End of the Line

by Frater, Lara

  “How bad?”

  “Lost half our group including Rachel.”

  “Shit. Sorry. It’s a mess here. Some people tried to get off by boats. There’s a gigantic ferry crash. I thought I could get some engines started, but I can’t. And—I don’t think I can sail. I mean we probably could but with small boats.”

  “We should be there in less than an hour. We can work something out.”

  I knew how to sail. I supposed I had to save everyone again. Or I could go my own way?

  I feel asleep but was woken by screaming. It was a woman’s voice. I ran from my room. The lights were all still on. Even if the grid went down, we had a generator. I tried to find the source of the screaming.

  It was Edina. Uncle Len had attacked her. His eyes looked glazed over. Uncle Len didn’t just attack her, he was biting her and pulling out handfuls of flesh and eating it.

  “Uncle Len! What are you doing?”

  He looked at me with those glazed over eyes and made a horrible moan, then went back to eating Edina who cried out in pain. He had disemboweled her. I ran back to my room, got a gun out of my case, and loaded it without thinking.

  When I got back, Daddy had come down the stairs from his suite on the third floor. “Len, what the hell?” he said. That’s when Uncle Len dropped Edina and attacked him, grabbed him and bit him in the shoulder. My father cried out. I aimed the gun and blasted Uncle Len, my father’s best friend for 40 years, away. He crashed into a wall.

  Then he got up.

  I screamed and shot him again, sweared it was in the heart but no blood splattered behind him, only gore.

  And he got up again.

  My father was moaning. I had to save him.

  I shot Uncle Len in the head.

  This time he didn’t get up.

  I sat and cried. Joe came up the stairs frantic.

  “What happened? Grace, Dad?”

  I could barely get the words out of my mouth. I killed Uncle Len. I murdered him.

  “Uncle Len attacked Daddy,” I finally cried out.

  “What?” Joe said his eyes wide. He went to my father and grabbed a handkerchief out of his pocket to stop the bleeding. The wound did not look that bad.

  I got myself together. I had to for Daddy. Joe was helping him, I want over to Edina. But her eyes were open and dead. I swallowed hard and went to Joe.

  “Joe—Something bad is going on. I shot Uncle Len twice and he got up. I think he was already dead. He was eating Edina.”

  “Grace—stop with this nonsense. I need help getting Dad to a room.” My brother had a one track mind, he ignored the bullet ridden body of Uncle Len and how Edina’s guts were all over the place.

  Then Edina got up. She looked like Len. Her skin was pasty and her eyes glazed. She didn’t seem to notice when she stood that her large intestines hung out. She was dead, I swear it. She began to moan like Uncle Len had before.

  “Joe!” I screamed. Joe turned around and saw Edina.

  I shot her in the head. Edina, who had been my father’s housekeeper for longer than I’d been alive, Edina who was when I was young and not allowed at mommy and daddy’s fancy parties would bring me food from it. Maddie, whose motherly charm reminded me so much of her, I couldn’t say thank you for the meals. I wished I had. The best I could do was give her peace when the zombies got her.

  “Fuck!” Joe said and I rarely heard my brother curse.

  “Joe—she was dead—Dead and came back.”

  “Grace--“ he paused, probably trying to ponder what was going on. “Help me get dad to a room.”

  I did what I was told. I considered myself obedient to the family. I carried Daddy on one side while Joe took the other. We didn’t take him to his room because it was in the master suite on the next floor but instead took him to another guest bedroom.

  Joe removed Dad’s jacket. The wound didn’t look so bad but Daddy looked pale. I was afraid the same thing would happen to him.

  “Joe,” I said. “It’s this illness. It does something to you. Daddy could have it. He could die--” I couldn’t mention that he might come back like Len and Edina. Daddy didn’t even react to what I said.

  “Dad’s not going to die,” Joe said. I think that was more for his benefit. “Go into my room. Get my first aid kit. I’ll clean his wound. It won’t get infected.”

