by C. O. Amal
“Ahh ...” The man screamed out loud. The woman closed her mouth with her hand and she stopped breathing. She is in complete shock and fear. A moment later the man screamed for a final time before one of the dog bit him in the head. She quickly got inside the nearest room and she dead bolted the door. Then she silently cried.
A moment later something, most probably an infected dog, sniffed the air from just outside the room in which the woman is in.
Chapter 1
I moved the curtains and peered outside. The snow fall haven’t stopped, and roads and most vehicles are plunged in snow. Mia, Brent and Aidan are still asleep. It hasn’t been too long since the sun rose in the horizon. I slowly covered the window with curtain. I slowly moved towards the kitchen. As soon as I reached there, I ignited the stove. I quickly placed a pot full of water on top of the stove and I rubbed my hands together.
Even though I am wearing three tee shirts, it’s freezing cold here. It’s been two months since I have seen another living soul, apart from my kids, of course. Mia and Brent are happy to be with me and I am extra happy that I have company in this new world. Mia always talks about all the things she know.
“Is the coffee ready?” Mia appeared from the bedroom.
I only just thought about her, and there she is. My mother always says that if a person appear all of a sudden when we are thinking about that person, that person more likely live more than hundred years. I hope she would live like that. Although I doubt it. I would most definitely die here soon. Last day I barely escaped from a monster, or demon or whatever it is. I have red numerous zombie novels and one thing I found out about zombie novels is that, the characters will most likely call the zombies with some custom name. Even though it’s been too long since the world began to end, I actually didn’t get a good name for these things.
Are they actually zombies? I doubt they are zombies. They are more like demons from the movie paranormal activity. Their dark eyes are all you need to get a good nightmare. And these days I often see nightmares. They must be coming from another dimension. That’s certain because, when that smoke thing escaped from that purple coloured glass wall, there was a hole in that wall. An endless hole. If my assumptions are right, that portal must be the doorway to hell. It’s all just a theory, but this theory will be most likely true.
Last month I saw a monster who can talk. It talked like any normal human would do and it gave commands to other dump creatures to attack a nearby town. I was in a nearby building that day and I almost heard what it said. According to that creature, there are many survivors. But, everyone is struggling to survive. These things are only the beginning. They are actually preparing this world for something else entirely. That something else must be the complete end of this world.
Actually this world is almost dead. Getting water here will be a tough call. Now I have plenty of water here, but soon that supply would end. Trees are dying and I haven’t seen a single bird after this thing began to happen.
“Coffee will be ready in a few minutes.” I said.
“Good. I am going to give Brent some milk from our supply, if you don’t mind.”
“Go ahead. He needs to be healthy. Although ration it well. We might need a good supply to ride out this winter.”
“Okay.”
She walked away. What will Aidan be doing right now. He might be having a damn good nightmare. It’s a fortune that none of my kids and me won’t scream after seeing a nightmare. Those demon things are all around us, waiting for any sound. A small sound is all they need to become active. They will tear apart our flesh if they have to. I have seen their eating several times and it was totally horrific. Nobody wishes such a death.
I rarely think about my wife these days. Her soul might be in heaven, staring at us. But, her body is now belongs to these creatures. I haven’t seen her since that day when all this things began to happen. When I think about her, her image of going to that church in that Sunday would come to my mind.
The water began to boil. I sprinkled some coffee powder into the water. And then I put some sugar in it and I stirred the coffee using a spoon. We don’t use milk in coffee anymore, because baby Brent would need the milk. We found some milk powder. But we won’t take that until we have no other choice.
Our supply of canned goods are extremely good. But, we need to go for a supply run tomorrow, for some cloths. I hope that, that Hoffmann’s Mall would have everything we need.
Chapter 2
I slowly opened my eyes. Aidan is still asleep. I stood up and walked towards the living room. In the living room I found Mia playing with baby Brent.
“You’re awake?” Mia asked.
“Isn’t that obvious? What time is it?”
“Seven AM.”
“Shit. I need to go for a supply run.”
“Can I come with you?”
“No. We have talked about this before.” I slowly walked towards the kitchen.
I found coffee on top of the table. So, Mia was very busy. I poured coffee into a glass and I quickly sipped. Then I took a knife and I safely placed it in my waist band.
“You know, I could help you.” Mia said.
“No, Mia. You stay here with Aidan and Brent. Remember, don’t make any sound.” I patted Mia on her cheek. “One day I will take you with me, but not today.”
I slowly walked towards the front window. I removed the curtains and analysed outside. The snow fall had stopped and the blue sky is clearly visible. That means, winter is almost over. Fortunately I saw no demon creatures. Then I looked at Mia.
“Mia, I will come back soon. In case I didn’t come back, you know what to do?”
“Yeah. I will pray for your safe return.”
I smiled. I stopped praying several days ago. Why pray when you know that god isn’t helping you? I slowly opened and I analysed the road and nearby building for a final time. Then I stepped outside. Mia quickly closed the door. She then stared at me through the window. I motioned at her to cover the window and she obeyed. I took a deep breath. Then I started my walk. It’s very cold. I wrapped my hands across my chest. The snow is considerably slowing me down, but I managed to keep up a moderate pace. There are no signs of any human life here. Most people must have turned. Remaining survivors must have retreated to some underground bunker. I hope I would find a normal human being. I need to find someone. How long can I stay alive alone?
