by M. D Khamil
"Reading." She answered.
"How long have I been sleeping?" I asked.
"About three hours or so."
"What? Why didn’t you wake me up. I thought that we’re gonna prepare things for tomorrow’s mission."
"Don’t worry about it, I already did. Besides you look really tired, so I didn’t want to bother you."
"Thanks Claire and sorry too."
"It’s alright." She replied back. On the floor near to where I sit was Prince sleeping in curled looking like a fury ball. He seemed like have went too far away in his dreams. My head was still spinning around but I could still took control over my self. I went to the bathroom and washed my face. The water felt so good. So cool and fresh like it was washing away all my pain and worries. I looked at my self in the mirror, looking at every feature of my face. I suddenly felt sad. I thought about my friends and my family. I missed them. I wanted to cry in the bathroom and shouted out loud how I wanted to see them again. How this Plague should have never happened. My tears slowly dripped down form my watery eyes. Then I remembered my mother’s words. "How could a man be a man if he could not even stand on his own feet, let alone to defend himself. If you wanted to be a real man, you need to go for it, never looked back, keep on going until you reached to that point, embraced it, never let go." I wiped off my tears with the towel hanged to the wall. Back to the lounge Claire looked at me uneasily.
"Took you so long in the bathroom." She said in such a mocking tone.
"Stomach ache. Maybe it’s the wine. I haven’t drink alcohol for quite some times."
Then suddenly the ceiling made some strange sounds. Like hundreds of horses running on top our secret base. "What’s that sound?" I asked.
"I don’t know. Let’s find out." Claire went to the monitor of the massive touched screen and pressed some virtual holographic buttons. Then a live moving picture appeared on the screen.
"Look at that! So many of them!" I was startled with the visual I saw on the screen.
"How can they be here? This never happened before."
"We need to get out of here right now. This place will be safe. The only problem right now is," Claire stopped and gulped.
"What is it?" I wondered.
"The truck. All of the important stuff and devices I have prepared earlier I put them in the truck. If they crushed your truck we don’t have anything left for tomorrow’s mission."
"Not gonna happen! Not in a million years!" I woke up Prince and we rushed for the exit. Weapons were ready in our hands. We were standing behind the cottage front wooden door. I opened the door slowly trying not to make any sound while opening it. The view in front was troubling us. They were everywhere. There was almost no room to get to the truck.
"We need to distract them." Claire suggested.
"How do you think that’s gonna work? They are too many. Chances are very low."
"Don’t think that I am not prepared for this." She said.
"We can distract them. But only for thirty seconds." She added. Claire took something in her belt. She took out a small marble size sphere shape silver ball with a little button on it.
"What is that?" I asked.
"This is Sonic Wave. A weapon used to neutralize the living dead for thirty seconds. It produces a high pitch sound so deafening that only they could hear. Their hearing is very sensitive that this sound would disturb their system within the time. After the time ended this thing will explode, half a power of a hand grenade. So we better not waste that thirty seconds of life in danger." She then counts, "3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Go!" Throwing the Sonic Wave in the crowd of the living dead, we ran as fast as we could to my truck. I saw them fall down to their knees covering their ears. Some even blocking our way that we have to avoid from touching them, kicking them to the side. Claire was wearing gloves. She punched and kicked them; moved flawlessly in her acrobatic style action. She looked more lethal that way, as much as I could imagined as her being a feared assassin. Prince reached the truck first, then us few seconds later. I took the driver seat, started the engine and drove away. I heard an explosion behind, the Sonic Wave has ran out. They were chasing us. Faster and faster. It looked as if they were more aggressive than before and gain more speed. Two, three jumped on top of the truck. Then another one behind the truck.
"Claire do something!"
Claire smash the truck’s door window looking out and top of the truck. She put the bullet between the walkers brain. Two dead. One more left. Prince was barking madly behind the back passenger seat watching the crazy undead tried to smash the back windshield. Claire gave a perfect target from her seat in front, then pull the trigger. Three perfect shots. Two in the eyes, one on the forehead. A total headshot! The undead fall down to the road as the truck speeding on the road hump. I watched from the rear view mirror and saw them stop running. Claire was watching it too from the side view mirror.
