The Surviving Son (Valkyrie Book 2)

by Hawk, J. K.

  “SMELLY BUFFOONS! GO AWAY!”He cried. “GO NOW!”

  The remaining Prowler’s cocked their heads at each other, then looked back at Abel before the Alpha let loose a shrilling chatter. Unlike the Necrotic’s back down on old route twenty-seven, the Prowler’s were not as obedient and tested the boy’s resolve. Abel responded with a hoarse growl, and the she-beast lunged at him with unruly viciousness, and yet purposely missing his chest. However, like obedient wolf pups, they soon bowed their heads and shuffled offinto the forest like twospoiled children who hadn’t got their way. Darkly amusing now that I can think back on it. As they vanished into the brush, Abel turned his attention upon me as I flopped about like a beached whale.

  “Stupid Oaf.” He taunted with a smile.

  * * * * * “They’re not the same.” Abel muttered as he bandaged the gash in the back of my head.

  “The Prowler’s?” I asked.

  “Prowler? The dark ones?”

  “Yes, you’ve never seen them before?”

  “Once, they no listen well, not like the others.” He paused for a moment as he tightened the ragaround myhead. “They no like you.”

  “As opposed to anyone else?” I asked, but received no answer, I wasn’t sure if his young mind even understood. “Why did they hesitate? They had plenty of time to kill me.”

  “You just laid there.” Abel answered. “Dark Ones hunt, they want to chase.”

  “Did they say anything?” I asked.

  “No, but they were scared.”

  “Scared? Of you?”

  “No. Of you.”

  “Why are they scared of me?” I said with a chuckle.

  “They are aware. They know what you come for.”

  “How is that possible?” I asked, but Abel simply shrugged.

  I always knew that these mutations were self-aware to some degree, but no more than that of a wolf pack or a pride of lions. Just enough to organize for the hunt, but to have cognitive thoughts and emotions, it was just too farfetched. But so wasn’t the boy’s condition. Either way it was a state of intelligence that was unprecedented, but for all the fear they have rained down upon the world, I was amused with the thought that that fear goes both ways. But, this could still be a miniscule connection in the brain, a glimmering spark between the disease and the person. Maybe, just maybe, the fear they feel is not their own, but that of the soul trapped within. Still, it gives me comfort in knowing the balance of terror was turning, mankind was still a threat to them.

  “I’m going to walk up and take some samples.” Steph said as she stepped out of the cabin with a pack of supplies.

  “No!” Abel protested. “Too dangerous.”

  “Abel, we need to study them.” Steph advised.

  “Go with her.” I suggested.

  His seriousness faded to joy as he instantly forgot my injuries and proceeded to follow her up the mountain. I remained, sitting by the dwindling fire, and closed my eyes to finally enjoy that nap. However, sleep never came as visions of the Prowler’s flooded my mind. My heart pounded rapidly with anxiety as a loud chitter echoed in my ears and in an instant my eyes were open and I was on my feet.

  My head twisted and turned as I searched the area, waiting for the assault, waiting for my demise. Sweat poured down my forehead and into my eyes, but I ignored the sting, holding my breath as I sought the devil that approached. But there was nothing, just an empty and dry forest landscape. Then, as if appearing out of thin air, a small figure caught my eye. An insignificant red-squirrel, munching on a desiccated acorn while flicking its tail at me and randomly chittering out to others that a ferocious beast was nearby. But his calls of warning would not be answered, as he was all of his kind that had chosen to remain. As I breathed deep, and calmed my pained chest, I couldn’t help but chuckle out loud.

  “Damn you.” I muttered.

  * * * * *

  Steph and Abel return not long after with the samples, and the two of us immediately got to work, eager for what discoveries we might find. Blood, Skin, Saliva, and even Stool were all collected and we worked feverishly to get slides prepared for study. Of course we broke out masks and gloves as each and every specimen was highly infectious. And even though Abel just watched, and surely would be immune to any contagion, I made sure that he was also protected.

