Charged~ Electric Book One
Chapter Eight~ Knowledge

Once we cross the lineinto what was formerly infected territory, just a few hours ago, my anxiety isthrough the roof. We talk about stopping, but ultimately decide against it.Mason and Jared drive in shifts. We cover as much ground as we can as quicklyas possible.

Thanks to our previousscary stop, we have not only a full tank of gas, but a full gas can, too. Evenwith the windows down the smell is kind of giving me a headache. It’s nice toknow we don’t have to stop for a while though, especially after last time…

After a few hours, Imake Mason stop. We’re on top of a large hill and I figure it’s time to sendout another energy sphere. I aim southwest, and let one fly, even though Idon’t see any evidence of the infection. I want to play it safe.

Since we’ve stuck tothe back roads, we haven’t run into anyone else. This is more than fine by me.Brie and Jared go back and forth in a debate over what is happening to thosewho were infected once I zap them. Brie thinks that they’re cured. Jared arguesinstead that they fall back. I try not to think about it.

I wish there was someway that we could communicate with Jack, Mariette and Becky, but all of ourcell phones are still not working. If we ever replace a land line, we can givethem a call. So far, we haven’t come across any. It sure would help to knowwhere the infected area begins now, though.

We have another issuecoming up though. We’ll have to cross the Hudson River to continue on our way.This means a bridge, and even worse, main roads—unless some sort of miraclehappens.

As we make our way tothe eastern banks of the Hudson, I study the map and try to replace the safestpossible way across. It’s not looking very good. I direct Mason towards the RipVan Winkle Bridge. It seems the most obscured. Unfortunately though, there arestill some major roadways to contend with. We travel north along the back roadsof the river until Mason suddenly turns, veering off course.

“Where are you going?”I ask, confused.

“Look,” he points.

I see a marina comeinto view. A beautiful marina filled with boats of all varieties. And I see onethat might just get us across the river. Mason sees it too and pulls up rightnext to it.

In the mayhem of theinfection spreading, some wonderful person left a barge and tugboat docked atthe small marina. We all get out of the car to assess the situation.

“Huh.” Brie says. I’mwith her.

“The barge would beextremely useful. Not only could we get across, we could even take it downriver partway, save some miles.” Jared comments.

“Yeah, have to get offwell before the big cities though.” Mason agrees.

I eye the small docksuspiciously. “Um, guys? Not to be the pessimist here, but I don’t think thatdock is going to support the Jeep.”

Mason and Jared look ateach other, and I have a feeling they will replace a way.

Fifteen minutes laterwe clear the barge and tugboat. Brie and I watch from the edge of the bargewith Baby bear. Mason and Jared use some steel beams they found to get the Jeepfrom the dock to the barge. I insist all of our supplies board with Brie and mejust in case. It’d be bad enough to lose the Jeep, but all of our food, too?That’d be catastrophic.

I almost squeeze myeyes shut as Mason closes the last few feet and the Jeep boards the barge.Jared lets out a whoop. Brie and I rush to help him and the beams onto our newmode of transportation.

I have to admit thereare worse ways to travel. I’m officially sold on river travel. The barge movesslowly, and as we pass by some more urban areas, I’ll admit that I get nervous.I throw an energy ball into the river just to be safe, and watch from the frontof the barge as we pass by one abandoned waterfront after another.

Almost too soon, Masonand Jared call from the tugboat. It’s a shame we can’t risk taking the riverdown further. I pass Baby bear to Brie, and begin helping the guys lug thesteel beams.

“Ready to switch,Mason?” Jared asks.

“Sounds good. I’m tiredanyway.” He climbs into the back with me.

I feel rather than seehim looking at me as we drive off again. Staring out at the window, I try tolose myself in the scenery but it’s not really working.

Mason squeezes my handgently. “How are you doing?” He asks.

My attention turns tohim. His concern causes a brow to furrow and frown to mar his handsome face.“I’m feeling better.” I tell him, trying to comfort him.

“I know that you’re feeling better,” he whispers, “and Ialso know that you’re stressing out over what happened back there.”

