Part 13 (1/2)
”Rise and s.h.i.+ne, suns.h.i.+ne,” Del said. ”I got up early for our day. Got permission for Richie to miss school, almost at his house, and then I'll get you and your boy.”
”Del,” she sounded frightened.
”What's wrong?”
”I don't know,” she answered. ”The police were by this morning. Hartworth's been shut down.”
”What ... what do you mean shut down?”
”Shut down. They said not to leave, that there's some horrible outbreak, and they're trying to keep us safe.”
Del turned off the music completely. ”I didn't hear anything about an outbreak, but I haven't watched the news.”
”Well, I can tell you right now, I'm looking at a flyer they dropped off at my door. They got the whole town closed down. Del ... I'm scared. Mary from the store tried to go to work, and they sent her home. All stores are closed. She said she tried to leave town twice and couldn't get out. Sheriff, some deputies, all blocking the roads.”
”Did she say if she saw signs of the government, military, men in those biohazard suits?”
”I asked; she said no. Del .... I don't think the outbreak is outside of Hartworth.”
”What do you mean?” Del asked.
”It's here in town. They ain't saying, but I can see from my apartment window. People are heading into the fire station, they look sick. Del ... me and my boy aren't sick.”
”Can you get out?”
”No. Can ... you help?”
”What do you need me to do?”
”I don't care about me, but my son is only fourteen. Get him out of town. Please, get him.”
Del thought a moment. ”Listen, I am almost at my ex's house. A minute away. Let me check the television, go online, see if I see anything. I'll ask her, she's one of those apocalypse nuts. If anyone knows anything, it's her.”
”What about my son?”
”Dress him warm. Both of you, head out the back of the apartment, cross through the properties, and make your way toward Bailey's Ranch. Hit Bailey's dirt road that runs next to his property and through the hollow. It crosses the wooded area and meets Forty about two miles before town. Wait there. I'll get you.”
”Are you sure?”
”Positive. Give me an hour,” Del said.
”Thank you. I'll call you if there's a problem.”
”Please do. Hang tight.” Del ended the call just as he pulled into Emma's driveway. He saw Andy's truck. ”Does that man ever work? Jeez.”
When Emma woke, she was surprised to find she was alone in bed. Cody wasn't there. Andy had stayed the night, as well. They were nowhere to be seen. She peeked at the time of nearly seven AM and knew that Richie was supposed to be up and ready to go with his father.
The smell of bacon and coffee told her all was well in Emma land, so she dressed then headed to the kitchen.
Cody was happily diving into a bowl of cereal, balancing on her knees, while Richie was half way through his plate.
”Morning,” Emma said with a kiss to Andy's cheek as he stood at the stove. ”This is nice.”
”Th .. thought I'd c ... cook before w ... work. Eggs?”
”No,” Emma answered. ”Coffee is fine right now.” She poured a cup and walked to the table. ”Hey.” She tapped Richie to get his attention. ”Your dad is going to be here soon.”
”I know. I know,” he replied. ”I'm ready. Just have to finish eating.”
As she brought her mug to her lips, taking in that first sip of brew, the back door opened with a rush. Emma nearly choked when Del flew in. ”You're not late; why are you rus.h.i.+ng?” she asked.
”Have you watched TV at all? Been on the net?”
”No, I just woke up,” she replied. ”Andy?”
Andy shook his head and waved out for Richie. ”You been online?”
Richie lifted his phone with a nod.
”What's up?” Emma asked.
”Something is happening,” Del said. ”I just talked to Tanya. Hartworth is quarantined. Shut down. They told her it's something outside of Hartworth, but she thinks it's inside.”
”Oh my G.o.d. Hopefully Heather isn't back.” She signed to Richie. ”Can you check your phone see if there is any mention of a quarantine in Hartworth or any of your friends online who may have posted about that?” She turned to Del. ”It has to be a mistake. I mean, about an outbreak outside of Hartworth. My alerts didn't sound off. It's gotta be in the town.”
”That's what Tanya thinks,” Del replied. ”She wants me get her kid out of town. I told her to send him past Bailey's Ranch.”
”Del,” Emma spoke seriously. ”You can't do that.”
”Why?” he asked.
”Because if the town is shut down and they have something, taking him out will break the barriers. It could spread the virus or whatever it is.”
”He's not sick.”
”But he may still be contagious.”
”What do I do?” Del asked. ”Seriously? If it were you, what would you want me to do? If you and Richie were stuck here?”
Emma thought about it. ”Ok, I'd want Richie out, but I'd see how long the shutdown is; that tells the incubation period. Pull the kid, but keep him away for a day or two to make sure he doesn't get sick. If he doesn't, then it's fine. Wait it out somewhere.”
”Bailey still park that RV near his property?” Del asked.
”Yep, he still shows his horses.”
”We'll wait it out there.” Del nodded. ”Do you have a gun?”
Emma laughed. ”Really?”