Apocalyptic Beginnings Box Set

by M. D. Massey

  They all got out of the truck, scanning their surroundings. Since Sophie had the only fully loaded gun, she went first. Claire and Thomas followed closely behind.

  They made their way up to the third floor, not a single undead in their path. Sophie scanned the floor through the little window in the door before opening it. Getting to Henry’s door, she put the key in the lock. Before she turned it, she took a deep breath, readying herself for anything that could be waiting for them. Then she opened the door, quickly scanning the front of the apartment. Everything looked the same as when they left.

  They all breathed a sigh of relief. Sophie stalked off and cleared the rest of the apartment. She came back and met both Claire and Thomas in the living room.

  “Look, I’m tired. I’m going to get some rest. When daylight hits in a couple hours, we will pack up.” Sophie walked back toward the bedrooms, leaving Claire and Thomas to fend for themselves.

  “Well, where should I sleep? Here?” He pointed at the couch. When Claire nodded, he grabbed the blanket off the floor. Exhausted, she headed back to Henry’s bedroom, ready for a few hours sleep herself.

  Claire lay down and snuggled up under the bedding, wishing she could snuggle up to Nick. Sophie was right. She had to move forward. When she and Nick talked about Jenna and Marc, they both thought they would have wanted them to move forward. They could understand what the other was going through, so maybe they could learn to cope with it together.

  It was chilly in the apartment. She made a mental note to grab Henry’s winter clothing. Oddly enough, she hoped they could head south shortly after they got back to the house. Staying in the north would just make matters worse. The snow would arrive soon, and they were ill-prepared for it. Heading south just made sense.

  When the sun came streaming in the window, Sophie groaned. She wasn’t ready to get up. She rolled over, pulling the blanket over her head, opting for more rest.

  “Sophie?” Claire peeked into the room, and she groaned again. “Sophie, come on. Thomas and I have got nearly everything packed.”

  She jumped out of bed, forgetting she was just in her bra and panties. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” She raced around, getting dressed and packing at the same time. Claire noticed how fit she was. She had some serious abs, and her arms were cut, as well.

  “I thought you could use the extra rest.”

  “I don’t need extra rest!” Sophie snapped. Instead of a rebuttal, Claire turned around and stormed out of the room. “Claire! Shit…” Sophie finished grabbing all her possessions and quickly walked down the hallway.

  “Hey.” She was a little out of breath. “I’m sorry.” With her lips pressed firmly together, Claire looked at her with disdain. “I’m sorry.”

  “Whatever, Sophie. I thought I was doing you a favor, but I see now how silly I was.” She was irritated. She thought they had bonded the day before, so to get attitude was unexpected. “Anyway, what should we pack from Henry’s room?” While waiting for a response, she searched the hall closet for a couple more pieces of luggage and duffels.

  “I’ll help you.” Sophie felt horribly guilty. She wasn’t sure if Claire was her friend, or if she even wanted to be. She never really had a friend before. Henry was the closest she had to a friend, and that was compromised years ago when they moved into a relationship.

  Claire followed her down the hallway. Sophie stopped in the middle of Henry’s room, looking around for a minute.

  “Let’s start with his dresser.” She opened the top drawer, seeing the wrinkled picture of Henry and his mom. She held it up, wondering if she should bring it after what Kellan said. Then she tucked the picture in her bra right next to the picture of her “babies”.

  Sophie went through the rest of his drawers, pulling out clothing that she thought he would want, handing them to Claire. Her hands lingered over his low-cut micro-fiber boxers. They were all either white, black, gray, or navy blue. She laughed to herself. Typical Henry. She missed that side of the relationship with him. She always enjoyed looking at his body.

  They moved to the closet. When Sophie opened the doors, Claire inhaled with a loud gasp. On the floor were his tuxedo, Elaina’s wedding gown, and her bridesmaid dress. All three were torn, dried blood all over them. Sophie slammed the door shut.

