Shivering, it’s starting to cool down. Stretching, I decide to get up. Strolling over to the side yard I look at the RV’s, I’m glad I didn’t sell them. They will sure come in handy and I have two more down at Hanks. We should have enough room for everyone. It’s not like we’re not a close family. Walking around the yard with the dogs in tow, I can see it now how it’s going to look like with everything set up. I reckon it will look pretty cool considering what’s going on. I know the younger kids will think it’s just like camping.
I get a sick feeling for they’re still just babies and they have to see the world at its worst. We have to keep them safe. It’s the thing that terrifies me the most. That has got to be the number one priority. We have to keep all the kids safe and yes, that includes mine. I know that they have grown up into fine young men but that doesn’t matter to a mother…
I step up to the sliding door and yell for the dogs, we all enter and lock up for the night. It’s after 9 pm already, they say time flies when you’re having fun. NOT!! I sit down in the family room and watch TV. Nothing has changed, they seem to be repeating the same thing as earlier. To me that can mean one of two things and to me neither are any good. It’s that or I have just watched too many zombie movies.
Trying to lighten the mood a little I say, “Hey guys want to watch a zombie movie?” I laugh.
All at once they say, “NO.”
I start laughing so hard my stomach hurts. I throw my hands up. “OK, OK, I give up!”
“MOM that’s not even funny,’ Liam says. He leans over and hugs me, gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Good night Mom, I love you, see you in the morning.”
“Good night sweetie, I love you to.”
Tabby and John get up and I hug them both, they head downstairs to go to bed too.
I glance at Nate.
He says, “Mom I’m good, why don’t you try and get some sleep? It’s going to start getting harder as these days go on.”
Chapter 10
“I know babe, we just have a ton of stuff to do and not enough days to do it. You sure you’re good? I can take the first watch if you want?” I say.
“No Mom I know what to do. And I’m not tired anyways. I’ll wake Tabby up here later to take over,” Nate says.
Strolling out to the kitchen, I grab a bowl and a spoon. Heading to the refrigerator I open up the freezer and grab some moose tracks ice cream. Scooping out a big mound of it I put it back. Walking into the living room and hand it to Nate.
Grinning up at me, he takes it and stands up to hug and kiss me. “I love you Mom. Go get some sleep. We need you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning!”
Laughing, I say, “Ok babe, I’m headed to bed.”
“Hey Mom, are you going running in the morning?”
“Yeah I think so. Why?”
“Wake me up and I will run with you.”
That’s my boy! “Ok Nate, will do.” I enter my bedroom with my babies in tow. I check the patio door is locked. After brushing my teeth I turn off the light and prepare for bed. Pulling back the blanket, I toss Rufus up on the bed. The poor little old guy, he just can’t jump up like he used to. Herk is already on the bed, the brat. Getting comfortable, baby Herk goes under the covers, all the way down to my legs. While Rufus gets under the covers with his little head on my pillow. I know we are good to go to sleep. We’re all set.
Grabbing my gun from the floor by my pants I put it on the night stand. This will be something we will all have to do from now on. I lay there a minute, close my eyes and just know that I’ll be having nightmares about what happened today. Who wouldn’t? I just have to look forward until tomorrow hoping that it will be a new bright day. And hopefully no death in it.
“MOM, MOM, wake up its 3:30 am. It’s your turn to keep watch,” Tabitha says.
Rolling over, I open my eyes. DAMN! She has the lights on already. Stretching I look at her and say, “OK babe I’m up you go get some sleep. Anything happen last night?”
“Not really, Mom, just seen a few people walking by and a few cars. That’s it.”
“Ok honey. Why don’t you go get some sleep? It’s going to be a very busy day. We have a lot to do before the family gets here.” I stretch and throw back the blankets.
After freshening up with cold water I dry my face, neck and start brushing my hair, looks like it’s going to be a ponytail kind of day. Putting my hair up I flip the light off and walk back into my bedroom. I look at Tabitha she’s taking off her shoes and jeans.
“Hey babe what you doing?”
“Oh yeah” she says. “Can I sleep in your bed for a while Mom? I just feel safer here.”
Looking at her you wouldn’t think she was 20, she looks maybe 16. And boy is she beautiful with long brown hair, big blue eyes, she’s just a little thing really. That’s why guys her age laugh when she tells them she hunts and fishes and I have to laugh because she’s a better shot than anyone I know. It’s funny because if someone messes with her brothers she gets ready to kick their asses. She’s the only one allowed to pick on them. “Yeah babe, you can sleep here.”
I go to my closet, grab a pair of yoga pants and another tank top, lime green this time. I throw them on and grab a matching pair of tennis shoes and socks and head out the door. “Come on Rufus, Baby Herk wanna go outside?” They slowly get up and stretch. “Come on boys.”
They follow me down the hall and into the dining room. I let them out and leave the door open enough for them to come in when they’re finished. I flip the outside light on, check for danger signals. I freeze at the distant gunfire followed by an explosion. I see a flash of light and thick, black smoke. Sirens! Then I hear the screams. I shoo the dogs back in and lock up.