  The first sample I slid underneath the microscope was from the skin, a small sliver of the scaly scar tissue, but it did not provide any more information than I had already obtained. Much like the Necrotics, it was simple, dense and calcified tissue, the only difference was a reflective sheen upon its surface rather than the dullness that is generally portrayed. The blood and saliva too was not much different, brimming with Valkyrie’s minions, similar in appearance to all the other strains, but definitely show a noticeable transition as two primary characteristics stood out above all others. First, the cytoplasm which normally takes on a glowing purple hue, was now more of a red and flickered faster than normal. The second was within its nucleus, which had become more complex, and not much different than that of a reptilian brain, only at a microscopic scale. It was unexplainable, biologically impossible, and yet all too believable.

  “JESUS CHRIST!” Steph exclaimed as she slid the stool sample under the scope and took her first glimpse.

  Quickly I scooted over to see what she had discovered, and what I found was completely different than anything I had seen before. The feces of most of the Infected I’ve studied was a sludge consisting of a mixture of dead cells; human, bacteria, even Valkyrie. The rest was made up of toxic and unusable material such as mercury, lead, fats, and cellulose. But what we found in the bowels of the Prowler was the breeding grounds for Valkyrie, a maturation chamber, or the brood of a hive. New cells fed off general wastes, which has driven each one towards further mutations. Each individual cell had trivial yet possibly devastating differences from one another. As if each cell was its own virus, and its effects on other lifeforms would at this time remain a mystery that would hopefully never be solved.

  Upon this discovery we incinerated all of the samples, as well as dragging the Prowler’s corpse back to the cabin to dispose of it. Now, it was even more imperative that we get back to the GFS, along with Abel. Although our allotted time to find a cure was limited, it appeared to be at an end, and any day a new and more diverse pandemic could be unleashed, but this time there would be no hope in stopping it.

  Old World Benedictions

  Steph has become quite the Impressive home maker, taking the initiative and displaying a keen sense of opportunity. As Abel and I worked around the property to enhance our defenses by adding new fencing and other barriers, she was back at the cabin with other motives in mind. After a hot day of work, we returned to the cabin in hopes of a simple meal of beans, or in Abel’s opinion, rank meat. But instead we were met with a feast for the saint’s, and both of our mouths watered with anticipation.

  The dinner table which had been commandeered for our equipment was now lavished with a bounty of food. From a salad made of a variety of wild greens, to wild carrots and potatoes. A fresh baked loaf of bread still steamed to one end, and an endless bounty of wildberries along with a fresh pitcher of goat’s milk. But what really caught our eyes was the perfectly roasted turkey at the center of the buffet. Abel and I looked at each other, than to the shining face of Steph, smiling with pride at her accomplishment.

  “How the hell?” I gasped.

  “I went out this morning to gather berries and everything else just seemed to fall from heaven.” She chuckled. “The God’s must like us.”

  “Did the turkey fall from heaven too?” I asked as we sat down at the table.

  “It just wandered by as I was picking.” She smiled. “All it took was a swift kick to the neck.”

  “Amazing.” I said.

  “Happy Thanksgiving!” She responded.

  “Wrong time of year, though.”

  “Who cares.” She muttered.

  “What is thanksgiving?”
Abel asked.

  “It’s a day where family and friends get together to eat and reflect on all of their blessings.” I answered.

  “Why?”

  “So that we don’t forget who we are, or where we came from.” Steph added.

  Abel stared at us in confusion, for which I am sure this all seemed very odd to him, some might say even foreign. But this was good, the boy had already come so far socially, this would help ease him a bit further into our rising society. The more comfortable he is now, the better it will be back at Maribel, if we could ever convince him to return with us. Steph and I stared back at him with pride as he peered over the food and curiously poked at the turkey. It was as if we were adoptive parents giving the new addition to our family a taste of loving comfort.

  “You cooked it…” He spat with disgust, and we chuckled.

  “Just wait until you taste it.” I suggested.

  “We need to say grace, first.” Steph chimed in.

  “What’s that?” Abel asked again with a queer look in his eyes.

  “It’s where we state all of the things we are thankful for.” Steph answered, “I’ll go first.”

