False Prey: A Wildfire Novella (Wildfire Saga) Read Free Page B

that, phone service has been a little spotty around here, lately.”
    “ Of course—it’s just one more side effect of this mysterious wave of flu-like illness that’s sweeping the nation ,” replied the slick voice of the CNN anchorman.   “ Now, getting back to your statement about the conditions in Brikston, how is the self-imposed quarantine working?”
    “Fairly well, honestly,” said Danny.   He looked at the notebook propped on the steering wheel.   “The Chief of Police has had his department patrolling the main access roads to town for a week now and for the most part has succeeded in keeping out travelers who might be carrying the sickness.”
    “ But? ” prompted the anchor.
    “But,” replied Danny, “recently, a few people have started getting sick anyway.   The worry in town is that they have come down with the mysterious new flu.   Some are calling it the ‘superflu’.”  
    Commotion at the intersection ahead caused him to look up.   Three people wearing flu masks raced by, followed by a squad car, lights flashing and siren blaring as it roared north.
    “I’m sorry, there’s a bit of…something…going on, here,” he said absently.   Almost without thought, he started his own car and shifted into gear to follow the squad car.
    “What do you mean?   Was that a police siren we just heard?”
    “Yes,” said Danny, as he turned the corner.   “Wait a minute.”
    “What is it?   What do you see?”
    “Looks like there’s a disturbance going on at the Catholic Church here in town.   St. Stephen’s.”
    “For our viewers at home who’ve just joined us, we’re on the phone with reporter Danny Roberts in Brikston, Kentucky, with a live report on conditions from one of the self-quarantined towns that seem to be popping up all over the country recently.   Danny—can you give us some details as to what you’re witnessing?”
    “Sure, Axel,” said Danny as he parked his car on the outskirts of the crowd.   “I’m parked now in front of St. Stephen’s, where there appears to be a decent sized crowd—I’d estimate about fifty people or so—”
    “That’s an unusually large gathering in these dangerous times, wouldn’t you say?””
    “Absolutely—especially since the mayor has severely limited all public gatherings to small groups—no more than 10 people.   What I’m looking at right now is easily five times the legal limit.   There’s a police cruiser that just appeared on the scene.   I can see through the people milling about that there’s another squad car on the south side of the church.”
    “Has this church been designated an emergency health station?”
    “No, not as far as I’m aware.   Only a handful of people have gotten sick here in the last 48 hours—so far, the local hospital is more than capable of handling—” he paused, watching the crowd part.   “Hang on…”
    “What is it?”
    “It appears that some police officers are escorting a man out of the church.   The crowd is definitely more agitated now.   I’m going to try and get closer…”   Danny exited his car and immediately realized he was on to something by the sheer volume of yelling and chanting.
    “Please be sure you’re protected, Danny—don’t take any unnecessary risks…”
    “Hang him!” the crowd shouted.
    “He’s a spy!”
    “He brought the flu!”
    “Hang him!”
    “It sounds like people are chanting something—”
    “Yes, Axel, they’re yelling ‘Hang him’ over and over,” said Danny, one hand holding the phone, the other over his opposite ear.   He approached the first person he could find.  
    “Excuse me, sir, I’m Danny Roberts with The Tribune —can you tell me what’s going on?” he asked over the noise and commotion.
    The middle-aged man turned, his face obscured by a flu mask.   “You got here fast!” he said in a muffled voice.   “They got—” he started to say, then shook his head and pulled the mask down from his