Dying Planet: A Post-Apocalyptic Novel

by C. O. Amal

  “What happened to him?” Eric asked.

  Emma and David stared at the limping soldier.

  “One of the infected bit him in the leg.” The soldier near Eric said.

  “You can come with us. But he can’t. He will turn soon.” Eric said.

  “Please, take me to a hospital, at least.” The limping soldier said.

  “Look, we could shoot all of you and take the car for ourselves, but we are not that sort of men. Take him to a hospital.” The good looking soldier said.

  Suddenly, the limping soldier fell down unconscious.

  “Shit. Jerome, are you okay.” The good looking soldier crouched down near the fallen soldier.

  Bruises began to appear all across Jerome’s body.

  “Get inside, if you want to live. He will turn soon.” Eric shouted.

  Suddenly a sharp screech came from behind the car. Eric looked at the rear view mirror and found a horde of creatures approaching the car from behind.

  “Get inside.” Eric shouted at the soldier.

  “Okay.” The soldier quickly opened the back door and got inside. He closed the back door just in time when the fallen soldier stood up. “Jerome?”

  Suddenly Jerome or what was left of him screeched at the car and it rushed forward. Eric quickly pressed his foot on the accelerator and the car rushed forward. The newly turned soldier ran behind the car for a few minutes, and then it rushed towards the trees. Eric looked at the rear view mirror and found all the creatures giving up the chase and they all entered into the woods. They must have seen something in the woods, perhaps a survivor. Too bad for the survivor in the woods. Far away Eric could see the form of buildings. A city.

  “Airport is after that city.” Emma said.

  “Why are we going to the airport?” The soldier asked.

  “We are going to Russia.” David said.

  “Why Russia?” The soldier asked.

  “There is a space ship. We are going to another planet. It’s our only choice.” Eric said.

  “I guess it’s not Mars.” The soldier said.

  “Why?” Eric asked.

  “This thing actually started from Mars. The NASA guys brought a Martian’s body to our planet. The Martian was carrying this deadly disease. Then the epidemic got outside and turned everyone in just a day.” The soldier said.

  David and Eric exchanged a serious glance. So people of Nibiru aren’t the one who behind the outbreak in this planet.

  “We are going to Planet Nibiru. It’s the 9th planet in our solar system.” Emma said.

  “But that planet is just discovered. It’s not even named. Where did you get the name Nibiru? Are you sure it’s habitable?” The soldier asked.

  “We are pretty sure. The information we have is very complex and you probably won’t believe it.” Eric said.

  “Try me.” The soldier said.

  Eric and David explained about the Martians and their escape from planet Mars. Like Emma had done, the soldier also nodded. It is certain that he tried hard to digest this new information.

  “So, how did you got here?” Emma asked the soldier.

  “We were positioned here for checking the infected activity. In the morning they took over our camp and killed everyone. Me and Jerome were the only survivors. Now, I am the only one left.” The soldier said.

  “You didn’t tell us your name.” Emma said.

  “Oh, I am Ruben.” The soldier said.

  Emma shifted her gaze to the trees on the left side of the road.

  The car rushed through the gravel road to the city far away. Before long, sun moved to its highest position in the sky.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 16

  Somewhere in Portland, USA

  Before long they entered into the city. Eric decreased the car’s speed a little. The city is dead silent and it seems that nobody is inside the city. Sidewalks are filled with glass shards and there isn’t building having intact glass structures. Windows and doors are all broken. A few minutes later they reached a little deep inside the city. Suddenly Eric stopped the car.

  “Why are we stopped, Eric?” Emma asked.

  “Look.” Eric said pointing at the road in front of them.

  The road in front of them is filled with vehicles of all sort and they have no way to move forward in the car.

  “What should we do?” Eric asked.

  “We will walk until we see the end of this line of vehicles. In the end of the line we could take another vehicle to go to the airport.” Ruben suggested.

  They have no other way but to walk. They all reluctantly exited the car.

  “I am hungry.” Emma complained.

  “We can’t risk ourselves by removing the mask. The virus could be everywhere. We need to hold back our hunger and thirst until we reach a safe spot.” Eric said.

  “He is right. The moment we remove the mask for eating anything, we will get infected. We have to hold back our hunger.” David said.

  Everyone nodded.

  They slowly started their walk through the side walk. Glass shards clattered as they walked on top of it. So, they slowly, carefully moved through the side walk. Some of the vehicles on the road are crashed into other vehicles and most vehicles’ wind shield and side windows are broken.

  They slowly moved forward. Eric and David walked in the front line and behind them, Emma and Ruben followed. Suddenly Eric motioned at everyone to stop. They all stopped moving. Then they saw it. A few stray infected are standing in the middle of the road, in front of Eric and team. The infected just stared at nowhere in particular, like they are waiting for something.

  “We will go around this block.” Eric whispered.

