The Last Infection: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller

by W. Garza, Michael

  They were deep in the cave when a new source of light pulled everyone’s attention up ahead. The perfect silence was broken by conversation. The cave opened up to a larger space filled with several groups of people huddle close together throughout. Some sat around lanterns talking, while others lay on sleeping bags trying to rest.

  Chris slowed his pace and counted two dozen souls before giving up. He came to a complete stop and realized he was about to collapse. An intense exhaustion hit him all at once and he was forced to press his hand against the wall to keep from falling over. The kids sat down on the ground as soon as they entered the light, forcing the others to walk around them. Jenn’s face was pale. She had her hair pulled back behind her head and it was dotted with bits of leaves and twigs.

  “Where the hell are we?” she asked.

  “Safe for now.”

  The reply pulled Jenn and Chris towards the second woman in their group. She was holding out a sandwich for each of them.

  “This should help.” She knelt down to the kids and gave each a sandwich and a smile. She looked at Jenn. “Yours?”

  Jenn shook her head, followed quickly by Chris.

  The woman stood up. “Cute kids. I’ll try to get you some water in a little bit.”

  Chris was finally forced to sit down. He pressed his back against the cold wall and slid down until his butt hit the floor. “Who are you?” he asked. “Who are all these people?”

  The woman held a warm smile in place as she extended a hand. A closer view gave a hint at her age, but it was difficult to guess. Long streaks of gray ran the full length of her hair. The dirty fatigue pants and a man’s button down shirt looked ridiculous on her slender frame.

  “I’m Sarah and these people are my neighbors,” she thought about it, “well, most of them anyway. We’ve picked up a few strays along the way.”

  Jenn was holding her own far better than Chris was. She shook Sarah’s hand after he let it dangle out in front of him for several uncomfortable seconds.

  “Did you live in that town before all this?” Jenn asked.

  “Dumont Colorado, one of the nicest communities you’ve ever seen.” Sarah laughed at herself. “Was anyway.”

  “And you guys live here now?” Chris asked, his eyes running across the top of the cave. He took a bite of his sandwich and a long pause brought his gaze back to Sarah. He knew by the look on her face that his comment cut deep.

  “No,” she said finally, “this is where we hide.” She started to walk away, and then paused. “We hide from the dead, we hide from the infected, but mostly we hide from Walker and his damn animals.”

  Sarah walked away and Jenn slid down next to Chris. Jake and Alicen pulled in closer, both continued to eat, too tired to bother with talking. Jenn spoke at a whisper.

  “Can’t we make at least one friend?”

  Chris nodded.

  “I didn’t think before I said it.”

  “I’ll forgive you for now.” She bit into her sandwich. “Any idea how we’re going to get out of here?”

  “Do you have any idea where here is?” he asked.

  Jenn stopped mid bite.

  “That is a better question.”

  Chris leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Let’s get some sleep, at least until the sun comes up.” He opened one eye and peeked over at the kids. Alicen’s head was on her brother’s leg. Jake was sitting up against the wall fighting exhaustion. Both kids were still clutching a half-eaten sandwich. Chris settled in for what he hoped would be a few good hours of rest, when Carlos stepped into the light followed closely by Jafar. They were having a heated conversation and most of the surrounding people looked up as the exchange escalated.

  “We’re never going to get back our town if we take your approach.” Carlos’ hands were animated as he spoke. “What am I talking about? It’s not even your town.”

  Jafar was calm, but a tinge of annoyance clung to his eyes. “And what army are you going to fight with?” His voice boomed as he glanced at the surrounding people. “Look around you.” He held out his hands in frustration. “These are not soldiers. Having a gun doesn’t make you one. What you’re talking about is suicide.” His thick accent became increasingly difficult to understand as his words sped up. “You will get these people killed, nothing else.”

  The dark skinned woman from the original group stood close to Carlos, and for the first time, her concern for him was evident. She waited until she was sure the conversation was over before stepping in. She took hold of Carlos’ hand and pulled him away. She offered Jafar an apologetic glance as she turned to leave.

