Outer Banks (22 page)

She was watching me intently, no doubt trying to read my face. I didn't mind.

“I know you want to escape, to try to and go back to them. Maybe you could. You could help them by stealing blood from the bodies at the funeral home for another night or two until another Hunter is sent after you. Or you can trust me when I tell you we're close to a cure. If all goes well Jonathan can play basketball again at school, and Austin can have his friends over for Guitar Hero tournaments while Luke cheers them on.”

She started to cry again.

“I have people I care about who are infected too. I want them to be better.”

She nodded. “Okay. I believe you. I'm not going to be a problem.”

“Good. Thank you.”

I unlocked her cuffs and she climbed in the box, adjusting the mat.

“Just remember, there's hope. Real hope for once,” I said as I locked the box.

I hopped outside and pulled out my phone to call Emery.

She didn't answer, nor did her father. I figured they were busy, working right up to the last second.

I smiled at the message beep.

“You'd better make sure you get in bed before you fall asleep, Emery Estelle!” I scolded her playfully. “I miss you,” I said more seriously. “I wish I could hold you right now while you slept.” God, that sounded pathetic. “I've been telling the woman I'm taking in that she needs to have hope for the future. It got me thinking about our future. I…” I chickened out. “I guess we'll talk about it when I get back. Take care. See you soon.”

I tapped the phone against my forehead. “Why didn't you just tell her you loved her, dumb ass?” I said to myself as I got back in the van.

Would it be any better if I said it when she could look at me with her green eyes and tell me we had no future together?

Chapter Seventeen

When I could barely keep my eyes open, I found a place to stop.

The hotel I'd come across was pretty crappy, but I was so tired it didn't matter. I fell into the bed, not even bothering to change.

I woke to the shrill sound of the wakeup call and began my routine. Shave, shower, coffee, breakfast, hit the road. I skipped the workout.

Once the sun was gone I pulled over to let Melissa out.

“How did you sleep?” I asked as I secured her with the handcuffs again.

“I never know,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Hungry?” I handed her a bag, knowing the answer had to be yes.

She nodded and bit into the bag. She had it empty before I got the van started.

“It tastes so much better like this,” she mentioned absently when she had calmed. “At the mortuary it's had time to go off.” She looked over at me, embarrassed. I gave her a sympathetic smile.

We got to OBX at around four a.m. Not a lot of time to get her checked in and find Corey before he went to sleep for the day.

Especially because we ran into a bit of snag at the information center.

“Welcome to the Outer Banks Facility, Melissa,” Tina said it like she was at Disney World. “Let's get some information first. Where were you when you were infected?”

“St. Louis,” she answered. I wandered off to the candy machine while I called Emery. Like the night before, she didn't answer. I didn't leave a message.

I went back to check on Melissa's progress.

“All right. Next list all your immediate family members, even ones you know have died.”

Melissa took a breath and began listing everyone.

“Jason Robert Jacobis, Jonathan Robert Jacobis, Austin Philip Jacobis, Luke Alexander Jacobis.” Her lip trembled.

I patted her shoulder as Tina typed.

“We have a match. Your husband, Jason is here.”

Melissa gasped in shock. I was a bit concerned as to how this was going to change my plan to get Corey out. I didn't have much time before he fell asleep. That would complicate things.

“Your husband is being housed at a condo in Salvo,” Tina continued. Salvo was on Hatteras Island.

I was somewhat relieved by this information. It gave me an idea.

“Won't it take some time to get her pass worked out? It might be safer to keep her someplace closer for today since she's going to need to sleep soon.” I patted Melissa's shoulder, hoping she got my hint.

“I would rather go someplace safe as soon as possible, I can feel myself winding down.” Melissa played along. “I can find him when I wake up.”

“Sure. Let's see…,”

“Anything at the Willows? I was hoping to check in on someone while I was here,” I said.

“If you don't mind sharing a room with another woman who just got here, I have a place on the first floor.”

Melissa nodded. “That's fine.” I could have hugged her.

“Okay. Here's your ID, I'll have your pass ready when you wake and someone will take you to your husband.”

“Thank you so much.” She smiled as got up to follow me to the van.

“This place doesn't seem that bad. Maybe I should have you bring the boys—”

“Looks can be deceiving. They've just had a riot here. Give it a couple days, make sure things have calmed down. If you want them here you can call me and I'll arrange it.” I gave her my card.

