We Are The Hunted (Book 1): We Are The Hunted

by Matlin, Perry T.

  “Leave me alone” Riley says, her face going red, her smile growing. I close my eyes again, trying to leave the conversation now.

  “Wait. Do you think we’ll still be able to like buy stuff? I cannot go without shampoo, or makeup” Riley says suddenly, making the whole room laugh. I notice Chase pacing. I look at Emily questioningly.

  “He’s been worried. His daughter and mom are in town too, and he hasn’t been able to reach them. He left as soon as we got here, but he ended up coming back. He’s going back out tomorrow.” She explains. I look over to the man before me. His eyes are on fire, like not knowing where his daughter is has set his insides on fire. I frown, before closing my heavy eyelids again.

  "Let's turn the TV on, and see if they're saying anything" Thomas suggests, and I open my eyes again. Ryan crosses over to the dresser, and grabs the remote, before turning the TV on. We sit there in silence, as he flips through the channels, and each channel has the same exact telecast. I signal for him to turn the volume up.

  "The president has issued a state of emergency and has called in a nationwide curfew for the citizens' safety" the woman says, and she turns to her co-anchor. He looks down at his paper, held in his shaking hands. I can see the fear in his eyes.

  "The sick ones are extremely aggressive, and we have no idea what is causing this outbreak. A bite, or even a scratch will kill you and turn you into one of these infected. We know this. We also have learned that the illness will speed up decomposition, so this is why they look like they’ve been dead and just stepped out of a coffin. Do not approach them under any circumstances. You should stay off the streets at all costs. This is not a drill, and may God be with you all" he says, before the screen flashes to a live video of Los Angeles.

  There are people going crazy in the fiery streets of the famous city. I watch in awe, as a building burns to the ground, and people just run around in panic.

  "We would now like to share the president's message to the nation, and to all of you. Remember to be safe and stay indoors.

  "Citizens of this great country. There comes a time in every civilization throughout history, where we are tested as a society, and this is that time. We are being overrun by hundreds of thousands of infected individuals. It is our hope that the armed forces can eradicate the epidemic, before more senseless death occurs, but it is pertinent that we avoid the sick at all costs. We must as a country, survive this threat, so stay with your families and be safe. Finally, may God be with you all" she says. The broadcast goes dark, and the TV buzzes with silence.

  I look around to all of them, and the same fear, the same utter panic in all of their eyes. I close my eyes again.

  "Maybe we should all stay here for a few days, while they get everything all sorted out. It might not be safe out there. The riots looks to be getting pretty bad." Emily says, and I have to force down the sigh that almost escaped.

  “Well, I’m not staying. I’m leaving to find my daughter” Chase says to the room at large.

  “We can help you, but don’t go out alone at night. We can go tomorrow. Don’t get yourself killed. Your daughter needs you. Don’t lose your head man” Drew says, his voice filled with calm.

  “What if she’s hurt though? I have to find her” he continues, looking at the door longingly. I open my mouth to speak, but Riley beats me to it.

  “Look at it this way. The roads are closing, you’re gonna have a hell of a hard time if you go now. You’ll either get killed or arrested. It’s not a smart move. You’re no good to her if you die. It’s not a good idea. It’s like wearing yellow and green together, or like shopping at a clearance shoe store. Just don’t make that decision” she says, and I force back a laugh. She always finds some way of making things about shoes and fashion.

  "Where are we all going to sleep though?" Thomas asks, and I look around the room. There are two queen sized beds, a sofa, and two cots. I sit up painfully.

  "We could get the other sofa, and the other cots from the other room, and that creates three extra beds, for people. I let my suggestion weigh down the room, before Ryan, and Thomas hop up to go get the beds. I let myself lay there in the comfortable bed, while everyone else works around us. I'm so tired, I think just before finally falling asleep, which is exactly what I needed. My limbs are sore, but at least nothing is broken. At least I’m alive. At least he’s alive.

