It was a horrid sight, but what made it even worse, was the slick blood that covered his arms. It made it difficult to hold him back, and Chas found herself fighting a losing battle against the crazed boy.
He was as strong as she was, and didn’t feel pain or exhaustion like she did. She felt her muscles weaken by the second, the knife useless to her. His teeth crept closer and closer to her cheek, and she imagined the pain as he tore into her flesh.
Suddenly, his head snapped to the side as a gunshot echoed through the air. He slumped to the ground, no longer a threat, but simply a corpse.
Chas stood unmoving, staring at his body. She couldn’t comprehend what had happened even when Anke stepped into view holding her gun.
“Chas, are you okay?”
“Huh?”
“Chas,” Anke said, louder this time. “Did he bite you?”
“No, I’m fine.” Chas blinked as her shocked brain slowly began firing on all cylinders again, a jumble of thoughts and questions tumbling through her consciousness. “What happened? How did he…how did you…?” Chas noticed the blood that stained Anke’s collar, and she gasped. “Did he get you?”
Anke nodded, her eyes bright with unshed tears. She peeled away her shirt to reveal a gruesome bite on the flesh between her neck and shoulder. “He broke loose while I was driving. He…he…cut off his own hand, Chas. He just kept pulling and pulling until the plastic cut right through the joint.”
Chas shook her head, amazed. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll forgive me, Chas. I left you behind, hurt and alone. I shouldn’t have done that. And all for him, a monster.”
Anke burst into tears, and Chas sighed. How could she not forgive the girl despite what she’d done? The soldiers, Chas, all for an undead brother. “I get why you did it, Anke. It was wrong, but I kind of understand.”
Anke sobbed harder, dropping down until she was on her knees, still holding the gun. “I killed him, Chas. I killed my little brother, but I couldn’t let him hurt you too.”
“You did the right thing. That wasn’t your brother anymore. Your brother’s in heaven with your mom and dad.”
“You really believe that?” Anke asked with a hopeful expression.
“Of course, don’t you?”
“Maybe. I hope so.” Anke sniffed and wiped her eyes with one hand. “I’d like to think that.”
Chas reached out a hand, helping Anke to her feet. “Then believe it, but right now, I need your help. I need to get to a doctor, and you need to tell Grumps about the mine before…”
“Before I turn,” Anke said. “It’s okay. I know what’s going to happen, but I still have time. I’ll get you home, Chas.”
Chas slumped with relief. “Thank you.”
“First, I need to clean up this contaminated blood. We can’t risk you getting infected,” Anke said. She removed a bottle of disinfectant, water, and clean cloths from the back of the truck. It was standard issue for all vehicles with the virus being so easily transmitted. Working fast, Anke disinfected the cab and washed their hands and faces.
With Anke’s help, Chas climbed into the passenger’s side with a clean cloth wrapped around her waist and a bottle of water in her hands. It was a supreme relief to be able to relax into the seat and quench her thirst while Anke drove them both back to base.
“I’m really sorry, Chas,” Anke whispered along the way.
“I know, and I forgive you.”
“Really?”
“What are friends for?”
Chas reached out to squeeze Anke’s hand, sadder than she’d thought it was possible to be over the girl’s imminent death. Just an hour ago, I would’ve been happy to see her become a zombie, but now…now I’m sorry.
“It’ll be okay, Anke. Soon, you’ll be with Jonathan again. And your parents,” Chas said. It was a hollow statement, but it seemed to comfort Anke who smiled back at her with genuine warmth.
“Maybe, it’s better this way. I could never stand to be alone, anyway,” Anke said. “I always hated it.”
“Maybe,” Chas agreed, but her heart disagreed. To her, nothing was more precious than life, and seeing Anke go like this was more than she could bear.
They reached the base soon after that, and Chas was gratified to see Grumps running toward her followed closely by Vanessa, Emily, and Dean. They surrounded her with love, worry, anger, and more love as they rushed her to the infirmary until Chas had room for only one more thought. It felt good to be home, and even better to be back with her family. Wherever that might be.
Chapter 11
The calm, quiet atmosphere of the infirmary was a relief after the crush of people that greeted them at the gates. A nurse, the same one who had examined Chas when she was first released into the community, greeted her at the door.
“Nurse Inge. I’m glad to see you again,” Chas said.
Inge pursed her lips. “Not under these circumstances, dear. What on earth have you done to yourself?”
“It’s a long story,” Chas replied.
“One we will all be very interested in hearing, I’m sure,” Grumps replied with a frown. He clearly hadn’t forgiven her yet. Not by a long shot.
Inge looked from Chas to Anke. “Both of you? I barely discharged you, and now you’re back?”
Anke managed a wan smile. “You know me. Always more trouble than I’m worth.”
Inge shook her head. “What happened?”
“I…I got bitten,” Anke admitted, revealing the bite mark on her shoulder.
Grumps, Emily, Vanessa, and Dean all stepped back, clearing a space around her. It was an automatic reaction, but Chas immediately remembered how she’d spoken about being alone. It’s true. She really is on her own now.
“I’m sorry, Anke,” Inge said with a genuine look of sorrow. “You understand we’ll have to put you in quarantine?”
