The Infected, a PODs Novel

by Michelle K. Pickett

  “Will you go to the lake? For me?” I held my breath as I watched my dad weighing the benefits of trying to survive holed up in a cabin in the woods for a year, fishing and hunting for food—neither of which he did well. At his jerky nod, the breath I was holding whooshed from my lungs and I threw myself into his arms, squeezing him. “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “I promised you, Evangelina. I promised you that your mother and I would go to the lake. We left the day after you left for the PODs.”

  “Let me look at you.” My mom cupped my face in her hands. “You look all grown up. Not a little girl anymore. You’re a beautiful woman.” Her eyes filled with tears. “You don’t know how many nights I cried, how I prayed I’d see your face again.”

  I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed. She was thinner, but I could feel muscle she didn’t have before. The result of living a hard life since the virus. Her face held more wrinkles. Her hair was longer, with strands of gray weaved into her normal dark blonde. But she was still my mom, and she was beautiful.

  “You look good, Mom. I can’t… I can’t believe you’re real. I’m waiting to wake up.”

  “We feel the same way. We’ve just had a few more days to get used to the idea. We’ve visited you every day.” My dad pulled me away from my mom. His arms wrapped around me like a boa constrictor and I gasped for air.

  “Dad, you’re squeezing too tight. Look at you! You’re all buff. You should be on the cover of a fitness magazine.” I squeezed his bicep and laughed, even though I was still crying.

  “Yeah, not bad for a nerdy professor, huh?”

  “You look good, Dad. You both look so good and healthy and alive. I just can’t believe…” I shook my head.

  “Come on. Let’s go home. Your dad and I were hoping you’d like to stay with us in our sub-POD, but if you’d like your own we understand. There are some open in our POD. We’d really like it if you’d stay there.” My mom threaded her fingers through mine and my dad wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

  “That sounds great, Mom.”

  They started walking toward the POD’s elevator. I looked over my shoulder at David. He stood and watched us, his hands in his pockets and his arms straight, making his shoulders rise.

  He looked so alone, and it hit me, like I ran into an invisible wall. As much as I was overwhelmed with joy at finding my parents again, as much as I wanted to go home with them and hear every detail of every second of their lives since I left for the PODs… I couldn’t. Because, as much as my parents were my family, so was David. And I couldn’t leave him alone. It didn’t matter how much I wanted, needed, longed, to go with my parents.

  I needed, wanted, longed for him more.

  I opened my mouth to say something—I don’t even know what I planned to say—when my dad spoke.

  “Come on, son.” He threw his free arm around David’s shoulders. “We need to get a move on so we don’t miss dinner. It’s Mexican night. We have the best food in the community. Our cook was a chef in a five-star restaurant before the virus hit. The food is awesome. We have to kick out people from other PODs who try to sneak in to eat.” My dad threw back his head and laughed and squeezed David and I to him.

  I felt the warmth of my tears slip down my cheeks. That’s what I’d always loved about my parents. They loved people. They were kind and thoughtful. And no matter how much they’d changed since the virus—gray hairs, a few more wrinkles, a few more muscles—their loving personalities were still intact.

  I was still waiting to wake up, because surely, after all these months, after the hell I’d gone through, the shit I’d seen, I couldn’t have been lucky enough to find them again. No, I wouldn’t be so blessed.

  My parents lived in a POD not too far from the medical POD. They asked repeatedly if I’d stay with them. They wanted to be with me and I wanted to be with them, but I wouldn’t leave David. He was worried my reunion with my parents was going to change things between us, and I was determined to do everything in my power to show him it wouldn’t.

  In the end, it was decided for us. My parents invited—decided—David and I both to stay in their Sub-POD.

  “We’ve been here nearly a year,” my dad told me before taking a bite of enchilada.

  “How? I mean, how did you end up here?” I looked between him and my mom.

  “By accident, really. We hooked up with a group of Topsiders. We were just trying to live, you know? We happened across the PODs by mistake. There were already people living here. We decided to stay and build the community with them,” my mom shrugged a shoulder. “David.” She smiled at him. “Do you want more to eat?”

