Each step was up one and down two. Francine wasn’t sure how Antonio was able to just leap up these stairs like they were nothing. Her legs were burning, and her feet were pounding in her work heels. They weren’t that high a heel, but they definitely weren’t meant for running on a StairMaster. But Johnathan pushed her forward and her own adrenaline kicked in as she started to lift her legs higher. Francine was running the hundred-meter dash by the time she reached the top of the escalator, and Antonio was hooting and hollering as she approached.
“Yeah! Go Ms. Francine! Yeah! She blow doors off!” Antonio was cheering.
“Go Francine!” Johnathan felt a flutter of excitement, watching Francine drive up the stairs. He was now struggling to keep up.
Miles, still listening to Ray Charles singing into his ears, tried wiggling around to watch Ms. Francine.
Francine jumped up to the last step and felt pride. Then her heel came out from under her and she tripped and fell, dropping down on the escalator, going back down.
“Francine!” Johnathan stepped two steps and was on her in a second. “C’mon track star, we’re almost at the top.”
He tried to lift her up and a loud rip pulled her back down. They both looked down to see Francine’s skirt caught in the stairs. People rushed past bounding up the escalator and bumped into Johnathan then he tried to lift her again. The skirt pulled tighter and Francine began to fumble with the zipper on the back. Johnathan reached to help and was startled when he saw a random man shamble out at the bottom of the escalator, clicking his tongue and staring blankly. Johnathan felt a chill run down his spine as the man started to hack and cough before letting out a visceral scream.
In seconds, dozens of sprinting and running and clawing and biting fiends came flying around the sides of the escalator, filling up the platform below. They were going bat shit crazy on the Bart station platform, like someone had thrown a chainsaw into a mosh pit. It was pure insanity like something out of a slaughterhouse nightmare. And some of the infected were starting to make their way up the escalator.
Johnathan frantically started tearing at Francine’s skirt while she rubbed up and around her backside, not finding her zipper. Had it been knocked off? Was she stuck in her skirt?
“John… take Miles and Antonio and get out of here…” Francine looked up at Johnathan and let the words hang in the air.
Even with all the pandemonium at the bottom of the stairs and the madness moving closer with each moment, Johnathan felt like he and Francine were frozen in time. They looked into each other’s eyes with the knowledge that this would be the last time and the old man’s chest tightened. He fought again in a useless effort to try tearing her clothes free. But Francine put a hand on his face gently and reached up to kiss him.
“John… you have to go,” she whispered.
Johnathan looked deep into her eyes then looked down the stairs as the escalator continued its descent. They were almost at the bottom.
Miles looked between the two adults, unable to hear what they were saying with the earphones playing so loudly. Deniece Williams’ Silly was starting. The boy looked down the stairs and knew the danger was too close and they’d have to do something soon if they wanted to save Ms. Francine. But the old man stood up with Miles in his arms and took off, running up the escalator to where Antonio was waiting.
“No, wait!” Miles shouted. “Ms. Francine! We can’t leave--we can’t leave Ms. Francine! The monsters will get her!”
Antonio was shouting from up top too, but as the lyrics continued in Miles’ ears, he was unable to make out what Antonio was saying. But the small boy could see the panic and the dread in Antonio’s eyes. The old man kept leaping up the stairs and jumped off the escalator when he reached the peak. He had to grab Antonio before the teen tried to run down to help Francine. Miles’ kicking and screaming made Johnathan put the boy down to run on his own. He didn’t look back, but Miles and Antonio did. They watched the stairs continue to recede and Ms. Francine slowly started to sink out of sight. The sick lunatics were on her and she could no longer be seen.
Then others ran up the escalator, exploding from the stairway like popcorn. Monsters were snarling and going crazy as they chased Johnathan and the boys. He snatched them by the arm and pulled them towards the gate exits, shouting for the boys to hurry up. They had no choice but to keep up with the old man. He wasn’t letting them go. On two separate occasions the boys fell and Johnathan just dragged them. He practically tossed Miles over the exit gate when he reached it. Antonio went jumping over the machine on his own and the old man was right behind him.
