by L. J. Cuff
Mary opened her mouth in indignation. She was about to voice her opinion when she stopped. Between Ben’s smile and the doctor treating Dennis, she realized what Ben meant.
“Are you ok? Those apricots not sitting right?” Ben asked.
“They’re really good,” Mary responded with a smile.
“Anyways, we noticed you guys came in a car so we walked out and found it. At first, we heard soft moans and thought you had one of those infected there but then we saw him.” Ben pointed to his living room. “And we realized why you guys were here.”
Mary slowly nodded as she ate.
“Did you cover the car back up?” Claire inquired, looking to Ben.
Ben shrugged and shook his head. “Is that a problem?” He asked.
Mary and Claire looked at one another then at the door.
“We’ve got to go-,” Claire began when Kelly stepped in the doorway.
“That damned large truck is back,” She announced. Mary and Claire looked over at Kelly then at each other. Claire pursed her lips then looked up at Ben.
“Do you know them?” Ben asked, watching Mary and Claire closely.
Mary and Claire looked at one another. Mary raised her eyebrow then looked back at Ben.
“Well? IS there anything you need to tell me?” He asked.
“Umm… Not really,” Mary began, “I mean, we don’t actually know who these people are…” She glanced over at Claire who was standing. “If they’re associated with the others, which we don’t actually know, then they don’t like us because they saw us once with someone else.” Mary said, looking up at Ben.
Ben furrowed his brow and shook his head. “Some people really do make this world more complicated.” He sighed, walking over to the exit. Before he left, he turned to Claire and asked, “Are you a good shot?”
Claire nodded emphatically. Ben offered her a gun and motioned for her to follow him outside.
Ben and Claire stayed low to the ground, watching the big rig truck stopped next to the car. They watched as two people got out from the front and pulled a pair of infected out the back. The infected stayed on all fours, they cowered in front of their masters as they were pulled along by leashes.
The infected looked over every aspect of the car then began sniffing the ground. One pulled the leash towards the houses while the other pulled it towards the open field, away from Ben and Claire.
Claire leaned forward a bit to get a better view but Ben pulled her back. He showed her a small hand held camera. On it were visible tracks leading from the car in a different direction then Ben’s house.
“These aren’t the first people to come looking for trouble around here,” Ben whispered into Claire’s ear. Claire smiled and nodded slowly.
Seeing the infected trying to go opposite directions, a man got out from the front cabin of the truck. He held in his hand a megaphone. He walked over to the car and got onto the hood followed by the roof.
He held the megaphone up to his mouth and began speaking, “My name is Paul. I’m the leader of this rig. I know we haven’t met but you three have killed a number of my people. Those were good people with families and homes.” He paused and looked over to the houses. The two people holding the infected leashes waited on his orders. “I’ll make you a deal… If you come with us willingly and don’t endanger any more of my people, I will ensure a quick death… Else, you will receive exactly what Abby has doled out on many of ours…” He looked in Claire’s direction, towards Ben’s home. “I know you’re here, I know you probably think we can’t find you, but you’re dead wrong.” He motioned to the two people who were now standing at the back of the truck. He carefully got off the top of the car.
The two people opened the back of the truck as the man climbed on top. Out came an additional five people armed with semi-automatic guns. The pair of infected were herded back into the truck and instead four dogs were pulled out. They were pointed in the direction of the car then their leashes were removed.
“Is there anything you want to tell me?” Ben whispered into Claire’s ear.
Claire sighed audibly and looked Ben in the eye. “I’m not entirely sure who this person is but he’s right that we have killed a number of his people, all in self defense though. Abby was a horrible person who turned to cannibalism. She lured our group to her promising a cure for the disease. We managed to escape before she killed us but we took with us a man named Eric, her follower. They saw us with him and believe we are friends with Abby.” Ben pursed his lips and nodded.
He leaned close to Claire. “Don’t move, those dogs can’t sniff through the traps we’ve set. Hopefully these folk will move on just like all the rest.” He whispered.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Paul stated into the megaphone.
The sound of shattered glass filled the air as something was thrown into the window of the first house. A woman came jumping out of the second story window, hitting the ground with a bone crunching thud.
One of the heavily armed people walked up to her. She leaned over to check a pulse then stood up and looked over to Paul.
Paul lifted the megaphone to his lips. “Now, this is what happens when you don’t give us what we want.” He stated then nodded.
Claire watched in horror as the heavily armed woman stepped around the injured woman and placed her foot on her back. She took careful aim with her gun and fired one round into the woman’s head.
Another window was broken, this time on the other side of the road. The home engulfed in flames. Someone jumped out of the second floor window on the other side of the building. The person tried to make a run for it but was quickly caught by one of the dogs. Two people lifted the victim and brought him to the middle of the road.
Claire carefully aimed her gun and one of the two. Ben opened his mouth to protest but before he had a chance to speak, Claire pulled the trigger. One of the people dropped to the ground with a wound to his throat. Claire tried to take aim at Paul but before she could, she noticed the two dogs running towards them.
“Stay down,” she ordered Ben. She got up and began running in a zigzag pattern through the tall grass.
