by Levi, Casey
“Jesse do you know what’s up this road?” Reed said to the younger man.
“There’s a mini mart about half a mile up this road, but it’s closed. How will we get in?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll find a way in.” Reed fell back to help Julie with Kristen.
They ran down the darkened back road, and around a bend. Kristen could see the mini mart coming into view from the streetlamps, but fear crawled its way inside her gut as they got closer. How were they going to get inside of the mini mart without having to break a window? What if it was not safe inside? She glanced up at Reed and hoped that he had a plan. Or Aran.
As they approached the building, they slowed down their pace to almost walking. Kristen noticed the front entrance had one of those simple glass push open doors, so they might be able to pick the lock if needed. She scanned the rest of the building. It was a small mini mart. The front of the store was lined with big open windows, and the inside of the store was pitch black. She looked around and spotted two vehicles parked at the front of the store’s parking.
“Oh shit!” Reed suddenly yelled, and Kristen looked over to see a group of those things staggering out from around the corner of the building. They started running their way.
“Hey! Over here!” A voice yelled at them from the front door of the store.
They started running for the door, but a woman came out of nowhere and grabbed a hold of Jesse by the back of his shirt. Reed let go of Kristen and pushed her and Julie to move faster to the door. He ran back to help Jesse and managed to knock the woman off him. Kristen panicked as she watched them run for the door. Jesse ran through the open door first, but before Reed could make it in, a man lunged at him and knocked them both to the ground. The front door slammed shut as Kristen screamed. She watched in fear as Reed jumped up and took off running in the other direction. She stood there in shock, but as those things began to bang on the glass, Kristen snapped out of it.
“Reed!” She screamed as hard as she could and started for the door, but strong arms circled around her waist, and pulled her back. “Let me go!” She struggled against the person, but it was useless.
“Kristen he’s gone.” Aran tightened his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry, but if you open that door, we’re all dead.”
Kristen lost it. She fell to her knees sobbing, and Aran kept his hold on her as she fell. He pulled her against his chest and held her tight. She let out a loud scream as her tears fell harder. She could not believe it; how could he be gone? He could not be. Not now. Not when she needed him more than ever. Letting out another scream, she wrapped her arms around Aran and just let the tears come. The hold that she had on trying to be strong was ripped away from her. She was left feeling vulnerable and weak.
With every hit to the glass, Kristen gripped Aran tighter. She tried to stop the tears, but they refused to quit falling from her eyes. She wanted to be strong and knew that is what Reed would have wanted from her. Taking in a deep, uneven breath, she looked around the front of the store. There was a small group of people; no more than ten. They were all gathered around the checkout stands and staring at her.
The woman who had helped them walked closer to her and Aran and knelt in front of them. She looked to be in her mid-thirties, deep brown hair that was pulled up into a ponytail, and dark circles under her dark green eyes. The woman was exceedingly small and petite, and she thought about how easy those things out there could mull her to death.
“Are you okay?” Kristen stared at the other woman. What a dumb question to ask. Of course she was not okay. “Right, of course you’re not. I’m Scarlett.”
“Aran. That is Julie, and this is Kristen” Aran answered for her, because in all honesty she didn’t feel like talking. “Do you know what’s going on? And what the hell are those things?”
Scarlett stood up from the ground and looked over her shoulder as a man stood up from the group. “No, but we have someone here who might know.”
The man walked over towards them with ease. He looked young to Kristen, around her age or a few years older. Taking in his attire of khaki pants and a blue plaid shirt with a black tie, she assumed he was not from around here.
“I’m Brady. Professor Brady.” He looked down at her.
“So, what’s going on Professor? What can you tell us?”
“Before all of this happened, I worked at a science facility in downtown Los Angeles.” Brady answered Aran without taking his eyes off Kristen.
“So, and what does that mean? You dissected things for a living?” Aran said sarcastically. “He obviously doesn’t know what’s going on out there.”
“I witnessed it firsthand. My lab partner had turned into one of them and had attacked a woman.” Brady said.
“I’ve seen it too. my husband. He was bitten, and then changed.” Scarlett looked over at Brady, and something about the way she was looking at him had Kristen feeling uneasy.
Standing up from the ground, Kristen leaned against one of the checkout stands for support. “But what is it? Where did it come from? What are they? Why are they attacking people?” Kristen could not stop the stream of questions that had rolled out of her mouth. She needed to know what was going on, and what those things were. Why were they biting people? She wanted answers.
“I’m sorry, but you are asking questions we do not know.” Brady turned to face the window.
“Great. Another dead end.” Aran ran and agitated hand through his hair.
“I’m sorry that I do not have the answers you were hoping for.”
“Yeah? Well tell that to our dead friends.” Aran paused as he looked at Kristen with sincerity. “Or whatever they are now.”
She knew that Aran was not trying to be cruel or harsh when he said the words, but that did not stop the tears from welling up in her eyes. She needed time to think to herself. Another dead end. She tried not to lose the little hope that she had left inside but without Reed, and without answers, what did she have? Her friends? These People?
