Sometimes We Ran (Book 3): Rescue by Stephen Drivick

doctor sat down again to get on eye level with Denise. “And another point. In case anyone has noticed, humans aren't exactly flourishing in this area anymore. It might not be a bad idea to help a few survive. If we can get them here to safety, they would at least have a chance.” She paused for a minute to collect her thoughts. “I'm a doctor. I want to help everyone, but it's more than that. I still believe we're all in this together, every man, woman, and child that remains. We need as many humans to survive as possible, or I don't know what's going to happen to us. I think we need to start rescuing people again. Not just for the sake of the people still out there, but for our sakes as well. That's all I have to say.” Doctor Connelly went silent, and looked at her feet.
    “We're all in this together,” I said. I meant to say it in my mind, but I said it out loud.
    “Something you want to add, John?” Denise asked.
    “No,” I said. “Just something I might have said to Claire a few days ago.”
    Denise stood up, and paced behind her desk. She stopped and stared at one of her walls. “I just don't know. Lyle could be lying. It wouldn't be the first time someone lied to us to get our supplies.” She sat down again. “But I think we need to take a chance.”
    Michael shook his head. “Denise...”
    She held up her hands. “I know. It could all be a fabrication, but the doctor is right.” She picked up her favorite pen, the one with the green ink, and began to tap it on the desk. “It's just a feeling, but I think Lyle needs our help. I can't explain it. Just something I feel. We'll help him get his people to safety. Everyone agree?”
    We all nodded silently, even Michael. He still didn't look too sure of it all, but he went along with Denise.
    “But we're just not going to hand him the keys to our van. Someone is going to have to go with him and help out,” Denise said.
    Before I could change my mind, I volunteered. “I'll go. Lyle seems to trust me.”
    Denise nodded in agreement. “Okay...but you're not going alone. I want someone to help you watch out for trouble.”
    “Who's available? I think we're shorthanded. Most of our people are watching the gate,” Michael said.
    “Oh...I know somebody who may go with me.” I stood up to leave. “Me and her have worked together before.”
    “Claire,” Michael said. “You think she'll agree to this? You know what happened last time you guys left the compound.” Michael still hadn't apologized to Claire after their dust-up in the infirmary.
    “I'll just have to convince her,” I said. “And that may be the hardest thing I do on this mission.”

Chapter 10: Back into the Big, Bad World
    I took a quick stroll to the houses we converted to schoolrooms, going over various ways to convince Claire to leave her family yet again to join me on a dangerous mission outside. The wind picked up, so I quickened my step. All I had to do was figure out what to say to get her to help me. Claire was all I had left. Lisa and her sister had to stay inside to protect the residents, and everyone else was sick. I couldn't go alone. Someone had to watch Lyle, as he was still a stranger.
    Since the little altercation with Michael in the infirmary, Claire had retreated to what she loved : her children. In the five years since she arrived at Cannon Fields, Claire had become a teacher and she did a pretty good job. Convincing her to leave her kids was not going to be easy.
    I finally reached to door to the converted schoolhouse. We had two such buildings. One was set up for the younger kids, the older kids went to school next door. Cannon Fields took the protection and education of its children very seriously. They were nothing short of the future of the human species.
    The security guard at the door aimed his rifle in my direction. ”Hold it! Who's there?” he called out.
    Raising my hands, I yelled, ”It's me, John.”
    The guard lowered his rifle, and ran up to meet me