  TEN

  Opening my eyes, I look around the room. Everyone is already up once again, and the TV is on, showing absolutely nothing. We've been here since the day before yesterday, and nothing has changed in the slightest. It's been really boring, and slightly uncomfortable with all of us stuck in the same room. I lift my phone to eye level, before trying the same thing as yesterday. I scroll through my Facebook newsfeed, and see that a couple people have been on.

  Seth Samuels (7 Hours Ago)

  Granny passed this morning. We had a nice little service. This thing doesn’t look to be getting better. This is gonna be my last post for a while guys.

  Zoey Elizabeth (10 Hours Ago)

  Life is so fragile. It’s sad to lose the people you love. I’m praying for y’all.

  Zachary Stuart (47 Minutes Ago)

  My mom is gone. The woman who raised me is dead. Remember her name. Remember the names of all those we lose. I love you Suzanne Meyers-Stuart rest easy momma.

  April Sommers (4 Hours Ago)

  Zombie bite Challenge 2019

  THIS VIDEO IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE!

  Tim Sommers (1 Hour Ago)

  Do not let your kids do this dumb ass zombie bite challenge. My baby is gone. April died a few minutes ago from this shit.

  I toss the phone to my side and roll out of bed. Paul looks at me then, his eyes boring into mine.

  “Do you have to constantly look at me?” He snaps. I feel my eyes sting. I wish I could just move on. Ugh.

  “Paul, do you have to be so rude to him?” Lana says under her breath. She smacks him on the arm with all the force of a volleyball prodigy.

  “Stay out of it” he says simply, not realizing I can hear the whole exchange.

  “You can’t just go around treating people like garbage. Mom would slap you across the face for that” she says, her voice quiet, dangerous. I smile.

  “What are you gonna do, tell her?” he demands. Lana looks as if she might smack him again. Paul sits up, leaning against the wall.

  “Do you think I’ll still get to go to college though Paul?” she asks after a minute. Paul looks at her sadly, before shaking his head.

  “Not if this is still going on. I think you can kiss volleyball goodbye” he says. It sounds a bit harsh to me. He says something else, before she launches into a story.

  “I worked so hard though. I’ve been training for years. I gave up Kevin for training last summer. I loved him, and I ruined it for something that doesn’t even matter anymore?” she asks, her face flushed with anger, her eyes wet with tears.

  I roll over on the bed, turning to face my siblings who are sitting on the other side of my bed. They are playing the game where you try to slap the other’s hand.

  I wince at the pain from the accident but try not to let it show on my face. Ryan manages to slap Riley’s hands.

  “Do you guys remember when you used to play all the time?” I ask suddenly, popping the bubble to enter their conversation.

  “Yeah, remember when Ryan started begging for the game operation? Then he totally sucked at it?” she asks me, a savage smile on her face.

  “Hey, I’m not that bad at it” Ryan jokes, succeeding in slapping her again.

  I notice that Ryan also has his chemistry textbook open. It’s just like him to study on a vacation, and then even more like him to study, when it’s very likely the teacher is dead now.

  “Why are you doing homework in the zombie apocalypse?” I ask him, as he switches his hands to the top.

  “You never know. I don’t want to show up for school and be all like, a zombie ate my homework” he says, laughing, j
ust as Riley slaps his hands. I get bored of watching them after a minute and roll onto my back.

  I have to do something, or I'm going to go crazy. I walk over to the mini-fridge, and fling it open angrily. I know this lock down is for our own safety, but it's so annoying. I look into the fridge and see that the only thing we really have left is vodka, and water.

  I sneer at the water, before grabbing the still full bottle of vodka. I look around, and grab my phone, before walking to the door. Emily stands up immediately and walks across the room to confront me.

  "Where are you going?" We're not supposed to be outside?" she says softly, and I roll my eyes at her, before pulling the door open.

  “I’m just going to the next room over. God, Em, calm down” I say, leaving her, looking hurt behind me.

