Vapor by David Meyer

last. “We save stuff. That’s all. Let others sort out the details.”
    “So, what do you want to do with the reliquary?”
    “We’ll take it to Jerusalem. Seek out some of Lila’s old colleagues. Maybe they can help us find a place for it.” I took a few more breaths. Gradually, my strength returned. “By the way, thanks to whoever saved me.”
    “That was me,” Graham said.
    “You must have iron lungs.”
    “They do the job.” He gave me a sharp look. “What the hell were you doing out there anyway?”
    “Securing the reliquary. One of the cords—”
    “You risked your life for that thing?” Beverly’s voice dripped with incredulity.
    I glanced over my shoulder. The stone box, covered with sheets and cords, sat on the flatbed. “It’s my job.”
    Graham turned the key, igniting the engine. Then he pressed the accelerator and the truck shot forward.
    I frowned. “You’re going the wrong way.”
    “No, I’m not,” he replied. “We’re going back to the dig site.”
    “Why?”
    “To look for survivors.”
    A light wind whipped across the barren landscape as we drove back to the dig site. A few dirt particles danced in front of the windshield. The dust storm no longer blotted out the sky. But it was dark out, thanks to the rapidly setting sun.
    Graham flicked on the headlights. The barn came into view. He drove a little farther before parking the vehicle. Hesitantly, he reached for the door.
    “Wait.” I took a deep breath. “I’ll go.”
    His hand lingered on the latch. Then he lowered it to his lap and gave me a nod.
    Holding my breath, I climbed out of the cab. A few particles of dirt whipped at me, striking my cheeks. The hot air burned my skin.
    I took a small breath. The air tasted dirty and foul. But at least I could breathe it.
    Pulling on my goggles, I activated the night-vision. The landscape lit up in multiple shades of green. Then I waved at the others.
    Beverly climbed out of the cab. A curious expression crossed her face. Pulling off her shoulder bag, she started to rummage inside it.
    Graham joined me. We hiked in silence, passing over chunks of rock and metal debris. Misshapen masses appeared at the edge of my vision. But it was a closer one that caught my eye.
    My gaze hardened as I stared at Lila’s corpse. Her flowing white shirt and green slacks were smudged with dirt. Her hair clips had come loose, causing her hair to flutter freely with the wind. Her lifeless eyes stared at everything and nothing, all at the same time.
    I felt for a pulse, more as a formality than anything else. Then I closed her eyelids. Just a little while ago, she’d been in good health. Now, she was dead, a victim of the noxious contrails.
    I stood up. Angling away from Lila, we walked east. A blistering wind ripped into my cheeks. It brought the stench of death to my nostrils. Resisting the urge to gag, I walked to another body.
    It belonged to the gaunt man. His fingers gripped the woman’s hand, one final act of love in a harsh world.
    Steeling my heart, I swept my gaze down his torso. Then I used my machete blade to lift his shirt a few inches. “He’s got sores. Lots of them.”
    “Pretty gruesome.” Graham pointed at the man’s head. “Check out his eyes. They’re bloodshot.”
    “Bloodshot and petrified. He died cowering from fear.”
    “Can’t say I blame him. Asphyxiation is a hell of a way to go.” He glanced at the woman’s body. “Looks like she’s got the same symptoms. Sores and bloodshot eyes.”
    “So, they were sick.” I frowned. “It seems like a lot of people are sick these days.”
    “Chalk it up to the famines and droughts. Weak people are more susceptible to viruses. Anyway there’s nothing we can do for these two.” Lifting his gaze, he searched the landscape. “There’s nothing we can do for any of them.”
    Standing up again, I glanced at our truck. The ancient reliquary peered over the top of it. When I’d accepted Lila’s proposal, the job had