The Phoenix Curse (Book 1): After

by D. R. Johnson

  I was lost in quiet contemplation, questioning Jeremy's decision to take us to a place he hadn't scouted first. I knew they hadn't seen much of the world since the outbreak. From the stories Kevin told me, I had picked up on the fact the dead-brains weren't thick around here. Maybe they had never seen a real swarm of them. If that was the case, they weren't aware of how dangerous it could be.

  I swallowed down the nervousness. I still didn't feel it was my place to tell them what to do or how to do it. I just sat quietly and fiddled with my thermos while everyone else talked excitedly. Even Becky spoke every now and then, but I just let the conversation drift by me, unheard. Instead I watched the country side pass by.

  The road was pretty clear, so we were going at a steady pace. At one point, we passed by a whole mess of cars that were on the side of the road. Jacob slowed down as we passed them, and three dead brains wandered out. Kevin fell silent immediately, and Becky gasped beside me. Jacob started to slow the car even more but Jeremy intervened, which I was thankful for.

  "Nah, Jake. Keep it rollin'." And he pointed to the field beyond. There were more dead brains out there in the field, starting to walk towards the noise of the car.

  Jacob just grunted a reply and sped up a little, skirting around the monsters. As we passed them, we all had a clear view of their blood red eyes staring into the car. They were just curious at this point, not having been able to sense us inside. I knew they weren't in attack mode yet.

  Kevin and Becky just stared at them wide-eyed. They had seen dead-brains before, I knew, but I wasn't sure if they were fully aware of what they were capable of. They needed a healthy fear and respect for them because, once they frenzied, if you didn't have a plan of action then you were dead.

  I avoided watching them. I had no curiosity towards them anymore, and just wished they were all dead.

  After that, Kevin started talking even more animated, and I just wished I could tune him out. I couldn't believe how excited he was. Jeremy and Jacob didn't seem fazed by it, but I noticed Becky didn't say another word. She was just staring straight ahead. I thought she looked paler than normal, too. I wanted to say something, do something that might be reassuring, but everything I thought of just felt too awkward. I turned my gaze out the window again.

  I would guess the drive only took a little over thirty minutes. Now that we were rolling up to the edge of the town, the drive seemed entirely too short. I became more alert then. This was what I was dreading.

  I scanned the country side leading up to the town. I saw dead-brains milling around out in the fields but I knew they were still too far to take interest in us. Unless they heard a frenzy call, they'd probably stay put.

  Dead-brains in the field meant that this little town probably hadn't been looted clean yet, but it also meant the town could still have its fair share of infected inhabitants. I didn't see any activity outside the buildings, but that could be misleading.

  The first two buildings on the outskirts of town were a bar and a gas station. The town itself looked deserted, but I knew every building could have something trapped inside, unable to get out.

  People hid in buildings when the outbreak started. That's where they turned and that's where they stayed. At least until someone uninfected came along and let them out. I didn't like buildings.

  Jacob rolled into the nearest parking lot and killed the engine. We were too close to the building for my taste. A dilapidated sign signified that this used to be Bobby's Bar and Grill. I briefly wondered what became of Bobby, and had the macabre thought that he might still be inside.

  Even though Kevin and Becky hadn't been exposed to the new world, they knew the drill at least. We sat in silence for five minutes. Since sound attracted the dead-brains, we waited to see if any heard us. If five minutes had passed, you were normally in the clear. They weren't conniving enough to wait for us to exit the vehicle before they attacked.

  Five minutes passed, and it felt like an eternity. I could see how eager Kevin was to go, but Becky still didn't have the color back in her cheeks.

  Once again I had the overwhelming urge to reassure her, and this time I found the courage to awkwardly pat her hands. She had them clutched together in a white-knuckled grip in her lap, and she jumped at my touch. When she turned wide eyes to me, I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. It felt like a grimace. She did manage a nod though, and I saw her visibly relax a little.

  "Kevin, Joss," Jeremy whispered, but it sounded loud in the silence. "You stay here with Becky and the truck. Hit the lights if you see anything."