“I know. It’s okay.”
“Liam will take care of you for the moment, dear,” Inge continued, waving a young male nurse over. “I’ll stop by as soon as I can.”
Chas watched as Anke was led away, her shoulders hunched. She looked so frail all of a sudden. Not her usual brazen self, at all. She disappeared behind the door guarded by Peterson, the soldier responsible for putting infected patients down, and Chas shuddered at the thought.
Inge led Chas to a nearby bed and closed the curtains for privacy. “You can speak to your friends once I’m done examining you.”
She removed the soiled dressings and continued to poke and prod for the next few minutes. “What happened?”
Chas briefly explained, and Inge frowned. “You’ll need a tetanus shot straight away. We’ll also have to perform a few scans, and you might need surgery. The wound is definitely infected.”
“Great,” Chas said, too tired to argue.
She winced when Inge gave her a few shots, not bothering to ask what they were all for. One of them must have been for pain, though, because the throbbing agony receded like magic. It left her feeling drowsy, and she yawned while the nurse put a clean dressing on.
Afterward, she was wheeled away for the required scans, and the news that came back was positive. The steel shard had missed any vital organs, going straight through the flesh. The wound had to be cleaned, however, and a strong course of antibiotics was needed to curb the infection. She’d lost a lot of blood as well and would need plenty of fluids.
“I’ll arrange everything for later this afternoon,” Inge said. “You really did a number on yourself this time.”
“Can’t you do it now?” Chas asked, eager to get it over with.
“The doctor is busy at the moment. In the meantime, you can talk to your friends for a few minutes.” Inge laid her back in a hospital bed and applied a drip to her arm. Afterward, she let Grumps and the rest inside and filled them in on Chas’ injuries. “You can see her for a short while only. She needs to rest.”
Grumps pinned Chas down with a sour look after Inge left. “You’ve go
t some explaining to do, young lady.”
“I know, and before you say anything further, I’m really sorry. I owe you all an apology for running off like that and making you worry.”
“What happened?” Emily asked, her nose pinched with worry.
Chas took a deep breath before telling them the entire story up until the moment she got back. “That’s it. The whole lot.”
“Poor Anke,” Emily said.
“Poor Anke? Look what she did to Chas!” Vanessa burst out.
“She didn’t mean to,” Emily protested. “Besides, it’s our fault this happened.”
“How’s it our fault?” Vanessa asked, her cheeks flushed with anger.
“We made Chas feel like an outsider. If we hadn’t, she wouldn’t have turned to Anke in the first place,” Emily said.
“She’s right,” Dean said.
“Now you’re agreeing with Emily?” Vanessa said, turning on him.
Chas sighed. “Please, guys. Don’t fight. Anke is sorry for what she did, and she’s paying the ultimate price. Isn’t that enough?”
Silence.
“Besides, it’s my fault. I was the one who wanted to show off and feel important again. I’m the one who pulled away from you, my true friends. I should’ve listened to you,” Chas continued.
Grumps nodded. “I’m glad you’re finally accepting responsibility for your actions. This is the first time I’ve seen you act like your old self in days.”
“Thanks, Grumps, and I really am sorry,” Chas whispered.
He reached out to squeeze her hand. “That’s alright. I forgive you. Now you focus on getting better, okay?”
Chas nodded. “What are you going to do now?”
“I’m going to talk to Anke about the mine, and then I’ve got plans to make. Whatever you two might’ve done, this is still the best news I’ve heard in ages. We might have a real shot at evacuating those people now.”
“I guess I’m out of it?” Chas asked.
“Looking like that, yes. Be happy, though. We finally have a way forward,” Grumps said. He kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you later. And no more shenanigans, okay?”
Chas grinned. “Deal.”
He hustled her friends away, and Chas was left alone with her regrets, much like Anke. But unlike Anke, she still had a life left to live.
***
The following morning, Chas woke up feeling groggy and nauseous. The doctor had cleaned her wound the previous night, and it hurt a lot more than the initial injury had. Even now, the area felt hot, and her skin was pulled tight from the stitches. Afterward, they’d dosed her with painkillers until she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, only to wake up after dawn.
Inge showed up not long after to change her dressing and check her stats. “Looking good, dear.”
Chas managed a wan smile. “How’s Anke doing?”
Inge shook her head. “Not so well, I’m afraid. She’s nearing the final stages of infection.”
“Can I see her?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, dear,” Inge said. “It will only upset you.”
“Please? Just for a short while,” Chas pleaded. “She lost her brother yesterday, and she’s going to die. I’m her only friend.”
Inge thought about it for a moment before giving in. “Since she has no one else, I’ll allow it this once.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll ask Liam to take you in a wheelchair. You shouldn’t be walking around yet. Wait here,” Nurse Inge said before hurrying off.
Minutes later, a young man showed up at her bedside, the same one who’d escorted Anke to the quarantine rooms. He nodded at her, and a hank of dark brown hair flopped over his equally dark eyes. “Hi, I’m Liam.”
“Chas, short for Chasity,” she replied, thinking that he looked far too young to be a qualified nurse. He had to be around Dean’s age. Maybe a year older. “Have you been a nurse for long?”
