Sleepers Page 22

  “Hold on,” Danny said. “I’m looking up the word Reckoning.”

  “No need,” Randy explained. “It’s gonna tell you that once they had retrieved all survivors that they could and taken them to the New Jerusalem, then the Palers roamed free and the Reckoning commenced. Like I said before some say it was God, and all the Palers left the earth, but it still took a year for the survivors to be able to leave Jerusalem.”

  It didn’t make sense to me, and I knew that soon enough my son would lose his fear of reading the predictions and make it through those Doctrines.

  I also knew my son, and he would be a far better buffer than Randy for trouble.

  About four hours into my worrying about Michael and Alex, Beck spotted the truck pulling up the driveway.

  Michael made his way into the church first and he carried a box. I was frightened when I saw this, thinking ‘where was Alex?’ Then in a few moments, Alex returned as well. He told Beck there were other things in the truck.

  I never thought I’d do it, but I hugged Alex then scolded him for going.

  “Bill didn’t die,” Alex stated. “So I took his place. The Doctrines talked about trouble at a farm house, we avoided it.”

  “To my dismay,” Michael added. “I believe that is a stronghold for attraction and to divert the Sleepers.”

  “And just when he had me convinced that I was making a mistake,” Alex said, “We headed to the farm house and saw the trouble, therefore avoiding any unnecessary shots to my head.”

  Beck stepped forward. “What took you so long, guys. We were worried.”

  Alex set the box down. “There’re a lot out there, and it took creative diversion to get them off our tail. Plus there are things we needed to get, and we needed to put in motion our diversions for the next few days.” He looked around. “How’s my patient?”

  “Resting,” Beck answered. “She ate breakfast and lunch. The calm things seem to be working.”

  Randy added, “They do. I told you this.”

  Beck said, “Alex, tell me about the Sleeper situation. Should we stay here or should we leave?”

  Michael answered. “I think for the time being, and until we see what becomes of Jessie, you should stay here. I have well water. The walls are strong.”

  Danny added. “And here we find out about where the New Jerusalem is, through radio contact that Bill made.”

  Alex corrected, “I’ll make that radio contact now. But to answer your question, Beck, it’s bad. It’ll get worse. We can strengthen this place. But for the time being, this is our best survival option.”

  “What about going back to the prison?” I asked.

  Alex shook his head. “It’s getting bad out there, almost as if the Sleepers sense areas where there is life. We won’t make it back, not through that town again. We can try east. In fact, I plan on setting up an escape route with Michael here, should we need it. But where are we going to go? For now we fend them off as best as we can. We obviously, according to the future Doctrine thingy, make it to the radio transmission. So I’ll go by that. And …” Alex held up his hand with a serious expression. “Spoiler alert for those of you who don’t want to know. This little fortress here, according to the Doctrines, sustains a hell of an attack.”

  Danny groaned out, and I did as well.

  “Alex!” I scolded. “Why did you tell us?”

  “I said spoiler alert.”

  I grunted.

  “And …” Alex continued. “Spoiler alert again. I was dead in that scenario. Beck can’t keep constant watch if I am not here. He and I can do a great job together, so I don’t foresee the attack, if it happens, coming as any big surprise. Plus, I got explosives while we were out, just in case.”

  Alex finished talking about his and Michael’s little plan for staying put. Again he reiterated how he based it on not only the amenities along with the safety the church offered and the fact that we had nowhere else to go, but also he was putting faith into Randy’s Doctrines.

  He and Michael, aside from setting up the evening diversion for the Sleepers, got a lot of things from many surrounding areas. Hence they were able to give a knowledgeable account on the Sleepers and were gone for so long.

  Aside from ammo, food, and explosives, Alex got radio supplies, more medical supplies, and things for Jessie.

  He got her clothes and items that would aid me in taking care of her because Jessie, like a two-year-old, needed to be taught control of her bodily functions. If that could happen and teaching her that much was even possible because Jessie, according to the Doctrines and as Alex always added ‘spoiler alert’, was like a toddler again.

  Alex even got me a body baby carrier so I would be able to have Phoenix in my arms at all times.

  The items that Alex and Michael retrieved ranged from basic and critical survival gear to entertainment items.

  By what they unloaded, it was clear to me that we were at the church for the long run, or at least until the call arrived about the location of New Jerusalem.

  Doctrines 7:12-18

  And the walls of valor set around the roadways leading the fortress house of worship could hold no more. They came like a wave of invaders, from all directions, ascending upon the place of worship.

  There were more than the weapons could handle, and the group of seekers sought their escape.

  Like lava, the Palers poured in through the broken glass of the church. The doors were not strong enough to hold them.

  In order to escape, another diversion was needed and the preacher called upon his favor with God.

  The young Paler woman was the sacrifice, and the Preacher offered her to the attacking Palers. Was this what they wanted? Would that satisfy them?

  It did for the moment, and as the Preacher, the Mother, the Phoenix child and the Technological Man sought the safety of the vehicle, the Strong Man saw the diversion did not hold.

  After seeing them safely to the vehicle, the strong man raced outward, away from the seekers, causing the Palers to follow him.

