“I don’t know. I just think if what they’re saying is right, we could rule the other side.”
“What are you talkin’ about?”
“If we get bitten, we need to control this virus thing long enough to get out from under them. After we change, I just have this feeling we could be the bosses of the Underworld. It would be totally awesome if you think about it.”
“Enter the mad scientist,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t know why it is I’m attracted to the bat-shit, crazy, psycho bitches. What is it with you girls who have the bodies o’ models that say some o’ the stupidest things? It must be a lack of oxygen to the brain.”
“Maybe, but if we get attacked stay away from them and whatever that room is they keep talking about. Get away and we’ll wait it out and see what happens. If they’re right, they’re just going to kill us anyway.”
“Not that I believe a word o’ this shit, even though I can’t tell you how tempted I am to ask how the cookies are… but if they’re right,” he thought about it, watching Montana up front. Turning, he nodded. “Yeah, I say if either of us get attacked, we should run off to hide an’ wait it out.”
Looking around the area, Montana stopped. “Okay, this is where we should start. Ladies, ya need to get up the trees an’ we need to go get the machines.” He turned and pointed to the men. “Zach, I want ya to man the bulldozer. You’ll be in charge of puttin’ dirt in the dump truck then let ‘im know when he’s ready to dump.”
Zach nodded. “You got it boss.”
“Frank, you’ll be in the dump truck. Just dump the dirt over in a mound somewhere over that way after the back is full, just make sure it’s not too far away so we can keep diggin’ as needed.”
Frank saluted him. “I think I know the perfect place.”
“Brandon, you’ll be in the other Bobcat same as me, tillin’ up the ground. We push it into a big pile an’ move on an’ Zach can get it in the truck.”
Brandon nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Mark, you an’ Candice’ll be standin’ guard in front of us an’ watch for anythin’ that moves. It’s gonna be really loud when we get all these machines runnin’ so everyone pay attention to what you’re doin’. Justice, pay close attention an’ shoot anythin’ that moves. Everyone else pay attention because you’re our eyes out here. Let’s dig us a moat.”
With Candice and Mark as an escort, the men went and got their machines, taking them back to the designated starting point while the others sat up high in trees. Loud wasn’t the word for it. When all the machines started, they needed to yell and even then, it took a couple of times of repeating. They tilled the ground, put into one pile, and the bulldozer loaded it into the truck. Zach found he was steadily moving as he went from one side to the other, grabbing the dirt piles.
Mark and Candice stood out front off to the sides, each one looking the other way. Every so often, they would look at each other, smile, and look back around once more. It was obvious to anyone who watched their smiles that they were very attracted to each other. Frank waited for the bump to the side of the truck, which was his sign to go dump. He found the perfect place, which wasn’t far away, so he wasn’t missed. He watched out his window while smoking. The girls all had their certain sections they were supposed to be watching. Eyes, high, covered the entire wooded area from up in the trees.
Amber and Justice had the same area, but they weren’t keeping watch as much as they should. It started with one trip to the bathroom from Amber. He had to escort her and after a tryst while they were there, the two were no good for keeping watch. They weren’t in their designated areas, but on the ground, shouting in each other’s ears to be heard. They concentrated on their conversation instead of the area around them.
Tilling the ground moved along at a steady pace and they got a lot done. Brandon looked over, noticing movement out of the corner of his eye. Doing a double take, he stopped what he was doing. Fear registered on his face. He waved his hands back and forth, trying desperately to get their attention, but nothing worked. Shutting off his machine, yelling once more, but they still didn’t hear him. Pulling out of the enclosed cab, he sprinted with long strides in their direction. He knew what was about to happen and it wasn’t good.
Each one of the girls saw him running. They turned to see why and they too saw the danger. They screamed for the others, but the machines were just too loud. Sophia shot her rifle in the air, but it was too late. Though it was a matter of seconds, it felt like minutes to Brandon as he finally reached them.
