Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Copyright: Capcom owns the Resident Evil franchise, not me.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find and help me improve.
Summary: The Earth is flourishing, happily. But humans are endangered and on the verge of extinction after the greedy corporation Umbrella knowingly releases a viral plague. Small human civilizations survive including a moving convoy led by the strong Claire Redfield. Her solitary world turns upside down when she meets an infuriating yet mysterious woman named Alice. Claire soon learns about an underground survivor camp through Alice and heads there. However, Claire begins to secretly fear losing K-Mart, who has become her only source of strength over the years.
Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
Write a Review: http://www.redhope.net/residentevil/review/oneshotform.html
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/
Started: November 11, 2011
Series: One Shot
Trigon
by Red Hope
Chapter 23
The survivors settled into the small barn that was built near the red roofed home along the James River. The bonfire was nearly dead until tomorrow morning. The time was most likely brushing against eleven thirty. A glance at the moon's trail across the sky reminded many how late it was and that Claire planned to have them up early. The journey north to Reston would take all of tomorrow and most of the following day. Hopefully the convoy would arrive in Reston on the twentieth of October. It'd also be the last day that K-Mart would be seventeen.
But celebrating a birthday seemed wrong after what happened this morning. The convoy's leader, Claire Redfield, had made some plans for K-Mart's birthday. But now those ideas seemed worthless without Mikey here. She struggled on what to do about the special day that probably lost nearly all its meaning to K-Mart. Sighing heavily, Claire finished working on the four-wheeler that was having problems again. She kicked the tire, annoyed at it. At least soon she wouldn't have to put up with that dumb machine. If it wasn't for the apocalypse, Claire would have firebombed the damn ATV long ago.
Using a rag, Claire cleaned her hands and washed them from a small bucket beside the cargo truck. All the grease and grime came off easily, unlike the other stains within Claire. From behind, a familiar presence began forming from the darkness near the ATV's rear. Claire caught Alice's figure from the corner of her eye.
"Patrols have begun," Alice casually mentioned.
Claire nodded then tossed the rag next to the bucket. She'd deal with it later in the morning in case the four-wheeler had other issues tonight.
Alice approached the convoy leader, carefully. Her hands slid into her jacket pockets. "We'll most likely make it to Reston on the twentieth."
"That's what I'm estimating," Claire agreed. Once upon a time they could have made it there by tomorrow. But in reality the highway was littered with debris, the cargo truck was slow, and Claire hated to travel at night. Plus having a fortified camp at night was better than a surprise attack on the road.
Alice nodded but stayed quiet. She sensed something on Claire's mind and waited for it.
Claire slightly narrowed her eyes at Alice and curiously posed, "What if these... survivors in that facility refuse to take the convoy in?"
Alice hesitated then shook her head. "They won't." She shifted closer to the convoy leader. "They'll open their gates to any survivors."
"Any?" Claire echoed. She canted her head. "That's what worries me."
Alice quickly followed the train of thought and grinned, a little. "Don't worry. They keep tabs on any new survivors joining the haven." The grin slipped away. "They take security seriously, Claire."
"Do they have you to thank for that?" Claire hadn't forgotten Alice's career as a security officer with Umbrella.
Alice shrugged and replied, "I'm not associated with them."
"But you know the Umbrella employees that revolted," Claire debated. She hadn't dug much into Alice's past until this came to mind earlier. If she were to take the convoy there then Claire had to be assured that it was indeed safe.
Alice sighed and pulled out her hands. She barely withheld from touching Claire. "I'm not leading you into a trap."
Claire let out a low breath and glanced away for a second. "How well can you trust these people?" Her cold features read into Alice. "Umbrella manipulated and used you so how can you trust them?"
"Same way you can trust me," Alice murmured.
"Well I'm not gonna sleep with them to get that trust," Claire smartly fired off.
Alice cringed and tried staying calm. It was only natural for Claire to be concerned about the convoy's future once they arrived at Reston. "When have I not protected you?" she sincerely brought up.
Claire rocked back on her heels after Alice made a good point. Indeed it was true that at every turn Alice has been there, especially for her and K-Mart. Such luxury made Claire uncomfortable because she was use to taking care of herself and K-Mart. Instinctively she folded her arms and peered up at Alice, from under the hat's brim. "It's too good to be true," she honestly confessed.
For a long moment, Alice debated whether or not Claire meant about the safe haven or Alice's protection. Most likely it had to be in reference to the safe haven, and Alice muttered, "What's too good to be true is a cure for this virus." She shook her head before adding, "This safe haven is just a gift."
