Read Online Operation Z-Day (The Raven Falconer Chronicles) by Dennis Larsen - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Dennis Larsen
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stop?” Mick asked, as she maneuvered the Jeep through the ditch and up onto the blacktop.
“ Nope, get us out of here,” Hannah issued, taking one last look behind them before positioning herself for Bobi to clean her up. “Ouch, take it easy,” she pleaded; jerking her head away each time Bobi disturbed an imbedded shard.
“ I’ll need some tweezers to do this right. It’ll have to wait ‘til we get to the cabin. Close your eyes and be quiet for a minute,” Bobi ordered, using a fresh wipe to clear the blood from Hannah’s eyes and face.
Until minutes ago, Mick had been quite sure leaving Calgary was the right move but now she second-guessed the decision. “You two okay? I just about got us killed,” she said sadly.
“ What do you mean?” Bobi called from the backseat, as she continued to wipe at Hannah’s face. “We agreed we’re in this together and we’d likely be dead if it weren’t for your Nascar skills.”
The injured woman tried to nod her agreement but Bo bi held her face firmly, causing her to speak. “We’re good, could have turned out a lot worse. Just get us to the cabin without another shoot out. Do you think you can manage that?” Hannah opened her left eye to make contact with Mick through the rearview mirror and winked when their eyes met.
“ I’ll try. Thanks guys, hell of a plan back there. What’s happening out here that has people so crazy? Killin’ a cop and trying to take us out – what’s gotten into them?” Mick questioned, again glancing at her friends in the backseat.
Neither woman answered, as the question lingered between them, each unsure of a response that made sense. Seconds later, Bobi slid back over the seat and secured her safety belt. Hannah leaned between them and placed a hand on each of her companion’s shoulders. Nothing was said but the physical connection brought a degree of calm to the trio as their breathing returned to normal and the cold began to have an effect.
The road was dry and clear but signs were everywhere of new moisture and snow the closer they got to the mountains. Just outside of Canmore a figure weaved an awkward pattern down the center of the road before them. He was dressed in a hospital gown, open at the back with his bare skin and buttocks exposed. In his right hand he clutched a large stuffed bear, while he dragged a blanket with his left. The pedestrian seemed untouched by the cold and when Mick honked to alert him to the danger of an oncoming car, he ignored it completely.
“ I don’t think he heard you,” Bobi said, watching the way the man had responded. “Looks like maybe an escapee from the hospital, probably a tertiary stage patient. I wonder if they know he’s gone?”
From the highway, li ttle could be seen of the picturesque vacation community but it didn’t take much imagination to see dozens of such people, poorly dressed for the weather, walking the streets and grassy areas of the community. “Why isn’t anybody helping them?” Mick asked.
“ Same reason we’re getting away from the city. They don’t want to run the risk of getting bitten or catching the infection from one of them,” Hannah asserted.
“ Do you guys remember when AIDS was first diagnosed and there was such a panic? The public didn’t even dare be in the same room with infected individuals and this is far worse. There’s not going to be anybody capable of dealing with all these brain damaged people. Not the government, not the health care system, not families – nobody,” Bobi surmised, her sense of hope vanishing, knowing what she had just said was true.
Mick slowed and eased the Jeep alongside the escapee, careful not to startle or hit him. As the women rolled past, each swiveled their heads for a better look at the disheveled victim. The obviously dazed and bewildered man caught their stare and impulsively leapt at the pas senger window, slamming his fist against
“ Nope, get us out of here,” Hannah issued, taking one last look behind them before positioning herself for Bobi to clean her up. “Ouch, take it easy,” she pleaded; jerking her head away each time Bobi disturbed an imbedded shard.
“ I’ll need some tweezers to do this right. It’ll have to wait ‘til we get to the cabin. Close your eyes and be quiet for a minute,” Bobi ordered, using a fresh wipe to clear the blood from Hannah’s eyes and face.
Until minutes ago, Mick had been quite sure leaving Calgary was the right move but now she second-guessed the decision. “You two okay? I just about got us killed,” she said sadly.
“ What do you mean?” Bobi called from the backseat, as she continued to wipe at Hannah’s face. “We agreed we’re in this together and we’d likely be dead if it weren’t for your Nascar skills.”
The injured woman tried to nod her agreement but Bo bi held her face firmly, causing her to speak. “We’re good, could have turned out a lot worse. Just get us to the cabin without another shoot out. Do you think you can manage that?” Hannah opened her left eye to make contact with Mick through the rearview mirror and winked when their eyes met.
“ I’ll try. Thanks guys, hell of a plan back there. What’s happening out here that has people so crazy? Killin’ a cop and trying to take us out – what’s gotten into them?” Mick questioned, again glancing at her friends in the backseat.
Neither woman answered, as the question lingered between them, each unsure of a response that made sense. Seconds later, Bobi slid back over the seat and secured her safety belt. Hannah leaned between them and placed a hand on each of her companion’s shoulders. Nothing was said but the physical connection brought a degree of calm to the trio as their breathing returned to normal and the cold began to have an effect.
The road was dry and clear but signs were everywhere of new moisture and snow the closer they got to the mountains. Just outside of Canmore a figure weaved an awkward pattern down the center of the road before them. He was dressed in a hospital gown, open at the back with his bare skin and buttocks exposed. In his right hand he clutched a large stuffed bear, while he dragged a blanket with his left. The pedestrian seemed untouched by the cold and when Mick honked to alert him to the danger of an oncoming car, he ignored it completely.
“ I don’t think he heard you,” Bobi said, watching the way the man had responded. “Looks like maybe an escapee from the hospital, probably a tertiary stage patient. I wonder if they know he’s gone?”
From the highway, li ttle could be seen of the picturesque vacation community but it didn’t take much imagination to see dozens of such people, poorly dressed for the weather, walking the streets and grassy areas of the community. “Why isn’t anybody helping them?” Mick asked.
“ Same reason we’re getting away from the city. They don’t want to run the risk of getting bitten or catching the infection from one of them,” Hannah asserted.
“ Do you guys remember when AIDS was first diagnosed and there was such a panic? The public didn’t even dare be in the same room with infected individuals and this is far worse. There’s not going to be anybody capable of dealing with all these brain damaged people. Not the government, not the health care system, not families – nobody,” Bobi surmised, her sense of hope vanishing, knowing what she had just said was true.
Mick slowed and eased the Jeep alongside the escapee, careful not to startle or hit him. As the women rolled past, each swiveled their heads for a better look at the disheveled victim. The obviously dazed and bewildered man caught their stare and impulsively leapt at the pas senger window, slamming his fist against
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