Journey To You Read online

  The latch clicked on the door. She looked over her shoulder to find Paige standing there grinning.

  Wonder if she heard me?

  “Hey, lady. You trying to steal my dog?”

  “Nope. My purpose here is to keep him company while he irrigates the grass. Um, make that weeds.” The water started to boil, so she stood to turn off the grill.

  “Oh, hot water. I think I love you. Coffee or tea? I think there’s instant.”

  “Tea for me, please.” Peri searched Paige’s face for clues. She couldn’t discern whether Paige had heard her conversation with Murdoch. “Have you been up long?”

  “Not that long. Kim is still asleep. Hope she’s okay.”

  Paige went inside, returning with two mugs and two tea bags. She handed them to Peri. “I’ll be right back.”

  Peri had the tea ready by the time Paige returned from the outhouse. She rinsed her hands with some water and dried them on her pants. “Could use some soap.”

  “It’s apparent this guy didn’t feel cleanliness was next to godliness.” Peri shrugged. “I hope you slept okay.”

  Paige smiled as she took the cup Peri extended. “I did. I thought we’d be crowded. It ended up being quite cozy. You?” Her eyes met Peri’s.

  “Yes. Fine.” She felt her face turn red.

  Kim’s appearance at the door interrupted whatever comment Paige had planned.

  “Is there more of whatever you two are drinking?”

  “Sure,” Peri said. “I’ll see if the water’s still hot.”

  Paige pointed to an outbuilding. “Wonder what the guy who created all this has in there?”

  Peri shrugged. “Let’s check it out after breakfast.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  IT SEEMED THAT KIM was finally regaining her strength. She decided she’d take a look in the shed with the other two women. They walked across the yard and peered into the dim interior of the cluttered building. Tools, parts, wires, and any number of other bits and pieces took up most of the floor on the left side of the structure. Wires led into the building, through a small hole drilled in the wall, and trailed over to some sort of panel.

  Paige backed out of the building and peered down the side, to see where the wires came from. Two large solar panels leaned against the outside of the building, fastened with some sort of homemade bracket. In addition to the wires from the inside panel, others appeared to travel through some sort of conduit across the back yard. Paige suspected the source of those wires was the solar array they’d seen from above the day before. She smiled as she recalled their intimacy as they climbed up the slope. Returning inside, Paige walked toward the back of the garage to check out the panel. She wasn’t exactly sure about what she was looking at. One wire led from the box on the wall to a large tarp in the corner.

  Paige gestured with her chin to Peri, to grab the other side of a canvas cover. They peeled it back to reveal a quad ATV, painted in camouflage. The two-seater quad had a little cargo shelf in the back, like a mini-pickup truck. The bed measured about three feet by four. A surrey-like top covered the vehicle from front to back. Thumbscrews at the top and bottom of the tube supports secured them into the brackets welded to the front and rear bumpers.

  “Looks like the top is removable,” Kim pointed at the rough weld and tightening setup.

  Paige, the tallest of the three peered at the roof. “There are solar panels covering the entire top.”

  Peri saw the cord leading from the ATV to the panel. “Why is it plugged in then?”

  Kim jumped into the driver’s seat. “I’d guess because it’s shaded in the garage where he parked it. He could have parked it in the sun.” She checked the ignition. “No keys in it.”

  “I’ll go check inside,” Peri volunteered. She returned a few minutes later, to find that Kim and Paige had unplugged the vehicle and had pushed it outside into the sun.

  “I have the keys.” Peri tossed them to Kim who sat in the driver’s seat, an eager grin on her face. Her fingers were tapping on the steering wheel. Kim inserted the key into the ignition and gave it a turn. “Okay, stand back. Here I go.” Shifting into gear, she pushed on the accelerator. A look of surprise registered on her face as the little machine snapped her head back. She careened around the yard, laughing, as she turned on a dime to return and skid to a halt in front of her friends. “This is so sweet.”

  Paige laughed. “Sweet?”

  Kim arched a brow and shrugged. “Hey, a throwback from my younger days.” A grin spread as she teased. “Come on, Paige, admit it. It is sweet.”

