by Maxey, Phil
Landon moved closer to him, frantically looking across to the far bank, trying to work out which of the ten-foot high shapes with branches was a real tree. Owen splashed his way to the front, where the windshield would have been, and started pulling his girlfriend—
The piece of wood in Landon’s hand came alive with a high pitch siren. He had completely forgotten to let the driftwood loose. Without thinking, he threw it downstream, the pulsing light flying high into the air, and just as it reached its zenith, strands of something with arms that stretched like tentacles fired through the dark, snatching the wood and phone, extinguishing them both in an instant.
Landon ran forward and looked inside the truck, as Owen with Abby over his shoulder, moved the other way. His heart sank on seeing Ben slumped forward, his dead eyes wide open, but Daryl looked relatively unhurt. He reached in to feel Daryl’s pulse but before his hand touched Daryl’s neck, something solid and sharp dug into his boot. He spun around in horror to see what should only exist at the deepest depths of the ocean. A mass of octopus-like tentacles, branched from the top half of a man, and at the heart of the thing that was pulling him towards it, was a mouth, with rings of teeth that constricted, waiting for their prey.
“Hey asshole! Up here!” shouted Owen. The crackle of semi-automatic fire split the night, slamming into the creature, which flailed its tentacles, but still somehow held its grip on Landon’s leg. He frantically reached down, pulling on the laces as the creature screeched, and with the strength to pull Landon’s foot clean from his ankle tugged backwards taking his boot with it. Landon scrambled over the dashboard.
Can’t leave him…
As two streams of fire now converged on the thing that was using its huge limbs to try to shield itself, Landon grabbed Daryl, not knowing whether he was alive or dead and pulled him clear. Another tentacle stretched out just missing him, then pulled back as the creature screeched and roared. With the rocks cutting into his foot, he threw him over his shoulder and staggered into the dark, through the water, not stopping to see who was winning the battle. He scrambled up the loose rocks, then higher, but his one boot kept losing purchase on the damp earth.
“Hold him up!” shouted Jess.
Landon looked up to the shadow form of his wife, and followed her instruction, with a heave, lifting the man up above him, where he was taken further, being pulled up to a ledge. Scraping came from behind him. He spun around expecting the worse.
Owen and Ray ran up the slope. “Quick! We think its hurt! Lets get the fuck out of here!” shouted Ray between breaths.
Landon locked his fingers together, allowing the older man to climb up, then Owen who turned and helped him up as well. They both caught up with Jess, who was dragging Daryl best she could and took the unconscious man between them to the bed, where they laid him next to the boxes and crates.
Owen looked at his girlfriend, still unconscious in the backseat, then turned to Landon unclipping something from his belt. “Thought you would want this.” He handed Ben’s radio to him. “I’ll get in the bed in the back. Keep a close eye on Abby.”
Landon nodded, then got in the front and Jess in the back. As soon as the doors closed, Ray hit the gas and they surged forward, wheels spinning, steering them back onto the road.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
4: 02 a.m.
Landon was used to seeing death. A bloated body in a sewer. A 5 a.m. bar fight that went too far. A husband bled out after hitting his wife one too many times. He had seen what had happened to the human body once the blood stopped pumping and the brain lost access to oxygen. But people being consumed, their flesh and sinew being used to become something else, all because of a virus from another world? Not so much.
Ben’s dead…
A numbness had set in to his mind, a sensation he hadn’t experienced since the last person he cared for died, his brother. He had no idea how or why his family had survived and Ben and Jacob hadn’t. Or how they managed to get away from whatever his neighbor had become. He wanted to think it was due to his skill enforcing the law for ten years, but the reality was so far it had just been plain luck.
He looked out at orange glows coming from homes nestled amongst hills, buried behind trees. Normal life was still out there…
For a moment he became sure everything that had transpired had been a dream, and he felt dizzy. Had to be. Space probes don’t crash and release an alien virus. That’s a Hollywood script, not real life.
Since the crash, few words passed between the occupants of Ray’s pickup. Daryl was still out cold, but Abby had awoken within a flurry of panic when Jess attempted to keep the swelling down by laying a rag across the bulging laceration on the young woman’s forehead. She quickly settled, on seeing Jess, then grimaced, holding her head. The story of what happened in Ben’s pickup wasn’t a long one. Before anyone realized what had happened to Jacob, the world outside was turning upside down. Then all went black for the inhabitants as they slammed back down to earth.
The landscape outside returned to an absolute dark as the road climbed, and a bank of evergreens rose to their left, while the same trees fell away to their right. Directly ahead, the peaks of mountains were just visible against the lighter sky.
Not far now, thought Jess.
She had driven the mountain road at least twelve times during the past year, while looking for properties, and getting to know the small town at the foothills of the Rockies. A place to escape the madness of the city. That was the plan. She had hold of both of her children, one in each arm, both were asleep and their rhythmic breathing meant more to her than her own.
We’ll be safe in the mountains.
Even if the spores spread further, and the hybrid beings emerged to terrorize other cities, she was sure the creatures wouldn’t make it to their new abode. The headlights caught a sprinkling of white at the side of the road. That was good. Let’s see how the alien things dealt with winter in the Rockies.
