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Authors: D.L. Robinson

Tags: #Post Apocalyptic

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BOOK: Red Death: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller
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Tara pulled in and sat in her car for a moment, thinking about the breeze that had blown her hair back each of the days she had worked outside in the garden. Before the hazmat suits decontaminated the house, before they’d cleaned up the puke she’d heard Marla splatter onto her back patio. A cold chill ran through her.
I don’t want to give it to Lee if I’ve got it.

Suddenly, she remembered a dream she’d had just before this all started. She dreamed “it” was everywhere. In the great lakes the fish were bleeding, the animals were dying, bleeding from every opening. And in the dream, it was like a judgment from God, the feeling she’d had, like it was all going to come true.

Tara had awakened in a pool of sweat, gasping at the realism of it. The shock of recognition now hit her full force along with the memory.
Bleeding, Ebola. Why did I forget that dream? Because it was too scary? Because it didn’t make sense then? God help us all.

 

Tara’s Diary

Dec 10
th
2015

 

Looking back on the beginning of it now, I remember how sorry I was for those people in Africa, way across the world in some muggy, jungle area I knew nothing about. But here in my middle-class, white bread American world, it didn’t stick.

The first American case was an African man who arrived in Texas and was promptly diagnosed with Ebola. He died and then his nurses caught it. The government botched all aspects of the case, hid it from the public, allowed one sick nurse to fly on a major airline potentially infecting hundreds. And still they would not shut down the airlines, although that’s what most people wanted.

Over the next several weeks, the budding epidemic reared its ugly, infectious head. First, it was only a mention here and there on the news. The cases kept growing, spreading, in every state, big cities and little towns. And that’s about when my next door neighbors died. But it was kept quiet, secret. Not many knew.

After that, I watched with interest each story that leaked out, and even checked in with some of the conspiracy theory websites. There were some real nutbags on there, but every so often, some normal-sounding American told a story. Like the woman who took her elderly father into the ER just a county north of our small town. Only to find them handing out gloves and masks to everyone who entered, telling them a child was there being quarantined for Ebola.

The concern generated over that first handful of American cases increased panic and triggered stock market declines. Mostly because everyone could tell the few official press conferences were a clear contradiction to what was actually happening. The CDC thought we were so stupid, they thought they could spin it and tell us anything, and we’d buy it. Well, most people did buy it, because they didn’t want to be bothered. They
wanted
to be in denial. However, those who understood the ramifications, well, we knew better.

Then the internet began buzzing with rumors of people sick across America, of hundreds of thousands of  FEMA coffins lined up in hastily assembled FEMA camps located around the country, empty as of then behind their barbed wired perimeters, but pregnantly awaiting “something.” We knew we were on our own. And that’s a bad feeling, when you fear your own government.

I researched a little bit, finding that dehydration leading to shock was the main cause of death from Ebola. I found the recipe for homemade Oral Rehydration Solution, the lifesaving liquid used to replenish lost fluids and possibly keep you alive: one-half teaspoon of salt, one-half teaspoon of baking soda, and four tablespoons of sugar to one liter of water. And you
must
drink four liters of this a day. To make a gallon, quadruple the recipe: two teaspoons of salt, two teaspoons of baking soda, and sixteen tablespoons of sugar. A gallon was just a little less than four liters, but drinking a gallon of ORS while vomiting incessantly was very hard to do.  I measured out enough for ten gallons, storing it in baggies in the cupboard, just in case.

Not long after that, an “Ebola Czar” was appointed, and if there had been any doubt before, his first efforts made it clear that a media blackout was underway. They couldn’t let the big red, white, and blue money machine come screeching to a halt. The conspiracy websites were monitored, and everyone had to beware of posting very much. Certain words or phrases triggered an immediate response and the post was taken down. Was it NSA? CIA? CDC? No one knew. Rumors spread of much worse censoring. I became more paranoid.

Still, many went about their daily business blindly. Only a small fraction of us seemed to know what was happening.  I was one of them, and so was Mary. We called across the street to each other a couple times, and exchanged information.