Justice turned as he noticed Brandon running up on them, waving his arms frantically. It was enough to make him turn and look behind them. The deer barreled down. He closed his eyes seeing the impact was going to hurt. There was no time to react. Nothing he could do. He was dead.
When the shot fired off, everyone turned and looked around. Zach shut off his machine, screaming and waving his arms for Brandon to watch out. One by one, everyone turned to look and moved in slow motion. When Zach turned off his machine, they heard the heavy thundering hooves moving behind them. Both Amber and Justice turned to see the blacks of the deer’s eyes.
Brandon caught up to them and shoved Amber out of the way, knocking her to the ground. He grabbed a hold of Justice and threw him to the ground as well. It was at that time he pushed Amber away, but she felt the searing pain in the back of her arm. Justice turned, about to be gored, but was knocked off his feet when the deer caught his back with his antlers. However, there was nothing to stop the full impact. The deer gored Brandon in the stomach, flinging him into the air. Sending him flying, before crashing to the ground in a heap.
There wasn’t any time to react, but Sophia knew what was needed. She climbed out of the tree, practically falling as she did, racing back up to the main building. Despite the danger she around her, she had to get her medical bag.
Candice saw the flash of light behind her, turning just in time to see Amber and Justice both hit the ground. There was a slight arch in her brow as she wondered why they were on the ground and not up a tree. However, the thing that bothered her most was Brandon. She watched the deer gore him, pushing him against the grass as if he was a snowplow. She screamed, turning and raced behind her to stop it. It happened so fast there was nothing anyone could do.
Mark heard her screaming and turned. Seeing the deer digging into Brandon, he too raced over. Brandon was on the ground, wheezing with every breath. His shirt, covered in blood, with numerous holes punctured through his chest and stomach. The deer rushed in for another attack and with a twist of his head sent him flying into a tree. He hit the ground, watching as the deer prepared for another attack. He closed his eyes to the pain he knew was coming. Only it didn’t happen.
Candice got to the deer before it was able to attack a third time. She heaved that big five-hundred pound buck over her head. In her rage, she threw him into a tree trunk. Turning, she raced over to Brandon, crumpled on the ground, writhing in pain. The deer hit the tree with such force; it circled around ramming his antlers into his hind section. The crack echoed, heard over the loud machinery. It wailed and cried, snarling and snapping jaws at the same time, but it couldn’t move. They turned off the machines and people left their vehicles, climbing down from the trees, rushing to Brandon.
Candice softly cried, cradling him in her arms. “Oh baby. What did you do?”
Wheezing, wincing, and trying to stop from coughing, Brandon smiled up at her. “The deer was comin’ for Justice an’ Amber an’ I knew they wouldn’t survive. I thought I could get to ‘em quick enough an’ get outta the way.” He coughed again, spitting up blood. “I guess I was wrong.”
She picked him up, cradling him like a baby, and raced to the main building. She kicked the doors open, walking in and placed him down on the picnic table. Sophia walked out with bag in hand and blinked when she saw him there, but didn’t waste any time. Putting on her gloves, she lifted his shirt to examine. Seeing all the holes in his stomach a
nd chest, she winced softly.
Sixteen holes ranged in size and location in his stomach, all oozing with blood and pus. Some of them went deep. The infection already spread and the pus was in the process of stopping the bleeding. Each one of the holes had the mark of the starfish, which was what she called the start of infection. “He’s lost a lot o’ blood.”
Candice ran so fast there was no way for the others to keep up. Mark stayed back with them to make sure they made it safely. They all poured slowly back into the building. “Then take mine and give it to him. I was O-negative before all this started, so I’m a universal donor. Take as much as you need. Please Sophia, don’t let him die.”
“I can’t do that to him, baby girls. I don’t know what will happen if your blood gets in with his when he’s tryin’ to fight this infection on his own. It could even kill ‘im. He has to fight this on his own.”
Brandon grabbed Candice’s hand and winked at her. “Hey, don’t worry ‘bout me. I got this.”
Tears fell from her eyes as she leaned down, kissing his forehead. “Stop talking foolishly. Of course, I’m gonna worry about you. Remember, no matter how strong the cravings are; don’t drink the blood. It helped when I slowly beat my head into the wall.”
