I move off to Mack’s side and train the barrel of the Berretta at the narrow opening. I squeeze the trigger and start firing. A few rounds chamber off before it jams. Damn it.
“The stupid gun jammed or something,” I growl as I fiddled with the weapon.
“James, just go! I can’t hold them back forever.”
“We’re not leaving you behind. That’s not an option.”
I continue struggling with the Berretta. His knuckles are turning a milky white from the strain of holding the ravenous horde at bay.
“If I let this go, then we all die.” Mack insists. “Now do as I say, and get the hell out of here!”
Cassie bellows from the front of the store, calling mine and Mack’s names. I hesitate a moment longer. I can’t stomach another death on my conscious, but the mass of infected converging on the building has left me with no other choice.
Through swollen, tearful eyes, I turn and leave.
I race out of the stockroom in a dead sprint. Through the windows up front, I catch sight of a truck barreling through the parking lot, and racing toward the front door. I make for my gear near the register as Cassie rushes up to me.
“Lucas is pulling-” She stops mid-sentence and takes a step back. Her eyes widen as she looks me up and down. My face is flush and red.
I grab my pack, and sling the straps over my shoulders. I retrieve my rifle and whistle for Duke.
“What the hell happened?” Cassie frantically searches for Mack as Duke quickly approaches us. “Where’s Mack?”
I pat my leg, and head for the front.
“James, where is Mack?”
I wait till we’re close to the front before answering. “The chasers are trying to get in through the back door. He’s holding them off until we get out.”
Lucas fishtails the back end of the tan Chevy truck. The tires screech loudly as he slams the brakes. The truck comes to a sliding halt with the passenger side door facing us.
From inside the cab, Lucas glances over his right shoulder. A fearful gaze resides on his sweaty, bloody face as he waves for us to move. He leans over and flings the door open.
Cassie starts to head back to the rear of the store.
I grab her arm. “There’s no time. We have to go now.”
She hisses and narrows her eyes at me. “We have to go help him, James. I’m not leaving-”
The crackle of gunfire echoes from the stockroom. Brief flashes of bright yellow light illuminate the space. We’re out of time.
I push open the door, allowing Duke to dart out. He hops into the truck, then jumps over to the backseat. Cassie screams and wails a gut-wrenching cry. I drag her out of the store and toward the truck. She fights and resists, pushing away from me as her legs move in the direction of the storage room. She struggles to break free, but I maintain my hold.
Chasers rush down the highway in our direction. The mass of bodies stampeding our way makes the ground tremble.
I force Cassie inside the cab. She cries and pleads for Mack as she reaches out for him.
“Get in the truck, James!” Lucas beseeches.
Chasers pour out of the stockroom in droves. Their grunts and ravings are slightly muffled as the door comes to. I scramble inside the cab, and slam the door behind me. I rip the pack off my back and stuff it onto the floorboard.
Duke barks and growls from the backseat, clawing at the glass.
Lucas shifts the truck into drive and punches the gas. The engine revs its throaty roar. The tires spin and squeal. The truck lunges forward, and takes off just as the chasers burst through the front entrance of the store. Like a tidal wave of teeth and unrelenting aggression, they pour out into the parking lot.
He jerks the steering wheel hard to the left to avoid side swiping a red minivan. After we hit the highway, the infected still race after us.
Lucas brings the truck under submission. He straightens out our reckless abandonment of the town that has punished us so. I glance in the side view mirror, and watch as the chasers in tow fade in the distance. Their fingers reach for us, trying to capture the ones that slipped away.
Through labored breathing, Lucas ventures the question that I’m terrified to answer.
“Where’s Mack, James?”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Silence.
The only other sound that is just as destructive as the yowls of the infected. It allows the mind to run free, and dwell on mistakes and mishaps that have plagued one’s life. It’s Death’s passageway to sneak in, and wreak his havoc upon our tormented souls.
I haven’t summoned enough courage yet to answer Lucas’ question, or set guilty, sad eyes on Cassie’s somber face. The tips of my fingers brush my tears away. My attention stays drawn to the right and out the window.
Mile after pain staking mile we drive. The humming from the tires along Interstate 5 fills the void of silence within the cab. Duke has disappeared within the truck’s vinyl seating. I venture a quick glance from the corner of my eye to see how Cassie is doing.
She sits with her feet on the seat, and her head buried between her legs. What was once deep sobs of sorrow and grief, have turned to slight sniffles and mutters of acceptance. She lifts her head up and brushes away the sadness that drips from her eyes. She clears her throat and glances in my direction.
“James.” She puts her hand gently on my trembling leg. I give no response. “James, look at me.”
I’m afraid to. The guilt of another person dying from my crusade is crushing down upon me. The weight is unbearable, and I’m afraid if I speak, I won’t be strong enough to hold the emotions that have built up inside of me.
Her hand comes up to my face. She gingerly grabs my chin and pulls my attention toward her. I fight to stay strong as I set eyes upon her.
In a weak voice, I muster the only two words that seem fitting in such a solemn moment. “I’m sorry.”