I did some research. I ordered more supplies for Lee and me: a crank weather radio, N-100 masks, a couple of full Tyvek suits and hoods, a fire starter. I read of a military study where colloidal silver solution killed Ebola virus, so I bought a large bottle. I figured what the heck, might as well get it all. I had stocked up on cans of food early on, but not nearly enough. I still didn’t believe anything would really happen. I totally sympathized with those who didn’t prepare—because I didn’t want to believe it could happen either.

Chapter 3

 

Tara was just carrying the first bags from the dollar store to the door when Lee pulled in. There were so many others in her car, she asked him to help.
So much for keeping it a secret.
Nevertheless, just seeing Lee made her feel better. His handsome face and dark hair could still make her heart skip a beat even after all these years. He walked back behind the garage with her to where her SUV was parked.

“They’re all gone over there now,” Tara told him, gesturing toward the neighbor’s house. “I hope to God they disinfected everything. Marla puked on the patio that day—and I worked outside all week with the wind blowing it over my way!”

Lee put his arm around her waist reassuringly, and she pulled away slightly. “I don’t want to give it to you if I’ve got it.”

Lee laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about that. I doubt it catches that easy, and if you’ve got it, I’ve also got it by now. I’d rather we go out together, anyway.”

Tara instantly relaxed at Lee’s calm acceptance of things. It was just his way, and it was the perfect counter-balance to her usual high-strung anxiety.
This is why I love him so much…
Twenty-five years together filled with both ups and downs, and they’d grown very close. Time had shown them that nothing else much mattered except each other.

They made three trips, carrying multiple bags each time.

Finally, Lee’s usual quietness was tested. “What in God’s name did you buy, woman?” he joked. Tara cringed inwardly, but decided to spill it. As she set the bags down, she pulled out the bullets from the gun store.

Lee raised one eyebrow. “I guess we’re ready for anything now.”

Tara nodded. “I tried to think of everything, and if we don’t need it, so be it. I bought stuff we can use anyway. Other than the bullets, it’s all food we normally eat, so nothing will be wasted.” She paused. “I also ordered some masks and stuff too, since I’m confessing everything. I splurged for overnight shipping. I just feel better having it all here, Lee.”

He nodded, not mad at her at all, and Tara relaxed. She knew Lee really understood her. Thinking of every possible thing that might go wrong and preparing for it quelled her usual anxiety. It came from a childhood of total chaos—Tara needed control in order to feel secure.

She threw her arms around her husband and hugged him. “I love you, and if there’s any way to keep us safe, I’m gonna do it!” she laughed. Lee smiled and told her he loved her too, crazy paranoia and all.

She felt much better now. “It’s not paranoid to be paranoid when your next door neighbors die of Ebola,” Tara told him, munching on a cracker she’d taken from the package.

His face fell, and then it hit her. Their neighbors were dead. They were nice people who didn’t deserve such a thing, yet it had happened. This was serious, and although both she and Lee were trying to keep it light, Frank and Marla were dead. The mouthful of dry cracker suddenly stuck like sand in her throat, and she threw the rest of the piece away.

“May God rest their souls,” said Lee, and Tara somberly agreed.

They spent the evening in their separate pursuits; Tara sorting cans of food and dating them with a sharpie. It made it easier to use the most recently dated first, so she placed those facing outward in the cupboard. She cleaned out the pantry, and stacked and rearranged the supplies. Lee brought down an old upright potato bin from the attic. It had been her mom’s and had a wire front on each of three shelves which she filled with cans too. Lee disappeared into the basement to take stock of his tools and Tara’s old shelf of prepper supplies from her parents.

Later, they watched TV together for a while. The news had a CDC press conference from earlier in the day, but what they said didn’t make any sense. The CDC claimed no one else was sick with Ebola, and in fact, Africa was gaining control of the epidemic. They claimed no one had died in America, so there was no reason to panic. Tara was baffled by this, knowing the truth. Their neighbor’s fate made anything else the CDC said unbelievable. If they would cover that up, then all of it was probably a lie. Lee didn’t say much. When she asked him what
he
thought, his response was, “What else can they do once the toothpaste is out of the tube?” Tara thought he’d pretty much described things right there.