  Paige rolled her eyes and Peri stifled a giggle.

  “It’s so quiet,” Kim added. “Think we could travel in it? We could be at our destination in less than a week in this thing.”

  Paige frowned as she popped the top and looked at the engine. “We have no idea of the range of the solar power, or of what the trails are like. Still, if we even made fifteen or so miles a day, we’d go a lot faster than we could by foot.” She stepped back. “I don’t know. I’m a little leery of being on the trail with it. We wouldn’t be able to see or hear anyone coming before they were upon us.”

  “Even if we take turns driving it and it carries our packs, we’re ahead of the game.” Kim jumped out of the ATV and joined Paige, who was staring at the engine. “If we knew what we were looking at, we would be dangerous.” She nudged Paige in the side with her elbow.

  Paige closed the hood. “I think we need to test it out.” Paige got the rifle and after assuring that the safety was on, wrapped the gun in a blanket and put it in the back.

  Kim drove while Paige, Peri, and Murdoch followed behind. The little solar-powered quad performed well. They navigated the snowmobile path behind the cabin with no difficulty. The farther they got from their base, the more restless Murdoch became. They traveled about a mile, looped over to the logging road, and prepared to make their way toward their temporary home. Each had taken a fun turn learning to drive the little utility vehicle.

  Kim skidded to a halt, spraying dust and debris on Paige and Peri’s shoes. “I love this thing.”

  Paige called Murdoch to her side and ordered him to sit. “I don’t like that Murdoch is so restless. Do you mind taking Peri back to the cabin in the quad? Murdoch and I will hike up the road a bit and check out what’s making him so fidgety. Keep the rifle nearby, even after you get back to the cabin. I’ll meet you back there.”

  Peri’s face was serious. “Don’t you think it’s safer for all of us to go?”

  “I can be quieter alone. Anyway, I’d feel better about you and Kim being together at the cabin. Be sure you keep your ears open.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  FOOTSTEPS ON THE CABIN’S porch caused Peri to turn. Kim was standing behind her. She slid over to make room on the step for her friend. “Hey.”

  Kim stepped down and sat, sharing the step with Peri. “Hey, yourself.” Kim bumped Peri with her shoulder. “No sign of Paige yet?”

  “Nope.” Peri gestured at the weapon leaning against the rail, not far from her hand. “Paige said keep it close.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Thinking, I guess. Sometimes it feels like we’re the last people alive. We haven’t seen anyone in so long. I thought I’d never feel unafraid again. Since we’ve been here, at least I haven’t been dwelling on it all the time. I know we can’t stay. Still, I wish we could.”

  Kim bobbed her head. “I know what you mean. It’s nice feeling settled, even if for a little while.”

  Moments of silence passed, before Peri turned to meet Kim’s eyes. She placed her hand around the locket that hung around her neck. “Sometimes, it feels like Trish died a long time ago. I have to look at the locket to remember her face, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t remember her voice.” She looked away to hide the tears.

  “I know. I feel the same way. I think I’m more pragmatic than you, though.”

  A crease appeared between Peri’s brows as her eyebrows drew
together. “How do you figure?”

  “Well, I want a partner. I miss being paired. I miss sex.”

  “What makes you think I don’t feel the same way?”

  Kim scrubbed her palms across her forehead and smoothed back her hair with her fingers. Her bangs flopped back over her face, covering her eyebrows. “Well, you said you weren’t interested in me. We’re good friends, Peri. We could be more. Maybe you’d rather have Paige? You and she have gotten pretty chummy. You sure jumped into bed with her right fast.”

  “Oh stop! You and Murdoch were sprawled on the one cot, and you were as sick as a dog. Paige and I didn’t have a choice. It was share or sleep on that hard and dirty floor.”

  “Hey, I’m not blaming you.” Kim held up both hands, palms toward Peri. “I’d sure give her a tumble. She’s only interested in you, though.”

  Peri rolled her eyes. “Oh that’s ridiculous.”

  “Is it? Think about it. She teases you. The two of you laugh.”

