The End

by Herman Grobler

  Danny almost want to believe her, still he is stressed out that it might not just be that he keeps silent, he is too scared to tell them how it is and how it really feels as he finishes taping up the weapons he gets up and said he's going to rest a little more. Emma didn’t find this strange at all, after all, he is sick he needs all the rest he can get; William seems to have many plans that will surely require everyone to work hard.

  The last few days have been long; it’s hard to believe they have managed to get this far except for William, for him the progress is going slow barricading the fort where it was needed wasn’t supposed to take four days, with everyone in healthy conditions this was to be much faster.

  At least all the work is done food is on the downside and a fast run will be needed, not only food but other much needed items to. William suggests to the small group that he and Danny will go on a scavenger run for three days, three days to gather all the needed, build materials, food, clean water, fuel and medicine all of the above is divided into three days. William passed out a piece of paper containing the details and asks politely to write down what they need most, this is mostly just to keep the peace even if William don’t really care what they want. He is sure that he covered most of what’s needed beside you never know what you would find out there and risking your life for something stupid is not worth it.

  Emma reads the list and it seems pretty good.

  Day 1: The day will go out to collect food, clean water, and fuel for the rest of the runs.

  Day 2: Until twelve o’clock we will try and get anything that we missed, we will then spend the rest of the day preparing for the final day and, if possible, start on this day gathering materials to barricade Fort Taylor and to use around our camp.

  Day 3: We will continue gathering materials the entire day, this is also the final day of scavenging we will then take two days for resting and to do minor tasks.

  Medicine and any other medical supplies will be collected throughout the days we are out there, this also include any of the requested items that should be listed below with your name in brackets.

  Emma likes this list, she writes down what she would need and passes it on to her mother, she writes awfully slow finally after finishing she passes it back to William, without even looking at the writing and just a fast view of sally’s face William can tell that she is upset, William passes the paper and pencil to Emma’s daughter, instantly putting a smile on her face she writes fast and neat before handing the paper back to William.

  William automatically assumes that everyone is happy with the list since they all wrote down what they want, William knows that it's risky not just for him and Danny but for Emma as well in the world today nothing is impossible, it’s a must to expect the unexpected, they will be alone here for twelve hours a day for three days long, anything can happen in twelve hours on any day.

  William devotes himself to at least get a toy the only request from the young one, the rest written down is pretty much covered except for toilet paper that was entirely forgotten, Emma’s mom have the most stupid requests but William says nothing he really doesn't have the patience to deal with her nor hear her nagging for the rest of the day.

  Danny snap out of it, we need to prepare for the next three days it’s a lot asking since we haven’t really gotten time to rest, but we will soon, just three days then we can rest our muscles and clear our heads, Danny nods his head sure thing captain he replies sarcastically as he walks away.

  This work is driving me nuts; it’s exhausting I’m not used to this type of work, wish it can all go back the way it was. I suppose that’s why I have no excuse not to help; the faster we get this done the faster we can get back to normal times or well, at least, close to normal living as nothing will ever be normal again.

  William hates his attitude but his acting like this as he really hates doing heavy lifting work just like William hate being rushed, since his body and health don’t allow it much, sadly no one can do anything about this what needs to be done must get done in order for them to survive. Fort Taylor isn’t that important now but we might get more people to join our group and if they don’t join then, at least, they can get some shelter there for a short time, I can’t think of that now, that will have to wait until a much later time until the work there is at least finished we all might just die before that time.

  William walks to his room slowly, on arrival he looks exhausted he packs some clothes into an empty rubbish bag, a few painkillers and a bandage with one can of food that will be split between him and Danny for tomorrow in hard times like these eating is important, it’s important to keep energy levels good and high, thus the reason I will be going to bed even if its 4pm give or take one.

  Danny finishes a nicely cooked meal Emma prepared, it was the best ever in a very long time even though every meal recently feels like this to Danny, he tries very hard for that hunger feeling not to take control over his actions. Sometimes it feels like he can just go take a can and enjoy it all by himself, he walks to his room knowing he will sleep once more on a cold floor under a jacket, Danny hates it he hates it even more to think of what he had. He now know why his mom always told him to be great full for what he has as many didn’t have all that luxuries.

  Danny takes his jacket and wraps himself in it, he lays down next to William carefully not to wake him, as much as this anger Danny he isn’t a selfish person, he will always respect the needs of others the same way others should respect his own needs.

  The sun is bright on my face it’s so annoying when you still want to sleep, William and Danny must have left by now, she is so beautiful I won’t know what I would do without her, at least, they are still sleeping that gives me the opportunity to get some more rest before the nagging and playing starts.