“What are we gonna do?!” Antonio was panicked jumping around as he watched the fiends trying to chase after them.
Johnathan spotted the bathroom to his left. “Go to the bathroom! Go!” He scooped up Miles and carried him as Antonio sprinted beside him.
Johnathan pushed the door open, shoved Antonio inside and threw Miles to the floor. The old man slammed the door shut, feeling certain he had just doomed them to death. It was nothing but a stall and a urinal inside a closed box, but Johnathan still jammed himself against the door and locked it. Bodies started to slam against the door outside. Antonio roared and ran to help the old man, and they both pushed against the door. Miles, with tears running down his face, still listening to Silly, ran to help Johnathan and Antonio.
Somehow the door stayed shut against what felt like a storm of violent beasts that hungered for blood and carnage.
The door stayed closed for two days. And for two days Miles listened to the music on Ms. Francine’s phone. The old man also used it to watch news reports about what was going on around the world until Miles would start crying to get the phone. Everything was going to hell. Antonio cursed the government. Cursed the world. Cursed God. The old man often had to calm him down.
When the network went down and the internet stopped working, the battery life stretched longer, and Miles was able to listen to every song in Ms. Francine’s phone until the battery died. He listened to the whole playlist at least twice. Every song except Silly. Miles could never listen to Deniece William’s Silly again.
On the second day inside the bathroom, Johnathan pulled open the door, prepared to face whatever was outside. His stomach was empty, and Miles and Antonio were complaining about food every other hour. No more infected beasts were outside.
Johnathan took a deep breath, uncertain of what to do next or where to go, but he was sick of this public bathroom. He turned to the boys and said, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Chapter 7
Present day—
The next morning at the Costco, Carver and all the other members of the committee held a gathering in the food court to address the community. Lesly, wearing a fresh washed uniform that she ironed this morning, stood in front of the audience with a fresh coat of maroon lipstick and a big smile. This would be an important announcement, so she wanted to show everyone she meant business.
“Good morning everyone. Thank you all for coming. I hope the breakfast was good. Thank you again to the Gonzalez family and their chickens for providing us with fresh eggs this morning. Muy gracias to the Gonzalez fa-mil-lee-uh.”
Lesly and the other members of the community applauded the small Puerto Rican family sitting together in the back of the food court. The father with the handlebar mustache just waved his hand.
The store manager continued in her high-pitched voice, “Well, I know all of you are here to find out more about yesterday’s incidents. The large mob of infected, the soldiers we lost protecting the community and the two new boys who came into the store.” She turned slightly and motioned to the brothers standing behind her, between the grizzled Major Carver and stoic Captain Baker. “Well let me reassure you that the freaks outside are long gone and it’s all thanks to Captain Baker and his men. We thank the captain and his soldiers for their courageous… noble… and honorable sacrifices.”
With more gusto, Lesly started another applause break and
many of the community members gave a similar response. Captain Baker looked anxious about receiving the accolades and averted his eyes from the crowd.
The store manager waited for the clapping to die down then continued, “Many of you have heard, however, we lost two of our soldiers when they went out to fight off the monsters. Ryan Bates and Chris Anderson. The two men risked their lives to save not only us… but also these two scared, young boys who were lost in the woods. Ryan Bates was bit by one of the infected freaks and although he seemed fine… Dr. Manson examined a blood sample that revealed Ryan was carrying the virus.”
“So those kids killed him cuz he was bit?” A voice cried out from the audience.
“Was he gonna turn?” A second voice shouted up.
“They killed him! Those boys killed Bates, the major said it!” The third voice was followed by shouts of support.
“Please, everyone please.” Lesly tried calling out over the murmuring of the crowd but her shrill voice was timid and smaller than the back and forth coming from the people.
