Apocalyptic Beginnings Box Set

by M. D. Massey

  They battled for what seemed like hours. When Henry ran out of bullets, he grabbed the bat from Justin. Every undead he hit exploded, the others retching behind him.

  Then Nick yelled, “Six o’clock, six o’clock, six o’clock!”

  Henry turned around. Another herd narrowed in on Nick. He pulled the rifle out of his pack. All five went down with close range shots.

  “Julianna!” Henry yelled. “Which one was your mother’s room?!” He waited a split second for her response. “Julianna!” He turned around, seeing her standing in front of a classroom door.

  An undead woman clawed and bit at the window in the door. She worked hard to open the door, but undeads had a serious lack of coordination. Henry ran up to Julianna.

  “Is that her?”

  She stared at the woman, tears flowing down her filthy face. “Momma,” she whispered.

  Henry knelt in front of Julianna and grabbed her shoulders. “Sweetheart, I need you to listen to me carefully. That may be your mum’s body, but that is not her. Your mum’s soul left when the virus took over. She’s already in heaven, little love.” Julianna shook her head. “Julianna, did you hear what I said?”

  “Yes,” she choked out.

  “I’m going to help her. Let’s go back to Rosa.” She grabbed Julianna and dragged her away from the door. “Thomas! Do you have anything left in your Sig?” Thomas handed him his gun.

  “Jus’ a couple, I think.”

  Henry nodded. He looked back at Julianna. Rosa held her close, nodding at Henry. He grabbed the handle and swiftly pushed the door open, trapping Julianna’s mother between the door and the classroom wall. He reached around, jammed the muzzle of the Sig to her temple, and pulled the trigger.

  Julianna screamed. “Momma!” She struggled against Rosa while she tried to comfort her.

  Henry let the door swing back just enough to allow Julianna’s mother to fall to the floor in a grotesque pile of blood and rotten flesh. He paused. His heart ached for Julianna because he understood how she was feeling.

  He swallowed hard, his body filling with rage. Henry worked hard to keep the demon at bay. He walked his aching body into the classroom and cleared it, then grabbed a sweater hanging on Julianna’s mom’s chair.

  Rosa brought her inside the classroom, shielding her from her mother’s rotting corpse. Henry handed Julianna the sweater, helping to wrap it around her slight body. She went to her mother’s desk and opened all the drawers.

  Julianna looked back at Henry. He walked over to the desk and saw a large stash of snacks and candy. He pulled off his pack and unzipped it. Julianna loaded up his bag, then grabbed the picture of her and her family off of the desk, holding it close to her body.

  “Is there anything else you would like to take?” Henry softly asked. Julianna went to the closet in the back of the classroom. “Wait. Let me open it.” He swung open the door in haste, but it was more like a pantry. There were cases of water on the floor. Henry looked around and saw a couple backpacks hanging on desk chairs.

  “Thomas, empty those packs and give me a hand.” He filled the backpacks with the bottles Henry handed over.

  Looking around the closet for anything else that would be useful, Henry grabbed a few more items, paper products and jackets, that were left by the students.

  They gathered their goods and headed back to the hall to make their way down the stairs. Julianna stopped just short of the door and turned around, giving one last look at the classroom.

  “Come on. We have to go.” Rosa gently tugged Julianna away from the doorway. She resisted, but knew it was time to move on.

  Before they made their way to the first floor, Justin stopped them. “Which way did you come in?” he asked Henry.

  “Off to the side, behind the cafeteria. The front entrance was blocked with undeads.”

  Justin nodded. “If we can’t get through that way, know another way we can go.”

  Henry began the slow climb down the stairs again, careful not to slip on the sludge of decay oozing all around the true deads. They made it to the bottom without incident.

  Henry led them into the corridor, his muscles and joints aching. He shook it off for the time being. The hallway seemed to be clear, so he signaled everyone to advance. The bat was ready for action, resting on Henry’s shoulder.

  He stole a glance around the corner. He held up three fingers, indicating there were three undeads. Nick walked up to Henry. They nodded at each other, then Nick walked out and shot all three of them. The outside door was at the end of the hall. Knowing it was a straight shot to the door, Henry whispered, “Let’s haul ass.”

