Turners | Book 3 | Junction Read online

  Turners

  Junction

  Written by

  Ellis Thomas

  Copyrights: 2013, 2020

  Editing and Cover Design by

  Sandy Sierra

  [email protected]

  Their people will become like walking corpses,

  their flesh rotting away.

  Zechariah 14:12

  Turners Trilogy

  ~~~~~

  The Beginning

  90°

  Junction

  Dedicated to my family whose support and encouragement have meant so much.

  Prologue

  A tiny town in the desert where people were intent on making the most out of living in a new world where a tiny scratch from the reanimated was a death sentence.

  Even with death all around, life and love still flourished and from children, came a new means of protection.

  1 A Resting Place

  The travelers had left friends and family in the settlement called Aftertown three days ago, taking their time on their quest to find other places like the one they called home. They began seeing billboards along the road advertising enticing breakfasts and lodging with heated pools in which weary travelers could refresh themselves. But judging from the sun damage on the giant images, there really wasn’t anything to anticipate.

  Joshua Delgado had been rather distracted since they had left which made the love of his life, Sydney, wonder what was on his mind that made him seem so absent. Their younger companions, Mason, Christian and Austin were enjoying the adventure and Leandra who had just joined them, was just happy to have been rescued from a town that was living in a horrific limbo state.

  An hour later they were close enough to see the town in the distance, which didn’t look like much from their current vantage point.

  A road sign announced that they were about to enter Junction. Drawing closer, they weren’t surprised that a welcoming (or “go away,” depending on who you were) committee had assembled to meet them on the outskirts of town and prevent them from just moseying on in. The grisly looking group would have deterred anyone. As it was, the small group of travelers had nothing to hide, but everything to be cautious about.

  Pulling up to the greeting party, Joshua and Sydney could see they weren’t such a frightful bunch after all. The five men looked a little ragged, but who didn’t those days? Not everyone had the advantage of having a mall nearby to raid every few weeks for the latest fashions. The oldest of the men raised his rifle in the universal “stop” motion. Being well-versed in that language, Joshua stopped.

  As the man walked over to the Suburban, he nodded his head and introduced himself. “I’m Fred Sullivan. Where are you folks from and headed to?”

  Joshua spoke up. “We left a town about four hundred miles northwest of here to look for other survivors.”

  “What is the town you’re referring to?” asked a man in his thirties who had walked over.

  “This here’s my son, Kyle. I didn’t get your names,” Fred said as he appraised the other passengers in the Suburban.

  Joshua made the introductions and then filled Fred and Kyle in on Aftertown. They were visibly impressed and, after checking out the travelers a bit more, invited them to come into the town to talk with some of the other men there.

  Fred and Kyle walked to their truck and drove off, with Joshua, Sydney, Leandra, and the boys following. The other three men got into another truck and brought up the rear.

  Junction looked like a small but neat pit stop off the highway, with one gas station, some community buildings, including a church and a small courthouse, and an old but well-kept motel with an empty pool. The storefronts and houses scattered along the main thoroughfare apparently were inhabited, and a few barns were visible off in the distance.

  Fred pulled up in front of a building with a weathered sign that read “Junction General,” and “Vic’s Place” underneath it. He got out and motioned for the group to follow him. The screens on the front door were so rusty they blocked any view of what was inside, and the porch boards creaked underfoot. Stepping inside after Fred, Sydney noticed an old but not unpleasant smell. It made her feel comfortable.

  Once inside, they were pleased to find that they were in an old-fashioned general store. They could smell food cooking in the connecting restaurant, and the aromas caused their stomachs to start complaining about being empty.

  Fred led them across the front of the store and into the restaurant, where he and Joshua put together three tables so they could all sit together. He then called a couple of people on his radio and told them to come over. Sitting down with a sigh, he started in.

  “I invited Jon Grayson and George Hemmings to come over and meet you. Before everything fell apart, Jon was our sheriff, and George, our justice of the peace. They’ve pretty much maintained those roles, even though it’s no longer exactly official. You wouldn’t know it now, but this was a nice little town at one time. It was a good place to stop for a bite and rest awhile, and we had travelers that were regulars through here. Frances Burke cooks and runs the restaurant. Her daughter, Joy, takes care of the customers and runs the store.”

  Fred called out to Frances, who was somewhere in the back.

  Within moments a warm voice rang out, “Welcome to Junction.” Sydney turned and looked up at a woman in her mid-forties who had flawless dark skin and a broad, sincere smile. Sydney liked her right off.

  Letting them know the food would be out shortly, Frances asked each in turn if they preferred water or tea, and then she promptly left. The boys’ mouths were already watering, anticipating what she would bring with the drinks.

  A noise turned their attention to the front screen door as it loudly squeaked on its hinges.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  In walked two men. Fred first introduced Sheriff Jon, a tall man with a muscular build. He kept his head shaved, and he had an easy smile for a sheriff, but it was obvious that he was checking them all out.