  I could see the bay now and the mess of traffic. Dead cars littered the street, some had even caught fire, and some even had bodies inside, probably of flu victims considering the decomposition. Dave managed to get around it by riding on the grass. I saw zombies but not many as when we were ambushed. Maybe what was left of the government did manage to figure out how to gather them. I watched Harlan being pulled out of the truck. I shot so many zombies but I was too late to save him as they bit down into his flesh. I gave him a gunshot to the head like a good girl. I know Eric hates me, but I did Maddie a favor.

  I saw the marina. A big sign said “NO PARKING BOAT OWNERS ONLY” Dave swerved into the lot, knocking the sign down, and I giggled. He gave me a strange look but did not say anything.

  I saw Mike waving us down and Dave stopped the truck. I got out and took in the scene. Port Jefferson was beautiful and the sea air felt wonderful, cool and windy. I ignored the wrecks and the burnt out shops and restaurants. When I was a kid, my brother would take me here to get ice cream.

  Mike was right. The sea was a mess of boats and some of the boats had zombies in it, others were empty with half sails out. It looked like the ferry had tried to launch and crashed into dock as it was leaving. It sunk sideways, floated on the water like debris and blocked the port out.

  Dave opened up the back of the truck. Tanya went to Mike and shook his hand. I tried to get close enough to hear.

  Tanya explained to Mike about the ambush, Maddie and the other’s deaths, and Rachel’s suicide. He did not seem happy. I kept to myself. I knew those kids would be upset. First Eli, then Rosa now Maddie. I did not want to be around when he told them.

  Joe cleaned daddy’s wounds, gave him antibiotics and a tetanus shot. Joe acted as Daddy’s doctor so he always had medical supplies handy.

  Daddy didn’t look well. Joe was trying to call for a helicopter on his cell phone.

  “Daddy,” I said, holding his hand. His grip was weak, not the strong hands I’m used to.

  “Joe—“ he said. “Take care of your sister. Grace—I’m sorry.”

  I didn’t get a chance to ask him what he was sorry for because Joe interrupted. “We’ll get you a chopper and we will all get out of here.”

  But Joe couldn’t get an answer on his phone. No one would be coming for us. None of our riches could help us now.

  We walked down the boardwalk to the marina. Many of the slips were empty. There were only four sailboats I could see, the rest were powerboats. Mike took us to where his wife Hannah had their daughter and the two kids. They were in a sailboat still tied to the marina. The sail was partially up.

  Simon didn’t say anything, but Brie yelled. “Where’s Maddie?”

  Mike ignored her for the moment. “I tried to get the engine running, but it’s been sitting too long. I’ve been trying to get the sail up. I think we might have to paddle.”

  None of these people knew what they were doing.

  Chapter 28

  I left the assault rifle in the truck, and then I searched the horizon for boats I could sail. I began walking. I left the marina and was on the street. Port Jeff had two marinas, separated by the ferry station: one for smaller boats, the other for bigger ones. I kept one eye out for zombies, another for something we—I could use.

  “Hey, Princess!” It was Jim’s voice. I heard his feet behind me. “Where do you think you are going?”

  I tried to put on my best act. I turned around.

  “I’m looking for a way out, sweet James.”

  He cringed at the nickname. “So you’re leaving us?”

  “I doubt you can leave this harbor.”

  Jim l
ooked upset but I wasn’t sure yet what I planned to do.

  “You may think you can live without us. We’re going get a boat together and paddle up to Connecticut if we have to. See if we can find a car, walk all night. We should have enough distance from the blast tomorrow.”

  I laughed and for all I knew he could be right.

  He turned serious for a moment. “Princess, you shouldn’t go off on your own. Please come with us.”

  When Daddy died, Joe didn’t want me to shoot him. Despite what happened to Edina and Uncle Len, Joe couldn’t do that to Daddy.

  I tried not to fall apart. Uncle Len was hard, Edina was hard, Daddy was devastating. My heart was gone. I didn’t feel anything. The idea that my father who had been around my entire life, who while had a nanny help raise me, always found time. He was gone from my life forever. And I couldn’t save him. I wasn’t fast enough getting my gun.

