Class of 1989: A Post Viral Apocalyptic Story

by Jack Hunt

  “Miles. Hey!” Abe snapped fingers in front of his face. “You okay, buddy?”

  “There’s too many.”

  Abe wrapped Miles’ hand around the gun. “You need to snap out of it.”

  Nothing.

  “Miles!”

  And like that he was back. He nodded and as they made their way back to the dormer, the sound of choppers drew near. They both squinted into the afternoon sun to see three helicopters heading toward them. One of them, an MV-22 Osprey, swung around and a machine gun began unloading.

  Rounds cut through the mass of burners heading into the home. Abe lifted two hands and began waving. They must have seen his uniform as two Blackhawks soared overhead and came back around. Wind and sand whipped up around them as one of them came close and ropes came down. It all happened in seconds, one moment it was just the two of them on the roof and the next they were joined by marines wearing masks.

  “Dr. Jones?”

  He nodded as his voice was lost in the sound of the hovering helicopter.

  “I have orders to bring you in. Let’s go.”

  “I’ll get the others,” Abe said scrambling down to the dormer window.

  They wrapped a line around him, he heard a snap of metal. “Wait. My friends. They’re inside.”

  “I have strict orders to bring you, no one else.”

  “But…”

  The marine gave a thumbs-up and before he could unclip or say any more, he felt a pull and both he and the marine were lifted off the roof hanging from a rappel line. “Wait.” He looked back at the house as it grew smaller, and saw Abe look out, a hand extended, but it was too late, they were on their own.

  Nineteen - Overrun

  “Get the hell off me!” Miles shouted, pulling his arm away from the marine who strong-armed him into the white domed tent. “You could have brought them back,” he yelled as he turned, scowling at someone from the military who was seated behind a desk. Nearby there were several others, all dressed in white medical gear.

  “They were only following orders,” the stranger said turning to another in the room. “They’ve managed to get communications from the towers back online. For how long is anyone’s guess but get a message over and let’s get them to prep the lab.”

  “Who are you?” Miles asked.

  “You know, you’re a hard man to find.” He stood up. “I’m Colonel Tomlin and this is Dr. Graham from the CDC. We’ve been tasked with evacuating the town of Gerlach but more specifically locating you.”

  “Well you found me. Now can you order some of your men back into town to get my friends?”

  He sucked air between his teeth as he came around the table. “I’m afraid at this time we can’t do that. I’m sure you’re aware, a virus 4 outbreak has spread through major cities in the nation and abroad. We have been tasked with bringing you to assist in the development of a vaccine.”

  Miles frowned. “Me? How the hell would I know how to create one?”

  “Because you were involved in the creation of this.”

  His jaw went slack. “You want to run that by me again?”

  Tomlin raised a finger as he breathed in deeply and walked over to the doorway at the sight of a marine. The marine whispered in his ear and Tomlin nodded, then said something and the marine took off running. He stood there for a second looking down at the ground, shaking his head.

  Miles looked at Graham. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m afraid we are pressed for time and unfortunately it appears that our attempts to contain this have failed. We will be leaving. Dr. Graham will bring you up to speed on the way back to Dugway.” He moved at a fair clip across the tent and began gathering up paperwork and electronics off the desk.

  Miles frowned. “This is connected with Donnie, isn’t it?”

  “Ah, I’m glad you remembered. Makes our job a lot easier.”

  “Look, I don’t know what he said but…”

  “Dr. Jones. You can save the conversation for the feds after you’ve assisted in the creation of the vaccine.”

  “The feds? Look, where is my wife?”

  “She’s with the rest of the containees.”

  “I want to see her now.”

  “All in good time, doctor. Right now we have a flight to catch. Sergeant.”

  A marine by the door came over and grabbed Miles. “Let’s go.”

  “I’m not going anywhere until I see my wife.”