Of course, my kids are keeping me company, but I need someone to talk about this real world things. I passed two blocks and still no sign of any life. Suddenly a cold wind whipping up snow, blew towards me. I shivered in the wind, but, I continued my walk. Then on the next block I saw the mall. Hoffmann’s Advanced Mall. I slowly approached the mall and saw the broken front door. This door wasn’t broken last week. So it happened this week. The glass shards are all over the fallen snow. There are cracks all over the glass wall. I slowly got inside the mall through the broken doorway. Suddenly a sharp howl came from outside.
Chapter 3
I broke into a sprint through the mall. I quickly saw a staircase to the upper levels. I took the stairs and I looked for a place to hide. Suddenly the screech got louder and then I heard sound of breaking of glass. I stood near the hand rails of the staircase and peeked. Then I saw it. A huge infected dog is on the ground floor and it’s sniffing for me.
I slowly backed away from the staircase. I moved backward until my back hit the wall. Then my hands got a grip on some wooden thing. I looked back and saw a wooden door. I tried the knob and it budged. I quickly got inside. Suddenly a pungent smell of piss punched through my nose.
“Damn.”
Then I heard the shuffling sound of a dog just outside this room. It’s probably sniffing and perhaps this smell of piss might have dragged it away from here. Then I heard retreating footsteps. I took a deep sigh. Then I puked. This damn smell!
“Hello.” A female voice came from a corner.
I shifted my gaze and saw the outline of a woman. This woman mus
t have been holed up in here for several days. The smell of piss figures.
“Are they still out there?”
“Yeah.” I said.
“I have been in here for two days now. Those things never moved away from here. I guess those things might have known that I am in here. I am sorry for the smell. I didn’t saw much of a choice.”
“Don’t worry. Why didn’t you lock the door?”
“I thought someone might end up here, with a nice plan to escape from here.”
“Now, I ended up here.”
“I guess you must have a plan.”
I didn’t answer. Instead I looked around me for a way out. Then I saw a window on the far corner. It’s in about my height. I might need a table or something like that.
“There is a window.”
“Yeah. But how do we haul ourselves through that? I mean this height?” She said.
“We could haul a table from outside. If we are quick, we might be able to escape.”
I didn’t wait her for to decide. I slowly opened the door and I peered outside. No one is nearby. I quickly opened the door widely and at the same instant I ran for the nearest table. I quickly dragged the table towards the room. Suddenly sound of something falling came from upper levels. The dogs might be there looking for me. Before long I hauled the table inside and she closed the door. Then we heard the sound of dogs just outside. But, they didn’t approached the door, probably due to the smell of piss. I am happy that she pissed well.
I climbed on top of the table and checked the window. I slowly opened the window and saw the bright sky. Then I saw a fire escape ladder near the window, just outside this room.
“There is a ladder outside.” I said.
“Thank, god. Can we escape?”
“I guess so.” Thank you, god.
Chapter 4
We somehow climbed down and we set our foot on the ground, on the back of the mall. The dogs are still inside, but they might come at any moment. We slowly walked towards the street.
“You didn’t tell me your name.”
“Oh, I am Veronica.”
“Veronica, we are not safe yet. We have a lot of ground to cover. I suggest you come with me to my hideout.”
“Okay.”
“I am Jerome, by the way.”
She nodded. We entered into the street and then we bolted into a run. She closely followed me. The loose snow considerably reduced our pace as our feet got plunged in loose snow. Before long I saw my building. Suddenly a screech came from our back. We stopped for a moment and analysed our surrounding. Then we saw it. A huge infected dog is running at us.
“Run ...” Veronica shouted.
And we ran again. I am at my doorstep when Veronica tripped. She fell down into the snow, and the dog already set its eyes on Veronica. I have to do something. Then the wildest imagination came into my mind. I drew out the knife from my waist band and I rushed towards Veronica. At the moment I reached there, the dog was also there. It jumped on top of me. I struggled to keep its mouth at bay. Me and the dog began to roll through the snow. The cold is already killing me, and now this extra weight.
“Run ...” I said.
But Veronica didn’t run. She looked everywhere for something.
“Ahh ...” Pain coursed through my knee. The dog cut open my pants using its sharp claw. Then the dog, for a moment lost control over me. At that instant I drove my knife into its chest, with my one hand. The dog yelped and blood steadily oozed down from its chest. This is my chance. The dog desperately tried to shook me away. Then I drew out the knife and stabbed it in its neck. I stabbed several times and at the fifth or sixth stab, the dog went limp.
I somehow stood up, but I lost my footing. Pain is coursing through my left leg.
“Here, let me help you.” Veronica came to the rescue. She helped me to get back to my feet. I limped and she led me to my hideout.