In the kitchen I go straight for the Keurig, grab a mug and put it under the nozzle and hit brew, what a way to make coffee, one push of a button. I hear it start to gurgle while it fills my mug. The smell of the coffee hits me and boy is it divine.
Switching on the TV, I sit in the chair by the window so that I can look out! It’s still dark but I should be able to see something move around by the light of the moon. As the TV comes on, I take a sip of my coffee.
Headline news -- The CDC is now saying that this can be spread by a bite or scratch, that it’s highly contagious. Once bitten or scratched you will become infected. As of right now there is no cure and it’s spreading rapidly. Everyone must stay indoors. Do not go to any hospitals, they are at capacity. This is not the Flu, repeat not the Flu. The CDC doesn’t know what it is. It behaves like rabies but it can’t be spread to animals. China is still not responding to anything, it’s a dead country. There is some speculation that they are all infected over there and there’s no one left to contact. Youngstown, Ohio is in chaos and some of the city in ruins from fires and vandalism. All cities have been quarantined and are no-go areas.
This sucks big time! This seems to me to be the end of the world as we know it and my family is so very lucky that I prepared like I did. There’s nothing to see outside except the fence, I must get Nate to hook up the cameras so that we can see what’s going on.
Chapter 11
Dawn passed me by. With a sigh, I make for the basement. I open the door and say, “Nate, wake up, we need to be ready ASAP.” This will be the most important jog ever to get Mimi and G-dad and their RVs.
He rolls over. “OK Mom getting up.”
Shutting the door, I walk over to the laundry room and change the loads out, might as well get the laundry done while I can. Finishing up, I turn the light off and walk by Nate’s room and I can see that the light is on, so I continue up the stairs and head for the kitchen. I might as well get breakfast going. Putting the bacon in the pan, I walk into the living room and look at the TV. It looks like they are repeating the same thing over and over, nothing new there.
Smelling the bacon starting to cook I head into the kitchen to see Nate in camo pants and boots. Looking at him I shake my head,
“Nate, why you dressed like that
?”
“Because Mom, I want enough of a barrier between me and those things, I don’t want too much skin showing.” He looks at me and what I have on too.
“Yeah well, I’m staying in these.” Flipping the bacon, I continue, “Do you want something to eat?”
“Sure do Mom,” Liam says, walking into the kitchen. He stretches. “I couldn’t sleep, smelled the bacon and smoke. Well at least that’s what I think it is.”
“Come to think of it, I smell it too.” I give Nate a worried look and he agrees with a nod. I grab Nate and rush out the front door. OMG!!!
“The neighbor’s house is on fire,” Liam says out of breath.
I grab my boys and watch from the front of the house. People are running around to the back of the burning house. We hear awful screaming and yelling but it’s difficult to make out what they’re saying. I decide to go and help but Nate stops me.
“No Mom, look … really, really, look. Some of them are not normal, they look like the ones at the school.”
Shit, those things are everywhere, covered in blood and chasing the others. “Liam do you have your gun? Nate, do you?” Running my hand down my hip, I realize I left mine in the living room on the table, what an idiot, can’t let that happen again.
“Yes Mom I got mine,” Liam says as he takes it out of the waistband of his jeans and hands it to me.
“Liam, go get the rifle that G-dad got for your birthday … you need to start shooting them things or our neighbors won’t stand a chance.”
“Ok Mom, I’ll be safe on the roof, I’ll get them I promise.” He runs back into the house.
“Nate! We can’t shoot them from here with these 9mm’s. It will do no good. We would be wasting ammo,” I say.
“I know Mom, Liam is going to have to do it. If any get closer then we can take them down.”
I hear a noise behind us and look towards the house to see John coming out the front door. He points up and I see that Liam is up and ready to do what he needs to. He’s so young to have to deal with this kind of shit!!! John walks over and I notice he’s got a gun.
He looks at me and shakes his head. “Liam gave it to me, saying you guys might need help. Oh and I turned off the stove didn’t want a fire to start in our house too.”
“Alright John get over here and only shoot if them things come close enough to see the whites of their eyes. Aim for the head or your just wasting ammo.” I see Liam taking aim and BANG! Looking over at the house, I notice one has fallen to the ground. I hear more shouting over there and they are now pointing towards us. Liam takes out two more. Atta boy! I can’t hit something that far away.
The rifle fires four more times, then nothing except the crackle of flames and screaming. Looking out across the road I see other neighbors just standing there gawping. One of them raises his arm up and waves. What an idiot! I turn around and look up at Liam, he’s standing up now and slinging the riffle over his shoulder. He looks down at me and nods. He makes his way over to the stairs that lead into the garage.
Turning back, I watch the fire slowly consume the house. It will be a total loss. I’m just sorry we can’t help them. It’s everyone for themselves now and I have to think about my family and the family that’s coming here in the next couple days. We’ve got to be careful who we let in here now. Walking back to the house, I get to the front door and look behind me. Nate and John are still by the gate. Going inside I head back to the kitchen. Turning the stove back on I start to
make the eggs. Scrambled it is, for they’re fast and we really need to get a move on, especially now more than ever. If those things are coming this way we need to move fast.