  “What’s that all about?” Chris asked, not sure, he wanted to know.

  Jafar shook his head, his eyes remaining on the back of Carlos’ head until he was out of view. “It’s a lingering disagreement, my friend,” he said, “as old as this infection anyway.”

  “I take it he wants to go storm the castle?” The confusion on Jafar’s face read he had no recognition of the phrase, so Chris clarified. “He wants to fight.”

  Jafar nodded. “Carlos is a good man, but his temper is difficult to swallow.”

  Sarah’s voice cut in as she approached. “He means well.” She walked towards them with a young man close behind her. “He used to cut their lawns before all this. Now they look to him and his wife Angie to save them.” The likeness between her and the young man was unmistakable. “This is my son Michael.”

  He waved, but didn’t speak. His sunken cheeks told a story about their lack of food. Chris suddenly felt guilty for having caused them to give up four sandwiches. He picked up his offering from his lap and continued to eat.

  “How did all this happen?” Jenn asked.

  Sarah sat down in front of them Indian style and Michael got down on his knees. She pushed her bangs behind her ears and looked over the crowd. Jafar plopped down with a deep heave where he was standing.

  “It was a small town like any other, I guess,” Sarah explained. “I’m from Denver originally, but I followed my first husband out here some twenty years ago.” She giggled. “I’ll spare you that story. When the infection started in the big city, no one knew if it would reach us. The news said to avoid densely populated areas, so we just thought-”

  “I remember that,” Jenn interjected, her eyes in a different place. “They were so damn sure.”

  Sarah nodded, but didn’t continue. The conversation was briefly interrupted by a snore. Jake had lost his fight and was out cold, Alicen balled up next to him, her head still on his leg.

  “It happened quickly,” Michael said in a dull voice. “I remember Mr. Jackson got it first. At least that was the story at the time.”

  “I was just passing through,” Jafar said. “My wife and I were on our way to Denver. I had work lined up and she was…” He stopped and tried to gather himself. The look on his face spoke volumes. “She was going to have a baby.” He smiled as his eyes swelled up. “Our first, it was a boy.” He fell deathly silent.

  Jenn shifted uncomfortably before speaking up. “How long have you been here?”

  “Carlos led the group into the hills several months back,” Sarah said. “There were more of us then, but the infection spread. The undead doubled every week. Even after we put someone down…” She looked back at the others lining the walls. “Most of us still hoped we’d be able to find some middle ground with Walker and his group. We hoped we’d be able to go home.”

  “Who is he?” Chris asked.

  “They had a camp several miles outside of town. You know…survival nuts.” She shook her head. “I guess they don’t seem like nuts anymore. When all this happened and the infection spread, they came in one day ordering people around.”

  Jafar cut in. “Carlos told me they attacked a National Guard base west of here. That’s where they got all the guns and supplies.”

  “We never had a choice,” Sarah continued. “A lot of us decided to make a run for it, once they started putting up that fence. We left every
thing. The ones that stayed behind either joined up with Walker’s homemade army or they were…” she trailed off.

  Chris thought about his and Jake’s escape and a lingering vision popped into his head. “I saw something when we were trying to get out.” He wasn’t sure how to explain what he saw. “One of the infected, she looked like…I don’t know, like she was giving orders.”

  Jafar’s eyes widened and he slowly turned his stare on Sarah.

  “I told you,” he said.

  Sarah shushed him, and then lowered her voice.

  “You saw this?”

  Chris thought about it, confirming it to himself first, then nodded. “I’m sure of it.”

  “Some of us have seen it too,” Sarah said.

  Jafar leaned in closer. “They’re learning.” He pointed at his temple. “There’s still something up here. They’re evolving.”

  Jenn shivered despite herself. “What do you mean?” Her gaze slid from Sarah to Jafar. “Evolving into what?”

