Autumn's Calling (Book 1): The Outbreak

by Michelle Weese

  We met Leland downstairs in the lobby. He put all of the guns and ammo into a duffel bag for us to take on the road. I gathered some food, water, blankets and the first aid kit. Then we started for the door, our arms loaded down with everything we could carry. I stepped out behind Leland onto the front porch of the Inn and looked around. We needed to be sure there weren’t any of those monsters lurking, waiting to grab us when we had our arms full of stuff and rendered helpless. When positive the coast was clear, I pulled the door shut as we proceeded off the porch and around the corner to the cars.

  “Are we taking just one car or both?” I asked him, standing between both vehicles.

  “Let’s take mine. It’s a four door so we can get Daisy in and out easier. Plus I want to drive since you are still upset and I’m more comfortable driving a car I know,” he answered, giving me a small smile.

  He looked at me like he thought I would object, but I just nodded my head and, after gazing at my old car longingly, said, “Okay.” So we piled everything in his trunk, keeping a couple of the guns up front with us, and got Daisy into the back seat. She didn’t give me a bit of trouble, just jumped up and did a circle, then plopped down on the seat like she knew she was in for another long ride. She’s smarter than any dog I know. “Good girl, Daisy,” I complimented her and shut the door.

  “I’m going to miss this place,” I admitted, gazing out over the pond and apple orchard. “I’ve only been here one day but it’s such a beautiful place. I could see myself settling down in a place like this. I see why Bea and Henry were so fond of it. God rest their souls.”

  Leland slid his arm around my back, “Yeah, I know what you mean. I hate that we have to leave here, but maybe one day, when this is all over we can come back. Who knows what the future holds for us.” He turned to me and looked deeply in my eyes with his own. I felt so drawn to him in that moment, but I couldn’t just let him in that easily. The last man I let into my heart and soul hurt me so badly. It would take a while for those emotional and physical wounds to heal. I broke our gaze and smiled, gently pulling away and reaching for my door handle. I got in the car and strapped in, placing the 9mm pistol on my lap, just in case. He sat down beside me and started the car, “Everybody ready?” he asked. I nodded silently and Daisy gave a small yip in agreement.

  We pulled down the gravel drive and onto the winding road that would lead us back to the interstate. The sun still beamed through the trees surrounding us. Colorful rays of red and gold shined in the car windows, bouncing off everything inside. I turned to look at Daisy and through the back window. Across the pond with the rickety old bridge, just at the edge of the tree line, was an outline of someone. They staggered into the clearing as we turned the first curve and disappeared from sight.

  Leland turned the radio on to listen for anything new. One station was preaching about the coming of the Lord and that the demons walking upon the earth are a sign that the time is near. I quickly changed it and found a news station. The news caster said the CDC had declared this a zombie outbreak and named the virus Necro-Z. They continued testing for an antivirus but no luck yet. Shelters were set up in secure areas of each town affected, which seemed to be spreading pretty fast and covered most of the west coast already. Officials attempted to quarantine the infected but they keep breaking out and spreading the virus before they can be contained. Only thing to do is get to a safe, secure place and wait this thing out. I clicked the radio off, hearing enough for the time being.

  “I never thought in a million years something like this could ever happen. I wonder where the virus started? I’ve seen a lot of viruses and diseases in the medical field but this thing is traveling a hell of a lot faster than anything I’ve ever witnessed. The change happens so quickly, there will never be enough time to fight it with an antivirus. I’m not sure how they will administer it unless it’s more of a vaccine for immunity against it. It’s frightening to think that at this rate how many of them will be infected within a week,” I explained to Leland. My thoughts were running wild trying to figure out how to stay ahead of this outbreak and not succumb to it.

