Charged~ Electric Book One
Chapter Six~ Drive

The jeep (with its fulltank of gas) is a tight squeeze, but not altogether uncomfortable and adefinite improvement from walking. Brie, Becky and I sit in the back, with Nateon Becky’s lap and Baby bear on mine. Mason is driving. It seemed only fair tolet Jared ride shotgun since his legs are much longer than any of us girls.

The ride is a bumpystart, but eventually Mason manages to replace what appears to be an overgrowndirt road. It doesn’t seem to have been used in some time. It’s heading west,so we take advantage of it as long as possible.

As the sun begins toset in the sky, I can see a shadow looming ahead. Mason also sees it and beginsto slow down. The jeep idles approximately a football field away from the barn.

“Should we check itout?” Mason asks.

“It might be a goodplace to spend the night.” Jared murmurs.

I nod my agreement andturn to Brie and Becky, passing Baby bear into Brie’s lap. “You guys waithere.”

Mason looks as thoughhe wants to argue with me, but he doesn’t. We both know that if somethingdangerous is in there that I’m our best line of defense. We get out andapproach the barn. Mason and Jared both insist on going first. Shaking my headsoftly, I roll my eyes and follow them.

We replace the barnblessedly empty. As I look around I realize it’s kind of perfect for us. Thelarge doors are big enough to drive the jeep into, and the dirt floor couldhold a small fire. My eyes venture to the ladder in the corner. I make my wayover to it, stepping on the bottom rung, testing my weight on it.

“Maybe I should dothat?” Mason says, trying to hide his concern.

“I want to see if it’ssafe up there. I weigh less than both of you, so if it’s unstable it will besafer for me then you. Plus, if I fall, you can catch me.” I give him my bestsmile before I start up the ladder.

My head finally clearsthe hole in the ceiling and there’s a very large loft, complete with someleftover hay. I pull myself up and plant a tentative foot on the floor. Islowly yet carefully walk the length of the loft. The floor creaks a bit, butit feels solid. The open end even has a half of a wall built, so Becky willonly have to keep a close eye on Nate if he gets close to the ladder.

“C’mon up!” I yell toMason and Jared. I suspect Mason was already halfway up the ladder, becausehe’s next to me seconds later.

After Mason and Jareddeem the loft safe for habitation, we get the others. Mason pulls the Jeep in,shutting the engine quickly so we don’t fill the barn with exhaust fumes. We’reall excited about our replace after sleeping outside last night.

Brie puts Baby beardown and heads straight for the ladder. She lets out a small whoop when shereaches the top. “I’m going to make us some beds with this hay!” She callsdown.

Becky puts Nate downand stretches. “This is great.” She says.

Mason and Jared unloadsome of our supplies from the Jeep. I replace a flashlight and explore the darkroom we found in the back of the barn. To my delight, I replace a lantern and someold blankets. I drag them out while the guys bring in wood to start a fire.Jared stacks it in a pile while Mason uses an old shovel hanging on the wall todig out a pit.

With the use of somelarge stones, we have a decent fire going in the makeshift pit. Brie and I lugthe blankets up the ladder. She has separated the hay into four differentpiles: two of them a little larger than the others. We lay the blankets overthem and test them out. A little itchy, but much better than anything we couldhave hoped for.

After we eat, Beckyexcuses herself and Nate. Mason helps safely climb up the ladder, and the restof us quiet down a bit so Nate can go to sleep.

Baby bear is curled upin my lap. He drank almost half of my water and ate the scraps of our dinner.He seems content.

The four of us waituntil the fire is almost out. I use the last few embers to light the lanternand hand it to Jared. It’s an interesting climb up the ladder, with Mason andme passing Baby bear back and forth. Finally we all reach the top, and I feelsafer than I have in the past 48 hours.

Jared replaces a piece ofplywood and quietly drags it over the hole with the ladder, cutting us off fromthe world below. Mason drags me to one of the larger hay beds, and I curl upbetween him and Baby bear, replaceing myself much more tired than I realized and quickly drifting off to sleep.