  Everyone nodded. They slowly walked backward and they took another street and they went around the block near which the infected are standing. Before long they passed that block and they reached the main road. From this position, they could see the creatures far away. Eric and team increased their pace. A few minutes later they exited the town and far way they could see the form of the airport. Between the airport and the city, there is a small piece of wooded land. They slowly moved through the road. Since the infected were standing near the vehicles they couldn’t get one vehicle for the journey.

  Now both sides are filled with trees. Suddenly a screech came from the trees on the left side of the street. Then they saw it. About five creatures are running at Eric and his team from deep inside the trees.

  “Run ...” Eric shouted.

  The four of them bolted into a run. A few minutes later the creatures entered into the road and they rushed at the survivors with inhuman speed. Ruben stopped for a moment and he trained his gun at the incoming creatures. Then he pulled the trigger.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  “No, god, damn it.” Eric cursed.

  The incoming creatures did went down.

  “What is it?” Ruben asked Eric.

  “Gun fire will attract more of them.” Eric said.

  Suddenly a series of screeches and growls came from the city. Then Eric and team saw it. A sea of infected are rushing at the origin of gun fire.

  “Run ...” Eric shouted.

  They again bolted into a run.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 17

  Portland Airport, USA

  Eric and team ran at their maximum speed. Growls and shrieks came from behind them. Eric took a quick glance at his rear and the sight horrified him. There would be hundreds of infected in this horde and they are running at their maximum speed, though most are limping, but at inhuman speed.

  Ruben suddenly stopped running and he trained his gun at the horde and he pulled the trigger.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  The bullets struck on many and the creatures in the front line fell down. Suddenly all the remaining creatures lost their footing and they all fell on top the fallen creatures. This would buy Eric and team some time. Ruben started running, and before long he reached near others.

  “Ruben, don’t
shoot again, okay?” Eric shouted. “There could be more of them and they will rush at any sound, especially at the sound of gun fire.”

  “Okay.” Ruben said.

  A few minutes later they saw the airport. There are a few multi-story buildings nearby and there is no sign of creatures, yet. They rushed forward and before long they reached the front doorway of the airport. They rushed inside through the intact glass doors. At the moment they reached inside the wide white room, they all froze. Inside the room, here and there stood the infected. Most infected were security guards of the airport. Some of their flesh in the face is missing and all of their skin is filled with bruises. Suddenly all the infected shifted their gaze at Eric and team. Then with a shriek they rushed forward.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Ruben pulled the trigger. Ruben masterfully changed the magazine and again pulled the trigger.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  All the approaching creatures went down. Ruben shot at all of their heads. He does know how to kill them. Suddenly the hordes outside reached near the front doorway and they all stood outside behind the rotating glass doors, and they all began to pummel at the glass door.

  Eric and team froze for a moment, without knowing what to do. They did know to get inside the airport, but now they don’t know where to go. Suddenly cracks began to appear on the glass door. A moment later one of the creatures managed to push open the glass door. Then most creatures rushed inside.

  “Run.” David said and he led the way.

  They ran through the metal detector and finally they saw stairs in a corner. David took the stairs and others followed him. The horde rushed forward. Most creatures got trapped in the metal detector since all of them tried to get through the metal detector at once. Some of the creatures broke the glass walls and rushed at their meal. All they care about is getting a piece of human flesh.

  Finally Eric and team reached the second level of the airport. They quickly got inside the first room they saw. Fortunately none of the creatures saw them getting inside the room. Ruben shut the door behind him. Then they all froze for a moment. In front of them stood several normal people, but first Eric and team thought these people were infected since they have seen more than enough infected today. Then they relaxed.

  All the people inside this room are wearing gas masks. Then Eric noticed that two of the new people are wearing pilot’s uniform and others are women, supposedly air hostess.

  “Is there many of them out there?” One of the men in pilot uniform asked.

  “More than you can count.” Eric said. He took a few deep breaths. “Are you a pilot?”

  “Yes.” The man in pilot uniform said. “I am Sammy. This is Tom.”

  “Nice to meet you all. We have actually come here with a plan to escape this thing. And we need to get to Russia as a first step for that.” David said.

  “We are listening.” Sammy said.

  Eric and David explained everything to the pilots. First they didn’t believe it at all. Then they started to believe when Ruben told them about the Martian the NASA folks had found. Emma and the five air hostess went near the window and they talked and watched the scenery outside.

  “There is one problem, though.” Tom said.

  “What problem?” Eric asked.

  “As you have said, there are the infected who followed you here. And there are more of them in the runway. Yesterday, most people who were boarding a plane turned into one of them and now they roam the runway. You can see them through the window.” Tom said.

  Eric slowly went near the window where Emma and the air hostess are standing. Then he saw the runway and the creatures. There are many creatures in the runway and they all are standing there looking here and there, waiting for a stimulus. So, they haven’t heard the gunfire inside the front room of the airport.

  “I have a plan.” Eric said shifting his gaze to the pilots.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 18

  Portland Airport, USA

  “We will go through the sewers.” Eric said.

