by Maxey, Phil
The car… who were they….
There were at least two individuals in the car and the creatures restrained from killing them. It was almost as if these people were controlling the things…
As he drove up another incline on the miles and miles of due-south, two-lane road, slowing near the top, he searched for answers.
Could those in the car had sent the things to the school? Why though… What was in the school that was so important to destroy?
He thought about the Keller’s desperate effort to get their daughter back from a human, creature hybrid that had kidnapped her. It was all too much of a coincidence. That had to be part of it.
He stopped just before the crest of the small rise, turned off the headlights and eased down on the gas until he could see the horizon again on the other side. This had been the procedure since his detour and luckily the landscape had been a series of undulating shallow hills, giving him time to see for tens of miles ahead.
He wiped the glass in front of him, but it instantly misted up again, so instead he slid the window down to his left and leaned out. Doing his best to ignore the flecks of snow landing on his glasses, he looked into the darkness, waiting a few seconds for his pupils to adjust. There were a few dark shapes highlighted by the lighter sky, but they were stationary. A sigh in relief became mist. “Looks… clear.”
Sitting back he looked across the passenger’s seat and the empty bottles. No more beer or water. He then looked at the glow coming from the dials on the dashboard and frowned. He reckoned he had another hundred miles at most of fuel. This time he was determined to refuel before the car ground to a halt. He eased down on the gas and rapidly moved down the slope still asking himself the questions as to what his plan was. Would he follow this army of things all the way to the Gulf of Mexico? Then that?
As the speedometer reached twenty and the small car continued its passage through the flurry of snow, he sat back in the bucket seat, shaking his head, not having an answer, but knowing he wouldn’t be stopping his pursuit until he had one.
CHAPTER TEN
8: 59 p.m. Newgrove.
Twin beams of light cut through the northeastern outskirts of Newgrove, the convoy making its way around fallen pylons and refuse which littered the roads. Off to the side, piles of rubble, once single-story homes were just visible beyond the glow from the vehicles.
In the pickup which led the way, everyone sat silent, keeping to themselves the horror which had befallen the town, but Jess wasn’t the only one to question how they would stop what had turned Newgrove into a ruin.
They moved deeper in, past trees which lay scattered like sticks in the darkness of snow-covered grounds until they reached more substantial brick built buildings, but even they had been reduced a story or two, their insides revealed by the illumination of the passing visitors.
Jess’s radio crackled, she held it up in anticipation.
“We see you,” said Owen. “Keep moving to the center of the town. We’ll meet you at what’s left of the police station. Over.”
She acknowledged and they were soon moving down Main Street, none of the stores having kept their windows and took a right at the intersection to see six vehicles, all parked haphazardly outside another pile of masonry, glass and steel.
The pickup and truck stopped, everyone quickly getting out, as a small group walked to them.
“Boy, are we see glad to see you folks,” said Owen, standing next to Luci and Floyd, all three lit by the headlights of the various vehicles.
“How many were there?” said Landon, joining his wife and a few others. A brief nod passed between Scott and the other soldier.
“Reckon a few hundred,” said Floyd. “Was hard to see. Could have been more, further out.”
“But you didn’t see the car?” said Jess.
Everyone but Luci shook their heads. “We lost track of it once it headed towards the town,” she said, looking between Josh’s parents then settled on Jess. “I’m sorry we didn’t know it was your son.”
“Even if the car wasn’t amongst those things,” said Owen. “There was nothing anyone could have done, other than get dead.”
Jess looked down, away from the self-appointed mayor of Newgrove then back to the soldier. “Do you have any idea which way they traveled?”
Luci shook her head. “I wish I could give you something more solid, but the trail of destruction they created heads south, so I’m guessing Oklahoma, Texas? If it helps, they weren’t moving particularly fast. It was pretty easy to track them and from what we saw outside Denver, Josh looked okay.” She kept to herself how scared the boy looked but it was enough for Jess to let out a breath.
Owen looked at the truck’s owner. “We could really need some more medical supplies, batteries, things like that, if you… don’t mind sparing some more?”
Sanchez nodded.
*****
9: 22 p.m. Newgrove.
Jess, Landon, Scott and a few others sat in the impressive office inside the town hall. Despite the scarring to the stonework outside the building, none of the creatures made it in. Perhaps they never tried to, but the plush room with an abundance of vanished wood and a few large paintings, hardly showed any sign that the world had ended a week before. A half-full cup of coffee even sat unfinished on the large mahogany desk, which was equally covered with a map of the southern states.
Scott shook his head. “I was sure that bastard was dead.” He looked at Luci. “It couldn’t have been something else? Another of the creatures? Some act almost...” Luci’s reaction gave him his answer. “We collapsed the whole facility on top of him…”
Jess didn’t want to believe the thing responsible for so much destruction had survived its own. She had no explanation for what Rackham was but after seeing what she did on the lowest level, nothing was impossible.
“And now he’s in charge of an army of those things…” said Landon.