  “Move it now,” he said pushing him toward the door. Miles reached around and pulled the handgun that was tucked into his waistband. The marines were so focused on getting him back to the base camp, no one had thought to frisk him.

  He held the gun out at them. “Back up.”

  Tomlin put a hand out. “Now doctor. Put the gun down.”

  “I’m not going anywhere until you get my wife.”

  “You don’t want to do this. Everything will be explained on the way.”

  “I am more than willing to help you but not until I see my wife and you go and get my friends.”

  The colonel came around the table and approached him without even a smidgen of fear. “Even if I wanted to get them I couldn’t, there has been an increase of the infected throughout Gerlach. Thousands are heading this way and if we don’t leave now, you and I won’t live to see tomorrow.”

  “Why? You planning on wiping the town off the map?”

  “It already is. Now you decide who lives.”

  “I already have. Get my wife!” Miles yelled loudly.

  The colonel inched forward, his hand inching toward the gun. “You’re not going to shoot that.”

  “Stay back.”

  “Just give me the gun and—”

  Crack.

  Without hesitation, Miles fired a round into the colonel’s thigh. He screamed in agony falling to the ground. The marine went for Miles but he redirected the gun at him. “Back the fuck up!” Miles moved away from the opening to prevent any other soldiers from grabbing him. He gestured to the marine. “Go get my wife.”

  He refused to move, looking at the colonel.

  The colonel groaned in agony, gripping his leg. “You shot me?”

  “Sorry, I have a shit aim,” Miles said. “Now go get my wife.”

  Tomlin nodded and the marine took off to get her.

  “You’re making a big mistake.”

  “The mistake is yours. All I asked is for you to get my friends.”

  “You don’t understand. There isn’t time.”

  Miles looked at him and snorted. “Yeah, I used to think that too.”

  The marine returned with Jenna in tow. “Miles.” She hurried across the room and he grabbed her hand. He then motioned to the marine. “Get one of the Blackhawks ready.”

  “Don’t do it, soldier.”

  The marine looked at him and backed out the door. Miles passed the colonel on the ground. “It didn’t have to be this way.”

  “You would go back for a few people when there are thousands relying on you?”

  “For these people? Yeah.” With that said he turned and they charged out of the tent heading for the nearest helicopter. They hadn’t made it halfway when soldiers came at them from all directions, rifles raised, locked and loaded, yelling for him to put the weapon on the ground. Under the glow of bright lights powered by a generator, Miles raised his hands.

  “How far did you honestly think you could get?” The colonel appeared, hobbling over. “Take him in.” A group of soldiers grabbed both his wife and him and were charging them off toward the pens when the sound of gunfire erupted. It echoed loudly. The soldiers escorting them turned and that’s when they got their first look at what was coming.

  Like runners sprinting through the arid desert in the Marathon Des Sables, a swarm of burners appeared on the horizon, like a tide rushing toward the shore.

  The military shifted into offensive mode but it was clear the perimeters of their defense had been breached. Chaos unfolded as rounds erupted and soldiers jump
ed into Jeeps and Humvees. Miles took advantage of the moment. He pulled on Jenna’s hand. “Let’s go.”

  “Wait. I promised Vanessa I wouldn’t leave her behind.”

  “What about Grady’s wife? Where is she?”

  She pointed to a penned-in area where a large number of people were helplessly watching the eruption of gunfire and disorder. Soldiers turned to engage. At no point was any consideration given to those in the pens. It was every man for himself.

  Jenna rushed over but the fence was locked.

  Vanessa and Yoon appeared on the other side.

  “Damn it.”

  Without military to watch those inside, the crowd pushed on the gate until the sheer force of their numbers and weight took it down. Clambering over chain-link fencing, people fled in different directions. It was pure chaos.

  Miles turned and saw a Humvee pull up outside the colonels tent. A soldier jumped out and hurried inside. “Jenna. Jenna!” Miles yelled pointing to it. “Move it.” He was already ahead of her. He hopped in the driver’s side and swung it around bringing it down to scoop up the others.

