Hunters

by L. J. Cuff

  “Give me one good reason,” He responded.

  “Because they’ll eat him if you do.”

  “We don’t know how many he’s killed so it’s only fitting.”

  “He’s not as gone as them…” Mary pulled Ted back. “Please?”

  “Fuck… Let’s get going,” Ted called to the others in the cell.

  Diane and Mary each lifted one of Eric’s arms and carried him up the stairs. The group found a large jeep sitting in the middle of the courtyard. They quickly loaded themselves inside and drove towards the gate.

  “Now how do we…” Ted stated as he noticed a small garage door opener attached to the arm rest. “This can’t be…” He said, pushing a button.

  The gates opened soundlessly. The group drove away past the two infected, who now had fresh blood covering their shirts.

  “Well, Diane, any more bright ideas?” Ted called out to the back.

  Diane sat in her seat staring forward.

  Chapter Three

  “Are you sure you want to go there?” Dennis asked, staring at Diane.

  “Yes… I’m positive,” Diane responded.

  Ted was standing apart from the group, holding up a radio. Mary could hear him talking to someone on the other side but did not dare approach. She glanced over to Dennis who was still staring at Diane in disbelief.

  “THIS IS FUCKING SUICIDE!” Ted shouted into the radio. The person on the other end said a few more words before Ted put it away. He shook his head in frustration. Then returned to the group.

  “Well? What are your latest orders then?” Diane inquired, her eyebrow raised.

  Ted glared at her. “This is a fool’s errand and will result in all of us being killed all in support of your magic fucking elixir.” He stated through clenched teeth.

  “It is not a fool’s errand. It is the right formula. Just look at your own arm, how it’s bandaged. One of those creatures bit you and yet you weren’t infected.” Diane responded, pointing at Ted’s arm.

  Eric began chuckling. “You can’t cure them when they are infected!” He called out from his seated position. Claire kept her eyes firmly on him even as he spoke.

  “Then how do you explain Ted?” Diane inquired.

  “There’s two types of infection happening. He was bitten by someone with type A which only causes animalistic attributes. Those infected die very easily and quickly if they don’t eat or if you just happen to stab them like any other human.” He responded.

  “Wait? So it’s regular people eating p…” Mary asked.

  “Yes, it is,” Eric interrupted, “In a strictly, biological sense… But since those people had a reduced heart beat for seven days, their minds were damaged. Either permanently or temporarily and they don’t remember what it means to have higher order brain. That’s why they behave like primitives but are capable of learning.”

  Mary’s jaw dropped as she heard this information. Ted ground his teeth together.

  Diane took in a deep breath. “That still means we can save majority of people so we…” She began.

  “That’s not how that works… I tried your method on Abby and that was the result…” He stated, “She’s no longer like us… She still acts very much like them… She even understands their grunts…” He looked down at his hand. “And just the other night, I noticed a little bit of the skin on her leg begin peeling and underneath was just flesh.”

  “Wait… So what’s the other type of infection?” Mary inquired, interrupting Diane as she was about to speak.

  “Type B is for some people the beginning of the infection and for some it’s the progression. Major organs stop functioning and the body begins to decay. The brain somehow keeps the body moving and able to do simple tasks but otherwise…” Eric’s voice trailed off. He looked up with tears in his eyes. “Type B is unstoppable… The infected become what the media called them all along…”

  Mary turned to look at Ted then back at Eric. “So what about Ted then?” She asked.

  Eric shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe he’ll get lucky and won’t descend into the madness that is the type B infection.” He responded, looking up at Mary. Then he glanced up at Claire. “Would it be possible to untie me so I can go to relieve myself?”

  “Not a chance,” Dennis responded, stepping over to him. “Now, let’s go do this.” He motioned with his gun towards a tree right next to the group. “Don’t worry, the women will give you some semblance of privacy,” He stated as he followed Eric.

  “So what are your orders?” Claire asked Ted.

