Infected Chaos

by Loren Edwards

  “Dad, let’s get out of here,” Cassidy cried, tugging his arm.

  A woman with her hair in a ponytail rushed past, brushing up against Cassidy almost knocking her to the ground. Cliff looked back to see if the woman was going to apologize, but she didn’t. She was too focused on one thing: her child, to hell with anyone else.

  “We’ve got to get out of here and get home,” Cliff said.

  He picked up Jonathan and carried him on his shoulders. He jogged across the lawn back to the middle school parking lot. He would feel safer once he left the chaos behind. He had to get the kids to the farm, away from the chaos.

  Cliff breathed a sigh of relief, he’d parked his truck facing the fenced playground. He hustled the kids into the cab and told them to buckle up.

  “Cliff! Cliff!” a female voice shouted over the car horns and screams.

  Cliff turned around. Jennifer was running from the far side of the parking lot. She was crying and scared, liked every other parent rushing to their children.

  “Here!” He raised his arm.

  “Thank God you have them. I was so worried,” Jennifer cried.

  Cliff waited for her to collect her breath.

  “Let me take the kids,” she demanded.

  He spied her car on the far end of the lot. Her car was surrounded by three vehicles.

  “I don’t think so, Jennifer.”

  “Cliff! Do we have to do this right now? I want—”

  Cliff pointed.

  She looked at the three cars parked behind her. “Ah, hell! Dang it!” She stomped her foot.

  “Get in, Jennifer,” Cliff commanded, then climbed behind the wheel of his truck.

  Jennifer threw up her hands and rushed around the truck. She climbed in quickly and turned to make sure the kids were buckled.

  “Don’t know why you couldn’t get a regular truck. This thing is too high off the ground.”

  Cliff turned the ignition. “You just have to argue about everything, don’t ya?”

  She waved her hand, “How are you going to get out?”

  Cliff surveyed his surroundings. He looked in the rearview mirror and both side mirrors. He couldn’t back up; there were two cars left unattended parked behind him. He started to breathe heavily. His hands began to shake. His mind flashed back to Mrs. Griffin’s classroom door; all Hell was going to break loose if that door opened. The threat was real. If the infection escapes, no one will be safe. He had to get to the farm. Compartmentalize, Cliff.

  A scream erupted behind the truck.

  “What’s that?” Cassidy cried out.

  Cliff looked over their shoulder. A woman standing on the sidewalk near the entrance was screaming looking at her feet.

  He squinted his eyes. A child close to Cassidy’s age was lying on the ground. The young girl was convulsing. The worst of Cliff’s fear had come to life; whatever was causing the infection had escaped and was spreading fast.

  A figure flashed between two cars, catching Cliff’s attention. It was Mrs. Sharp, and she was running fast. Her speed was impressive, and she bore the same appearance as the police officer. He looked ahead of her, wondering where she was running. Two rows ahead, an overweight woman was exiting her car. Cliff couldn’t believe his eyes as Mrs. Sharp tackled the obese woman and began eating her flesh. The woman screamed for help until Mrs. Sharp dug her teeth into the woman’s throat, ripping out her larynx.

  “Time to go, kids!” Cliff announced starting the truck.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Jennifer cried.

  “Hold on!” He slid the gearshift into drive and pressed the gas pedal to the floor. The truck’s rear tires squealed against the pavement as it launched over the curb. He pressed the gas pedal further, gaining speed to drive through the five-foot-tall chain link fence. The truck plowed forward, bouncing the kids in their seats.

  “Yeah, Dad!” Jonathan gleamed.

  “Cool, Dad!” Cassidy added.

  Jennifer wasn’t amused. She braced her hands against the dash and the door.

  The playground equipment was before them. Cliff turned the wheel to the left and guided the truck around the equipment. He held the wheel straight, aiming for the far line of the fence. An open street, free of cars, was on the other side. The truck gained speed and plowed over the second fence with ease. He looked in the rearview mirror when the tires met pavement again.