  The Mother, Phoenix child, Technological Man and Preacher were able to flee safely.

  The hoard of Palers engulfed the Strong Man drowning him like a tidal wave. Strong Man was taken by them and killed. Through his own self-sacrifice, he saved the Phoenix child and others.

  They prayed for him as they moved east.

  30. Time

  7 weeks later ….

  I had found my niche in our eclectic group. I was actually a better cook than Michael and was in charge of preparing all meals, not that there was all that much to do.

  What else was there to do? I did help to carry water.

  It got boring over the weeks, but it was nice not to run or move. Once in a while Alex would take us out on journeys, his safe routes that he knew were protected from the Sleepers.

  But still there was only so much we could do. Thank God, the grounds of the church were safe. I never realized how hard Alex, Beck and Michael worked to keep us safe. There was a daily set of occurrences, a chain of events that had to be completed.

  Every day.

  But each day when they returned we were told it wasn’t going to be much longer and we’d have to move forward.

  The van was already packed and ready to go. Survival supplies were in there.

  They had to resort to blockading the driveway and wooded areas around the church. After a week, one or two Sleepers made it onto the grounds; within a couple of weeks there were five to ten. By six weeks we were fighting off dozens a day.

  It kept things interesting.

  Phoenix was doing so well. A baby born a mere five pounds had easily doubled his weight. He was alert and cooing. Alex took to feeding him solid foods too early to plump him up, stating that ‘spoiler alert’, Phoenix was super advanced and spoke by the time he was three months old.

  Randy quickly dispelled that tale.

  Jessie was making amazing progress. In so many ways she was just like a small child, a toddler, learning things
over again. She fed herself and babbled. She giggled at the silliest things.

  Beck had taken such a liking to her; I really credited him with her progress. Although I was realistic as to the fact that many abilities would never return to my child.

  But she was alive and she no longer was one of those things.

  Miles was grateful for the news and implemented Alex’s therapy on two individuals who had turned but were caught early enough.

  The rest had been Sleepers far too long for help, although Miles admitted to trying it on those who had been Sleepers for a while. It didn’t work.

  One thing Miles conveyed was that he had to find a way out of Seattle.

  It was getting bad and his concerns echoed those of Alex’s, stating he was certain the Sleepers were sensing those who were not infected.

  Seattle got ahead of them and they were overrun.

  They had about another month’s worth of food and then they had to figure out something.

  We were in daily contact with Miles, hoping that one of those times he would tell us he was contacted by New Jerusalem.

  Randy kept trying. He told us that at the time of the Event, there were close to 1,000 functioning satellites in orbit around the earth and that his computer device and those of the other two travelers could link to a satellite and eventually to each other. But 1,000 satellites was a lot to try and the odds of trying the same one at the same time as one of his friends was slim.

  He didn’t give up.

  Just when I started to believe that somehow the Doctrines weren’t prophetic, we received word from Miles that his camp had been contacted.

  Miles relayed to us that several key members of the government including the President and Secretary of State were hunkered down in a secure living area.

  They were actively seeking survivors to begin civilization. Their numbers were growing but there weren’t enough.

  They asked Miles how many there were in their camp, alive and well, and informed him that transportation would be forthcoming.

  Not including his Sleepers, Miles had over a hundred people. He didn’t see how they were getting out of their sanctuary.

  Miles and his people were imprisoned in their own jail by the massive amounts of Sleepers that had descended upon the city.

  There were two days of radio silence, and we didn’t hear from Miles.

  Alex didn’t call out at all over the radio, fearful that it was a trap and that perhaps Miles’ camp was simply wiped out.

  It was just two days before the eight week mark, or the second moon cycle, that Beck got Jessie to make the ‘B’ sound that progressed rapidly into ‘Ba’. Beck rejoiced in his victory. Jessie said his name first.

  “Oh, please,” Alex ridiculed. “She did not. Ba is not Beck. Besides…” He paused and looked at Michael. “Spoiler alert.”

  Michael groaned, covered his ears and started humming.

  Alex laughed and continued. “She says my name first. Crystal clear. Says so in the Doctrines, she calls for me.”

  Randy chuckled with a shake of his head. “Then she must call for your ghost; remember, at this moment in the Doctrines, you’re dead.”

  “Yeah, that’s right.” Alex scratched his head.

  “Besides,” Randy looked at Michael. “Spoiler alert.”

  Michael covered his ears again and stood.

  “She never spoke in the Doctrines, so, Beck, you have done well.”

  “So like, dude,” Danny said to Randy. “Did you ever stop to think what the people in your time will be like since everything is gonna change?”

  “We’ll be a happier race of people and not a dying one,” Randy answered. “We don’t worry about the alien invasion because at the rate we were going, we’d be extinct in a few hundred years just from dwindling population.”

  “Can I lower my hand now?” Michael asked.

  We all answered, “Yes.”

  “Thank you.” He walked back over to the group. “You,” He pointed at Alex, “need to stop with the spoiler alerts. I really think you do that to me on purpose. How much can you spoiler over two months? I think you make things up.”

  I looked at Michael and nodded. “He does.”

  “I knew it.”