  “I can do this if you want to go,” Sophie offered.

  Claire blew out a breath. “No, I have to do this. I have to be able to face it.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t want you to get upset.” Sophie touched Claire’s arm, then guided her to Henry’s bed. “You sit here, and I’ll toss stuff out to you to pack.”

  Sophie went through Henry’s extensive wardrobe, none of it ostentatious. Again, typical Henry, she thought. He always wanted to blend into the crowd, be unnoticed and elusive. Every shirt, sweater, sweatshirt, and pants were navy, white, black, or a shade of gray.

  Once she pulled everything out, she noticed a stack of journals on a shelf in the back. Claire saw her stop, curious.

  “What? What do you see?” She stood. Sophie picked up the journal on the top. Against her better judgment, she opened it and read the entry out loud.

  * * *

  “October 24th, 2012

  * * *

  Dear Mum,

  * * *

  I met the most amazing woman tonight. My intentions were not good at first, but she took my breath away. Her hair is as black as night. Her eyes, the color of the sky, bring me to my knees. I feel alive for the first time in a very long time. She is just absolutely the most fantastic woman. She was parked on the street next to a bookshop that I visited. Her entire physical self was frustrated. Then I saw her dump her handbag on the ground, looking through everything. I squatted next to her and asked if she needed help. She gazed into my chemical-laden eyes, looking just as mesmerized as I was with hers. Mum, I fell in love at that moment. I knew then that she was who I looked for. I invited her to have coffee with me at a café near my flat. I was so pleased she accepted. It was such fun chatting with her. I gave her my number, so I hope she calls. If she doesn’t, I will find her. I do fear the moment when she finds out about me, my true self. It is such a burden, making me feel alone and lost. I don’t even want to tell you what I did. I’m ashamed of my behaviour.

  * * *

  I love you. I wish you could meet her.

  Luke”

  * * *

  Sophie and Claire were silent for a moment. Sophie had no idea Henry kept journals, let alone entries that were letters to his mom. A tear fell from Sophie’s eye and hit the page.

  Sophie flipped through the books. Written in every single entry was Dear Mum… I love you, Luke. It was a painful reminder of what he needed. He wanted acceptance and the unconditional love a mother gives her son.

  Sophie wished she had a mother to guide her, too. She grew up in cold and sterile environments, having no idea how to behave without the use of all the skills she was forced to learn at the complex. His entries hit home for her.

  “I had no idea,” Sophie whispered, wiping her tears away. “He never told me about this. It looks like he has been journaling for years. So many entries. Wait, listen to this one.”

  * * *

  “March 7th, 2010

  * * *

  Dear Mum,

  * * *

  I’ve left for the States, and am on the plane as I write this. I have a job to do. It was difficult leaving Sophie. I fear for her safety. I think she’s in danger there. I’m hoping another recruit will protect her like I have. She’s the only friend I have. I ask you to watch over her. I’ll be fine. She needs the strength more than I do. Wish me luck. This job will be dangerous.

  * * *

  I love you.

  Luke”

  * * *

  Sophie and Claire looked at each other. Claire’s lifted her brow in suspicion. “Did he know about the release?” Sophie just stared back. “Sophie, please tell me he didn’t. Tell me it wasn’t him.” The silence was long and heavy while So
phie contemplated her response.

  “He knew it was going to happen, but didn’t know when. He had the virus in his refrigerator the entire time he lived in this flat. That was one of the main reasons he wouldn’t allow Elaina to come here. He was to form an army, so to speak. Every recruit was to become established within their community. A pillar, of sorts. They were to make friends, acquaintances, and lovers. When the release happened, the community would fight alongside him to keep it at bay.” Claire was about to interrupt when Sophie held up her finger. “When Henry met Elaina, he was doing his job.”

  “Holy shit. So he was with her so she could help do his job?”

  “No! No. Absolutely not. Elaina showed Henry such love, compassion, and devotion. She made him feel things he had never felt before. He spent the first year of their relationship fighting with himself. Henry fears Roger and the power he has, but he loves her so much. Can you not see that?”