  “That’s a good idea. Fuelled planes are parked in the north wing and there are manholes everywhere in that area.” Tom said.

  “But, first we need to escape from the creatures that are inside this building.” David said.

  “I have enough magazines to kill all of them. My back pack is filled with grenades. I took precautions when I escaped from our camp.” Ruben said.

  “That’s good. But those things need only a little sound to become active.” Eric said.

  “We could use the fire escape ladder in this building to get to the back of the building. There are manholes in the back of the building and sewers runs all over this place. We only have to worry about the creatures that are in this level.” Sammy said.

  “Okay, we will take the fire escape route.” Eric said.

  They all nodded.

  “Okay, then let’s do this.” Tom said.

  Tom and Ruben approached the door. Ruben slowly opened the door a little and peeked at the corridor. There are no creatures on the corridor. Ruben quickly gestured at everyone to follow him. Tom quickly led them towards the end of the corridor. There are rooms on both sides of the corridor. They didn’t bother checking inside the rooms. There may be still many survivors in this airport, but Eric and team can’t save them all. First they have to save their lives, all else comes later. Actually now, every man is for himself.

  Before long they found the end of the corridor. There are stairs to the upper level and also there is a window on the wall in front of them. They could see the fire escape ladder through the window.

  Eric quickly opened the window and he peeked at the back of the building. There are no creatures nearby.

  “Okay, guys. It’s safe.” Eric said.

  Suddenly a shriek came from the other end of the corridor. Then they saw it. A horde is rushing at Eric and team.

  “Quick, climb down.” David said.

  Emma and the air hostesses first climbed down. Then the pilots began to climb down.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Ruben fired several shots at the incoming creatures. The front line of creatures went down and suddenly all the creatures lost their footing. Eric, David and Ruben quickly climbed down. Before long they landed on the ground. Suddenly a screech came from nearby. By this time Emma had found a manhole. Emma called everyone and they began to climb down the manhole. Lastly Ruben entered inside the manhole. They stood on top of the concrete side lane and analyzed everything. In front of them three sewers meet and Tom led them towards the middle sewer.

  “This sewer might lead us to the runway.” Tom said.

  Suddenly behind them something fell onto the sewer water through the manhole. Ruben and Eric peered at the manhole. Then a shriek came and two creatures stood up from the sewer water. Both creatures rushed at Eric and team through the waste water.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Ruben quickly shot down both the creatures. Suddenly more creatures started to jump into the sewer.

  “Run.” Eric shouted.

  Quickly they all broke into a run. Shrieks and screeches followed them.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Ruben stopped several times and he fired at the incoming horde. Finally they saw the manhole which would lead them to the runway. David and Tom quickly climbed the ladder and removed the lid. Then they entered into the runway. Quickly Emma, air hostesses, Eric, Ruben and Sammy climbed and finally they all reached the runway. By this time the horde inside the sewer reached near the manhole. They made unholy screeches looking at Eric and team. Fortunate for Eric and team, the creatures don’t know how to climb a ladder.

  A few meters away they saw a plane. Tom led them towards the plane. Suddenly screeches came from one end of the runway. Then they saw it. A horde of creatures is rushing at the survivors from the end of the runway.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 19

  Portland Airport, USA

  Eric and team ran towards the airplane. The
horde of creatures followed them with shrieks and screeches. In the horizon, sun began to set, casting long shadows in the runway. Finally they reached near the airplane.

  “Are you sure it has full fuel?” Eric asked Tom.

  “I am pretty sure.” Tom said.

  It’s then they noticed that there is no ladder nearby to climb aboard the airplane.

  “Now what?” David asked.

  The shrieks and growls reached almost near them.

  “We should take the wheel chamber near the front wheels.” Sammy said.

  Tom nodded and he quickly led them to the front wheels. They saw the wheel chamber opened widely. Air hostesses and Emma first climbed aboard. It took them a few minutes to climb inside the wheel chamber. Then both the pilots entered inside.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Ruben started firing at the approaching horde. David and Eric quickly followed Tom and Sammy.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Ruben continued to fire.

  “Ruben, get inside.” Eric shouted.

  Ruben quickly started climbing and he climbed aboard just in time when the horde reached near the front wheels.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Ruben fired several more times and all the nearby creatures went down.

  “Eric, this way.” Tom yelled. Tom led them out of the wheel chamber, and after a few minutes’ walk through the corridor, they reached the passenger room.

  Tom and Sammy quickly ran towards the cockpit. An air hostess ran towards the doorway and she quickly shut the door.

  “Everyone, take seats and put on your seat belts.” An air hostess said.

  Quickly Eric, David, Ruben and Emma sat down on the seats and they strapped the seat belts across their waist. A few minutes later, the plane began to move. Eric peered outside through the window and found the creatures gathering near the plane. Creatures rushed outside the airport building through windows and doorways. A few minutes later the plane rose from the ground. Pilots didn’t bother to give any signals.

  “Now, can we eat anything?” Emma asked.