In The End Box Set | Books 1-3

by Stevens, GJ

  Alex’s pace built with mine, increasing against my will until we were jogging and jumping over fallen trees. Somehow we found the energy to bound over sticking out roots and swerve left and right to avoid the undergrowth. We stopped only as the ground fell away out of sight.

  Alex held me back from the edge. She held me too far away to see what waited in the dark.

  I turned back, already knowing what I’d see and my lips curled into a painful smile at the light obscured from the treeline.

  “Shoot them,” I said as I laughed.

  Alex looked back as if I’d lost the plot. Perhaps I had.

  We both knew even emptying the magazine with a perfect aim wouldn’t reduce their numbers to a survivable level.

  Was this how it was going to be forever? Running for your life, never catching your breath? Were we ultimately doomed to fail? Was it really worth the constant battle? Did people really deserve to live?

  Alex turned away and I watched as she surveyed around us, peering along the ground, head stuttering as she took in the tall trees. I could guess what was going through her head, but instead of joining her to look for a way out, I took in a deep breath.

  My gaze came to rest on the surging crowd which had made so much progress in the last few moments. It felt as if the last of my will left me with a breath.

  I glanced across the view with Alex tugging at my shoulder, but I refused to hurry back. I refused to rush to the edge of the ground falling away behind us.

  I fixed my entire world on a small girl in a pale-yellow dress as she ambled at the head of the group, my only thought that the pretty dress wasn’t suitable for the harsh chill in the air.

  My mother’s words caught in my head. She’ll catch her death. But the great wound to her forehead meant she already had.

  The virus didn’t care who it affected. The illness didn’t just strike down those who were ill or infirm. It didn’t discriminate. Innocent or guilty, it would take everyone. If only there were hope.

  The stench rolled in a great gust to my nostrils and I gagged, retching for clean air.

  I had been the hope. I had been the one who’d held the power to stop this. I had been the one to warn everyone before it was too late.

  My vision pulled back to take in the wider crowd now only a few steps away and wondered why I was no longer the person who would stand up to be counted. Why was I no longer the person who could change the way this would play out?

  I couldn’t find the reason and I turned to ask Alex the question, watching as she stared fearful to the crowd.

  The words didn’t come; instead they replaced with a new will to save her life first. To save those who still could be saved. I had to get to the house and find the keys so I could tell the world before it was too late.

  I grabbed the arm of her shirt, dragging her stare away and peeling her from the crowd just out of our reach. Without looking to where she would fall, I pushed her over the dark edge, knowing whatever was at the bottom couldn’t be much worse than our fate if we stayed put.

  With a scrape of fingers to my back, I sunk to my behind and launched myself to follow down the steep incline.

  79

  Alex and the surrounding water caught my fall. From the chaos of the chill I rose alongside her, spitting the muddy contents whilst batting my lids to peer up to the shadows falling down the bank.

  I struggled to my feet, but I could feel my fight was back. My will had hardened once again and grabbing Alex’s wrist I splashed through the knee-deep water to follow the slow current heading parallel to the village.

  Soon we escaped the full shadow of the canopy. Shards of light peeked through from above to show us the banks were still too steep to climb. But hope lay ahead. Hope stretched out in front as the banks first narrowed, rising higher still, the water deepening with a rapid decline, but beyond we saw the edge of the copse of trees and the sunbathed fields rolling out to the horizon.

  Twisting around toward the darkness, I watched bodies continue to roll down the bank, falling into a great mess of arms and legs. Thin light highlighted gnashing teeth as some of their number rose from the murky water to take up the chase. I saw their dreams of our blood coursing, could feel as if inside their riddled minds. Their instinct desperate to pull our flesh open, but at least the dense undergrowth stopped them from following us along the bank.

  We slowed with each step, taking our time as the depth grew, turning each moment to check their progress. Most who’d risen were falling again, tripping over their feet, except for two. A man and woman, both early twenties, their faces running with lines of red liquid as they kept up their chase.

  Thankful the stench had calmed as they covered with water, with our feet pumping we watched ahead as over the drop the river bore to the right. We stared onward as it swept away from the village, gaining width.

  My look ignored the water running fast only a few paces away and disregarded the surface, white with foam which I should have read as a big NO ENTRY sign.

  We watched as the banks in the distance fell either side, levelling with the calm flow and calling us with its placid surface.

  The slap of feet and the building rumble of the monotone hum from behind spurred us on, although we had no choice. We could stay and fight the two following close on our heels, but would still have to take on the rest of the building crowd whose mass had already built to dam the flow.

  I looked down as the thought came to my head. I peered to the water and watched, now sure the level receded. I turned back to where we’d skidded into the river, looking past the pair whose swipes would soon connect if I didn’t stop looking.

  The water was receding and not because of our steps.

  Alex’s pull snapped me back in the direction we were travelling and made my legs rise and fall, the resistance against my feet definitely eased. I ran, knowing the gift they had given us; knowing it wouldn’t last forever and when it did, I knew it would take us with it.