  “Well, Autumn, I know nothing about the medical field but I’m smart enough to know that if we stay away from a large group of people then we’re better off. The more people around, the bigger the chances of someone becoming infected and then it’s just a fight for survival against everyone else. So we just need to get to your mom and find a good place to batten down the hatches, ride this thing out. I have faith that they’ll get it under control. Everything gets worse before it gets better, right?” he responded, hands gripping the wheel tightly like it was a life line. He was trying to play it cool for my sake, but I know that he’s scared too. He must be worried about his family, also.

  “Do you want to call home and check on everyone? I can drive if you want to,” I said to him.

  “I’ll call when we stop for gas; we have about a half of a tank left.” We were on the main highway heading north now. There weren’t but just a few cars driving along. Every few miles, we would come across an abandoned vehicle on the median or shoulder of the road.

  “I’m going to call my mom to let her know we’re on our way there now,” I said, as I pulled my phone from my bag and dialed her. It rang and rang until the answering machine came on. I left her a message telling her we were heading that way and to sit tight. A jolt of fear rushed through me when I hung up. “She’s not answering at home, I hope she’s okay,” I noted, staring out the window.

  “I’m sure she’s fine. Your dad is there with her, isn’t he?”

  “My dad passed away four years ago, she’s hasn’t found anyone else since him.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” he said softly.

  “It’s okay, you couldn’t have known that. But she is home alone and probably scared to death.” I started to panic. “I’ll try Uncle Andrew, her brother, and see if she’s with him.” I dialed his number and he answered, thankfully.

  “Hello?” Uncle Andrew said on the other end.

  “Andrew, It’s Autumn, please tell me my mom is with you,” I replied frantically.

  “Yes, Autumn, she’s right here with me. We came to the hardware store to gather supplies and she forgot her phone at home,” he remarked in that voice that he uses when chiding my mother for her foolishness.

  “Oh, Thank God. Can I talk to her, please?” I heard him handing over the phone to my mom.

  “Autumn, are you alright? When will you be home?” Mom asked in a relieved voice.

  “Well, depends on what you consider alright, Mom. I’ve had to bury two wonderful people who I just met yesterday, in the last twenty four hours. So emotionally I’m a wreck, but physically, I’m okay. I’m on my way to you right now. I’m bringing a friend with me. He didn’t want me to travel alone. We should be there in about four hours or so. Just stay at the hardware store, it’s more secure than your house, and we will come there.”

  “Okay, sweetie. Just please be safe and get here as soon as you can. There are more and more of those things showing up every hour. Andrew has his gun so we should be fine. Don’t worry about me; I may be an old woman but I can hold my own.”

  “Oh, Mom. You are far from old, and I know you can hold your own. Dad taught us to be strong when tragedy hits and we have to put that to use now. I’ll get there soon. I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby. See you soon,” she hung up.

  I ended the call and glanced over at Leland. He saw me look at him and smiled. “See, I told you she’d be fine. If your mom is anything like you, then she will come out of the other side of this thing too. I’ll get you there so you can see to it that she does.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for coming with me. I’m not sure I could have made this trip back home alone. You are a true lifesaver, Mr. Leland… uh, what was your last name?” I questioned him.

  “Williamson,” he answered, with a crooked smile.

  “Well, you are a lifesaver Mr. Leland William
son, and I’m glad to have you by my side,” I declared, grinning while I admired his silhouette against the brightness of the sun. He really is a beautiful man. Not sure how I lucked into meeting him, but I’m grateful for it.

  Chapter 16

  The sun began to set when we stopped for gas. We took an exit about an hour south of my hometown to quickly fill up and use the restroom. The station was strangely empty of cars except for one, a green SUV with a large dent in one side and missing a tail light. We parked at the closest pump to the door and Leland opened his door and stepped out onto the pavement. “Let me make sure it’s safe and then you can get out,” he told me with the .380 pistol held down by his side and observing the area. He seemed satisfied after a moment and waved me out of the car, starting for the pump.