“Don’t forget his second in command,” said Scott. “The soldier guy.”
“Finn…” They all looked at Jess. “That’s his name. Sam told me that’s what Joan called him.”
Owen, his balding head free of the hat usually seen there, walked closer to the desk and tapped the printed paper panels. “We can’t know the condition of the track, but we lucked out with the things leaving the main engine alone and some of the train cars. Its fully fueled with diesel and ready to move south.” He sighed, his face turning gray, looking around those in the room. “I’ve spent my whole life in Newgrove. Fully expected for it to end here, recently more than ever. But—” He looked to Scott. “But if you tell me there are people on the coast, then that’s where the people left in this town need to go.”
Luci walked closer to the map. “All I know is that was the plan, and after six days, which is roughly twelve hours from now, if the virus and creatures had gone, they would take back the city. Establish a beachhead, then from there—”
“Wait…” said Scott, moving closer to her. He looked up at the others. “What are the chances these things just happened to be making a direct path to Texas…” He looked at Jess who was leaning against the wall further back in the room, Landon seated nearby. “Why would the creatures be heading towards the only place left on this continent where there might be military?”
She knew the answer before he finished, but didn’t want to express it. She walked to the desk, looking at the towns and cities still left to be raised to the ground. “If what Lucas or whoever it was told me before is true, then… there might be offshore labs.” She looked at Scott and Luci. “He may have survived but we destroyed where he was working. Destroyed his work. He needs new facilities. Somewhere to start again…”
They all looked back down at the map and in particular, Galveston.
“That’s not good,” said Scott.
Landon awkwardly stood, looking at the soldier. “You don’t think those platoons you mentioned can handle the things?”
Scott subtly shook his head, bitin
g his lip. “I don’t know.”
“They don’t know they’re coming,” said Luci. “Whoever’s in charge down there, will think the pandemic is over. No more monsters.”
Jess looked at Owen. “Your people are ready to leave?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
10: 01 p.m. Texas. Outskirts of Amarillo.
Arlo swore under his breath then eased down on the brakes, not due to any danger ahead but because he was completely lost. The car slowed to a halt and he sat looking through the largely clear windshield to a green sign mentioning an exit in a few miles.
“An exit to where?”
He had also not seen any hint of ruin from the creatures. Maybe they took a turn and headed west or east? Had he come all this way for nothing?
He pushed on the gas, driving up a slight incline and moved over a bridge. More signs for turnoffs passed by but then he caught an advertising boarding, mentioning an auto mechanics based in Texas.
“Texas?”
He hadn’t realized he had moved that far south. He started to slow again, contemplating turning around, trying to pick up the trail again when the silhouettes of single-story homes started to appear, tens of yards back from the two-lane road. He hadn’t been anywhere near a town for a few hours, and the needle on the fuel gauge had just entered the red zone. Wherever the creatures were he wasn’t going to find them unless he found more gas.
Keeping at a steady forty-miles per hour he tried to spot any parked vehicles amongst the darkness, but most of the ranches appeared desolate, empty places. No doubt part of the exodus of people looking to survive what swept across the country a week before.
It wasn’t long before the buildings became more industrial in size and shape. Warehouses and manufacturing plants. Dark blocks against the lighter sky, which was now devoid of snow.
He was moving into a town, he was sure of it.
“Got to be a gas station…”
More signs of civilization slid by, along with more homes, these with vehicles in their drives but he was now confident that a gas station wouldn’t be too far off and soon his gamble paid off, but instead of turning onto the forecourt and driving close to a pump, he kept on driving, now intrigued by the town he was entering. And anyway, the virus was almost gone. It was almost six days since the nightmare began and he would have the entire town or perhaps city, he wasn’t sure which yet, to himself.
He also wanted another drink, water or otherwise and maybe some food? Yeah, why not. All his friends were dead, but he had survived. Time perhaps to relax a little, try and figure how what life would look like in this new world. The army of things were long gone and he never had a good reason to be following them anyway. He gave chase and had lost them amongst the wastelands of Oklahoma and Texas. What else could he do? Let the monstrosities find new targets, he needed to rest up. His departed friends would understand.
He left the highway and was soon driving through neighborhoods. Schools, homes, an occasional plaza of shops passed by. He had no idea where he was, but that was okay. What did it matter at the end of the world, where you ended up? He slowed, scanning the larger of the homes, the ones that sat behind the gates and long drives. The ones that would have the expensive bed sheets and maybe even their own renewable energy sources. It had always been a plan of his that once he earned enough to get a place, he would try to live off the grid.
Dark panels glistened in the headlights aloft a roof hidden behind trees. Solar power no doubt. He would need…
He almost missed the dark shape, sat on top of the office building. A week earlier he would have dismissed the triangular object as a trick of the light or at best some kind of communications tower. But this awkward mass was morphing, extending then retracting.
In the moment it took for his mind to search for the word ‘wings’ the creature took to the air and instantly merged with the darkness above.