I stare at my hands.“Yeah, I am.” There’s no use in lying to him. Apparently I’m not as good athiding my emotions as I thought.

“You had no otherchoice, Kat.” He turns my face to his, so I have no choice but to look him inthe eye. “You know that, right?”

“Most of me does.” Itell him.

He pulls me into him,wrapping his arms around me. It helps as we continue driving and night startsto fall.

I’m not sure when I fellasleep. The sky is brightening, and when I look behind me I see the soft lightof dawn over the horizon. Mason and Brie are both still sleeping. Brie’s softlysnoring and (I notice) covered with Jared’s jacket. I shift in my seat, adjustBaby bear in my lap, and try to get some blood flowing in my sleeping rightleg.

I catch Jared’s eyes inthe rearview mirror when I’m settled. “Any idea where we are?” I ask himquietly.

He shakes his head. “Iwas going to stop soon. I don’t want to go too far in the wrong direction.”

I see a hill in thedistance. “Stop up there,” I tell him, “At the top.”

Jared pulls over. I digout the map, handing it to him along with the compass. I tell him I’ll be rightback. I take advantage of a well-placed bush before going to the top of thehill to look around. All to the north and west of us seems clear, but I’m ableto make out the metallic fog towards the south. I go back to the Jeep to warnthe other’s before I throw another sphere. No need to scare them by waking themup with the aftershock.

I clear my throat whenI reach the Jeep. Brie is awake; she and Jared interlocked from mouth to thigh.They jump apart—Brie blushing and Jared grinning idiotically. I smile, feelinghappy for Brie and hoping I didn’t interrupt their first kiss. “Sorry.” I tellthem.

“Not your fault,” Briesays. She glances at me and I wink at her. I don’t miss the huge smile shethrows my way before she composes herself.

I wake up Mason. Hebounces right up. He’s a morning person, even after sleeping in a Jeep. We letBaby bear out to do his business. I wait for everyone to get back into the Jeepbefore climbing back to the top of the hill. I turn to the freaky metallic fogand focus my energy. I try not to use quite as much as yesterday, just in case.Now that I know I can run out of energy, I need to be careful.

Since I’m getting usedto the aftershock, I brace myself for it and manage to remain on my feet. Icrouch down and watch the effect the energy explosion has on the metallic fog.I see the edges of the fog left after the explosion retreat, waver and thendisappear altogether. I’m not sure if this supports Brie’s theory, Jared’s, orneither.

Regardless, the fog isbarely visible now, so it’s safe for us to continue on. Mason notices mytiredness when climbing into the front seat next to him. Brie suggests we stopwhen we replace some place with electricity. I don’t argue with her.

I make a big effort toimprove my mood, or at least my outer appearance. Both Brie and Mason’s concernseems to be growing by the minute. If they’re worrying about me, then they’renot paying as much attention to covering their asses as they should be.

We stop for lunch whenwe cross the border into Pennsylvania. I figure we’re about halfway to Columbusnow. It’s hard to be certain though. Just because the first half of the tripwas mostly uneventful, doesn’t mean we will bode as well for the rest of thetrip. All things considered, we’ve been lucky so far. It makes me wonder whenour luck is going to run out.

Baby bear eats most ofmy lunch. I’m not really hungry, and after forfeiting my sandwich I nibble on ablueberry muffin Mariette packed. Bless that woman and her kitchen.

“We’re going to have tomake another gas-stop soon or abandon the Jeep.” Jared breaks the bad news.

We all look at eachother. We all remember too well the last time we stopped for gas. As I look ateach of them, I realize that they are all looking at me. Oh. “I don’t know.What do you guys think?” I don’t want this to be my decision.

“We’re making great timewith the Jeep. It’d be a shame to lose it.” Mason points out.

“But is it worth therisk?” Brie asks quietly.

“I don’t know.” Imurmur. They’re all still looking at me. “I guess we can try, but the firstsign of trouble and we’re out of there.” They nod. “And this time, we do it myway.” I can’t help but add.