Her thumb softly caresses the side of my cheek. She nods and offers a half-smile through the pain that is ripping her apart. “This isn’t your fault, James. You can’t blame yourself.”
It doesn’t feel that way. This journey that I’m on seems to be costing more than I can afford to pay. The bounty is paid in blood and sacrifice. I hope it is worth it in the end.
“I was the last one to come in through that door. I should’ve made sure it was secured. I’m surprised you don’t hate me now.”
“I don’t hate you, James. I hate those vile creatures. They are the cause of all of this. The bringers of so much pain and suffering.”
Lucas leans forward and glances around Cassie. “She’s right, James. You can’t beat yourself up over things that are beyond your control. You weren’t the only one there.”
“Perhaps if I never-”
“Hush.” Cassie interrupts me. “That town was doomed. Mack and I knew that. Our luck was going to run out sooner or later. It was inevitable. You weren’t the cause of anything.”
Cassie’s forgiveness does little to stay the overwhelming burden that I have placed on my shoulders. I carry each death that falls at my feet, regardless of what anyone says. But much like everything else that has been handed to me, I can only accept what has happened and try to push on any way that I can in order to survive. I imagine Cassie is doing much the same. At least, I hope she is.
I expel a breath of tension, and nod my head. “How much farther till we reach the safe zone?”
Lucas glances down at his watch. “Shouldn’t be much more than an hour and a half or so. I imagine traffic heading that way will not be as bad as traffic leaving Portland. You’re sure you still want to do this? I’m with you either way, just want to be certain that you’re ready for whatever we may find.”
Am I ready? Probably not, but I have to know for sure. It’s my family. They’re all that I have left in this world.
“I am sure.”
“Ok, then,” Lucas responds with a nod of his head.
The thought of being so close to Mom and Cindy helps soften
the sadness within me. I try not to dwell on Lucas’ initial statement about the state of the safe zone being overrun with chasers. His words were so certain that heading there is nothing more than a suicide run that will get us killed, or worse, infected. I’m thankful that he has stuck with me, though, and not cut his losses and bailed.
My body is spent from the day’s painful reminder of who is in charge. The one essential thing that I’m lacking more of than a good solid meal is sleep. I’m in desperate need of some rest.
Cassie falls silent. She’s slouched in the seat with her arms folded across her chest. Her head gently bobbles from side to side with the motion of the truck. She leans toward me and rests her body against mine.
“Why don’t you get some rest while you can?” Lucas advises. “I’ll let you know once we have made it there.”
I settle into my seat, shifting my weight to gain a comfortable position. I close my eyes, and release a heavy sigh. I think of Mom and Cindy as I drift off, allowing the terrible world to fade to black.
CHAPTER TWENTY
In the ether of my subconscious, I hear Dad’s voice whispering in my ear. It’s hard to understand him. I strain to focus on his words, but I can’t make them out. The harder I try to listen, the more it sounds as though he’s moving away from me.
I ask him to speak louder, but it does no good. Eventually, his voice melts away.
A sudden jostle of the truck rips me from my brief moment of rest. Through sleepy eyes and a foggy mind, I come to.
My hand runs up and down my face. I stretch my arms out in front of me. It takes me a moment to take in the scenery that’s beyond the dirt-covered windshield. I blink, and look again. It isn’t dirt that is coating the window.
“Am I seeing this correctly? Is it raining ash?”
I cut my gaze to Cassie. She leans forward in the seat with her hands resting on the dash. Her face is just as perplexed as mine is.
“That’s what it looks like.”
“Welcome to Portland,” Lucas mutters under his breath. “This is the outer rim of the city.”
A dull gray haze lingers over the metropolis like a blanket. Black smoke vents from the tall structures, fueling the skies with more ash. A fiery orange glow burns within their centers. Worry and dread plague my wavering thoughts, but I manage to stop their invasion.
I divert my attention from the unsettling skyline to Lucas and shudder. “Where’s the safe zone located?”
“Shouldn’t be too much further. A buddy of mine told me that the military had set up multiple safe zones for people to come to just outside Portland,” Lucas says.
“Is that it?” Cassie points to an exit ramp that veers off to our right. A portion of the green tinted sign is spray painted with the words Safe Zone - Wilson High School.
“It’s as good of a place to start as any, I guess.” Lucas slows the truck and takes the Terwilliger Blvd exit. He cautiously follows the winding ramp up through the dense trees and brush that run along both sides of the ramp. Only a handful of cars sit abandoned on the mostly vacant road.
There is another sign that’s mounted to the thick steel pole with an arrow pointing to the left. We run through the extremely dim flashing red light that emits from the traffic signal, and continue on Terwilliger Blvd.
We cross back over the interstate at a steady speed. Lucas carefully maneuvers around the vehicles in the middle of the road. There’s not too many, but enough to make us cautious.
I lean forward in my seat and crane my neck, trying to see as far down the north bound lane of Interstate 5 as I can. The road is completely barren of any vehicles. Nothing but the dimly lit gray cement can be seen.
The southbound lane is nothing but a parking lot though. The vehicles sit bumper-to-bumper with no room between them.