Claire blew out a breath then tugged on the hat's brim. "Maybe," she grumbled. She nodded once in seeming acceptance and lowered her arms. "You have a radio?"
Alice patted the handheld clipped to her side. However, instead of saying goodbye, she decided to walk Claire to the house. There was something else on her mind that she wanted to ask Claire about before they parted ways. "Will you do anything for K-Mart's birthday?"
Claire swallowed hard and hesitated on how to answer. "I'd had some plans but..." She paused a few yards from the softly glowing house's porch. She recalled one thing and mentioned, "I have a book for her."
"From the Wal-Mart distribution center," Alice murmured, a memory drifting back to her.
Claire parted her lips yet stayed quiet. What happened several days ago at the Wal-Mart distribution center hardly compared to what Alice had done for them now. She shook her head and recalled, "We'll be in Reston for her birthday."
Alice considered this change and sadly smiled at the convoy leader. "I think I have an idea for a gift."
A heavy furrow developed along Claire's features and made her prompt, "What's that?"
Alice realized she needed Claire's permission anyway once she thought about it more. She quietly explained her idea and waited to see how it'd go over with Claire. Some part of her expected it to not do well. But much to Alice's amazement, Claire stayed calm yet quiet for a minute. Somehow getting Claire's approval would foretell their future relationships.
After a strenuous moment, Claire peered up at Alice and released her lower lip after biting on it so hard. "K-Mart would like that... a lot." A thin smile tried pulling at her lips, but she withheld it. "Can you get it done?"
"Yes... I know somebody," Alice explained.
Claire's head bobbed a few times. "Alright," she agreed. She moved away from Alice but promised, "See you in the morning." She climbed the first step but paused after Alice called her name. She looked at Alice and read the concern there.
Alice wanted to encourage Claire to talk to K-Mart tonight. A quick glance at the above window told her that K-Mart was still awake. But the guarded expression on Claire told her that she shouldn't press it, not tonight.
Somehow it felt like an axe about to drop on Claire's neck. To her amazement, Alice withdrew from requesting her to comfort K-Mart. Instead Claire stood there, slightly shocked that Alice began leaving without bringing the topic up again since last night.
"Goodnight, Claire." Alice's voice was soft, and she disappeared into the darkness. She finally realized that forcing and pushing Claire to be there for K-Mart would only serve to damage all of them. All in good time, Alice concluded.
Claire remained rooted on the first step for another moment. She rid of her startled look and entered the warm house. She saw Carlos and L.J. chatting in the living room together and most likely prepared to play cards soon. She exchanged a nod with them then went upstairs to the master bedroom. Memories from the farmhouse near the Conococheague Creek from weeks ago flooded her. However, K-Mart already seemed like a different woman since then. And Claire was feeling like a different one too.
K-Mart barely acknowledged Claire's presence, her focus on the book in her lap. She was changed into her pajamas, under the covers, and ready to sleep once the book drained her enough. She lost much of her focus while Claire shifted about in the room. It wasn't until the convoy leader got into bed on the other side that she was able to return to the book.
Claire curled up on her side in the bed. She adjusted the pillow after putting one Beretta Cougar under it. The second one rested on the night stand with two full magazines along with the carbine leaning against the wall. Normally the carbine wasn't so close, but Claire needed its presence now.
K-Mart glanced over at the convoy leader, who had her eyes closed. She doubted Claire had fallen asleep so quickly. But it wasn't an invite to disturb the convoy leader, not that K-Mart planned to do so. Instead she continued with the science fiction novel that Claire had gotten her awhile ago from the Wal-Mart distribution center. It was a good book by Tom Clancy.
Slowly the candles grew shorter, half the stick gone. K-Mart's head rolled forward, eyes closed. She jerked awake and closed the book after marking her spot. The book was placed on the nightstand then the candles blown out. Curling up under the warm covers, K-Mart was glad sleep wouldn't take too long. Or so she hoped until Claire's low breathes drifted over to her. Ugly images of Claire shooting Mikey plagued K-Mart. How the Hell could Claire pull the trigger?
Slowly tears trickled down K-Mart's flushed cheeks. She gripped the pillow tighter and nearly bit the corner, but she was able to withhold her sobs. Yet nothing could control the tears rolling down her face. Her closest friend was gone thanks to Umbrella's T-virus. If K-Mart had gone to him during the battle then she could have saved him. But instead Claire had prevented her and shoved K-Mart back into the truck. Now Mikey was dead.