~

The days passed this way, with both she and Lee tinkering around the house. Tara made one last run for supplies at the dollar store, avoiding every other human being she saw. She took a canister of hand wipes in the car with her, so she could use them as soon as she got back in.

She saw Mary one day across the street, and yelled that Lee was taking his vacation for the next month. Mary gave her a wave and a thumbs up.

Everything seemed normal otherwise. It was the lull before the storm.

~

Bright and early one morning, at the end of Lee’s second week off, his boss called. Tara answered and Lee took the phone, glancing at her with raised eyebrows. Tara could only hear one side of the conversation, but after saying “Hello,” she heard Lee’s boss’s voice coming over the phone, rising in either excitement or fear.

“You’re kidding,” Lee said. Then, “Yes. I understand. Okay. Good luck.”

He listened for a second or so, then thanked her and hung up. Lee just stood there with his eyes narrowed in thought, and this really scared Tara. “What?” she cried.

“Half the plant is out sick. They decided to close it down today. She said military people were there.” Lee stared off unseeing, stroking his chin. “They told her not to tell anyone, but she wanted me to know.” He turned away. “She said they threatened her.”

Tara could feel her heart beating hard.
It’s on. It’s really starting.
Lee looked at her. “I think this time, Tara, you might be right.”  Tara didn’t want to be right. She wanted them to be okay. She wanted a normal life. She wanted the whole world to be okay.

Thank God, I made him take vacation!
She wasn’t going to say this out loud, but then Lee hugged her, and said it.

“Thank you. I think I dodged a bullet.” His brow furrowed again. “I wonder why the military came? What is their involvement? That’s what worries me the most. I mean, if half the plant had the flu, the military wouldn’t come.”

“If someone from the plant tested positive for Ebola, they’d get involved fast, Lee. I need to talk to Mary. She told me her daughter Julie was possibly exposed too. I wonder what she knows.” 

They sat in the front room talking and just then, the mailman came. Tara leaned outside to get hers, watching for Mary. Sure enough, Mary poked her head out and reached into her mailbox.

Tara came out on the porch and called her over. She watched as Mary crossed, suddenly aware there was much less traffic than usual.
Tara, you’re getting really paranoid.
But she knew she had to be. The smallest sign might mean the difference now.

“Mary, I’m so glad to see you! I need to tell you something—my husband’s boss just called—their plant has been closed—half the employees are out sick! And the military was there, but his boss didn’t know why, only that they threatened her to keep quiet.”

Mary leaned in, her face pale and distressed. “I heard from both my daughter Julie and my cousin this morning. I was going to come over later and tell you. My cousin’s boy works for Universal Heating and Cooling. They’re national, with a satellite office here in town. He has a desk job there and knows all the orders that come in. He also sends crews out to do the job orders.” The older woman swallowed hard, as though what she was about to say was stuck in her throat.

“He says they have crews out all over the country, fitting grates on the ductwork in each Wally-World store. Not only did their crew do it here in town at our store, they also put them on the old abandoned K-Mart building down there beside it last week. And the local crew guys reported other companies were there working too, welding iron security gates across all the entrances and exits.”

Puzzled, Tara’s mind raced.
Why? Why would they need the ductwork covered?

Mary narrowed her eyes and her voice dropped to a whisper. “They’re only covering ductwork big enough for a person to get through. The smaller ones, they don’t cover.” Tara thought her heart might stop. She felt immediately sick.

“Oh, my Lord. What’s your cousin’s take on it?”

“He thinks they’re making quarantine centers, camps maybe. The scariest thing is they made all of them sign non-disclosure releases. He was almost afraid to tell me, but everyone knows something bad is coming. Ebola must be all over the country, Tara, and they don’t want people to know. He said just that first case in Dallas caused the stock market to drop 300 points—so it might cause a panic and shut down the economy, the flights, and the stores. God forbid!” Mary made a sarcastic sound in her throat.