  A car tried to follow Cliff’s path, but its undercarriage caught on the fence. A truck drove around the car and made its own path.

  “You were saying something about a regular truck earlier?” he asked Jennifer.

  It was another mile before Jennifer’s nerves settled. She was angry at Cliff’s antics and didn’t know if she should thank him or be furious. Instead, she chose to probe for information. She heard there was an incident at school.

  “Do you mind telling me what the hell is going on, Cliff?” Jennifer asked with her arms crossed.

  Cliff didn’t reply. He was looking in the mirrors and scanning the road. It wasn’t easy, but he had to keep reminding himself he was safe from bombs. He was home. Unfortunately, he had another threat to consider.

  “Cliff?” Jennifer cried out, “Do you mind telling me what the hell is going on?”

  He took a deep breath and collected his thoughts.

  “Cliff? Tell me what is going on—and where are we going? I want to go home.”

  Cliff kept scanning the road. His adrenaline was rushing through his veins. He took a deep breath. A state police car rushed past him without its emergency lights on, waking him from his thoughts.

  “That virus you heard about in Dallas? It’s here. Whatever it is, whatever they call it, it’s here in Whittaker,” Cliff answered, his gaze never wavering from the road.

  Jennifer stared at the floorboard and organized her thoughts. She thought they would be safe being away from big cities. They were a two-hour drive from Oklahoma City and a five-hour drive from Dallas. How could it be here? What were the officials doing about it? Were they doing anything?

  “Where are we going?” she asked, unsure what to say.

  Cliff pointed straight ahead. “We’re going to the farmhouse. It’ll be safe there.”

  Jennifer swallowed. She hugged her stomach. She couldn’t believe what was unfolding in front of her. It was too much. She woke this morning looking forward to spending time with her friend, Beth Owens, at the beauty shop. It was all she wanted the last three weeks. Now, she was stuck in this crappy Ford with her ex-husband who argued every time they spoke.

  “Dad?” Cassidy started.

  “Yes, honey?”

  “What’s going on? I’m scared.”

  “I know, honey. But it will be okay. You’re safe, you’re with me, and we’re going to Meemaw and Pawpaw’s house. You like it there.”

  Jennifer chimed in, “Where are your parents?”

  “They were on a cruise, the last I heard. I think they flew out three days ago and are supposed to return in three more days.”

  “Oh, God! Your parents, Cliff,” her voice cracked. “Are they safe?”

  “I don’t know. I just don’t know, Jennifer,” he replied rubbing the back of his neck.

  Two state police cars rushed past at high speed, lights flashing. Cliff hoped they knew how to handle the situation. All he wanted was to put distance between his family and the school. A deep feeling in his gut told him it wasn’t going to be that simple.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Cliff turned the wheel of the truck toward the driveway of his parents’ farmhouse and glanced at Jennifer. He could see her jaw was tight in discontent. He spotted a tear on her cheek and bit his bottom lip. Her look tugged at his heart.

  The tranquil setting of the farm was a welcome sight compared to the turmoil in town. The tightness in his chest began to release its grip. Their nearest neighbor was almost a half mile away. They could stay as long as the infection stayed clear. Cliff made a mental note of the emergency supplies he had collecte
d over the last seven years. His father made fun of him and called him a prepper, but it was Cliff having the last laugh. The stash of emergency food, water purification pills, and ammunition gave him some comfort. He knew town would be chaotic and dangerous; it wasn’t worth the risk.

  “Jennifer,“ Cliff started, keeping his voice soft but firm. He brought the truck to a stop in front of the garage. “I have all we need. Here,” he gestured with his hand. “I have food, water, supplies, and we have my father’s Ham radio to stay up with communications. We will be safe. Mom still has canned food in the cellar. We’ll be okay.”

  Jennifer reached for her cell phone and ignoring him.

  Cliff swallowed.

  “Just how long do you think we will be safe here? Just how long do you think it will take before FEMA comes and gets this virus under control?” Jennifer asked without looking up from her cell phone.