  Jafar shrugged. “A more efficient killer? Whatever it is that infects the brain, it must still allow the victim access to their former selves. It must be a survival instinct.”

  “How so?” Chris asked.

  “Think about it. There’s fewer livestock now.” Jafar pointed at himself, then at each of the others. “The more desperate they get, the more they’ll have to adapt.”

  Chris never considered such a thing. He’d spent his time focused on one thing and one thing only, self-preservation. He never had time to ponder if the infection would bring about the extinction of the human race. “Maybe I just saw something-“

  “You saw what you saw,” Jafar cut him off. “You’re not the only one.”

  Chris tried to rub the exhaustion from his face. He wasn’t sure what he’d seen anymore, and the more he thought about it, the crazier it sounded.

  “How can we get back to the highway?” Jenn asked. “Look, I realize you people have your own problems and we’re grateful for your help, but…” she checked the kids to make sure they were still asleep. “…we just want to get the hell out of here.

  “Where do you have to get to in such a hurry?” Jafar asked.

  Jenn sat quiet for a moment and Chris knew she was deciding how much of their plan she was willing to share. Her face relaxed and she started to spell it out from beginning to the end. Chris was struggling to keep his eyes open by the time she was finished.

  “How do you know it’s there?” Sarah asked.

  “Catalina?” Jenn asked. “The island?”

  “Well, I know it’s still there, but how do you know it’s safe?”

  Chris coughed and tried to act as if it wasn’t on purpose.

  “We don’t,” Jenn said over him.

  “I can help you get there,” Jafar said out of nowhere. Sarah and Michael looked at him surprised. “There’s nothing for me here and I don’t want to die in one of these caves like an animal.” He pulled a pistol from the small of his back and checked the clip. “I’ll get you to the highway,” he paused, “if you’ll have me.”

  Chris wasn’t sure how to take the offer. He could tell by Sarah’s reaction that Jafar meant something to the group. In the end, he settled on his own company’s protection.

  “There’s strength in numbers,” he said. “If you can help us get back to the highway, you’re welcome to come along.”

  The mood settled as the weight of the conversation and the pain of the long march took hold. Silence blanketed the cave after Sarah and Michael said goodnight and tucked themselves away. Jafar took up watch and refused Chris’ offer to take a turn before he could get it out. Chris and Jenn quickly discovered they could no longer resist the need to sleep and both were out the moment their heads hit the floor.

  #

  Chris’ eyes snapped open as a distinct gunshot echoed through the cave. Several of the surrounding figures tried to get to their feet as a haze of confusion hung over the crowd. Jafar had his hand on his gun, his eyes focused on the tunnel the group used to enter the cave. The sound of stomping feet neared, and suddenly, two men burst into the lantern light. The new arrivals struggled to explain themselves between heavy panting breaths. The truth of the moment became apparent before they could gather themselves. Mr. Walker’s voice echoed clearly down the pitch black tunnel, amplified for all to hear.

  “We know you’re in there. Surrender now or I will kill each and every one of you.”

  12.

  Chris was on his feet as he took in the terror of the moment. Jake pulled Alicen up, but there was no sign of Jenn. A general sense of dreaded disbelief washed across the faces dotting the cave. No one appeared capable of moving until Carlos finally spoke up.

  “Let’s go people, move.”

  Everyone started shifting at once, frantically grabbing hold of whatever meager belongings they had. Chris kept a firm grip on his shotgun as he tried to keep his hands from shaking. He scanned the crowd, but couldn’t find Jenn. Sarah popped out of the moving sea of people with Michael attached to her hip.

  “Come on, take my hand.”

  She reached out for Jake, but the boy’s eyes were on Chris.

  “Go ahead,” he said. “I’m right behind you.”

  Jake hesitantly took her hand and did as he was told. Alicen was still watching Chris as her brother dragged her along with him. The rise in panic within the cave was increased by questions echoing toward them.

  “Do you want to die in there?” Mr. Walker’s voice was calm with a hint of matter-of-fact to it. “Do you want to be fed to one of these things?”

