“Hey I want to see outside too!”
Matthew quickly hushed him and moved away from the window.
“What are they?”
Cale didn’t know how to answer.
“Have you ever seen a scary movie where the dead come back to eat the living?”
“Papa never let us watch anything like that!” Adam said.
“No. But I know what you’re talking about. But that can’t be---“
“That’s the most accurate explanation I can offer. These things, these people, it’s all wrong. All it takes is one of them to know you’re in here. It may not be right away, but they will get in.
Cale hoped this scare tactic would get them to agree to leave. He didn’t like this method but it would have to suffice. Matthew put his arm around his little brother and they moved away from Cale. The siblings whispered back and forth. He couldn’t make out what was being said.
“NO! I DON’T WANT TO!” Adam yelled.
Matthew, still whispering, shot back a retort. The two whispered their arguments to one another. The oldest let out a final hiss, and Adam lowered his head in defeat. Matthew had won the argument. Cale only hoped he was on his side. Adam moped back towards the table and Matthew bounded up to Cale.
“We’ll go with you to your boat. Can you promise we’ll find our uncle?”
“I can promise we’ll look for your uncle. I can’t guarantee he’s still alive, but there is hope.”
“What about papa? What about Gidon?” Adam whined.
Matthew hugged his little brother tenderly. He then whispered the most difficult words he’d ever had to say.
“They--- they aren’t coming. They were sick. They---they died Adam.”
Adam couldn’t believe what his brother was telling him. He stared at the floor as tears welled in his eyes.
“How do you know?” he said softly.
Matthew didn’t offer an answer. The two held each other and cried as they had done when they were forced onto the stairs. Cale made eye contact with Matthew and backed out of the room slowly, giving them their time to grieve. Mama, Papa, and their big brother were gone, in heaven waiting. They were orphans now.
Harsh Realities
Cale waited in the living room while the two boys sobbed in the kitchen. The reality of their predicament began sinking in. He took this time to get his bag ready and set it next to the door. He checked his pockets, ensuring that the Ziploc bag containing the map was there, and confirmed he could feel the hard rectangular shape of his iPod.
“Good,” he said to himself.
Cale pulled the map out and unfolded it. He wanted to memorize the route they’d be taking, to avoid stopping to look. They’d go west on ‘Sheinkin’ till it merged with ‘Allenby’. Allenby would veer left, and then open up to the beach front. He repeated the sign names, creating a quick map in his head.
“Right on Sheinkin, right at Allenby, beach. Right Sheinkin, right Allenby. Veer left.”
He repeated this sequence a few more times. Confident, he folded the map back up and returned it to the plastic bag and then to his pocket. He said the directions out loud one more time without the aid of the map.
“Right Sheinkin, right Allenby. Veer left.”
The unfamiliar street names were what made it difficult, but he was positive he had it now. In the other room the sobs grew softer. Cale checked his watch, 1051. They’d better get going soon. No particular reason other than he missed the safety of the Freedom Runner.
Matthew emerged from the kitchen. His eyes were red from wiping away his tears. Adam followed, still crying softly. Tears ran down his dirty, pale face. Throw a little blood spatter on them and they could easily be mistaken for the walking dead. Cale now noticed just how severe their malnutrition was.
“Before we go, why don’t you two get cleaned up and pack some things you want to take. Remember to only pack what you can carry.”
Given their current physical state, neither of them would be able to carry much. Still the two boys gave a nod and headed up stairs. Cale followed them. Adam went for the first door.
“NO, STOP!” Cale shouted.
Adam looked frightened.
“Let me go in,” Matthew said as he stepped forward.
“I don’t know. Maybe I should,” Cale said, trying to sound comforting.
“It’s fine. I’ll go,” Matthew continued.
Cale stood by Adam as Matthew entered the room. He stepped back out looking sick.
“Stay out here Adam, okay?”
