The Departed

by Chase McCown

  By the time the three arrived, the infected had Jacob cornered. In mere moments, they would tear him to pieces.

  Susan was not going to let that happen.

  Each had a weapon. Susan kept her revolver, Charlie had his knife, and Howard had his rifle.

  “Charlie, since you don’t have a gun, stay back and let us handle this,” Susan ordered.

  “No problem,” Charlie said, very relieved that he would not have to participate in this gruesome ordeal.

  “Alright, you take the one on the left, I’ll take the one on the right, then hopefully the two in the middle will come after us, and we can take them down. Ready?” Howard asked.

  “Ready,” Susan said.

  “Three, two, one!”

  Both shots rang out in unison, and a split second later, blood splattered from the heads of both infected, and they toppled over.

  The two in the middle were not deterred.

  Howard shot one of the two, sending it careening forward.

  The remaining one brought its head up, opened its maw, and prepared to end Jacob.

  Jacob crashed into the fiend and tackled it to the ground.

  As he wrestled with the creep, Susan fired a bullet into the monster’s head to finish it off.

  All four stood in silence for a moment, partly to allow Jacob time to recuperate and partly to take in the shock of what had just transpired.

  After a minute or two, Jacob spoke. “Well, that was exciting. I thought I was going to be lunch for sure. Sorry, the name’s Jacob. Jacob Hoffman. Who are you guys?”

  “Oh!” Susan spoke up at last, still in shock. “I’m Susan Polke.”

  “Howard McGregory. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jacob.”

  Susan jabbed Charlie with her elbow, bringing him back to reality.

  “Sorry, I’m Charles. Charles Brantley. Although most call me Charlie. You can call me whatever you want. I stopped caring a long time ago.”

  “So Howard, Susan, and Charlie. Where are you guys headed?”

  “DC. We’re all going to DC.”

  “DC, hmm? I don’t suppose you have room for one more? It sounds like a much better plan than the one I came up with, and I sure wouldn’t mind the company of people who can use a gun.”

  “I don’t mind. Do you guys?” Susan asked the others.

  “Not at all,” Howard said.

  “Wait, how do we know you’re not infected?” Charlie asked.

  “Well, I’m not bitten, if that’s what you mean. I don’t know if you can become infected another way, but if so, how would any of us know if we were infected?”

  “He’s got a point, Charlie. We have no way of knowing who’s infected and who’s not, other than checking for a bite mark, and we can’t just leave him here because we think he might be any more than I could’ve left you at that apartment complex.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Charlie admitted.

  “Well, Jacob, I guess that means you can tag along if you want.”

  “Sounds good,” he said. “I’d be happy to have the company.”

  “In that case, welcome to the team!” Howard said.

  Chapter 16

  May 5th, 2025. Redding, California.

  “Well, we should probably check and see if there’s any way into this building. Is the front door locked?” Howard asked.

  “Yep. I was going to see if there was a back entrance when they caught up with me,” Jacob replied.

  “Well, now that they’ve been taken care of, that might not be a bad idea,” Susan suggested.

  “Good idea. If you want, me and Jacob could check around the left side while you and Charlie check the right side,” Howard suggested.

  “That sounds good,” Susan agreed, and soon she and Charlie vanished from sight around the right side of the building.

  Howard and Jacob followed suit, proceeding around the left side of the gas station, checking for any door or window that might be accessible.

  Shoots of moss had begun to creep up along the walls of the gas station, and it looked like the building would soon be swallowed up by a sea of tall grass.

  “There’s a window,” Jacob pointed out.

  There was indeed a small window that was low enough to reach, but when Susan pushed against the metal frame of the window, it didn’t budge.

  “Hmm, locked. We may be able to smash it if we have to, but I’d rather not make that much noise if we don’t have to. Let’s see if there’s a better way around back.”

  The two turned the corner and arrived at the back of the gas station, meeting Susan and Charlie, who were already there.

