The Hunt Chronicles (Volume 3): Crusade

by Demers, J. D.

  “Why…why was he acting, well, crazy? He told me we were cursed. Like, our immunity was a punishment or something.”

  Trinity fidgeted with the bottle cap in her hand, staring at it intently. She pursed her lips and met my eyes.

  “Dad thinks we should be like the Geeks. He wants to be with mom and the only way to do that is to become like her.”

  “That…that’s just…”

  “Crazy,” she finished for me. “I know. It’s worse, though. By that time, Dad had Mom bite him a few times. He wanted to change and thought that was how it happened. Unlike him, I accepted Mom was gone.”

  She finished the bottle before continuing.

  “At first, Dad was happy to see me. Like an idiot, I chalked up Dad killing my friends to a misunderstanding. I was blind, really. Deep down, I knew he had lost it. Over the next week, I tried to get him to finish Mom. He grew more agitated, and eventually, went over the deep end. One morning, he yanked me out of bed and dragged me over to the room he kept Mom in. I fought hard, but Dad isn’t a weak man. Before I could stop him, he shoved my arm into her mouth. She bit down. I screamed and he tossed me in the corner.”

  She wiped a tear from her face. I understood. Our father, the one who was supposed to protect her against everything from the day she was born, was trying to kill her out of some delusion he had built up in his mind.

  She composed herself and went on.

  “He kept me in there with her for a week, I think. I lost track. I was bound like her. Every couple of days he would have her bite me again. Finally, when he had taken the tape off my mouth and let me speak, I told him that you had to die to become one of them. That, as it turns out, was a mistake.”

  “He didn’t believe you?” I asked.

  “Oh,” she sneered, “he believed me. After I convinced him, he cut her restraints, told me he was sorry, but it was the only way, and locked the door behind him.”

  “Jesus…” I whispered.

  “Yeah,” she scoffed. “Mom attacked me. She dove on top of me and started to tear into my face. I’m not sure how, but I was able to rip my hands free from the duct tape. I guess the will to live gave me the strength of a Fiend. That’s how I lost my fingers, by the way,” she said, holding up her mutilated hand.

  As much as her dysmorphic appearance bothered me, I think it bothered me more how she was so nonchalant about it.

  “I tried to push her face away and she bit down on my fingers. That was the most painful I think. Somehow, I was able to get her off. I grabbed the nearest weapon I could find, a curling iron. It was Mom’s. Anyway, I jumped on top of her and shoved it through her eye. I pulled it out and was going to do it again when I noticed she was convulsing. Not much, just a little. I thought she would eventually die so I let her be.”

  She paused as she reached down and scratched her ankle with her remaining fingers.

  “Is that when you got away?”

  She sucked in a breath and released it slowly.

  “No. I was afraid Dad would come in, so I waited. I was going to ambush him. I used sheets off the bed and wrapped my hand and covered my face. I knew I was dead. I knew the virus had me, so I took a small amount of glee in knowing I would turn into a Geek and that would be that.”

  “But it never happened,” I said, knowingly.

  “No, and I should have known better. After all, Mom had bitten me plenty of times over the weeks I was trapped. But in death, I was sure I would change. I never died, though. Dad didn’t return that night and by the next morning I couldn’t take it anymore. Mom had stopped moving. Not sure why. The house was silent. I thought Dad had left so I broke down the door.”

  “Was Dad gone?” I asked.

  “No. He was laying on the couch next to an empty bottle of sleeping pills. I thought he was dead. I didn’t waste time and grabbed a gun and took off.”

  She stirred, like she didn’t want to continue.

  “Is that when you met Goblin?” I pressed after a few minutes of silence.

  I glanced over at the creature on the ground. He was lying chest down in the sand, his hands still clasped behind his back. Hunger and thirst had left him without energy.

  She pressed her lips together and furrowed her brow.

  “Not at first, no. I survived for a month on my own. It wasn’t easy. I was hurt and even got sick. Probably from infection. But I found what I needed. A few people…well, they tried to rob me,” she laughed. “I didn’t have anything. But they did.”