  George was next. He was of medium height and slender build, with a rugged face and a quiet manner.

  They all shook hands and settled down to business.

  Jon started. “Our friend Fred has invited you here for a reason. Care to share?”

  “We’re from a town about two days north of here known as Aftertown,” Joshua began. “We’re out exploring, looking for similar communities. Our goal is to open communication between as many different places as we can and start rebuilding what we’ve all lost. Being able to share ideas and resources is important for morale, and survival.” Joshua paused a moment and, hoping he didn’t sound insulting, asked, “How have you managed to keep Junction intact?”

  Jon took a deep breath. “Well, when the outbreak hit, it hit us hard. We lost half of what little population we had within 48 hours. The thing that saved those who were left was figuring out that a clean shot in the head put the Turners down for keeps. Most of the people in this town are pretty good shots because of the quarterly tournaments we used to hold. Not everyone can play baseball or basketball, but most everyone can handle a gun. Anyway, that “sport” put a stop to the havoc the Turners were creating. We’ve maintained the population that was left and even added a few new residents, via some births and some passersby who decided to stay. We scrutinize everyone who passes through here, but few that we’ve invited have chosen to stay. Everyone’s still looking for a Shangri-La, I guess. Can’t say that I blame them.”

  “How many come through here now?” Joshua asked.

  “Fewer all the time,” Fred replied. “Nowadays, about four or five people a month. Out of those, precious few would make Junction better by being here.

  “We have some really gifted people in this town w
ho just wanted to get away from the city turmoil. We have engineers, farmers, mechanics, teachers, and a doctor, so there’s a good balance. Our biggest drawback is security, but we do regular patrols to keep most of the Turners clear. Junction really is a nice town to be part of.”

  “What would you suggest?” George asked Joshua.

  “How many people live here now?” Joshua asked.

  “Seventy-eight in all.”

  “Well, to start,” Joshua said, “I’d recommend holding a town meeting to put together a plan that everyone can get on board with. Then, separate people into groups for scavenging, growing food, security, and building.”

  Right then, Frances brought out the drinks, followed in short order by soup and sandwiches. Laying out the feast, she looked on with pride at what she had pulled together. Everyone expressed their gratitude and promptly worked at making the meal disappear.

  “Where do you get your produce and meat?” Sydney asked her.

  “We converted a large barn into a greenhouse, and we have wheat and oats planted on the outskirts of town. There were always a lot of fruit and citrus trees in this area, so we’ve just maintained what was there to begin with. It wasn’t that hard since we have so many farmers around here. For meat, we raise chickens and rabbits.” She had a beautiful smile, and her large brown eyes were full of warmth. Sydney figured this had to be the town’s favorite hangout. Not only could a person get fed, but fed by someone who really seemed to care. “Other people do the growing, and I do the cooking. The tradeoff works for me. I never did have much of a green thumb.”

  Her daughter, Joy, came in and introduced herself before taking a seat next to Leandra. Sydney tried not to stare at the two women. They both had a glow about them. Must be something genetic, she thought. Joy joined in on the conversation and talked about the barter system she used in the store.

  Joshua had been chowing down while the others talked. When he had stopped the hunger pains sufficiently, his mind went back to the town’s potential. He started to speak, but about that time Kyle walked in.

  After a few minutes of light talk, Kyle asked Joshua, “Did you say that you came from north of here?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you happen to pass any farms that still had people on them?”

  “Yes, we did. Why?”

  “Did you meet anyone by the name of Otto?”

  Surprised, Joshua answered, “Yes, we did. In fact, he and his son, Charlie, put us up for a couple of nights. They were extremely hospitable. So much so that two people we were traveling with decided to stay with them.”

  Fred’s face lit up. “Otto is my older half-brother! How’s that old rascal doing? Is Charlie well?”

  Joshua couldn’t help but smile. They were finally able to bring good news to someone for a change.

  “The last time we saw them was a year ago, but they were both alive and well. The two people who stayed with them were an older woman named Rosie and her granddaughter, Leesa. Truth be told, I think Otto was quite taken with Rosie, and vice versa. Leesa wouldn’t leave her grandmother, so she stayed too. They all seemed happy with the arrangement.”

  “Well now, that’s just great news. Maybe we can persuade them to come here, now that we know how to reach them.”

  “We probably should get back on track here,” Jon suggested, eager to see what these new visitors to Junction could do to help the town prosper.

  “I’ll call for a town meeting tomorrow night at the courthouse,” George said. He finished his drink, excused himself, and left to start spreading the word.

  2 The Proposal

  The rest of them talked another hour or so, mostly about 90 Degrees, with Leandra patiently answering all their questions.

  Fred and Jon then suggested that their new guests take a walk through the town on their own and introduce themselves to the other residents. Joy invited Leandra to stay with her in the restaurant, and as far as Leandra was concerned, the idea of simply being somewhere without an agenda sounded wonderful. Besides, the little restaurant had a peacefulness about it that soothed her. Sydney wondered if perhaps Joy and Frances were planning to take Leandra under their wings.