It’s the rattling ofthe large barn doors that wakes me. We had secured them from the inside beforegoing to sleep. As I sit up, Mason awakens, too. His eyes grow wide. I wigglearound a still sleeping Baby bear and go over to Brie, shaking her awake quietly.Mason wakes Jared up similarly and Brie follows suit with Becky, leaving Nateblissfully sleeping and silent.

Jared and Brie beginmoving towards the ladder. I shake my head violently at them. I point fromBrie, to Baby bear and Becky, and then do the same to Jared. I look at Masonfor confirmation and replace it. We’ll do this together—no need to risk the safetyof the others.

Jared and Mason quietlyremove the plywood from the ladder opening. I silently indicate for Jared toput it back when we go. Mason gives Jared the keys to the Jeep. Jared’s eyeswiden, his head shaking minutely. They do one of those weird guy handshakesbefore Mason follows me down the ladder.

Though it’s morning andthe sun is shining, the barn remains shrouded in darkness. Cracks of light seepin through loose boards on the walls, but not enough for anyone outside todistinguish anything inside.

I make my way to one ofthose cracks and peer out, expecting the worst. I don’t see anything, so I moveto the wall on the opposite side of the massive barn doors. Mason is by myside, though I’d prefer he stay behind me. Even though I’m technically armed,Mason surely would fight me on that.

I see a moving shadow.I lean against the rough barn wall, trying to angle my head into a betterposition to see the shadow’s owner. I have no idea if the infection has made itthis far yet, or the hysteria, for that matter. Frankly, they both scare thecrap out of me.

Finally, I see an oldman. He doesn’t appear to be infected or hysterical, maybe just a littlepissed. I turn to Mason, put my hands up in the universal ‘I don’t know’gesture and shrug. Then I move, so he can see for himself. His reaction is thesame as mine. Maybe we can talk our way out of this one. The thought gives mehope. I really don’t feel like zapping anyone this morning.

Mason un-barricades thedoor and opens it. The old man steps in with something we hadn’t noticedthrough the crack in the wall, a shotgun. He starts by pointing it at Mason,then trailing it over to me. He finally settles it on a spot in between us.Both of our hands shoot out in front of us.

“Hey, we don’t mean anyharm.” Mason says, talking calmly. “We just needed a place to spend the night.”

“You all infected?” Theold man asks, suspiciously.

“No, sir.” I answer.“We made it out just before…” My voice trails off. No need to go into detail.If he knows about the infection, he doesn’t need the gory details.

He eyes me, and Masonstiffens as the shotgun follows his line of sight.

“Where are you allheaded?” he asks.

“West,” Mason answersimmediately. Much to my horror, the man turns his attention and his shotgun inMason’s direction.

I focus onconcentrating energy, not a lethaldose, but enough to stun the old man, should the need arise. I just hope if itcomes down to it, I’m faster with the energy than he is with that shotgun.

It’s at that point Natelets out a loud wail, and our cover is fully blown. The old man’s eyes shoot uptowards the loft area, but he lowers his gun. “So, there’s more of you, huh.And children?”

I figure at this point,the truth can’t hurt. “There are five adults including us, and one child.”

He nods his head andappears to be thinking, stroking the few whiskers on his chin.

“We’ll be on our wayshortly.” Mason adds.

The old man shakes hishead and then takes a step forward. “Probably be better if you all came to thehouse, had a real meal before leaving. The wife would have my hide, what withyou having a child with you and all.”

The relief is instant,and I can tell by how Mason’s shoulders drop, that his is also. “It’s alright,Jared, you can open up and come down!” I holler up to everyone.

Making my way over tothe ladder, to help get everyone down safely, I don’t miss Mason keepinghimself between the old man and the rest of us. He sticks his hand out to theman. “I’m Mason, sir. Pleased to meet you, and sorry about taking over yourbarn for the night.”

The old man shakes hishand. “Name’s Jack. Can’t say I mind that much, just got to be careful with allof these sick and crazy people running about. It’s the oddest thing though. Theinfection was running rampant, then it just stopped a little ways east of here.It spread out around us to the North and South, but nothing here at all.”

“We can’t thank youenough, Jack.” I say, now that everyone is safely down. “I’m Kat; this is Brie,Becky, Jared and Nate.” I shift Baby bear in my arms and Jack’s eyes bulge indisbelief.