  She was silent a moment.

  “It became easier. Killing, you know?” she said softly, trying to convince herself she was in the right.

  “It hasn’t for me,” I returned, sadly. “I’ve done some bad stuff myself. Sometimes, you just have to do what you can to survive.”

  I was trying to reassure her. I wanted her to come with us and at that point I knew she wasn’t going to. While I had taken the lives of others, there was justification for doing so. In her case, I had the feeling it was under some unscrupulous circumstances.

  She seemed to not hear me, still lost in her memories.

  “I met Goblin and his goons sometime later. They got the upper hand at first. Gus and Ray, they wanted no part of what Goblin and his friends were doing. Gus actually took a beating when he tried to stop Goblin.”

  “I’m sorry that happened,” I said sincerely. “I wish I was here.”

  “It happened. I took it, biding my time for the right opportunity. Ray gave me that chance. Tried to free me. He said I reminded him of his daughter. But I didn’t run. I killed them all. Well, everyone except Goblin.”

  A snore came from Gus’s stall as the little, chunky man fell into a deep sleep. Even Goblin was snorting with each breath, though he contorted and mumbled as if having some sort of nightmare.

  “So, you let Ray and Gus live?”

  “Yeah,” she smiled maliciously. “No need to kill them. Gus is just a simple guy. They abused him most of the time. They would have him run around and draw the Geeks out while they put them down. Ray was more of a loner. Only with them because they had food. He and I have an understanding.”

  “I don’t think he likes me much,” I muttered.

  “No, he doesn’t like anyone. Truthfully, he is just as cutthroat as the others were. He just felt sorry for me I guess.”

  She glanced over to the wall holding the backpacks of dismembered zombies.

  “Those are Goblin’s friends. I fed the little fucker’s fingers to them. Not to mention another part,” she smiled wickedly.

  My stomach turned.

  As much as I had gone through, I couldn’t see myself turning into what my sister had become. But what if I was in her situation? What if I had to survive and went through what she had? The truth was, it was the Dystopian and apocalyptic world of fiction that had become reality.

  Here, in my parents’ home town, people were living how I feared society would become. The Bogdons were not the only savages around. There were more. Some weren’t bad of course, just desperate. But there were no more definitive lines. Everything had been blurred out with the fall of civilization.

  “Before today,” I asked carefully, “did you know Dad was still alive?”

  She nodded.

  “I returned home after I took care of Goblin and his friends. Dad and Mom’s bodies were gone. Every once in a while, I would go home and one time I caught Dad sneaking in. He never saw me, but I waited and watched him. I followed him back to where he was staying. That’s where I found Leia, tied up behind a fence with a few Geeks trying to eat her. After nightfall, I snuck in, killed the Geeks and rescued her. Not sure how she found Dad, but I’m guessing he came across her at some point after I escaped.”

  I hesitated before I spoke again, not sure if I wanted to hear an answer.

  “Did you…did you try to kill Dad?”

  Her jaw clenched and relaxed a few times before she answered.

  “I thought about it. The night I rescued Leia I was going to
do it. I sat by the door for an hour, listening to him talk to Mom like she was still alive. I let myself get too emotional and I left. I almost sought him out again, but couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

  “You’ve been through a lot,” I stated. “I’m sorry.”

  She gave me unpleasant smile. “It is what it is, Christian. That was only the first three months.”

  Trinity sat back and yawned.

  “I’m tired.”

  “Me too,” I replied.

  My sister stood and bid me farewell. She told me I could sleep in one of the stalls, but I told her I would be fine where I was. I didn’t trust Ray or even Gus for that matter. I would lay near the door next to Boomer.

  I switched on my radio as I walked over to join the canine. His ribs rose with each breath as he slept silently on the ground.

  “Fish, come in,” I whispered.

  “This is Campbell,” the Captain responded.

  “Where’s Fish?”

  “I’m here,” Fish replied in a low tone.

  “Sit-Rep?” Campbell asked.

  I answered as quietly as I could, although that probably made it sound more covert to anyone listening.