  Steph went ahead with her standard list of all that she was thankful for, albeit not much different from our own. The food before us, the company around us, the sanctity of this mountain, and even for those awaiting our return back home. It actually felt like those almost-forgotten days back with my own family, before hell corrupted the world and put an end to such social gatherings. However, Abel still remained skeptical and gazed at us like we were a couple of weirdo’s, but still, after a moment of silence he cleared his throat and spoke up.

  “I thankful for Steph,” A shy smile spread across his face, and his crush blushed in response. “I thankful for stupid-head,” He muttered, casting me an affectionate yet distrusting gaze, “Ithankful for these woods, and…” He paused, thinking of what else to say, and then his eyes fell back upon the roasted wildturkey, “And raw meat.” He finished, looking up at us for approval. Giggling we both nodded and gave him a quick round of claps which provided him with a bit of pride as his eyes lit up and a smile stretched across his face.

  Without further hesitation, I tore free one of the birds legs and plopped it down on Abel’s plate, for which he stared at it with disgust. Steph gestured for him to try it, and in curiosity we waited and watched. After a moment he slowly lifted up the piece of meat, giving it a quick sniff before lightly nibbling upon the crispy skin, and his eyes lit up even more. Next came a big bite into the tender meat, and before long, his unjust disgust turned to insatiable gluttony as he pecked the bone clean and ripped off the other leg. Looking over at Steph, I met her with a smile, as we both began to fill our plates with the bounty.

  Abel cared little for the vegetables or even the bread, which was cast aside for Steph and I. The two of us only had a small sliver of turkey before he hauled the entire carcass onto his plate and tore it apart ravenously. Bringing the boy back from his feral nature keeps proving harder than ever, but it still gave us a laugh as we watched him feast upon what may be the first roasted piece of flesh he has ever eaten.

  After dinner and as night fell upon us we all sat around a meager fire, large enough to provide some light, but no so large to possible ignite the forests that surround us. The temperature had dropped some as the moon rose higher, but it was still hot enough to leave my skin pasty with sweat. Off in the distance we could hear a group of Owls calling back and forth to each other which seemed to mesmerize Abel while also imbedding fear into Steph.

  “I don’t mean to upset you, Abel, but have you thought about coming back with us?” I eventually asked, breaking the silence.

  “Papa said no.” He paused. “And you promised.”

  “I know I promised. But things are different now.” “How so?”

  “I thought your blood held the cure.” I said and he looked up at me with unspoken questions. “There is no cure.” I answered. “But, everyone still has a chance in the secrets you hold within. You might be the key to living with the disease rather than beneath it.”

  “But you already have my blood?”

  “No. What I need is you, my lab, and time. None of which I can achieve here.”

  “Papa said people will fear me… Hate me”

  “Maybe, but only at first. By my side you will be safe, and in time, you will be seen as our savior, and loved by all.”

  “Jesus?” He asked.

  “Your father told you of Jesus?”

  “Only that Mama loved him.” He paused a second, watching the flicker of the flames. “Did he really walk on water?”

  “That’s what the book says.” I answered.

  “What do you believe?”

  “I’m not sure. I guess if Jesus did die for our sins, then there is no reason for the world to be the way it is today.”

  “But do you believe he walkedon water?” He asked with a one track mind, and I chuckled.

  “Yes I do.” I said to entice his infatuation of the subject.

  “Papa said to kill you if you tried to take me from here.”

  “I’m not trying to take you.” I retorted. “It is your choice, but I hope that you would come as a favor to me.” He cast me scornful glare. “And a favor to Steph.”

  He didn’t respond, but I could see that his mind raced with even more questions. Casually he threw on a couple more logs to the fire before sitting back in silence. Steph and I watched as he pondered the idea, weighing out the pros and cons, considering how to join us but still live up to the honor of his father. He was a lost soul torn between the comfort of company, and the lonely wishes of his father.

  “Do you remember Nova from your father’s book?” Steph asked, and his eyes widened as he nodded. Brilliant, I thought, Steph’s quick thinking may have saved us.