How will we deal with it? Need to plan… find more supplies…
There was something else though needling her mind, stopping her from fully thinking ahead. It had occurred to her soon after they left the apartment and what happened to Jacob just made it even more urgent. Why wasn’t she, Landon and her children infected?
*****
4: 45 a.m. Town of Rocky Pine.
As the road declined, flickers of light reflected from waves on a lake which was at the entrance to the town.
“Ever been to Rocky Pine before?” said Jess to Ray, keeping her voice low.
They moved onto a narrow causeway, which stretched half a mile across the water. Both lanes were completely devoid of other vehicles, but lights twinkled on the other side. The town of Rocky Pine hadn’t slept yet.
“Can’t say I have.”
“There’s good fishing here,” said Landon to his former Lt.
“Never been one for the wilderness. More a six-pack, Monday night football, and an order in pizza kinda guy!”
Several fishing trips with Ben came to mind, but he resisted mentioning them. “They got good pizza here too.”
It was a strange conversation thought Jess. The kind you have when the world has stopped making sense. She was happy to be hearing it.
“You think that Daryl guy—”
“Could be infected?” said Jess, interrupting Ray. She caught his eyes in the rear mirror.
“Yeah?”
“You think that about me too, Ray?” said Abby.
He scoffed. “Ain’t no alien bug taking you down, darling.”
She frowned, then looked at Jess. “You’re a scientist, right?” Jess nodded. “So…” She grimaced as pain pulsed through her injury. “So what do you make of what’s happening? This thing going to go away soon, or keep on going?”
Jess was glad they had moved off the subject of who could possibly be infected. “It depends… the spores could have a natural life cycle, and die off quickly… the damage would be limited to Denver…” She didn’t want to e
xplain any further.
“I’m guessing if they don’t die off quickly, that’s bad for us?” said Ray.
“Going on what’s happened so far… yes.” She said the last part quietly, hoping Sam and Josh didn’t hear.
“So, you think he could turn into one of those things?”
Before Jess could reply, Abby did. “Will you drop it? If he was going to… become whatever that other guy did, then he would have already—” She looked at Jess. “Right?”
Jess knew Abby was asking more for herself than out of any concern for her former passenger. “Yes.” It was a lie. She lacked the energy to be honest, but knew Landon in the front seat would know the truth from her answer. “We still need to get him and you to the medical—”
“Don’t fuss over me, I’m—” A knock came at the rear window, making all of them jump a little.
“He’s coming around,” said Owen, his words muffled.
Josh stirred within his mother’s arms. He rubbed one closed eye while the other opened halfway. “We there yet?”
“Almost,” said Jess, then turned to face the shadowy form of Owen a foot away beyond the glass. “We’ll go to the medical center,” she said, mouthing the words as clearly as she could. Owen nodded.
They moved off the raised road, to another which divided farmland. The dark block-like shapes of barns and warehouses sat amongst a sprinkling of trees, with a backdrop of mountains.
“Stay on this road. The medical center is just before the town,” said Landon.
The silhouettes of apartment blocks and smaller homes nearer, passed by and they crossed over a few sets of traffic lights, before a pickup drove past, moving in the opposite direction. It was the first sign of human life they had seen for over an hour, and each secretly felt relief.
They stopped at an intersection. The main road further down was brightly lit with street lamps, parking lots for restaurants, hotels and stores, the latter sitting behind clean and empty sidewalks.
“I’m hungry,” said Josh.
“We’ll get food in a bit. After we drop Daryl off,” said Jess. “Look’s like there still some places open.”
Ray steered to the left, moving up a small hill and passing a sign set upon a plinth which mentioned ‘Rocky Pine Medical Center’ and then beneath in smaller writing a range of services offered. The parking lot was mostly empty, just a few cars parked near the double glass doors, where Ray parked.
Landon got out quickly, moving to the back where Daryl was sat up, while Owen moved the opposite way to see his girlfriend.
“Thanks for saving my ass,” said Daryl.
“Owen and Ray helped.”
“Yeah, so I hear…” He looked down. “That was some kind of crazy… Thought I was dead for sure.”
“We’ll have plenty of time to talk about what happened, but right now, you need to get checked up.” He looked across to where Owen was standing, near the open door where Abby was sitting.
“Abby should probably get checked up too.”
“She ain’t much for doctors,” said Owen.
“No she ain’t!” said Abby, getting out then walking away from the brightly lit entrance.
“Hey, where you going?” shouted Owen.
“I need Taco’s,” she said without turning. He ran after her.
“Think I want the same,” said Ray, closing his door, then threw the keys to Landon. “Make sure you lock it.”
Landon nodded as Daryl climbed down, wavering a bit then using the side of the truck for support.
Jess got out and stood, looking at her husband. “Can you stay with Sam and Josh? I’ll take him in.”
Landon nodded and she walked alongside Daryl to the doors that automatically opened. She kept a foot distance from him, hoping he wouldn’t notice.
An elderly man sat at the back of a waiting area, his head slumped to one side, snoring, while a muted TV, fixed to the wall displayed scenes of mayhem.