  “You two find anything?” Susan asked hopefully.

  “Not much,” Howard replied. “We did find a small window, but it was locked. We could smash it if we had to.”

  “We didn’t find much, either. Let’s hope the back door isn’t locked.”

  To the group’s dismay, the back door was indeed locked, but the wood was old and rotten. It looked to have been eaten away by termites.

  “We could break this door down. Look at how rotten the wood is,” Jacob observed.

  “True, and at this point, it could be our best option. It probably wouldn’t make much noise,” Howard noted.

  “You guys might want to stand back,” Susan suggested. She promptly rushed at the door and dealt a solid blow to it with her boot. It crumbled to pieces under the force of the kick, and only the hinges and hints of wood remained intact.

  Jacob let out a sharp whistle as he and the others followed Susan into the gas station.

  To their right, they noticed a cashier’s counter. The counter contained gum, candy, and lottery tickets. Behind it sat cases of cigarettes.

  “I don’t believe it,” Jacob said, scratching off one of the lottery tickets. “I just won ten thousand dollars. Too bad I’ll never see a penny of it.” He tossed the ticket on the floor and shook his head in disgust. “That figures.”

  Susan chuckled, and the four proceeded to investigate the gas station.

  Directly in front of them sat shelves brimming with supplies. Some had crackers, jerky, and other snacks. They also found a section with some supplies for the car—antifreeze, windshield wipers, and the like—as well as flashlights.

  In the back, there were drinks. Some of them, mostly the milk, had gone bad, but most of it was still in date and safe to drink.

  Behind the shelves were the front windows. The setting sun cast dim and somewhat ominous light into the building.

  “I don’t like it,” Charlie said, stopping near the doorway.

  “Neither do I, but look at all the supplies. We need to take advantage of it while we can,” Susan replied.

  “We should split up and grab what we can,” Howard suggested.

  “Good idea. I’ll go get some water,” Susan offered.

  “I’ll get some food,” Howard suggested.

  “I’ll see if the cashier kept a gun and some ammunition. Charlie, do you mind looking for some gasoline? My car’s fine—it just needs some fuel,” Jacob said.

  “Sure, if it means I don’t have to go farther into this creepy place.”

  The four headed in different directions to gather supplies for the long road ahead.

  Susan and Howard were kept busy, grabbing as many supplies as they could before taking them to Jacob’s car to unload, and repeating the process until the vehicle could hold no more. They had to be careful to preserve sitting room for each person, but food and water were easily found here.

  Jacob stepped behind the counter to look for a gun the owner might have kept on hand. As he looked around, he saw a shotgun propped up in the corner.

  “Jackpot!”

  The gun wasn’t loaded, however, and no ammunition was readily visible.

  “Tell me there’s some ammo around here somewhere,” he said to himself.

  He searched through the drawers next to the shotgun and eventually stumbled upon a small box of buckshot that was half full. He grab
bed the box of ammo and snatched up the shotgun, eager to show the group his find.

  He arrived at the car at the same time as Susan, who was unloading a box of water.

  “Look at this,” he said, still grinning. He held up the shotgun as if it were a trophy.

  “Very nice. Any shells?” Susan inquired.

  “Only a few.” He handed the box of ammo to Susan.

  “It’s better than nothing, that’s for sure. Should we put it in the trunk?” she asked, walking to the back of the car.

  “Sure, if there’s room for it,” he replied.

  They popped the trunk open, but it was filled to the brim.

  “Let’s put it in the backseat instead,” Jacob suggested.

  They opened the door to the backseat and found there was more than enough room for the gun there. They put the box of shells beside it and closed the rear door of the car again.

  “Let’s hope Charlie had some luck with the gasoline,” Jacob said, walking with Susan back into the gas station.

  *

  Charlie placed the red plastic container on the ground and proceeded to grab the gas nozzle and squeeze the handle.