  Emma wakes up much later that day, she yawns and feels slight burns on her legs, the sun was shining on her legs for the entire morning, she sits up and stretches her arms out high over her head looking over her shoulder, realizing her daughter and mother I missing, thinking they are probably in the kitchen busy fixing a quick snack.

  Emma gets up looking for something clean to wear after getting dressed she walks to the kitchen to check on them, on the way to the kitchen she realize how silent everything is, reaching the kitchen Emma can see there was some food made bread crumbs is on the floor, Emma stresses as she has no idea where they are, she walks fast trying hard to stay calm.

  Emma finally reaches the outside, she smiles as they are both sitting playing in the sand, and it came as a surprise to her to see her mother playing with her daughter. Emma didn’t think she had it in her to still do stuff like this; she must be bored out of her mind to do something like this.

  Emma feels disgusted to the bone, she haven’t had a bath since she left home, wondering if she can clean herself in the ocean or at least in the moats, after all, it’s highly unlikely that this disease could be in the water or at least not salty water like this. Salt will only do good for wounds like scratches good way to disinfect pretty much any wound, she convince herself to do it, she is going to take a semi-bath to clean herself if she doesn’t try it no one will ever know if it’s really safe or not and knowing William, no fresh water will be spared for good cleaning. He really tries too hard to make everything perfect, if he could only realize that nothing will be the way it was, not anytime soon, maybe if he knows this then he won’t be so hard on us and things will go better I am pretty sure about that, after all, hygiene is also important.

  Emma sits on the edge of the moat with her feet hanging in the water, the temperature is perfect, she use her hands to scrub her feet then grab some water for her shoulders its really uncomfortable to wash like this, she get up and removes all of her clothing except for her underwear before she gets into the water entirely its colder at the bottom, but just the feeling of water against her dirty skin is enough to convince Emma to stay and finish cleaning herself.

  She will still need to find a way to rinse away any ocean s
and, she gets out and uses her own shirt to semi-dry herself before she gets dressed, she calls her mother and daughter loudly, though they are having fun and don’t hear anything, Emma ignores to call out for them again she continues to go inside to get dry clothing.

  Day 1: Food

  We have a long day ahead of us we need to try and get as much food, water, and fuel before the day ends before we go back, the more we get now the less we will go on these runs, of course, we will eventually go further as supplies get scarce close by. William is in a very good mood today he actually seems friendly maybe because the wheels are starting to turn, though the way I know him this can change in seconds.

  The weapons we have is not meant for fighting its only for defending a few at a time, they got damaged fast the last encounter we had, we also know that we should just go for the head to end it as fast as possible however we should try and avoid this at all times we can’t afford an injury or waste any time, we are strictly here to gather supplies.

  Danny agrees politely, Danny didn’t hear half of what he said except for the non-conflict part, he really wants to believe that, though it’s a bit hard when everything wants to kill you, other than that Danny is filled with fear, even if he did eat, it feels like he didn’t get any food for days the feeling of starvation is making him feel uneasy, he knows if he doesn’t do anything about it the feeling will drive him insane.

  Danny insist that when they get close to a clinic they should stop there and get medicine, William doesn’t agree with this, we should stick to the plan, if we don’t we will surely fail, it’s a fact that most people fail due to not planning or not following the plans they made.

  Sure okay let’s just go Danny replies sarcastically, this reaction tips William that something must be bothering him, William says nothing still he will be on the lookout to what the problem might be. They set up and grab their bags and head out in to the streets these things are getting more and more, they also seem to have different reactions every day that passes, William isn’t really sure yet what to make of this except that every day will be different and they will have to expect the unexpected.

  Hours later, house to house, food and clean water was scavenged, it was way too much to carry the food trolley they got didn’t last long so a lot of packets was left on the street for when they return the best plan they have is to find a small truck and on the way back it will be picked up, all this will last for months, though even so, we will still do the runs regularly no need to wait until we almost have nothing left the more we have the better we will be off to focus on other needed things.

  If we go down Eaton St we should reach a church, Danny we should check it out there might be people there, we just go and check then return and continue to the docks do a few more places before we find something large enough to get everything back to the boat, Danny really wants to say no, however, that won’t do anything, Danny agrees with a smile on his face it’s really the only thing he could do that will give good results.

  From a distance they can see the church there is many at the front door and still a good amount surrounding the church, well there you go nothing there let’s head back, William insists that they stay a little longer just to be sure it’s just strange to see so many of them, they must be there for a reason, Danny rolls his eyes and sits down he might as well rest while he can.

  Surely not long after he went to sit down, gun shots were fired from the top windows, some of them that was banging on the front door fell to the ground still moving around struggling to get up eventually they do and continue to bang on the door even harder with more approaching.