  With every hurried step the splash of our feet grew less intense. With every step I knew we had to quicken, knowing the dam could burst and send a teeming mass of clawing creatures our way.

  As we reached where the water had once been white, where only moments before water had cascaded down with the full force of nature’s might, we watched the slow trickle as it wound its way through the shining rocks glistening with moisture. Now would be the worst time for the blockage to give way; the worst time for the creatures to catch up.

  Bouncing down the smooth rocks on my butt, I looked up as I reached the bottom and my feet plunged to the remaining water. Alex landed only moments after I cleared.

  A short sharp breath made me turn, forcing me to watch as one after the other the two chasing creatures went over the edge, with their arms reaching out for Alex despite their tumble.

  Forcing myself on, the pressure against my legs gave me hope that those without dexterity couldn’t follow. It left just the rising water level as my only concern. And the dam bursting.

  I edged toward the far bank on my left; the packed mud rising higher than I could see over even if I stood out of the water. I felt Alex bump into my side. I felt her motion pause, as did mine.

  We both heard the rumble of weight around us.

  We both heard the rush of water as it charged toward us, sweeping the blockage aside; bringing with it a tumbling mess of death.

  80

  I grasped for roots in the bank that weren’t there. I grabbed for something to pull against as the rumble of pressure grew with every moment. I found nothing but the sheer walls of dense dirt.

  Breath pulled in as water reached my crotch.

  I felt a shove at my side, but I didn’t complain and stopped clawing the air for traction, running as best as I could; as best as my last stores of adrenalin could push.

  My next footfall landed higher than I expected and I tripped forward, then was drawn back by the new current and swept along against my will. With my lungs pulling sharp for air as I sank,
the water washed over my shoulders.

  A firm grasp grabbed at the scruff of my jacket and I was high in the water again, cold wind washing across my soaked clothes as Alex pulled me to my feet.

  We raced on, gripping hands as the banks spread, their depth lowering with every step, the flow calming.

  The water receded and I gave thanks the worst hadn’t come. We would be okay. I could see the shallow bank only a few steps away.

  A noise at our backs made me turn. The thunderous sound distracted me from my goal and I watched the cascade of water reach the fall we’d slid down on our butts. I watched as it seemed to ignore the rules of gravity, its weight punching over the edge, bursting out towards us before crashing down and delivering the teeming mass of its passengers to where I’d tried to rise over the steep edge.

  I ran on, pumping my legs through the water, knowing the pressure wave of the liquid and its solid load would roll on and push us to the side or gather us up to force an impossible fight with the scratching, clawing fingers and the gnashing teeth.

  With a heave I felt myself fall to the side; a sudden lightness around my waist stopped me from falling to the water and instead launched me on to the bank. I turned, still dazed from the sudden change of position, but I had the composure to reach out and grab Alex’s outstretched arm and pull her as the tirade of water caught up.

  Water cascaded down our bodies as I panted for air. Our wet clothes clung tight, chilling fast in the frozen wind. In that moment neither of us could do anything but shiver for heat as we watched the great wave wash along its course, lapping up at the banks as it delivered the creatures somewhere downstream; delivered them to somewhere where the people were unprepared. To those who wouldn’t understand. They would try to help the fallen and I knew what would come next.

  Still catching my breath, I stared at Alex, tracing the curve of her soaked clothes across her chest, the tails of her shirt and t-shirt clinging tight to her hips. Hair flat to her face. Eyelashes dark and pronounced. A red shine to her cheeks; a feminine glow.

  I watched her as if seeing for the first time.

  “What?” she said, shaking her head as her brow lowered, hand brushing either cheek to clear away what she thought I might be staring at.

  Broken from my trance, I turned away from the flow as I rose, unsteady to my feet.

  I couldn’t help but look back again, watching as the water drained from her hair to run down her face. I watched her nod, giving the smallest of smiles as her breath returned.

  I looked to the woods, my body still vibrating as the chill bore further in.

  We’d done it. We’d thrown them off the scent, or the water had sent them away to be someone else's problem. The only price to pay was the need to find dry clothes before hypothermia took away our choices.

  I was the first to run across the meadow. Alex soon joined me as we peered through the trees, our gaze switching ahead every other moment, both of us waiting for when we’d see the creatures again and the process would repeat. I shook away the thought, unwilling to head down that path again.

  It wasn’t until we cleared the trees, rounding the wood as we headed to the road that we realised we were on the wrong side of the tall metal fence. Movement was obvious on the other side, as were the roofs of the olive drab vehicles crowded near the house I so much wanted to avoid; the house I had no choice but to enter.

  Steeling myself with a deep breath, my teeth chattering so much I thought any moment they would fall out, I jumped high and caught the top of a fence panel, hanging from the edge as it swayed under my weight. I felt Alex’s hands, warm and large, gripping around my waist as she lifted me until I could get my arms over the top and twist my left over the other side.

  The fence swayed with each precarious movement; the concrete blocks at its feet stopped it from toppling.

  Not waiting to find out how long it held, I twisted over the edge and lowered myself as I tried to avoid landing on the discarded bodies.