Adam stared back blankly. In the room Matthew gathered their things. It looked as if his father had torn his brother apart. His older brother’s entrails littered the floor. Matthew tip toed around the dark red pool of blood. At this distance he could see both his father and brother’s heads had been pierced with a knife. He had noticed that Cale carried a knife clipped to his belt. He shuddered for a moment. Quickly he grabbed two backpacks, one for him and the other for Adam. He began shoving clothing into the bags. He only stopped for a moment to look at the photo on the dresser. It was a family picture from before his mother died. There they were, his older brother embracing him. He was the same age as Adam in that photo. Next to them their father held their very pregnant mother in his arms.
“You okay in there?” Cale asked from the hallway.
“Yeah. I’ll be right out.”
“Alright. We have to get going soon. More of them may turn up.”
Matthew grabbed a few more things and exited the room. He quickly closed the door behind him. He didn’t want Adam to see the horror within. He looked at Cale, seeing if he could read anything on his face. Mathew thought Cale looked smug. Cale offered a smile to lighten the mood, but Matthew didn’t smile back. Cale sensed something was wrong but didn’t want to postpone leaving any longer.
“Let’s get going,” Cale said ushering the two down the stairs.
Matthew handed Adam one of the bags after testing the weight and taking the heavier one. They both shouldered the packs.
“Ugh. This is heavy,” Adam whined.
“Mine is heavier,” Matthew said shortly.
Cale dismissed the chatter and took the time to recheck that all his gear was accounted for. Matthew watched as he tapped each handgun in its holster and then tapped the knife fastened to his tan colored belt. Cale brought his rifle’s sling over his head and onto his shoulder. He looked at the boys standing there looking like they were preparing to go to school.
“Once we get out here you need to stay close to me. These things move slow so we can just out run them. Whatever you do, do not touch them.”
“What?” Adam asked confused.
“Just hold my hand and don’t touch anything,” Matthew said as he snatched his brother’s hand aggressively.
“Ouch. You’re hurting me!”
“Shhh,” Matthew hissed.
Cale unlocked the heavy door. He could smell the infected outside already.
“Fucking zombies,” He whispered quietly.
Cale put his fingers to his lips, reminding the brothers to be silent. He pulled the door open slowly, letting the sunlight in. Stealthily they stepped out onto the front stoop, and the brothers were introduced to the horrific truth.
Biathlon
All three of them had made it outside unnoticed. A large group of infected could be seen down the block, but a few stragglers bumped into cars nearby. Cale moved them into cover behind a van. So far they were clear. He ran through the directions in his head. With Adam and Matthew right on his heels he moved to another abandoned vehicle. They made it about two blocks before one of the creatures saw them. It gave a loud grunt as it reached out for them and slowly approached. It was an older man in shredded street clothes. He was covered in gnaw marks. His yellowing teeth were chomping ferociously.
Cale pulled out his knife and moved toward the man quickly. He thrust the knife out and jammed the blade through the man’s nasal cavity. He laid the man down in the street and removed th
e knife. Cale then motioned the boys toward him. Matthew tugged on Adam. Once they met up with Cale they continued on. Adam was beginning to look scared. He grabbed Matthew’s hand and they formed a three person chain.
“You’re only as fast as your slowest person,” Cale recalled his track coach once telling him and his relay team; “you have to run as a pack.”
They passed by reanimated people locked inside their cars, blood stained streets, and abandoned buildings. Adam was slowing down. He was out of breath.
“We have to go back.” He said wheezing.
“We’re almost there. I promise just a little bit further,” Cale explained.
Matthew was out of breath as well but gave his brother a tug. Adam quickly followed. They were coming up to the right turn on Allenby. A few infected walked about the intersection. The three of them stopped and hid behind a van. They would have to take care to ensure they wouldn’t be seen.
“Okay, we’re going to stay low and stay quiet,” Cale whispered to the boys.
Both of them appeared to understand. Cale peeked back over the van’s hood. One of them was looking his way. He froze, not wanting to draw its attention. After a second or two the undead turned away from them. From here Cale could see that the back of the man’s head had been chewed on. His white skull was exposed. Cale ducked back down. He was getting ready to move when they heard a groan from above. Cale looked up. Hanging from a balcony was a woman. She had tried to kill herself after being bitten.