Mason shoots me a look,but I hold firm. I get the overprotective boyfriend bit. Really, I do. However,if I’m the one who has to bear the brunt of my actions, I’d feel better if it’smy decisions that get us there. He must see something in my expression, becausehe doesn’t push it any further…for now, anyway.

I pull out the map andtry to figure out not only where we are, but also the safest possible town tostop in. “We need to replace a place that’s not too big.” I say.

“What about thisplace?” Mason points to the map. “I don’t think that we’re too far from it.”

“It can’t be too big,”Brie pipes in. “It’s hardly a dot on the map.”

Jared shrugs, “Looksgood to me.”

Just like that aunanimous decision is made. The fact that the decision was not left solely upto me gives me great relief. It doesn’t take very long for the anxiety to kickin though. By the time we reach the last crest in the dirt road before thetown, my heart is pounding in my chest. “Pull over up here, Jared.” Even myvoice betrays me, wavering as I speak.

Jared pulls over and weall get out. “Hey,” Mason pulls me aside. “We’ll do this your way. Forget aboutbefore. Tell us what to do.”

What I’d really like totell him is to stay here (where it’s safe) with Brie, Jared and Baby bear,where it’s and let me go check out the town to see if it’s there’s any trouble.I doubt Mason would agree to this. In fact, I’m pretty sure it would be asurefire way to piss him off. I pull him around the back of the Jeep, towardsBrie and Jared. Baby bear stretches in the backseat before rolling over, notconcerned with our stopping.

I look at all of them,already eyeing me expectantly. “Brie, Jared, you guys to stay here. We’re goingto leave you the gun and everything but the gas can to look after. Mason and Iwill go ahead and check things out.”

Nobody complains orvoices any objections to my plan.

“Jared, see if youcan’t get the Jeep a little more out of sight.” He nods. I grab two bottles ofwater out of the back of the Jeep and toss one to Mason. From the look of thesky, it’s still early in the afternoon, and we should be able to get backbefore dark. “You ready?” I look at Mason.

“Let’s hit it.” Hereplies.

I figure that it’smaybe an hour long hike to the town from where we left the Jeep, but I’d ratherbe safe than sorry. I double check the map and compass frequently and lead usthrough the dense forest towards the edge of the town. As we finally see abreak in the trees, I motion to Mason to be quiet and stay down. I see himreadjust the tire iron he brought in his hands.

I peer from between thetrees. It’s a typical one road small town with all of the businesses lining themain drag. We have a good vantage point, but there’s no one on the street below.“It looks clear.” I whisper to Mason. “Stay close, and try not to make anynoise.”

He nods. We make a goodteam. Mason stays right behind me, matching each of my neurotic moves. We makeour way to the gas station without incident, but part of me still waits forsomeone to jump out with guns blazing.

“Where the hell iseverybody?” Mason asks, when it’s very clear that we’re all alone.

“I’m not sure.” I tellhim. This bothers me. Now that I really think about it, we haven’t come acrossanyone from an infected area. I thought maybe we’ve been lucky, sticking toback roads, but now I’m beginning to think it must be something more. “Let’sfill the can and get back to the Jeep. We can drive here to fill up. I’d liketo be well past here when night falls.” This whole ghost town thing is gettingcreepier by the minute.

We move quickly. I cantell Mason is freaked out too—his eyes constantly looking around us for signsof trouble. By the time we reach the Jeep, the lack of survivors arounddisturbs me. What good is my ability to push back the infection if there’s noone left to save?

By the time darknessfalls, we’ve left the ghost town far behind. I wish I could say the same aboutmy concerns. To make matters worse, I’m starting to feel kind of drained. Thisis something I’m trying very hard to keep to myself. Every time I start to feela little better it’s time to throw another energy sphere. Not that I reallyhave a perfect formula for it. I prefer throw too many than too few, my ownpersonal welfare be damned.

I’d rather not endangereveryone by admitting I need to stop again. I really don’t want to worry Masonbecause he insisted recharging at the gas station. I’m sure he’ll notice howquickly that charge has run out. Add in traveling for the past however manyhours and lack of a decent night’s sleep for a couple days, I’m practicallydead on my feet.