Carver stepped forward and with a boom he said, “Captain Baker made the call!” The major let the chatter fade off to whispers, then to silence, then he continued. “In the desperate situation they were in, the captain made the call to kill Ryan Bates before the infection took him over. After we reviewed the footage of what took place outside, we saw that it was Captain Baker who shot Bates as he was turning and about to attack one of these children. It was a split-second decision. I myself was shocked because I was certain that this child had killed Bates. But it was the captain, with his lightning fast reflexes when he sensed the danger.”
Baker shifted his weight and swallowed hard, feeling his mouth go dry. All the eyes in the food court turned to him and he was uncomfortable with the attention.
“Who are they?” A voice cried out.
Another voice followed with, “Where did they come from?”
“Everyone, please. Try to remain calm.” Lesly went back to working the stage that was the center of the food court. “These two boys were just scared children, out in the woods with nowhere to go. We took them in only to save them from the freaks outside. However, they may know where our missing search party is. After speaking with these boys, we found out that they may have seen our people out further in the woods. So this morning, your appointed committee has decided, we’re gearing up with a new group to go out and find our people and bring them home.”
What if we lose another group?
Who’s going this time?
Kick those kids out!
Lesly continued in a soft soprano. “I know this is all very unexpected and there are many events happening left and right. But we, as your appointed committee, are taking this all in stride and meeting each new development with clear motives. Julia, Dr. Manson and a few soldiers will go with one of the boys to find our people. We’ll find them and bring them back.”
Are they even still alive?
Did those boys kill them?
Are the freaks gone for good? Can we leave the store?
Carver stepped forward again and this time made his presence more known, lifting his big hands above his head to get everyone’s attention. “Things may sound frightening or even confusing but let me tell you firsthand, we’re still safe in the store if we stay in the store.” He coughed hard through his teeth. “The monsters outside can’t get in. We’re safe inside here. But every time someone goes out that door, they’re risking their life. It’s a dangerous world.”
Carver watched as a wave of understanding washed over the masses. Families clutched their children and couples grabbed each other. Many of them still remembered what the infected were capable of and the memory made them thankful they were locked inside this store. The store was their sanctuary and Carver stood at the head of it. The major was adored by this audience, respected for the position he held and revered for his leadership. Carver looked back at Antonio and Miles and they both looked annoyed at how long this was all taking.
The major chuckled but went back into his militant frame when he was addressing his people. “Even after the quarantine site in front of the store fell and those bikers tried breaking in, we’ve survived here for a long time. This is our home and we’re blessed to have this place in these hellish times. When our new search team finds our missing people, whatever conditions they’re in, they’ll bring them back here. Back home.” He covered his mouth to cough. “Thank you all for coming here.” The major turned around, unceremoniously, and went to join his waiting soldiers who were standing by. Lesly tried to better wrap up his closing statements.
“What the hell was this all about?” Antonio yawned and scratched the top of his head. Standing in a new pair of Nike sweatpants and a long white Michael Jordan t-shirt. The boy looked like he had just rolled out of bed on a Saturday morning.
“They have to do morning announcements. They have to make their morning announcements.” Miles tried to make sense of it himself but wasn’t exactly sure. He was too busy making sure the straps on his chest plate were tight enough. In his full combat regalia, Miles looked like a child size G.I. Joe. He was clad in what looked like armor over a long sleeve turtleneck and dark jeans. Heavy boots were on each foot and aside from the clumps of mud in the ridges, he looked washing machine clean.
Antonio scoffed, “They makin’ up some wack ass story of why we here. Sayin’ you didn’t kill that one dude. Why they hella lyin’?”
“We have to tell the people something to relax them from yesterday.” Captain Baker leaned down to the boys’ level. “If they think you killed someone, why would we trust you?”
“Duh. I get that part. I’m talkin’ bout why they sayin’ we was scared kids and y’all saved us.” Antonio turned up his lip. “If anything, we saved y’all. Y’all’d be dead wit out us.”