"They stopped. As if they could think." She said.
"Does the virus improve their IQ as well apart from certain senses?" I asked.
"I don’t know Travis. That we will find out too."
"Never mind. We’re saved now. That’s more important. We can’t stay here not until they’re gone." I said.
"I agree. So where are we headed to now? " Claire asked.
"Home."
Chapter 10
Home
The sky looked so wonderfully majestic on our way back to my place. It was almost dark. The time showed 18:10 hours in the evening. The horizon was soft silky purplish and bright orange at the far distance as the sun about to fully set. Stars sparkled brightly in the night sky.
"It’s beautiful." Claire said. "I wonder if there are others out there apart from us. Can you imagine if other alien beings come to visit us just to show that they’re exist?" She added.
"No Claire, I can’t even imagine that. The whole world be frightened."
"Well it doesn’t mean that they ‘re evil right? Who knows they want to show us another planet or galaxy we could live in if this world is no longer a safe place to live."
"Maybe. But if that was the case I would definitely wait for them to save us, but one thing for sure Claire, it’ll never happen. It’s just our fantasy and dreams." I said. I saw her smiling without answering me. Few minutes later we arrived to my home at Cornfield Street. Claire seemed to look amazed to see my renovated apartment. I woke Prince up from the back seat and he rushed outside and went straight up to the apartment. He knew when he was back home. I walked up to Claire. "Welcome to my castle Claire." I said to her happily.
"This is amazing Travis! You did this all by yourself? Must have been a lot of effort applied to build all this. Look at those traps. Genius!" She complimented me excitedly.
"Not really that much of effort. I am used to it. Besides building things are kind of my hobby." I was trying to be modest, but still glad someone able to see and praised all my hard work.
"Let’s get in. It’s getting dark now." I said. That evening we spent the night resting, washing up and cleaning ourselves. We have roasted Turkey for dinner that I have from my fridge, some fries, beef, pizza and variation of juices to enjoy. I needn't have to worry about food stock as I got them every time I went for groceries at nearby stores which was no longer customers came. We really enjoyed the evening, forgetting all the troubles we have faced before and tried to think everything was normal. Like the world used to be. I brought Claire to the Cinema, a room I made especially for watching film in my apartment. I intentionally chose romance and the only film I could think off from my head was Titanic. So, we watched the film for about three hours long. She seemed to be enjoying the film, she was teary at the end of the film. "Claire are you alright." I asked.
"Yeah I’m okay. It’s just that I’ve never watched this film before and the story just touches my heart. Sacrifices and love. To protect the one you love, you would do anything, even if it means to risk your own life."
"Am sorry Claire if this reminds you to . . . ."
"It’s fine Travis. I’m just being emotional here." She said. Then I invited her with me to the front of my apartment, to the verandah from where I’ve always sniped and watched the living dead from afar with my binocular. The night sky was lightened up by the moonlight and the stars shone so beautifully bright. I feel peace, but my heart beated so fast, so fast that it felt like it almost wanted to jump out from my chest. What was this feeling? But I tried to calm my self again. The breeze blew softly that night, Claire’s hair blowing backwards as the breeze travelled in the darkness of a lonely night. "The moon . . . It’s really is beautiful." She said again in a soft whisper. "Do you always get this wonderful view from here." She asked.
"Yes. I always come here watching the night before I go to bed." I replied. "You know what Claire, I’ve always been wanting to get to the moon. Leave this aging world and start a new life there. I know this sounds really stupid but the moon is the only safest place for now from this maddening Plague."
"It’s not stupid. I would be thinking the same thing if I were you." She chuckles sweetly.
