Chapter 32

Cameron's group was camped out on the edge of the reservation. They were near the Colorado River, and as the others slept Cameron was fishing. It was during this he realized how much his body was changing.

He was hurling a spear across the river with precision, and with a simple tug, his line came soaring back. There was already a stack of bass on the bank, and he didn't even break a sweat. Cameron was filling his bag when a sudden rustle appeared in the trees.

'There weren't any other animals nearby, and that wasn't a bird.' Cameron hurled his spear as two orbs zipped away.

Crashing on the ground before Cameron was a damaged drone. A crude spear wouldn't have scratched their tech, but the force of Cameron's blow was substantial. The drone was repairing itself and started taking off when he seized it.

"Don't you have better things to do?" Cameron hurled the drone away.

'Why haven't they saved them?'

Cameron slung the bag over his back before admiring the sunrise. He glanced towards camp before heading south. Before setting camp they passed a small house in the middle of the night. Cameron didn't mention it to the others to ensure they slept, but it was something to address.

Approaching the back of the house Cameron saw an old man waiting for his dog to return. Seeing Cameron it ran up with a stiff tail, but after extending his hand it warmed up. He knew right away it was a result of the fish.

"Sorry for the disturbance last night." Cameron rubbed the dog's ear.

"We woke up from the rumbling. I'll admit it's a little unusual to see someone this far up the river." The elder stated.

"We've been hiking across the mountains, and had to move camp suddenly due to the quake. I wanted to bring you something for the trouble." Cameron removed his bag and the majority of the fish.

Henry examined the bounty, and the manner they were caught. It was clear a spear was Cameron's weapon of choice, but the tear was too clean. Even in his prime, a blow like this wasn't possible to replicate.

"Thank you for the fish, but this is too much for me alone," Henry told Cameron.

"I was expecting more people from the size of the house," Cameron said bluntly.

"It's just me, and been that way for a while now," Henry whistled for his dog to return to the property line.

"Living out here alone doesn't seem so bad," Cameron stated.

"It does come with a few benefits, but I miss the conversation every now and then. Where are your friends?" Henry asked.

"Catching up on sleep." Cameron examined the state of his home.

Cameron continued chatting with Henry and helped with a few things around the house. Being social was never a strong suit for Cameron, but this was different. His mother always stressed the importance of helping elders.

"Where are you from?" Henry asked.

"I grew up in Tanana but spent the last few years near Vegas," Cameron replied while fixing a broken fence.

"What brought you down here?" Henry investigated.

"It wasn't by my choice that's for sure." Cameron glanced at his watch.

"Was it for work?" Henry offered Cameron a hand.

"Didn't have anyone left to live with, and there were no foster homes in the state at the time." Cameron dusted his hands off.

'Another child lost to the system.'

"What's keeping you from going back?" Henry asked.

"I was trying to, but our car gave out a few miles back and fixing it wasn't an option," Cameron replied.

"So now you plan to hike back?" He chuckled.

"Just till we get back on the highway," Cameron replied.

"Hitchhiking is risky too." He cautioned.

Their discussion was interrupted by the dog barking. Running towards the house was a young woman with a frantic look on her face. Watching her approach Henry immediately began hobbling to the truck.

"Thank you for all the help, but I need to go," Henry told Cameron.

The look on the woman's face made Cameron feel uneasy. It was the same frantic look Megan had in the warehouse. Given the recent events, Cameron couldn't stop thinking of his mother.

"Let me help." Cameron approached to ease Henry into the truck.

The woman upfront checking her phone constantly for updates is Kinsey. Her father is ill and their family is unable to afford the treatment. Lately, things have been getting worse, and they simply wanted to provide comfort.

Kinsey has always been skeptical about alternative medicine, but at this point, she was willing to try anything. After a minute on the road, they came across a small ranch. Arriving at the same time as them was a medicine woman named Gabriella.

"We should hurry." Kinsey quickly unlocked the door.

Kinsey escorted them to a room in the back past several children. Cameron noticed an older sibling attempting to distract them, but the sound of harsh coughing was easily heard over the tv. After entering the room the two began mixing herbs.

Seeing a group around the bed chanting Cameron tried to be respectful. He recalled criticizing this form of healing in the past and getting an earful from his mom. Looking at Kinsey he could tell it was more for spiritual comfort, and who's to say it wouldn't work.

The medicine was ready, but it had minimal effects. As the coughing ensued once more they realized the blood was getting worse. Deep down they all knew it was a matter of days, and it wouldn't be peaceful.

Watching Kinsey cry over her father's bed brought up memories for Cameron. He saw flashes of that day in the kitchen and recalled the feeling of her body going cold. Without thinking Cameron's body reacted, and the others watched his body change.

They were still trying to understand what was going on as Cameron approached the bed. He seemed to be in a trance while hovering over the sickly man. He could hear questions from the others, and even someone tugging at his arm, but Cameron ignored it.

For a brief moment, the room around them seemed to fade away with the people in it. Only the father laid before him, and Cameron saw a light in the shape of a human watching him. As an unusual sensation filled the house they backed away from Cameron. Kinsey watched closely as her father lifted from the bed.