  “Yes, please.” My mom scooped another enchilada on his plate. “Thank you, Mrs. Evans.” My mom patted him on the shoulder.

  Normally everyone ate meals in the communal dining area. But we wanted time alone, so we brought our food back to our Sub-POD. My mom fluttered around like a flag on a windy day, making sure everyone had what they needed. She paid particular attention to David and my heart swelled. It felt like someone was blowing up a balloon in my chest. It got so big, it pressed against my ribs until it hurt, and I expected for it to pop through. I couldn’t have loved her more.

  “You’re going to have to stop calling me Mrs. Evans, you know.” At David’s confused looked she winked. “I’ve seen the huge ice rink on Eva’s finger. I’ve also seen how you look at each other. I have a very strong feeling you and I are going to be family soon.”

  David’s cheeks turned slightly pink, and he glanced at my father. He twirled his fork between his fingers and looked at it for a few seconds before taking a large breath. “I was going to ask you. I wanted Eva to take the ring off until I could, but she… well, she wouldn’t.”

  My dad laughed. “It’s alright, son. You can say she’s stubborn. We raised her. No one knows her stubborn streak better than us.” My dad set his silverware down and put his hands in his lap. Even my mom stilled.

  David smiled. He placed his fork next to his plate and looked at my dad. “I… uh… I know it’s kind of old-fashion, but my mom would’ve expected me to ask your blessing. And,” his voice cracked and he cleared his throat, “I realize you don’t know me, but there’s nothing in this world I love more than your daughter, sir. Nothing. And it would be the biggest gift if I could have your blessing to marry her. But…” David glanced quickly at me. “I understand that you might want us to wait until you can get to know me. So—”

  “You have our blessing, David.”

  “I’m sorry, sir?”

  “We trust Eva. If she loves you, we will too. You have our blessing.” My dad squeezed David’s shoulder. “Welcome to the family.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Evans.” David let out a breath with a whoosh, running a hand down his face.

  I leaned over and kissed him softly. David ducked his head. “Oh, please, David. I think they know we kiss.”

  My parents and I laughed. David pinched my side, making me laugh even harder.

  My mom patted his cheek and smiled. “You’re going to have to get over being shy. Between Eva and her dad, you never know what’s going to happen in the house.”

  David chuckled. “I’ve been with Eva since the PODs. I have a pretty good idea.” He picked up his fork and took a big bite of enchilada and looked at me with a grin.

  My parents both laughed, and I smiled.

  They like him already. I knew they would. In time, they’ll love him as much as I do.

  “Have there been any more groups traveling through?” David asked John, a man he met while in the medical POD.

  “Some, but not many come out this far.”

  “Hmm.”

  “But, there are people living here from all over. Some Topsiders, some POD survivors. Between all of us, we’ve put together a kind of memorial. It’s a database that contains the names of people we’ve known who’ve fallen to the Virus or the Infected. It also lists people who’ve moved through the community who might still be alive.”


  “Will you take me to it?”

  David squeezed my hand so tight it hurt. We stood in front of a notebook computer that held the database listing people known to be dead, and people who’d been seen alive and the corresponding date. David hadn’t touched it yet.

  I waited patiently by his side. My stomach did flip-flops, and my breaths came in small quick gasps. I prayed silently he’d find good news, something to give him hope. I had my family back. I wanted the same for him so badly it twisted my heart.

  His finger shook when he clicked open the program. David typed in his mother’s first and last name in the form’s corresponding fields. His finger hovered over the touch pad.

  I watched him. His entire hand began to shake and he stared at the computer screen with a faraway look, the space between his eyes creased. I cupped his cheek. He looked so vulnerable, so lost. My chest tightened. It felt full and heavy.

  “Do you want me to do it?” I ran my thumb over his cheek. He pulled his bottom lip into his mouth and shook his head. I kissed the corner of his mouth, the freckle I loved, and whispered, “I love you. No matter what you find. I’m here. Always.”