  All of them sprinted toward the door. Henry pushed it open and pulled the shirt from his nose and mouth. He bent over, catching his breath, grabbing his ribs. He dropped to his knees, the pain unbearable.

  “Henry?” Nick knelt in front of him. His eyes were graying. He whispered, “I’ll drive. Let’s go. We need to get you back now.” Nick dug around in Henry’s pockets and pulled his keys out.

  “Is he okay?” Justin asked, staring at Henry.

  “He will be,” Nick said. “He just needs to rest. He’s been injured for a while and is still in the process of healing.” Supporting Henry, Nick led the crew back toward the truck.

  “Broken ribs?” Rosa asked, seeing Henry wrap his arm around his chest.

  “Not one hundred percent sure, but it was a nasty injury. It’s been a difficult recovery since we always seem to be fighting or running.” Nick unlocked the truck and helped Henry into the passenger side. Rosa, Julianna, and Shay sat in the back seat. Thomas and Justin jumped into the very back.

  “I can’t believe this,” Rosa whispered. “I never thought we would get out of there.” Justin put his hand on her shoulder, and she reached up to his hand and grabbed it. She was in awe that she was outside, let alone going home.

  “Hurry, Nick,” Henry grumbled, laying his head up against the window, hugging his ribs. Nick started the truck and threw it into drive. He floored it, and they left the school parking lot like a bat out of hell. Nick had to get Henry back before he was in real danger of turning. Then he realized his neck and spine were aching, as well. He pushed the truck harder, hoping they would make it.

  Chapter 36

  Once again, I put my big girl panties on and forced myself off the couch, only to continually pace the floor. It seemed like hours since they had left. That was the moment I wished I had a working watch. Not that counting the seconds would’ve been helpful, either.

  Addie was crocheting like a wild woman. I wasn’t sure what she was making, but she surely made good use of her time. Unlike me, who was starting to wear a path in her floor.

  Claire had gone to lay down, her fatigue catching up to her. I had a feeling she was just feeling guilty for the way she had been acting, too. I decided that I should go and check on her.

  I knocked on the door. “Come in,” Claire said, barely audible. I opened the door with hesitation.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey.”

  “Can we talk?”

  “Yeah.” Claire sat up in bed. Her eyes were puffy, and her cheeks tear-stained. The lack of eye contact made me see her remorse. I sat on the end of the bed, not saying anything for several minutes. I tried to form my thoughts together into logical, sarcasm-free sentences.

  “I just want to say I understand you’re worried and full of fear, but don’t push us all away. We all love you, and we want to help you. We don’t think you will be a burden. I’m not saying it won’t be difficult because it’ll be like going into hell with an iced beverage and expecting it to remain chilled.” I sighed. “My point is, we want to be here for you, to help you. You’re my best friend and I can’t live without you…” My last words faded as I said them. I continued to look at the door of the bedroom, hoping Henry would burst through at any moment. Claire got up and wrapped her arms around me.

  “What if the baby is like him?” she whispered.

  “I don’t
know. Henry said it doesn’t work that way. It has to be a blood/saliva mix.” When I heard a vehicle pull into Addie’s driveway, I jumped up. “Henry!”

  Claire and I ran out into the living room. Addie swung open the door and we all sprinted out. She screamed with joy when she saw a girl, who must have been Rosa, open the door and jump out. They embraced each other, sobbing and collapsing to the ground. I looked back at the truck, seeing Nick jump out of the driver’s side.

  “Oh no. No!” I ran to the passenger side. “Henry!”

  “He needs you. Let’s go.” Nick took on the task of pulling Henry out of the truck. I grabbed his right side, and Nick was on his left. “Claire, we’re taking him to the bedroom.” His eyes were slits of gray, and we had to practically drag him into the house. He grimaced in pain the entire way. I was so focused on saving Henry, I was oblivious to everything else.

  We got Henry to the bed and I shouted, “Claire! Go grab his pack.” Her eyes wide, she stared in shock. “Claire! Now! We don’t have much time.”