  "Can't I come with you?" Kevin started to plead but Jeremy cut him off before he was even finished.

  "No. You stay with the truck till Jake and I say it's clear." His voice brooked no argument. Kevin slumped back in his seat, and Jacob and Jeremy exited the truck, making sure not to slam the doors.

  The bigger weapons were in the bed of the truck, and I watched Jacob walk past my window to grab his half-moon sickle. I looked back toward the building, avoiding even looking at Jacob. I hated that weapon. I suppressed a shudder as a bloody memory flashed through my mind.

  Kevin immediately moved to the front seat, wanting to get a better view, but Becky and I didn't move. She didn't even slide over to the empty space that Kevin had left. Whatever reassurance I had given her earlier was completely gone now. She was just as rigid as she ever was, if not more.

  I sighed. I didn't like this anymore than she did, and wondered why she had even wanted to come in the first place. I thought to myself that this would be the last time she would ask to come anywhere for a while.

  I watched the brothers inspect the building. The two men first peered into the windows, and then tried to open the front door. When it didn't budge, I saw Jacob motion toward the back and they both disappeared around the side of the building. I glanced at Becky and saw she had her eyes closed.

  "Are you going to be okay?" I asked her, reaching out for her hands again. She didn't jump this time, but instead grasped at my hand like it was a lifeline.

  Kevin wasn't fazed and didn't even look back at us. He just replied to me over his shoulder. "She'll be fine. This is why Pa doesn't like taking her places. At least you can stay with her."

  "Shut up, Kevin." She snapped at him, and I raised an eyebrow at his declaration.

  Was that what they expected of me? I was just going to be Becky's babysitter? I didn't mind actually. Being in a car that could actually drive was better than being in any of those unexplored buildings.

  Becky looked over at me, her face still pale. "I just didn't think there would be so many."

  So many? I thought to myself. I looked at the handful of dead-brains out in the fields. Is that was she meant? I started to tell her that this was nothing, but then thought better of it. That might frighten her even more. Instead I asked, "How many have you seen? Ya know... Before today?"

  "Well," She started, "There was those two that wondered up to Uncle Jake's farm when Jessica was birthin' Nathan. Uncle Jake took care of them though. They didn't even get a chance to hurt anyone." I looked from her to Kevin then. Kevin was still straining to see anything of interest out the front window, ignoring us.

  Becky continued, "And then there have been a few that wander up to the farm, but the dogs never let them get close without us knowing 'bout it. Papa has always gotten rid of them."

  I nodded, turning my worried look from her to watch the dead-brains in the field. I didn't want her to see my expression. She asked me then, "How many have you seen?"

  I almost snorted.

  Hundreds. Thousands. They ate my neighbors, my friends, my mother. They infected my brother, turned him into one of them. They took all the family I ever loved. All of them except for Ali, and she left me.

  "A few." I said.

  She didn't press me for more. At this point, I didn't think she could even imagine that there could be more. Not a minute passed before the front door of Bobby's Bar and Grill opened and Jeremy came outside wa
ving us in.

  "Yes!" Kevin exclaimed and was out the door in seconds, running to the front door. He was so excited he forgot to grab an empty pack. Jeremy gave Becky and me one last wave before turning back inside, but she didn't budge.

  "We can stay here if you want. I'll stay with you." I said, her hands still clasping mine. I don't even think she realized she was holding my hand.

  She shook her head. "No, I'm going inside."

  I was shocked to hear her voice sound so determined, and she immediately slid to the side to open the door. I glanced around again to see if any of the distant dead-brains had picked us up on their radar, but they all seemed to be interested in the weeds they were standing in.

  I made sure to exit the truck as quietly as possible, Becky doing the same. Grabbing a couple packs from the bed of the truck, we both walked to the bar together.

  I was worried. She had a determined expression fixed on her face and was staring straight ahead again. I didn't know how she could be aware of her surroundings like that. Hopefully she could get a handle on her fear inside. Being stubborn and being brave was not the same thing as knowing how to stay alive in this world.