  I should have kept my concentration elsewhere. I should have stopped my knees from banging hard against the metal to send out a deep, bass call as I landed.

  I couldn’t stay and wait for Alex to climb. I knew the drum would have called them near.

  Replacing the pistol lost to the water was easy. Pulling it from the dead body’s holster soaked in blood was not. Despite my best will, I couldn’t take my eyes from the empty cavity where its owner’s organs should have sat.

  They kill every time. I said in my head. Why didn’t it devour those two earlier?

  Picking my way around the truck blocking my view, I ran toward the first house but ignored it. Instead, I fixed my gaze on the wide-open door to its side whilst trying to stop my running breath from pulling in their toilet smell and the decaying flesh everywhere I looked.

  Peering through the open door, I saw straight through to the garden and the place where I’d run. In my head I recounted my escape after killing the woman I once thought I loved.

  Had loved. Continued to love after I’d called it off, but couldn’t bring myself to take another chance on her.

  In the background I heard feet landing to the road, but soon a heavy tone in the air took my attention. It was a low hum which could be only one thing, but I took longer than I should have to realise I’d been right as we’d first approached the village; there had been a reason the army penned the creatures in.

  The sound grew louder as Alex arrived at my back. She turned to the sky, using her hand to shade from the sun.

  The aircraft was there, even though I couldn’t see it.

  It was there even though it would be too late for us when we could make it out. But we had no choice.

  We had nowhere to run and I carried on regardless. Bounding up the stairs I ignored the blood and glass on the floor whilst I couldn't help thinking how Toni would have laughed if the bombs hit as I stood over the place where I’d taken her life.

  81

  Alex didn’t follow. Instead, she dragged furniture in a way so reminiscent, but I couldn’t recall from which place or when.

  How many times had we repeated this process since the world changed? I didn’t know. I couldn’t tell. It was all I could do to concentrate on lifting my heavy legs while I thought of anything but what I would find as I entered the bedroom.

  I looked to carpeted steps, their pile covered with mud from many boots, but my stare wouldn’t stay down, kept creeping to peer to the summit.

  Was this the first of the tricks played by my mind? Or was the line of blood widening as it rose real?

  I couldn’t remember if I’d seen it last time around. Had it been too dark when I was last here?

  The question I knew I should ask was different.

  Was it Toni’s blood? Should I recognise it from the colour? Did it have her delicate scent I was so familiar with?

  If I had truly loved her, should I be able to tell?

  I couldn’t.

  Was that my answer?

  With another step, I shook my head to clear the questions.

  Alex still busied at the foot of the stairs and despite my legs feeling as if gaining weight or my muscles losing strength with each rise, I made it to the top and followed the blood to a pool in the centre of the landing. I had seen this before.

  Raising the pistol and pulling back the slide to prime the chamber, I turned left into the bedroom, despite my fear and knowing it was the place I least wanted to go. Knowing it was the most likely location for what I sought; the keys to the van. Or at least I told myself they were what I looked for.

  Darkness greeted me, the curtains pulled closed; the air heavy with an atmosphere not entirely projected by myself.

  With my feet rooted to the threshold I couldn’t see any detail.

  Try as I might, I couldn’t stop the chatter of my teeth, the constant vibration of my limbs and the wave of the gun as it swayed left and right to counter the buzz of my frozen arms.

  Try as I might I couldn’t see beyond the b
ed. I couldn’t see past the mattress. My gaze lingered on the space where I’d been held. Where who knows what would have happened if Toni hadn’t come.

  With one step I drew a shallow breath, my lungs stuttering to take their fill.

  With another, I lifted the pistol to point into the vague darkness.

  With a third, I let go of the overdue breath, my eyes closing but only for a moment before they shot wide and I surged to her form standing at the window. At least in my head.

  My sudden movement stopped the shakes. It calmed my convulsions as I grabbed at the curtains and swept left and right, drawing back as light squeezed my eyes tight.

  A single tear rolled down my face, hitting the carpet soaked in blood as my gaze darted between each of the littered bandages and red sodden dressings.

  I saw the chaos play out. I watched myself disappear down the stairs. I watched Toni’s mother catch her in her arms and lay her to the floor, breathless and silent as she fought to find the wounds.

  I watched as more joined the panic. Lights crowding, pouring their beams to the holes in her chest. Her clothes pulled up and discarded.

  I opened my eyes and searched the floor, but found nothing but her drying life-force spread across the cream carpet.

  Crouching, I drew in air, determined not to let more tears fall as I touched the tip of my index finger to the matted pile. In places the blood still felt sticky.

  I watched as the pain drained from Toni’s face in the torchlight.

  I watched as she replayed my destructive force over and again in her head, her last thoughts before they brought the long black bag; before they zipped her up from heel to head.

  The stairs creaked and I looked up, pulled from my moment. They hadn’t made a noise as I’d climbed; at least I hadn’t noticed.

  I looked back down, begging for the pain once more. Begging for the punishment to fill my heart. I couldn’t concentrate, the noise on the floor too great.