Her reanimated body kicked and swayed as she reached for them down on the street. Her moans of frustration gained the attention of the other infected.
“AAAAAHHHHHH!” Adam screamed.
“RUN! RUN NOW!” Cale shouted as he pulled on Matthew’s arm. The three of them ran down the dirty streets. Adam was screaming uncontrollably and drawing the other infected in the area. He began dragging his feet, slowing them down. Matthew tugged at his brother. He was being pulled by Cale to continue. Frustrated Cale turned around and lifted Adam, letting go of Matthew’s hand in the process.
“Stay close,” Cale warned sternly.
Now, with Cale cradling Adam like a baby, they moved faster through the streets. Cale led, watching the street signs for direction. They passed by empty parking lots and buildings. They ran down the four lane street weaving in and out of abandoned traffic. They took refuge by a bus stop so Cale could catch his breath. Matthew hadn’t fallen far behind. After looking around a bit Cale realized they’d gone too far. An over-turned bus blocked their path. He turned to go back but the crowd had followed as well.
“Shit,” He said out loud.
Adam continued to scream, making it hard for Cale to clear his head. Matthew looked frightened.
“This way,” Cale said as he headed north.
Under the blue and cloudless sky they ran through the next intersection. Cale looked at the sign as they entered the next junction. It looked familiar to Cale. They were next to the building with ‘Metropolitan’ labeled on it. He knew exactly where they were now. To the west he could see the sea. Matthew watched as Cale looked at the street signs and then at the Metropolitan.
“Are you lost?” he asked.
“No. We go this way. Hurry,” Cale answered.
Adam was silent now. Cale looked down at him as they moved. He was awake, but an expression of fear was frozen on his face. Adam was in shock, he shook uncontrollably, and his breathing was rapid. They were almost to the beach now. The infected continued to approach them but were still a good block and a half away. Cale stopped a moment to reposition Adam and catch his breath.
“There’s the boat,” he said, motioning toward the water.
He looked for the raft. It was still there but it was surrounded by the undead. They’d have to swim for it if they were going to make it.
“Can you swim?” he asked.
“What?” Matthew replied.
“They’re on the raft,” Cale pointed to the swarm of undead covering a yellow object. We’ll have to swim for it. Drop your bag.”
Cale laid Adam down and stripped away the backpack he wore. Cale then sat his bag down as Matthew followed suit. He shook Adam trying to snap him out of his daze.
“HEY! HEY I NEED YOU HERE BUD!” He yelled at the boy.
Adam looked at him, confused.
“I need you to hold on to me. We’re going to go for a little swim. Okay?”
Adam didn’t show any response.
“Hey, it’s going to be alright. I just need you to hold on tight.”
Adam nodded. Cale positioned him onto his back.
“Just close your eyes okay?”
Adam held on tight. Cale couldn’t see if he was closing his eyes or not, but it was time to go. Their pursuers were on the beach now and closing in.
“GET IN THE WATER! SWIM FOR THE BOAT!” He barked at Matthew.
Abandoning their bags on the shore they waded into the cold water. They pushed against the waves till they couldn’t touch bottom any more. Frantically they swam for the Freedom Runner, not even trying to look back. Adam was choking, and Cale was fighting to keep their heads above water. The boy’s little arms around his neck made it hard to get a full breath. As he fought to stay afloat he struck something solid in the water. He continued to swim and hit something again. Whatever it was, wrapped around his ankle. He kicked free and continued after Matthew who’d managed to make it further out. As he swam toward the boat, he swore he could feel his legs brushing up against other objects in the water. Not wanting to wait and see what they were, he continued paddling with all his might.
Suddenly, despite his best efforts he was going under. Adam seemed like he was getting heavier, dragging him below the surface. The child’s hands broke free, letting Cale rise back to the surface. Cale looked around for him. He could see Matthew was almost to the boat now, but Adam’s little head didn’t come back up.