She gave me a sad smile. “I'm glad Jason is here.”

“So am I. You'll all be together again soon, I'm sure of it.”

We pulled up alongside the Willows. I parked by the side of the building and unlocked the door to the back before letting Melissa out.

“This is it?” she asked in a hushed voice as we walked in. “You're taking someone back with you? Someone who can help?”

“That's right. Let's get you settled.” I took a moment to show her the game room as we passed.

Corey was there playing ping pong against a wall by himself. He met my eyes and gave me a little salute. I nodded toward the door.

He nodded back and I kept walking, telling Melissa about the island like a tour guide, but she'd noticed our exchange. She didn't say anything. She just looked at Corey again and followed me.

I got her settled and thanked her for going along with this before I dashed back to the van. I checked the handle on the door to the back; it was now locked and got in the driver's side.

“Corey?”

“I'm in here.”

“Good boy.” I rested my head against the seat and started the van. “Let's get out of here. Stay quiet until I get us through the gates.” Mr. Mitchell's man had arranged to be on duty at the first gate like before. I just hoped the riots hadn't caused them to bump up security and have additional vehicle checks at the other two gates.

“Can do. I don't have a lot of time before I fall asleep. I can feel it.”

I glanced at my watch. “Sorry I cut it so close.” He should have been up for a little longer.

“I haven't eaten today,” he said. “You don't have any in the cooler.”

“Yeah. I had a situation. I'll get you some when I stop to sign out at the visitor's center.”

“I don't think they have any.”

He was right.

Tina gave me a sad smile when I asked if I could refill my supply.

“Sorry, hon. I wish we could help, but we won't have any until tomorrow.”

“You know these people don't just get
hungry
when they don't eat, right? They lose control.”

“We know, but there was a raid during the riots. We're on strict rations until the next shipment comes in. Should be here tomorrow.” She went back to tapping away on her computer.

“Of all the rotten timing,” I muttered as I went back to the van. I noticed a number of shuttles sitting by the visitor's center unused. The tall grass growing around them made it clear they had been out of commission for some time. Most likely due to another budget cutback.

“This whole island is falling apart,” I said as I got in. The riots had been a symptom, not a cause of these problems.

“I know. I never thought I'd be so happy to be locked in a box,” Corey said from the back.

I laughed and drove toward the gate.

At the first gate, I held out my license and my hand like normal.

One of the regular guards joked with me about taking a vacation as he took the blood scan. Rick again checked the rear cabin, dutifully ignoring Corey inside.

“See you later,” I smiled and pulled out.

Thankfully there were no additional searches on the way out. As I made it through the final gate, I let out a sigh of relief.

“We did it! You're out!”

There was no response from the back. Corey had already faded off into sleep.

I stopped at a hospital and used my Hunter credentials to requisition a few bags of blood. OBX had already tapped them to make up for the shortfall, so they couldn't give me much, but it would be enough 'til tomorrow.

I drove for a few more hours. During that time I speculated as to why Emery hadn't answered my calls. Had something happened? Was she okay?

She was busy, that much was certain, but too busy just to say hi? I was worried she'd had time to process our last conversation and decided she was angry with me. Even as I found a hotel and went to sleep I wondered how badly I'd messed things up between us.

Once on the road again, I was eager to let Corey out. I pulled onto the side of the road well in advance to get ready. I stayed in the driver's seat and kept the door to the back ready to slam shut if he lunged.

I saw that look of the hunger taking over when he woke up.

I held out a bag for him which he snatched and drained with an inhuman intensity. When he finished he felt more like himself.

“Feeling better?” I asked.

“You have no idea.”

“I guess I don't.” I laughed. He climbed into the passenger's seat next to me. The first bag was already drained so I handed him another.

“Try to save some if you can. I have to grab more en route.”

He nodded and closed his eyes as I started the van and pulled out. “This is awesome. So what's the story? Now that we can talk without Big Brother listening in?”

“The doctor you helped me get out has come up with a cure. Well, she's pretty sure she has. She needs to test it first. She wanted to try it on herself, but I don't think that's a good idea.”

“She must really think it's going to work.” He looked over at me. “Why don't you want her to try it on herself?”

“Because it's irresponsible.” It was a reasonable answer, and it was also true.

Corey saw right through it, though. “You're in love with the doc.”

