The Carnage Trilogy (Book 1): The Carnage [Unbending, Unyielding, Unforgiving]

by Birch, Matthew

  Once the two of them were out of sight, and out of mind; someone new, a man by the name of William Torres, steps towards me. He does not seem all that impressive, but after our brief introduction, I learnt that he worked at the radio tower. It's then that he gives the news he does not think help is coming.

  The initial hysteria of the news was easy to get past, after having our hopes crushed last night from a stray helicopter. This bad news isn't as much of a hit to take. The burden now is the dread of continuing to live in this world. All I want is to go back home and see my Dad. He must be so worried about me. Oh god, Mum must be giving him hell right now! News of the tragic crap that has killed this place surely got to the world, unless the world shared the same fate we did.

  That's crazy though, right?

  "William, come with me. I'll give you a tour" Ben says, welcoming our new arrival to the ranger station.

  All that's left is Ed and me now. He looks at me, with this newfangled expression on his face. I don't know what it is.

  "He did a good job..." Cody murmurs as he walks past me and onto the first step. "What?" I blurt out, not quite sure what he said. "Eddy did a good job today" Cody smiles, eyes non-twitching as he shoots Ed a look of good faith. Ed seems unsure, offering him a half smile back.

  "Anyway, see ya' inside," Cody says, giving us a wave before disappearing. Okay, so now it's just Ed and me, again.

  "So-" His face instantly dulls. As if he can read me, he pushes everything else aside. All my queries and questions about the expedition are put to rest when he brings up the only thing that was inevitable.

  "How's Chloe?"

  Soullessly, I rock my head back and forth as I bring a hand up to the cuff of my white vest and yank it down to reveal my chest. If it wasn't already obvious enough, the scars of the deadliest weapon ever remain with very little medical attention. The Officers were saying they'd help, but it's up to Patrick how much medical attention they give me since they don't want to waste supplies.

  ‘Bitch, have you seen my chest?’ Was all I said to them and they have ignored me since. I held ice packs to my chest for ages because of that bullshit.

  "Dude..." Ed groans out in disbelief. I nod, gesturing that we go inside and chat.

  * * *

  Half an hour passes before Ed finishes eating the microwave macaroni cheese and drinking the glass of coca-cola he has. Sitting in the lounge, just the two of us; I discuss my mind with him. Everything I can think of about Chloe comes out. In places, I feel as if I am repeating myself and I wonder if Ed gets tired of it. No objection is made on Ed's part though. He makes a good listener, although I do feel he is just too hungry to care. Regardless, once he's finished his food, he burps happily and flops back into the cushioned sofa. The man baby just smiles to himself, wiping his mouth on the long sleeved black top he wears. Comfy, Ed glances my way and simply says; "I hope things work out for you" He's sincere at least. He really means it. He only wishes the best for both of us. First ten minutes of this pour my heart out session consisted mostly of him getting really pissed off about my coffee ruined chest. We move on quick, Ed offering me a few words of advice. Mostly about not letting it get to me, keeping my head high and trying to work it out when the time is right. Either that or ignore the problem for now. Focus on other things in life. She was a mistake that should have never happened. I can't run forever, but I'll do what's right when the time comes. I think...

  Maya approaches, walking to the edge of the other sofa, turning so she faces away from the armrest and then gracefully free falls over it and onto the plush sofa. She sighs in relief, remarking that, “It’s so great to finally sit down”

  Ed and I share a confused look. Not because she's been helping Patrick endlessly for an hour, forcing her to endure his panicked shouting and barking. Stupid Patrick woke up all the Officers. They weren't all motivated, being still sleepy, but after seeing the state Linda was in, they were happy to help no matter what the cost.

  "You guys alright?" Maya asks coolly, placing her right arm behind her head for support as she turns her neck to look at us. Her attire being complete different from what it was. I feel like everyone's had a change of clothes but me. The most I changed was into this white vest top. Ed's got a bizarre looking winter outfit look going on and Maya's in gym workout gear. Probably scavenged from the dead Officers equipment... Wait, were we calling dibs or something? This is both fucked up and an opportunity. Patrick probably allowed it. I can imagine he'd say something like, 'You might as well honour them by putting their possessions to good use.'

  "I'm doing great" Ed rubs his belly tenderly, smirking to himself. Maya scoffs, looking at how bloated he is, then at all the food he ate. Jaw dropped, she retorts, "How much did you eat?"

  Ed slowly stands on his two feet, waving a hand. "None of your business, anyway, I need a piss" He says impolitely, shrugging us off before taking his leave with a slight bump in his step. Looks like he's going to actually piss himself from the way he walks. Grinning, I think to myself how lucky we are to be alive. God knows how he can eat this much during a time like this.

  When I look back at Maya, I see a look of disgust on her face. She says in a hushed voice.

  "Bastard had two packets you know?"