Claire rested on her side of the bed, her back to K-Mart. She opened her eyes after the candles went out. She mindlessly stared at the locked door that went to the hallway. Downstairs she could vaguely make out Carlos, L.J., and Betty's voices and perhaps Chase's too. No doubt they were discussing both Reston and Claire's sudden about-face. But it didn't matter in the least. Soon the convoy would no longer exist once it was absorbed by the facility in Reston. That day wasn't one that Claire looked forward to yet yearned to make it happen soon.
Ignoring the low mutters from downstairs, Claire considered the pending future that would change her world. Somehow K-Mart and Alice didn't fit into it simply because Claire couldn't grasp such an image. Not after what Claire had done to K-Mart by shooting Mikey. And what moved Claire closer to Alice had been K-Mart's efforts, which would most likely fade away now. Claire's future was just a black void, and it stirred a different kind of fear in her.
Again Claire foresaw being abandoned once more, just like she had been as a child and later as a teenager. But like her father's hands, life would beat her into a new human and force her to live through it all. Nothing about Claire Redfield spoke failure, until now. Claire had failed K-Mart and soon she would fail Alice too. Closing her eyes, Claire gripped the bed's side and took steady breathes to calm her heart. Everything was out of control in Claire's head, every thought and every new emotion that hounded her. She gritted her teeth in panic until a soft sound pierced her chaotic haze.
K-Mart swallowed her next sob then used the pillow to muffle the noises. Her knuckles turned white, fingers digging into the pillow. Wishes about Mikey's life were pointless but extremely painful.
Claire gasped deeply, coming up for air. She blinked several times then shifted her head after another low sob caught her ear. Fuck it was K-Mart. Briefly Alice's silent pleas about talking to K-Mart replayed in her mind. Claire swallowed hard against the lump because she knew Alice was right. If anything were to be salvaged from their relationships then tonight was the last chance before K-Mart decided to emotionally remove herself from them. Alice's tries to reach K-Mart hadn't worked. It was Claire that could do it, if she made the attempt. Never had Claire abandoned K-Mart, not physically.
K-Mart clawed the pillow harder and fought for the pain to stop. There was so much blame that she wanted to throw on everybody, including herself. Like others, she understood the risks with becoming close to another human in this Hellish world. Mikey's death was a perfect example of what pain it caused her and shattered her once glass-like world.
Biting the pillow, K-Mart fought against the ugly pain of his death. The soft movements behind her never registered until strong arms started wrapping around her body. The familiar hands touching her caused an angry spark, and K-Mart jammed her shoulder into Claire's chest.
A groan muffled from Claire, but she reacted quickly as K-Mart tried shoving her away. She allowed K-Mart the brief struggle and increased her grip around K-Mart each passing moment. Claire tried touching K-Mart's damp cheek, but K-Mart's jerking motion stopped her.
"Leave me alone," K-Mart growled in a throaty warning. There was an edge in her voice that'd never been there before. Some part of her half expected Claire to be seeking sex tonight.
Claire ignored the threat. She jerked K-Mart hard into her body and subdued her. Both their bodies were incredibly heated from the struggle and heavy blankets.
"Claire," K-Mart snarled, low. She wanted to get out of the bed, badly. Get away from Claire, get away from Alice, and disappear from everything.
However, Claire wouldn't allow her friend the delusional freedom. She instead wrapped her upper leg over K-Mart's moving legs and locked her down further. She had K-Mart perfectly pinned now.
K-Mart was weaker than Claire and couldn't get free, not even her hands that were held down by Claire's arm. Her anger shifted into upset, and she again started sobbing hard. She felt Claire's grip relax, but Claire didn't retreat under the wake of K-Mart's display of emotions.
Adjusting herself around K-Mart, Claire was able to hold her friend more comfortably. She ran her fingers through K-Mart's sunny blond hair. She wiped the tears and wished there was a way to take K-Mart's pain. Claire softly rocked their bodies together, a childhood habit she use to do. "I'm sorry, Dahlia."
K-Mart couldn't control her sobs that grew louder after Claire's apology. She didn't care if she was heard by the others downstairs. All that mattered was that Claire was there for her, more than just physically this time.
"I'm so sorry," Claire whispered near K-Mart's ear. She hoped that somehow their relationship wasn't lost after recent events.
K-Mart curled closer to her friend's body. She needed to hide in Claire's arms where it was safer than the rest of the world. Reaching up, she clutched Mikey's necklace with her moist hand.