  They all agreed to meet back at Vic’s when they were through exploring the town, and Sydney noticed as they walked out that everyone seemed energized. Hope is such a catalyst, she thought.

  Joshua, Sydney, and the boys casually walked through the town, peering into various structures to assess their condition, with Joshua analyzing their defensibility against Turners and the living. At the courthouse Joshua and Sydney went one way and the boys another, each group taking a radio.

  Entering one of the barns, Joshua and Sydney immediately knew how Frances was able to serve such great food. These farmers had rigged a massive greenhouse, with tiered rows that supported an abundance of vegetables. Mason bees were housed in a corner, their buzzing giving a lazy feel to the enclosure. One of many useful tidbits Sydney had learned from Stephanie Anne in the short time she had known her was that not only are Mason bees very efficient pollinators, but they also don’t sting. The hives were in a corner where they wouldn’t be disturbed.

  Seeing an area dedicated to growing flowers, Joshua led Sydney in that direction.

  “You could almost think things were normal out there in a place like this,” he said as he picked up her hand. “What do you say we stay here for a little bit and enjoy it?” Sydney’s heart started pounding.

  Joshua pulled her to him and kissed her.

  “Back in Aftertown,” he continued, “I started to tell you what was in my heart. Then we got company and the opportunity was lost. What I wanted to say was, well, Sydney, I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of our lives, for however long that is.” He paused. “I want to marry you, Sydney. Will you honor me by saying yes?”

  So, this was what was on his mind! Then the questions shot through Sydney’s mind at the same time- How long did they have? Where would they live? Would they always be on the run? What about the boys? What about children?

  As Sydney was sorting it all out, Joshua mistook her delay in responding as hesitance in her feelings for him.

  “Look, Sydney, if you need more time, I understand. I don’t want you to feel rushed or pushed into anything.” His look was so imploring, and his eyes so gentle. Sydney’s heart melted.

  “I don’t need time, Joshua. There’s nothing I want more than to be with you the rest of my life. Yes, I’ll marry you!”

  The smile that spread across his face was like the sun coming up.

  “I love you so much,” he whispered as he gently lifted her chin. His kiss was soft but passionate, and it literally left her breathless. They’d had moments alone before, but this time it was like she felt his soul pouring into her.

  The next kiss left her legs shaking!

  As he pulled away, Joshua gazed at her tenderly, once again wearing that beautiful smile she so loved. “We had better get back to our mission before the meeting,” he said. “Besides, I don’t trust myself alone with you.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Ambling out of the greenhouse hand in hand, they resumed their survey of the town. It wasn’t long before they came upon the solar generator that supplied the town with electricity. It was impressive, and whoever had built it had made it to last. The town’s water tower was close by, and both it and the generator were surrounded with substantial fencing.

  In the heart of town was a charming little clapboard church with a bell tower. A short distance down the street was the motel, which had been converted into a 10-bed clinic with a small operating room and an adjacent lab, where blood could be analyzed. The doctor was “in,” so Joshua and Sydney introduced themselves. They learned that his name was Jason Thorneton, although he told them he usually just went by “Doc.” He was of medium height, with sandy blond hair and a handsome face that featured light blue eyes. He spoke with a slight drawl and seemed like an easy-going sort. Sydney couldn’t imagine anyone not doing whatever
he prescribed. Jason showed them around the clinic, and while they were in the lab, Sydney noticed that penicillin was being cultivated from mold. As they got ready to leave, Jason invited them to share dinner with him sometime. Sydney thought he seemed a little on the lonely side. Realizing that his commitment to Junction made the likelihood of him meeting someone special pretty slim, she admired him even more.

  Other than the houses scattered among the other buildings, Joshua and Sydney had seen all there was to see in Junction, so Joshua radioed the boys to meet them at the courthouse. From there, they walked to the restaurant, discussing what they had seen. The boys described some of the barns they had investigated, including one that held chickens and rabbits and a larger barn that held pigs and goats. They said the animals’ vocal cords had been severed to prevent them from squealing and bleating, since the noise would attract the attention of any Turners or miscreants that might come within hearing range. They mentioned that the barns were made of steel, with metal siding that would take a lot longer to pound through than wood.

  The disturbing news was that the boys had seen “tracks” made by Turners, and Austin had picked up the distinctive odor. The way the leaders had talked, Junction didn’t really have that big of a problem with Turners. Joshua was beginning to think otherwise.

  Jon and Fred greeted them as they stepped back inside Vic’s. Frances brought them some cold drinks, and they spent about an hour going over their observations. George and Jon appreciated not only their objective view as outsiders, but also Joshua’s military perspective.

  It was getting late when they finally finished up, so Jon offered to show them to their quarters, apologizing for having to put them up at the clinic because of the short notice. Sydney couldn’t imagine why anyone would apologize for giving someone a clean, safe place to sleep and the chance to take a shower.