“They gonna give us supplies. We did it so we can get the supplies.” Miles knelt to retie his boot.
“This is hella boring.” Antonio shoved his hands in his pockets, expecting to find something there but didn’t. Then he tightened the straps of his new gray backpack that he found outside taking care of the hive. He wasn’t taking it off or leaving it anywhere and letting Carver take it. You find it, it’s yours. Just like the old man would say. The end of an aluminum bat poked out from the zipped top. Antonio wasn’t letting that go either.
“Sorry our community meetings aren’t as exciting as taking on a hive.” Baker chuckled.
Lesly was wrapping up in store manager fashion, “So, like Major Carver said, remember that we’re safe here in the store and we’ll continue to make it work here if we all do it together.” She was using team-building catch phrases and affirmations. “We all have to do our part in the community. Remember if there’s a task that anybody can do, and nobody does it, somebody will get angry, and everybody loses. Let’s be great today, tomorrow and beyond.” She smiled big and stood a little taller in front of the audience, beaming.
The gathering slowly began to disperse and Lesly went to work asking people to take their plates to either the garbage or the designated table for dirty dishes. It was a tedious thing that read clearly on the faces of those participating, but they did it anyway like a routine. While this was going on, tempers were flaring between an irate Julia and a calm Carver. They were off to the side on their own, speaking a few feet away from everyone else and the other committee members.
“You piece of shit.” Julia was livid.
Carver stood in front of the psychologist with little empathy on his face. “I’m sorry Julia, but it can’t be helped. We can’t exactly let Captain Baker go out on a scouting expedition with everything that’s going on right now.”
Julia went into a fit, cursing in Spanish and throwing her hands through the air, frustrated with the major. She paced with her back to Carver and managed to calm herself down. “Then who the hell is going with us instead of the captain? Who are you going to let go?”
“Your team’s the same. That boy who k
illed Bates, will take you, Lance and Clint to find the first search group. Manson wants to join you and see the infected firsthand for some insane reason and he requested Burrows to come with him. With Torrez and Castle, you all should be fine.”
“Wait a minute… Castle?” The name was a surprise to Julia, she contorted her face. “Burrows and Castle? Why the hell…” She shook the look from her face and her sneer relaxed. “You really are a piece of shit.”
Carver roared a cough through his teeth. “I don’t know what your problem is Julia, but all this defiance isn’t helping either one of us.”
“Defiance? What the hell do you think this is, Eric? Do you think I didn’t see, from day one, how you’ve been manipulating these people and making them your sheep? I didn’t care when it was just some posturing game you had to prove you’re the community’s leader. But lives are on the line.”
Carver cut in, “You’re going to go out there and find bodies. Stop telling yourself you’re helping people by making them grieve. Finding our group won’t bring closure, it’ll just prove what I’ve been saying. The world out there is fucked, doctor. There’s no logical reason to go out there, into the danger, when we can survive, here!” Carver looked around and noticed the two of them were starting to garner attention from families still leaving the food court. He cleared his throat and regained his composure.
“You’ve scared people into thinking this is the end all be all. Like if they step out this store for even a second, they’ll die.” Julia pointed at Antonio and Miles. “But those two kids were out there on their own surviving.” She left before the major could respond.
Julia didn’t get two feet away from the major before she was immediately rushed by Lance and Clint. “Is everything ok? Can we still go with you guys?” Clint gripped the straps to his backpack tightly. His clothes looked like he put them on in a rush. His flannel shirt was half tucked and his jeans were tied in one of his boots. The eyepatch over his eye was slanted.
“I have to go.” Lance said matter-of-factly. He was wearing fatigue pants and a hunter’s puff coat; both items he grabbed from the sports section. The tags still hung from the back of the pants and his white New Balance shoes were pristine. He also had a small Janson backpack with a metal water bottle tied to it. He was ready to go and find his wife, no matter where she was outside the store.
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