Free The Flu 2: Healing by Jacqueline Druga

east?”
    “Yes.”
    “Isn’t everybody?” He smiled.
    Lexi returned the smile. “The man in the casino told us we can get a room for the night?”
    “Ah, Charlie. He loves those slots. He doesn’t even get up to take a piss. Has a bottle right next to him.”
    Bill winced. “Glad I missed that.”
    “I bet,” the man said. “Well, we aren’t a fancy resort, we’re a stopping post. We ask that you don’t cook anything in the rooms. Fire hazard, you know. You can do so outside or in designated areas of the hotel. Clean up after you leave. Sanitizer is in each room.” He pulled a sheet of paper forward. “We’re pretty secure. I have guys on watch. You can’t see them, but they’re there. Kind of defensive against trouble. Not that we have seen a lot of trouble. Folks are pretty good, just wanna go east. Glad I’m not there.”
    Lexi was curious. “Why not?”
    “More people, more problems. Kind of like a reverse return to the Wild West now. Quiet, empty, and I like it. You can control what you have and what you need when you aren’t fighting for scraps against a thousand starving people.”
    “Makes sense,” Lexi agreed.
    “So you’re pretty protected here. One of the things we ask if that you check your weapons. We’ll give them back when you leave.”
    Lexi looked at Bill.
    Bill replied. “We have a knife.”
    “A knife?”
    “We have an ax,” Lexi said. “It’s in the car. Tire iron? Does that count?”
    “A knife, ax and tire iron?” the man said. “What kind of knife?”
    Bill laid the six inch hunting knife on the counter.
    The man pushed it back. “It’s fine, you can hold on to that. Man,” he shook his head and added with some sarcasm, “you guys are prepared.”
    Lexi smiled. “We try.”
    “I’m joking . What in the hell is wrong with you two?”
    Lexi cocked back. “I’m sorry?”
    “You’re crossing the country with a knife, an ax and a tire iron. This isn’t a Stephen King world. This isn’t all the bad in one place, all the good in another. Good and bad are scattered about. More bad roam. Especially, I’m guessing, the further east you go.”
    “We discussed this,” Lexi said. “We don’t believe in guns.”
    “Well, you should. And if you change your mind, we have some you can barter for.”
    “Thank you,” Lexi said.
    “Okay, that’s the rules. Now what do you have to barter for the room?”
    Lexi peered up at Bill. “What do we have?”
    “We have some food,” Bill said. “Some water. Not much. “
    The man shook his head. “Food and water don’t barter here. I’d take that knife, but I’d feel guilty leaving you defenseless.” He sighed. “Any gold? Silver? Brass? Pennies? You got pennies, they melt down.”
    Lexi shook her head.
    “What the heck, people?”
    “What about skills?” Bill asked. “Can they be bartered?”
    “Depends,” he replied. “What’s your skill?”
    “Not me,” Bill said. “Her.” He pointed to Lexi. “She’s a doctor.”
    Suddenly, the officer’s entire demeanor changed. All expression dropped from his face and even his voice changed. “Are you serious?”
    “Yes,” Lexi said with a nod and swung her knapsack forward. “This is my bag. I have some stuff, not a lot. I really don’t want to barter medicine if I don’t have to.” She grabbed a small billfold and put it on the counter. “Here’s my ID.”
    “You still carry ID?”
    “You never know.”
    He glanced down. “Alexandra Martin. You worked for the CDC?”
    “Lexi. Call me Lexi. And yes.”
    “And she’s good,” Bill added. “She’s really good. I worked two outbreaks with her.”
    The man slid back the billfold.
    “My skills won’t get us a room?” Lexi asked with disappointment. “Surely, I can help someone? I mean slot machine guy …”
    The man held up his hand, halting her. “You’re a doctor. That skill will barter you more than just a room here. We have everything but a doctor. And lady, I can’t tell you how glad