The Strain Read online

  Frank nodded, found his direction and began to walk. “Oh!” He stopped. “Big frozen drink cart. I wanna big frozen adult beverage.”

  “Frank, you don’t need one right now,” Dean said. “We aren’t on vacation.”

  “But I’m wearing vacation clothes.”

  “Doesn’t matter, we have a mission.”

  “One won’t hurt. Henry, do you want one?”

  “I’ll have one, Frank, thanks.”

  Frank jotted up to the trailer cart and stood at the counter. He looked at the large tube style glasses, ranging from eight inches up to two feet.

  “Can I help you?” the young woman asked.

  “Yeah, tell me about this one.” Frank said.

  “The Gargantuan Guzzler. Forty-eight ounces. And it has twelve shots. Plus you get a lanyard that you can attach to the glass and carry it around your neck.”

  “Hands free drinking.”

  “Hands free drinking.”

  “I’ll take two. Both frozen cola and Jack.”

  The girl moved away and prepared the drinks.

  “Dean,” Frank yelled. “You sure you don’t want one.”

  “I’m sure.”

  The girl returned with the monstrously tall beverages.

  “Dean. Look how refreshing.”

  “Fine. I’ll take a little one.”

  “He’ll take the small one.”

  The girl nodded.

  Henry walked over and grabbed his drink. “Wow, this looks good.”

  “Yeah, you put it over your head.” Frank lifted his drink, then placed the strap over his head. His drink dangled on his chest and he merely had to tip his head downward to sip on the straw. “Dean, you should have gotten one of these. Now you have to carry yours.”

  “Not all of us are immune to alcohol Frank.”

  “Hands free drinking, Dean,” Frank extended his arms, lowered his head and sipped. “Uh!” He pressed on his eye ball.

  “Brain freeze?” Dean asked. “Good.” He lifted his drink.

  After paying the woman, Frank, Dean and Henry headed to the hotel to find young Jason.

  <><><><>

  Slurp.

  Dean glanced at Frank, then peeked through the slates of the fence that blocked off the adults only pool.

  “Is that him?” Henry asked.

  “I think so,” Dean replied.

  Slurp.

  It was hard to tell at that distance and the only way to be sure was to get into the section.

  “Yeah,” Henry said. “That’s him. It has to be.”

  The tall younger man lounged on the chair, feet extended, cigarette in his hand, a drink on the table next to him. He held a book, but with the sunglasses on, it was hard to see if he was awake and really reading.

  The younger Jason was skinnier than the elder, if that was possible and he had thick black hair instead if the silver top of Beginnings Godrichson.

  “Let’s try to do this,” Dean suggested.

  Slurp. Slurp. Slurp. Slurp.

  “Frank!” Dean snapped.

  Slurp.

  “Sorry. I was thirsty.”

  Dean looked at the empty drink that hung around his neck. “You finish that? That was a half a bottle of Jack.”

  “Yeah, and the girl said refills are half price.”

  “You’re insane.” Dean walked to the entrance of the ‘adult pool’. A young man wearing a hotel shirt, stood under an umbrella, almost as if on guard.

  “Room keys,” he requested.

  “We just need to see our friend.” Dean pointed.

  “No one gets in without a room key. Can I see your room key?”

  “We don’t have one,” Dean said.

  “This entire pool area is for guests.”

  “Sorry.” Frank leaned forward. “Let’s go, Dean, I have an idea.”

  Dean backed up with Frank and Henry. “Frank, we need to get in there.”

  “And we will.” Frank reached into Dean’s backpack.

  “What are you doing?” Dean asked.

  Frank pulled out the eraser. “Look. We walk by him. He freaks, we zap him, he freezes and forgets.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Henry said. “How long are you erasing?”

  Frank’s fingers moved. “Five minutes, that way he won’t even remember us at all.”

  Dean looked. “No, Frank. That’s only five seconds. You have to hit the minute button.”

  “Oh, yeah, that’s right. Set.” He showed Dean.

  Dean nodded.