  David nodded, and with his gaze locked on mine, tapped the touch pad.

  I knew the second he saw it. His body jerked, like he’d been slapped.

  Grace Johnson. Deceased. Fell victim to the first wave of the virus. Daughters Emily and Hannah Johnson. Deceased.

  Tears filled my eyes. David traced the names of his mother and two younger sisters on the computer’s screen.

  “I’m so sorry.” My voice broke. “I’m so sorry, David.”

  “The man who entered their names was my high school science teacher,” he whispered and pointed at the field that indicated the person who provided the information.

  I didn’t know what to say, so I said nothing. I wrapped my free arm around his waist and kept a tight hold on his hand. Tears rolled down my face. I hurt for him. There was a sharp pain in my chest every time I took a breath. The muscles in my neck and jaw hurt from clenching my teeth, and I had to force myself to relax them.

  But I couldn’t stop trembling. I shook everywhere. My insides, my legs, my arms and hands—they all trembled. I wasn’t sure if it was from sadness and hurt for David, or anger that he couldn’t have the happy ending I wanted for him. I decided it was equal parts of both. I hurt both physically and emotionally for the man I loved. And I was pissed off at the world, the virus, for stealing the people he loved.

  “I knew.” He nodded. “I always knew, but it hurts so damn bad, Eva.” He turned toward me and buried his face in the side of my neck, crying. I rubbed my hands up and down his back and murmured that I loved him. Over and over I told him he was loved. It was the only thing I could think to say. It didn’t seem nearly enough.

  It took over a month for David to find some semblance of peace after he found out he’d lost his only family. I tried to be there for him, but he’d often sit outside watching the sunrise, silent and alone.

  Sometimes he’d wake me, and I’d go with him. We never spoke. We just sat together, holding hands, and watched the sunrise begin the day.

  Other days he’d leave without me. Those were the hardest. It felt as though he was shutting me out. It hurt, and it scared me.

  Then one morning after one of his solo trips, he stood in front of me, and framed my face with his hands. I looked into the silver eyes of the man I loved so much, and watched them blur behind my tears. He wiped my tears away with the pads of his thumbs and gave me a small grin.

  “They would have loved you, Eva. Thank you for being here for me.”

  I nodded, and pressed my lips softly to his. He twisted his hand in my hair and pulled me to him, taking our kiss deeper. His mouth moved over mine almost frantically, desperately. He clung to me, and I did him.

  “Marry me now,” he murmured against my lips. “I can’t wait. Let’s do it now. Please.”

  I nodded, still kissing him. Our lips never left each other’s. “I will this second,” I breathed between kisses. “This very second, David.” And this time I wanted to. I didn’t want to wait. I didn’t need to.

  He kissed me slower then, softer, with such love, new tears brimmed in my eyes, and I knew I’d never love another person as much as I loved him.

  Two weeks later…

  The southwestern sun was large as it dipped toward the horizon, giving everything a hazy, golden glow. The sky was streaked with brilliant shades of reds and gold, against a background of dark amethyst.

  A slight breeze blew. Wisps of hair fell from the curls Tiffany and my mother spent hours piling on top of my head. They’d be furious the weather didn’t cooperate with their vision. The simple white dress I wore, a gift from a new friend I’d met in the community, fluttered against my legs.

  My father and I walked slowly down the path between the chairs set up outside. Faces, some new and some familiar, smiled at me. David watched my movements, waiting for me at the end of the flower lined path. I soaked him in. I was too far away to hear it, but his chest rose and fell in a chuckle. I could almost hear his thoughts: ‘Hurry up, Evangelina.’

  I picked up my pace, careful not to slip on the rocky ground. When I got closer to him, he held out his hand to me. I loved the warmth of his hand when our fingers weaved together.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

  “Thank you.” I smiled up at him. “You’re gorgeous. I love you so much.”

  “Friends, we’ve gathered to witness the commitment ceremony of David and Eva. They’ve written their own vows. David.” The minister nodded to David.

