pete’ and we took comfort that they were on their way. Not exactly to South Carolina. We were meeting at the Pennsylvania, Maryland border.

They were to reach us on a different band, representing themselves under Rufus’ identity and the Kansas camp if they had problems.

Joie turned into a million questions when we got to Elwood City. She wasn’t scared, she was more in awe.

“Why is Peter’s name on the wall?”

“What happened to all the people?”

“How did they live?”

“Did they all die?”

“Will we be meeting any dirty and smelly survivors, I want to practice my politeness that Gwen taught me.”

“Gwen taught you how to be polite to smelly people.” I asked.

“Oh, yes. Where are we going now?” she asked when we go back in the car.

“Pittsburgh. Pretty big city.”

“Wow, I wish Gwen could have come.”

I turned around and looked back at her. “Why do you like her so much? You weren’t supposed to, you know.”

Tony smirked. “Anna, let it go.”

“I can’t let it go. She talks about her all the time.”

“I spend time with her,” Joie answered.

“But you spend time with me.”

“We don’t do girl things. We just do things.”

“I beg to differ. Two girls doing things together are called girl things.”

Tony smirked. “It could be called something else.”

“Tony.” I barked.

Joie folded her arms and stared out the window. ‘I think this is one of those times, where I politely bow out of the conversation.”

“Did Gwen teach you that?” I asked.

“Anna, let it go. Let her look out the window. She has a new world to see.”

Tony was right. Even though we drove down a highway, it was a new world. The road for the most part was still covered with snow, it had melted some causing a slushing sound as we drove over it.

Everything was still the same, the cars that were abandoned were buried in snow. Joie watched every single second and turned with enthusiasm when the skyline came into view.

As we neared the city, I knew we wouldn’t be long. There was no way to bring Larry and the others with us, but I wanted to tell them where to go, when they decided to leave. I tucked directions and information about Dylan in my pocket,

There was something about the snowfall when we were there previously, that gave the city a peaceful feeling, almost beautiful. A barren one, but peaceful and quiet. It looked untouched, except for the few buildings that had been burned.

However with the melting snow, things just looked dirty and ugly. We pulled into the north side as we had done before but this time, we splashed into water. The whole area was encompassed. The river had rose and washed up on the streets.

Tony immediately slowed down and then stopped. This time a good block from the casino and nearer to the building that Mike and Gina had lived.

“We’re not going in any further,” Tony said.

“Are we gonna flood out?” I asked.

“We could. Depends how deep it is and it’s hard to tell. The ground could have given away.”

Joie spoke up. “Can you imagine what is gonna happens when all the snow melts.”

“That won’t be long.” I looked back at then faced Tony. “Something isn’t right. It looks empty.”

“Um, Anna, it looked empty before.”

“No, there’s no smoke. Nothing. No heat streaks.” I grabbed the door handle.

“What are you doing?”

“I have to go find Larry, give him the location. We can’t radio it.”

Tony reached out, grabbing my arm to stop me. “They may have left, Anna. With the flood waters, it’s conceivable.”

“There were hundreds here, Tony, how were they getting out of here.”

“A boat?” Joie said.

Tony pointed back at her. “She has a great point. They could have taken a boat.”

I shook my head. “No. I doubt. Let me just run to the sub, I’ll be right back.”

“Anna, why don’t we just beep the horn. It’s a dead city. Someone will hear.”

“I’ll be back. Don’t leave the Humvee. We know your history with that.”

“Fine.” Tony said then beeped the horn.

It made me jump. “Stop.”

“We don’t need to be quiet.” He honked again.

“Tony!” I yelled then swung my leg out and stepped from the Humvee.

That first step told me I should have worn my Arctic Armor boots, even though the water only came just above the ankle I could feel it seeping through the laces of my boots.

“I’ll be fifteen minutes. Stay put.” I shut the door and began my journey, focusing on the casino as my landmark.

River Road was nowhere to be seen. The water was cold with bits of ice and immediately, I could feel my legs tensing. I had to move fast. In just a half a block the water hit my knees. I gazed outward to judge, it looked as if the north side of the city was in the middle of the lake. There was no distinction where the river started and ended, it just was wide and deep.

Tony honked three more times and I hated that he did so. I jumped from my skin with each noise.

My body started to shiver and as I neared the casino the water hit my thighs. It didn’t take long for my legs to cramp. I wasn’t moving fast enough.

Honk.

“Tony, son of a bitch.” My heart raced. Not that it wasn’t racing enough from the cold water.

Was he beeping to tell me to hurry or to come back?

I turned around. “Is there a problem!” I yelled.

Tony leaned out of the Humvee. “What?”

“I said is there a problem? You’re honking!’

“No, I’m making noise.” He beeped. “I figure if I make enough someone will come out and you can stop disappearing in the river.”

“I’ll be fine.”

He honked.

At a volume he couldn’t hear, I muttered “Asshole” and turned back around. When I did, coming from the side of the casino was Mike.

“Anna?” he said, his voice quivered and he sluggishly and hurriedly made his way to me. “Oh, thank God.”

“Mike.” I smiled when I saw him, but the smile fell. Something was wrong, I saw it on his face. “What’s going on?”

“What are you doing here?”

“We’re moving out. Away from Protocol One. We have a place, we wanted to tell Larry so he can lead the next pilgrimage out.”

“He’s gone.” Mike said out of breath.

“What do you mean gone?”

“He’s gone. Everyone is gone. I’m the only one left.”

I was confused. Mike was clearly upset. “Mike explain gone?”

“They aren’t here.”

“Did they leave already? Do you know where they went?”

Mike shook his head. “No, when it all went down, I got scared. I hid. I was even afraid when I heard the horn. But I heard you yelling.”

I took hold of his arm and led him back to the Humvee.

When we arrived, Tony stepped out. “What’s going on?”

“Tony, this is Mike. He is the young man that hit you with the Humvee.”

“Oh, well, then it’s nice to meet you,” Tony said with sarcasm then looked at me. “What’s going on?”

“They’re all gone.” I said.

“Everyone?” Tony asked.

“Yes.” Mike answered. “They came in, and rounded everyone up. Larry got shot, he was still alive and …”

“Whoa. Whoa. Wait.” Tony held up his hands. “Larry was shot? By who?’

“The military. They came in and took everyone. The ones who resisted they forced. I hid.”

“When?” Tony asked.

“A week ago. Before the flood.”

“Do you see, Tony?” I asked. “Just like the messages we read on the phone. Take them all. The military. The government. This is what Gil is warning us about.”

“Yeah, well it’s not our problem, Anna.” Tony argued.

“Yes, it is. If they are grabbing people, then what is to say they won’t get us or Craig and them?”

“Well, for starters,” Tony said. “They don’t know where we are or Craig. We led them to these people. We just need to move on. They may still be in the area.”

“Come on Mike, get in,” I said and opened my door.

“Wait. What? He’s coming?” Tony asked.

“We can’t just leave him here, alone.”

“Oh my God, here we go again.” Tony got in the Humvee and slammed the door.

After giving Mike a ‘don’t worry about it’ look, he got in the back and I, also got into the Humvee.

Tony slowly backed up to turn around. “I’m sorry this happened, Anna, I am. It’s not right. But like I said. There is nothing we can do.”

“Not really.”

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“I have an idea,” I said. “Go back to Protocol One.”