Sophia shook her head. “There’s really nothin’ I can do for him, other than the shots to help with pain an’ help ‘im sleep. The virus has already stopped the bleedin’.” She looked around curiously, as everyone came in the room. “Where are Justice an’ Amber? Weren’t they hit? I thought I saw blood on his back.”
Mark nodded. “Yeah, it looked to me like Justice got nailed. I couldn’t tell about Amber, but she was holdin’ ‘er arm.” He looked around. “I thought they came up with us. I didn’t really pay attention.” He looked down at Brandon. “Hey, if anyone can fight this thing, I know you can. You’re more of a hero than I’ve ever been an’ I got through it.”
He turned his head and threw up off the side of the table. Everyone jumped back. A few people gagged. He winced as he laid back down holding his stomach. “God, why does it hurt like ‘is?”
“Because an eight-point buck just slammed his antlers into your gut not once, but twice. He nailed ya, then tossed ya around. I’m not an expert, but I highly doubt that would tickle anyone’s funny bone.”
Howard shook his head, watching Brandon. “I don’t know why people call it a funny bone. It’s a nerve, not a bone.”
Brandon nodded, wincing again. “Yeah, I guess ‘at would do it.”
Rachel looked down at him with a worried expression. “You like guess that would do it, huh? Well, like look at it this way. You like always wanted to be a super hero. Now like you get your chance.”
“Damn right!”
Candice held onto his hand though her eyes looked out the window to the porch. “I have a feeling they got hurt. They took off because they know they won’t make it. They know that we’ll have to kill them anyway.”
Sophia nodded, sighing as she pointed down to Brandon. “Yes, but let’s deal with one thing at a time.”
After he was able to move again, Candice helped him downstairs to the room. There was a mat there and she took him over to it. After getting him settled in, she plopped down beside him.
He looked up, shaking his head. “Oh no, you need to get outta here. I don’t know how contagious I am.”
“I’m immune.”
“You need to go.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Baby, I hurt so much. I don’t wanna hurt you. That would kill me.”
“You might as well stop wasting your breath because I’m not going anywhere.”
Trevor peered through the window, knocking on the door. “I hate to interrupt this lovin’ moment, but Candice ya need to come outta there. You can do more good out here than ya can in there.”
“No.”
Brandon sighed. “I don’t want ya to see me turn into a monster.”
“You’re too good of a person to be a shit. You risked your life for Justice and Amber of all people. Ya risked your life to save their worthless ones. That’s heroic baby, so you can fight this.”
Frank looked in. “Candice, I know you’re worried, but we all are. You need to--”
“All of you need to leave me alone! I’m not coming out of this room. I’m not leaving him to deal with this. I went through it! Trust me. Had there been someone who could’ve stayed in the room with me, I would’ve been a lot happier. So shut the fuck up!”
Wincing, Brandon looked at her. “Look, I’m really flattered ya wanna stay with me an’ play nurse. What if I’m not cut from the same mold as you? What if I do change only it’s for the worse?”
“Then I’ll deal with that if it happens. Regardless, I’m not leaving. You can’t hurt me. I’m waiting this storm out right here with you, so get used to it.”
Trevor opened the door, peeking in. “Candice, if ya need anythin’ just yell because one o’ us will be out here.”
“Thanks Trev.” She turned back to Brandon. “Remember Mr. Ayres, we promised to see the end of the world together. Well, it hasn’t happened and until it does I’m not leaving your side.”
He nuzzled her. “Have I told ya lately how crazy I am about you?”
“Right back at you, baby. You’re going to get through this just fine. A little sweaty, and you’ll stink to hog heaven when you wake up, but you’ll get through it.”
Tightening his grip on her knee, he winced. “God, it hurts so badly. It’s like ‘ere’s this fire in my gut, burnin’ me from the inside out.”
“It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better.”