  “Don’t leave us behind,” Courtney and Paige screamed.

  “Damn it. Get them in!”

  They weren’t the only ones trying to get a ride. One by one, people hopped on board. They soon changed their mind and jumped off once they realized that Miles wasn’t heading away from Gerlach but toward it. Instead of going north on the 447, which would have taken them into the path of the burners, he veered off-road, taking the Humvee west across the desert plain. He was hoping to swing it around and miss the bulk of the infected.

  “Doesn’t this go any faster?” Paige screamed in his ear.

  “And why the hell are we heading back?” Courtney piped up.

  “You don’t like it, get out!”

  They soon went quiet as he gunned the engine and they bounced over the rough landscape.

  Twenty - Blame

  No doubt, the sight of those Blackhawks flying away without them had been a crushing blow. Still, the atmosphere on that roof was strangely positive under the shit circumstances. The gunner in the Osprey had reduced the number of infected quite considerably and the roar of their engines had drawn most away, however, the house was still full and there was no shortage of burners in the surrounding area.

  Fortunately there was only one way up onto the roof and that required them sticking their heads out the dormer window.

  One look.

  One shot.

  It was far easier to hold them at bay and required less rounds but after the onslaught, they were running low on ammo, and eventually they’d have to face the music.

  Hal took out a pack of cigarettes, and offered them around.

  Even Molly, who had quit six years ago, took one.

  While Wayne perched on the end of the roof taking out burners one after the other, Hal lit his cigarette, sucked the end and savored it. “I was meant to quit. Bailee had been harping on at me to give up but I guess old habits die hard.”

  “That they do,” Molly said blowing out a ring of smoke. “I forgot how good these taste.”

  “That shit will kill you,” Nate said.

  Molly laughed. “But not as fast as those freaks down there.”

  “One hell of a reunion, huh?” Hal said. “Next time I think I’ll just pass.” That got a nod and a chuckle out of them all. All across town fire and black smoke rose from buildings, leaving nothing but charred remains of what once was a pleasant community. The steady staccato of gunfire and explosions in the distance was distracting.

  “Sounds like the military have their hands full,” Molly said.

  “Serves them right,” Wayne added. “How could they just leave us behind?”

  “Orders,” Nate said, so matter of fact.

  Wayne laughed before firing another round. “But why Jones? Huh? Why did they take him and not us?”

  Molly ran a hand through her hair. “He’s a medical doctor.”

  “A medical entomologist,” Hal said, correcting her. “Perhaps they thought he could help.”

  “Perhaps they thought he was responsible, you mean,” Wayne shot back.

  “Miles wouldn’t be that foolish.”

  “Wouldn’t he?” Wayne asked. “Seems to me we’ve all got secrets. I mean, how well do we really know each other? It’s been thirty years. None of us are the same.”

  Grady coughed hard. “You sure about that?”

  “Screw you, China boy.”

  Grady got up and nearly lost his balance on the sloped roof. “Dude, you might be bigger than me but I will rip your nutsack off and make you swallow it if you say that one more time.”

  “Whoa, easy tiger. One thing is for sure, you haven’t gained a sense of humor.” He paused for a second. “Then I guess I probably wouldn’t if I was married to that China doll of yours.”

  That was it, Grady lost his shit and charged across the roof, unsuccessfully. Though he did pretty well and made it halfway before he slipped and took a tumble. Hal bounced up and slipped down the roof as fast as he could just as Grady went over the edge. “Grady!”

  Metal groaned. As Hal peered over he saw Grady looking up. He was hanging on to the gutter that was beginning to come away from the wall. “Give me your hand.” He clamped on to it and Hal yelled for someone to help. Abe appeared at his side seconds later and the two of them hauled him up.

  Out of breath, sweating profusely, he eyeballed Wayne. “You come near me, I will kill you.”