Despite the almost zero temperature in the car, he immediately became aware of sweat across his back. He hit the brakes, rapidly slowing to a stop while urgently scanning the nearby gloom. “They’re here…”
*****
10: 22 p.m. Newgrove
Flashlights bobbed and swept across a hundred yards of train. Further down the tracks the heavy diesel engine of the locomotive revved then settled to a constant hum. A just visible man leaned out from his cabin giving a wave with a lantern to those that had accumulated further back in the center of town.
Landon bent down to pick up a heavy backpack, his hand shouting at him in pain but before he fully grasped it Sam got there first and threw it over her shoulder as if it was nothing. He smiled, but noticed she was looking over his shoulder. He turned and frowned. He was hoping to avoid the doctor before they left.
“Mr. Keller,” said doc Barker, looking as equally prepared to leave with his own pack over one shoulder.
Landon glanced at his daughter. “I got this.” A bark came from Donnie inside the truck while others boarded the boxcars. “Get in the trailer, I’ll join you soon.” She looked as if she should wait, but then nodded and left. He turned back to the doctor. “I know—”
Barker was already kneeled, holding the former detective’s hand by its blackened wrist, examining it. “You didn’t know I was already looking at it. You can’t feel a thing, can you?” said the doctor, not looking up.
“We got to go!” shouted Jess from the open trailer door, twenty-feet away, beckoning at her husband.
Landon pulled his hand free, wincing with the effort.
Barker stood. “The infection is spreading. Soon it will be the entire arm that will have to be taken. That’s if it doesn’t get to your heart and kill you first.”
Landon smiled. “You’re full of good news aren’t you.”
“Did you get those pills I prescribed for you?” Before Landon could reply in the negative a small cardboard box was pushed into his good hand. “I’ve written on the outside how many and how often.” The doctor’s expression then darkened. “Those pills only help with the pain. If you are not operated on within the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours, you’ll be dead soon after.” He started to walk across the sidewalk towards the boxcars. “I hope for your sake we meet again soon, so I can do what needs to be done.”
Landon let out a sigh as a hand lightly touched his shoulder. He turned around to face Brad. The young medic threw his arms around him, being careful to stay away from his left side then pulled back. Three sets of much smaller arms then repeated the same with Syd and Donnie patiently sitting on the concrete. Landon looked down to Agatha, Toby and Helen. “Stay with Brad. Do what he tells you.”
Agatha rolled her eyes. “Yes, we know!”
Landon smiled then looked at the adult while Tracey walked past, her own pack over one shoulder and nodded then kept on going, following the doctor. “We should make Dallas by daylight,” said Landon to Brad. “Before you.”
Helen was crying. He kneeled, hiding his discomfort and tweaked her nose. “Hey, no need for that. We just have to go get Josh and—”
“But the monsters have him.”
“No, that’s not true. He’s just lost but we know where he is. We’ll find him. Meanwhile, you’ll be safe with Brad and the people on the train. It’s going to take you all the way to a safe city, where there will be others. No more monsters for you.” She nodded as he stood.
“Come on, kids, we got a train to catch,” said Brad and hurried them and the animals towards the last of the boxcars, helping them onboard.
Landon watched the train and four boxcars full of the remaining townspeople slowly start to move off. Owen appeared in the open doorway of the second to last, waving.
“See you in Dallas!” shouted the older man.
Landon waved in reply then walked to the truck’s trailer, trying not to look at the piles of rubble where buildings once stood, and climbed up, joining Jess, Sam and a few others. Outside, Vance closed and latched the rear door.
The fo
rty-five by eight space was less restricted than before with more of the boxes missing. The contents were lit by a few oil lanterns which illuminated the seven people, the air being slightly smokey.
Jess sat on one of the remaining sealed boxes of supplies, Sam and Lachlan nearby. Landon did the same, the weight of his left limb feeling twice as heavy despite not actually being able to feel the lower half of it.
Scott stood, leaving a map on a wooden crate and a conversation with Luci and Miller and walked over just as the truck’s engine fired up and with a jolt they started moving. He looked across the Keller’s. “How is everyone?”
Mother and daughter nodded.
“We’re doing fine,” said Landon. “What was the conversation about?”
“Well, we better hope the monster army takes a break on their way south otherwise they’re going to beat us there. But the good news is somewhere around Dallas we might be able to reach any forward operating station on the coast with the radios, and warn them on what’s coming their way.”
“Otherwise…”
“Otherwise we hope whatever military is down there can withstand what’s coming at them.”
Landon glanced at his wife, but she was looking down, seemingly lost in her own thoughts. He looked back to Scott. “We got a plan on how to get my son back?”
Luci stood from a box, overhearing and joined them. “The kids obviously important to them.” She looked at Jess. “You got any idea why that is? It might be important in helping get him back.”
Jess’s eyes shifted to her daughter, who looked away then at the soldier. “Maybe something to do with me working for Biochron. I don’t know…”