  Joe, on the other hand, was flabbergasted. Daddy had died of something no one should die off. What should be put on the autopsy, died of a small bite?

  Jim finally left and walked back to the others. I’m sure they would all be happy that I was gone. Tanya might be annoyed at the loss of a good shooter but Mike could probably shoot. I moved to other side of the marina where the yachts were parked. I passed a hotel called Danford which now had smashed doors. I searched the marina. Most of the yachts were still here.

  I heard the moan before I saw them. There were two, easy to dispatch, a woman wearing almost nothing but a skipper’s hat and a kid who looked 12. Probably got lost heading to the light.

  Daddy came back after an hour. Joe didn’t say anything when I shot him in the head. I wish I’d done it before he rose.

  I couldn’t look at the splatter but Joe did. I walked out of the room and went to mine at the end of the hall, fell on my bed, but the tears didn’t come.

  A moment later, a knock. I didn’t say anything but Joe came in.

  “We need to leave.”

  “Where will we go?”

  “Not to the City. It’s probably overrun by now. Probably try to get to the marina and take the yacht.”

  I was terrified. I did not want to leave here and leave daddy to decay.

  Joe read my mind. “I’m going to bury father in the garden.” The garden was fenced off, so that would keep those things out.

  “What about Edina and Uncle Len?” We had put their bodies in the guest room.

  “We need to leave as soon as possible. I have time for father, that’s it.”

  I didn’t respond to that. Instead I said: “Get one of dad’s guns.”

  Joe nodded. I knew he could not hit a thing but at least he knew how to shoot it.

  “Start getting some food, medicine and clothes together. Don’t take anything we don’t need. Really Grace, just what we need. Meet me downstairs in a half-hour.”

  Joe went downstairs. Instead of gathering the things together, I want to daddy’s room one last time.

  His face was a mess, but I pulled the blanket off the bed. He was wearing pants and a polo shirt. I took the silk sheets off and wrapped him in them. When I finished, I kissed the other part of his face not blown off, his left cheek.

  I left the room. I kept a pretty gym bag in my closet. Usually a servant packed it for me each day and it was packed now, ready for me to exercise. I dumped everything out. Then threw in some socks, underwear, extra pants, and a few polo shirts I looked at all my beautiful tailored clothes and realized I had to leave them. It was early May, so I did not need anything warm. I told myself that this would blow over and we would be home soon. Daddy, Uncle Len and Edina would get a proper burial. I packed my fur stole just in case and a few scarves. I also packed some of my makeup. I wasn’t going to look awful in a crisis.

  A chain with a sign that read: “Private. Owners and Guests Only” greeted me. I removed it and made my way to the slip.

  The sailing yacht was a behemoth, probably worth a good 4-5 million. Ours was bigger but it was out in Mariner’s Cove. No one took this one because getting those sails up manually would be a nightmare. It would be a pain to do it all myself, but I could. I didn’t need all the sails up, just enough to get me out of the harbor. I wondered if I should go back and get someone to help me, but instead I started working on the sails.

  I finished packing medical supplies and clothes for Joe in a duffle bag but I kept my stuff to the single bag not counting my Prada purse. I went downstairs and to the kitchen. I rarely went in here, every day the servants would bring me what I asked. I opened the fridge. There was a ton of food but I knew that we shouldn’t take anything that spoiled. I grabbed canned food and stuff that didn’t need refrigeration. Afterwards I would put together a small meal from leftovers so Joe and I could eat before we left.

  I packed what I could from the pantry: a huge stack of power bars, Daddy loved them, sliced carrots that the cook had cut for me, and a few apples. Then I pulled out cold chicken, and a big salad from the fridge. I didn’t know anything about cooking but I needed food that could be eaten cold.

  I put some on a plate, added a glass of lemonade. Wasn’t I good hostess! I swung the rifle to my back and carried the food to the garden to give to Joe.

  It was sunny outside, warm and maybe a good time to jog on the beach.

  When I got to the garden, I dropped the plate and glass, destroying an expensive plate from my grandmother’s china and scattering perfectly good food and lemonade on the floor.