“My God, that’s ridiculous! If everyone knew, maybe they could protect themselves!”

“I’m beginning to believe they don’t
want
everyone to survive it. Maybe it’s some form of population control like the conspiracy theorists are saying.”

Suddenly, the websites devoted to crazy conspiracies where Tara regularly lurked weren’t looking like such nutbags.

“What about your daughter, Mary? Is she okay?”

“Yes, she’s fine. She wasn’t directly exposed to your neighbors in the ER, but her whole shift was given leave to self-quarantine. She’s kept my six year old grandson home all week with her too, because he caught a cold at preschool. Now she’s getting it. I was afraid for her at first, but she just has regular head cold symptoms and a small fever. With flu season around the corner, this is scary. Hard to know who has the flu and who has Ebola.”

“Oh no, Mary, I didn’t even think of that.”

Tara warned her to get her supplies now, mostly so she wouldn’t have to go out anymore. Mary nodded. “I thought I would top off my pantry today. Then I’m going into hermit mode like you and Lee.”

Tara nodded. “I think it’s for the best right now.” She pulled her phone out. “Can I have your number and email, Mary?” They exchanged contact information.

“I just had a thought—what would happen if we couldn’t use internet or phones? We would all be really isolated,” Tara said.

Mary nodded. “They could shut that stuff off as easy as pie too. Not to mention if the electric goes—none of us will be able to charge our devices! But if, God forbid, that happens and you ever need me? See that little window right over there?” She pointed and Tara nodded. “You just shine a flashlight over in that window. The head of my bed is right there. I’ll see it and come.”

Tara looked up at their own bedroom window. “You could do the same thing with ours. Our bed is further back, against the wall, but I would see the light on the ceiling eventually, if you kept it up.”

Mary nodded. “Okay, I’m going for supplies, Tara. You need anything?” Tara told her no and they said goodbye. She was even more worried now. The unreality of it all struck her—but unfortunately, it was all too real.

She went in search of Lee and passed on what Mary had said. Between Mary’s news and Lee’s phone call, a different feeling had descended on her. Tara didn’t like it at all. It was one thing to imagine an apocalypse, another to believe you might experience one.

~

 

Another week went by, and to Tara, it seemed even less traffic was on the formerly busy street out front. The media had stopped reporting anything about Ebola. Just the week before, Facebook had still been full of the usual inane concerns about kittens, Justin Bieber’s relationship status, and
The Real Housewives of New Jersey.
When Tara asked for info or posted Ebola concerns, most people got upset, so she stopped. But this week, she began to notice a lot of her friends list was absent. They simply were not posting. And a few more posted cryptic one liners like “Sick,” or “Ugh, house full of flu here.” This didn’t help calm her fears.

That night, something woke her up. The projection clock on her ceiling said it was almost 4 a.m. Tara lay there for a minute, and then became aware of the steady drone of large vehicles on the street out front. After a moment, out of curiosity she got up and looked out the window.

Truck after military truck rolled by, end to end, bumper to bumper, all camo colored. The line stretched as far as she could see. “LEE!” she yelled, and heard him yelp awake. “C’mere, quick!”

Tara watched at least twenty more go by before Lee joined her at the window. He whistled under his breath. She counted out loud. “Thirty six, thirty seven, thirty eight,” she kept it up until the end of the line, sixty-seven, all together.

“I think the sound of them passing is what woke me up. I laid there listening for at least a minute before I got up, so I must’ve missed a bunch. There must be a hundred and fifty at least!”

Lee looked worried. “This can’t be a very good sign, I’m afraid. Any large movement of troops within the US usually signifies something happening. Especially here in this rural area, without a base anywhere nearby.”

They crawled back in bed and Lee dozed off right away, but Tara couldn’t stop her mind. She stared at the ceiling, chest heavy, watching the numbers on the projection clock changing.

~

BOOK: Red Death: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller
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