  Once inside the bar, the other men had opened up all the shades so enough daylight was coming in through the windows. If this little town had made any type of stand against the outbreak, this is not where they had done it. It also did not appear to have been looted at all. Now that was a good sign we would find a few good supplies here.

  "Let's be quick about this." Jacob called gruffly as he started to pull out bottles of alcohol from behind the bar. Jeremy disappeared into the kitchen, Kevin at his heels. I grabbed some salt and pepper shakers off the tables I passed as I made my way into the kitchen as well. I figured that would be the best place to fill my pack.

  I glanced back at Becky to see she was looking at the wine glasses and beer mugs at the bar. I knew she'd be safe around Jacob. He would jump at the chance to kill any infected.

  "Flour!" Kevin exclaimed as soon as I walked into the kitchen. He was holding up two big sealed containers, one in each hand. "No bugs!"

  I smiled at that, knowing that would make Mary happy. Kevin ran past me to stack the bags by the door, as per our stocking routine. All found goods were stacked at the exit door, and everyone loaded at the same time once we had enough for a haul. Keeping the group together and the noise down to a minimum was the best chance for avoiding the dead-brains.

  At a very cursory glance, I could see this kitchen was stocked with some very fine cookware that I thought Mary would appreciate. I started to load up my packs with what pots, containers, and utensils I could and I left Jeremy to sort out which food would be best to take back. I didn't always have the best eye for that, and it wasn't worth the bag space to take back something we couldn't eat.

  I filled my first pack up quickly and started out to sit it by the flour when Kevin rushed back into the kitchen, still jittery with excitement. I chuckled a bit, the nervousness relenting some now that we were actually safe inside a building and working. I dropped my pack at the door, and then turned to check on Becky. I was hoping that her mood had also lightened.

  When I didn't see her right away, but could still see Jacob sorting through the various alcohol bottles, I swallowed my distaste for him and approached. "Where's Becky?"

  He just grunted back at me, "Feminine needs."

  I blinked at that for a second not understanding what he meant, then it dawned on me. It dawned on me a split second before I heard her scream.

  The restroom!

  My eyes found the sign in the back corner of the building and I was already running towards the door before Jacob could drop the bottle in his hands. Her continued screams sped me on and I had the faintest of perceptions that someone had burst out of the kitchen behind me, but I knew I was the closest. I would get there first. If it was a dead-brain, I would kill it. My belt knife was already in my hand.

  Don't take anyone else from me!

  I slid around the dividing wall that hid the bathroom doors, and launched myself into the swinging door labeled Chicks. I ran in so hard, my body slammed into the opposite wall, halting my momentum.

  Every feeling of dread, trepidation, and nervousness that I had felt this morning was now justified. In the dim light, I could see the scrawny dead-brain pinning Becky against the floor, her body halfway in one of the stalls.

  I grabbed the dead-brain by its hair and jerked it backwards fiercely, strands of hair coming loose in my hand. Becky was shrieking now, utterly terrified, and she scuttled backward into the stall away from her attacker. She got one good kick against its jaw, knocking its dangerous mouth away from her.

  I knew what I had to do. Without hesitation, I slid the blade of my belt knife across its neck, the red spray of blood painting the floor. I slammed its head down against the tile as hard as I could.

  Becky was still screeching, and the echo was so loud I nearly missed the hiss of frenzy behind me. By the time I heard it, it was already too late. Something heavy fell over me from behind.

  Pressure.

  There was severe pressure on my shoulder. I could smell it now. It was the stench of dirt, and piss, and sweat. I could see its head buried against my neck, and one of its blood red eyes staring at me wildly. I jammed my knife up into that eye with as much power as I could. My stomach roiled at the soft squishy feeling as I met no resistance.

  I knew it was dead immediately but Jeremy was jerking it off me, tossing the body to the floor. He cleaved its head in two with his axe, causing brain and blood to splatter everywhere. My stomach roiled.