"Maybe one day we could go up there and build things scientists here never thought of doing and play Sinatra music, Fly Me To The Moon, dance all night long." Claire seemed to be pleased with the idea even though she knew that I was only goofing around. Then I bravely asked her, "Claire, would you dance with me tonight?" I hand her my hand wishing that she would reach for it. I was waiting for her for at least ten to fifteen seconds. I gave up. She wouldn’t want to dance with me. Just when I about to put my hand down she took my hand and,
"Shall we?" She smiled. I gladly reached for her, move her closer to me. She put her arms around my neck looking up to me while I hold her about her hips and started dancing moving slowly following the melody and the rhythm of the night breeze. We got stared. Claire then started to rest her head on my chest and whispered to me "Sometimes I sing when I get lonely. Do you know what’s my favorite song?"
"No I don’t."
"It’s called Mean Ol’ Moon."
She started singing softly. Her voice sounds so angelic almost melancholy. Like angel singing in heaven that appears in every children’s dreams.
Mean ol’ moon
It must be fun
To shine upon me
As I come undone
Till I’m all alone
Beneath the sun
You mean ol’ moon
With your beam
You led the way
And found me love I thought was
Hear to say
Then you went and took
My love away
You mean ol’ moon
Oh you mean ol’ stars above
The games that you play with me
I could find some happiness
If all of my nights were cloudy
Mean ol’ moon
I hope it’s true
You’re taking all the light that’s
Left in you
And saving it up for you know
Who
You mean ol’ moon . . .
You mean ol’ moon . . .
Chapter 11
Sunrise
The next morning I woke up to find out that Claire had already cooked something for breakfast. The smell of toasted bread was so sweet that it instantly made me hungry. I washed up my face and brushed my teeth. Prince had his own chair where Claire served our breakfast. He waited patiently until she finished with her work not to eat anything before Claire instructed him to do so. I taught her hand signs to tell, ask and behave to the dog. I sat next to Prince where he eagerly waiting for his food. It was an amazing feeling to have your breakfast served as you woke up from your sleep and how I wished this feeling and scenario stayed like this forever. I have been alone for a quite some times now, to think there was someone to talk to, stay with me, a company that cares for me, it felt like dreams. But it was not. It was happening right in front of my eyes. It was real.
"How do you like the eggs?" She said.
"Delicious!" I replied.
"Bon Appetite!" She smiled and continued to wash the dishes.
"Don’t you want to join us?" I said.
"Oh, I already have mine earlier this morning. Besides I don’t eat that much. Enjoy your breakfast." She replied without looking at me while busy with washing the dishes. Yes, I could see that Claire really took care of her diet that’s why her body looks so fit and little bit muscular. To think that she has a body figure like that put me on to shame. I am almost getting a belly. I really need to start working out soon. Prince seemed to be enjoying with his grilled piece of beef. I am lucky to have plenty of those in the fridge. Thanks to many abandoned supermarkets where I could stock much food to bring home. Claire finished with the dishes and asked me if she could borrow my gym to have some exercises. I said yes and gone she walked to the third floor where the gym was. After a few minutes later I went to see Claire at the gym. I saw her she didn’t use any of the machines to work out. Instead she did it all manually, old fashioned work out. Jumping jacks, fly jacks, lunge jacks, squats, push ups, bicycle crunches and rope skipping. Her face looked all red from all those workouts. I wish I could do the same but all my workout are using all the machines I had in the gym and I rarely came here since the past two years. She saw me looking at her while she was busy to gain more pressure doing her crunches. "Hey Travis, wanna help me out?"
"Sure but help you with what?"
"Would you please help me get a bottle of mineral water?"
“Mm, yeah, sure no problem” I went back to the kitchen and get a bottle of mineral water on top of the refrigerator. Soon after I handed the water to her. She already had finished her daily workout, which I guess is true even if she did not have to tell me. “Thanks” she said. I just smiled and nodded.
“It feels so good to be back home, don’t you think Travis?”
"Yeah it is."
"I’ve never felt this happy and peaceful since my father died. Travis, I want to thank you for bringing me here. I missed the sound of the birds, the sound of the wind from the ocean and the beautiful green cornfield right up ahead."