  “Would you like to meet her?” I asked

  “She’s alive?”

  “Yes she is.”

  “Where?” He asked with excitement.

  “She’s back home, in the care of a sweet little girl. I think you will like her as well”

  “Do you think she will know me?” He asked.

  “I think so. I’m sure she will smell your mother in you.”

  “Can I ever come back here?”

  “Someday, maybe.” Steph said sweetly. He stared at me, waiting for a more confident answer.

  “I will not lie to you,” I began. “There are a lot of unknowns, but I will do everything in my power to bring you back.” “Why don’t your people come and get us?”

  “I’m sure that they have already declared us dead. I don’t even know how we would get there, it’s far too long of a walk.”

  “They have flying machines?”

  “Yes.”

  “If Igo, and help you save your people, youbringus back here.” He demanded.

  “Us?” I asked as he rose to his feet.

  “Me, Steph and Nova.” He said. “She should come home.”

  I nodded, knowing all too well that a return trip would be nearly impossible, being that the chance of us making to Maribel is very slim. The boy rushed into the cabin with a glimmer of enthusiasm that I had never seen before. A racket arose from inside as the boy slammed about, searching for something, but moments later he went silent, and the candle from within was blown out.

  “Did he go to bed?” Steph asked.

  “I think so.” I answered. “His excitement must have been exhausting.”

  “The chances of surviving…” Steph began.

  “Are better with Abel by our side.” I interrupted. “What is it with this attraction everyone has for you?” I asked with a chuckle.

  “Maybe it’s my smile.” She said with a smirk. “Are you going to live up to your word and bring him back?”

  “If I can.”

  “And you would just give me to him, like I’m some hunk of meat?” She asked, and I chuckled.

  “I don’t know. Maybe we can retire here once this is a
ll over. Give the boy some structure and love.”

  “Oh, so you presume that I’d agree to be your wife.” She said with a glare.

  “Is it that bad of an idea?” I said playfully.

  There was a moment of silence before she stood from her perch and waltzed over to me, a smirk still planted across her face. Unexpectedly she hopped onto my lap, straddling me as she draped her arms over my shoulders and stared into my eyes. What I thought was just an innocent and flirtatious discussion had turned quickly into something more, something I had never once considered. Steph had never once shown interest in me, not in this way anyhow.

  “Steph, wait…” I said.

  “Hush, he might hear us. Then you would be in really big trouble.” She said with a sweet giggle.

  “But…”

  “But nothing.” She whispered into my ear. “I have no expectations. This is just for us.”

  Hounds of War

  Adam once had the same damnable curiosity that I have always been plagued with, and within it he questioned every aspect of this new world, driven to understand it, yearning to defeat it, but to no avail. There was a day, which seems so long ago, that every new oddity that emerged from this dreadful plague intrigued me. Much like a school boy trying drugs for the first time, or slipping his finger between his first crush’s legs, it was the knowledge from experimentation that drove me and kept me alive. But that was long ago, and today, there are no more surprises. I, like many, have become placid to the world around me.

  Steph, on the other hand, still has the eyes of curiosity, and reminds me of myself when I was much younger. Yet, that inquisitiveness she still embraces is dying rapidly, and soon she too will be immune to the shock of the absurd. Back in our fortified colonies we were blinded by the truth, much like many horrific events of the past, time away allowed us to forget or at least dismiss. But, out here in the thick of it, every day is a constant reminder that hell is real and with endless horror.

  It was well passed noon, hot as always, and Steph and I were left alone at the cabin as Abel wondered off on yet another hunt. Much like the Infected, the boy carries the hunger, and can easily consume an average sized deer in a week. Thankfully he has been generous enough to allow us first cut of his fresh kills, rather than the rancid remains which he seems to prefer. Although since our Holiday Dinner he has become much more accepting of cooked entrees, yet the sight of a festering carcass still makes his mouth water. Unlike his rapacious appetite, I have done well to conserve and stretch out our rations. Meat is dried and smoked over the fire, and what few wild grown edibles are to be found are consumed as soon as they are foraged.