“Get her!” Paul shouted into the megaphone. Claire heard the dogs barking as they chased her across the field. She ran as fast as she could to a pair of rose bushes and jumped over them, dropping out of sight.
The dogs followed her. They caught her while she sat behind the bushes. Claire grabbed the collar of one of the animals and flung it into the air while the other tried to bite her leg. She kicked it against a tree then continued running.
Claire heard gunshots coming behind her as well as footsteps. She felt a pain in her shoulder. She held her hand to her wound and continued running until she reached the safety of a few trees.
“Come on out and we won’t kill you on sight,” Paul stated into the megaphone as him and his group slowly approached. Claire held her gun to her side and looked around. The windbreak which she was standing in was only three rows of trees. She glanced down at her shoulder then across the neighboring field.
She closed her eyes, listening to the wind, counting the footsteps approaching. Suddenly, she spun around and fired her gun at the approaching people. Two of them fell to the ground and Claire ran towards the other field.
Claire made it midway through the field before one of the dogs jumped her from behind. She fell to the ground face first. She tried to spin herself around but the dog all over her. The second dog bit ferociously into her legs, and Claire screamed in agony.
Chapter Four
Claire put her hands underneath her to push herself off the ground. The dog growled loudly and bit at her shoulder. She heard footsteps approaching but then they suddenly stopped.
The dog on her legs let out a whine, and then a pathetic whimper. Claire wiggled herself to the right to see what was going on but the dog on top of her growled.
“Ok, ok, I won’t move,” she stated, but the dog continued growling. She turned her head t
o the side and saw the dog out of the corner of her eye. He was sitting rather calmly on her back. But if he’s not growling… she thought.
Suddenly, something jumped out of the crops, knocking the dog off her back. Claire jumped up onto her feet only to see the dog being dragged away. She looked around but couldn’t see anything. She took in a deep breath and looked back to the windbreak where Paul and his men were cowering.
Well, I can’t exactly go there, she thought, turning to look at the alternatives. She noticed the crops around her moving and nodded her head.
“That decides it!” she proclaimed as she began running towards the windbreak.
She saw Paul motioning for his people to fire at her but instead, the people chose to run back to their truck. He cursed in frustration and followed them. Claire continued running limply in their direction, never looking back to see what was behind her.
As she approached the trees, Paul and his people were heading back towards her, their hands held above their heads. She immediately stopped and spun around. Four people stood up in the crops and waved at her.
“What the…?” Claire asked, looking at the three men and one woman.
“Nice pets you folks have,” Paul chuckled as he spoke. The men in the field crossed their arms while the woman rolled her eyes.
“Keep moving,” The man behind him ordered.
Paul glanced over his shoulder and commented, “But the fun is about to begin.” He returned his gaze at Claire.
“What’s going to happen with them?” Claire asked Ben as he approached.
Ben pursed his lips then shrugged. “We will discuss it,” He said grimly, pointing towards the barn on the far end of the field.
“You’re going to put them in a barn?” Claire asked incredulously.
Ben furrowed his brow and shook his head. “There’s a modified truck in the barn that we use for relocating infected. We might just have to move these guys with it.” He renewed his aim at Paul’s people. “Now get moving, you lot will be relocated the same we do with the infected and your truck is now ours.” He stated.
One of Paul’s people, a man, turned himself around and grabbed at Ben’s gun. Ben instinctively jumped back, keeping the rifle close to him. One of the others shot the man making him fall to the ground. He put his hands underneath him, keeping himself on all fours.
One of the men from the field stepped over to him, pulled him by the arm, and dragged him towards the barn.
“You’ll thank me later,” The man said sarcastically, as another came to join him.
Claire backed off, watching as Paul and company were escorted to the barn. She then proceeded to go back to Ben’s house.
“Is everything ok? I heard the commotion,” Kelly inquired, greeting Claire at the door.
Claire nodded slowly then looked over at the living room. “How is Dennis doing?” She asked.
“He’s doing better… Another day of rest should do it…” Kelly responded.
Claire looked Kelly in the eyes and took her shoulders in her hands. “I’m not sure how long we have here…” She noticed Mary rounding the corner from the kitchen. “Paul’s people are not going to stop…” Claire pleaded. “Pack up whatever you want to take with. The moment he can move, then we should go.”
Kelly shook her head and stepped back. “I’m not moving from my home-,”
“Look, I understand it’s hard,” Claire interrupted, “But we have to keep moving. Those guys, I’m sure there’s more of them out there, they’ll just keep coming.” Claire pointed to the window. “Is this really worth the risk?” She asked incredulously.
“Yes,” Kelly stated without hesitation. “I’ve seen so many that come around here that are the same as you… The same not knowing what to do next… They always invite us to go and we don’t…” She shook her head. “We are safer here with our neighbors beside us.” She pointed towards the center of town. “Out of over five hundred people who once lived here, there are still twenty of us left. That’s right, twenty. We are safe here, we have food, water, everything we need. Out there is nothing for us, scavenging for food, not knowing where to sleep. That’s not for us.” She glanced over her shoulder at Dennis then back at Claire. “The moment he can walk, I think it would be best if you left.”
