by Phil Maxey
As soon as Cal entered the room he could hear water running in the bathroom.
“Waters not that warm but it still feels great!” Michael shouted from the bathroom. Cal appeared in the doorway.
“I saw the cop, think he also saw me, he’s holed up in a room on the second floor, I think he might have been injured.”
“You think he’s going to be a problem?” replied Michael, washing with some soap in the ink-spot stained sink.
“Not if you put these on.” Cal held out the pants.
Cal returned to the main room while Michael finished washing and finally emerged in his new clothes.
“So what’s the plan? Do we talk to the cop or leave him and move on?” said Michael. Cal stood looking out of the window at the cop’s room.
“He’s the first person we have seen alive, but we don’t know what went down out here, maybe he’s infected, crazy like the rest,” said Cal.
“Crazy with a gun, reminds me of some of my exes.”
Cal smiled. “There’s no way of knowing if he saw us come in with our jumpsuits on.”
“If he did then why isn’t he banging on the door?”
“World ended, maybe he doesn’t care anymore, or maybe he doesn’t like his chances with that injury,” said Cal who stood in thought for a few seconds. “I say we just leave him and move on.”
“If he’s got the keys, that cruiser might come in real handy,” said Michael.
“And what if he shoots us the first chance he gets? It’s not worth it. There will be other vehicles, let’s get out of here, we can split up, there were some homes across the street I’ll check them out, you have a look around the back of the motel. Give it fifteen minutes then we both meet back in the street and head back,” said Cal.
Cal stood in the main street outside the motel. The town of Baldo looked like the kind of place the desert tried to forget. An assortment of single story wooden houses lay on both sides of the street. No sign of life thought Cal. The house on the opposite side of the street was the only place that looked like it had been inhabited recently. Wind chimes sung their tune and the screen door clattered in applause. Cal walked over to the front porch, pulled the screen door open and looked through the front door. A pleasantly laid out hallway, gave way to a kitchen and two doors on both sides. Children’s drawings lay on the floor of the hallway. One in particular caught Cal’s eye, a figure lying with bright red crayon all over it with the word, “Momy” above, and next to that what looked like a child’s version of Satan. Wings, horns, and a wide smile.
The carport to the left side of the property was empty but it was well stocked with tools. A large oil can sat on the floor which gave Cal an idea, whatever vehicles they came across might be out of gas so this oil can might be useful to collect some if he found any. He picked up the can and walked around back of the property through an unlocked gate. A rusty barrel and a white wooden door lay covered in fall leaves. At the back of the yard a child’s swing with a red-flaked plastic seat swayed in the morning breeze. To the right another carport, this one contained a blue pickup. Cal tried the back door to the property but it was securely locked like the first. It crossed Cal’s mind to break a window but something about the silence disturbed him and he wasn’t eager to make too much noise.
Crossing the yard, he tried the pickup’s doors but both were locked, he then wondered about the gas this pickup might have, returning to the workshop he grabbed some garden hose which hung on the wall. Cutting the hose down with some garden shears he grabbed the remains and returned to the pickup and opened the hubcap, he then slid the hose down into the opening, then back out. The end of the hose was covered in a brown liquid. Gas. Placing the end back into the hole, he sucked on the other end until he saw something rising up the tube then placed the other end in the can, the gas started to flow freely. As he stood there he thought about his sister and his niece, and how he used to enjoy going to the park with them whenever he was back. He was resigned to what he had done, he knew he would never see them again, but now he was out, out in this silent world he wondered where they were now. Maybe all he would ever have were his memories of them. The gas overran the top of the canister burning his hand. He judged the canister would provide at least a half a tank for an average sedan. He started walking back to the street outside the motel when two loud bangs rang out.
There was no mistaking the sound of gunfire, and it was coming from the motel’s direction. The cops shot Michael. Running as fast as he could with the gas-laden canister he got back to the front of the motel, but there was no sign of anyone. He then picked up the sound of talking from behind the motel, where the pool was meant to be. Putting the canister down, he ran along the front of the rooms, then stopped when he got to the alleyway, still no sign of life but the voices where louder. Cal moved quickly but quietly along the alley until he got to an iron gate that was open at the end, and saw Michael lying on the floor with blood on his arms. Standing next to him was the elderly cop, but Cal wasn’t looking at him, instead he was looking at the winged humanoid form writhing around in the bottom of the pool.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Fiona lay on the hood of a green sedan, Ray sat on a small wall reading a paper he picked up, and Zach and Abbey were sitting silent on the grass nearby when the gunshots rang out from the west. All but Ray jumped up looking towards where the sound came from.
“Abbey, wait here with Ray,” said Zach, Fiona gave a small nod and they both ran off down the main street, stopping after a few hundred yards.
“I think it came from near that motel over there,” said Zach. They approached the parking lot slowly using what cover they could. Just as they were about to cross the parking lot, Cal appeared from an alleyway along with Michael, whose face had some cuts, Cal was also helping what appeared to be an injured policeman. Zach went to move forward then realized what he was wearing. Fiona looked at them then Zach.