  I walk outside, taking in the early morning sun. There is no movement in the parking lot below, but I can see a few straggling infected roaming down the street near the edge of the property. Turning away from the beasts, I turn to the room on the other side of ours. It's actually been left ajar, so I take the opportunity to let myself in. I look around at the identical room, and just savor the moment of solitude. It's nice to be alone every once in a while.

  I cross the room, and drop onto the edge of the bed, I close my eyes, opening them again just to lead myself to the music, where I immediately put it on shuffle. Tossing the phone beside me, I just relax and focus on the lyrics of the music, as it courses through my soul like medication. I remember the vodka after a few verses and sit up to unscrew the lid. I look around and realize this mini fridge hasn't been raided yet. I open it up and see with delight that it's full. I reach for a sprite and pour it into a cup. I fill the top half of the cup with vodka, and go back to sit on the bed, my vodka in hand. I'm just about to take a drink, when the door opens. Chase comes in slowly, at first looking around for danger, then he sees me on the bed with the bottle. A smile flashes across his face. He crosses the room to sit beside me. I offer him the bottle of vodka, and he takes it instantly.

  “Did you guys just get back from searching?” I ask him, knowing he didn’t find his daughter yet by the look on his face.

  “Yeah, but I’m probably heading out for good tomorrow” he explains. I nod, knowing it would happen sooner or later. He, Thomas, and Drew have been spending the days out on the streets, looking at every place they could think of to help find Chase’s daughter and mother.

  “You’ll find her. I just know you will. Where’s her mom?” I ask him, before her curls his lip a bit.

  He unscrews the lid, and downs a large gulp, before slightly shuddering from the taste. He wordlessly takes the sprite from my hand and pours it into the other empty cup I have on the bed. He follows suit in making a vodka sprite tonic, and we sit on the edge of the bed, and drink our cups. I drink my first cup fairly quickly, and refill it, with much more vodka than sprite this time around. I look over at some point in the midst of my third cup and see him looking at me. It may just be the alcohol, but I feel a moment hanging between us. I look away, before downing the rest of my cup.

  Pouring my fourth cup, is when I lose my will power. I look over at him, and he's staring blankly in my general direction. I lean into him, and all I smell is his scent. He smells so delightful, that I follow through I turn my face up to press my lips against his. It feels wrong. His lips feel good, they taste good, but they aren’t his. They aren’t Paul’s lips.

  I know that he may not even be into me, but four cups of vodka in, should be enough of an explanation. The doubts begin to swirl through my slightly pounding head, when I realize that he hasn't broken the kiss yet. He kisses me back fervently, and then we fall back onto the bed. I climb on top of him, but at this point the vodka is taking over my body. I successfully pull his shirt off, before I almost fall off of him. He rolls over, and we lie on our sides, as he kisses me again. He reaches up, and fumbles with the buttons on my shirt, until he manages to take it completely off. I sigh eagerly, as he rolls on top of me, and looks down at me. Is this really about to happen? The anticipation begins to build, as he lowers himself down to kiss me again.

  *****

  I turn the water off, looking around silently. Chase is sitting on the floor next to the toilet, his head leaned against the wall. I decide against my first instinct to kneel down beside him and see if he's okay. I walk over to the sink and look into the foggy mirror. Now that the vodka has worn out of my system a little more, I can see what I've done. I push the guilt from my mind, as I lift a brush to my hair. We aren’t together. Just because it feels like I betrayed Paul, doesn’t mean I did. We’ve been broken up for six months. I keep telling myself that, even if my heart doesn’t believe me.

  I quickly look down at my phone and see that it's nearly six o'clock in the evening. The others are probably wondering where we are. I hurriedly finish dressing, and turn back to him, in worry, I finally stop fighting my caring instinct, and stoop down before him. He lifts his eyes to look into mine, a sick look hovering over his face. He looks like he might throw up at any moment, which is never a good sign in my opinion. I drop down to sit with him on the floor.

  "So, what we did-" I begin, and he just waves my words away. I can see the tinge of green in his paled face.