“Shit,” He said, before taking a breath and diving back under.
The water was a little murky, but he could make out a shape a few feet below him. It was Adam, but something was wrong. He was struggling against something. Or someone. It was an infected. It was standing on the bottom clutching the little boy’s ankle, as other blurry figures thrashed about in the water. Cale pushed as fast as he could in their direction, pulling the knife out as he went. Like a slow moving torpedo he slammed into the assailant. Quickly he began thrusting the knife into the creature’s brain. Its deadly grip loosened and let the boy float free, but Adam wasn’t moving. Cale hastily grabbed him and awkwardly brought him to the surface. Cale was gasping but Adam didn’t make a sound.
With his arms wrapped around the boy, and being careful not to stab him, he kicked ferociously, swimming backwards. It felt like an eternity but he finally struck the side of the boat.
“ADAM! GIVE HIM HERE!” Matthew shouted.
Together they pushed him onto the deck of the Freedom Runner. Even though he was exhausted, Cale wasn’t done yet. Just as he was about to pull himself onto the boat he felt a hand grab onto his pant leg. Cale dropped the knife on the deck of the vessel and was pulled under. He struggled hard, fighting his attacker. Every time he broke the creature’s grip his other leg would be caught. He was fighting more than just one. Together they all pulled Cale down, waiting, wanting to sink their teeth into him. But Cale fought, ensuring that they’d work hard for this meal. He managed to break away from the group and float upward. His vision became narrow and dark.
“God this can’t be it,” he thought to himself.
The cold air hit his face, and Cale didn’t waste any time. He grabbed onto the boat and pulled himself in. Matthew was crying over his brother. He’d already lost his entire family and his little brother was all he had left. Cale acted without thought. He pulled Matthew away.
“Give me room. I can help him. “
Matthew crawled back and began sobbing.
“Do something! You have to help him!” he cried.
Cale had already posit
ioned Adam. Making sure his head was tilted back; he placed his hands onto his chest and began compressions. His combat life saver training came back to him in an instant. Rhythmically he bounced on the boy’s chest.
“Come on damn it,” Cale said softly.
Matthew sat and sobbed, just staring at Cale, and every once in a while saying something in his native tongue. He began praying for his brother’s life. Cale didn’t know how long he’d been trying to save Adam but he was determined to do it. Adam began to spit up water and cough. Cale stopped pushing on the boy’s chest. He turned him to his side as he spit up more of the salty water and let out a sigh of relief. Matthew stared in disbelief.
“Thank God,” Cale said.
Adam was breathing again, but was shaking. Cale moved the boy to one of the bedrooms as Matthew followed. Once Adam was placed on the bed Cale noticed the sound of banging. The infected were below, hitting the boat. Cale knew they had to move to deeper water. Cale left Matthew and Adam and went back up on deck. He pulled on the anchor rope at the port side of the yacht but it didn’t budge.
“Shit.”
Cale knew the infected were likely the reason; luckily they weren’t smart enough to climb it and onto the boat. Persistent, he began, with difficulty, to pull it in. He was making progress but when the head of an infected broke the surface he let it drop. It had startled him. He debated cutting the line, but didn’t want to lose his anchor in the process. Cautiously, he reeled the line back in, ready this time for his friend on the end. Again, the creature’s head broke the surface of the water and Cale met him with the tip of his knife. This infected had been in the water for some time. He was bloated and covered in array of sea life. With a splash he returned to his dark and watery grave.
Cale finished pulling up the line. There were a number of gore marks along it, and bits of flesh had stuck to the rough texture of the rope. Cale felt a strong urge to wash his hands in the water, but was scared of what may reach out to pull him in. Back in the drive cabin, he started up the engine and moved further up the coast. They’d already drawn too much attention and now the beach was covered with the undead. To the north he could see another marina. Now that the raft was gone, he knew he might have to dock for more supplies. He wondered how he was going to retrieve the packs they’d left on the beach.
Blood on the Sand (Z Plan) Page 14