  Joe had only dug a little bit. A little bit before one of them got him. It was Carlos, one of the gardeners.

  Now he was eating Joe who was still alive.

  I was sick but that didn’t stop me from shooting him in the head.

  Carlos flew back into the rose bushes that he loved to tend.

  “Joe,” I said, going to him.

  “Shit, Grace,” he said, gasping for breath. “I didn’t even see him. I wish he didn’t come in today.”

  “Next time, we’ll give him the day off. I bought you food and lemonade.”

  Joe tried to smile but instead grimaced in pain, blood dribbled out of his mouth.

  “Grace—I need something from you.”

  “Anything.”

  “Kill me now. Shoot me in the head, end my misery.”

  I paused. I felt numb. Then I said: “Joe—I can’t. I promise I’ll kill you before the virus takes you, but you’re still alive.”

  “I know—but there is so much pain, please Grace. Kill me, and then get the fuck out of here. I don’t want you to wait.”

  More curses from my mild mannered brother.

  I had to do it. I don’t know how long Joe could stay like this. Would he die now or in a few hours?

  I shot my loving brother in the face.

  When I learned Rachel was immune, I now dealt with the extra guilt of wondering if my brother could have been immune too or if his wounds would have killed him. I’ll never know.

  I ran back into the house to the basement where my father kept the guns and ammo in safes. I packed more ammo than food. I filled an entire suitcase of it. I added more pills and booze from Joe’s room. I took three rifles. I got more food, stuffed myself with chicken, packed my car and fled my home.

  It was hard getting the sail up because it required about three people, but eventually I got it. I cast off and headed to the edge of the harbor to head off the others at the pass. While I waited, I looked around the boat to see what it had. There was a two big cabin suite aft, two small ones in the bow, and three crew rooms each with bunk beds. The area between the cabins included a saloon and a galley. The saloon had a circular table surrounded by two large plush benches. It would be cramped if everyone came on board but even with us and our stuff we still wouldn’t go over the weight limit. There was an open space on the foredeck and a lounge area below the wheel deck. Large French doors could close it in. It was meant for comfort but not a permanent residence.

  I realized I needed to be with people. I couldn’t be alone, no
t anymore. I might be able to sail, I might be able to shoot, but when that zombie grabbed me with its cold slimy hands, I froze. I would have been dead if not for Tanya.

  “Holy shit,” I heard a voice from outside. “Look at the size of that thing.” It sounded like Dave.

  I came out from the under the deck and saw Jim and the others looking flabbergasted at me.

  “Ahoy,” I said to the others. “I’ve decided to give you all a ride. Would you all like to come aboard?”

  No one said anything for a few moments. I liked watching them with their mouths agape. Even the kids who were teary eyed.

  “That’s my kind of ride,” Tanya said. “Mike, get close so we can get on.”

  Mike, Dave, Annemarie and Henry paddled their boat next to this one. I tossed a ladder so they could get on. It took a few moments because Brie latched on to Hannah’s neck with a death grip when they crossed.

  When Jim came aboard, he made a beeline to me. Mike helped the others aboard.

  “This is a surprise—“ he said. “A nice one.”

  “Forgot to mention, I can also sail as well as shoot.”

  Tanya joined us.

  “Rich bitch Princess saves the day.”

  “Please don’t call me that anymore. My name is Grace.”

  Tanya didn’t respond. She looked surprised.

  “I’m your pilot,” I said. “You are the captain, where do you want to go? Still to Connecticut?”

  Now Tanya looked confused, possibly because I never said a civil word to her.

  “Can you get this big boy back to shore near the truck? We left half our supplies.”

  “I can try. Boats are women.”

  “I wanna go to the ocean,” Tanya said. “As far as we can from this place.”

  A quick run passed Fisher’s Island would take us to the Atlantic. I used to go out there to watch the races. I could sail there, with navigation maps but I wasn’t sure how far out I could go. I knew the basics of sailing, enough to work this boat, but I don’t know if I could handle anything more advanced. If we could get the GPS working that would help.