  He let out a sigh. He had saved the children and rescued her from the parking lot, and she didn’t seem to care. He was frustrated with her ungrateful attitude.

  “I simply do not know,” Cliff replied in a soft tone, deciding not to argue with her.

  “I need to call Brian and let him know where I am,” Jennifer changed the subject, stepping from the truck.

  Geez, Cliff thought. In all of this, she still thinks of him. It is me she should worry about, not her four-month-long relationship. Does she care, or is she putting on a false front to show me she has moved on? How can she do this in front of the kids? There she is again, being selfish and only caring about herself.

  He stepped from the truck and felt the gravel crunch beneath his boots. “Do what you want to do, Jennifer, but I’m getting the kids safe … inside.”

  Jennifer threw her phone on the dash of the truck. “I can’t get through! The recordings say all the circuits are busy. Please try again,” her nostrils flared.

  Cliff shook his head; he just wanted to get the kids inside and safe. It was the only thing that mattered. He needed to make the kids feel safe and keep them shielded from the horror unfolding in town. There was no need to feed their doom and gloom. Why must she act this way, he asked himself.

  “Try the landline. Follow me inside the house.”

  She rolled her eyes and mumbled something incoherent under her breath.

  “Really?” Cliff said. He shook his head. It was just like Jennifer had acted the last time she had visited. She never cared to visit. She had complained he house was dark, the television was rarely on, and her ex-parents-in-law were too quiet for her. She preferred background noise and wanted to feel like she was at home rather than in a crypt.

  “Run and go play, kids.” Cliff smiled, wanting the kids to feel normal.

  Cliff waited until the kids made it to the playroom before he faced Jennifer. She turned and walked away from him with her arms wrapped around her chest.

  “Seriously? With all that has happened and the unknown in front of us, all you can do is turn away?”

  “Cliff, don’t do this,” throwing her palms up.

  “Do what? I know we’re stuck here together. I just want you to feel comfortable.”

  She sighed, “Anything from you won’t make me feel better.”

  “Jennifer, I have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow, or next week. I have no idea if this virus will pass or the entire world will burn.” Cliff tightened his jaw and swallowed. “I still love you! I still love the kids. I know I made mistakes. I paid for them. I want nothing more than for us to be a family again. Is that so wrong?”

  She walked pass him to the window and stared out at the pasture. A few seconds passed before she cleared her throat. “I need to call Brian. Where is your phone?”

  Cliff rolled his eyes and pointed to a phone mounted on the hall in the kitchen. He threw up his hands. His frustration with her had only grown since the divorce. Things had seemed well, then she got out of bed one morning and hated everything about him. He knew he wasn’t blameless, but she didn’t give him a chance. Her demand for a divorce took him by surprise. Maybe I was too blind to see it?

  He studied her standing by the wall with the phone against her ear, biting her nails. He could tell she wanted to be anywhere but there. It saddened him to think of all the years they had spent together, and now, she wanted to be anywhere but near him.

  Jennifer slammed the phone onto its receiver. “Ugh! Crap!” She balled her fist. “The freakin’ line is busy!”

  “Did you try his cell and his office?”

  “Do you think I wouldn’t have thought of that?” she snapped.

  Cliff didn’t want to talk about Brian; it hurt him to know she was with another man. He decided to ignore her and turned the television on to a news channel. He had bigger issues to worry about.

  He flipped from channel to channel, but the content was the same on each: chaotic scene in each city. The scene they showed was just what he saw at school. People were rushing away from something off-screen, trampling others just to escape. The news hadn’t said anything he didn’t know from the radio broadcast; they were clueless.

  Cliff flipped the channel. He wanted answers. Was the virus contained? Were the officials doing something about it? Where was FEMA? The screen flickered and the streets of Washington, D.C. came into view. Cliff sat on the edge of the coffee table. People were running from office buildings and storefronts onto Pennsylvania Avenue. There were two cars burning. The camera zoomed in on what Cliff thought was a young boy lighting a Molotov cocktail.