  “Now you and Henry go first, I’m right behind you.”

  “Just walk right through.”

  “Walk right through.”

  Dean shrugged. “Okay.”

  The three of them headed back toward the hotel worker and Dean, leading the way just walked right by him.

  “Hey!” the worker called out. He tried to step in front of Henry, but Henry slipped. “Stop.” He told Frank.

  “Okay.” Frank stopped.

  “You can’t go in there. I have to call Security.”

  “Okay.” Frank lifted the eraser. “Smile.” He pressed the button and the worker froze. Frank slipped through. “He’s going to be so confused.”

  “Let’s not abuse the eraser,” Dean suggested. “We needed it. But let’s not over do it.”

  “Got it.”

  “Look at his ashtray.” Henry pointed. “We know it’s him. Only Jason smokes that much.”

  “How is he still alive?” Dean asked then took the eraser from Frank, placed it in his backpack and when he did, he pulled out an envelope. “Let’s go meet young Jason.”

  Together they walked over to his lounge chair and stood at the foot of it, casting a heavy shadow on Jason’s sunbathing.

  Slowly, Jason lowered his book, set down his cigarette and brought his sunglasses to the end of his nose. He gazed up at the trio. “Why do you three look like you just stepped out of a Mad Max world?”

  “Because we did,” Dean said. He then handed Jason the envelope.

  TWENTY-ONE

  The open letter and envelope set on the table in Jason’s hotel room. He poured a drink while staring at a photograph. “I can’t believe my future self would be so sloppy as to send a picture.”

  “He trusts you,” Dean said. “You’re him.”

  “And if I hadn’t seen what was written in the letter, I would never have believed it … a hundred percent. I am a handsome devil in the future.” He placed down the picture. “My goodness my hair is gray. It seems almost unnatural for my face.”

  Henry commented. “It happened very quickly. Almost while you were sleeping.”

  “Astonishing,” Jason said. “Do we know why?”

  “Fear,” Frank answered. “You were suddenly scared.”

  “Of?” Jason asked.

  “Aliens,” Frank replied. “Aliens.”

  “Aliens?”

  “Aliens. Like little green men aliens, only they aren’t green or little.”

  “They’re tall,” Henry added. “Human like.”

  “Terrifying,” Dean added.

  “So eventually we were invaded by Aliens?” Jason asked. “I knew it. Does this have something to do with my father? The letter states you’ll be asking me for help with my father.”

  “Yes,” Dean nodded. “We need him to use his pull with his friend at Vincent Hospital in Billings. We need antibiotics and we don’t have them twenty-five years from now.”

  “How are you still alive?” Jason asked. “Surely, you have something.”

  Dean nodded. “We created an anti-infection but nothing touches this bacteria.”

  “From the aliens?” Jason asked.

  “Yes.” Frank answered. “We think basic antibiotics will work. Fuckin aliens.”

  “Are you still fighting them?” Jason asked.

  “No, we won,” Frank said. “Dean created an infection that wiped them out.”

  Jason looked at Dean. “You created a bio weapon that you didn’t
have a cure for?”

  “No and yes,” Dean replied. “It killed the aliens but it mutated in them and my cure no longer worked.”

  “Hmm.” Jason folded his arms. “I’m surprised my father didn’t come up with something. He’s brilliant.”

  “As are you in our time,” Dean said.

  “And miserable,” Frank added. “Weird, too.”

  “I can live with that,” Jason said. “So I take it you need me to convince my father to help.”

  Dean nodded. “Yes. The plan is, he gets an order together, has it shipped to the hospital in Billings. We time travel back to when they arrive.”

  “You could arrive on our property. It’s removed and no one will see you.”

  “That’s the plan,” Dean said. “You came up with it.”

  Jason chuckled “I would think of something like that. I would also wonder why you are telling me so much. Surely, my future self warned you from giving me too much information.”

  “We’re not worried about it,” Frank said. “We know you won’t change time. It’s your thing. Time travel. You wouldn’t take a chance on messing things up.”