Claire blinked a few times, the stinging subsiding enough. She fought against the heavy lump in her throat. Alice's pleas for Claire to speak to K-Mart were fresh again. It was such a struggle for Claire to compose the words in her head, let alone speak them aloud. Several times her mouth opened and closed. Her heart was frantic and caused her strength to drain away. Thankfully the bed easily supported her weight or else she'd fallen down under the pressure to speak up. After yet another deep breath, Claire shut her eyes and remembered the support that Alice had offered her earlier today. It was that kind of comfort and support that Claire wished to give K-Mart now. But this time it required Claire's voice rather than silence. It required every bit of her courage, and Claire found it.
"I... I need... you, Dahlia," Claire hoarsely confessed. Each word trembled and held a note of desperation. "Don't shut us out." She wiped the fresh tears off K-Mart's cheek. "Please," she whispered.
K-Mart released the round charm and grasped Claire's upper arm. After a second, she turned in Claire's arms and now tangled herself around Claire's larger frame. Those few words reached deep into K-Mart's heart and chased off the anger she'd felt all day. There hadn't been any moment in her relationship with Claire that such a confession was made. K-Mart imagined Claire could handle life on her own despite all the indicators made by Claire that K-Mart was important. But to hear Claire say it gave K-Mart a strength that hadn't been there.
"This... this isn't going to work... without you," Claire murmured. She continued running her fingers through K-Mart's blond strands. The silky feel was comforting to Claire as much as the motions were to K-Mart. "You were right earlier... we have to take this happiness, however we can get it."
K-Mart tucked her head under Claire's chin just a bit more. She'd gained control over her emotions. Claire's unexpected voice made her control the ugly emotions. Whatever Claire had to say couldn't be missed in K-Mart's opinion.
"And right now... Alice and I... we really need you, K." Claire again brushed off a few last stray tears. "I know how hard..." She hesitated again but made herself say it. "How hard this morning was on you. I'm sorry it happened." Claire clenched her jaw against lasting images of Mikey's death. "But I will not choose another's life over yours."
K-Mart tightened her grip over Claire's shoulder in silent response. She knew Claire's need was true but seeing Claire act upon it shook K-Mart's world. To be held that important in somebody's eyes was both beautiful and scary. After a long minute, K-Mart loosened her grip on Claire's shoulder.
"I know," K-Mart murmured, her throat raw from the crying. She let some of the tension recede from her body. "I understand," she softly added.
Claire shut her eyes in relief and let out a low exhale. Her hand slipped under K-Mart's shirt, and she massaged the stress point at the base of K-Mart's spine. "Alice won't pick another's life over yours."
K-Mart bit her lower lip for a moment, not sure what to say. Everything was true and honest about her relationships with the two older women.
Claire ran her fingers one last time through K-Mart's hair before resting her arm across the younger woman's lithe form. "You're our... source, K-Mart... our light."
And that truth alone scared K-Mart a great deal. She feverishly wondered what Claire and Alice would do if one day K-Mart died. That day would happen at some point, but she just didn't know when. K-Mart prayed that when that day came upon them that somehow Claire and Alice could continue life together, not apart. Placing that thought to the back of her mind, K-Mart allowed herself to totally relax in Claire's strong arms.
Claire also relaxed and the last of the tension receded from her body. She was amazed by how her small conversation seemed to help K-Mart. Already certain pieces were fitting together again between her and K-Mart. The harsh separation that'd been between them all day was disappearing and gave Claire a much clearer mind now.
K-Mart squeezed her friend tighter and murmured, "Thank you."
Claire gave a faint nod and kissed K-Mart's brow. She hadn't planned on this tonight, but it was needed for them. She could sense K-Mart's exhaustion like her own so she rolled onto her back. She drew K-Mart with her and became comfortable with the teen overtop of her.
K-Mart rested her head against Claire's chest and enjoyed being close to Claire for one night. Yet still she was fractured by not having Alice here too. When had that happened? K-Mart wasn't sure and only understood that Alice was becoming just as important as Claire. Somehow Alice's unwavering presence still surrounded her and Claire. Alice's faithful duty to protect them from undead would make it easier to sleep.
Exhaustion claimed Claire shortly after K-Mart fell asleep. For a rare chance, Claire slept rather peacefully than most nights. Dawn's sunlight stirred her once it peeked through the two windows on the east side of the bedroom. Claire blinked the sleep from her eyes then studied K-Mart snuggled up against her. Neither of them had shifted through the night and that caused a grin.
K-Mart woke up thanks to Claire's slight movements. "Seriously... it's too early."