  I got out, scanning the parking lot and store through the windows, but saw nothing. No movement anywhere. I grabbed Daisy’s leash and hooked it on her collar so she could get out with me to do her business in the nearby grass. My ears pricked and eyes were peeled while she sniffed around to find that precise spot to potty in dogs seem so adamant about. I turned and gazed at the storefront, still not seeing anyone.

  Daisy finished up and I strode with her in tow towards the store. We opened the door slowly and stepped inside, finding there wasn’t even a clerk at the register. “Hello? Anybody in here?” I called out. The bright fluorescent lights illuminated everything, leaving no shadows to hide in. “We just need to get some gas and use the restroom,” I announced, with no one there to listen. Then Leland walked in behind me, causing an electronic bell to chime faintly somewhere in the back of the store.

  “The pump won’t come on without someone to turn it on in here. Is there no clerk?” he asked, looking around.

  “I guess not. I called out but nobody answered.” My palm started to itch uncomfortably and I felt the hair on my neck prickle. I pulled out my gun from where it was tucked in the back of my pants. Daisy started growling softly.

  “Go turn the pump on and I’ll cover you. I’m getting a bad feeling here, and we need to hurry,” I told him. He nodded to me and trotted around the front desk to the gas pump panel. Suddenly, I heard glass breaking in the back side of the store. We both swung around fast and pointed our weapons in the direction of the noise. I slowly and quietly started towards the commotion, gun poised and safety off. Daisy stayed right up against my side, her whole body rigid with tension. Leland started down the next aisle over in the same direction, his own gun firm in his hands.

  I heard someone crying. My ears blocking out all other noise, I scooted closer to the spot that it came from. Around the corner, we found a small blonde haired boy, sitting with his knees pulled up to his chest and face buried in his arms. He weeped pitifully and trembled all over. Soda bottles rolled around on the floor beside him like he had knocked them over.

  “Are you okay, sweetie?” I asked in the softest voice I could find.

  He turned his face up to look at me with huge tears rolling down his cheeks. “My daddy. He’s lying on the floor in the bathroom and won’t wake up,” he cried to me. His big blue frightened eyes looking at me like I was crazy for not knowing that. He looked, at most, five years old.

  I bent down beside him on the balls of my feet, “Okay, Leland here will check on your dad to make sure he’s okay.” I looked at Leland; he nodded and started towards the bathroom. “How about you stay here with me, until he gets back? My name is Autumn, what’s yours?”

  “Benji,” he sniffled.

  “Well, Benji, this is my dog Daisy. She’s very sweet and I’m betting that she would love to have a treat right about now.” I motioned for Daisy to come closer. She walked up to him and sniffed his hair, then gently licked his hand, leaving a trail of loving slobbers behind.

  His eyes lit up and he petted her. “Hi, Daisy!” She wagged her tail ferociously and her tongue rolled out to one side, panting happily at the boy. He stood up and started down one of the aisles with Daisy following close behind.

  “She loves anything that smells like bacon,” I told him while he searched the shelves excitedly. Peeking around the corner to check if the bathroom was in sight, I noticed boxes stacked up against the wall and cases of beer bottles on a dolly; ready to be wheeled to their destination.

  “Here you go Daisy! Bacon!” I heard Benji say as he tore into a plastic package that promised on the front that “Your dog will think it’s REAL bacon strips!” She gobbled them up one after another happily. Benji laughed at her slobbering all over his hands while he fed them to her. I heard a gunshot and something bang against the wall.

  “Leland!” I screamed and ran for the back of the store. Turning the corner, I saw a man lying halfway through the bathroom door with blood spattered everywhere and his head missing some pieces. Leland stood over him, gun still pointed at the man. “Oh my God. You scared me to death. Was he infected?” I asked in a breathless voice, as my heart thumped painfully in my chest.

  “Yeah, I was kneeling beside him, checking for a pulse, when he opened his eyes and started groaning. Then he attacked me, trying to bite me, but I backed off as fast as I could and shot him. I didn’t want to take the chance of getting bit,” he explained, looking at me with guilty eyes. I noticed a large bite wound on the dead man’s arm and knew he would have infected Leland, had he gotten the chance.

