They still weren’t able to contact the southern-most communities. Only those that were nearby answered their radios. It filled Nick with dread. If the other survivors were gone, thousands were dead. And we could be next.
They left Fort Detrick that morning while it was still dark, the sun no more than a memory in the night. Saul took one direction while Nick headed south down the US-15. Each drove a newly-serviced Humvee carrying four people. His group consisted of Dylan, Missy, and Richard, and he trusted each of them with his life.
He looked at Dylan, who lounged in the passenger seat next to him with the map on her lap. Her hair was drawn back in a high ponytail that accentuated her strong features, and her long lashes dusted her cheekbones as she traced their route.
“Where to next?” Nick asked.
“We climb onto the US 340 westbound and cross into Virginia,” she replied. “Our first stop is Charles Town. Last we heard, they were still alive and kicking.”
Nick nodded. “That’s right. I wanted to meet with them before we go further south. Maybe they know something we don’t. Either way, it won’t hurt to introduce ourselves in person.”
“Smart,” Dylan replied, leaning back in her seat. “We should arrive in about thirty minutes.”
Just over half-an-hour later, they rolled to a stop outside Charles Town. A red sedan with tinted windows waited for them by the side of the road, bristling with guns.
“Wait here,” Nick said, reaching for his door handle.
“You’re going out there alone?” Dylan protested.
“That was the deal,” Nick replied. “The Charles Town leader, Mike, was very specific. They’ve had trouble with other groups before.”
“What if it’s a trap?” Dylan cried.
“Then I fully expect you to come rescue me,” Nick said with a crooked grin. Without waiting any longer, he exited the truck with his hands in the air. “I come in peace.”
After a tense moment, a man wearing cowboy boots and jeans exited the sedan. His hands were empty, but his gaze was keen. He looked like a fighter. A survivor. “Sergeant Nick Dean? Is that you?”
“That’s right,” Nick answered. “Are you Mike?”
“The one and only. Mike Hansen, at your service.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nick said.
“You’re late,” Mike answered with a slight frown.
“Yeah, well. The roads aren’t what they used to be,” Nick said.
Mike nodded slowly. “I hear you. Nothing is the same anymore. Now, what can I do for you?”
“First of all, I’d like your permission to pass through your town,” Nick said.
Mike shrugged. “It’s a free country. We don’t live inside the city limits anyway. But why do you want to pass through?”
“We were in contact with several communities down south, but they’ve all gone quiet in recent days. I want to find out why,” Nick replied.
“This is a scouting party?” Mike asked.
“That’s right,” Nick said. “Do you know what happened to those places, perhaps?”
Mike shook his head. “No, I don’t. Like you, we also noticed that they’ve gone off the air, but I figured it was a technical problem.”
“All of them at once?” Nick pointed out. “I doubt that’s a coincidence.”
Mike pursed his lips. “You may be right. Either way, you’re free to go on through. I only ask that you let me know what you find. I have families to protect. Women and children to care for.”
“It’s a deal,” Nick said. “Thanks for agreeing to meet me today.”
“No worries. When all of this over, perhaps we can talk some more,” Mike said, tipping his head to Nick.
“I’ll be in touch,” Nick agreed before climbing back into the Humvee. As they drove off. he glanced at Dylan. “That went well.”
“You were lucky,” she grumbled, folding her arms across her chest.
“I agree, Nick,” Richard said from the back. “That was a risky move.”
“Fair enough. Next time, I’ll be more careful,” Nick said. “Where to now, Dylan?”
She studied the map with care. “Woodstock. There’s another small community there, and they’re still on the air.”
“That’s right, but the leader refused to meet with me,” Nick said.
“As long as they don’t give us any trouble, I’m cool with that,” Dylan replied.
“If they do, they’ll be sorry,” Missy chirped from the back.
“Calm down. I already spoke to them. They don’t want to meet up, but they won’t bother us either,” Nick admonished.
“Maybe, but we’d best be prepared for the worst. Not everyone can be trusted nowadays,” Richard cautioned.
“Wise words,” Dylan said.
“How far is Woodstock from here?” Nick asked.
“About an hour, depending on the conditions. After that, it’s Harrisonburg, Roanoke, and Knoxville,” Dylan said after consulting the map again.
“When will we reach the first dark settlement?” Richard asked.
“That would be Tuscaloosa. We probably won’t make it today. Not with these road conditions,” Dylan said.
Richard whistled. “Tuscaloosa. That’s quite a distance to travel.”
“I know, but hopefully, we’ll get the answers to our questions there,” Nick replied. “If we do, we can go back and prepare for whatever it is.”
“Why did you come on this trip, Nick?” Missy asked, leaning forward. “I mean, you’re our leader and everything. Shouldn’t you be back home?”
“I uh…I thought it’d be best if I saw with my own eyes what—”
“He’s bored, Missy,” Dylan interrupted, flashing him an amused look. “He’s looking for adventure, aren’t you love?”
“I guess you could say that,” Nick admitted.
“Adventure at your age?” Missy asked.
“Hey,” Nick protested. “I’m not that old, you know?”
“To her, you’re ancient, my love,” Dylan said with a chuckle. “Right, Missy?”
“Uh-huh,” Missy said. “You’re old enough to be my dad.”
“What does that make me? A grandpa?” Richard asked with a wounded look. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“Yeah, that’s enough from you two ladies,” Nick said. “Picking on us poor helpless men like that. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
Dylan snorted. “Yeah, right. You two are anything but helpless. Anyway, it’s going to be a long day, so we might as well settle in.”
She slumped down in her seat while Missy fiddled with her phone, and Richard stared out the window, deep in thought.
Left to his own devices, Nick