Claire softly chuckled and was glad to hear some humor for once. "Go back to sleep." She gently untangled from the teen and slipped out of bed with the Berettas in hand.
K-Mart rolled over to a cool spot and stared out the windows. A crinkle came over her features and made her look younger. She sat up just before Claire went into the bathroom.
Claire paused in the doorway and looked over her shoulder at K-Mart. "Get some more rest."
K-Mart shook her head and scrubbed her face with her hand. "I'm getting up."
Claire decided not to argue further and slipped into the bathroom.
K-Mart slid out of bed after a minute. She prepared for the day and put on some clean clothes. She made a mental note to suggest to Claire that they stay beside a creek or smaller river tonight. Maybe then they could all get bathes before showing up at Reston. Better to be a clean bunch rather than a traveling flea circus. From the bathroom, she made out sounds of Claire washing up so K-Mart waited by stripping the sheets off the bed.
After K-Mart put the sheets and blanket into the bags, there was a soft knock at the door. K-Mart went over and unlocked it. She confirmed her suspicions when she saw Alice's familiar features.
"Good morning," Alice offered. She entered the room and closed the door behind. She smelled the different air around K-Mart. Something positive had happened last night between K-Mart and Claire. That made Alice feel good and gave her hope back. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah.. actually," K-Mart answered.
"Where's Claire?"
K-Mart was toying with hair, kind of self conscious. She answered by simply nodding at the closed bathroom door.
Alice stared at the door then looked at K-Mart again. A smile tugged at her lips because K-Mart did seem more like herself.
K-Mart wandered over to the two bags that had the sheets and blankets. She tossed them onto the bed but hesitated and studied Alice for a second. Something softened in K-Mart after she recalled Claire's words last night about Alice. No doubt that Alice had been concerned about K-Mart's wellbeing after what happened to Mikey. That alone caused K-Mart to come over to Alice, and she suddenly hugged Alice.
Jarred by the unexpected hug, Alice stood stiff for a beat then brought her arms around K-Mart. She lowered her head and murmured, "What's this about?"
K-Mart squeezed a little tighter and replied, "Thank you."
Alice released a sigh and understood what her lover meant by the two words. She sadly smiled and didn't let go until K-Mart pulled away first.
K-Mart tangled her fingers in short, blond locks and drew Alice down for a tender kiss. She further conveyed her gratitude through the slow dance of their tongues. Her hands clutched Alice's hips under the black jacket. She didn't hear Claire coming out of the bathroom, unlike Alice.
But Claire's arrival didn't deter Alice either. She enjoyed the last moments of the meaningful kiss. Claire's curious stare though was easily felt.
Holding her breath, Claire continued watching the pair kiss in front of her. She hadn't expected to walk in on this, and it initially sparked a nasty anger leftover from days ago when she'd found out that K-Mart and Alice had sex. But that instantly died after Claire recognized the tenderness between the pair. Nor did she expect the affectionate smiles directed at her after the kiss ended.
Gathering herself, Claire approached them and tried acting normal about the unsteady moment. It was one of many pieces to their puzzle that they all had to work out, together. She hesitated but looked up at Alice, half wishing her hat was on already. "Mornin'."
Alice inclined her head slightly and also eased the tension by keeping her smile for Claire. "You slept well," she noted aloud.
"We both did." Claire glanced at K-Mart before looking back at Alice. "It was quiet last night." There hadn't been a single call on the radio about any problems.
Alice nodded twice and gave a half shrug. "Just some deer passing through."
"When do you think we'll make it to Reston?" K-Mart posed, her attention on the convoy leader.
Claire wanted to tug on her hat but instead fisted her right hand. "Probably tomorrow afternoon."
"Wow," K-Mart murmured. She couldn't believe this was real. But from Claire's uneasiness, she knew it would be hard on the convoy leader. That would have to wait until later because she and Alice would have to show Claire there was a future. "I do have one suggestion."
Claire folded her arms and arched her eyebrow at the teen. She waited for it.
K-Mart smiled at first but it became a grin as she spoke her idea. "We should make camp near a good creek for bathing."
Claire went wide eye and indicated herself and Alice. "We both showered yesterday." She knew she'd gotten the fuel and undead smell off after scrubbing vigorously for nearly half an hour.
Alice chuckled and shook her head then grinned at Claire. "I think K-Mart means herself."
"Funny," K-Mart grumbled. She had her hands on her hips now. "I just don't think we should roll into this facility like... we're some bandwagon that's been traveling the Oregon Trail for the past two years without ever taking a bath." She looked between the grinning pair. "I mean seriously we all should be presentable."