  David smiled and cleared his throat. He gave a nervous half laugh, put his finger between the collar of the white button down he wore and his neck, and pulled as if it were too tight. I squeezed the hand I held softly, and his gaze found mine. His hand fell away from his collar and reached for mine. When he smiled again, it was David. Not nervous or jittery. Just my David. The smile was real. The kind that crinkles the skin at the corners of your eyes, and frames your mouth with slightly, puffed cheeks.

  David took a breath and began. “I take you, Eva, to be my wife and these things I promise to you: I will be faithful and honest. I will respect, trust and care for you. I will help create a life that we can cherish, inspiring your love for me and mine for you. I vow to be honest, caring, and truthful. To love you as you are, not as I want you to be. And to grow old by your side as your lover, and friend. You have my love and devotion today, tomorrow, and until the day I take my last breath. I will treasure you above all else, for eternity.”

  I swallowed several times to remove the lump that had lodged in my throat while I listened to David’s vows. Tears were balanced precariously on the rims of my eyelids. I smiled at him and whispered, “I love you.” He kissed my cheek in answer.

  I closed my eyes for a second and when I opened them I looked into his silver gaze. “I take you, David, to be my husband from this moment, until my last on earth. I promise you my love for today and tomorrow, and as much happiness as I can give. You’ve shared with me your past, and I feel honored. When you talk to me, I feel calm. You wrap me in your arms, and I feel protected. You give me your love so freely, and I feel overwhelmed. And today you’re giving me your future, and I feel blessed. I accept our love for each other as true and unbreakable, without fear of tomorrow, because I know that tomorrow, I’ll love you more than I do today.”

  I vaguely heard someone talking, but couldn’t force myself to pay attention to what was being said. Instead, I stared into David’s eyes until he squeezed my hand softly, signaling it was my turn to answer.

  “I do,” I said with a smile and slipped the gold band on David’s finger. There was no hesitation and no quiver in my voice. I had never been surer of an answer before in my life, nor since.

  The minister didn’t even get to the part about: by the power… blah, blah, blah… you may now kiss the bride…”

  He should have saved his breath, because as so
on as the “I do” left my mouth, David slipped a gold band on my finger and his lips were on mine.

  “You may now continue kissing the bride,” the minister said with a chuckle. A rumble of laughter filled the audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, let me be the first to introduce you to David and Eva Johnson.”

  We ran down the path. People showered us with birdseed and flower petals. Kids skipped along the path beside us, blowing bubbles made from pink dish soap. And, for one day at least, all thoughts of viruses, living zombies, and infected animals were erased from our minds. We had only one thought: Life finally made sense again. David and I were together. Happy.

  In love.

  “One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That word is love.”

  ~Sophocles

  Bad Blood—Taylor Swift

  Collide—Howie Day

  Demons—Imagine Dragons

  Edge of A Revolution—Nickelback

  Fragile—Sting

  Gotta Be Somebody—Nickelback

  I'll Be—Edwin McCain

  I’m Falling for You—Chester See

  I Miss Everything About You—Colbie Caillat

  Iris—Goo Goo Dolls

  Kick In the Teeth—Papa Roach

  Kiss Me—Ed Sheeran

  Naked—Avril Lavigne

  Shadowfeet—Brooke Fraser

  Stood Up—A Fine Frenzy

  The Truth—David Cook

  Trying Not To Love You—Nickelback

  Vulnerable—Secondhand Serenade

  You Say You’re Just a Friend—Austin Mahone

  Your Call—Secondhand Serenade

  Wow, this book has been a long time coming. My first thank you, as always, goes to my family. They put up with my insane writing schedule, listen to my many ideas, and give me their own. I couldn’t do what I do without them. They are my life.

  Thank you to everyone involved in creating The Infected, and the PODs series as a whole. There are so many people, I’m not even going to attempt to name them all. I’d surely forget someone. But, if you had any input in the PODs Series, please know it was appreciated, more than could ever be expressed in words.