  Only a few years ago, this would have been a useless action. Without electricity, gas pumps are rendered inoperable. Thankfully, a bill passed in 2021 mandated that all gas stations feature emergency generators. Charlie had already powered on the nearby generator, which caused the display of the gas pump to flicker to life.

  Gasoline dripped sluggishly out of the nozzle, trickling in a narrow stream before stopping entirely.

  “I hope one of these pumps actually has some gas left in it.”

  He tried the next two but only managed to fill up half of the red container.

  “Well, this is the last one. If it doesn’t have gas, we aren’t going anywhere.”

  He grabbed the handle, and a steady flow poured forth from the nozzle.

  “Finally!” Charlie exclaimed.

  The container filled quickly, and Charlie soon realized he might have enough here to actually fill up the car. If he unloaded the gallon he already had, he could simply drive the car up to the gas pump and fill it there.

  He picked up the red gas can and set off toward the car. Once he made it, he saw Howard was already there, and Jacob was approaching.

  “Find some gas, Charlie?” Howard asked.

  “Yeah, I was thinking about moving the car up to refuel it at the pump.”

  “Good idea. Then we won’t have to lug these groceries quite as far.”

  Jacob arrived shortly after, holding a red box.

  “I found this.” He held out a small first aid kit, handing it to Howard who had walked to the car to meet him.

  “That’s great!” Howard said, eyeing the prize.

  “Hey, Jacob, are the keys in the car?” asked Charlie. “I wanted to move it closer to the station.”

  “Yep,” he replied, never looking at Charlie.

  “Thanks.”

  He emptied the gas can into the tank, got into the front seat, and cranked up the car.

  He took hold of the wheel apprehensively, sweat dripping from his brow.

  Come on, Charlie, get it together. You can do this.

  He took hold of the gear shift, pushed it into drive, and stepped on the gas pedal.

  The car lurched forward, so Charlie stomped on the brake. The car slammed to a halt, and Charlie was propelled back into his seat violently. He decided to try to accelerate less rapidly this time.

  He eased onto the gas pedal and within minutes had idled up to the pump. He put the car back in park, relieved he was finished driving, and took the keys out of the ignition.

  With the gas that was left there, he was almost able to fill the tank up completely before the pump ran out.

  Later that evening, the four decided it would be best to rest at the gas station for the night and begin driving the first thing in the morning.

  The four sat on the shoulder of the road nearby, and after Susan and Howard got a fire going, they prepared some of their food for a makeshift supper. They had canned beans, soup, and cocktail wieners which they cooked over the campfire. After dinner, Jacob shared a bag of marshmallows he’d found, and the four of them roasted them over the fire.

  “You know,” Jacob said, turning the marshmallow he’d skewered on a stick. “I miss this. Camping out with my dad when I was a kid. Going fishing early in the morning. We never caught anything, but neither of us cared. It was the time we spent, you know? I miss that.”

  Howard nodded slowly, deep in thought. He couldn’t help but think back to his dad showing him how to use a rifle all those years ago.

  “You know—” Jacob began but stopped abruptly and shook his head.

  “What?” Susan pressed.

  “Well, I was just thinking. I could actually see us making it out of this alive. It’s funny… I never would have imagined it this morning.”

  “Did you hear that?” Charlie asked.

  “I didn’t hear—” Jacob began, but Howard hushed him.

  Just then, moaning could be heard nearby.

  “Quick! Put out the fire!” Howard ordered.

  Susan, Jacob, and Charlie began shoveling dirt onto the fire while Howard pulled out his rifle and tried to spot the threat.

  “That’s not good,” Howard said.

  “What?” Charlie asked.

  “Nothing. Just get the stuff ready and load the car,” Howard ordered.

  Howard could see at least ten, maybe fifteen infected near the gas station. Some appeared to be gathering around their dead brethren, while others were pacing about, moaning.

  After all of the supplies had been loaded into the car, Howard loaded his gun, got in the driver’s seat, and cranked the key to start the engine. As the engine hummed to life, the infected spun around and faced the car.