Mason is driving. Inthe backseat, Brie, Jared and Baby bear curl up and snore softly. We can’t getany stations to come through over the radio, but the Jeep came fully equippedwith a 6 disc changer. I have to admit it’s an eclectic mix, though I settle onMumford and Sons to quietly play as we drive through the night.

Eventually the musiclulls me to sleep that I desperately need. This sleep provides no rest, though.Instead, there are dreams from my subconscious that I refuse to process whileI’m awake. Swirling images of fallen men and empty towns fill my mind until Iescape out by someone shaking my shoulder.

“Kat, Kat, wake up.”Mason whispers. I open my eyes and realize I have tears streaming down my face.“You’re having a nightmare.”

I wipe at my face andfeel my cheeks redden. I’m happy it’s hard to see with just the dim lights onthe dashboard. “Sorry.” I mutter sheepishly.

Mason glances at mequickly before returning his attention to the road. “There’s nothing to besorry about, Kat.” He says softly, soothingly. “You don’t always have to betough, you know, especially with me. That’s kind of my job.”

I soften. Maybe it’sbecause of sleep deprivation I can’t help but answer truthfully. “If I stopbeing tough Mason, I think I may just fall apart.”

He reaches over andsqueezes my hand. “Well, I’ll be here to put you back together if you do.” Hesays this with so much ferocity that I have no choice but to believe him, and Ido.

I smile my first realsmile in days, and Mason rewards me with one too. Was it really just such ashort time ago that this was normal? Sure, our horrific adventure has broughtus closer, but what I wouldn’t give for a carefree afternoon where the two ofus had nothing better to do than sit around and laugh. Maybe one day we’ll beable to do that again. This thought gives me a tiny iota of hope as I driftback off to sleep.

The sound of hushedwhispers from Mason, Brie and Jared wake me up. I stretch, and it takes me amoment to hear the anxiety in their tone. Mason pulls the Jeep over and tucksmost of it out of sight into the brush.

“What’s going on?” Iask, confused.

“People,” Mason answerssoftly. “The first people we’ve seen, since…”

“Oh,” I frown, seeingthe dilemma. “What do you guys want to do?”

I see Brie’s eyeswiden. Jared notices, too. “We can stay here.” He tells her reassuringly.

I nod. “That okay withyou?” I ask Mason.

“Yeah,” Mason agrees.“Should we bring the gun this time?”

“No, leave it here. Idon’t want to make it seem like we’re looking for trouble.”

Mason hands the gun toJared, who climbs into the front seat with Brie as soon as we get out. Briesqueezes my hand before I walk away. “Be careful.” She whispers.

“Always,” I promiseher.

“So, I take it we’renot going stealth this time?” Mason asks as we walk.

“I don’t know. I wantto see what’s going on, but I don’t want to freak anybody out, you know, ifthings are normal here.”

“Let’s just walk up. Ifwe have to get out of there, well, we’ll figure it out then.”

I nod, but I know whathe means. If they are all nuts, then I have to zap them. I’m not crazy aboutthis option, although I suppose it’s better than any alternatives. Is it toomuch to hope that maybe these could be nice, normal people?

Mason and I walk handin hand down the dirt lane. We round the corner and I finally see them. For allintents and purposes, they appear to be perfectly normal. It looks like afamily, an older couple and their teenage daughter. Their backs are to us, sothey don’t notice us yet. I look at Mason and shrug.

“Hello?” I call out tothem. They go from normal to aggressive in about one second. When they turn wenotice the father aiming a shotgun at us.

Mason and I raise ourhands automatically. “We don’t mean any trouble. We’re just passing through.”

The father steps infront of his wife and daughter. “We haven’t seen any people come from that wayin days. How do I know you’re not infected?”

“Well sir, as Iunderstand it, I’d have a nasty rash and high fever—neither of us do.”

Mason seems to havethis situation under control, so I keep my mouth shut. I focus on the wife anddaughter.

“You could be looters.”I can hear in the father’s voice that he’s running out of accusations.