“Screw it,” said Zach, launching himself forward and towards the group, Fiona following behind. Cal, Michael and the cop stopped as Zach and Fiona walked up to them.
“They’re with us,” Cal told the cop. “Guy’s Zach, woman’s Fiona.”
Zach looked at the cop’s holstered gun. “There were shots.”
“Jacob saved me,” said Michael still looking dazed.
“Names Jacob Duran, I’m… well I was the chief here in Baldo until it all changed, I can see you boys… and girls were imprisoned, none of that matters now, but I suggest we get inside in case we draw any more attention from the… creatures, my room up there has supplies. Your friend here could do with some bandages on those wounds,” said Jacob.
Zach could see Cal and Michael already had some trust in this Jacob guy, so that was enough for now. He nodded and they all walked up to the second floor and into Jacob’s room. It was of similar dimensions to the others but seemed much smaller due to the many-labeled boxes it contained.
“CANNED FISH”, “NUTS AND SEEDS”, “CANDLES”, “CLOTHING”.
“Every time I come across something I categorize it so I know how much I got,” said Jacob, standing in the middle of the crowded room. Michael was in the bathroom washing his wounds clean, Zach and Cal were sitting on some makeshift chairs made out of piles of tied together magazines and Fiona was standing near the door.
“That looks like a fresh wound,” said Zach, gesturing to the patch of blood seeping through his pants, half way up his leg.
“Two days ago I had just parked the cruiser outside when the creature that attacked your friend attacked me. Its talons or whatever you want to call them clipped my leg, I only just made it back to the room. Luckily it missed the artery,” said Jacob.
“I’m sorry about your leg, but what the hell happened out here? Where are all the people?” Fiona asked. Jacob sighed and sat on the end of the bed, Michael appeared from the bathroom.
“Look at the boxes in the bathroom you will find one titled ‘Medical’, inside you’ll find some bandages, use one on
your wound,” said Jacob to Michael before turning his attention back to Fiona’s question. “To be honest I don’t know much, it all happened so quick, the creatures came and killed a lot of folk, most that survived took off for the big cities,” said Jacob.
“But you stayed,” said Zach.
“It was my duty, son,” replied Jacob looking straight into Zach’s eyes.
Michael reemerged with a Band-Aid across his forehead, eating a candy bar.
“We need to tell Abbey and Ray, maybe bring them back here,” said Zach.
“There are more of you?” said Jacob.
“Yeah… that a problem?” said Zach.
“Not at all, but there’s only so much food to go around.”
“We’ll find more,” said Zach, standing up, “You okay staying here while I get the others?” he asked Fiona who nodded.
Zach was only gone twenty mins before returning to find everyone eating. “This is Abbey and Ray,” he said to Jacob.
“Nice to meet you both of you. There’s still running water in the bathroom and towels if you want a wash.” Abbey grinned and moved into the bathroom closing the door behind her, while Ray just stood staring at Jacob.
“Can I help you with something?” said Jacob to Ray.
“I can’t help have this feeling that I’ve seen you somewhere before,” said Ray.
“Well maybe you have, I’ve been chief in this town for a long time, been in a few papers over the years,” said Jacob.
“Hmm maybe. Anyway, where’s the food,” said Ray, looking at all the boxes.
A few empty boxes of food later, they all lay and sat in various parts of the room, the sun beginning to sink below the mountains.
“So what was your plan? Just stay holed up in this room hoping to not be found by the creatures?” said Zach to Jacob.
“I was leaving when I was attacked, since then I’ve just been waiting for the bleeding to stop and hoping that it doesn’t get infected. What’s your plan?” said Jacob.
“Boston,” said Abbey.
Michael and Cal raised their heads. Ray seemed asleep and Fiona’s head remained motionless.
“That’s quite some way young lady,” said Jacob.
“I’ve got family there, I need to go.”
“You don’t know what’s out there between you and your family, maybe more of those creatures maybe worse.”
“I’m taking her,” said Zach. Michael and Cal looked at him then at each other.
“And what about you two? You going to ‘Boston’ as well?” said Jacob to Michael and Cal, who looked at each other again.
“That’s the plan,” replied Fiona looking at Jacob. Ray snorted, his head falling on her shoulder, which she pushed back up.
“You’re going to need a few vehicles and plenty of gas then.”
“We found a semi-truck in a parking lot near a diner about one click south from here, has a pretty full tank of gas, could probably hold maybe six or seven of us,” said Zach.
“I think we should avoid Albuquerque,” said Cal, “You must have heard the loud booms last night?”
“I was in a fever for most of the night, didn’t hear a thing,” said Jacob.
“How’s you leg now?” said Fiona.
“Still hurts, still bleeding, beyond that I have no idea.”
Fiona got up and sat in front of Jacob. “Take your pants off I’ve got some medical training, I’ll take a look,” said Fiona. Jacob stood, lowered his pants, and sat back down.