Kristen needed to be alone, so she walked away from her friends and the group of people that were nothing more than complete strangers. She walked up and down the aisles of the mini-mart and stopped in front of a freezer section. Opening the door, she grabbed a case of beer and slid down to the floor. Opening a bottle, she leaned her head back against the freezer door.
She took a long chug of the cool beverage, but she could not hold in the tears any longer. “What kind of a person am I? I should’ve helped you.”
Reed was gone, and there was nothing she could do about it. She should have helped him. Why hadn’t she fought harder? Now the only man that she had ever loved was gone, and she was alone. She knew that it made no sense to think that, but Aran and Julie could not give her what Reed could. Chugging down the rest of the beer in her hand she set the bottle down and tried to stand up. All the alcohol rushed to her head, and she slid back down to the floor. She pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face.
“Looks like you and I have the same idea.” Kristen looked up to see Brady sitting down next to her. He picked up a bottle, opened it, and took a long sip. “Damn that’s good.”
She wiped her face with the back of her hand and grabbed another bottle for herself. “There is no hope, is there?” She took a sip of the cool beer.
“There is always hope Kristen.” She watched as he took another sip, and she shook her head.
The tears prickled at her eyes again. “Now that Reed is gone, I have no hope. He meant everything to me.” She cried out a sob. “And I told him when it was too late.”
“Kristen I’m sorry about your friend, and I’m sure he knew how much he meant to you but drowning your sorrows won’t bring him back.”
“I just want to be alone please.”
She seen the sincerity in his eyes, but it did not matter to her. Nothing mattered right now. Brady stood up from the ground and walked away without saying another word to her. All she could think about right now was Reed and wanti
ng to be alone. It might not help but drowning in her sorrows was exactly what she wanted. Chugging the rest of the beer she had in her hand she opened another bottle and chugged that one until it was gone. When she got down to the last bottle of the six pack, her head was beginning to spin. She did not feel sick- it was more like a numbing sensation that was starting to wash over her.
As she laid down against the cool tiled floor, images of Reed played through her mind. Closing her eyes, she let the silent tears fall onto the floor, and fell into a dreamless sleep.
9
Chapter Nine
Sometime during the night Kristen woke with a start. Her heart beat heavy against her chest as she laid on the cold tile floor where she had fallen asleep. Someone had put a blanket on her and left a water bottle with a box of aspirin next to her. She smiled, knowing it had been Julie. Opening the water bottle, she took two pills. She felt sick to her stomach, and not because of how much she had drunk. Her mind began to think of Reed, but a loud crash had her sitting up right. She slowly stood up from the ground and watched as a soft glow danced over the ceiling a few aisles over. Kristen walked down to the end of the aisle she was on and peeked her head around the corner. She watched as Brady and Scarlett walked down an end aisle.
“Now what are they up to?” Kristen moved to the next aisle and crouched behind a poster board advertising a brand cereal.
“Is this everything we need?”
“Yes, and you’re lucky no one heard you knock over that shelf of cans.” Brady hissed at her.
“So, what’s the plan? We just leave?”
“Do you ever pay attention? God, I swear I’ll leave you-”
Scarlett cut Brady off. “Don’t you forget who is in charge here, and you’re lucky I’m a patient woman.”
There was a long pause. “My apologies. now I think we should leave out the south delivery door, and leave it open for them to get in.” Brady paused. “We need this plan to work. We cannot have anyone following us. You should’ve never let those kids in.”
“If I hadn’t let those kids in, then this plan wouldn’t work.” Scarlett snapped at Brady.
“The next town is about fifty miles out…” They moved out of hearing range, and Kristen tried to move forward to follow them, but she bumped into the display and knocked it over.
Turning around, she took off down the aisle and back to where she had been. She laid down on the floor, pulled the blanket up over her head, and listened for anyone to come. After several minutes, she heard nothing but silence. Slowly sitting up, she bit down on her thumb nail. ‘What the hell is going on here? And what are they talking about?’ Kristen thought. She did not understand. Let who in? And what plan? She needed to tell her friends what she heard and figure out what those two are up to.
Kristen slowly made her way through the dark. Listening for any signs of Brady and Scarlett, but the only thing that reached her ears was silence. It took her a few minutes to make her way up to the front of the mini-mart, and scanning the floor, she found Julie and Aran. The streetlamp from outside vaguely shined through the windows, and she could tell that everyone was sound asleep. She knelt next to Julie, and softly shook her.
“Kris?” Julie’s voice was harsh, and she had to clear her throat. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Julie, we need to get out of here. Brady and that lady Scarlett are up to something.” Kristen bit down on her bottom lip. “I saw them moving through the aisles and overheard them talking about leaving.”
“So, that doesn’t mean anything Kris. You need to lay down and sleep. You are just exhausted.” Julie pulled her blanket up around her and started to drift back to sleep.
“Ugh. Julie. I am serious. Something is not right.” Kristen stared at her intently. She needed Julie to listen to her.
Julie grumbled. “Alright. We’ll check it out.”
“Thank you. That’s all I ask.” Kristen gave her a quick hug, then stood up from the ground.
Aran rolled over and looked at them through sleep filled eyes. “Where do you think you two are going?”