  Ted looked over to her. “I’m not giving them anymore. I’m not forcing anyone to do anything.” Ted responded.

  “Ok… So what now?” Claire inquired, still watching Ted.

  Ted sighed audibly and looked over to Diane. “Do you still want to head to that hospital?”

  “Yes,” Diane stated confidently while nodding slowly.

  “Why?” Mary asked.

  Claire, Ted, and Diane looked over at her and stood motionless.

  “What? I asked a valid question. Why do you want to go after learning all of that from Eric?” Mary furrowed her brow and approached the group.

  Ted looked over to Dennis who was watching in front of him.

  “Because… The supposed cure that Eric said they had is probably not the same one as what I found,” Diane stated in a hushed voice, “And, you can’t exactly believe everything he says because he was one of them.”

  Mary raised her eyebrow and thought about it for a moment. She looked over at Claire who gave her a slight smirk and a shrug. Ted stepped behind her, toward Dennis and Eric.

  “And we have to try for Ted,” Diane continued.

  “Dennis?” Ted called out. Mary turned to look. Dennis was staring out at the trees that were currently surrounding him. He was slowly backing himself up, away from the wooded area. Eric was behaving identically a few feet to Dennis’ left.

  Ted took the rifle that adorned his shoulder and aimed it into the trees. Claire picked up the map and pushed it into Diane’s chest. “Take this and get into the car. Both of you.” Claire said as she walked over to Mary. “Now,” She stated, pushing Mary towards the jeep.

  Mary turned to look at her then heard the familiar gunshot. She ran towards the jeep while looking at the trees. She hopped into the driver’s seat and turned it on while Diane got into the passenger’s side.

  She saw in the rear view mirror, infected jumping out of the trees towards Dennis as he backed up. He fired two more shots but there were more infected on the way. Mary put the car in reverse, pulling up within inches of Dennis. He took one last shot them quickly got into the backseat along with Eric.

  Next, she brought the car forward, picking up Ted who was still firing away. Just as Ted got in, an infected leapt towards him. She grabbed at him, pulling on his arm. Mary stepped on the gas, turning the car to the left to allow Claire on the right side. Dennis kicked the infected off of Ted enabling him to close the door.

  As the final door was shut, more infected came out of the wooded area and leapt onto the car. Mary stepped on the gas and drove away, onto the road.

  “Ok… So which direction are we going in?” Mary asked, turning her head slightly to Diane.

  “Don’t worry, you’re going the right way,” Diane stated as she looked over the map.

  Eric looked over at Dennis then back at Mary. “Thank you,” He said then he shook his head and brought his hands to his face.

  “For?” Dennis asked, reloading the gun in front of him.

  “Saving me…” Eric began, “I never partook in any of their feasts… I explained away the fact that I was killing people saying that… Well… Saying that this was a new, more barbaric world and that therefore, it really didn’t matter… A part of me was always screaming for help but… I never believed that it would ever come so well… I… I just accepted that whatever would happen would well… Happen…”

  “So what did you eat then?” Mary asked. Diane look
ed at her then back at Eric.

  Eric shrugged. “There was dried jerky meat in the basement for the longest time… Then the crops began growing so I ate whatever I could find in the field when I was out hunting…” He looked down at his shackled hands, “I actually had fully run out when you guys found me…” He glanced over at Mary.

  The jeep was overcome by complete silence.

  ***

  The jeep slowly came to a stop in front of an abandoned gas station.

  “Why are we stopping here again?” Diane asked stepping out of the jeep.

  Mary shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe we can get some food and gas?” She suggested.

  “And a bathroom break…” Dennis stated, slamming the door.

  “But… This place looks like it was first to shut its doors…” Diane protested.

  “Which is exactly why they might still have supplies,” Mary stated optimistically as she picked up one of the pumps. She inserted it into the car and within seconds, liquid could be heard flowing through the tube.

  “See?” Mary smiled as she held the nozzle. “Now why doesn’t someone go inside and check for food?”

