Whatever It Takes: Mutations

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The Ceremony

October 5th, 10:33 am

Current Location: Memphis, TN
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"He was killed as we were on our way here..."

Bryan gasped. "W-What...?"

I may have not known Joshua that well, but according to Bryan, he was a very good guy. Caring, strong-willed, trustworthy, all that. Even if I never even met him, hearing Bethany say that felt like a spear stabbing my chest.

"We were in Tennessee on our way here, maybe about three hours out, and we were stopped by a horde of Gouls," she started. "We tried our best to fight them off, but they shattered the window and grabbed him. I shot them down as best as I could, but they literally dragged him out of the truck. Before I knew it, they tore into him and he screamed, 'Go, Beth!' So, I plowed through the rest of them. I just...I just feel so guilty..."

I wanted to tell her that it wasn't her fault, because it really wasn't. But, I figured that it would embarrass her more if I did. Christ, first Navarez, and now Joshua. This was a lot rougher than it seems.

Scott, the camp manager, stepped back up to her and placed a kind hand on her upper back. "It's not your fault, Beth. You did the best you could, and look, you're still alive. Just as he wanted you to be. Everyone, in case you don't know who Joshua and Bethany are, they were people that go around the southeastern United States to find survivors and bring them here."

He paused for a minute, and Bethany choked on some of her tears. "Those people who were saved by these two, I would like for you to stand up to show you the success that these two have."

Bryan, Amelia, Evelyn, and a few adults stood up. Bethany eyed each of them and began to break down crying. Bryan them motioned the two girls to go up to her, and they did. I was wanting to go up there with them, but I hesitated.

"Jeremy, you can come too if you'd like," said Bryan. "She'd appreciate it."

I glanced over at Dad, and he waved me off. "Go ahead. She needs it. You too, kids."

I nodded and went up beside Bryan and Evelyn with Braxton and Olivia. When we approached Bethany, each of us group hugged her as she sobbed. The overwhelming emotions even brought tears into my eyes, and I let some flow down my own cheeks.

"It'll be okay," I heard Amelia's voice say. "Everything will be okay."

Bethany said in between tears, "Yeah...you're right. It will be...because I know Joshua is up in a better place."

I had to smile at that. "I'm sure he's with his family, watching down over you with his protection."

"J's right, Beth," said Bryan. "He sacrificed himself for you. He'd want you to keep your head held high for him and be brave."

She took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. Thanks, guys, it means a lot."

"Yeah! I didn't know Joshua, but he seemed like a really cool guy!" chirped Olivia, who I forgot was with us.

"She's right," said Brax. "Sorta reminds me of Navarez."

We released her and backed away, but Bethany motioned us to stay on the stage. She picked up the microphone and spoke with pure power. "From now on, this camp will be a symbol of peace until this crap ends. We will honor those who died for us and have their names marked on a plaque in the rec field. We all will fight for our freedom and never back down for anything. Our friends will lift us up when we fall and we will pick up our friends when they fall. When that happens, nobody will stand a chance against us!"

Bethany paused for dramatic effect and pumped her fist in the air and yelled, "WHO'S WITH ME?!"

The dining hall exploded with cheer, so much that I couldn't hear my own cheer. I glanced at Evelyn, who was in it as well.

Maybe things will be a little bit better at this point; just maybe.

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I was shocked to see that they had already got most of the graves out here and set up. There were graves laid out with blank tombstones behind them. The only thing that you could tell who was who, was with a note saying the name, and birthday and death day, and the cause of death; if the person was military, they had the branch they were in and ranking. It took a long while to find Navarez, but I ended up finding him laid out next to other military members that died with him. I estimated at least a quarter of the people that died in total were in the military.

I kneeled down next to the grave and gently rubbed the stone. "I miss you, man. You did us an amazing blessing. I never got to properly thank you for what you did for us..."

I felt a hand touch my shoulder, and when I turned around, I saw Dad staring at it with me. Braxton and Olivia stood at a distance. Dad said, "I didn't either, but I'm sure he already knew."

I nodded, and Braxton slowly stepped up to the grave. Kneeling down, he rested a flower right in front of the stone. "You'll always be in our hearts."

"That was kind of you," I said, and he stepped beside me. I wrapped my arm around his lower back and fought back more tears.

I could hear other families and friends crying at their loved one's grave, and I took notice of Bryan and his gang with Bethany in what I assumed was Joshua's makeshift memorial, since they didn't have a body to bury, as sad as that sounds. Turning back to my attention to my family, I stood up with a painful groan. I silently reminded myself of what the nurse told me, not to be too hard on my body.

"We're gonna have to move on soon enough," I said. "I'd say we have at least a month before it starts to get cold. At that point, I'm not sure on what we're gonna do."

"What do you mean?" asked Olivia with a nervous expression.

"I'm not sure whether we should stay here or head south. It's safer to stay here, obviously, but we're still in an area where it gets a fair amount of snow," I said, and Dad cut in, getting my point.

"He's right. Knowing this kind of weather, I'm not sure what's going to happen, " he said, looking up at the sky as a cool breeze swept over us. "I have a feeling that when winter comes, it's probably going to be either extremely cold or just plain harsh and windy."

Shivers went down my spine. If it were to be very, very cold, I knew that if we're to go south, it probably won't get much better than here. Also, what about the disease? Will it continue to mutate and cause even further problems? Or, will it die off from the freezing weather? I suppose we have yet to find out.

Then, another question came to mind. I turned to Dad. "What about Bryan and his group? Our original plan was to rescue them and head south, but we got here too late."

"Yeah, that's true," he said. "Well, I guess we'll talk to them about it when we get a better chance and see what they have to say. Let's go ahead and let them stay as we go tour the place to get better bearings of where everything is. While we're at it, we can find out about sleeping."

Oh yeah, Dad and I both have been cooped up in a hospital bed since we've been here. I guessed that I would be staying with Bryan, but I didn't know for sure yet.

"Yeah, we can do that," I answered. "Where have Braxton and Olivia been sleeping?"

"I've been at Amelia's place," Olivia replied. "Braxton is with Bryan."

I nodded. "Makes sense. I guess I'll move in with Bryan. What about you, Dad?"

He shook his head. "I don't think I have much other choice but to do the same."

I sighed. At these kind of situations, he'd typically stay with Navarez, but I kept my mouth shut.

With that, we took one last look at the legend's grave that saved our lives countless times. As we exited the newly created graveyard, we all had our heads held high, for Navarez's sake, and for everyone else that died for us.

If only it was all over, but all of us knew that this was only the leading point to even worse disaster.
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