Part 6: The Final Solution

The Promised Land: 

(Part 6) The Final Solution

Caden’s eyes narrowed to dark slits when he heard the question. “What are you?” she asked, as if he and Shiloh were objects of contempt or creatures to be feared. The same response any Pure would have. Caden didn’t realize he expected her to have a different reaction until he found himself disappointed and slightly irritated. “Just like everyone else,” he thought.

“Untouchable,” he said aloud, absently staring out at the dry fields.

“Excuse me?” Eden asked in a timid voice.

Caden sighed and turned to her again. “We’re different. Shiloh and I are Infected, but we’re more than that. Some of those who survive the disease live with certain…”

“Consequences?” Eden finished for him.

“Side effects.”

“So… being diseased gives you super powers?” Eden mulled over the thought. That had to be the gift Shiloh told her about.

“That’s one way of looking at it,” Caden said in a somber tone as he turned back to watch the scenery. “As I said before, Jericho is still a good distance away. Please don’t feel obligated to talk the entire time.”

“But what if I-”

“Don’t. Please.”

Eden pouted as she huddled inside Caden’s large coat. She considered digging through the backpack next to her, just to see what was in it, but decided against the notion. Being shot by an angry fifteen year old wasn’t exactly something she wanted to check off her bucket list. Being bossed around by the kid was bad enough. “Still,” she thought, “I need to try NOT irritating the guy with the gun.”

An hour passed without a word on either side. Eden was just about to fall asleep again when she heard Caden whisper, “Trouble.”

Eden bolted upright and looked around. In the distance, she could see several dark vehicles approaching. Caden exhaled and ran a hand through his dark hair. “Pull over.”

“What’s going on?” Eden’s wide blue eyes darted back and forth between the vehicles and Caden. Shiloh turned the jeep off the dirt road and parked. Meanwhile, Caden turned around in his seat and rummaged through the backpack in the backseat.

“Listen, I need you to do something for me.” He pulled a flat, square parcel out of his pocket and placed it into her hands. “I need you to keep this safe for me. Put it in your pocket.”

“What is it?”

“That doesn’t matter. If something happens to us, I need you take it to Jericho and find Ezra. She’ll know what to do.”

“If something happens? Who is she? What is this?” Eden couldn’t help but sound panicked. “What’s going on? I don’t understand!”

Caden took out various ammunition rounds from the bag next to Eden and stuffed them into his smaller bag. He checked the ammunition in several handguns and shoved them into his sack as well. Caden took his windbreaker off, slung the bag over his shoulder, and replaced his jacket. He glanced at the oncoming vehicles and turned his attention back to Eden. “Please listen to me. This is very important. Whatever happens, don’t say anything. Just do as I say and it will all be ok.”

Eden’s stomach flipped with anxiety as she looked back at the dark vehicles. “Promise?”

For the first time, Eden witnessed Caden smile. In the same manner Shiloh had done, Caden held up his right index finger to his lips then covered his left fist with his right palm. Before Eden could say a word, Caden’s smile disappeared as he nodded to his brother. Shiloh pulled his grey hood over his silver hair. Eden stuffed the paper-wrapped package into her jean pocket. It bulged a bit, but was easily concealed by Caden’s large coat.  

The vehicles turned out to be four black humvees with black and white flags on the front. Much to the trio’s dismay, the vehicles stopped on the road alongside the jeep and two soldiers from each vehicle got out.

For a few tense seconds, the three waited. The eight camo-clad figures aimed assault rifles at the jeep as a man wearing a dark blue military uniform and glasses stepped out of the first humvee.

 He walked to the jeep and inspected the passengers. He took off his hat, ran a hat through his dirty blonde hair, and put the hat back on.

“Well, well, well,” he said as he stepped up to Shiloh’s side of the jeep. “A bunch of delinquents taking a joy ride. You know, it’s illegal for children to drive a stolen vehicle.”

“It’s not stolen,” Caden piped up.

“Is that so? I have trouble believing that.” The man turned directly to Shiloh, but the boy kept his head down. “What business do you have in Jericho?”

Caden replied, “Just visiting.”

“I didn’t ask you,” the man shot back at Caden, but continued to question Shiloh. “Well? It’s rude to ignore people. Answer me!”

“He doesn’t talk,” Caden interjected.

“A mute?” The man tilted his head for a moment. “Must be a deaf mute. Look at me when I’m talking to you.” The man yanked the grey hood back and stood in stunned silence when he saw Shiloh’s silvery hair. “Oh.” He backed away and rubbed his gloved hand against his uniform. “Well that explains it. He’s a Diseased, ” he said with ease. “Out of the jeep.”

“But we were only-”

“OUT! NOW!” the man commanded.

The three scrambled out of the vehicle and lined up between the man and the jeep. In the clouded daylight, Eden noted that he only looked to be older than her by about ten years. There was a silver star embedded in his hat and star shaped buttons on his uniform. As the commander walked down the line, Caden’s irises turned deep red.

“You’re a Diseased as well,” he said as he kept walking. He stopped in front of Eden and leaned in quizzically. Eden didn’t realize he was wearing glasses until his hazel eyes were staring at her through half rimmed spectacles. “And what about you?”

“Would you risk it?” Caden interrupted.

“Perhaps not.” The man stood back and looked over the motley crew. “Well, that’s a shame. We ran into your kind back in Jericho. It’s truly remarkable how much pain your people can stand. I couldn’t find it within my heart to leave them in such pitiful condition.”

He pulled out a pistol and stared at it as he continued. “It was in their best interest to relieve their misery. Perhaps I should do the same for you.” The man pointed the gun at Caden’s head.

Caden stood his ground, unflinching. For far too many agonizingly long moments, Eden feared they would all be shot and left for dead on the side of the road.

What felt like an eternity later, the man lowered the gun and chuckled. “Such nerve. You still have time before the sickness takes control. Enjoy that time while you have it. Meanwhile, I’ll be taking that vehicle of yours.”

He put the gun away and motioned to his subordinates. Shiloh dove into the jeep and retreated with his black case just as two soldiers pushed their way through to commandeer the vehicle. The man and the rest of the soldiers returned to their humvees and drove off with the jeep right behind them.

The trio watched the dark shapes grow smaller in the distance.

Eden, thankful the episode was over, shivered. “That creep just stole our jeep.”

Caden nodded. “Joke’s on him. It’s running on empty.”