  “It’s locked,” Diane stated as she pulled unsuccessfully on the door. Mary rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “Here,” Claire began, stepping out from the shrubs, “Let me show you how it’s done.” She picked up her gun and slammed the butt against the window. The glass shattered to the ground around her feet. “There, see? Now it’s open.” She said, smiling as she entered the store.

  The stench of rotting flesh filled the air.

  “Are we sure going in is a good idea?” Diane asked, holding her sleeve over her nose.

  Claire looked back at her then shook her head. She glanced to her left then to her right. Taking a step forward, she felt something crunch under her shoe. Picking up her foot to the light, she noticed what appeared to be bones. She looked over the entire area, it was littered with little bits of white bones.

  “Oh shit…” Diane exclaimed as she stepped inside.

  Claire held out her hand to calm Diane. She took another careful step forward, bracing herself against the back freezers. She looked down at the floor and took in a deep breath. Glancing over her right shoulder, she saw a broom. She silently picked it up then signalled to Diane to stop moving. She brought her gun up to her shoulder then poked the dog with the broom.

  It moved its head slightly then its tail. She came closer to it so she could take a better look. The emaciated looking dog had the shape of a german shepherd but the fur was so matted it was hard to tell. As she stepped past, the dog extended its neck to try to sniff her but she wouldn’t let him. She walked down the aisle and noticed there was no significant food remaining, just wrappers.

  “It seems our little friend over there,” She said clearly as she pointed at the dog, “Ate everything of value here.” She stepped up to the counter. The dog began barking and lifting itself from the ground. Claire turned to look at him when suddenly a hand grabbed her shoulder. She quickly pulled herself away.

  The infected fell forward onto the counter, still reaching towards her.

  “What the…?” Claire said to herself, looking over the infected lying before her.

  “Is everything ok?” Diane nervously asked, cautiously stepping forward within the store.

  “There’s an infected in here with the dog…” Claire commented. The infected was staring up at her with sunken eyes. It was little more than rotting flesh on bones. It groaned as it stretched out its arm, trying to get to her.

  The dog continued barking in Claire’s direction as she stared at the infected. Diane came up beside her and stared in disbelief.

  “You know… I had hoped that Eric was wrong but…” Diane began.

  Claire nodded slowly in agreement then pointed to the broken window. “We should get out of here before more come.” She said, turning away from the infected. It wheezed and groaned as they left, walking past the dog. Diane waved to the dog, motioning for him to come with them. His legs could barely support him as he followed them.

  “Hey Ted,” Diane called up to him.

  Ted was standing on top of the jeep, keeping watch for any movement in their vicinity. He glanced down at Diane, instantly noticing the dog. “No,” He stated definitively.

  “He is a great guard dog,” Diane said defensively.

  “He is an extra mouth to feed and at the moment, we don’t have enough for the rest of us,” Ted responded.

  “This might be a bad time but…” Dennis began.

  “But what?” Ted glared down at him.

  “We found apples…” Dennis responded, holding up his folded shirt that was turned into a bag.

  The dog was sniffing it with great interest.

  “Well, we have plenty of food now so, I’m keeping him.” Diane proclaimed, taking an apple out of Dennis’ bag and offering it to the dog.

  Ted shook his head and took a deep sigh. He was about to speak when he stopped. He’d noticed movement half a mile away, coming in their direction.

  “We need to leave now. Is everyone here?” Ted stated, raising his gun to his shoulder.

  Everyone except Diane immediately jumped into the jeep. She waited briefly for the dog to finish his meal then helped him get in. The moment she closed the door, an infected emerged from behind them. It sniffed the air, looking left then right. It grunted in their direction.

  Dennis turned the key in the ignition. The jeep turned on briefly then completely off.

  “Oh shit!” Dennis exclaimed as he pulled the key out. He looked out through the windshield as multiple infected emerged from the shrubs. They were looking through the window and licking their lips. Dennis put the keys back in the ignition just as a rock bounced off his window causing a small hairline crack. An infected came up beside him and smiled. It pushed against his window making the crack grow larger. He picked up his gun.