  I nod, knowing full well how much he ate. Maya doesn't seem so impressed with Ed's eating habits. She scoffs at Ed once more before turning to stare back at the boring ceiling. "Whatever. He's such a jackass anyway" Her tone drops, leaving her sounding bored, but she is really disappointed. I pick up on it, and I think I know why. "You wanted some, didn't you?"

  Maya throws a glare my way, dropping the look of disappointment just as fast she hides her appetite. "Shut it Mark."

  Laughing, I wiggle myself deeper into the sofa's mysterious comfort. It's been some time since I and Maya properly talked. Ed had already told me about what they did while they were out, all the things the group found and the strange way the two creatures he found were behaving.

  "How are you?" She asks calmly, eyes closed peacefully. Looks like she deserved it after everything she did to try and help Linda. As far as I am aware, it sounded like Maya had first aid training somewhere, so she was an obvious first pick for Patrick when it came to nursing Linda back to health. Luckily, the other Officers stepped in to relieve Maya of duty. I think we all just need rest at this point. "Eh. Could be better" I dodge the bullet, not wanting to spill the beans about Chloe. She's not stupid though. Her eyes are flickering with worry, Maya already knows how to open me like a book. "I'm guessing it's Chloe?" She's spot on.

  I sigh, not really wanting to cause a fuss. I've felt like such a burden so far, causing problems to everyone because of my feud with Chloe. The vest top is deceiving, dropping down low enough for Maya to stare, eyes wide. I already know what's she is going to say. Probably something about how Chloe is out of line to do this.

  "You need to talk to Patrick about this" Upset, Maya pokes at the one thing no one else has said yet, to try talking to Patrick. Why? Is it to resolve the issue or get help for my chest? Seriously, I shouldn't have to get on my knees and beg to Patrick. I'm not a sick puppy in need of protecting. As highest ranking Officer and what I can only guess is an alpha male complex, Patrick has full control of the medicine. So, fair enough. But to deny us the use of it is outright unfair. His Officers already made that clear, and he could be just as unjust. I don't even know if I can trust him after the flare accident. Then with Linda as well - dude looked like he could kill without batting an eyelash. Patrick's grabbing the reigns and calling the shots, and I don't know how I feel about it. Can we put our fate in his hands? Can we, trust him?

  "I've already been told no by the Officers about getting help for my chest so I don't see why Patrick would be any different" The point is clear. Snapping my mouth shut and grinding my jaw, I make it even clearer that I am not talking about this any more than I already have. "I got enough of it from Ed."

  Annoyed, Maya's eyes bore into me. Digging a hole in my skull
from how unamused she is. Uncaring, she sits properly so she can lean forward, a foul look complicates her face. "You need to sort this out, Mark."

  "It's nothing."

  "It's something. Man up or else I am going to ask him for you" Snorting at me, Maya stands up to leave. "Seriously... Don't let her beat you around. Shit happens, she's just riled up from you know, everyone dying. I'm sure you'll figure this out" Softening after her harsh honesty, Maya proves she only cares deep down, only wanting the best for both me and Chloe. Just like Ed.

  "See you," she says.

  "See ya" I reply.

  * * *

  Night falls, encasing us in darkness once more. Patrick's working out a shift system, whilst at the moment he is keeping everyone indoors and two patrols that maintain their given patrol routes. Their eyes are glued to the windows as they operate the building.

  Ed and I were able to get one room to share, except, there's not much space with two bunk beds taking up most of the space. Doesn't matter, we both get top bunk so hey, there's a plus in there somewhere. At least once you get past the narrow space problem.

  Relaxing, I keep myself, to myself, neither of us having spoken for some time now. Ed might be asleep, and I'm not sure it's safe to check. I can't see a thing right now. Turning over onto my stomach, I bash my head into my doubled up pillows and resist wanting to scream. The sudden urge to do so comes out of nowhere. I just want to yell and shout, to let it all out. Like some kind of release. I had a friend once who did boxing among other martial arts as a way of anger management. Works out that boxing accomplishes well for stress. Except for one day, he severely messed up his wrist after a fight got too serious too quick. Escalating and leaving them both in the hospital. One went back to boxing; the other had to quit. The fracture to his wrist left it too vulnerable to ever consider going back.

  Metal bed frames squeak on Ed's side of the room as he tosses to his side. "Marcus, can I ask you for your opinion on something?" He whispers, nabbing my concentration. Turning in his direction made no difference, still can't see him. "What?" I reply tiredly as I strain my eyes to adjust to the darkness.

  "Well, have you noticed how there's like, no creatures?"

  I think for a moment, retracing my steps. Ed's already made it clear how there weren't any creatures other than the two he met while he was out there saving Linda. The same goes for the archery building; there was nothing despite the countless bodies.

  I never really took note of it despite the emptiness of the world beyond my sad seat in the kitchen I had in all day until Ed came back. Though I never really considered it since I was wrapped up so far in my thoughts, I got stuck in a daydream. "Yeah" I whisper back after a few moments.