  It was then the radio stunned us by breaking the silence. “Alex, come in. Alex, come in.” It was Miles.

  We all flew over to the radio as if our presence would make a difference.

  “Miles,” Alex said in relief. “What’s going on? We were worried.”

  “Sorry about that. Sorry about the lack of contact. We’ve been evacuating. It took the good part of two days.”

  “We?”

  “We made it, Alex,” Miles said. “We’re in the compound. It’s set up for long-term protected survival. We’re still processing but it is very organized. They airlifted us by chopper. This is serious.”

  Alex lowered his head then looked at all of us. It was a look of gratefulness he produced. “Life does go on.”

  “Alex,” Miles called. “I told them about you folks. They said they’d see what they could do, but . . . their exact words were they didn’t know if there was time.”

  “Time?” Alex asked,

  “Don’t know, Alex, but there seems to be a sense of urgency around here.”

  Urgency. There was that word and all of us knew that word was significant in the Doctrines.

  Alex took a deep breath, “Tell them…about the baby.”

  “But we don’t know if that’s a good idea, Alex. You and I discussed that.”

  “I know. I know. But tell them. We have to get the baby there, Miles. We have to get the baby to safety.”

  “Will do.”

  “Miles, where is the compound?”

  “You aren’t gonna believe this. It’s …”

  Static.

  “Miles.” Alex called out. “Miles.”

  Beck slammed his fist. “They cut him off.” He turned to Randy. “Do you even have a clue what this urgency is?”

  “No. No, I don’t.” Randy said.

  “Okay. Okay,” Alex stood straight. “Danny, any thoughts on the location of New Jerusalem?”

  Danny first glanced at Michael. “Spoiler alert.” Then his attention turned back to Alex. “It’s east, we know that, but it can’t be too far. A day’s trip, maybe two by the Doctrine, they arrive not long after Miles.”

  “So they airlifted them by chopper; they can’t go too far. And it’s not that far from here,” Alex said. “Where would they hide a bunker?”

  Beck suggested. “Nevada?”

  Alex nodded. “Possibly.” The moment he said that, there was a distant sound of breaking glass and Alex spun to the door. “What the hell, it’s not even night time.” Leaving the radio, he moved to the lookout point at the front of the church.

  I guessed he, like the rest of us, thought that one or two making their way onto the property.

  The Doctrines didn’t even cross our minds at that second.

  Alex peered slightly through the small opening in the front window. “Fuck.” He spun. “Grab the baby. Get Jessie. Out the back. Now.”

  Beck manned his weapon. “What’s going on?”

  “We’re overrun. There are hundreds.” No sooner did he say that than the window in the front of the church smashed and arms reached in. Alex backed up, calling out. “Everyone out!” He looked once over his shoulder. “Danny. Do it. Don’t let go of her.”

  Danny grabbed hold of Jessie and dragged her with him to the back. “Mom, come on.”

  “Beck?” I called out for him, following Danny.

  “In a second,” Beck reached into a bag. “Alex, catch” He tossed him a grenade. “I’ll plow them out; use that when we’re clear.”

  Alex caught it and nodded. He had backed up near the altar.

  We hadn’t even crossed the sanctuary when windows in the church burst one right after each other. Arms reached in, fighting, and soon they used each other as leverage and poured through the windows
.

  A group of them barreled down the double doors of the church.

  I was standing with my children, Phoenix tight in my arms. Randy and Michael were urging us through when Beck called out to Alex, “Don’t be a martyr, do it now.”

  Back charged to us, bodily forcing us through that back door and when he did, Alex was a second behind. He slammed and locked the door the second the grenade detonated.

  “To the back!” Beck yelled, and he and Alex pushed us to the back door.

  Michael was there first. He looked out then turned to us. “Van’s surrounded.”

  Even I could see the Sleepers in the back yard. They hadn’t hit the back porch yet; they were all around the van as if they actually reasoned we’d be running to that. They blocked it and guarded it at least ten deep all the way around.

  “No. No. No!” Beck edged through and looked. “Okay, think.”

  “Diversion?” Alex suggested.

  “We have to,” Beck said. He jolted and looked to the locked door behind us. They were banging on it, trying to get in from the church. “They’ll be in here in a minute. All right, I’ll run out. Alex you get them in the van. ..”

  “No,” Michael said firm. “No.” He grabbed the doorknob. “I met Bill. I have a hard time believing he portrayed me as such a coward. Just know I would never … ever use a child. That is not me.” He shouldered his weapon. “God be with you all.” He turned the knob. “And Alex, I read those Doctrines. It’s been an honor to know you all.” On that, he opened the door and squeezed out.

  Instinctively, I cried out, ‘No!’ squeezing Phoenix even tighter.

  Jessie buried her head on Danny’s chest; Randy held on to both of my children.

  Beck looked out when we heard three shots. “He’s running. They’re … they’re . . . following.”

  Alex added. “A little more. A little more.”

  “You have the keys?” Beck asked.

  “Right here.” Alex jingled.

  “One more second.”

  I didn’t want to look, I couldn’t. I let them be my commentators; they’d let me know when to go.

  “He’s clear!” Beck blasted. “Now!”