Hunters

by L. J. Cuff

  Must be a type B infection, he thought as he watched it walk away. I hope the others are getting on better than we are, he thought, scanning the area then returning to watching the lights.

  Mary awoke to the sound of Eric’s snoring. She stepped over to his sitting area and gently tapped his shoulder. Lights flashed against his face causing her to look up. Someone was pulling a car up to the house. She looked down at the ground and saw them – the infected watching her.

  “Eric,” Mary stated, shaking his shoulder.

  Eric’s eyes stayed firmly shut. Mary lifted the rifle he was holding and fired a shot at one of the infected. The others watched it fall to the ground then looked back up at her. One of them grunted and tilted his head forward as two others walked to the base of the wall.

  Mary steadied herself and took another shot but the rifle was out of bullets. She opened it to reload, reaching into her pocket for ammunition. She pulled out a handful of fingers. As she stared down at them, Eric stood up.

  “What? You were expecting something different?” He asked with a maniacal smile across his lips. Mary’s breathing quickened as she took a step back. She tripped causing her to fall against the blackened bed. Looking down, she saw Dennis’ hand lying in front of her. She quickly looked up at Eric and saw a piece of skin fall off his cheek.

  Eric watched it fall to the ground and began chuckling. “You honestly believed I wasn’t infected like Abby, didn’t you?” He asked as his eyes widened. “Now tell me, do you have any last requests before I feed you to her?” He pulled out a blade.

  Mary instinctively raised her arms to defend herself but found hands holding her in place.

  “Mary?” Eric quietly asked, holding Mary down while covering her mouth with his hand. “Mary, you have to wake up,” Eric said urgently.

  Mary awoke with a start and looked around with a frenzy. She glared into Eric’s eyes for one brief moment until she realized it was all a dream. She sat herself up and took another quick look around the room before returning her gaze to Eric.

  “You were having a nightmare or something…” Eric stated. Mary pulled a bit of fluff out of her mouth with a puzzled expression. She looked up at Eric while holding it. “I covered your mouth with some linen I found lying around. You were screaming, you would’ve brought many more than just the three currently outside.” He pointed back to the window.

  Mary quickly made her way across the room. She peered out into the darkness and saw the three figures standing a few feet in front of the door. She stared down at them then noticed she could actually make out their features. Looking up, she saw there was no moon in the sky. She turned to Eric and asked, “Where is the light coming from?”

  “A car or a bus, maybe…” He responded, shrugging, as he cocked the rifle.

  Mary watched him then looked down. Two of the infected stood and began walking in the direction the light was emanating from while the third stayed.

  “Hmph, two of them just left,” Mary stated, keeping her eyes squarely on the one in front of her.

  “Yeah… The light seems almost… Hypnotic…” Eric responded, coming beside Mary.

  Mary raised her eyebrow and looked up at him.

  He returned her glance then glared down at the infected still sitting and watching. “It almost had me… I would’ve left if it wasn’t for your episode… So I owe you double…” He stated as he took aim.

  “You do realize that if you do that, you will bring more of them down on us.”

  “If I don’t, more will come anyways because of that one.”

  Mary held the barrel of the gun, preventing Eric from firing. She noticed movement a few feet away, heading towards the light. She watched it for a moment.

  A smile slowly crept across Mary’s face. She pointed to the movement that was further away. “Fire at that.” She declared, letting go of Eric’s gun.

  Eric furrowed his brow and stared at her. “I don’t understand… How is that any different than taking care of the one closer?”

  “Because it’s further away. When it inevitably brings more infected then they won’t think to look for us. And you give our current problem a meal so he’s more likely to be preoccupied and not notice when we leave.” She explained.

  Eric shrugged and took aim. He fired a single shot. A grunt and small whimper could be heard from the area. The infected that was watching them looked up at Eric then turned to the tall grass. It quickly moved in close, sniffing the new carcass. It sat down and began feasting on the flesh.

  “So what now?” Eric asked.

  “You get some rest and we both hide from this window. If that infected survives until morning then we’ll have a problem… But that’s a big if…” Mary took the rifle and pointed to the clean corner she’d made for herself.

  “I don’t understand…”

  “From what I noticed, back when I was living on my own for all that time, if the infected is not part of a pack, which that one wasn’t, they will be attacked when they have a fresh kill. That’s why he was waiting outside the window. He was trying to figure out a way to come in here to eat in peace, else they will take it from him by force.” She stated as she made herself comfortable. “Now go get some rest.”

  Eric shook his head and made his way to the corner. He curled himself tightly to the wall and closed his eyes.

  ***

  The sun shone through the broken glass, causing beautiful patterns across the walls. Mary was watching the infected pacing in front of her. Her prediction had not played out the way she wanted in part because of the hypnotic light.

  Eric awoke with a start. He stepped across the room and glanced down at Mary who was motionless save for her eyes.

  “So… Are we screwed?” Eric asked, rubbing his eyes.

  Mary tilted her head to the side, watching as the infected did the exact same.

  “Maybe… Maybe not…” She began, “How did Abby manage to train those infected?”

  Eric stared at Mary. “You can’t be serious,” He said through clenched teeth.