  “But it hasn’t happened to me, yet,” Jason stated. “You’re the future.”

  “No …” Frank shook his head. ‘You’re the past.”

  “No, I’m the present and I can change things. Starting with the prevention of the deaths of ninety-nine percent of the population.”

  “Frank,” Henry interjected. “Let it go. If he can figure out how to save the world, let him.”

  “Fine. But I better not go back and find out I’m like some nerdy scientist and uncool.”

  Dean laughed. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “Whatever or however you are in the future,” Jason said. “You don’t strike me as the tough guy.”

  Frank gasped in shock.

  Jason continued. “You’re wearing a Hawaiian shirt and mandals. How tough is that.”

  “Pretty fuckin tough, Pal, pretty fuckin tough,” Frank said. “Mandals. Fuckin mandals. What the hell is that?”

  “Look down to your feet,” Jason said.

  “Okay, alright.” Dean held up his hands. “Are you going to help us or not?”

  “Yes,” Jason replied. “I will speak to my father and we’ll meet up later. That is, of course, unless you want to meet him? I’m sure he looks much younger now.”

  “I’m sure,” Dean said. “But he looks pretty young to us in our time. I’ll meet him later. Right now there’s another doctor we need to find that I hope will help us out with what strains of antibiotics we need.”

  “Who is that?” Jason asked.

  Dean exhaled then cleared his throat before he spoke. “My father.”

  <><><><>

  Dean held the business card in his hand. Staring down at it, then back up to the hotel. The business card belonged to his father.

  “This is where he stayed?” Frank asked, then lowered his head and slurped his drink.

  “I can’t believe you’re having another,” Dean said. “And yes, they stayed here.” Again, he glanced to the business card.

  “Okay, Dean,” Henry approached from behind. “Here you go.” He handed him a flip phone. “All programmed and activated. Here’s your change, Frank.” He handed Frank bills.

  “Thanks.” Dean opened the phone. “I can’t believe we had to waste money on a pay as you go.”

  “As Frank has demonstrated, all down the strip, we can take pictures with our phones, but calls...”

  “Hey,” Frank snapped. “You’ll thank me for these pictures. And why are you still hanging with us. I thought we were supposed to be separate.”

  “I had to get us phone,” Henry replied. “Ours don’t work here. We need it to call Jason, each other” Henry said. “And your father.” He pointed to the card.

  “Yeah, I guess I do. I’m nervous.”

  “I would be, too,” Henry told him. “It’s William. I can’t wait to see him.”

  “Me either.”

  “Dean,” Frank said. “Do you know what you’re gonna say to convince him it’s really you.”

  “Frank, it’s me.” Dean chucked. “He’ll recognize his own son.”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way,” Frank told him. “But you don’t look like you did when we met. I’m not talking older. You’ve…. You’ve … what’s the word?”

  “Hardened,” Henry answered. “He’s hardened. We all have.”

  “Look around us Dean, these people look so soft.”

  “Yeah, they do. Okay.” He exhaled. “Let’s do this.” He dialed the number and put the phone to his ear. “It’s ringing. What happens if he doesn’t answer?”

  “Call back,” Henry suggested.

  “Still ringing …” His eyes widened.

  “This is Doctor William Hayes.”

  Dean was in shock, he couldn’t even breathe let alone speak.

  “Hello?”

  “Dad?”

  “Dino? What number are you calling from?”

  “I left my phone behind.”

  “What’s wrong with your voice?” William asked. “It sounds rough. Are you sick?”

  “No, it’s just... yeah. A little. Anyhow, where are you?”

  “In Vegas.”

  “I know that. Where in Vegas.”

  “Just about to get lunch at the buffet.”

  “Are you going to your hotel buffet?”

  “Yes!” Frank clenched his fist excitedly. “Dean said buffet.”

  “Dino, what’s going on?” William asked.

  “Just need to know your location in Vegas.”

  “I’m in my hotel, getting ready to go to the hotel buffet. Dino … are you in Vegas?”