Alice gave a low laugh and argued, "They're not going to turn away the convoy because it stinks."
"I would," K-Mart quipped. She left the pair and opted to get the bags. "It's just a suggestion anyway." She rarely gave them to the convoy leader. She hefted one bag over her shoulders then carried the other one.
"It's a good one too," Claire seconded as the teen went around them to the door.
K-Mart hid her grin but looked at the two older women. "I'm going to breakfast." She left the room and planned to come back later to freshen up. She hated to brush her teeth before eating breakfast.
Claire watched her friend go and listened to the soft footfall. But her attention went to Alice. "Breakfast?" she offered.
Alice considered it and decided she could eat a small amount. "Sounds good."
Claire nodded and first collected her hat off the nightstand then scooped up the carbine, which went on her back. "Thanks for patrolling last night."
"Anytime," Alice softly responded. She followed the convoy leader out of the room then down to the stairs. "You talked to her last night," she mentioned.
Claire paused at the top of the steps then looked at Alice. "Yeah... I did." She saw the admiration in Alice's eyes. She shifted closer to Alice and whispered, "Thank you too... I couldn't have..."
Alice understood what Claire was trying to tell her. She sadly smiled and murmured, "I know."
Claire leaned in and tenderly kissed Alice. Her normally hidden emotions easily translated into a warm kiss. She pulled back and fixed her hat before going down the stairs.
Alice stood there, slightly dazed by K-Mart and Claire's appreciation this morning. Just perhaps everything could fit together between the three of them. Long ago, Alice would have scorned something like a tri-relationship but today that Alice was gone. Now all that mattered to a lone wolf, like Alice, was finding a pack that accepted her. But that acceptance also scared Alice a lot because the longer she stayed with K-Mart and Claire then the more they'd learn about her nature.
Struggling to keep the good mood, Alice fought down her worries and instead followed Claire for breakfast. She gently touched her stomach once she realized she had a craving for meat. Last night had been more of a vegetarian meal that hadn't done anything for Alice's edge. Maybe if she offered to hunt a deer for the convoy tonight then Otto would cook it. She filed that away for later when they were in the truck, and she could ask Claire.
At breakfast, the convoy members were eating pancakes and sharing excited conversation about the facility in Reston. Everybody was buzzing with talk about what the place would be like. Wild ideas were flying every which way around the campfires. Claire was rather quiet though because she was listening to the various topics.
Alice was seated between Claire and K-Mart. A slight smile played on her lips since she knew what Reston was all about after her last pop in visit. She had told some of it to K-Mart and Claire awhile ago, but much of it was left unsaid. It was a place that had to be seen, not told. Most likely K-Mart and Claire would think they'd stepped into Emerald City and the flying monkeys would stay beyond the walls.
"They're excited," K-Mart muttered. She'd been listening to the chatter too. The air around the convoy was rather charged by the upbeat voices. "It's really great."
Claire agreed with her friend. She finished off her last pancake then set the plate on the ground. "I hope we don't let them down."
Alice folded her arms and relaxed in the chair. She'd already had her two smaller pancakes, which seemed sweeter than normal thanks to the damn syrup. "Don't worry."
Claire sighed and tugged on her hat. She noted that K-Mart was finishing off her breakfast too. "K, can you pass the water when you're done?"
K-Mart shoved the last bite into her mouth, set the plate down, and picked up the metal container. She checked that the screw top was on tight then tossed it to Claire. "Where you think we'll stay for the night?" She covered her mouth with her left hand, still chewing the last morsel. Pancakes were one of her favorites and the syrup was a rare treat.
"I'm not sure yet." Claire crossed her legs after taking a drink of water. She settled the white bottle in her lap. "I need to talk to Johnny about it."
K-Mart nodded and considered Johnny's new role that'd once been Mikey's. Sure Johnny could handle it, but nobody was as good or quick as Mikey behind the computers. K-Mart calmed her thoughts before it encouraged her emotions. She decided it was best to keep moving so she didn't begin to miss Mikey's presence at breakfast. "I'm going to get our stuff out of the house."
Claire trailed her eyes over to K-Mart. "Alright. Thanks, K."
K-Mart got to her feet and took her plate. She then collected Alice's and Claire's too.
"I'm going to fuel up the truck," Alice mentioned to Claire.
The convoy leader nodded and handed over the keys. She then decided she needed to get moving too. She stood up after Alice and promised, "See you two later." The carbine was slung across her back as she left the circle.
