Patrick D'Orazio - Into the Dark

The recreational vehicle had a king bed, sofa, chairs, dining table, refrigerator, shower, TV, and a stove. Michael gave them a brief tour and explained how everything worked. While there was no external power, the big beast had a generator that used diesel fuel to provide needed electricity, though he stressed that they wanted the precious resource conserved. The camp used only the leader’s refrigerator to store items that needed to remain cold, although they were free to use the stove, which ran on propane. Michael’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he told them they could take hot showers but if they used the toilets, they would have to empty the black water tank themselves.

He stepped to the door and looked at all of them, smiling. “I know we didn’t start off on the best foot, but I am certain you’ll like it here once you get to know us.” He paused as he stared fiercely at them. “It took a lot of work for us to set this place up, and we intend on surviving here, no matter what it takes.”

A chill went through the room as Michael turned to the door and opened it. “Don’t forget about lunch,” he said cheerfully as the door shut behind him.

Jeff blew out a breath as he slumped into one of the chairs. “Sounds like Michael wants us to stay for a while.”

Megan and George were quiet, the face of each painted with different emotions. George looked as if someone had dropped a bag of cement on his head, while Megan’s rage, which had subsided as they entered the camp, was back in full force.

A few moments later, Jeff slammed his hands against the armrests on the chair and stood back up, startling the other two.

“Well, that’s that.”

“What are we going to do, Jeff?” Megan asked as he walked toward the back of the RV.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to take a hot shower and have some lunch.”

An hour later, they were sitting around tables that had been pushed together for their meal out in the courtyard. Jeff was surprised to discover that meat was on the menu. Steaks were piled high, and the smell had his mouth watering. Michael announced that it was a special occasion in honor of the newest members of the community. Ben had been hunting. Although the infected had torn through the domestic animal population, deer appeared to be thriving in the new desolation created by the virus. The survivors drank lukewarm bottled water and ate canned vegetables and bread Lydia had made from scratch. It was the best meal any of them had tasted for as long as they could remember.

“Your attention, please! Everyone!” Michael stood and tapped his steak knife against the plastic table as the meal wound down.

“I know things have been difficult for all of us.”

He walked around behind Jeff and the other newcomers, forcing them to twist in their chairs to look up at him.

“But we’ve made it this far. It’s my hope that we’ll be able to go a lot farther, now that there are more of us.” He smiled and put his hands on Jason’s shoulders, squeezing them. The boy puffed up a bit and smiled shyly at the attention.

Michael glanced at each newcomer in turn until his eyes found Megan and hovered there. She looked away, but Michael’s gaze stayed on her. Megan glanced down at her paper plate, and did not see Cindy staring daggers at her, but Jeff did. Michael finally looked away and began moving again.

“It’s my hope,” he said, stopping as he reconsidered his word choice. “No, it’s my vision that we can grow strong enough to someday take back the world from those who have stolen it from us.”

Michael’s smile broadened as he looked out over everyone. “We need to stick together so we can make things like they used to be…” His smile grew even wider as he corrected himself. “To make them better than what they used to be.”

Lydia immediately stood and started lightly clapping. Michael peered at everyone else, and slowly the others joined in. Soon even the children were applauding.

Jeff looked around quizzically. The clapping was barely audible, though the enthusiasm on everyone’s face painted a different picture.

A little later, Jeff was smiling and doing his best to look grateful for the hospitality, resisting the urge to make any sharp comments about all the chips and other snacks he had acquired from the drug store back in Milfield that were now being passed around freely. George sat next to him, watching everyone with distant eyes. Frank gave the middle-aged man a sour look when their eyes met, and George stared down at his hands.

For some time, polite discussions about everyone’s experiences dominated the conversation. After a while, people dispersed and the tables were cleared. Megan insisted on helping Lydia clean up. When she stood, she nudged Jeff with her elbow. He glanced up at her from his chair. With her eyes, she indicated Michael and then looked meaningfully at Jeff. He groaned inwardly, but nodded. Megan smiled and moved away from the table, grabbing up plates, plastic knives, and forks as she went.

“Michael, could I have a word with you?”

“Certainly, Jeff. It’d be my pleasure.”

The two of them walked away from the tables, toward the RV Michael and Cindy shared. “Step into my office.” With a flourish, Michael waved Jeff ahead of him.

The RVs were top-of-the-line vehicles, and Jeff could only imagine how much one would cost. There had been no need to scrimp when Michael and his crew acquired them at a dealership in the area several weeks before.

Even though Michael’s looked pretty much the same as the one Jeff was sharing with his companions, there were some elements that made it unique-smaller details, like more expensive wood trim and thicker carpeting.

A laptop was jacked into a power outlet above a large dining table, and stacks of DVDs were arrayed around it. With the slideouts fully deployed, it was hard to differentiate the RV from a small house. Jeff noticed there was nothing covering the windows. They were exposed to the outside world, the same as with his RV. The shades were not drawn.

“Nothing but movies now.”

Jeff’s eyes moved back to the table beside which Michael stood. He noticed the sizeable flat-screen TV situated on the wall above it.

“No more cable TV, no more news, and no more BS.” Michael grinned. He nodded at the laptop. “I have a Wi-Fi connection, but there isn’t anything left to connect to, is there?”

He gestured to one of the chairs at the table and walked over to the refrigerator.

“Would you like a Coke?”

Jeff slid into the seat and nodded. Michael pulled out an instantly recognizable red can and handed it to Jeff. The cold sensation was a pleasant surprise. As he cracked open the can, the carbonation sounded like an old friend welcoming him home. The first sip was pure bliss as the liquid rolled down Jeff’s throat.

Michael cleared his computer off the table and leaned back.

“So, I’m all ears. What can I do for you?”

Jeff set down his Coke and shifted in his chair. “Well, you sort of took us off guard with that little stunt back out on the road.” He raised his hand before Michael could offer a retort. “Don’t get me wrong. We appreciate your hospitality, and I know as well as anyone how shitty things have been the past few weeks. It doesn’t pay to take chances.”

“You’re not kidding.” Michael raised his can of Mountain Dew in salute and gulped it down.

“It’s just that… well… ” Jeff paused for a moment and then forged ahead. “Well… George is trying to get back to his family. We all sort of agreed to help him find a vehicle that was still running and let him take off to find them.”

“His family is still alive?”