“Kris overheard Brady and that woman talking about leaving. She thinks they’re up to something.” Julie explained as she sat up and slipped on her shoes and jacket.
“Why would you think they’re up to something if they wanted to leave? No one is a prisoner here.” Aran questioned.
“Well, why would you leave in the middle of the night? I’m telling you; something was off about the way they were talking.” Kristen paused for a moment. “Oh, my god! They were talking about leaving a door open. Those things could be in here right now.” Kristen spun around, scanning the aisles.
“Calm down.” Aran slipped on his shoes and shook Jesse. “Now, where did you see them last?”
“They were down the second to the last aisle at the back of the store.”
“Alright, let’s go.” Aran said as he took the lead.
The four of them slowly made their way down the aisle, checking down each one they passed for any sign of Brady or Scarlett. Kristen hadn’t heard where Brady said they were going, or how they were getting there. She honestly did not get their conversation at all, but it gave her a sick feeling. As they reached the back of the store, there was no sign of Brady or Scarlett anywhere.
“Do you think they left already?” Julie pulled her jacket tighter around her.
“I’m not sure, but something feels off.” Aran ran a hand through his hair. “Come on. Let’s get back to the front.”
Kristen knew what Aran meant. She felt the same way. Something was not right about the situation. She scanned the aisles as they walked back towards the front of the store, and looking down into the darkness, not being able to see anything, made a chill crawl up her spine. She did not know what Brady and Scarlett were up to, but she had a feeling that Brady hadn’t been completely honest with them.
They continued to walk through the mini-mart, and as they got closer to the front of the store, a horrific scream pierced through the air. The sound was so deafening, chilling Kristen to her core. They took off running, but when they got to the front it was already too late. Those things were everywhere. Attacking the small group that had been sleeping, thinking that they were safe for the night. Kristen’s heart sank, as she stood frozen in place. What had Brady done?
Kristen was suddenly pulled by Aran, and the numbing she had felt wore off bringing her back to reality. He pulled her by her arm, and the four of them took off running towards the back of the store. Everything happened in such a blur, that it took a few seconds to realize that she was in a room. It was not an excessively big room- looked like a small storage space, that was completely empty. One door where they had come in, and another door at the back of the room. She wondered if that door would lead them outside, and if so, they should not be standing around.
“You guys what if this door leads outside? I think we should take our chance and get the hell out of here now while all those things are inside.” Kristen moved towards the back door, but Aran stopped her.
“I don’t think that’s a clever idea. We should wait here until morning.” Aran said as he let go of Kristen and leaned against the door frame.
“Yeah, I think that’s a promising idea.” Julie said.
“What? Why? Those things are in the store. Now is our chance.” Kristen felt perplexed by her friends. Why wouldn’t they want to get out of here while they had the chance?
“Because it’s still dark out there, and not safe.” Aran pushed off from the door and began pacing the small room.
“He’s right Kris, it’s too dangerous. We should stay in here until morning, and then make a run for it.”
Kristen did not say anything. She was furious with her friends. Why would they want to stay trapped in a room with nowhere to go? She knew that if any of those people from the group came back, they were screwed. They should take this opportunity to run, to run before there would be more of those things after them. Kristen scanned the small room t
o see if there was anything, they could block the door with, but there was nothing but a furnace and a few boxes against the back wall. They had nothing to protect themselves with, and it was irritating to her.
“Help me! Please.” Kristen was cut short of her thoughts as a loud banging on the door they had come in. “Someone please help me!” A woman cried out on the other side of the door.
Kristen ran to open the door but was pulled back by Aran. “What the hell are you doing?”
“She needs our help.” Kristen tried to move past him, but his grip on her arm tightened.
“You two get behind that furnace. Jesse help me.” Aran let go of her arm and picked up a box cutter that was sitting on top of one of the boxes.
Standing next to the door, he looked at Jesse. “On the count of three. One… two…”
Aran swung the door open, and her heart dropped. She feared for the worst, but when nothing happened, she opened her eyes. There was a woman standing by the end aisle just outside the door, and she was holding a child against her chest. She started for the door, but a man grabbed at her from out of nowhere. The child fell from her arms and ran towards the door. Aran ran up to the child, scooped him up, and ran back to the room. Kristen watched as Aran ran back out of the room and punched at the man that had a hold of the woman.
The man let go of her, and grabbing a hold of the woman, Aran rushed them back to the room. Two more people came out of nowhere and ran into the room after Aran and the woman before they could close the door. One of the men went for the little boy, but Aran tackled him to the ground and began stabbing him in the face with the box cutter repeatedly. The other man grabbed ahold of the woman, but Jesse pulled him back and punched him in the face. He fell to the ground, and Kristen stood there in shock.
Kristen stood there, rapidly eyeing everyone in the room. Jesse was crouched down by the door in front. Aran was still straddling the man he had stabbed with the box cutter. Julie was still standing next to her, covering her mouth. The other man laid in the middle of the floor, and finally her eyes landed on the woman and her child. They were crouched in the back corner of the room, and the woman had a death grip on her child.