“And that?” He motionsto the furball in my arms.

“This is Baby bear. Hismom was infected and attacked us. He was orphaned when, well, when we took herdown.”

“Is it safe?”

“Yes, sir, it’s just ababy.” Brie answers before I’m able.

He nods. “Okay, then,follow me.”

He leads us around theback of the barn and up a trail none of us had noticed yesterday. After a shortwalk through the woods, a large white house comes into view. It looks a bitweathered, but it’s a glorious sight with its chimney plume of smoke andobvious electricity.

Jack’s wife, Mariette,is overjoyed to see us. She quickly begins fixing us a large breakfast, andgushes over Nate. She doesn’t even bat an eyelash at Baby bear, but sits him ona blanket in the corner of the kitchen. She places a small bowl of milk and ahunk of bread in front of him.

Their hospitality isoverwhelming, but very welcome. Mariette offers for us to wash up, and the ideaof a hot shower is too alluring for any of us to pass up. We let Becky and Natego first, while Jared and Mason go grab our bags.

I’m amazed that theirTV is working. When I ask Jack, he tells me they have a satellite. Nothing elsewould work this far out in the middle of nowhere. He’s tuned into CNN, and sureenough, they have a map up of the infection. It has spread much further thanI’d hoped and has a half moon cut out around it, at our location.

I get so absorbed thatI jump when Mason puts his arm around me. We watch together, until it’s my turnto use the bathroom.

The hot water istherapeutic, and my muscles relax for the first time in days. My legs andshoulders ache from hiking through the woods, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.After dressing in clean clothes, I comb out my hair and put it into a longbraid. I feel better than I have since, well, you know.

I think of my mom, andpain tears through my chest. I hope she’s alright, but I’m sure she’s infected.Downtown was lost almost immediately. She never even had a chance.

I fight the tears.She’d be happy to see that I’m safe, if only momentarily. I collect my thingsso Mason and Jared can have their turns in the shower. I check on Baby bear,who is sleeping happily on his blanket. Then my attention returns to the TV,where Jared and Brie sit with Jack.

CNN shows two doctorsarguing over the map. One insists that the small crescent is slowly, veryminutely, pushing back against the infection. The other argues itsimpossibility, declaring there must be some magnetic field or energy anomalythat is holding the infection off.

Jared cocks his head tothe side as a commercial comes on. It’s nice to see his fear of me has faded aswell as my suspicions regarding him. “I wonder…”

“What?” Brie asks.

He continues to stareat me while piecing something together. “I just think it’s an odd coincidencethat we happen to be in the middle of this uninfected area, and one of theirtheories is an energy anomaly.” He looks at me pointedly.

The wheels in Brie’smind turning the same way as Jared’s.

“No way!” I tell them.“It couldn’t be.”

“Couldn’t it, though?”Brie says, turning to me. “Think about it, Kat. It’s totally possible. RememberMr. Murphy’s class?”

I do remember. It’s possible,though highly unlikely. “I still don’t believe it.” I shake my head.

“Don’t believe what?”Mason asks, looking refreshed after his shower.

I sigh. “Jared and Briethink I’m the energy anomaly keeping the infection at bay.”

“Huh?” Great! Now herehe goes, too.

After quietly observingus the whole time, Jack pipes up. “Why do you think she’s responsible?” Heasks.

The four of us exchangea look. What the hell! This whole ‘keep it a secret’ thing hasn’t really beenworking out so far anyway. I tell Jack the story, and brace myself the wholetime in case he freaks out, but he doesn’t.

When I’m all done, helooks at me. “It sounds to me like a theory worth testing out.”

“Yeah, but how can wedo it safely?” Mason asks.

“Well, if this guy onTV is right, we should just have to hike a little ways north or south and haveKat blast it.” Jared says, “Then wait and see if it starts pushing back.”

“You are all certainlywelcome to stay for a few days, so we can test it.” Jack tells us.

“If you’re stayingit’ll be here at the house.” Mariette says from the kitchen doorway. “We havethe room to spare.”

“What do you think?”Brie asks me.

What can I say? No, I’mnot willing to try to stop those creepy nanobots from taking over the world?“Just point me where you want me.” I offer weakly.

