The Virus

The steam from the roads almost seem to behave like threatening geysers as her taxi lit up the way. Meridian also noticed the car was chilly, but she went in her bug out bag to grab a blanket instead of complain. She knew few people that would transport her from St. Louis, MO to Charlotte, NC, but some mysterious benefactor made sure her fare was paid in full. A few pit stops but overall there have been no hiccups - at least that was going ok. A tick of her mobile device notified her of a message. It was Jake. She swallowed in apprehension but nothing better to do but kill time. "Sorry" it was titled. She clicked the image and after a minute of buffering the video began. He seated on his sofa. She took his passion many times there and indulged its comfort many a night. "Meridian, I wanted to first and foremost wanted to say - Sorry." Meridian smiled and knew tears would be escaping any minute. "I can't say I fully understand what you are going through, nor your reasoning to leave friends and family who love you very much, but I assume it is very important. We all are talking about it. It must be of vital importance. I sure hope it wasn't me. Please call or text me if I had anything to do with this decision. We have had our disagreements and spats before. Most of the time I admit, I was an ignorant blockhead. However, I would never envision you taking off with no explanation because I hurt your feelings!" He adjusted his camera and took a swig of fluid. Burped like the insufferable Ogre to get a laugh. Meridian shook her head and giggled. "Well that was unfortunate. Kinda killed the moment eh, Matey?" doing his best Jim Carrey impression. "But seriously, Middy, don't let this be the last goodbye. These dreams are just dreams aren't they? Do you really have to take off to gawd knows where to meet a complete stranger that supposed to save the planet? Do you see how crazy it sounds? Hey guys - I'm leaving, my dream guy is calling out to me and I need to go see him or we all will die. The world is not as charitable as you think, Middy. Check out any Rumble or internet service. You are the ripe target for sickos. Young women are snatched and gone as fast as a combo meal at McDoogals. You could have told me. No, you should have told me!" He adjusted the camera again, zooming into his face. "If I didn't care about you, I wouldn't have texted you. That being said, I am pissed. you made me swear not to tell anyone, so I did. I am frustrated you won't let me be there. Am I like a big blow up doll which you lost interest? We had some good times here and other places. Remember the moonlight view at Blood Lake? Man, that night I wish never ended. Whelp, I can see it didn't matter much to you." She paused the video to blow her nose. Her tears streamed down her face, she peered outside in the darkness. it was fogging up again. Are you sure this is the right thing to do? What if this rebel group, the Defiant, rejects her? Her track record of convincing people of her clairvoyance is shaky at best. But the cryptic text affirmed everything. Meridian Chase. We know you can see things. We know you can see supernaturally. We know you see us. We invite to join us. - Click on this to start your journey to save the world - Fr. Ryper She clicked on an itinerary for her eyes only . A cab would travel hundreds of miles to Charlotte where the next instruction series will be given. The shadowy figure blew cigar smoke into the room, "Did she get the text or ignore you?" Jake caked with spattered blood on his shirt and pants nodded. "She got it." "The virus has been deployed?" He nodded. "Good. Soon your little girlfriend will give the location of the Defiant. Gonna Scoop 'em up like ice cream and call it a day. You can have your squeeze after that. Now clean up this mess and if I hear any more about this like from cops or media, I will kill you both. Kabeesh, Shaky Jake?" Shaky Jake was numb. His older brother was beaten to a pulp in front of him. His parents have no idea that their fishing trip has become a nightmare. This stranger knew all about Middy and wanted her new rebellious friends dead. Jake threw up moments after the figure departed.