Aware that the highway isn't too far east of them, Karo leads the group back near it, and they trudge along, with the highway in sight for half a mile, until they come across an old gas station. From the looks of the building it was in operation right up to the outbreak.
A weather worn ladder is padlocked against the back wall. Karo pries the two rusted locks off with his crowbar. After a bit of testing, he certifies the condition of the ladder to be suitable for use, and the group climbs up to the roof of the gas station. Karo pulls the ladder up with them, then he and Daisy make camp.
In a rare moment of vulnerability Karo expresses his gratitude for their finding of this campsite. He expresses the likely possibility that future areas of rest will not be as accommodating as this concrete perch. Nightfall does not bring conversations, their exhaustion takes over, and sleep is had promptly by all four travelers.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The seven people before her are stunned, as she expected them to be. This is a reaction she has grown accustomed to. When she tells people about Oasis, and the immunity, more often than not she is met with stunned silence, though there have been far too many instances of fierce rejection, followed by attempts to kill her.
Over the past fifteen years of being a Guide, KP has encountered just about every situation imaginable. She was part of the third wave of Guides from Oasis, their second training program. The original Guides did not receive training, they created the process on the go.
She studies their faces, their expressions, and their movements. No matter how small or trite, she registers all of it. This group doesn’t seem dismissive of her claims, but they aren’t convinced either. These people are all young, there is even a child among them, KP knows she can’t leave them here.
Hawaii abruptly rises from his seated position, and paces around behind their gathered semi-circle. After a moment Zee joins him, walking silently beside her companion, her arm linked with his.
“You know” -Rosaline says- “I’m not that old, but living out there, in the wild, I’ve heard a lot of stories, and a bunch of them couldn’t have been true, but I’ve never heard anything as ridiculous as this.”
KP grins, a light blow of air exiting her nostrils.
“It is difficult to believe, I’m aware of that, but it is true, I promise you.”
The tall, broad shouldered Rad raises his gaze from the ground, laying it on KP.
“And we’re just supposed to believe you?”
“I can prove that I’m immune, and I will. If I am immune, why would I lie about Oasis? What is their to gain in this for me?”
“You could be trying to rob us, or kill us.” the short warrior woman states.
“True, I suppose, but why? I’m alone, why would I risk trying to kill seven people on my own?”
“People are fuckin’ crazy these days chica.” says Sweetie, chiming in.
“You’re not wrong about that, but-”
“What kind of name is Oasis anyway?” Outlaw says, interrupting her.
His question brings a soft chuckle from KP. She runs her hand over her short, close cut, hair.
“It is kind of dumb, isn’t it? A bit too on the nose for me, but it’s not a name that was picked randomly. Before the outbreak Oasis already existed. It was a gated, private community. When the infection started spreading, those that lived in Oasis closed it up, and sectioned themselves off from the world. It’s a miracle that it worked, and even more of one that it still stands today, and not only does it stand, we’re growing every month. We’re about the size of a town, going by the standard of the old times.”
Hawaii and Zee have ceased their pacing, now listening intently to this stranger.
“How do you know that, exactly? You can’t be old enough to have lived back then?” Zee asks.
“No, I’m not old enough, I was born after the outbreak, but there are still quite a few people in Oasis that were alive during the time before.”
The young Latino boy’s ears prick up. He sits up straighter on the raggedy stump.
“So, what’s it like then? Oasis? I mean, you know, not that we believe you.”
“Yeah, tell us what it’s like.” Rosaline interjects, leaning forward and staring intently at the intruder, a brazen coldness resting in her gaze.
“It’s beautiful. There are thousands of people there, almost nine thousand, from the last census we took earlier this year. We have schools, public eating establishments, two hospitals, constant security, and everyone who lives there is immune.”
“How is that possible?” Hawaii wonders.
“Before the outbreak Oasis was a very upscale community. A fair share of accomplished people lived there, including two scientists, Adam Weaver and Gail Almond, they created the immunity. We don’t have the means to mass produce it, and manufacturing it is a lengthy process, so Guides do not take it with us. We bring people back to Oasis, give them the immunity, then they are screened. If they pass the screening they’re welcomed in to live there on a six month trial basis. If all goes well during that time they’re asked if they want to stay. If they don’t pass, or fail the trial period, they’re asked to leave. We give the immunity as soon as you get to Oasis, that part isn’t conditional.”
“How does someone fail the screening or the trial?” Zee asks, retaking her seat.
“I’m not positive on the exact screening process, most of my time is spent away from Oasis, out here finding survivors. I do know that it involves a series of questions and a lie detector test. As far as the trial period goes, that’s to ensure that you are who you say you are,