  “I don’t know anymore.” Shaking her head, Claire was concerned for Elaina.

  “I corresponded with him quite regularly. The night before he bought her ring, he told me he was going rogue if she said yes. But he was still going to make it look like he was doing his job. I secretly hoped they would break up and he would get back into the program. I needed him to protect me again. But he had made a decision that could have gotten himself and others killed.

  “He didn’t want to drag Elaina into it. Because of the program, he feared committing to her. But once he decided that he couldn’t picture his future without her by his side, he asked her to marry him. He’s completely smitten. He would do anything to protect her. He would fight to the death for her. He would slit his own throat for her, if need be. Elaina is everything Henry has wanted in his life.”

  “Does she know?” Claire softly asked.

  “No. She thinks it was happenstance.”

  “Wait…”

  “He had seen her in his area. He felt she looked physically strong, and she was strong-willed.” Claire’s jaw hit the floor. “He did whatever it took to establish a connection between the two of them.”

  “You have got to be kidding me. He slashed her tire and stole her cell phone!”

  “Listen to me.” Sophie grabbed Claire by the arms. “Henry’s initial intention was to recruit Elaina. But the moment he looked into her eyes, he knew he didn’t want to do this kind of work anymore. The next day, he talked to me, saying he was seriously considering going rogue. Over the next year, he saw the beauty in things. He saw the beauty in living a true life. It was secured in his mind that the program was unethical and disturbing. When Elaina accepted his proposal, he was done. He was desperate for a proper life, and he felt Elaina could give that to him.

  “He misstepped several times. Missed calls, didn’t turn in reports, and he refused to release the virus. Roger made Gunther fly up and try to intimidate him. He stalked him for ages. Eventually, Henry had enough of his threats and physically fought him.”

  “The bar fight…” Everything fell into place. “He got into a bar fight with some built, older guy. Elaina and I were there. Henry had taken us out for some fun. Marc was out of town on business. Was that him?”

  “Yes.”

  “The bartender just threw them out.” Claire filled in the missing details. “He begged her not to call the police. She made him stay at her place that night.”

  “The next day,” Sophie continued, “Henry came back here. Gunther broke in. The only thing missing was the virus. Gunther stuck around and tracked Henry, following his every move. And then, on their wedding day, he injected someone.”

  Claire’s hands shook, tears streaming down her face. “That sick son of a bitch! He killed Marc!” Claire felt a rage she had never experienced before.

  “That’s why he wants to find Gunther. And when he does, Gunther will beg Henry for his life. You can count on it.”

  Claire was in shock…and fuming. “If Henry doesn’t kill that fucker, I will. And you can count on that!” She stormed out of Henry’s room, leaving Sophie in her wake. She finished packing up in silence, then headed out to the living room where Claire and Thomas sat waiting for her.

  “All right then. Do we have everything?” Sophie looked around the living room, dropping the journals in a box. There were a lot of bags and small boxes full of supplies. Luckily, they were able to put all the weapons and ammunition in one trunk. It was a little unorganized and was a tight fit, but they got it to work.

  “I wish we could go back to mine, Nick’s, and Elaina’s apartments. There are a few things I would love to get for the three of us.”

  “Well, let’s get loaded up.” Sophie wasn’t ignoring Claire’s request, but she also wasn’t going to say yes yet. She didn’t know the area, and wasn’t sure if they would be able to find the gas they needed.

  Claire stared at her for a few seconds, wondering if she was going to give her a response.

  “I’ll stand guard. I want you and Thomas to bring the stuff down. We’ll put the trunk in first so we have access to it, if need be.” They grabbed the trunk and followed Sophie out the door. She made sure to lock it, just in case.

  About a half-hour later, they were all ready to go. Sophie looked at the back of the truck. It wasn’t completely full, so they could definitely squeeze in more stuff. “Claire?”