  “Yeah, I am.”

  “How spontaneous and irresponsible of you. I am very proud.”

  “Dad…”

  “Did you just get in?” William asked.

  “Yes, I did. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

  “It is. How soon will you be at my hotel?”

  “I’m actually outside of it now.”

  “Excellent. I’ll meet you in the area outside the buffet.”

  “I’ll see you there.”

  “And Dino,” William said. “This is wonderful.”

  “See you in a few, Dad.” Dean hung up the phone and stared at it. “I can’t believe I just spoke to my father.”

  “Now, you’re going to see him,” Henry said. “I wish I could. I want to spend time with him. But I have to separate from you guys.”

  “Henry, I don’t see a problem with you talking to my father before we leave and erase the visit.”

  “I’d like that,” Henry said. “I’d like that very much.”

  “Ready?” Frank asked.

  Dean nodded.

  After giving money to Henry and making tentative meet up plans, Dean and Frank walked into the hotel.

  <><><><>

  It was a plethora of smells Frank tried to decipher, all of them amazing. He couldn’t smell the crab legs, and wasn’t sure they had them on the buffet.

  There was an area, just outside the buffet line and that was where they waited.

  “I know there’s prime rib. I see that,” Frank peeked in.

  “You should stay away from red meat,” Dean told him, staring at the phone.

  “I’ll get it brown then, Even though I like it rare.”

  “You do that. I’m gonna call my father.”

  “Why?” Frank asked.

  “I have to give him a heads up when he sees me.” Dean dialed. He tried to swat away Frank when he leaned close to share the phone and listen. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Dino, I am hurrying as fast as I can. You know your—”

  “Dad, listen, when you see me ….”

  Suddenly William’s voice wasn’t coming from the phone, it came from behind Dean. “Is this a sick joke?”

  “Wow,” Frank said. “That was realistic sounding.”

  Dea
n lowered the phone and turned around. All expression dropped from his face. “Dad.”

  “Do not call me that. You may sound like my son. You are not. I don’t know who you are.”

  “He’s Dean,” Frank said. “I know it’s been a while.”

  “Frank,” Dean snapped. “It hasn’t been that long for him.”

  “Then why doesn’t he remember you. Man … he looks young. You guys are like the same age here.”

  “Dad, I am your son. I know it’s hard to believe. If I wasn’t how would I know you have a 1953, first edition, Playboy magazine with Marylyn Monroe’s picture framed and stored in your bottom nightstand drawer.”

  “Okay,” Frank said. “That’s weird.”

  “Yes, it is,” William replied. “My son wouldn’t know that because he has no interest in those magazines. And who is this?” William asked, pointing to Frank.

  “That’s Frank. My friend.”

  “Your friend?”

  “Best friend,” Frank clarified. “We have kids.”

  “Oh. Oh. So you’re gay.” William nodded. “Somehow that makes sense.”

  “What?” Dean blasted. “I’m not gay. We share kids. Anyhow …”

  “My son is twenty. You are at least a fifty year old man.”

  “Dad, please,” Dean scoffed. “I’m forty-five.”

  “Close enough.” William stepped back and looked at Dean. “There’s no way. If this is true … how?”

  “I know this is going to sound far-fetched. I know it. But…” Dean said. “We’re from the future.”

  Frank said seriously, “There’s been an apocalypse.”

  “I need a second.” William teetered back and grabbed the wall for support. “At least you can have a drink and not get carded.”

  “You believe me?” Dean asked.

  “It’s kind of hard. The fact that you have a best friend makes it tough to believe. But you’re older and … you just don’t have the sense of humor to pull off a prank.”

  Frank laughed, then turned serious. “Sorry. But I always loved when William would bust your balls.”

  “Loved?” William asked. “As in past tense? I’m dead.”

  “No.” Frank waved out his hand in a ‘don’t be silly’ manner. “You just f …” Frank fumbled his words. ‘You found God and you are super nice to Dean.”

  “I found God in the apocalypse.”