  “It’s a little strange, to be honest. My sister is fine…well, sort of. The other two people she’s with are, well, that is still yet to be determined.”

  “Christian,” Fish said quietly, “we’re just down the road.”

  “What?” I asked a little too loudly.

  “We found the barn. Good idea telling us about the Zulus pinned up on poles,” Fish continued. “About an hour ago, some tall, skinny schlub appeared on the roof. Lost him as night fell.”

  Still being careful about what I said aloud, I responded. “Sounds good. Everyone comfy?”

  “We’re all here, Christian. We decided not to split the group up. So, what’s up with her? What’s up with your father?”

  I decided to avoid talking about Trinity, just in case she was listening. I did relay what she said about my father. Campbell seemed appalled but Fish took it in stride, racking it up to Post Traumatic Syndrome.

  “Okay. We will see what happens when the sun comes up,” I told them after we finished talking about my father.

  “Roger that,” Campbell replied.

  “Kid,” Fish said, “Don’t do anything else stupid!”

  “Taking my dunce cap off now.” I clicked the radio off and nestled next to Boomer. If Ray or Gus, or even my sister for that matter, approached me, Boomer would most likely wake and warn me. I hoped so. I was tired and not sure how much longer I could keep my eyes open.

  The reunion with my family was nothing like I thought it would be.

  My father had lost his mind. It was hard for me to grasp. For the first few months it was my father who got me through each day. His reason. His understanding. His spirit. But the person I saw that day was nothing like the man that raised me. Was Preacher right about love? The love my father had for my mother had spiraled him into insanity.

  The love he had for my sister was twisted and almost killed her.

  Trinity, on the other hand, had become something else. She was not the girl I grew up with. She loved horse riding, the outdoors, involved in dance, gymnastics. Trinity had compassion for others. She was always happy and loved life. But not this girl. If I had to compare her with anyone, it would have to be a darker form of Fish, or even Cecil.

  I had to change them. I had to convince both of them to come with us. They were my family. They were humanity’s last hope.

  CHAPTER 20

  Family Matters

  September 2nd Morning

  I woke to the sound of Boomer snarling. I was about to leap to my feet when something sharp jabbed into my sternum.

  Trinity was standing over me with a rifle pointed at my chest. Boomer was on his feet, growling.

  “Tell your dog to back down,” Trinity hissed.

  “What—”

  “I say you pop him right now,” a gruff voice said.

  I turned to the voice and froze, panic swelling in my chest. Ray stood behind Trinity restraining a young girl. It took a moment to realize the girl he was holding by her hair was Karina. Her face was bloodied and her arms hung limply at her sides. She whimpered and cringed as he jerked her head back.

  “This little bitch says she knows you!” Ray roared.

  “Calm down!” Trinity hissed out of the corner of her mouth.

  “Sorry,” Karina said apologetically to me. Her eyes were rimmed with tears.

  “Let her go!” I snapped as I jumped to my feet. Boomer nearly jumped forward, but I put my hand on his back to steady him.

  Trinity shoved the barrel of her rifle into my chest before I could raise my own. Boomer growled and Leia leapt to my sister’s side in response.

  “She has a neat gun,” Gus said from behind them. He walked forward, holding Karina’s MP5 in both hands like it was a prize.

  “What happened?” I asked Karina.

  “I was using the bathroom,” she began, but Ray yanked back on her hair again.

  “You hurt her and I’ll—”

  “Shut up!” Trinity said, raising her gun to my throat. “How many of you are there?”

  “I’m your fucking brother!” I barked. “We’re not here to hurt you!”

  “Family isn’t always friendly,” she reminded me coldly.

  I didn’t have time to figure out how Ray had come in contact with Karina, I just knew I had to reason with them. If Fish or Campbell knew what was happening they would storm the barn and kill all three of them. I couldn’t open radio communication with them at this point and Karina’s absence wouldn’t go unnoticed for long.

  I let out an even breath, calming my tone.

  “Trinity, listen to me. Don’t hurt her. Don’t hurt me. Just…just let us go. I’m telling you, the people we are with will kill all of you to keep me safe.”