  The roar of several engines followed and the crowd of survivors pushed at one another. They were focused on a narrow opening on the opposite side of the cave. The terror was thick and Chris could tell a maddening panic would soon take hold. He kept his eyes on the crowd, still searching for Jenn. It was Jafar who convinced him to move.

  “They will come in here soon,” he said, his gun trained on the entrance tunnel. “I suggest you leave while you can. Your woman went out with the others.”

  Chris was going to explain their relationship, but instead thought of a more useful propose for the waning seconds.

  “You’re coming with us, right?”

  Jafar looked back at him as if considering for the first time to try saving himself. He watched the last of the survivors pour into the escape route, then nodded.

  “Okay then, you first.”

  Chris headed for the tunnel, peering over his shoulder to make sure Jafar was behind him. Carlos’ voice rose above all of the worried questions and frantic chatter up ahead in the darkness.

  “Keep it moving, people, keep it moving.”

  Chris was jogging down the slender path with little light to guide him. The sound of frenzied stomping thundered in his ears as the wave of people moved ahead of him. There was movement behind, but it was difficult to distinguish any one sound from all the others. A strong sense of fear crept up into the back of his mind, as the unseen walls grew tighter around him.

  He tried to anticipate the wave of furious sound that was to come, but when it finally did, he shook with sudden fright. It started with a single gunshot from somewhere behind them. An explosion of light and sound followed as Jafar fired back in the darkness. The shots urged the crowded survivors to rush forward. There was an eruption of voices highlighted by sheer panic.

  Chris did his best to avoid the crowd as they smashed into one another in search of an exit. If Carlos was still trying to calm them, his voice could no longer pierce the chaos. Jafar continued shooting and Chris thought to help him, before realizing he was firing blindly. An abrupt series of bends in the tunnel produced a wave of light over the space, bringing with it shape to the crowd. The sight of freedom drove Chris to press into the group.

  The screaming frenzy increased, but it wasn’t until he reached the exit that he heard the gunfire again. The sun was hidden by a dark, cloudy sky. A grey light shined down on an open field of tall grass dotted by
sparse outcroppings of pine trees. The survivors parted in a state of panic, heading in every direction at once. Small arms fire erupted from multiple patches of trees adjacent to the escape route.

  Chris stumbled over motionless bodies as he tried to run for cover. He made a hasty effort to aim and fire off a shot at their attackers before searching for safety. Carlos was ahead of him, down on his knees, clutching a bloody pants leg. Angie was on the ground beside him, bleeding from a wound in her stomach. Chris rushed forward and slid down next to them.

  “You have to get out of here,” Carlos yelled between shots.

  “You’re not going to survive on your own,” Chris said as his eyes found Jafar rushing toward them.

  Several figures broke from the trees in a loose formation and started forward. Jafar took one man down with a pull of the trigger, but there were more coming. Chris slung the shotgun over his shoulder and pulled Angie’s arm around his neck, ignoring her pleas for him to save himself. He drove his knee into the ground and lifted her up over his shoulder in the process.

  Chris was running a second later. He kept the exterior of the hill on one side until the trees gave way to a lush green valley. The people ahead of him were running wildly and he was able to guess their loyalties. It wasn’t until he was out in the tall grass that he recognized his mistake.

  A heavy wave of gunfire was drowned out by monstrous screams. The first of the dead appeared across the valley floor. Lumbering out between the trees, the front wave caught the first of the survivors off guard. Chris came to a hasty stop as the undead got hold of several people and tore into them with vicious results.

  The green grass was sprayed with crimson. They ate at a woman’s face as she screamed for help. They went down like cattle; their innards pulled out and grazed on in a feeding frenzy. Chris scanned the distant trees and the sight stole his breath. Zombies stepped out from beneath the foliage in a chain of uncountable measure. The decomposing corpses lurched forward in various stages of rot.

  “Put me down,” Angie yelled in Chris’ ear, “Save yourself.”