  “Don’t be jealous, Kim. It’s unbecoming. You and I laugh, too.”

  Kim grew silent. “I’ve been thinking.”

  “That usually means trouble.”

  “How do you know you and I have no chemistry? You’ve never even kissed me.”

  “Sure I have, lots of times. Before all of this happened, I kissed you all the time. We always kissed hello and goodbye.” I want this conversation to end. If this continues, Kim’s going to end up with hurt feelings.

  “Those were friend kisses. I mean a real kiss.” Almost as an afterthought, as it came seconds later, Kim added, “You know, Jennifer kissed me.”

  “No. When?”

  “The last day, as we were leaving. She said she wanted to answer a question.”

  Peri waited for Kim to continue, and when she didn’t, Peri prompted her. “And...”

  “And so I did.” Kim leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.

  First I can’t get her to shut up, now I can’t get her to talk.

  “I liked it too.”

  “You’re the most fickle woman I’ve ever met. You’ve kissed Jennifer, wouldn’t throw Paige out of your bed, and now you’re complaining I haven’t kissed you.”

  “I feel like Jennifer. I want to know if there’s real chemistry between us, or if it’s something I’m creating in my mind.”

  “Trust me. You are creating it in your mind.”

  Kim shot to her feet and faced Peri. “Prove it,” she challenged. She reached for Peri’s hands and tugged her to her feet. Peri didn’t resist when Kim pulled her close. “Kiss me Peri. Settle it for me. It’s just a kiss.”

  She’s right. It is only a kiss. What am I afraid of? Maybe I’m wrong. I do love her. She’s my best friend. Almost as if her hands had a mind of their own, Peri reached for Kim’s face, cupping it with her palms. She smoothed back Kim’s bangs and searched her eyes. With the gentlest of pressure, she pulled Kim toward her. The kiss began slowly. Peri felt Kim’s arms wrap around her. She was aware of everything. The pressure of Kim’s arms, the softness of her lips, the sound of her breathing. Kim pulled her closer. Peri could feel the roundness of her breasts through the thin material of their T-shirts. Feeling the pressure of Kim’s tongue, she yielded, allowing entry. The cocking of the gun’s hammer sounded alarmingly loud in their ears.

  “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” The gravelly voice held an edge of suspicion, and the handgun never wavered. The barrel was pointed directly at them. A tangled growth of hair made it difficult to discern where his shaggy mane ended and the bushy, unkempt facial whiskers began. The mass stopped about halfway down his chest. A tear in his shirt revealed a chest covered in sandy colored hair. “I came looking for Villy. Where is he?”

  Without moving her head, Kim glanced at the gun a short distance behind them. A subtle push with her right hand, positioned Peri behind her as she turned to face the bearded stranger. “Who’s Villy?”

  Peri adjusted her position, decreasing the distance to their rifle by a couple of inches.

  “He’s my friend. The one whose house you’ve been enjoying. Although it looks like you two are enjoying each other more than him. Tell me where he is. And if you move one more inch toward that gun, little lady, I’m going to shoot your friend,” he hissed. “Got it?” He gestured for Peri to move forward, next to Kim.

  Peri complied, angling her step to put about a foot of distance between herself and Kim. At least if he shoots, he might not hit both of us.

  Kim drew his attention. “There’s no Villy here. There was nobody here when we arrived.”

  “He’s always here this time of year. Drives up from the city. Four of us get together and go fishing. They should all be here. They come every year. Haven’t missed in nine or ten years.”

  It dawned on Peri that this man had no clue about the illness. “You might not see them this year. There’s been, uh, some trouble. A lot of people died from a virus. A lot of people.”

  “What do you mean a lot?”

  “No way to know for sure. Last broadcasts said a huge percentage of the worlds’ population. The virus spread like wildfire. It only took months for it to spread worldwide. There was some suspicion of germ warfare, or a release by some nut job experimenting with viruses. The authorities announced over the television that we should shelter in place. They said to tape up the windows with plastic and seal out the air as much as possible. It was a stupid thing to do. The only thing it accomplished was that, for the most part, it kept the dead people in their houses all sealed up nice and tidy.”

