They were interrupted by the sound of an engine. It was such an odd sound; they’d not heard any vehicles in months.
“Go into the house, don’t come out unless I call.” Hogan said, pulling the AR15 around. He then pulled his Glock and checked it, then put it back behind his back. Hogan’s heart was thundering. This couldn’t be good. He wondered who would be out and why come down this road. There were very few homes and as far as he knew, the homes were deserted. He and Trish had gone to each of her nearest neighbors earlier that spring. No one had been home in any of the houses. They’d not gone in and at one home, they could detect the scent of decay from inside the house.
Someone had died, by either starvation, natural causes or murdered. There were two other farms on the road, and both had been abandoned. There were no livestock or any indications that there had been. Hogan walked to the fence, the dogs were around him, quiet. He supposed they sensed his fear and apprehension. He looked over his shoulder and could see Trish by the front window. He smiled; she had her weapon drawn.
The sound of the vehicle drew near, it didn’t sound like a car, it was something bigger. He walked out of the gate and went farther down the drive. He was surprised when an ambulance drove by, then slowed and stopped. It backed up and came abreast of Hogan. The AR15 was aimed at the vehicle, but not at the driver. The man inside nodded and someone on the passenger’s side got out and he heard the door slam. A woman came around the front of the vehicle and walked toward him. The dogs whined and wagged their tails inside the fence. The woman looked familiar, but he wasn’t sure why. He heard the screen door slam and looked behind; Trish was walking toward them a smile on her face. She came through the gate and ran to them. He looked back at the woman.
“Dr. Wang?” He asked confused. The woman looked at him and then behind him and a smile split her face.
“Trish? Oh my god, is that you?” Dr. Wang laughed and Hogan turned as Trish stepped past him. He watched the driver, and then looked back at Trish and the doctor. Trish was hugging the smaller woman and Hogan smiled. He’d not seen her since his last day at the hospital.
“What on earth are you doing out here?” Trish asked the doctor. Hogan noticed that the smile trembled a little.
“Ah, yes. Well, the Hive has sent me out, looking for survivors. I’m supposed to do a wellness check on anyone in the outlying areas of Kansas City.”
Hogan snorted and then apologized.
“Sorry. Are you now working for the Hive?” Hogan asked.
“Yes, I’m sorry to say I am. I don’t have a lot of choice in the matter.” She said in a soft voice, looking over her shoulder at the driver. Hogan looked at the man, he was wearing a black uniform. He seemed bored by it all.
“What’s going on? We’ve not seen or heard anything for months. Do you know if the power is coming back on?” Trish asked, her voice just as low.
“The Hive or Hives have taken over. I’d say about ninety percent of the population is now housed there. There are very few that live outside the fence. There still isn’t much information coming in. Sadly, there was so much destruction in the city, that many cannot go back to their homes. No, most everyone lives at one of the Hive locations. There are three now. There are a few, like yourselves, that are scattered outside the Kansas City boundaries.”
“So, do we have to worry about someone showing up and trying to force us to go to the Hive?” Hogan asked, his voice low, but angry. He felt Trish’s hand on his shoulder.
“No, I think the Hive has accomplished what it set out to do, which was to encapsulate most of the populous. To keep it under control. I’m supposed to give the survivors that live farther out, vaccinations.” Wang said, nervously, again, looking over her shoulders.
“What kind of vaccinations? And are they compulsory?” Hogan asked with an edge to his voice.
“I’m told it is for the fallout from all the nuclear bombs that were dropped. Personally, I think it is a little too late. I’ve been pretending to inject, please just go along. I’m not sure what it really is, but if the guard thinks you’re getting the shot, he’ll report back, that I did my job. I’m hoping that will keep the Hive satisfied.” Dr. Wang advised, opening a medical satchel.
Hogan looked at Trish, who nodded.
“Can you fail to mention that you ever saw us out here? Anyone who comes will be eating a bit of lead for breakfast if they do.” Hogan said quietly, rolling up his short sleeve. He felt the alcohol swab and he watched as the driver watched the doctor. Hogan was turned in such away, that the needle looked like it went in and he saw the liquid squirt away. He made a wincing face, and then Dr. Wang rubbed the spot with the sterile swab.
Trish rolled her sleeve up and Hogan stood partially in the way to block the driver’s view. He noticed that once Dr. Wang was finished, the driver turned his attention away. So, the man was watching. Hogan was sure that he’d report back. He turned his attention back to the doctor.
“Are you being forced to do this?” Trish asked