Sophia opened the door and stepped in, holding needles in her hand. She looked down at Candice, shaking her head. “I’m not gonna try an’ talk you into comin’ out.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sure ya know what you’re doin’.” She looked down at Brandon. “Hey there, how are you doin’?”
“I’m in a lotta pain.”
“I’m gonna give ya somethin’ to help with that an’ it’ll help ya sleep. I’ve been doin’ some experimentin’ with a few mixes I had in my bag.”
“What kinda experimentin’?”
She smirked. “Not that kind. I created a pain reliever that’s also a sleepin’ potion.”
“Sleep would definitely help. Thanks.”
She looked down at Candice. “I’m gonna leave ‘em with you after I show ya how to do this. After he recovers, I might need you guys to find a hospital an’ get me more. I’m too low now.”
Candice nodded. “Okay when he’s through this, Mark an’ I will run out to get ya whatever supplies ya need.”
Taking the cap off one of the needles, she pushed the plunger up just until the liquid bubbled at the top. Tapping the syringe, she pushed a little more. “Make sure ya do it this way because it ensures there’s no air in the mix because ‘at can kill him.” Candice watched, nodding. She lifted his shirt, plunging the needle into his belly and pushed the plunger all the way. “You can hit an arm, a thigh, any muscle will work. I usually go where the wound is because it acts a lot faster.”
“Got it.”
Brandon winced. “I’ll bet it hurts twice as much too! OUCH!”
“Yes, but within seconds you’ll feel it, versus thirty minutes. Montana said he’s gonna crank on the generator an’ turn up the AC so it’s cooler in here. It didn’t work for Candice, but Mark mentioned the coolness o’ the river made it feel better on his sores. We’re gonna try an’ see if ‘at helps to keep ya more comfortable.”
He groaned, a little groggily. “Stop fussin’ over me. I’ll be okay.”
She leaned down, touching his cheek softly. “I’m right about this. Just like Candice beat this thing, so will you. Don’t give up hope. Keep tellin’ yourself you’re gonna beat it.”
“Thanks.” He laid his head in Candice’s lap. “Wow, that stuff works fast. I’m so sleepy.”
“See, I told ya. You should
trust your doctor, she knows what she’s talkin’ about.”
“Yes, she does.”
Smiling, she looked at Candice. “If ya need anythin’, yell. We’re still gonna work on the trenches, but in shifts, an’ only when Mark can be out there with us. We didn’t wanna stop, but I realize ya won’t leave his side either.”
Candice shook her head. “While he’s sleeping, I can help, but while he’s awake, I’m going to be here with him.”
“I gave ya enough to last for the full four days so he should sleep through it all. Whenever he wakes up just shoot him with it again an’ he’ll be out in minutes.”
“Okay. Let the others know I will be out just as soon as I’m sure he’s asleep.”
“Okay, we’ll wait for ya then. Montana has a plan on how this’ll work better for us.” She told her, before walking out. She didn’t close the door, but kept it propped open enough so she could get out. There was no combination inside the room, just on the outside.
Candice lightly ran her fingers down his face. “It’s a fire breathing dragon, baby. It’s come after all of us here and they’re trying to make me the virgin sacrifice. You need to fight this thing to help save me. Fight the dragon, Brandon. Fight the dragon.”
Thirty-Four
Amber pulled Justice through the woods and didn’t stop until they were far enough away from the others. He struggled, and yelled at her to stop, but she ignored him, continuing through the woods, pulling him behind her.
When he finally was able to wrench free, he turned and pointed back in the direction from which they came. “What the fuck are you doin’? We have to go back. They’re lookin’ for us.”
“I’m sure they are,” she said, annoyed.
“What’s ‘at supposed to mean? One o’ my best friends was attacked by savin’ our asses an’ could die. You just expect me to run away when he needs me most?”
“Yes, because he will survive, but we won’t.”
“You don’t know that for sure!”
“He’s got everyone else catering to his every whim. He’ll be fine! It’s us, I’m worried about. We have to think about us over anyone else right now!”
Beautiful Death (Bella Morté Trilogy Book 1) Page 32