  “You did the right thing, Leland. I would have done the same.” I looked down at the body. “Check his wallet for some ID, maybe we can track down the boy’s mom or someone to come pick him up.” Leland searched the man’s pockets and found his wallet and keys.

  “His name is Ronald Koontz. ID has his address but no contact numbers in the wallet.”

  “Where’s he from?” I asked.

  “It says, San Diego. What the hell is he doing up here?” Leland asked.

  “Who knows, maybe we should check his car, that has to be his SUV outside.”

  “Okay, I’ll go check it and you keep an eye on the boy. We need to push the body inside the bathroom and shut the door so he won’t see it,” he said, grabbing the man’s feet. I grabbed the shoulders, pushing while he was pulling and finally got the body into the bathroom and closed the door gently.

  “I’m going to turn that gas pump on and start filling my tank up while I’m out there. Cover me,” he insisted, following me back to the front. Benji looked terrified, but Daisy was doing her best to keep him occupied, playing fetch with him in the aisle.

  “It’s okay sweetie. Your daddy is sick so we’re going to try to call your mommy so we can get you home safe,” I told him. Poor kid. I wonder how long he’s been here waiting for someone else to show up. Good thing we stopped when we did, or else…

  Leland went back to the pump panel and started it up, punching buttons until it whirred to life. Then went outside to his car, placed the nozzle in his tank and headed for the SUV. I stood at the main doors watching his back, focusing on any movement outside. The sun turned a dark orange, sitting half way behind the mountain range. Only another hour or so before darkness falls. Leland wasn’t gone long and came back with a cell phone. “This is the only helpful thing I could find, hopefully it has a family member’s number programmed in it,” he claimed, clicking the power button on the side of the phone. Nothing. The screen stayed black. “Dammit, it’s dead.”

  “Maybe there’s a charger here that will fit it, let’s look around,” I offered, looking for the electronics rack. Lucky us, there was one. I ripped open the package and found a nearby outlet and plugged the phone in. The small charging indication light sparked to life to let us know it was working. “There, now we just give it a little while and see who’s on there that can help get this little guy home.” I looked over at Benji. He kept glancing our way with a worried look in his eyes, but kept on playing with Daisy.

  “We have to find something out soon. I don’t want us drawing attention to this place and getting trapped by those things. We need to get out of here before night falls and our vision of t
he area is diminished. I want to keep moving, until we get to your mom,” Leland urged in a hushed voice that held an edge of tension. I prayed that we could figure out what to do with the boy before dark. I, too, did not want to be stuck in a tiny gas station when the infected figured out there was fresh meat nearby.

  The phone charged enough to turn on within fifteen minutes. We called the first contact on it, Ashley, and only got an automated answering machine. After a few more failed attempts going down the list, we came to a name, Heather, and finally got an answer. “Hello?” a young woman said.

  “Um, hello, my name is Autumn and we’re trying to reach a family member of Ronald or Benji Koontz. I found your number programmed in Ronald’s phone,” I told her.

  “Oh yes, I’m Benji’s Aunt Heather, his mom’s sister. Where’s Ronald? Is everything okay?” she asked in a suspicious voice.

  “Well… not quite. My friend and I stopped at this gas station in Forest Park, Washington and found little Benji sitting alone crying. His dad was in the station’s bathroom on the floor. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but he was infected with the virus that’s spreading and tried to attack my friend, so we had to shoot him before he could hurt us or Benji. We found his wallet, phone and keys and now we’re just trying to find someone to come pick up Benji.”

  “Oh my God. Poor Benji,” she cried into the phone, “I can’t believe this is happening. Ronald was taking Benji up there for a father/son camping trip in the mountains for a few days. Oh no, Ronald…” she started weeping softly.