"It is really not a problem Claire. Besides, we were probably the only survivors around this area. Last time I remember I saw a man being eaten by them like three years ago or so. I guess he was the last man around this area apart from me."
"That’s why self defense is very important now if we want to survive. We must take extra precaution to prepare things that we would never expected to happen."
"Yeah you’re right Claire." She smiled and drank the water I have given her. She smelt sweet, smelt like vanilla. It’s probably her hair, what shampoo or conditioner she used, I knew not. Upon thinking that she smelt good and all, I forgot that I haven’t taken my shower yet. “"Hey, I am going to continue my workout, see you later?" She said.
"Yeah, sure." I replied. I walked out from the room and let Claire enjoyed her exercises. The weather that morning was very beautiful. A nice sunny day, the sky so blue that like what Claire had said, I could hear the birds as if singing to each other and the wind blowing gently from far north of the ocean, behind the beautiful cornfield. Prince was back to his sleep near my bed. I inspected all of my traps I set up down my apartment from above, they all look attached still to its original position. Seemed like the living dead haven’t been wandering around the area for few days now. I took off my shirt and took the towel I hung near to the window of my bed. Taking a shower would be a good thing right now to refresh my mind and soul. I finished my shower in about fifteen minutes and dressed up modestly. Claire had done with her workout and I saw a door to the next room opened where the library was. She sat at one of my favorite couch to read and reading a book named "The Origin of Species". I entered the room and greeted her. "Hey." I said.
"Oh hi." She replied.
"The Origin of Species huh? Why that book?" I asked.
"I don’t know. I think it’s funny how early man described things where t
hey came from, it’s not entirely accurate."
"Why I am not surprised." I added.
"There was once a religious group during Corpernicus time used to threaten to kill anyone who spread false information. In the case of Corpernicus, he was murdered for telling public that the world is in the shape of sphere and that the earth circling the sun and not the sun circling the earth. All his books about his theory and his finding regarding to astronomy were burnt by some fanatic religious group."
"Such injustice I couldn’t even imagined."
"I’m not a fan either." added Claire. She closed the book and put it back onto the shelf. Then she walked to me with her arms folded on her breasts. "Would you do me a favour?" she said.
"Sure, if I can help you any with it."
"Would you company me to go to Bartson Street?" She asked.
"Yeah not a problem Claire, not at all."
"Thank you." Then she walked away from the room, followed by me down the stairs going outside.
Chapter 12
In The Shadow
As usual Claire was wearing her black leather outfit. Belt armed with weapons and strange gadgets. I did not wear my SWAT uniform. I have decided to wear something casual, with my black cap, abstract red square pattern long sleeves shirt that I folded down to my elbow, brown vest, blue jeans and my leather cowboy boots. In my head, only God knew what I was thinking right now, that I imagined myself going out with Claire for a date. Silly me. I headed to my truck, but Claire insisted to go to Bartson Street by walking. Without wanting to argue more, I just followed what she said. I was only worried that if we went there by walking we might be chased by them, which I prayed not going to happen on this beautiful day. I took two of my guns from my truck and bring them with me. Bartson Street was just about several hundred meters from my apartment. The road was quiet, dried brown blood everywhere and even decomposing dead bodies lying horribly here and there. During our way to Bartson Street I saw something moving around the bushes near the roadside, but I took not so much care about it, thinking it might be just a lost living dead. I only worried if they came in groups. Soon after, I saw in front of me Bartson Street sign at the entrance of the road junctions. Claire moved a bit faster and faster till she ran away leaving me few meters behind. I had to yell and told her to wait for me but she ignored me. She seemed so excited. I had to run to keep the pace between us balanced. Then she stopped between two junctions where a bungalow painted in soft emerald paint visible in front of us. The house was surrounded by some average size oak trees. All the windows were broken shattered of glasses lying about the grass and the door was wide opened. It was obviously that we were not the first visitor after the tragedy.