Liam walks into the kitchen, speaking into his phone, shaking his head.
Looking at him I ask, “Who are you talking to?”
“G-dad Mom,” he says quietly and stops the call.
I sigh, wanting to check on them. I continue cooking but everything gets to me. I sit down, put my hands over my face and so want to cry. No, be strong! I really can’t believe what’s going on. It’s like a nightmare or something. I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up at Liam.
“G-dad and Mimi are safe Mom,” he says. “I just told them what’s going on here and that you will be down for the RV’s in about 30 minutes”
I perk up. “OK good!! I’m glad you called and checked up on them. We really do have to get a move on. There’s so much to do. Are they going to stay here?”
“Yep sure are! G-dad thinks it’s the best move.”
The timer goes off and I get up and head back to the kitchen, grabbing the biscuits out of the oven. I sit them down next to the stove. Nate and John walk in and grab some plates. “Hey guys, make sure you leave some for Tabby. I’m going to let her sleep for now.” The boys load up on food and head to the table. I’m not really hungry but I know I had better eat something in case there’s no time later. Sitting down with the boys we all say a prayer over the food. Looking at them I think they have grown up so fast in 24 hours, it’s just crazy.
“Ok guys here’s what we’re going to do today.” They all look at me waiting for their instructions.
“Liam and John move the two RV’s into the back yard. On the left side. Drain some of the gas out and hook water and electric to them. Nate and I will be running down to G-dads to get the other two and drive them here. They will go in the back yard as well. When Tabitha gets up, have her put three chickens in the crock pots, and peel potatoes. We will all be hungry tonight and will have some of the family here as well.” I pause. “And tell her to have a salad prepared too.”
“Ok mom,” Liam says. “When we’re done with all that, I’ll put up the cameras and make sure they are working. Plus convert the garage into a command center. Mom, I really used to think you were crazy making that bunker room under the garage but now I’m so glad you did. And all the food and drinks. We’re going to need all that stuff now.”
“Yes we will babe and I think it’s a great idea for the garage, it’s the perfect spot for it, we got the stairs going up on the roof and a pot belly stove for heat if we need it out there. All you have to do is set up the tables.” I am so proud.
“Ok guys let’s get a move on … everyone knows what they’re doing?” They all nod in agreement. “OK we are wasting daylight. Liam, John, DO NOT let anyone in unless it’s family. It’s everyone for themselves and we have to think about us first and the family. Liam, leave the dogs inside so they don’t get in the way. Oh and stay armed at all times. You never know if you will need it and it’s better to be safe than sorry.” I glance at Nate. “Ok Nate you ready?”
“Yep Mom let’s roll!” Nate says.
We leave via the front and head out shutting the door behind us. Stretching, I look up into the sky. God it’s amazing, not a cloud in the sky, just a crystal blue. The sun is hot this morning it’s going to be a scorcher. I take a deep breath and smell the smoke lingering on the wind. I can hear the birds making a fuss. Under any other circumstance, it would be a wonderful morning. But nothing’s going to be normal anymore. Looking over at Nate, he’s looking around getting ready to open the gate so we can go for our run down the road to my Mom and Dad’s house. It’s about a mile and a half. It will be a good run. I just hope that we don’t run into any trouble. Those things are close you can almost smell the rot coming off them. Stepping outside the gate we both look around.
“Well Mom it looks clear!! Ready?” Nate asks.
“Yep let’s do this. I hope Hank has their stuff packed up and ready.”
We start to jog down the road. We pass the first set of houses, they are all on the left side of us. On the right there is a hay field. Nate points over to the hay field. Looking over I see two of those things. They are walking towards the burning house but I think they have seen us because they turn our way. Nate reaches for his gun, never slowing down.
“Nate wait! Hold off for a minute. I don’t want the shots to attract them, besides we’ll be G-dads in a few minutes!”
We stop on Mom’s driveway. I have sweat running down my face and chest, the sun is blazing down on us. UGH it’s going to be a hot one. I’m so glad we have the AC at home. My Mom has to have it. Being cooler helps her breathing. She has finally gotten off the oxygen and that’s amazing. The doctors didn’t think she ever would but she beat the odds. As we near the garage I hear a noise and swing around pointing my gun.
Nate must have heard it because he’s doing the same thing, going ahead of me.
Always the man trying to protect his mother. UGH!!! We are so going to have to talk about this at some point.
Hank comes out. “Whoa guys, it’s just me!!”
“Damn it Hank you scared the shit out of me!!” I say, slipping my gun back behind me.
“Well it’s always good to be on your toes. What’s with that commotion? I saw smoke earlier,” Hank says.
“That’s our neighbor’s house across the street. Those things attacked.” I shrug at him.
“Man I knew it was something bad! Liam called and talked to your mother. You guys come for the RV’s?”
“Yep, we’re going to use them for the rest of the family,” Nate says.
“Hey guys while you get them ready I’m going in to talk to Mom and see if she needs any help with anything,” I say.
Outbreak The Beginning (The Outbreak Series Book 1) Page 5