Way down South in Dixie

The hazmat-wearing soldiers pulled the last five people out of the truck, placing them up against the wall like the others. The second to last, a young man in a pair of overalls and a dirty shirt, gave a vicious kick to one of the soldier's midsection. A shout of "Gah! Git your hands offa' me you army yahoos!" accompanied the second kick to the soldier, though this one was avoided. The young man, along with the last person on the truck, was pulled out and shackled together with their companions.

Ellis had to admit: he was scared. He, Coach, Nick, and Ro had gone through what seemed like the jaws of hell itself, only to be lined up in front of a firing squad by their saviors. Apparently, anyone in contact with the infection had to be "quarantined." Obviously, the army saw six feet under as the best quarantine zone.

Looking to the left brought the others into view. Ro looked like she was about to cry, Nick looked bloodthirsty, and Coach just looked sad. Taking into account the sheer volume of curses and threats Nick came up with to yell at their executioners, it is astounding that he heard the quiet, deep voice singing the slow, pondering song.

"Oh I wish I was in the Land of Cotton

Old times there are not forgotten.

Look away, Look away, Look away,

Dixie Land"

The last man off the truck was singing. Ellis almost laughed at the thought. Here they were, ready to be shot, and this sixty-something year old man with a farmer's tan and a cowboy hat was singing.

"In Dixie Land where I was born

Early on one frosty Morn

Look away, Look away, Look away,

Dixie Land"

So caught up was he in the older gentleman that he never even heard the call of "ready, aim, fire" until the first bang. Jerking his head back around, Ellis watched as the first in the line fell.

"There's buckwheat cakes and Injun batter,

Makes you fat or a little fatter;

Look away! Look away! Look away!

Dixie Land"

The soldiers moved on relentlessly, shooting down each person, no matter how they pleaded, claiming all the riches and power they could bestow upon the merciful. Each plea was silenced with a gunshot.

"Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel,

To Dixie's Land I'm bound to travel,

Look away! Look away! Look away!

Dixie Land"

And at last they got to Ro. She started sobbing uncontrollably, and Ellis watched as Nick tried to reach out to strangle the soldier, but the chains held strong. Next went Nick, glaring all the time. They went to Coach next, who looked the soldier dead in the eye and whispered, "May God have mercy on your soul." There was one last bang and Ellis watched his last friend die.

"Now here's a health to the next ole Missus

An' all the gals that want to kiss us;

Look away! Look away! Look away!

Dixie Land"

As Ellis watched the gun barrel in his face flash, the oddest thought ran through his mind. 'I wanted to hear the end of the song.'

The soldier walked at last the elder gentleman at the end of the line. The fellow stood straight and tall, not daunted by the gun barrel in the least. He looked the soldier square in the eye, and spit on his visor.

"But if you want to drive 'way sorrow…"

"READY!

"Come and hear this song tomorrow"

"AIM!"

"Look away! Look away! Look away!"

"FIRE!"

"Dixie Land"