  There were police officers in riot gear standing in a line across the avenue. Behind them was the dome of the Capitol. The camera zoomed away from the young boy. Cliff leaned forward when he saw the young boy throw the explosive device. The young boy ran toward the officers, they stepped aside to let him pass through. The firebomb exploded in front of a mob of people walking toward the line of police.

  “What is it?” Jennifer asked, entering the room.

  “I don’t know. This is just madness. Nothing makes sense,” Cliff said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

  Jennifer collapsed on the sofa. “Jesus,” she whispered watching the scene unfold on TV.

  Cliff turned to see her watching the news, her jaws still tight, with her arms and legs crossed. He returned to the news report.

  The station returned to the studio.

  “I am joined here by Doctor Slinger from John Hopkins University, a leading pathologist, to see what he knows about this viral infection, the news anchor announced.

  “Thank you. Glad to be here,” Dr. Slinger smiled.

  “Doctor Slinger, what can you tell us about this virus?” the news anchor asked.

  “We don’t know. We don’t know what this illness is or what is causing it. It appears to take over the host—that would be you or I—and control our bodies. It’s parasitic, at best,” Slinger started. “It seems, once the parasite or virus sets in, it takes over the consciousness of the host and controls its motor functions. As you can see on your news footage, these people seem to have a lost expression on their faces, but they continue to walk.”

  “But Doctor,”the anchor interrupted,“where did this infection come from?”

  “We simply do not know.”

  “How contagious is this infection? the anchor pressed.

  “We don’t know that either. All we know is this virus spread so quickly, it took us by surprise. It is my professional opinion that this pathogen is transferred via bodily fluids, whether it be saliva or blood. I watched your show earlier showing one of the infected bite a woman, and within sixty seconds, she was convulsing. This pathogen traveled quickly into the woman’s bloodstream and into her brain. It took over her body quickly.”

  “But Doctor, what can our viewers do to remain safe, in your opinion? What should they do if they have a loved one succumb to this infection? Call the authorities?”

  The doctor paused for a few seconds, tapping his right index finger to his chin. Jim, I think the best advice is to stay in
your home. Do not venture out. Don’t go near large crowds—the subway, the mall, or anywhere people congregate. You don’t know who’s infected.”

  “And what about if they have a loved one at home with this?”

  “I recommend quarantining them in a bedroom. Do not interact with or touch them. Do not get close to them.”

  “This is bad,” Jennifer cried.

  “I think we’re spending the night together,” Cliff said. He locked eyes with Jennifer and pointed at the television. “You heard the doctor. We must stay home and not run to town for milk.”

  Jennifer rolled her eyes. “How can you crack jokes at a time like this? This is serious!”

  “Of course it’s serious!” he returned, raising his voice. “That’s why it is not a good idea for you to run out to be with your boyfriend.”

  “Oh, please!” Jennifer spat. “I’m just worried. Okay? Is that too much for you to understand? Do you know how to care for someone other than yourself?”

  He threw his hands up. “Here we go again. Now is not the time to start the many arguments we never finished.”

  “I did finish them,” she snapped, springing from the couch.

  Cliff shook his head, stood, and walked to the kitchen.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to the cellar to take inventory. We have to eat,” Cliff answered without looking back.

  Cliff shook his head. “What a bitch,” he said aloud when he stepped outside. He looked at the window of the living room seeing her sobbing in her hands. He tightened his lip and pushed her from his thoughts. There were more important things to do.

  He had been buying and storing emergency supplies for years. He never felt he had enough and bought supplies each month when he had extra cash. He read a book about nuclear warheads exploding at twenty-thousand feet above the United States. The explosion created an electromagnetic pulse that wiped out every electrical device in the country, sending everyone below back to the Middle Ages. No electricity, vehicles with computers would cease to operate, medical devices would stop running, supplies and manufacturing would cease to function. People would resort to their basic instinct to kill or be killed just to survive.