“We’re just trying toget to Columbus. We’ve been running ahead of the infection for days now.”

The man grunts. “What’sin Columbus?”

“We have to meet ascientist there and give him information and samples so we can try to stopthis.” I explain, glad to join in the conversation.

Finally, the man lowershis gun. We take a few cautious steps closer. I still have my eye on the motherand daughter. The closer we get, the more I realize that the daughter doesn’tlook very well.

“Is she alright?” Iask, trying to keep the fear from my voice.

“She’s fine.” The momsnaps, “Just fine.”

“Don’t mind her, shegets defensive easily.” The father says. “I’m John; this is Lisa and ourdaughter, Rachel.”

“I’m Mason, and this isKat.” I see him look at me, and I know his silent question. I shake my headminutely. I don’t want to bring Brie or Jared into this yet.

“You might as well comealong, I suppose. Our house is just around the next bend.” John says.

“Thanks,” Mason takesmy hand again, and we follow them down the lane.

We are almost to theirfront door when Rachel’s hair shifts from her neck to over her shoulder. Iremain silent as fear freezes my blood. Her neck is covered in a rash. She’s inthe first stages of infection.

I nudge Mason with myelbow. One look at his face tells me he’s seen it too. We go inside, and Lisaimmediately takes Rachel upstairs. John motions for us to follow him into thekitchen.

“So like I said, you’rethe first people we’ve seen come from the east. Hell, up until yesterday Ithought we were going to have to evacuate ourselves. Then the fog startedpushing back just before it reached us. It was amazing to watch.” John settlesin a chair.

I can’t help but noticethat they have power at their house. It probably wouldn’t hurt to rechargewhile I have the chance. I ask to use the bathroom in hopes that there’s anoutlet I can use. John directs me down the hall.

It doesn’t take me longbefore I return to the kitchen. Lisa is back now, too. She’s visibly upset. Ican’t imagine what she must be feeling. If only I could be sure of not hurtingRachel, I’d offer to try to help. But it’s also not exactly something I cancome right out with. ‘Oh, hey, I happen to be able to zap the nanobots out ofthings. I can’t control it very well yet, but I could try to zap your daughterand hopefully not kill her.’ Um, no.

I notice Lisa go downthe hallway, and I follow her. Very softly, I ask, “Is there anything I can doto help you?”

She seems toimmediately understand the double meaning to my question. Her eyes tear up andshe looks at the floor. “I doubt it, but thank you.”

I nod. Again, my mindtoys with the idea. Do I dare? Whatchoice could possibly be the right one? The more rational part of my brainscreams at me to take Mason and run before we can get infected. I take myinternal debate back into the kitchen with me.

“We have a couple morepeople with us and a Jeep. You’ll hear us drive by shortly after we leave.”Mason explains, “I don’t want you to get freaked out when you hear it.”

“Thanks for thewarning.” John smiles, “I’d feel bad if I shot you for no reason. Listen, itseems kind of important that you get where you’re going. I have a can of gasout in the garage if it will help your cause.”

“It certainly would,thank you.” Mason answers. I’m still arguing with myself.

“How long do you thinkit will take, if they replace a cure I mean?” My gaze flies to John’s face as heasks.

“We don’t know.” Masonsays glumly.

I just can’t stand itanymore. “If there was…something we could do, something that might work, would you want to try it,even if it could be potentially dangerous?” I keep my voice low.

I know that Mason’sstaring at me. Maybe it’s not the smartest idea I’ve had. Perhaps it’s theguilt I feel for killing those men. If I do nothing for Rachel, that would makeme a monster, too.

John’s gaze locks onmine. “If there was something we could do, I suppose I’d want to try it. It hasto be better than the alternative.”

We are all silent for amoment while considering this. It’s Lisa (who none of us noticed come back intothe room) that breaks the silence. “If you can help her, please do it. We’veseen what happens, on TV.” Unable to continue her thoughts, her voice breaks.

Finally, I look atMason and see the understanding in his eyes. “I can’t make any guarantees.” Itell the couple.