  William draws the gun he found, he takes out a paint can from his jacket and starts spraying on the tar road in big “We can help you, aim for the head” now to get their attention, William aims his gun right next to the window and fire one shot he waits before he fire one more shot, this time, hitting the window, it shatters, William hope he didn’t hit someone.

  William can see the rifle sitting there and a few seconds later someone tucks their head out aiming at William, he could see this clearly, his hearts pounds faster and faster, his face gets hot, the man aims back down to the door and every shot he took was a clear hit to the head. Another person joined at the window on the right just across the broken window also firing on them, they still moved for a minute or two but the results were perfect and not long after most of them was on the ground dead, a few people came rushing out the door taking care of the remaining few that was still standing around.

  Some of them approached William and Danny before he could even say something William interrupts him giving him all the details as fast as he can, we can do introductions much later, if you want to live then you should come with us, we have enough food, water and soon we will also have the power to run basic electrical needs.

  Without a second though or second passing the man replies no “you should come with us” he points his finger beside William’s head, William turns and pauses in fear, there is so many of them it must be close to a hundred if not more, the man pulls his arm, Williams body shifts slightly and they all rush back into the church with all inside, they start putting up new barricades and repairing the ones they had nailing any lose planks back on the door and lower windows.

  William is surprised they have so many weapons not handmade, but guns and some of them seem really experienced with a gun, but this isn’t it he is surprised that he counted 28 survivors, it would be wonderful if they could join, then we will be standing strong especially with some of these people. They seem strong and know at least what they are doing, William also sees an entire stack of food and water bottles next to it, and they have clearly been here at the church for some time now.

  Combining their goods with the goods they found then we can focus on some reel progress, it’s getting late we are supposed to go home Emma don’t have much food, it might be enough for today and maybe tomorrow, William looks through the window, now there is a few approaching from Duval St to, from both sides, knowing it will be impossible to pass a big group like this or rather hordes like this, the only chance they have is to make a stand and have some faith and hope.

  Many of the group believe, that this is the end for them, the horde approaching will overwhelm them in a few minutes, rotten flesh, bone on bone they approach faster and faster, these things are so hard to understand, William have not the slightest idea how to explain them, once something is marked down it gets crossed out the next day, they start banging on the doors no one has opened fire in hopes they will pass.

  The planks holding the doors down is loosening rapidly it’s just a matter of time before they fall off, some of the survivors starts heading higher, before they lose hope they hear a large bang in the distance like a very big explosion, the banging stops slowly but surely they start moving down the streets in all directions, this is good but also a problem now they are scattered all over the place. William has a very good feeling they won’t be going back for today and most likely not tomorrow either.

  It’s strange some of them are moving towards the explosion, but then there is a good amount that seems kind of confused by all the movement; it’s starting to make more sense to William. Even the ones moving away doesn’t look all that rotten and disgusting like the ones that follow movement, their flesh isn’t falling off like the day all this started.

  William doesn’t want to believe what came up but it’s impossible to ignore the fact that the more this disease is spreading the more it evolves its maybe the only thing that can explain this behavior nothing else unless it has something to do from person to person but I hardly doubt that. The only sure way to find out is to wait longer and see, if it’s true then the first ones will die out like some do when reaching a critical point, William knows for sure that this is very bad news if he were to be correct.

  The streets is overrun by them it’s impossible to leave now, the others will have to make do with what food they have, I am sure they can manage for a few d
ays or at least until we can slip by, it will also give me enough time to try and convince this group to come with us. It will be riskier to get out of here with all of them but once we all reach the fort we will be much stronger together.

  I do not want to rush this, after all, they just met us, we will have to wait and see what happens tomorrow.

  Chapter 3: Dark Roads

  Everything is going so well, nothing has passed my little setup it really wasn’t the best I could do but the last few days I have been patching up my defenses and raided all the houses in my block. I want to believe everything is going as planned; I want to believe everything will be okay but it’s not, the other day I found graffiti around my lazy barricades, however not with inside almost like someone is making sure no one is home or more like someone is trying to draw me outside.

  I didn’t pay too much attention to it but a few hours ago not far from my block there was an explosion, it could be a bunch of stupid hippies, I would like to believe that, though in today’s new world you can only trust the most horrifying thoughts.

  I can’t take any risks I will have to make sure about this we can never be to safe, only realizing this now that explosion must have lured them away in some way but that will kill all my facts if that were to be true, they go after movement and not sounds that much, it’s getting very hard to predict these things if they do respond to sound or anything else then I have no option but to test it and I will have to test this as soon as possible.

  Jason goes inside taking his homemade map it might look like a bunch of scribble to others however this map shows every house Jason raided in every street, there is still a few more hotspots left, to get to these hotspots for supplies will be very risky it will be the furthest from home, far outside the barricades, we have so much resources, food, medical supplies and even fuel to last us for months to come, of course more is better.