  Their captor moved backward several feet. “Get away from there and move over here, away from that weapon on the porch.” He waited for them to move. “Now sit down.” Once they were on the ground, he lowered his weapon, although he still kept a firm grip on it. “How come you didn’t get sick and die?”

  “Not sure,” Kim said. “Natural immunity, we guess. We each had family who got sick and died. If you haven’t been sick by now, it’s likely you’re safe. Besides, you have blue eyes and it seems blue-eyed people are immune.”

  The man scratched his beard. “Damn. This is hard to wrap my head around. What are you doing here?”

  “It was too dangerous to stay where we were. We’re headed to some friends.” Peri told him of their escape from their hometown.

  “You mean you’re on foot?”

  “Yes…my blisters are proof we’ve walked. Came through the forest.” Peri said.

  “Why couldn’t you leave by car?”

  “There were roadblocks and guards on the roads in our town. At least three gangs were fighting for control of the city. My friend and I snuck out through the woods. We’ve been hiking ever since, sticking to the less traveled paths and trails. I know it sounds unbelievable.” Kim noticed Paige peering carefully around the corner of the house. She was wisely holding her position and listening to the conversation.

  Peri thought she’d try to make the hirsute stranger more comfortable with them. “Look, I know it’s hard to believe. We mean you no harm. And if our eye color theory is correct, you have nothing to fear from us, and with your blue eyes, you should be safe too.”

  “That sounds almost too crazy for you to have made all this up. It makes no sense. So was it some kind of weapon?”

  Kim shrugged. “We don’t know for sure. There was a total collapse of governments everywhere. “Nobody seemed to know the cause. The power grid went down. Police services, even armies and guard units were decimated. It didn’t take long for things to go from bad to worse.”

  Paige realized that Kim and Peri were trying to get the man to relax and feel more comfortable with them. Who better to make friends than her dog? She knelt down and whispered to Murdoch. “Go find Peri.” Obeying Paige, he trotted around the corner to Peri, tongue lolling.

  “Hey boy,” Peri called. The big Malinois sat next to her. “My dog’s name is Murdoch. I’m Peri, and this is Kim. What’s your name?”

  The big man sighed and ap
peared to relax. “I’m Zeke Tremaine.” He stroked his beard thoughtfully. “So you think Villy got sick?”

  Peri looked to Kim, who arched a brow and allowed an almost imperceptible shrug of her shoulders. Peri decided to take a chance. “Zeke, what did Villy look like?”

  “Slender guy. Maybe six feet tall. Dark hair. Dark eyes. Beard. Not like mine. His was neat and trimmed. When he was here, he always wore a plaid cap.”

  Peri felt obligated to tell the concerned man the truth. “I’m sorry, Zeke. The day we got here, there was a man near the woodpile. He was gone. We buried him there. It’s hard to say for sure, but it was probably Villy.”

  The muscles in the cheeks of the big man were visible, as he clenched his jaw. He looked like a balloon that had partially deflated, as he slumped onto the steps. “I can’t believe he’s gone. He was a good guy. Smart, too. There aren’t many of us who live out here. I live about five miles up the snowmobile track. We only saw each other about three or four times a year, when he’d come up for vacation. It didn’t matter though, because he was my friend. I knew I could count on him.”

  “We’re very sorry for your loss.” Peri looked away as Zeke wiped his sleeve across his eye. “Believe me when I say we’ve each lost people we loved.” She waited till he sighed and made eye contact again. “Zeke, I’d like you to meet our other friend and traveling companion now. Paige, come on out.”

  Paige came around the corner, careful to keep her hands visible.

  “Hi Zeke.” Paige moved around the porch and approached where Kim and Peri were sitting on the grass. Still wary, she kept a slight separation from her friends in case the dynamic with Zeke changed.

  Zeke followed her progress. “Where’ve you been?” he asked when she stopped.

  “I took Murdoch on a little scouting trip.” She directed a disarming smile toward Zeke. “Obviously, I went in the wrong direction.”