  "I think something is going on man... I'm telling you something isn’t right."

  "I know Ed-"

  "No no! Hear me out, please."

  Something’s different from earlier. There is something he hasn't said to me that he should have. Piecing two and two together, I wait for him to continue by giving him a hum of acknowledgement. He grunts, the bed rocking as he, I'm guessing, leans up to face me better even though we can't see anything through the pitch black.

  "I didn't want to risk anyone overhearing and freaking out cause, well, I could be wrong. But I swear on my life I saw a monster eating a creature?"

  I laugh slightly, unable to stop myself. "So is that the new term now, a monster? What in the world are you talking about?"

  Ed grunts, pushing himself back onto his back and causing a thump in the mattress. "I found two creatures. Both were intelligent. They created feeding grounds. One was eating humans; the other was eating creatures. Explain that"

  I don't need to explain that. So I merely say, "Why do you call them monsters?"

  "Because one of them was killing its own... So it begs the question of why? Don't you think? Like, it was eating its own. It could have tried killing me right there and then, except it didn't! Something isn’t right man; I'm telling you" Overly loud, Ed raises his voice with each sentence which in turn is bringing more and more attention to us. He shuts up when we hear a banging on the wall.

  "Shush," I whisper.

  Ed grunts again, turning on his side and away from my barely visible eyesight, I was just starting to see a bit better as well. Shame, anyway, I can tell he is facing away from me. I sigh, "Mate, I get it. You saw what you saw. Let's just sleep on it for the moment, okay?"

  He never said anything back. So I move on, closing my eyes and trying my best to slip away into my nightmares for another night. I wonder what will happen tomorrow.

  Chapter 15 - Adapting

  Marcus

  Patrick steps away from me as he admires his handiwork, having mended me so well that the burns on my chest are already beginning to feel a lot better, the different gels and medicines slowly sooth my wounds. Placing his hands on his hips, Patrick nods thoughtfully to himself. "That should do the trick. I'm sorry about everything" He says again, his voice echoing around the small built-in medical area they have here. A single room dedicated to looking like a rip-off hospital. It does its job well, making me really feel like I am inside a mini hospital.

  I nod, not thanking him, as it was Maya who spoke to him in the end. When he came assailing towards the dorms, I was expecting the fuming Patrick to either yell at me which would've been stupid or force me to have treatment. Instead, he woke up all his Officers and scolded them until they'd been just as burned as I am. Metaphorically speaking that is. "Everyone is allowed to get medicine for free here. I can't believe my own men would say and do such a thing" Patrick mumbles incoherently, closing up his posture with the crossing of his arms, a grumpy scowl on his face as he observes me once more.

  I nod again, waiting for him to give me the once over so I can leave. Patrick had other ideas as he chooses to take a seat at the oak desk in the corner of the room. Sitting in a basic blue office chair with wheels at the bottom, he gets comfortable. Oh no, I see where this is going. He's gonna have a talk with me.

  "Do you need me to talk to Chloe?" He asks kindly, looking at me worriedly. Pinching myself, I try my hardest not to get annoyed at everyone doing everything for me. I can handle myself. "No, I'll sort this out, you've done enough" I keep my voice cold to show how much disdain I have for this situation. As of right now, I feel even more diminished than I did before. Shaking his head, Patrick leans back in the office chair, keeping his arms crossed as he stretches his legs out. "I don't know about that Mark, it was Maya who came to me for help, not you" He points out, setting the score at Patrick with one point and me with zero. I ignore him, turning away to avoid his smug look.

  "How's Linda?" I speak quick, trying my best to change the conversation. Patrick stiffens, and then relaxes. His face begins warming up at the mention of her name. "She should be fine," His says confidently. Facing him again and giving him a smile, I say, "That's good to hear"

  Silence sits between us for a moment. Should I leave now?

  "I will be talking to you again later today. I plan to interview everyone here so I can learn about them" Patrick randomly explains out of nowhere. He has my attention in his grasp though. Turning on my medical bed, I face him properly. As if giving myself to him and dropping any distant coldness I tried to put between us. "Why?" I ask curiously. He smirks as if the answer should have been obvious to me but wasn't. "Because I want to see how each person can contribute, we are going to have to survive up here. With the bridge busted, travelling is the least of our concerns"

  Contribute how? What the hell does he mean?

  "And what if they can't contribute?" Refraining myself, I try my best to hold back a glare. Patrick sits up and leans forward. No answer comes through. He's wasting my time now. I have more important things to do while our supposed leader can't even think of a simple response. Hopping off the medical bed, I land on the cold tiled floor; my bare feet struggle to adjust to the sudden temperature change. I wince, remembering how much colder it's going to get here. Power
around the resort already went out, so all we have left is the built-in personal generator the ranger station has. It's only a matter of time before we are sent back to the Stone Age.