  “He reminds me a bit of a puppy… Don’t you think?” She stated.

  Eric held up his hand. “No… Ok? Just no… We are not going down that road… Ok?”

  Mary shrugged and stood up. She watched as the infected did the exact same. “Then we better get moving… The lights will no longer attract any of his friends…” She stated as she motioned with her right hand, out of the infected’s sight.

  Mary and Eric quickly and quietly climbed out of the back window and made their way into the tall grass. Mary looked back in time to see more infected gathering in front of the house, watching what the first one was doing. She continued walking alongside Eric, with her gun over her shoulder.

  When the two were clear of the house, they made their way back to the road. Within moments, they heard the rumble of a truck. Mary turned to look, she could see the large eighteen wheel truck driving down the road.

  “Will you look at…” She began before Eric grabbed her and threw them both into the tall grass.

  “What the…?” Mary exclaimed as she lay underneath Eric.

  “Shh...” Eric held his finger to his mouth. “I’m betting that’s the truck from last night,” He whispered as the rumbling grew louder.

  “I don’t get it… They are survivors, like us, no?” Mary raised her eyebrow.

  Eric shook his head then nodded towards the shrubs. “Let’s get over there, it’ll be harder for them to see us,” He stated.

  “But maybe they can help…” Mary protested before Eric put his hand over her mouth and pulled her to the shrubs.

  Eric held Mary tightly, hidden behind the leaves as the rumbling grew even louder. It stopped a few feet away. Mary and Eric watched as the truck was now standing on the road directly where they had been just moments ago. The monstrosity was once a dark green truck but now was painted red with what appeared to be dried blood. There were skulls dangling from the bottom to the sides and the back along with an in
fected tied to the visible back corner. Her stomach was cut open revealing her rotting stomach to the world and her mouth was taped shut. The cabin door opened.

  The first person to get out was a middle aged woman. She appeared battle hardened with her hair tightly tied back and a gun adorning her shoulder. The second was a younger man who had no hair. He had the same gun as the woman slung over his shoulder but he also carried what appeared to be a strobe light.

  Upon setting foot on the ground, the young man stepped forward and took a quick glance around the area. For one brief moment, Mary thought he would notice where they were but instead the woman pointed at the trees. The man held up the light and turned it on, facing away from Mary and Eric. Mary breathed a sigh of relief but it was short lived. Within moments, the man turned towards the shrubs and dialed a knob at the top of the device. Mary bit her lip and glanced towards Eric. Eric pulled his feet up underneath him, putting him in a squatting position. He was about to straighten his legs when Mary grabbed him by the collar.

  Soon, the light was turned off and Mary released Eric. She turned to watch as the two took one final look at one another then got back into the truck. It pulled away at full speed.

  Mary and Eric waited until they could no longer hear the rumbling.

  “Where is it that Diane was taking your friends?” Eric inquired as the two stepped out back to the road.

  “Supposed to be a hospital where she’ll find supplies for her cure, why?” Mary responded.

  “Because those guys went in the same direction, no?”

  “Doubtful,” Mary stated, shaking her head. “They’re probably from around here, while Diane and company are further away.” Mary and Eric began walking down the road. “At any rate, does it really matter? We’re heading to the same goal, no?”

  “I’m becoming increasingly concerned with that decision…” Eric mentioned in passing as he looked to his left.

  Mary stopped and stared at Eric. “What exactly are you saying?”

  “Well… Maybe we should revise where we’re going…” Eric shrugged as he glanced over to Mary. Mary took his arm and looked into his eyes. She could see the seriousness behind his words. At first, she felt betrayed but then she fully thought about it.

  Eric watched Mary’s reaction carefully. He wasn’t sure what to make of it when she opened her mouth only to close it a few times but then she began walking.

  “So, where are we going then?” She turned to ask him.

  “Well… When I was still at Abby’s, we heard about a settlement that was about fifty miles away… We’d often spoke about maybe doing a raid there but…”

  “Too far away?” Mary asked.

  “There’s that plus… Well…”

  “Out with it,” Mary took Eric’s hand.

  “Well, they were heavily guarded… And I mean guarded… They built for themselves a massive fence and kept their guards well versed in weapons…” Eric smirked at Mary then pointed to the right, across the fields. “It’s in roughly that direction.

  “Isn’t that a similar direction as that… Umm… Truck?”

  “No, I think I know the owners of that truck and they’re far worse than Abby was…” He pointed to the left. “I believe they’d be down there but I could be wrong… They were a bit nomadic when we met them before.”

  “Ok…” Mary responded, stepping towards the overgrown crop field. “I guess we’re going this way now?” She asked, pausing in front of the corn stalks.

  “I guess so,” Eric answered, pressing forward in front of her.

  “Are they welcoming of…” Mary’s voice trailed off as she thought of an appropriate word.

  Eric smiled and spun around. “After they captured us, they actually offered to take us in so we wouldn’t have to hunt anyone anymore… I refused then because of Abby but… Well… Let’s hope they will welcome us now.” He reached out and touched Mary’s hand then turned back and began walking again.