“That's none of your business!” I snapped. He grinned and looked out the window. If he started talking about me and her sitting in a tree, I had a roll of duct tape handy. Instead he suddenly became serious.

“Do you really think she has a chance of fixing me, or am I risking my life so you can get into someone's pants?”

“That's not fair. I'd never do that to you, or anyone. I honestly believe in her. If she says she has a cure, she has it. But if you don't, if you're not one hundred and ten percent comfortable with this, you shouldn't do it. You don't have to.”

He looked out the window again at the dark sky.

“Would you take me back if I didn't do it?”

“I don't want you staying there anymore. The way I see it, the doc could always use another assistant. You have a choice, Corey.”

“No. I don't,” he said with a sigh. I understood what he meant.

We talked about other things. He told me about the riot and the protests. He hadn't been in either but had watched from a distance.

“I don't think it was organized at all. The protests were being covered by the news. I think one group started the riot to get more attention and then the others just grabbed what they could find and joined in. It was insanity.

“Everyone was screaming and throwing shit. Then the guards came with armored vehicles. They threw tear gas, but that didn't work very well. Then they started arresting people. It got pretty ugly. Even some reporters got smacked around.” He threw his hands in the air and shook his head as he went on.

“But did that stop them? Hell, no! That's when they started some fires and looting the stores. Even hit the blood bank. What are they thinking?”

“They're afraid. Things are looking bad from a public relations perspective and I think they're worried about being ignored. They don't want to give up without a fight,” I explained. “Of course, some could just be assholes.”

“Hey. Language, buddy.” Corey said. I chuckled as he looked back out the window. “Well, I don't want to give up without at least giving your girlfriend a chance.”

“You're very brave,” I said honestly. I didn't correct him about the girlfriend bit.

“And hungry.”

“Still?” I rolled my eyes. “I'll stop off at the next hospital. Promise.”

“Thanks, Dill. Always looking out for me.”

“Always, cuz.” I said with a smirk.

It was dark when we passed back through St. Louis, and I had an idea. I stopped to top off my blood supply, and bought a prepaid cell phone.

“Could you do me a favor?” I asked Corey as we drove toward the salvage yard.

“You mean aside from letting your girlfriend kill me?” I frowned at his joke, which was as far from funny as we were from Jupiter. He shrugged. “Sure.”

“I don't want to spend a lot of time here because we need to get back, but the woman I brought in when I came to get you, her three kids are still here. It would be nice to get a message to them. Let them know their father is also alive. And let them know everything is okay.”

“Is it okay? They could be snatched up by someone out here. Or starve to death tomorrow,” Corey pointed out.

“You're a real downer. You know that?” I shoved him a bit.

“Hey, sorry. You're right. Let's try to find these kids.” He hopped out of the van.

I took him to the bus where they'd been before, and showed him the direction of the funeral home their mother had been breaking into.

It didn't take us long to find the boys. They were in the same junk yard, but had moved from the bus to underneath a broken down dump truck.

Corey approached them slowly, carrying a small cooler filled with blood and ice. I stayed back, watching from a safe distance. I remembered their names from my talks with their mother, and had briefed Corey about them.

“Jonathan, Austin, Luke… I'm Corey. I'm like you. It's okay. I brought you food.” He pointed at the cooler and came closer. He opened it and passed the bags around, helping Luke open his so he could eat. “I have a friend here. He's not going to hurt you or take you anywhere, I promise.”

“Is it Dillon McAllister?” Jonathan asked in a low voice. He was the one I'd given my card to.

“Yes. He took your mom, but he's not taking you. He has a message. You can trust him. I do.”

Corey waved me over and I took my cue, keeping my distance.

“Hi, guys. I'm sorry I had to take your mother away. But she's safe, and she's with your dad. Jason. He's been at the Outer Banks for a while now.”

They looked upset. I thought they would be happy to know he was alive.

“Anyway, they are together. Call this number and Tina will have your mom call you back.” I tossed it to Jonathan. “Corey and I need to get going. Is there anything else we can do?”

“Dad's alive?” the middle one, Austin, asked.

“Yes. I didn't see him, but they said he was there. Your mom should be with him by now.”

“Can we go too?” he asked.

“Not yet. She wants to make sure it's safe for you to come first. If she wants me to bring you she'll call me. Try to stay near here so I can find you. You can charge the phone at that shack. It looks like the electric is still on.”