Carlie Simmons (Book 3): The Way Back by JT Sawyer Page A

happening, this plan sounds like a helluva gamble,”
said Jared. “I mean, we’re all dependent on that whirlybird to get us across
vast swaths of rugged country and then hope we find fuel along the way.” He
waved his arms up in the air. “We’ve got a good thing going here—a fairly
secure island, a gracious host, a mild climate, and from what Alejandro has
said, an unlimited supply of food on those cruise ships, not to mention resources
left on the mainland by all those hotels.”
    Before Carlie could answer, Amy spoke up,
looking at her. “Look, I owe you a world of debt for all you’ve done for me
since we met, so don’t take this the wrong way, but do you really want to risk
venturing back into the storm again? For the first time in nearly two months,
we’re safe, we have a roof over our heads, and we can sleep through the night
without waking in a cold sweat gripping our machetes.”
    Alejandro moved beside Carlie, looking at
the map and then over to her. “Sense of duty can be crippling or it can be
liberating.”
    Carlie balled her fists and put them on
the table. “Let’s say we stay and play Swiss Family Robinson living here in the
trees. Next month or next year, we could be overrun by those creatures or by a
group of survivors with more firepower than us. There’s only strength in numbers
and the military bases offer the best hope of finding that,” said Carlie.
    Pavel, who was stroking his gray beard,
tapped his finger on the location for Fort Lewis. “As we’ve talked about these
many weeks around the campfire, if we can make it back, I can resume my
research on the virus. I’m still guessing that there aren’t too many people at
your U.S. facilities who possess my background.”
    “Look, people, we’re not even sure what
happened to White Sands so a military base could be a good bet to hedge against
the future but it just doesn’t seem like there’s certainty in even that anymore,”
said Jared.
    Carlie reached back for her wine glass on
the table and took a sip then rolled her wrist around, staring at the red elixir
as if it was revealing her future. “The bottom line here is that we have to
think beyond ourselves and to the future of humankind. I know we’ve been solely
focused on our own survival for a long time and that this place we’re in now is
a paradise but we need to get Pavel back to the States so he can commence work
on finding a cure for this virus.”
    She finished her wine and then placed the
empty glass down on the edge of the map. “I’m not going to twist anyone’s arm
here to make this trip. You’ve already risked enough but if Matias will fly
this helo, then I’m headed back to Fort Lewis or any military base we can
locate.”
    Matias grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
“You never have to ask me to join you, Carlie. I’m with you for the long haul.”
    “Matias might steer you off course by
accident and could use a navigator,” said Shane. “So, count me in. Besides,
Carlie, you might not be taken seriously when you arrive with that
bleach-blonde hair and California tan. The commander at Fort Lewis is going to
think you’re a surfer.”
    Jared swigged down the last of his wine
then stood up. “Shit, if Shane’s going, I’m going. I couldn’t leave you guys at
the mercy of this raconteur frogman and all of his bullshit stories of
bravado.”
    “If I excel at bullshitting it’s because
your influence has rubbed off on me, you inbred hillbilly,” Shane said,
smiling.
    Pavel shakily raised his glass and toasted
the group, his eyes looking glassy from too much port. “I salute you all, my
friends. Your conduct has been admirable not only now but in these many weeks
together, watching over me and making me a part of your group. I hope not to
disappoint you.”
    Amy sighed and sat back on a chair. “Really—you’re
really gonna make me leave this slice of heaven? It’s probably going to be
snowing in Washington.”
    “Spoken like an Arizona girl,”