  Chapter Four

  Ted quickly sat up. He looked down at the bed he was lying on then glanced over at the window. He spun around and saw a door leading to the hallway. The sheets fell to the floor as he placed his feet on the ground. It had a cold, sterile feeling to it. He looked down and saw his shoes, neatly stacked below what appeared to be a hospital bed.

  “What the…?” He asked, glancing over his right shoulder. He could see Claire lying in the bed, still fast asleep. He picked up his shoes and quickly put them on.

  Rushing out into the hall, Ted stopped completely when he saw a woman standing in the hall. The woman noticed Ted and smiled. Ted took a step back as the woman took one forward. Ted pursed his lips as he noticed the woman’s clothes. They were the same as the other infected, clean but torn. He looked around the hall for a weapon but couldn’t find one. He took a step back while the infected took one forward.

  “Calm down,” A man’s voice came over the speakers. “You’ll only make this more difficult on yourself.”

  Ted furrowed his brow and looked up at the ceiling for the cameras. His face stayed centered on the one closest to him as his eyes darted between it and the infected. He took a step forward. The infected lunged at him. He quickly stepped to the side, grabbed the infected under her throat and threw her against the wall. The infected flailed her arms and feet towards him. He kept his hand over her throat until her movements subsided then threw her against the ground like a rag doll.

  He looked down at the infected who slightly moved her hand. He stepped up behind her, towering over her. He then reached down, lifted her head and proceeded to smash it into the floor over and over again until her blood was splattered everywhere and her skull crushed.

  Ted calmly walked over to the camera, his shirt covered with drops of blood. “This game is over,” He stated coldly then headed back to his initial room where he found Claire getting dressed.

  “Come, let’s get out of here,” He said upon stepping inside.

  “What the hell happened?” Claire asked as she slipped her shoe over her foot.

  “There you guys are,” Dennis exclaimed, stopping in the middle of the hallway. He glanced over his shoulder then motioned towards Ted and Claire. “We’ve got to go,” He stated hastily as he lifted a pen in front of him.

  Ted ran out to join him followed by Claire who was limping slightly to get her shoe on. Coming from around the corner were three people, all smiling at the trio in front of them.

  “Are those infected or…?” Claire blurted out.

  “Not sure,” Dennis responded, “But there are others who are so…”

  Claire looked back at the room they just came from. She stood perfectly still in front of the door, waiting for the people to move forward. Standing at the ready, she lifted a chair and held it in front of her as if it were a shield. Suddenly, one of the people lunged forward and Claire ran into the room. She leapt at the window, holding the chair in front of her.

  The glass shattered all around her but she made it through without problem. She fell into a tree, suspended in mid-air by its branches. Claire looked up at the window, one of the people was looking out, glaring at her. She raised her hand and held up her middle finger causing her body to become out of balance. The branches under her broke and she fell to the ground, landing in the middle of a thorn bush.

  “Ouch! Not smart…” Claire commented as she slowly lifted herself. She looked up just in time to see the person who had been looking at her fly from the window followed by Dennis and Ted, each holding pillows from the beds.

  Claire took a step back and watched as the person landed in the thorn bush where she’d just been.

  “Oooff…” The person exclaimed as he looked down at his bloodied hand.

  Claire reached down to her shoe and pulled out the lace from her right foot.

  “You stupid fuckers, you don’t understand…” The person said as he steadied himself.

  “No, why don’t you enlighten us?” Ted proclaimed sarcastically. He glanced over to his left a
t Dennis who had just stood up. Giving him a slight nod, Dennis ran away, down the remnants of the road behind Claire.

  Claire held up the string between her hands, standing at the ready for the signal from Ted.

  He smiled a sickening smile while looking at Ted. “You’re even better than we thought…” The person proclaimed, stepping towards the tree.

  Ted raised his eyebrow as he thought on the man’s words. “Really?” He asked incredulously.

  “Yes,” The man stated with conviction. He stopped when he noticed a smile creeping across Ted’s lips.

  Ted lifted his left arm, signalling to Claire.

  “It’s the…” The man began but was cut off when Claire wrapped the shoe lace around his neck. He bent himself forward to throw her off but instead she put her knee into the middle of his back causing him to fall backward. He struggled as he lay on top of Claire, watching Ted approach from in front.

  An ambulance pulled up alongside them. Dennis put his head out the window and called out, “Come on, we’ve got to go, they’re going to…” He trailed off as he saw a wall of people walking towards them out of the corner of his eye.

  Claire and Ted climbed into the ambulance and shut the door. Ted saw people calmly coming out of the hospital doors heading towards the man they’d left lying on the ground.

  “Well, at least they’re avoiding the road,” Dennis stated. All the infected watched on as Dennis drove past them across the pavement. Claire reached over and took the wheel.

  “What are you...” Dennis began. Before he could finish his sentence, Claire had pulled the wheel to the right causing the ambulance to go off the road, running over some of the infecteds. Dennis stepped on the gas to prevent any from opening the back doors but it did nothing to remove the ones hanging off the sides.

  “Keep us off the road!” Claire commanded as she searched the back for a weapon.

  Ted and Dennis exchanged glances. “Is there a reason for…” Ted stated.