A young woman with tied back blonde hair looked up from a crossword puzzle.
“Hi,” said Jess. “My friend here was—” A clipboard with a blank form was pushed over the counter.
“Take a seat and fill this in,” said the receptionist to Daryl. “The doctor will be right with you.”
Daryl frowned, while taking the clipboard and a pen to the nearest seat.
“Umm… are you okay here for a while? I need to get some food for my kids.”
Daryl nodded. “A burger would be great, right about now.”
Jess smiled and started to move back to the entrance when she glanced over her shoulder to the TV once again, this time though she stopped, squinting at the small white writing scrolling across the red bar at the bottom of the screen.
“Can’t be…” she said under her breath. She stepped closer to the TV, walking behind Daryl and in front of the sleeping old man.
“What is it?” said Daryl.
“That’s not Denver…”
Darly turned fully around in his seat. “Where the hell is it?”
“Colorado Springs,” said the old man, his arms folded across his chest, his eyes now open.
“Oh…” said Jess.
“I don’t believe any of it. Space probe, my ass.”
Jess forced a brief smile, then turned back to the entrance.
Outside Landon wrapped a blanket around Josh, and another around Sam. “Who here wants to eat really bad, but tastes great, food?”
“Ugh, no more burgers,” said Sam. She looked at her brother. “Or chocolate!”
The glass doors opened and Jess walked over to them. Her stress was obvious to her family, but she greeted them with a smile. “Daryl want’s burgers.”
“I was just thinking the same,” said Landon.
CHAPTER TWELVE
5: 21 a.m.
The air bit into the Keller family as they walked along the sidewalk, passing the antique, arts and crafts and gift stores. Each avoided looking into the glass windows, some lit with colored sparkling lights as it jarred with the images that were playing on a loop in each of their minds.
A man stumbled out from the shadows, making Landon flick his Glock out into the drunk’s face, who recoiled in horror.
“Sorry buddy,” said Landon, feeling instant shame and quickly placing his gun back in its holster.
The world of Rocky Pine was no different than when they last visited it, to finalize the sale. A small town, which punched above its weight. Busy for most of the year, it attracted tourists during the summer, hunters during the fall and skiers during the winter. All of which, despite its small population and hidden away location, brought with it wealth and corporations.
The man grumbled while staggering away, and the Keller’s quickly moved onto their destination, a small area of twenty-four-hour fast food venues. Josh was the first to spot Abby and Owen seated inside a Mexican restaurant, already munching on tacos.
The boutique burger joint was empty, and the young man in the red striped uniform seemed surprised to see them.
“You folks just felt like a late night… er, early morning walk?” he said as they approached the counter.
“Been traveling,” said Landon, while looking at the menu. The words and plastic images were too much for his brain to comprehend. “Just give me two family meals.”
“Sure thing… coming right up.” Stan, by his name tag, kept looking back at the four quiet individuals while bringing together the various boxes and packets. “Where you folks come from?”
Landon went to reply, but Jess beat him to it. “Wyoming.”
“Oh.” He started putting all the items in a larger bag. “You hear about what’s been happening, down south, in Denver? It’s scary. Like one of those big budget films or something.”
“Yeah,” said Landon, understanding the game being played. “Crazy.”
A roar of an engine broke the awkward silence, and Jess and Landon turned to face the road at the same time. A police cruiser was speeding down the main street. They both
watched it, both wishing for it to keep on going when it got to the road which led to the medical center, but it took a sharp right and headed up the hill.
“No…” whispered Jess, the word involuntarily leaving her lips.
Stan placed both paper bags on the counter, noticing how distracted his late night customers were. “That’s twenty-one dollars, please.”
Landon waved his card over the small device, took the receipt and they all left. As Jess stepped off the curb, she pulled her children to her. “Maybe we shouldn’t go back.” She looked to her right, towards where she knew the road would eventually lead. To their new home. To salvation.
Landon shook his head. “If something’s happened… we can’t just leave him.” He looked away, nodding to himself. “Look, stay here, and I’ll—”
The door to the Mexican restaurant opened and Ray, Abby and Owen rushed out, then stopped, seeing the Keller’s close by.
Landon took a step towards them, but each took a step back. Owen throwing his hand out. “Stay back! You might go like the others!”
Stan opened the glass door, walking outside. “What’s going on?”
Landon ignored the question, still facing Owen. “We don’t know what’s happening up there!”
“What do you think is happening!” shouted Owen. “Daryl’s changed!”
“We don’t know that!”
Owen pulled a handgun from the back of his belt, one that Landon didn’t even know he kept there and pointed it at Landon, who stepped immediately in front of his family. He held his hands up. Stan turned and ran back inside.
“We’re going back to the pickup and—”
The neon sign, which heralded the burger joint, pulsed once then went dark. As did the entire interior. Owen flicked his gun in that direction, shaking his head, giving Landon the chance he needed to pull his own weapon and point it back at him. The bags of burgers fell to the ground.
Owen directed his weapon back at the Keller’s. “It’s you…all of you. You’re infecting people!”