Jack and Marietteultimately convince us to stay for a few days. We are all absurdly grateful fortheir hospitality and what’s more, a sense of normalcy.

That night, Brie,Jared, Mason, Jack and I go to bed earlier than we usually would. Aftercarefully studying some local maps with Jack, we decided to head north about ahalf mile, so I can do my thing and we can test everyone’s theory.

Jack insists on comingalong. It’ll be probably an easier hike with someone who knows the land.Mostly, I think he just wants to see me zap something.

Mariette, Becky, Nateand Baby bear see us off early the next morning. With explicit instructions toshoot first and ask questions later, Jack leaves Mariette the shotgun. I shootBecky a meaningful look of my own. She nods a silent promise to handle anythingMariette can’t.

We haven’t growncalloused, just cautious and wary. The infection aside, all it will take is onehysterical person to bring our safe little haven to its knees.

We go on foot. We offerthe Jeep, but Jack insists the terrain will be easier on foot. It takes usabout two hours before Jack declares we’ve hit the desired area. Brie, Masonand Jared stay back. Jack begins to creep forward towards me, but Brie places ahand on his shoulder and gently shakes her head. I’m grateful. The last thing Iwould want to do is inadvertently hurt Jack.

I feel the familiarcharge run through me. It’s more powerful today. I turn back to them. “How muchjuice should I give it?” I ask.

Brie and Jared shrugwhile Jack just gapes at me. It’s Mason who replies. “Give it all you got, Iguess.”

Okay, all I got. Noproblem. This time, it’s as though the energy can’t wait to escape. I flex myhands before facing them towards each other in front of me. The energy sphereglows a bright blue. It’s much darker than any of the ones I’ve previouslytried. I call out behind me. “You guys might want to get down.”

I aim at the northernhorizon and throw the brightly glowing orb as far as I can. It explodesinstantly and the aftershock is immediate. It’s so strong it throws me back afew feet onto my butt.

I feel betterinstantly, which then leads me to worry. Do I have to throw these things everycouple of days to feel better? That’s not an issue I’m ready to address. My attention to the others to distracts me as I get to myfeet.

Jack’s expression ispriceless. The others are still shocked, but I’m sure Jack has never seenanything like this before.

Mason comes to my side.“You alright?”

“Yeah, I feel greatactually.” I tell him. He gives me a quick kiss. “That was a big one.”

“Yeah,” Brie says,“that was freaking awesome, Kat.”

Even Jared seemsrelaxed this time. “If that doesn’t test our theory, then I don’t know whatwill.”

Jack seems to finallyrecover. I wait to see the wariness in his eyes, but it never comes. I see someawe and perhaps some newfound respect, but no fear. “We should probably getback.”

We begin the returnhike. The fluff ball known as Baby bear bombards us upon our return. Theattachment to him is an unexpected surprise. There goes my original play torehabilitate Baby bear to live a happy bear life. Although he chose me as hisfamily, I’m honestly not upset about it.

Our little explorationgroup is starving, and lunch is very welcome. Mariette has the kitchen tablespread out buffet style and we dig in. We bring our plates to the living roomand focus on the TV.

We all watch,anticipating some reaction from our experiment this morning. Sometimemid-afternoon, I fall asleep—with my head resting on Mason’s chest and a cuddlyBaby bear in my lap. It’s Mason who nudges me gently awake again. I glance outthe window to see the sun hanging low in the sky, but it’s the TV that Mason isstares at. His mouth’s slightly agape.

I try to clear the fogmy impromptu nap has left in my head while focusing on the screen. Brie looksat me in wonder. “Kat, you did it.”

That snaps me right outof it. I focus on the TV, watching the uninfected crescent on the map begin tobulge out to the north. Jared grabs the remote and turns the volume up:

“…as the infectionspreads as far south as Georgia, and as far west as Virginia. Scientists arestill baffled by the uninfected area in Eastern Upstate New York.” The face onthe TV changes, “Thank you, Sam. What baffles us the most is this newerfluctuation to the north. If we can figure out what is causing this, then maybewe can stop the spread of the infection…”

I can’t listen toanymore. Shifting Baby bear into Mason’s lap, I try not to think of theimplications when I leave the room and go to the front porch. Sitting on thesteps and watching Mother Nature paint the sky in orange and pink, I don’trealize I’m not alone until the stair above me squeaks.

