Aftermath

"Yup, every scrap of it. Leroy, were you serious about trying to bring some of the samples to the people at the CDC?" Ryan decided it was time to voice the question that had been haunting him for some time. "I think that it could be a useful trip to go down there. Like I said, I was a doctor. However, I'm no scientist. I've only got so much to go on, myself. Those people are trained to research the things that are like this. Jekyll, do you think Clyde could make it to Georgia?" Leroy brought his cup up to his lips and took a tentative sip of his coffee before deciding it needed cooling off. Jekyll thought for a moment. "I don't know. That's a lot of gas, and it's not like there are going to be operational gas stations along the way. That would be a long way out to get stranded without a drop of gas." "I thought about that and talked it over with Russ. He's got a few ideas that you should look into with him. That man is full of useful ideas and very concerned as to whether or not you would ever be stranded." Leroy said. "I know, we have been batting around a couple of ideas of how to make Clyde more fuel efficient. Not only will he be the fastest, he'll be amazingly economical. We're even looking into how plain alcohol could be used instead of gas. But, right now, I think as it stands I'd be doing an awful lot of syphoning from other vehicles." Jekyll said before turning her attention back to her food which was almost gone. "Well, I'd like to get these to the CDC if I can. Probably in the spring. I know that it will be hard and you'll have to go back routes for some of it depending on what the roads look like. But, you've always been good at finding your way to wherever it was you really wanted to get to. I haven't seen you fail and getting anywhere yet. I don't think I'll be able to go with you though. I don't want to leave Emmy to the farm all by herself." Leroy looked at Jekyll very seriously. "There are others that can help her here, but I get where you're coming from." Jekyll said. "Will I be able to go with you? I'm the only one who could tell them what mom was like after she turned." Ryan interjected into the adults conversation. "Well, I don't think your mother would be too happy if she risked her life, limb and unlife just so you could go back out into danger like you're Clint Eastwood or something." Jekyll stared right into his eyes so she could make sure that he understood her. "No, she wants me as safe as I can be. Look at it this way, I'm part of the experiment! What she did, she did for me. I have to make sure part of her gets to someone that can help everyone. I have to tell them what I know." Ryan was starting to get visibly distraught. "What do you know that you think the scientists at the CDC wouldn't be able to figure out from your mother's samples?" Leroy calmly asked Ryan. "That something else happened." Ryan looked down at his empty plate somewhat sadly, and somewhat ashamed that he was about to break his promise to his mother that he not share the secret, "Another thing that happened that my mom didn't want me to tell anyone. It's important and I think they'll need me."