  The first one was trying to rise, but I had somehow managed to pin it beneath me during the struggle, purely by coincidence. I scrambled out of the way and Jeremy's axe landed with a solid thud in the middle of its back.

  It was over.

  I jumped to my feet, covered in blood and gore, yelling at him in a sudden fury. "Why the fuck didn't you check the bathrooms?"

  Kevin and Jacob had squeezed in behind him, all three of them casting wary glances between Becky and me. Jeremy's face was ashen, more so than what Becky's had been earlier.

  Becky was sobbing now, trembling in the bathroom stall, but Jeremy didn't go to her. I looked at her then, really looked at her. I wondered why no one else was moving, but then everything inside me sank like lead to the pit of my stomach.

  Flesh was torn from her right arm, leaving a bloody, messy wound. She was bitten.

  Finally, Jeremy pushed me aside as her screams faded from wailing to quiet sobs. He pulled her from the floor and we made way for him as he carried her out of the small, crowded room.

  Still, no one had spoken. The only sound filling the silence was Becky's sobs.

  I started to follow but it was Kevin's wide-eyed stare that drew me up short. He was staring at my shoulder, and when I felt the shirt sticking to my back I knew before I even turned to look.

  In the rush to save Becky, I didn't even realize it. My adrenaline had been so high, I didn't even feel the pain. The dead-brain never got the chance to rip me open, but his teeth still penetrated the t-shirt and my skin. I knew that was enough.

  For some reason, this didn't feel as horrible to me as when I realized Becky had been bitten. I was okay with my life being over, but the thought of Becky's life being over filled me with despair.

  I walked past Kevin to collapse in a chair beside Becky. She had her good arm folded on the table, her head down in the crook of her elbow, still sobbing. Jeremy and Jacob were just staring at her arm. I could see the red welts already forming, and knew my back must look the same.

  "Next time, check the fucking bathroom." It was all I could say.

  Jacob snorted at that, then grabbed Kevin by the arm and led him outside somewhat roughly. Kevin didn't even try to resist. I saw tears welling in his eyes as he looked over his shoulder at me before disappearing out the door.

  Becky raised her head and looked up at her father. "I'll be okay, Papa. It was ju
st a small bite, doesn't even hurt much. Mother can fix me up."

  The innocence in her voice struck me like lightening. Did she not know? I quickly glanced at Jeremy's face and saw it was turning a shade of green. Jeremy knew.

  "How could you?" I said. Jeremy couldn't even meet my eyes. "How could you bring her out here without even telling her what this world is now?"

  My accusation hung in the air, unanswered.

  Becky looked back and forth between us, confusion written all over her face.

  "Papa, I don't feel so good." She said, and Jeremy sobbed once before catching himself.

  I knew the fever was already in her, pulsing through her. I was starting to feel it too. Now, she laid her head on the table because she had to, not because she wanted to hide her tears.

  "Papa?" She whispered.

  "The bite is turning you. It's killing you." I said softly.

  "What?" her head shot up so she could look in my direction but her eyes couldn't focus on me, and she started to fall. I reached to catch her, but Jeremy was there first. He cradled her against him as they both slumped to the floor. She shut her eyes tightly and whispered, "But you were bitten too."

  "I'm turning too."

  Jeremy sobbed again, and kissed her forehead. His voice was hoarse. "I love you, baby girl. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

  "Take me home, Papa, please!" She pleaded, but her voice wasn't above a whisper.

  I watched silently, the feelings inside me twisting into anguish as Jeremy cradled her and rocked her slightly. Tears were openly streaming down his face now as he held her frail body against him while she cried into his shirt.

  The moments passed, stretching into minutes and drawing into an hour. I could feel my own strength starting to fade as I waited.

  Finally, I dropped to the floor beside them and pulled her body from Jeremy's arms. He was reluctant to let her go but we both saw the truth of it. I stated flatly, "You should go."

  Jeremy relinquished his hold on her and she clung to me, sobbing. She felt so thin and frail in my arms. Her pleading voice was like a dagger in my stomach. "Don't leave me here. Papa, don't leave me."