“We understand.” Johnsays and stands. He leads us upstairs to Rachel’s room. I turn in the hallbefore her doorway.

“I think I should dothis alone.” I tell Mason. I don’t know if it will work, and I don’t want himthat close to the infection.

He moves back to thetop of the stairs and sits down. “I’ll be right here.” I can read the anxietyon his face.

John opens the door andstands back next to Lisa in the hall. I enter the room slowly. Rachel is on herbed, and she appears to be sleeping. As I get closer, I can see her sweatdrenched hair and the redness of her skin. The fever must be getting worse.

I sit next to her bedon a chair and try to focus. My plan is to start with the lowest shock possibleand slowly work my way up. What makes me nervous is overshooting my stoppingpoint. I’ve already seen the results of that.

I take a shaky breathand touch my palm to her arm. She jumps slightly but I see no further reaction.I sigh and turn it up a notch when I do it again. By my fifth time, Rachel’sentire body convulses, and she shoots into a sitting position. “What the hell?”She screams at me.

A relieved grin burstsacross my face. I feel moisture on my cheeks—I can’t believe it worked! Herskin is already returning to its normal color, and the rash on her neck isdisappearing before my eyes.

Lisa, John and Masoncrowd the door. It takes Lisa no more than a second to reach Rachel’s side.

“Oh, thank heavens!”Lisa cries. She turns to me. “How can I ever thank you enough?”

“No need,” I tell her.“No need at all.”

Mason looks at me:first in awe, then with concern. Weak by the recently expelled energy, my legsgive out when I try to stand. I catch myself on the back of the chair. Masonpulls me out of the room and back downstairs, John following shortly after us.

“Is there something Ican get you?” John asks me.

I look at Mason. “Ithink she just needs a few minutes to collect herself.” He answers for me andthen looks at me. “Do you think you need the bathroom again? You know, whileyou have the chance?”

I nod. I’m too tiredfor talking. Mason gives up on supporting me while I try to walk and carries meinto the bathroom. He sits me gently on the floor and goes back to shut thedoor. After he locks it, he scoops me back up again and leans me against thesink.

“You better get back.”I warn him.

It only takes him asecond to comply. When he’s safely by the door I reach my hand to the outlet,and recharge for the second time in less than a half hour. I try not to thinkof the possible ramifications of this. I keep going until I feel the energycourse through me. Maybe if I charge more, I’ll need less? I have no idea.

We manage to make itout of there with few questions. They’re so grateful; I think they’re notasking how I did it out of sheer gratitude. John insists we take all the sparegas he has while Lisa insists we take some food and water. We hike back to theJeep and continue on our way. Jared drives, and I hug Baby bear close whilesitting in the back seat with Mason.

We eat the food Lisagave us as we drive. I give half of my sandwich to Baby bear and fill up hissmall bowl with water. He’s really been an incredibly easy travel companion.How long I’ll be able to keep him around is uncertain, but it’ll be at leastuntil he can handle being on his own.

“How close are we, doyou think?” Brie asks, breaking me out of my Baby bear thoughts.

I toss the map toMason. He unfolds it and looks at us. “Maybe one more day?” He tells us.

“At least we have thegas now.” Jared says.

“Yeah, I was worriedwhen you guys took so long.” Brie told us.

We explain what holdsus up. Brie beams with excitement, and Jared still regards me with an awe Idon’t feel I deserve.

Ignoring theirreactions is much easier than it normally would be. Too many questions bouncearound in my mind. How was Rachel so obviously infected while the infectionwasn’t here? Does that mean I’m not really driving it back like originallypredicted? And if it’s so dang contagious, then why weren’t all instantlyinfected?

What the hell is goingon?

All I can hope is thatDr. Ford has some answers for me and for us. I don’t know if these questionsare on anybody else’s minds, but I’m sure not going to bring them up fordiscussion.

Thanks to the new mapthat Mason acquires from John, we have an update of the local terrain and backroads. We’ll be crossing the border into Ohio any time now. If we keep going atthis rate, we might reach Columbus by tomorrow morning.