The Stand

At the end of June, the town of Ogunquit is nearly deserted. Frannie needs to think about her next move. She goes to Harold’s house to see if he still wants to leave and finds him in the backyard, mowing the lawn. Harold is embarrassed that she caught him, and tearfully confesses that he misses his parents, even though he didn’t like them when they were alive. Frannie comforts him and suggests that they leave town right away. Harold believes the plague center in Vermont might be their best destination.

Before they go, Harold climbs to the top of a barn and paints a message to passing motorists just in case anyone comes looking for survivors.

HAVE GONE TO STOVINGTON, VT. PLAGUE CENTER US 1 TO WELLS INTERSTATE 95 TO PORTLAND US 302 TO BARRE INTERSTATE 89 TO STOVINGTON LEAVING OGUNQUIT JULY 2, 1990, HAROLD EMERY LAUDER, FRANCES GOLDSMITH (395).

That evening they gather supplies and weapons, intending to take motorcycles rather than a car for their trek northward.

After escaping the plague facility, Stu is hiking down a New Hampshire road when he encounters an Irish Setter named Kojak and the dog’s owner, Glen Batemen. Glen is a retired academic, and he invites Stu to join him for lunch.