They heard two loud thumps on the door followed by silence. Kelly walked towards the entrance but Claire stopped her.
“What are you doing? That’s Ben!” Kelly screamed at Claire.
Claire shouted over her shoulder, “Mary, grab the gun and shoot whoever is at the door!”
Mary picked up the rifle and stepped over to the entryway. “NO!” Kelly cried, tears forming in her eyes.
Mary slowly turned the knob allowing the person on the other side entry. A tall man entered the room with a gun in his hand. He lifted it to his shoulder, pointing it at Claire then Kelly.
“So which one of you wants to go first?” He asked.
Mary hit him from behind with the butt of her gun. He fell down to all fours then brought one of his legs out, knocking Mary to the ground. She fired the gun into the air as she fell.
“Get out of my home!” Ben shouted, bursting into the door, aiming the gun at the man.
The man glanced at him then smiled and lifted his hands. “Don’t shoot, we won’t hurt you,” He said with a sly smile.
Ben cocked his gun and motioned for the man to leave. He then glanced over his shoulder at Claire and Mary. “I think it’s best if you folk leave tonight.” He stated then left.
Claire and Mary looked at each other then over at Kelly. “Umm… So…” Claire began before Kelly held up her hand.
“Ben had to make it appear like you’re leaving. If he didn’t they would keep coming. We’re hoping to buy you some extra time by doing these things.” She said then pointed to the bathroom. “Go ahead and clean yourselves off before you have to leave.” She turned and walked back into the living room where she watched over Dennis.
* * *
Ben stood along with four other men watching Paul and his people. The inside of the barn was filled with bloodied chains and axes. Another man was carefully putting them on each person.
“So what are we going to do with them? They killed Madelaine!” James asked, looking at Ben and the others for confirmation.
Ben shrugged. “Drive them down the road and shoot them in the head, just like the others?” He suggested, carefully staring at Paul.
“More of them will come looking and asking questions,” James proclaimed. “I’m not willing to die for these people.”
“That’s a good sentiment.” Paul stated calmly, “If you let us go now and give us those three then we will leave you in peace… Else it’ll be in pieces… The choice is yours.” He raised his eyebrow, examining Ben’s reaction.
Ben ground his teeth, glanced over at James then back at Paul. “Those three are leaving now,” He responded, “You managed to track them here so you can go ahead and find them wherever they choose to go.” He pursed his lips and glared at Paul.
Paul tilted his head to the side and smiled a very disconcerting smile. “How stupid do I look?” He asked, staring at Ben. “One of them is injured and probably can’t be moved right now and the two women are too attached to him to put him out of his misery.” His expression suddenly became very dark and serious as he centered his head. “I will burn your houses to the ground one by one until I get what I want.”
“You already tried that, it didn’t work.” Ben declared. “Have you finished, Colin? I would like to get these guys moving as quickly as possible.”
“Almost, I just n-,” Colin responded before stopping. He heard what sounded like a sharp whistle coming through the air.
“What the…?” Ben asked, looking up at the roof.
Suddenly, an explosion from out front blew open the barn doors.
“Secure the area,” A voice from outside ordered as people filed into the barn.
Ben and the others were forced to the ground
at gunpoint while Paul and company were freed from their shackles.
“Seems my offer has expired,” Paul stated, stepping over to Ben. He put his finger under Ben’s chin to force him to look up. “And now, we will do things the hard way.” He looked up at the commander that saluted him.
“Everything is secure, sir, what are your orders?” He asked, standing perfectly still in front of Paul.
“Bring this man and the others down to the road,” Paul pointed, “We’ll see if they really left or not.” He glared at Ben as he walked away.
“On your feet,” A voice behind Ben ordered, shoving Ben in the back with his gun.
“Ben… Did they really leave?” James asked.
Ben nodded slowly. “I’m afraid so… But theses assholes don’t believe it…” He responded.
Paul rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t believe it because it’s not true,” He shouted over his shoulder.
Ben was forced out of the barn to a small dirt road running in front of it. He saw what looked like two military humvees sitting out front. He turned to look at the person standing, behind him but didn’t recognize the uniform.
“U.S. Army?” he asked, raising his eyebrow.
“Keep moving,” The man responded.
Ben stood still, glaring at the man. “I asked a question and I expect a response, soldier.” He demanded.
“Prisoners don’t demand anything, now keep moving,” The man responded, pushing Ben back.
“We are our own army,” Paul responded, he was now standing in front of the darkened field.
“So where’d you get those?” Ben inquired.
Paul smiled in response. “Uncle Sam, and at a great discount. Now keep moving.”
Ben looked up at the sky, he saw it was getting dark with the setting sun. He then glanced over at Paul and the field. He looked over at James then back at Paul.
“Move it!” The man said, grabbing Ben’s shoulder spinning him around and shoving him into the field.
Ben nodded and began wading through the crops. He carefully took each step, watching for movement in the fields. For one brief moment, he thought that maybe there was nothing lurking there. Then something caught his eye to his right. He turned his head only slightly to not bring attention to it. He glanced over his shoulder and made eye contact with James who was as wide eyed as ever.