Jack stares out at thesky and sits on the opposite end of the stairway. “It must be scary, having allof this thrust onto you.”

I glance over at him.“Yeah, you could say that.”

“Overwhelming, I’dbet.” He continues. I wait for him to get to the point. “See, if it were me,I’d feel obligated to do everything I can to stop it. But as an outsider, I canalso stop and ask at what price?”

“You lost me.” I tellhim.

“Well, I was talkingwith Mason earlier, and he voiced his concerns about what could happen to youif the higher powers discover your knack for stopping these things.”

“Oh, yeah.” I don’thave a better answer for him or myself. All of this information has my brain onoverload.

His voice softens. “Youknow you can stay here, as long as you like. Nobody else has to know if youdon’t want them to.”

As his words finallysteel my resolve, I know what I have to do and what choice I have to make. Myeyes tear up, and my strained voice answers him. “Thanks, Jack. But I can’tjust do nothing. If I’m able to stop them, then how can I possibly not try to?”

He nods and strokes hischin whiskers. “I understand. I know we haven’t known each other very long, butI’m proud of you. Too many others in your situation would be more concernedwith self-preservation than trying to stop this insanity.”

I feel myself blush.“It’s the right thing to do.” I say quietly.

“Yes,” Jack agrees,“yes, it is. Now come eat. You’re going to need your strength if you’re goingto save the world.”

My unscheduled nap thisafternoon throws off my sleep pattern. At midnight, I give up on trying to goto sleep and wander downstairs, nearly tripping over Baby bear, asleep on thefloor next to my bed.

I tread quietly downthe stairs and replace myself in the kitchen. I’m anxious, not really knowing whatthe future will hold, or the best course of action to take. It literally feelslike the weight of the world is on my shoulders.

A noise from the livingroom draws my attention. As I go into the room, I replace the TV still on and Jackin his armchair.

The volume is muted,but a familiar face is on the screen again. Dr. Julian Ford’s face looks muchmore tired and haggard than the last time he was on. Bet he’s just asfrustrated as I am.

Something clicks in myoveractive brain. I turn to Jack. “Hey, I don’t suppose you have a computerhere?” I ask.

“Mariette keeps one inher little office. I couldn’t tell you how to use it though.”

I smile. “I can figurethat part out. Do you guys have internet access?”

He just stares at meblankly, so I ask. “Never mind, is it alright if I use it?”

“Go for it.” He goesback to his silent TV watching.

I replace the computereasily. It’s an older model, but starts up without any problems. Keeping myfingers crossed I click on the browser. It takes a few minutes, but the windowloads up, much to my glee.

I go to my favoritesearch engine and type in BioNano. I click on the link to their website andbegin searching for Dr. Ford’s email address. It takes a little while, buteventually I replace it. I copy it, then load up my own email:

From: Kat Greene

To: Dr. Julian Ford

Subject: ViableInformation

Dear Dr. Ford,

I’m not sure if youremember me, I was with a group of students Mr. Murphy introduced you to acouple of weeks ago.

I have some informationthat might help you regarding the uninfected area. I could also really use yourhelp.

Thanks,

Kat

My finger lingers overthe send button for a moment. Dr. Ford seemed very nice, but I don’t know himfrom the next guy. If I do this, it means exposing myself to the powers thatbe. Maybe I should discuss it with everyone first? No, Mason would fight me onit. In my heart, I know I have to do this if there’s any chance of stoppingthese things. I click the button and wait.

My email pings after ashort while. Of course he remembers me, what information do I have, and how canhe help. It’s all or nothing time. I begin by asking for his discretion for mysituation. Then I dive right in, telling him the whole story. Again, I hit sendand wait.

His response is what Iwas expecting. He’s more curious than anything and wishes he could meet me. Heprovides what information he can, and tells me he has much more research to donow. He promises to be in touch again soon. As I shut the computer down, I seeMason in the doorway behind me. I guess I should get this part over with, too.