  “Drive, Howard, drive!” Charlie shouted from the back seat.

  Howard put the car in drive and stepped on the accelerator just as the infected dashed off in a mad sprint toward them. Just then, his headlights illuminated a figure right in the middle of the road.

  “Hold on!” Howard shouted.

  Howard stepped on the accelerator and plowed directly into the infected. As he collided with the creep, he heard a sickening crunch. The monster rolled over the hood of the car and fell limp at the side of the road.

  The force of the impact sent Howard flying into the now-deployed air bag. The airbag deflated quickly, and in moments, Howard was able to regain his grip on the steering wheel and steer the car back on course. The four then sped away from the gas station toward their destination.

  Chapter 17

  May 6th, 2025. Redding, California.

  “Rise and shine!” Howard hollered as he stood up from a rickety rocking chair situated at the front of the gas station. The others wearily rose and gathered their backpacks and blankets they had been sleeping on and lumbered to the car.

  “We need to get going if we’re going to make it to DC,” Howard said. “Who wants the first shift driving?” he asked once the four arrived at the car.

  “Maybe this isn’t the best time to say this, but I never really learned how to drive,” Charlie whimpered.

  “Well, that should be much easier now, seeing as how there aren’t nearly as many drivers,” Susan joked.

  “Heh, yeah.” Charlie laughed nervously.

  “I’ll take the first shift,” Jacob offered.

  “I can take over when you get tired,” said Susan.

  “I’ll go after that,” Howard said. “And you don’t have to drive if you don’t want to, Charlie.”

  “Thanks,” Charlie replied.

  The group piled into Jacob’s car and began the long journey to the capital.

  *

  After driving for what felt like a few hours, the four ran into a large barricade that blocked their progress. An eighteen-wheeler was parked horizontally, and their car could not pass it on either side. Three gunmen immediately bec
ame visible, waving the heroes down.

  “Keep your heads down. I’ll handle the talking, but be ready in case this turns ugly,” Howard ordered.

  “We’re dead,” Charlie groaned.

  “Shut up, Charlie,” Susan snapped, leaning into the back seat to scold him for his lack of confidence.

  Jacob remained silent—frozen in fear. He’d always dreamed of being an action hero, like the ones you see in the movies, but this—this was all too real.

  One man approached the car while two more sat on top of the eighteen-wheeler.

  “Hey there. I suppose you’re on your way to DC, aren’t you?” the gunman approaching the car—presumably the leader—asked. A shotgun was slung haphazardly over his shoulder, and from the way he carried it, Howard wondered if the man had ever handled a gun.

  Howard rolled down the window. “Yeah, that’s the plan,” he said. “What’s the problem?”

  “Well, you see,” the bandit began with a grin, “the problem is that to get there, you’re going to have to either use my section of the highway or turn around. Now, I’m a stickler about who I let pass by here, but I’ll make an exception for you because you’re such nice folk. I just want one thing in return.”

  “And what might that be?” Howard asked, fearful he already knew the answer.

  “Well, I’m feeling generous today. You get to pass for the one time only, special rate. I’ll only take your car, all your weapons, and half of your provisions.”

  “Half our provisions? The car? That’s a death sentence!” Howard raged.

  “If you think about it, I’m actually doing you a favor,” the bandit said, still smiling.

  “How so?” Howard inquired while motioning to Susan in the passenger seat. Susan nodded and pulled her revolver out of her holster. She kept it concealed at first, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

  The bandit advanced, only a few yards from the car now. “Well, without a car, you’ll need to travel light. I’m doing you a favor taking all that extra food off your hands. Now, you could always turn around and see if you can make it another way. ‘Course, if you run into any more bandits, they may not be as hospitable as I am. That’s provided you make it without running out of gas.” The bandit leader reached the driver’s side door and rested his hands above the window. “That reminds me—how much gas you got left in that rig anyhow?”