At the moment I reached beside the door, as usual I knocked on the door three times, and Mia opened the door for us. I winced and Mia led us inside. As soon as we are inside, Mia closed the door and she dead bolted it.
“Ahh ...” I almost screamed. I slowly sat down on the couch.
“Dad, what happened?” Aidan came from the bedroom.
“It’s nothing, son. Mia, I need something to drink, and give this lady a nice bath.”
“Mia nodded.”
“I am good. I can help you, you know.” She crouched down near me and she analysed the wound. “If you have a first aid kit, I can help.”
“Here you go.” Mia came with a first aid kit.
Before long, Veronica began to wipe the blood from my knee using a cotton piece.
“Shit ...” Veronica mumbled.
“Ahh ... What is it?”
“Look.” Veronica pointed at my wound with fear and shock.
I winced and I slowly shifted my gaze at the wound. Then all of my future plans dismantled. The blood. Now the blood. It’s black. It’s dark as night. It’s dark as their eyes. Man, this is really my end.
Chapter 5
I woke up with a sharp pain in my leg.
“Ahh ...” Oh, god, I can’t hold back my pain anymore.
“Dad, are you okay, dad?” I heard Aidan’s voice.
I slowly opened my eyes. Everyone is near me.
“I don’t know what is happening to me.” I said.
Veronica crouched down near me, and she ran her hands through my hair.
“Don’t worry, everything’s going to be alright.”
“I ... I can’t move my legs.”
I slowly peeked at my leg. What the? My foot have turned into a greyish colour. Oh, god, is this my end.
“Mia, take some water for Jerome.” Veronica commanded.
I heard Mia shuffling away.
“Here you go, Jerome.” Mia quickly came back with a glass full of water. I slowly dragged my legs and I somehow sat up in the far corner of the couch.
Veronica placed the mouth of the glass on my lips. I hungrily sipped the hot water.
“Do you know what is happening to me?” I asked Veronica.
She hesitated for a moment. “I think I know. But, you might not like this.”
“Is that what I am thinking?”
“Yes.”
“Then, you have to take the kids and leave this place. Go anywhere I can’t find you.”
“Dad ...”
“Aidan, you and Mia and Brent, now have to stick with Veronica. I am sure that I met her on purpose. It’s god’s will, Aidan. Go.”
“Jerome, maybe there is a cure.” Veronica said.
“You and I know better.” I said. “Please look after the kids. Now, go. Ahh ...” I can’t hold back this pain. Then I saw it. My hands began to discolour. It turned into a grey colour. Then I saw some black material running through my hands under the skin. “I think it’s starting. Go, now.”
Veronica quickly gathered a bag full of supplies.
“Dad, I will stay.” Aidan said.
“No, Aidan. Go. Ahh ... Veronica, go ...” Veronica threw the bag on her shoulders and she grabbed Mia's and Aidan’s hands. Baby Brent is on sleep in Mia’s left hand.
“Ahh ...” Then they left. Aidan is crying, but he needs to know that, there is nothing he could do for me. There is no one who could help me. Even god abandoned me. “Ahh ...” Pain is coursing through my body. The wound is leaking with a load of pus.
“Ahh ...” And that was it. The pain is over. My mind slowly drifted away. I think I am falling asleep. God, save my soul at least...
Epilogue
The father stood up. All humanity disappeared from his face. His eyes are dark as dark can do at its best. There are black lines on his skin where there used to be green coloured veins. His face is greyish and drops of drool oozed down from his mouth, just like a rabid dog. He is not he anymore. He is an it, whatever it is.
Then it heard a noise from outside. It examined its surrounding. Then it ran for the wall thinking that that�
�s the way towards the thing which is making sound outside. It collided with the wall and fell down. The noise went on. It stood up and ran again. This time at full speed. It again collided with the wall. And it continued the procedure - running at the wall.
Sun is highest in the sky and under the blue sky, the sound of the creature colliding with the wall filled the very air.
Part 5 – From Heaven
Prologue
Gavin, Martin and Cooper awoke by the sound of something falling outside.
“Gavin ...” Lizzy yelled from her room.
Gavin, Martin and Cooper rushed towards Lizzy. Then they stopped in front of Lizzy’s room. There is a wide hole on the roof of Lizzy’s room. Something fell by braking the roof. Lizzy is in complete shock and she is staring at something. Gavin, Cooper and Martin slowly approached Lizzy. Then they saw it. Under the hole on the roof, on the floor, there is a small crater and in the crater lies a glowing egg.
Gavin and team stared at the egg. Then Lizzy climbed down from the bed and she approached the egg. As soon as Lizzy approached the egg, the egg began to glow in bright blue colour.
“Lizzy, don’t.” Cooper said.
But Lizzy already crouched down near the egg, and she lifted the egg from the small crater.
“This is mine.” Lizzy said.
Suddenly something again fell outside the house. That’s when Gavin and team thought about the falling sounds they had heard earlier. Gavin, Cooper and Martin rushed towards the front door. They peeked outside through the window, and the sight in front of them was unexplainable. There and there on small craters lies glowing eggs. Suddenly a sharp screech came from near the houses on the other side of the street.