“Not really. I volunteered to help out when I arrived here,” he answered with a warm smile. “I like helping people, I guess.”
“That’s nice.”
He covered her legs with a blanket before looking her in the eyes, his gaze sympathetic. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I’m sure. Thanks,” Chas replied.
“Alright, but if she makes a move, I’m pulling you out. They get very aggressive in the last stages, and a single bite will doom you,” Liam said.
“I understand. Thanks,” Chas replied.
At the main door, Peterson gave her the once over before letting them in. She wondered what was going through his mind. Despite his dour expression, she couldn’t imagine he enjoyed his work.
They stopped in front of Anke’s door, and Chas stared at the painted wood with a sense of trepidation. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she knew she had to do it. She had to give what comfort she could to the girl who was, however briefly, her friend.
Liam went in first before wheeling her inside, and Chas swallowed when he closed the door behind them with a soft click. “Anke?”
Anke sat on her bed in the corner with her knees drawn up to her chin. She looked up when she heard Chas speak, her eyes glazed and uncomprehending. After a moment, they cleared. “Chas. What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you.”
Anke laughed, but it held a bitter note. “Well, you came, and you saw. Happy?”
Chas sucked in a breath. “It’s not like that.”
“If you say so.”
“Are you okay?” Chas asked, noting the purple shadows beneath Anke’s eyes. “Have you slept at all?”
“Not much. The doctors wanted to sedate me, but I’d rather be myself until the end,” Anke replied. Her eyes flickered from her to Liam and back again.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Chas asked.
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m going to become a zombie. End of story,” Anke said.
Chas bit her lip. “I’m so—”
“Sorry? Yeah, you and me both,” Anke interrupted.
“I mean it, Anke. You’re my friend, and I don’t want to see you die,” Chas said, desperate to get through to the girl.
Anke hesitated. “Friend? You really mean that?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Aren’t you afraid of me?”
Chas shrugged. “A little. I mean, you did leave me to die, you know?”
This time, Anke’s laugh was genuine. “That’s fair, I guess. Plus, my brother tried to eat you.”
“You stopped him, though. You saved my life.”
“I did. I killed Jonathan.”
“You killed a shell. He was already gone.”
“I suppose.” Anke sighed and reached out a trembling hand. “Thanks for coming here. I appreciate it. You’re a good person.”
“I’m here for you. Whatever you need,” Chas said, squeezing Anke’s hand. They sat like that for a few minutes before Anke’s eyes glazed over again.
“Who are you? What do you want?” She pulled away from Chas and scurried back into her corner, her expression wild. “Go away!”
Chas glanced at Liam, noting how tensed he looked. “Is she okay? What’s happening to her?”
“She’s moving into the final stage. We’d better go now,” he said, opening the door behind him.
“So soon? Can’t we stay just a little longer?” Chas looked back at her friend. “Anke? It’s me, Chas. Don’t you remember?”
Anke stared at her, her mouth working in a strange fashion. “Hungry. I’m hungry.”
Suddenly, she launched herself at Chas, hands outstretched, but Liam was already moving. He pulled the wheelchair out and slammed the door shut in one swift move. Anke’s body thudded against the barrier, and she shrieked over and over again.
Horrified, Chas huddled into a ball and pressed her hands to her ears, trying to shut out her friend’s screams as Liam wheeled her away. The visit had not gone as planned. Not at all. Instead of givin
g the dying Anke comfort, Chas was left feeling sick to her stomach. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Liam said, squeezing her shoulder. “It’s the disease.”
Chas hardly heard him. The only thing she heard was the wild, echoing howls of a person gone mad. A person who didn’t deserve to die like that, whatever her faults might be.
As they left the quarantine area, Liam murmured a few words to Peterson. “It won’t be long now.”
Peterson nodded, his face a shade paler than usual. “I won’t let her suffer.”
Chas shot the older man a grateful look. So he did care, after all. “Thank you.”
Inge awaited her at her bedside. “Oh, my dear. It didn’t go well?”
Chas burst into tears, unable to help herself. “No…she…I…”
Inge sighed. “I was afraid of that. Come, you need to rest before you make yourself ill.”
Chas climbed into her bed, still sobbing as Inge injected her with a mystery substance. Whatever it was, it numbed everything until all she wanted to do was sleep.
Liam tucked the blanket around her, his expression pained. “It will be okay. You’ll see.”
“I hope so,” Chas replied.
“Would you like me to sit here until you fall asleep?” he asked.
“Please. I don’t think I can be alone right now.”
He gripped her hand in his, and sat down next to the bed on a stool. “Sleep now.”
Chas nodded. Her last memory of him before she slipped away, was the kindness in his warm, brown eyes.
Chapter 12 - Julia
Julia lay on the backseat of the truck catching a well-deserved nap. They’d been driving all night since their last pitstop, taking turns at the wheel. Because they were so far behind schedule already, Alvarez had decided to do one big push to get them to Washington.
Despite her cramped position, she’d managed to catch about two hours of sleep by the time they reached the capital. She was awoken by Sanchez, who shook her shoulder and said, “We’re here.”
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