  Ted reached over and turned the key. The jeep came to life.

  “Get us out of here,” Ted stated, grabbing Dennis’ chin and pointing it forward.

  Dennis put the car into gear and pressed on the gas right at the very moment his window completely shattered all over him. One of the infected was clutching Dennis’ shirt as he drove away but after a mile, they fell off.

  “How much further is this hospital we’re heading to?” Mary asked, turning to Diane.

  Diane looked out of the car then turned to Mary. “It’s maybe a few more miles… I’m not entirely sure… I don’t have the map…”

  Ted turned around. “If you don’t have it… Where is it?” He asked.

  Diane looked at him then they both said in unison, “Eric!”

  “What is it?” Eric asked from the back window, rolling his eyes at them.

  “Where is the map?” Diane inquired, pulling herself up so she could see over the backseat.

  “You lost it?” Eric proclaimed with his eyebrow raised.

  Dennis pulled over the car and got out. He stepped around to the back and opened the door. Eric fell out of the jeep onto the floor.

  Dennis lifted him into the air. “I will leave you here for the infected if you don’t give it back!” Dennis stated, glaring Eric in the eyes.

  Mary got out of the jeep and ran to Eric’s side. “Why would he hide it?” She asked.

  “To get us to go back to Abby’s,” Ted exclaimed, watching over the top of the jeep.

  Diane got out and walked around to the back. She began searching where Eric had been. “There’s nothing here,” She said, tapping all around.

  Claire went to double check. She climbed into the area and found a small piece of the carpet was ripped open. She reached into the opening and found two nearly identical maps. One had the original marking of the hospital site from when they left Abby’s and the other was miles away from it.

  “Why are there two of them?” Diane inquired, looking over at Claire.

  Claire shrugged, she looked back at Eric and Dennis.
“What is this?” She asked.

  “I don’t know, I don’t understand.” Eric responded, stepping away from the gun Dennis was pointing at him.

  “Dennis, you can’t do that!” Mary put her hand on his gun.

  “You’re right, he’s not worth the ammunition.” Dennis paused as he looked around, he could see some movement in the trees. “The infected will take care of him soon enough.” He proclaimed as he walked back to the driver’s door.

  Claire looked back at Mary then at Eric and stepped back to the jeep.

  “You need to decide which side you’re on,” Ted called out to Mary.

  Mary looked over to Dennis then back at Ted. “Please tell me you didn’t do it.” She asked as she slowly turned her head back to Dennis.

  “I didn’t, I swear it… I don’t want to go back there… I loved the old Abby, not this maniacal woman who replaced her…” Eric responded, shaking his head.

  Mary slowly nodded her head and stepped back. As Dennis drove away, Mary waved them goodbye. She glanced over her shoulder at Eric then began walking in the same direction as the jeep.

  ***

  “I am kind of surprised that we walked all day and didn’t encounter any infected…” Mary stated as she stared up at the stars.

  “Why do you say that?” Eric asked, watching out the window. The two had taken refuge in a burnt out house that was fully boarded up on the ground floor. The place still smelt of smoke and was covered in a layer of ash.

  “Well, even when I was living just on my own, I would always see at least one everyday… And yet the only one I saw today was in the gas station where we found that dog…” Mary responded with her eyes half closed.

  Eric briefly pondered on her statement. He opened his mouth, ready to respond to her when he noticed she’d fallen asleep. He pursed his lips together and watched diligently out the window for movement.

  Off in the distance, he could see lights in the sky. He smiled as he watched them dance against the darkness, ignoring for a moment, the shrubs that lay close to the house. Suddenly, he heard a branch break from down below. He looked and saw an infected nearing the door. It stopped as it came close and tilted its head up. For one brief moment, Eric thought they were discovered. But then the infected limped away with its head tilting from one side to the next.