He gets mad. It’s ourfirst fight, and part of me is very angry about it. Were it not for thissituation, we wouldn’t be having it. His anger only escalates when I tell himthat I intend to meet with Dr. Ford. Eventually, though, he calms. He sees therationalization of it, even if he’s not happy about it. Then he declares he’scoming with me, and I can’t do anything to stop him.

I don’t argue with him.It’s selfish of me, I know, but I don’t want to be without him. I don’t eventhink I can do it without him. Partof me cringes at telling Brie. Because I’m going to ask her to stay here, and Iknow she’s going to freak.

Mason and I talk untilthe early morning before he demands we get some rest. When we get upstairs hetries to release my hand, but I don’t let go. I tug him onto the bed next to meand curl up next to him before I drift off to sleep.

The sun wakes me. Idon’t feel well rested, no surprise after how late I was up the night before. Ijust lay for a minute, so my mind can catch up to the rest of me. Baby bearreplaces his way onto the bed, and snuggles between Mason and me. I watch themboth, and enjoy the moment, not knowing when or if I will have it again.

We need to leave today.I’m not even sure where Dr. Ford is, but I know the longer we wait the worse itall will get.

I scoop up Baby bearand place him next to Mason, so I can get moving. I grab some clean clothes anduse the bathroom. When I get downstairs Mariette has breakfast cooking.

“Mariette, I hope it’salright that I used your computer last night. I was hoping I could againquickly?” I ask.

“Sure, dear, not aproblem.” She goes back to flipping sausage patties.

I fire up themonstrosity a second time. It’s still rather quick for such an old computer.When I reach my inbox there’s another email from Dr. Ford. He agrees we shouldmeet. He has some information for me, but he’d rather tell me in person. He canonly get as far east as Columbus, Ohio. His current position in BioNano’sWashington State facility is no help to us. That leaves us quite a way to go.

Once everyone is awakeand has eaten, I sit everyone down except for Mason who prefers to pace aboutthe kitchen. He’s uncomfortable with both the situation and the conversation.

Brie doesn’t take thenews or my request very well. She stomps off, and I’m surprised to hear Jaredbegin to speak. “You guys should let Brie and I come with you.”

My eyebrows shoot up.“What?”

“We can help. And shedoesn’t want to leave you.” Jared says so plainly that I go off looking forBrie.

I replace her on the backporch. “I’m sorry.” I tell her.

“How can you think I’mjust going to let you go off without me?” She yells.

I wince. “It’s not likethat Brie. You’re safe here.”

“I’m safer with you.”She counters.

I sit next to her onthe porch swing. “Brie, we have to go far through the infected area. I can keepit at bay, but if you get infected, then what if I can’t stop it? I can’t loseyou, too.”

“Please, Kat.” Shelooks at me. Brie never begs. “I’ll go crazy here, not knowing if you’realright. I’ll be careful. I promise.”

She knows she’s wearingme down. “Jared offered to go along, too, if you wanted to go.”

It’s her blush thatgives her away. “That’s sweet of him.”

“Yeah, it kind of is.”I agree.

“So, we can come?”

I sigh. “I guess. It’snot that I don’t want you with me, Brie. I just want you safe.”

“I know.” She hugs meand hops up. “And we can stay safe together.”

It’s decided that thefour of us and Baby bear will continue west. Becky and Nate will stay here withJack and Mariette until we hopefullyreturn. Or stop this nonsense.

I reply to Dr. Ford’semail to let him know we’ll be leaving tomorrow, but we don’t know how long itwill take to get there. I print out his response. It has the address inColumbus and a series of security codes, in case we need them to get throughany of the military checkpoints they’ve constructed.

Jack provides us with afull tank of gas for the Jeep. He also promises to take care of Becky and Nate.Mariette begins putting food and provisions together for us. While I haveaccess to the internet, because I have no idea when I might again, I usesatellite maps to plot as many back roads between here and Columbus aspossible.

Dinner is quiet. Nobodywants to talk about what tomorrow will bring. Those of us leaving try toproject a fake confidence, while those staying can’t hide their concern.

I give Becky and Nate ahug before we go to bed. I hope to see them again, and we’re leaving early. Igive Mariette a hug also and thank her again for her kindness. Jack accepts myhug, but tells me to save my goodbyes for the morning. I go to bed with a heavyheart.