  “Henry, stay with me. I’m here.” I stroked the top of his head, pushing his grimy hair from his eyes. “It’s all right, lover. You stay with me. I’m going to give you what you need soon.” Henry clenched his jaw, growling. “I know you’re in there. You have to fight it.” He took short, quick breaths through his teeth. “Nick, what the fuck happened?” Claire slammed the door shut and ran to the bed, then hooked me up.

  “I don’t know. I saw him rolling and rubbing his neck. He hurt his hand again, then when we ran out of the building, it was like he reinjured his ribs or something. I took one look at him and his eyes were graying.”

  With Henry incapacitated, having Sophie around to answer questions would have been helpful. My breath hitched and tears formed in my eyes. Henry rolled around in the bed in agony.

  Claire reached for him to try to stabilize him. “Henry. Henry, I need to know where it hurts.”

  “Ev-ery-wh-ere,” he groaned.

  “I’m going to try to assess you. Please don’t fight me.” I watched Claire tending to my ailing Henry. I looked down at the needle with the bag attached, willing my blood to leave me faster. I moved closer to him and held my wrist over his lips.

  “Bite me.”

  Claire looked at me like I was insane. “No! No way! I am not letting him bite you! Are you out of your fucking mind?!”

  “No. He could be dying! He needs me. I have to save him. Henry, it’s okay.” He cracked his eyes open, tears running down the sides of his face. Then I felt a pair of strong arms yank me back. “Ow! What the fuck?!”

  “I will not allow it,” Nick growled.

  “You are not the boss of me!” Then I saw his eyes graying, as well. “Nick! What happened in there?” He stood in silence, fighting himself. A near constant growl came out of Henry. We were running out of time. “Where’s Thomas?!” Nick opened the door. Thomas was right outside. He grabbed him by the shirt collar and dragged him in, slamming the door.

  “Here,” Nick growled.

  “Claire, set him up for a vial. This is taking way too long. Nick’s in need, too.” Claire pulled out what she needed from Henry’s pack, then hooked up Thomas. I scooted up the bed and tried to comfort Henry as much as I could.

  When there was a knock on the door, everyone went silent except Henry, who continued to writhe on the bed. Claire jumped up, went to the door, and cracked it open just enough to see Addie standing there.

  “Is everything okay in there?” Claire bit down on her lip, searching for the words.

  “Umm, yeah. He’s just injured, and tends to be a big baby about it.”

  “Oh. Okay. Well, if you need anything, I’ll be just out in the kitchen with Rosa. Please, thank him for me.”

  “I will. Thanks.” Claire slammed the door shut, making sure to lock it. She ran over to Thomas and swapped out his vials. She handed me the first one.

  “Henry. Henry, try and sit up.” His whole body was trembling and rigid. He cracked open his eyes again. “It’s going to be okay. Here, open up.”

  He parted his chapped, scarred lips, and I poured the vial down. He swallowed hard, continuing his harsh breathing. I stroked his face gently with my fingers. “Shh… It’s going to be okay.” He seemed to have started to calm down, turning his face toward me, but not enough.

  Claire pulled off the next vial and tried to hand it to Nick. He pushed it away, nodding toward Henry.

  “But Ni—”

  “He needs it more than I do right now!”

  “But—”

  “Give it to him!” She handed it to me just as I handed her back the empty vial. I gazed at Nick, worried. “It’s okay, Elaina. I’ll be fine until you’re done with that.” He slouched against the wall. Claire unhooked Thomas as I poured the last vial down Henry’s throat.

  Within a couple minutes, Henry’s breathing had slowed to a more normal pace. His muscles were no longer contracting, and his growling had ceased. Relief swept over me, but he still needed a good dose. Those vials were just a Band-Aid to a larger problem.

  “Open your eyes, Henry.” He cracked them open, the faintest green coming through. “Henry…” I grabbed his face to kiss him, ignoring the fact that I was filling a bag. “Ow! Claire, help me!”

  “Thomas,” Claire said as she unhooked me. “Go and get a cup or something.” He ran out of the room.

  Addie and all of the kids were sitting, talking and eating, when Thomas flew into the kitchen. Addie stood. “Is everything all right?” The flurry of activity surrounding the group had left her concerned.