I cut my gaze to Lucas and Cassie. “I wonder where all of the people who were driving those vehicles went to?”
Cassie shrugs. “No clue. Hopefully, they aren’t all infected and still in the area.”
“Just keep your eyes peeled for any movement,” Lucas says.
Duke pops over the seat, and licks the side of my face. I gently rub the side of his head, but keep my attention focused through the windshield.
Silence befalls the cab. Each of us maintains a vigilant gaze as we pass by the defunct businesses and abandoned cars.
Further down, we discover an array of hummers and transports that are parked askew on the road. The driver’s side doors are slung open. Pools of blood stain the cement below. The cabs of the large vehicles sit empty. No bodies—dead or infected.
A knot forms in my stomach. It tightens with every inch we travel. Lucas warned me about the state of the safe haven, but witnessing the void of any living presence sends my thoughts in a tail spin of utter doom.
Cassie places her hand on my knee softly. “You doing ok?”
I nod.
Another sign guides our way at the intersection. A red arrow is painted on the side of a black sedan. The front of the car is busted, and its frame is crumpled up. Three other vehicles sit in just as dire of shape as we hang a left onto SW Chestnut Street.
Spent casings litter the road. Bodies lay sprawled out in various positions. Their clothes are bloody. Torn and ragged strands of the fabric are given life by the wind.
Through the winding road and heavy vegetation that hampers our vision, we cautiously continue on.
My legs bounce up and down. My heart thumps harder in my chest as we move through the residential area. The number of military vehicles increases the closer we get.
Lucas points out the windshield. “There’s the school.”
We follow along the road that runs alongside the school. I remain on the edge of my seat. Both palms are pressed against the dash. I scan over the parking lot of vehicles that span the side of the street.
A chain link fence, with barbwire coiled around its top, encompasses the school’s outer perimeter. A massive white dome-like structure is off to the left of the high school in the open grassy area.
Smoke plumes from various parts of the structures. Portions of the fence have large gaps ripped open. More bodies lay motionless on the grounds, with no visible movement seen from our current position. There are no guards. No living.
Lucas brings the truck to a grinding halt. He glances over my way. “You still want to check it out?”
Despite the sinking pit of doubt in the depths of my tormented gut, I need to know.
I shakily nod. “Yes. I need to find them. Dead or alive.”
Cassie squeezes the lower portion of my leg right above my knee. She offers a reassuring smile through the pain that she is trying to cope with. “We will find them, James.”
Lucas kills the engine and removes the keys. “All right. Let’s go check it out.”
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
The moment of truth. One that I’ve dreamt of, and also feared for the last month. The festering doubt won’t leave me be. Its unrelenting voice whispers its horrid little nothings that cause me to gulp.
I brace myself against the side of the truck briefly. My head dangles toward the ground. My lungs release the tension that has gripped my body. It’s judgement time. I need to be ready.
Lucas and Cassie are ready to roll. They have their weapons at the ready, and their packs strapped to their backs. They chatter among themselves. I can’t hear what they’re saying. Their voices are muffled.
Lucas points toward the high school, then to the large white dome structure to its left.
Cassie nods in agreement. She glances back to me. “I think we should check out the building here next to the school first. Then work our way around the grounds to the other structures. What do you think?”
“Sounds good.” I push off the truck. I grab my machete from the ground and head over to them.
Duke stays by my side. His head is on a swivel, ears perked and his body ready to act.
My fingers dance down the crown of his head and along his spine. His ri
gid posture doesn’t waiver from the attention.
“Remember, we do this clean and smart. We stay together and work each building quickly. No unnecessary noises, and only discharge your firearms as a last resort.”
Cassie and I acknowledge Lucas’ direction with a simple nod.
He takes point, followed by Cassie. Duke and I bring up the rear. Lucas heads for an opening within the fence. His shotgun is poised and ready as he brings it to bear. He pauses, but only to carefully slip past the jagged ends of the metal fence that protrude out.
“Watch those ends,” he whispers.
Lucas slips through unscathed. He steps off to the right. He grabs a handful of the fence and pulls toward him. Cassie shimmies her thin frame through the opening with room to spare. Duke follows with ease. I carefully maneuver past the sharp edges and move out of the way.
Tiny granules of ash softly land on my face. My nose crinkles from the pungent odor of smoke and death that cloud the air. My fingers brush over my left cheek. I hold them out in front of me. The tips are slightly discolored with a grayish white smear.
Lucas pats my shoulder as he walks past me. We fall back in line and scurry across the grassy field to the first structure. My gaze wanders from left to right. I soak in the silence and destruction that the chasers have brought down upon this safe haven.
Dead bodies litter the field. Both chaser and the non-infected lay as one within the blood-soaked blades of grass. I can only imagine what sort of chaos and pandemonium ensued once the chasers gained access to the interior.
Heavy weaponry discharging.
The chasers tracking down their targets like predators in the wild.
Screams of panic and terror gripping the people as they fought for their lives. It’s a hard thought to process.
Each body we pass by, I quickly check to see if it’s a woman or young girl. I’ve thought about my mom and Cindy so much that they’re all I can see. So far, they are nowhere in sight.
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