“Now lift your lower leg.” Fiona placed his leg on a small box and inspected the wound. “Were you a doctor in a former life? Because this is expertly sewn up.”
Jacob smiled. “Many years on the job you learn a thing or two.”
“You got any antibiotics in these boxes, that’s what you need.”
“Couldn’t find any on my travels.”
Fiona looked around the room at the various boxes until she came across one titled, ‘Veg’. She rummaged through it and pulled out some garlic. “Peel these, and chew on it, might help.”
Jacob pulled his pants back up and lay further back on the bed near the top. “When the sun’s completely gone light some of these candles but not too many.”
Zach pulled the already mostly closed curtains even more closed, and rammed a small piece of wood under the door to give it a bit more resistance should something tried to open it. Abbey found a small box of matches and lit three candles in the main room and one in the bathroom. Cal and Michael had both gotten more comfortable, while Fiona had thrown some old clothes in the bath and laid down in there. Abbey lay in a corner of the room, a few pillows behind her head, while Zach sat on the floor near the door. Ray continued sleeping.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Zach stood looking down at the creature presumably dead in the bottom of the pool. It reminded him of those fake fairground monster attractions that his grandfather used to tell him about. Something so impossible that it had to be fake, something you laughed at. Fiona jumped down into the pool, pickaxe at the ready. Strewn around the pool were various pieces of furniture, and what looked like bones, but it was hard to tell if they were human or animal. This creature had been using the pool as some kind of nest.
“Slowly,” Zach said to Fiona, as he pulled himself down into the pool as well. Jacob stood above them watching. As Zach moved closer to the creature he could see it was very real. Tiny short feathers covered most of it, including two huge wings, one of which was folded. The torso was three-feet in length similar to humans in size but slimmer. The head was monkey like but also had bird features, with a short beak and large bird like eyes. As well as the wings it had two small-feathered covered arms but instead of hands at the end were claws, each one with three talons. And lower down were two small legs, with primate looking feet, except the nails were longer. Two deep red bullet holes were in its torso, Zach could also see one of its wings was badly damaged. It was quite dead as parts of it had already started to turn blue and the smell was something you covered your mouth for.
Fiona nudged one of its wings with her foot. They both froze just in case there came a reaction but there was none.
“What the hell is it?” said Fiona. Zach stood shaking his head, trying to think what it could be. He never was that interested in biology at school, and always-switched channels when a wildlife program came on. He always found humans more than enough to understand anyway. Zach looked up at Jacob who was uneasily crouching down, trying to get as good a look as he could from being twelve-feet away.
“Any ideas?” Zach said to Jacob.
“None come to mind,” replied Jacob.
“Whatever it is, it’s dead, can’t harm us now, let’s get back,” said Zach.
“I’m going to scope out nearby buildings some more, never know what we might find,” said Fiona.
“I have to get the truck and bring it back here so I’ll go with you, but I want to be leaving in an hour,” said Zach, lifting himself out of the pool then helping Fiona do the same. Fiona, put her pickaxe back in her custom made holster and they all walked back to parking lot.
“I don’t know of any prisons around here,” said Jacob.
“We were being transported some miles from here, bus was attacked, we survived best we could until we made it to this town,” Zach replied without hesitation.
Jacob smiled. “As far as I’m concerned all past sins have been forgotten, for all we know we are the last people alive on this planet, the past is the past, agreed?” He held out his hand, which Zach took.
“How about you come with us?” said Zach.
“To Boston?”
“Or as far as you want to go. There’s nothing left in this town of yours, why stay? Maybe you could be of help elsewhere.”
Jacob rubbed his chin. “I think you may have a point.”
“Tell the others about the creature. We should be back within the hour,” said Zach, jogging out of the parking lot onto the main road followed by Fiona, Jacob returned to the
room.
“Left or right,” said Zach, looking down Main Street to where they entered the town. He then looked upwards to the sky. Nothing seemed to be up there but he didn’t want to take any risks, he also wasn’t sure how much charge the baton had left.
“Let’s go left, then left again that should take us back to the area you were but we will see a bit more of this dust bowl town,” said Fiona. They both set off down main street, half jogging half walking, stopping to look in the homes and shacks which littered both sides of the street. Eventually they got to a junction and took left again, on the right was a sign that caught both their eyes.
“PATTERSONS USED CAR LOT, BUY/SALE/TRADE”
A wire fence stood between them and an assortment of dirty looking vehicles, most of which would have been old a decade ago.
“They will probably have keys in the office and we can find gas… actually Cal said he found some gas yesterday,” said Zach. After crossing the street, he was about to climb the fence when he noticed another sign, “BEWARE THE DOG”.
He stopped, and peered through the wire fence, but nothing could be seen or heard. Kicking the fence a few times, still nothing from beyond, so he climbed up and over helping Fiona do the same. They both crouched down, listening best they could for any sign of life, but only complete silence came back to them.