  Wayne raised his hands. “Shit, man. It was just a joke.”

  “That joke nearly cost him his life,” Molly said making her way down to make sure Grady was okay. He had a few nicks and scrapes but beyond that he was okay. Wayne returned to shooting the next mindless burner that stuck his head out the window. Hal had to wonder how the infection worked. It obviously was neurological as there was no way anyone in their right mind would risk their life just to unleash aggression. Something else was driving them on and yet it wasn’t hunger, or something strange like that, because in all instances of violence, burners killed through whatever method they could. He’d seen some strangling people, others had smashed people’s skulls into the ground, and others had used anything they could get their hands on. One resident had been doused in gasoline and set on fire. What had motivated that?

  Another round startled him.

  “Anyone got a mag?”

  “You can use this,” Abe said handing him his rifle.

  Molly took out her phone and swiped the front.

  “Holy shit. I’ve got a few bars.” She stood up and moved around trying to improve the reception. “Hey guys. I think we’re back online.”

  “Impossible,” Nate said.

  Molly showed him.

  Hal was distracted. “None of it makes sense,” Hal said in a low voice staring off into the distance.

  “What doesn’t?” Nate asked.

  “Okay, let’s say this is some biological weapon that was released unintentionally. What purpose would it serve the U.S.?”

  “Seems pretty obvious to me,” Abe replied.

  “No, they only kill those who aren’t infected,” he pointed out.

  “It’s a stealth weapon. Who could blame this on another country especially if it was released by insects?” Molly said while trying to place a phone call. “At least that’s what Miles was leaning toward.” She brought the phone up to her ear. “Oh great. We have bars but I’m getting a busy signal.”

  Hal’s brow furrowed as he picked at the shingles. “But the reports of the outbreak everywhere else didn’t mention insects and the ones that showed up on the playa were dead within twenty-four hours.”

  Not everyone was listening. Nate was on his phone trying to make a call, he actually managed to get a hold of his parents’ answering machine and left a message saying what anyone might when faced with certain death. “Hey. It’s just me. Not sure if you will get this but I wanted to say I love you. Take care.”

&n
bsp; Hal turned to the others as if waiting for one of them to come up with an answer but no one did.

  Wayne however thought he would chime in. “You know what…”

  “We’re done listening to you, Wayne.”

  “I was about to say he might have the answer.” He pointed off into the distance.

  “Who?”

  “That bastard, Jonesy,” he said bringing down the binoculars.

  “What?”

  “Two o’clock,” Wayne added, handing him the binoculars.

  All heads turned to what looked like a small sandstorm in the distance. A burst of dark metal appeared through it followed by the noise of an engine.

  “You sure?” Hal got up and took the binoculars from Wayne and peered through. “Well, I’ll be damned!”

  All of them waved their arms except for Wayne who continued to keep the infected at bay. The dark green Hummer barreled up to the home and crushed the small fence around the front yard, stopping just short of the house. Infected charged at it but were quickly cut down by gunfire from above. The door cracked open and Miles yelled up. “I’ll bring it around. Jump on top.” The Humvee kicked up dirt as he swerved around to the side of the house, flattening a flowerbed. One by one they leapt off the roof landing on the top, each one continuing to open fire on those that drew too close for comfort.

  It was a tight squeeze and they felt like sardines in a can but they managed to get in the armored beast. Once they were inside, Miles gunned the engine and peeled out.

  The smell of fumes from the engine seeped in through the air vents. Miles brought down the window to get some fresh air only to get a face full of sand.

  “So Jonesy, funny enough we were just talking about you.”

  “Oh yeah. Good things, I hope,” he said keeping his eyes on the road.

  “So… not to be a fly in the ointment but why did they take you?”

  He glanced up to his rearview mirror and locked eyes with Wayne. There was a glint in his eye. Everyone was listening, and no one told him to be silent. He could tell they wanted answers just as much as he did.