  “He’s right,” Karina said through a sob, and swiveled her eyes up to Ray. “Fish will gut you—ugh!”

  Tears flowed down Karina’s face as Ray violently yanked her hair back.

  My blood started to pump, and my eyes vibrated with each thump in my chest.

  A cackle came from the back of the Barn. Goblin was sitting in the dirt, laughing so hard he was having trouble breathing.

  “Kill ‘em! Kill ‘em!” he chanted.

  “Shut it, Goblin, or I take your tongue next!” Trinity growled.

  “Trinity,” I pleaded, “I don’t want anyone here to die. But that is what is going to happen.”

  “You think I’m scared?” she asked.

  There was no trying to break through to her. Whatever was going to happen, I was sure it would be soon.

  A high-pitched buzzing sound came from outside. One of the drones was in close.

  Ray and Trinity looked up to the ceiling of the barn.

  “What is that?” Ray asked, looking around.

  “It’s my friends,” I stated through gritted teeth. “Look, if you want to live, let me contact them.”

  My hands were raised in a non-threatening manner. Trinity was my sister but the look in her eyes left no doubt that she would pull the trigger.

  Trinity stared at the radio on my side.

  “Take out the ear piece. Call them and tell them to back off.”

  I complied, knowing that opening a dialogue and acting submissive was the only way to save Trinity’s and Karina’s lives. My own life was secondary at this point.

  I unplugged the ear piece and turned on the radio.

  “Captain, this is Christian. Over.”

  “Christian,” Campbell repeated. “Status?”

  “I’m alive, sir. They’re listening in.”

  “Karina is missing, Christian,” Campbell told me.

  “She’s here with me, sir.”

  Trinity, tired of our chatter, grabbed the radio.

  “Captain whoever, this is Trinity. I’m in no mood for bullshit. Get away from us or I kill the little girl.
”

  There was a momentary pause.

  “Trinity,” Campbell said carefully, “we don’t want anyone to get hurt. We just want Christian and Karina. After that, we will leave this area.”

  “Tell you what, Captain. We’ll send the girl out and then you can leave,” she replied. “If you’re lucky, she’ll still be in one piece.”

  “Negative, ma’am. That isn’t an option. Christian and Karina need to be out front, unharmed, in one minute.”

  “Trinity,” I pleaded, “he is serious. I don’t want him to kill you.”

  “Christian”, she replied icily, “how many times do I have to tell you? I can take care of myself.”

  She pressed the transmit button.

  “You either get a dead girl and a shootout or living girl and get to walk away unscathed, Captain. Your choice.”

  From the corner of my eye I saw a small dot of sunshine shoot across the ceiling. Fish’s sniper rifle was poised through a tiny opening of the roof access hatch and it was pointed directly at my sister. If I didn’t defuse the situation soon, there was going to be a lot of blood.

  I glanced at Boomer to see if he would alert to Fish, but his attention was focused on Ray. His lip was curled and he bared his teeth at the man hurting Karina.

  “Let me talk to him,” I told Trinity. “I will stay with you. It doesn’t have to end this way.”

  Trinity eyed me. She was trying to see if I was lying.

  There was only one way I knew Fish wouldn’t shoot my sister, and time was counting down fast.

  Trinity reached out to hand me the radio. I stepped toward her, letting her gun pass harmlessly over my shoulder. Throwing all my weight forward, I tackled her to the ground.

  Boomer followed my lead and charged at Ray.

  Ray was unprepared for the attack and had no time to grab his shotgun. Shocked, he let go of Karina just as Boomer leapt onto his chest. Ray fell back with a shriek as Boomer tore at his face.

  Fish, no longer having a clean shot, climbed through the roof access hatch and shimmied down the ladder.

  Karina spun on Gus, who was wide-eyed with disbelief. She snatched the MP5 out of his hands and reversed it on him.

  The sound of a large engine grew and the Stryker punched a hole through the front door. It barely missed us as Trinity and I wrestled in the dirt. It quickly reversed, allowing Pittman and DJ to rush in, weapons raised.