K-Mart flashed Alice a smile before she departed for her chores.
Alice curiously eyed the teen and had detected the minor shift in K-Mart. She suspected it had to do with thoughts of Mikey. It would take time for K-Mart to fully let Mikey go and that was understandable. Alice strolled off and went to the pickup truck.
By midmorning, the convoy was loaded into the vehicles and lined up behind a bright yellow Ford F-350 pickup truck. Claire held the brake while she punched in today's destination that was about five hours north from their current location. The convoy didn't move quickly and would stay just south of Strasburg, Virginia. From there it would be another seventy or so miles to Reston. Claire planned to go over a map with Alice and pinpoint the facility's exact location.
Releasing the brake, the truck started rolling down the gravel driveway towards the paved road. The convoy kicked up a small plum of dust behind it. Once on Route 81, the convoy began eating up the distance between them and Reston, Virginia. In the Ford truck, Claire drove in normal fashion and kept scanning the horizon for trouble. K-Mart was comfortable in the passenger seat and trying to get back to normalcy, if possible. A history book was between her legs along with a notebook, pencil in left hand.
Alice was comfortable in the back and took the opportunity to rest after patrolling all night. Despite sleep wasn't as necessary to her, it was still needed for a few hours or so. Eventually she dozed off and didn't notice Claire's occasional glances in the rearview mirror.
K-Mart turned a page and gave a low sigh. She couldn't stand American history despite she pushed herself to study it. History in general had rarely been her interest in high school. Math just made sense to her. The only time any history intrigued her was in ancient history class when she was a kid. There was a lot of mythology that went along with it.
Claire noted her friend's studies and sadly smiled because K-Mart was attempting to continue life. Time would heal K-Mart once Mikey's death eased. Slowly her smile faded away after memories from Mikey taunted her.
"We're all... getting along better," K-Mart murmured. She had lowered the page and stared at it, not really reading anything. She didn't want to force Claire into talking about things if it wasn't a good time.
Claire flexed her grip on the wheel. She didn't look at K-Mart. But the courage to open up was hard at first. "So far," she softly replied. Nothing was negative in her response, but more realistic and unsure.
"It's improving," K-Mart insisted. She was gentle about it and briefly peered across at Claire, her brim slightly hiding her features, like Claire. "Alice is finding her place with us," she quietly added.
Claire's eyes flickered to the rearview mirror and admired Alice's peaceful features reflecting in it. Despite K-Mart's observation, Claire sensed that Alice may be holding something back. But she just couldn't quite figure it out, yet. Nor could Claire truly confront Alice because Claire had been holding back too. Eventually Alice's reservations would come to light then they could deal with it then. For now, Claire allowed Alice the space and privacy since it didn't threaten them.
K-Mart shifted and refocused on her studies. The earlier conversation fell to the wayside, but Claire's gentle responses told K-Mart enough. No longer was Claire starkly against a tri-relationship from what K-Mart could sense. Whatever had changed Claire's mind was a blessing. Later K-Mart would have to give it more consideration and make another attempt at a conversation with Claire. But right now the American history textbook was filling the void.
Most of the trip went by quickly, and the convoy took a break after three hours straight. The truck's slow roll into a rest stop alongside Route 81 made Alice wake up. Claire's high alert caused Alice to scoop up the kukris. It seemed as if she'd never been sleeping at all.
"Carlos, get a team of five ready," Claire ordered over the handheld.
"You got it, boss."
Claire hooked the handheld to her hip. She pulled into a parking space and tried ignoring a sense of déjà vu from last time. A firm hand on her shoulder made her hesitate and peer back at Alice.
"Let me go with Carlos," Alice insisted.
The convoy leader weighed the offer then gave a low nod. She turned her head away but didn't miss the gentle squeeze before Alice's hand was gone.
Hastily, Alice climbed out of the truck and joined the small forming group. She hooked the sheathed blades at her back but drew out one of them.
Claire curiously watched Carlos and Alice talking before they marched off with the others. She drummed her fingers a few times on the steering wheel, not patient at all.
K-Mart peered over at the leader and slightly grinned at the tension in the convoy leader. She shook her head and returned to her studies until Claire drummed her fingers again. "They've only been gone two minutes."
A soft grumble came from the convoy leader, and she shifted in the seat. "It doesn't take me this long."
K-Mart's head shot up instantly. "You take at least ten minutes to do a sweep." Her bright brown eyes were fixed on Claire.
