Chapter 37: Carter
If the UN was here, they have not been here anytime recently. The first tent looks like it had been some sort of medical center. Papers still slowly drifted around the tent. I grab a clipboard from the table. It seems to be an observation of a plague victim. The date on the paper is about two months old. It was done by a doctor. There are a few body bags in the tent, but thankfully they were all twisted and empty.
“Carter, you need to check this out.” Jocelyn calls from the nearby tent. I see her silhouette from her flashlight and make my way over to her. She is standing beside a radio. She hands me a bright red piece of paper. This tent is filled with them. On it are directions to call out. I begin to read it aloud.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have relocated to a more secure location. If you are here to seek help and relocation please follow these directions. Security is not far away.” Beneath the note is a procedure. The first is to start the generator, dial to a certain frequency on the radio, and give the coordinates, “ECHO 67,” then describe your party. After that, we should hear a response and help will arrive.
We follow the directions. The generator still has gas and it roars to life with a few pulls of the chord. Jocelyn picks up the communicator. “This is site ECHO 67. There are four of us that need help. Among us are two young girls and they really need to get out of this mess.”
Silence answers her. Then a muffled voice comes back, “We will be there within the hour. Good to see you are safe. Don't worry, they will be out soon.”
The twins are standing at the opening of the tent when they hear the response and big smiles light up both of their faces. I smile back. I squeeze Jocelyn's hand, still holding onto the communicator. We share a smile. On the ground is a video camcorder; it's pink and seems out of place. I pick it up. There's a note taped to it that says, “PLAY ME!” I press the power button. It seems dead as it flickers for only a second.
“You girls want to see if you can find some batteries? Don't go far.” I give them something to do and walk with Jocelyn back to the SUV. I parked it next to the landing zone they had created in the parking lot. Both of us sit against the back tire facing the helipad. Our hands intertwine and I see the girls to the right running in and out of the various tents. They are opening boxes and stray packs. I close my eyes for a few moments and breathe deeply. I feel at ease. We are almost safe.
The sun begins to rise over the treetops. The helicopter should be here any moment. I sit beside the SUV, Jocelyn's hand in mine. The twins are rummaging through some boxes in one of the nearby tents. I look into her eyes. She has been through so much. I lean forward and our lips meet for a moment. When I pull away I brush her hair behind her left ear.
“We are going to be okay.” I tell her.
“I know, thank you for everything.” She manages a smile and looks away. Her face is powdered with dirt and the water from her tears shows the flawless skin underneath. She reaches back and pulls her long red hair up for a moment with both hands. She exhales and lets it fall behind her. That is why I came back. I smile and look forward. Sara is running toward me with her hand stretched out in front and grasping a small box.
“Carter I found some batteries that should work in that camera.” She pulls out two AA's.
“Thanks.” I take them from her and pull the camera from the driver’s seat. She goes and sits in Jocelyn's lap. Caitlin comes over and sits on the ground beside me. I put the batteries in and hit play.
I hold it out as the screen lights up. A little blond girl and a dog play on a front lawn. They look happy. The dog rolls around as the girl holds out some sort of stuffed animal. I feel the tension escape the four of us. Sara gives out a little laugh and Jocelyn squeezes her tighter. Caitlin puts her head on my shoulder. The scene changes and then the same girl and a man, her father I guess, open up presents in front of a Christmas tree. The dog runs in and then rolls among the wrapping paper, but the screen suddenly goes black.
“Well I guess that's it...” I am about to switch it off but then a boy’s face pops on the screen. He may be fourteen or fifteen years old. His face is dirty and he is breathing loudly. His eyes dart to each side of his face. He begins to talk.
“Whoever you are, you need to run. Now.”