  "Don't even worry about it, it was a mistake" he acknowledges, and I almost exhale with relief, but hide the elation for his benefit. I reach to comfort him. He looks up at me. I try to push the guilt down again. I’ve never done that before. I imagined, I wished it was Paul the whole time. I feel like a terrible person.

  "Yeah, that… I mean what we… it can’t happen…” I begin again, but in the midst of the sentence, I find him against me once more. This time we're both sober-ish, and yet we still find solace in the intimacy. He pushes me against the bathroom wall behind me and hoists me up onto his legs. He's squatting on the wet bathroom floor, and I'm sitting on his lap; my legs propelling outward behind him, making him look like a spider. I have to force myself not to laugh and ruin the moment. He forces his lips against mine, and we become even closer. I vaguely wonder if this will make his nausea worse, or if he’s just drunk, but then I stop thinking at all, when his bare skin touches mine again.

  *****

  We make our way back to the room after, my considerably lighter bottle of vodka with us. When I say considerably lighter, I mean empty. I feel very light at the moment, and it might be from the sex honestly. I turn to him, looking around the outside of the hotel room. I sneak a quick kiss, as we head to the room.

  I'm just about say something, when the door is pulled open. I immediately drop his hand and look to see who is coming out. It's Riley, and she has a look on her face that tells me she saw everything, and she's definitely not mad at me.

  “I was just coming to find you. Where were you?” she asks me, a knowing smile on her face, as she arches her eyebrows at me.

  “I was just looking in the next room” I say, as Chase takes in our exchange with amusement. I see when he loses focus though. He looks out at the parking lot below, his eyes going glossy, his mind far away, somewhere with his daughter.

  “Well let’s get inside then” she says, rolling her eyes. I follow behind her.

  I know that she's going to badger me for every single detail, so we file into the room, as the sun finally disappears behind the trees. I bolt the door behind us, as we follow Riley to sit in front of the TV. Maybe something new will happen? I sink down onto the foot of the bed, as Thomas turns the TV on. I’m glad that for now, she hasn’t decided to interrogate me. There are too many ears. I find myself sitting beside Drew.

  I sit there with the rest of our group, as the blank television screen seems to draw all of us in. I look around, as they all continue to stare at the screen, hoping for the telecast that I know will never come. They're all hoping and praying for an outcome, where we can continue with our lives as normal, but I know what this means. I know that those things are taking over, and we're here. We have to survive, or we're just going
to die, or become those things.

  “How was it out there today?” I ask him quietly. Drew looks at me, his expression saying it all. It’s been getting worse.

  “It’s a mess. There are rotting corpses all in the street, crashed vehicles, broken windows. People are burning buildings even” he tells me. I lean against him, resting my head on his shoulder. It’s not weird for us. He’s like my brother.

  “Are we gonna be okay?” I ask him, as he pats me on the back, his left arm draped around me comfortingly.

  “I’ll keep you guys safe Ben” he tells me, tightening his arm around me. I lean against him, embracing the love of my sister’s boyfriend, my future brother-in-law.

  “I love you; you know that?” I say, smiling. I am really glad we have him.

  “I love you too buddy” he tells me. We just sit there, lost in our own thoughts. I feel so comfortable with him. He’s always been so kind, so accepting of me though. I remember when I first met him.

  “Do you remember when we first met?” I ask him. He laughs softly.

  “Yeah, wasn’t it when you offered to tutor me in Biology freshman year of college?” he asks. I nod, before getting to my point.

  “Even back then. You were older, but you felt so normal. You took me in, accepted me, and just made me feel so welcome.” I tell him, exhaling with the feeling of happiness in my stomach.

  “I’m only three years older than you Ben. It’s not like I’m a grandpa” he says jokingly. I laugh, my body shaking against his.

  “Yeah, you got a good grade that semester though” I tell him, reminding him of the A+ I got him.

  “I got an A+, a new friend, and met the love of my life in the process. Not bad for a science class” he laughs.

  “Yeah, but then you dropped out and became a firefighter, so the A+ was for nothing” I say in mock offense. I always give him a hard time. I sit up then, looking at him.