  “Yeah?”

  “How far is it to the three flats?”

  “Nick’s and Elaina’s are in the same building about ten miles from here. Mine is a few miles past that.” Claire was getting excited, but she didn’t want to show it.

  “On a normal day, how long would it take to get there?”

  “Well, in crazy traffic, it takes about twenty or so to get to Elaina’s, and another fifteen to get to mine.”

  “Oh, fuck it. Let’s try it.”

  Claire grabbed Sophie and hugged her. “Thank you! Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me.” Sophie smiled. Thomas wasn’t thrilled, but he had no choice.

  “Claire, you sit in front so you can navigate. We will need to stop for gas soon, so be on the lookout for possible sources.”

  Chapter 27

  It took about an hour before Sophie, Claire, and Thomas turned on the street to Elaina’s and Nick’s apartment building. Excitement raced over Claire’s skin, making it gooseflesh. There was one thing in particular she wanted to get from Nick’s apartment.

  “There! Right there!” Claire frantically pointed at the plain, brown brick building that resembled a dormitory. Sophie pulled up to the front entrance. They sat there for a few moments, looking around the area. It seemed relatively untouched, but they knew better than that.

  “Thomas, get out the sniper rifle.” Claire and Thomas both looked at each other, worried about what Sophie had in mind. “Claire, where are the flats?” She pointed. Elaina’s was on the third floor, Nick’s was a basement apartment. “Okay. Here’s the plan. I’m going to sit up on the roof of the truck and pick them off as I see them. You two will go inside. You have ten minutes per flat. Any longer than that, I may have to leave you. Come out after each one.”

  “Heard,” Claire said. She and Thomas loaded their guns.

  “One of you take an axe and a flashlight, as well. Spare your ammo.” They all got out and Sophie hoisted herself up to the roof of the truck. “And no more strays!” she yelled as they marched off into the building. Claire waved at Sophie without turning, acknowledging her command.

  The front door was unlocked. Claire wondered if Henry left it that way when he came out to get supplies several weeks prior, or if the residents did. The front lobby was clear. Claire looked at Thomas.

  “Ready?”

  “Can I say no?” he said nervously.

  “What?”

  “I’m jus’ scared.”

  Claire smiled at him. “Remember the medical building? You were awesome there.” Thomas nodded. “Come on. What do we have to lose?”

  “Nothin’, I guess.”

  Claire stepped thr
ough the door and crept past the elevators. Thomas followed behind, watching their backs. Before they made it to the door of the stairwell, they heard a couple shots fired outside. Claire grabbed the handle and paused, turning back to Thomas.

  “Be ready.” When Claire pulled open the door, the stench of death wafted out, filling the air. Before she vomited, she let go of the handle, allowing the door to slam shut. Thomas handed Claire the axe, then pulled off the long-sleeved button-down shirt he borrowed from Elaina’s father’s closet.

  “You think she’d be mad if I tore this up?”

  “I doubt it.”

  Thomas tore off the sleeves. He helped Claire tie one around her nose and mouth, then Claire helped him tie one on himself. She opened the door again. The smell was still nauseating, but the shirt helped filter it. They only needed to go down one flight of stairs, but it was pitch black. Claire clicked on the flashlight and screamed.

  “Shh!” Thomas hissed.

  “Sorry…,” she said. There were two true dead bodies rotting at the foot of the stairs. The blood on the walls was dry. Their entrails pulled from their abdomens, resembling ground meat. Judging by their decayed state, Claire estimated that they had to have been there for a couple weeks. “How do we get past them?”

  “We jus’ have ta step over ’em.”

  Claire shuddered. Bile threatening, it took all her might to keep it down.

  They descended the stairs and Claire pulled on the door. She could barely get it open far enough to squeeze through because of the oozy, decaying bodies blocking it. She flashed the light down the hallway, then grabbed Thomas’s arm. There were a half-dozen undeads roaming, bumping into each other at the other end of the hall.