  “I…I jus’ need a cup or somethin’ like tha’.”

  She tilted her head to one side and looked at him, brows furrowed. “Why on earth would you need a cup?”

  “Water. Jus’ some water. He’s havin’ a hard time wit’ the water bottle at the moment.”

  “Oh, okay.” She reached into the cabinet, cautiously handing him a small juice glass. “Is there anything you need me to help with?”

  “No!” Addie stepped back. “Sorry. No, ma’am. We’re fine. Like Claire said, Henry’s jus’ a big baby.” Thomas turned, ran back to the bedroom, and slammed the door.

  Thomas tossed the cup to Claire, who filled it for Nick. He didn’t sip like he normally would. He dumped it back like he was doing a shot at the bar, passed it back to Claire, and she filled it for Henry. The cup of blood nauseated me more than the vial. I hesitated.

  “Take it! Give it to him!” Claire insisted, shoving the cup at me.

  “Okay,” I said, with a meekness I rarely possessed. I stroked his face. “Henry…” I held the cup to his lips. “Drink up.” He cracked open his eyes again. I was careful not to spill a drop as I tipped it, and he drank at a slow and steady pace until the glass was empty. I wiped his lips, then handed the cup back to Claire. “Henry?” I whispered while holding his face. “Are you in there?”

  “Yeah…?” he drawled out with a harsh rasp in his voice.

  “Oh, Henry!” I wrapped my arms around his neck, weeping into his chest.

  “Hey… Hey…” He tried to console me. “It’s all right.” He rubbed my back with his unbroken hand. “Love, it’s okay. I’ve got you.” Each word sounded better than the last. He looked at the rest of our little family. “Thank you,” he said, everyone nodding once. “Oh, and thanks for telling them I’m a big baby.” Henry smirked, as everyone laughed in relief.

  “I’m going to go rinse these out.” Claire held up the vials and cup.

  As she walked to the door, Thomas warned, “Go out the front. They’re in the kitchen.”

  “Thanks.”

  Claire crept through the house, then quickly headed out the front door. Addie, deciding she was going to the bedroom again, left the kitchen. She listened at the door before knocking with a heavy fist.

  “Open this door!” Addie yelled. I crammed all the tubing and needles into Henry’s pack. Just as I zipped it up, Addie opened the door on her own. “If you don’t tell me what is
going on in here, I’ll throw every one of you out! First, I hear Henry yelling in agony, then laughing? Then I see Claire sneaking out the front door!” Leaning forward with her hands on her hips, she looked ready to take action. Nick raised an eyebrow while staring at me, wondering what my response would be.

  “Well, Henry was injured several weeks ago. He got into a nasty fight with some jerk who tried to steal our ammo and supplies. Let’s just say Henry fared better than the other guy.” When I looked back at Henry, he was staring out the window, trying to avoid eye contact. “We think his ribs were fractured or something when the guy planted his boot into Henry’s side. I’m not a doctor, so I can’t tell you for sure.”

  “What happened to the other guy?” I looked at Addie with a quirked brow. “Oh. Right.”

  “Nick said that once they sprinted out of the school, he buckled over in pain. We think he may have reinjured them and his hand, too. He has a few other nagging issues that haven’t healed yet, due to him trying to be the hero all of the time,” I said with attitude. Addie came over and picked up Henry’s hand. He hissed and yanked it back.

  “I think we should splint this for more support.” Addie sounded concerned, rubbing her thumb gently over his hand. “I have just the thing. Be right back.” She walked out of the room, all of us breathing a sigh of relief. Nick gave me a thumbs up. I helped Henry sit up and lean against the headboard.

  Cramming a candy bar into her mouth, Claire came back in with water and an armload of snacks. She passed everything out, then handed me the clean glass.

  “Where did you find that?” I asked with an absurd amount of excitement, my mouth watering because I had a major weakness for anything candy. I poured water into the glass for Henry.

  “Back of his truck,” she said around a mouthful of chocolate and caramel. “There’s food in his pack, as well.” Apparently, I didn’t notice while I was trying to cram our draw supplies back in.