Claire revealed a smirk then drummed her fingers for the umpteenth time. She shook her head and declared, "I'm going to check on them."
"You have a radio... call them," K-Mart suggested, a slight edge in her tone. But her idea was completely ignored as Claire started getting out of the truck. "You're kidding me."
Claire was standing on the truck's rail and fished out a Beretta Cougar from within her vest. "Just keep the truck running." She hopped off the truck, slammed the door, and checked the radio's squelch. Her wide gait carried her quickly across the walkway to the restrooms where she'd seen the team enter earlier. Whatever was making her antsy couldn't be ignored so Claire silently ducked through the broken glass of the visitor's center. Instantly the darkness closed in on her so she retrieved the small Maglite from its holster on her left hip. Some part of her wanted to holler for Alice, but she withheld from doing something that dumb.
Claire passed the round desk in the middle of the visitor's center. The Maglite's beam swept over the walls and revealed the deteriorating brochures that advertised different tourist traps around the Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia areas. But the men's and women's bathrooms were located at the rear. Starting with the men's room, Claire checked over it and found nothing but a rundown bathroom barely lit up by the sun from frosted windows. Moving to the women's room, Claire silently entered it after pushing the door open with her shoulder.
The first thing that hit her was a grotesque stench just before the dangling body came into full view. Suddenly flies swarmed around both the dead and living. A middle aged woman seemed to be floating in midair until the rope around her neck became visible between the flies. At her feet, a worn out notebook rested, open to a filled page.
"Fuck!" Claire hollered as she stumbled out of the bathroom. The door thankfully slammed shut and cut off the flies. But the MagLite slipped out of her hands, clanking loudly on the stone floor. The image of the corpse was burned into Claire's mind. The fright made her heart hammer wildly and nearly lost her footing against the stone floor. Suddenly Claire's back hit a warm body, and she sharply started spinning with her gun at the ready. Her reflexes were too slow, and arms snared across her chest and stomach. Claire gave a low cry.
"Sssssh," Alice softly ordered. "It's alright." She loosened her grip around Claire, who surprisingly slumped against her.
"Shit," Claire hissed, her arms dropping with the handgun. She freed her left hand from the gun's grip and touched her sweaty brow under the brim. Touching her own chest, her heart pounded hard against her palm.
Alice moved her arm down and encircled Claire's waist. She curiously studied the closed bathroom door that she and the team had investigated earlier. What was inside wasn't news to Alice.
Claire closed her eyes after resting the back of her head against Alice's shoulder. She took a deep breath that helped calm her heart. "I've seen a few suicides before but..." Her eyes were drawn to the MagLite on the floor that was shining towards the bathroom. "Not one that hung them self."
Alice puckered her lips and considered whether or not to tell the convoy leader. She slightly narrowed her eyes and argued, "It wasn't suicide."
Claire opened her eyes then lifted her head up. She looked sidelong at Alice, who was hard to see in the darkness.
"Somebody hung her," Alice whispered. There wasn't any way that the dead woman could have gotten the rope so high then dropped herself. The bathroom didn't have a stool, chair, or any other means for the woman to climb up then step off to die.
Claire shook her head slightly after she stared coldly at the door. "I saw a book... or journal on the floor."
Alice softly hummed then pulled away from the convoy leader. "I'll get it. Wait here." But first she retrieved Claire's flashlight and gave it to her. Once inside the bathroom, Alice hastily scooped up the journal and dove out of the bathroom before the flies decided to snack on her too. "Damn things," she muttered and swatted a few off.
Claire blew out a breath after she caught another waft of the dead smell. She didn't doubt the scent would linger under her nose for the rest of the day. She received the closed journal from Alice, which she planned to look at later.
"Come on," Alice suggested. She guided the convoy leader out of the visitor center. "Everything else was clear."
"Good." Claire was relieved to be outside. She put the MagLite in its holster after twisting the top to cut off the light. But the Beretta Cougar still remained in her right hand. "A twenty minute break should do it."
Alice gave a low nod. She marched alongside Claire towards the Ford truck where K-Mart was waiting in the driver's seat.
Claire briefly held up the journal, which was simply a black and white composition notebook. She considered what contents it held and after lowering it, she decided to let K-Mart investigate it. If it was one thing K-Mart could do, it was put a puzzle together and explain it. With that decided, she glanced at Alice and silently passed communication. Claire received a low nod from Alice so Claire separated and carried on her duties as convoy leader. The dead woman's notebook remained in Claire's hand until K-Mart could dissect it later.