by Hoaks, C. A.
The flow of flood waters grew more violent with the narrowing of the banks. Brian looked toward the base and saw a burning plane at the end of the runway. Dozens of people ran toward a large helicopter where the motor fought to turn the rotor blades faster and faster.
Men and women dodged slow lumbering infected as they ran toward the aircraft. A horde of infected stumbled through a breach in the hurricane fencing toward the last plane. Flames and flashes of gunfire silhouetted soldiers protecting the loading ramp at the back of the massive transport. The whine of the rotors grew louder and more resolute. A group of civilians, including women and children, raced up the ramp with the last of the troops backing toward the incline.
Automatic gunfire echoed in the distance, while flashes of lightning lit up the night sky overhead. Soldiers fired into the horde stumbling toward the survivors as the ramp at the back of the plane began to rise. The last three standing figures jumped to the ramp, but two lost their footing and fell to the tarmac. Before they could get to their feet, they were quickly overpowered by the horde of infected.
The whine of the rotors grew in volume to a deafening pitch. The helicopter began to rise as the crowd swarmed to the machine. The infected reached for the wheel mounts and any part of the craft they could grasp and latched on with a death grip. The helicopter rose twenty feet, wobbled, leveled off then fought to gain more altitude. The craft tilted the nose down, and the engine screamed.
The infected clutched at the wheels, the rising ramp and even each other to reach their prey. The helicopter dove with dozens of bodies hanging from the underside. The craft tilted, dragging the bodies across the tarmac then across the fence. Bodies fell from one side. The helicopter tilted, then just as it raced toward a flood light it lost more bodies from the opposite side and straightened. The craft rose higher, as it lumbered across the tarmac.
Brian watched as lights on the underside of the escaping aircraft illuminated the airstrip below. He heard screams of pain and terror echoed from beyond the fencing despite the pouring rain. People ran from the infected only to cornered, attacked and consumed. More of the horde spilled into the base from multiple breaches in the fencing caused by the volume of the herd.
Slowly, the Jon boats drifted by the base as the helicopter made a valiant only to stall and dove for the ground. The machine slammed into the tarmac. A massive explosion lit up the entire airfield. Flames blossomed into the air, and a scorching wind ignited the clothes of the infected around the impact. The fire roared while metal shards rained down all around the base. Remains of the helicopter splashed into the bayou.
With each missile landing in the water near a boat, yelps of surprise and terror were torn from the occupants. Amid all the burning fuel beyond the fencing and the screams of the terrified dying, the infected ignored the drifting boats.
“Oh my God,” Margo whimpered from the boat behind Brian.
He turned and called out, “Don’t look. Pay attention to the debris in the water. It’s getting narrow, and there’s trouble ahead.”
The overpass Brian could see in the distance was built long before the current height guidelines. He could see the stumbling infected crossing the bridge heading for the mayhem the fires and screams were drawing. The bridge was going to provide less than eight-foot clearance, and the side rails were barely knee-high. The infected stumbled toward the flames at the base, ignoring the rapid flow of the creek below. Then the volume of bodies was enough to push the first body over the side. More of the infected stumbling close to the rail got jostled, and another of the infected tumbled over the edge into the water. The monster bobbed twice then sank.
More and more of the infected pressed onto the bridge, only to be stopped by the mass of bodies pressed against road blocks at the base entrance. More and more bodies pushed against the ones facing the pile of concrete barriers. The pushing and jockeying of the infected to get into the base continued with more and more bodies tumbling over the side of the bridge. One after another of the infected fell from the overpass into the creek. Some landed on the bank and rolled down the bank where they struggled to their feet, only to slip and fall again. Others slid down the steep bank and slipped into the fast flowing water. The infected falling into the water would be the real problem if a body hit one of the boats.
The trio of shallow watercraft continued their journey toward the overpass as more and more infected stumbled toward the noise and lights of the base. Bodies fell from the bridge to disappear into the churning storm water in front of them.
A loud crack behind the boats made the group turn in mass. Brian turned in time to see a willow tree slowly dip and lean into the rushing water. The reedy flowing branches with their narrow leaves were dragged further and further into the running water. Another crack of splintering wood and the tree collapsed into the torrent of storm water.
“Move it!” Brian yelled. “We have to get through the underpass before that tree traps us.” He willed the trolling motor to go faster, but instead, the boats had been pushed into the slow-moving water at the edge of the creek. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the other two Jon boats were plodding along at the same speed.
A huge snag floated toward the rushing torrent of water and the boats. A branch slammed into the Jon boat being run by Leon. Paula yelled, and Leon reached out with the paddle and shoved the jagged branch from the boat. The tree turned again just as it got parallel to Juan and Billy’s boat. A branch rotated and sent a broken limb up and over, catching the back of the the tarp covering Juan. He barked and pulled against the tarp, but it jerked from his grasp, then slipped below the water.
The snagged tarp ballooned with the rushing water and carried the tree down the creek past Brian and Dale’s flat bottom boat. The trunk hit the center concrete bridge supports, caught half way between the supports and caught. Water rushed around on either side, pushing even higher on the banks.
“The side! Go left,” Brian yelled over the raging torrent.
All three men aimed the boats toward the narrow passage between the bank d the concrete support. The small motors fought against the current to push them from the center of the rushing waterway. Finally, they broke free and drifted toward the shore.
Brian pointed to the opening at the side of the blocked passageway. More and more trash caught in the branches and the ballooning tarp under the overpass. At the last minute, Brian guided the Jon boat toward the left bank, letting the current push it through the opening. There was enough room to slip under the overpass between the massive support and the grassy bank. The boat made it under the overpass, passing through an opening less than eight feet wide and barely four foot high.
“Watch out!” Brian yelled back at the others as a body fell from the overpass, barely missing the back of his boat. He tried to hold the Jon boat in place to watch the others pass between the bridge supports and the shore, but the current took him back toward the fast moving water.
Juan guided his boat toward the opening. From the front of the boat, Billy watched the infected overhead and on the bank, ready to fire if needed. The infected on the shore turned and stumbled toward the incline at the sight of Juan. A massive monster stumbled down the bank and ended up within a few feet of Margo. Billy fired, and the infected man’s head exploded. Billy ducked just in time to miss being brained by the concrete overhead. The boat spilled through the opening with a rush of relief from all three.
Leon fought to maintain control of the vessel as the rushing water pushed him back toward the middle of the creek. The willow tree, caught by the limb created a dam as it collected more and more debris. Water rushing around the blockage grew more turbulent and splashed over the sides of the boat. Paula huddled in the bottom of the vessel whimpering.
Leon fell to his knees and aimed the boat for the narrowing gap. The craft slid under the overpass and cleared the massive supports only to have a falling body clip the back of the boat. The craft tilted and scooped water. While Paula fell forward over her pack, Leon fa
ce-planted against the middle seat nearly tipping the boat over. He lay still for a full minute while the boat turned and drifted toward the center of the creek.
“Leon!” Juan yelled. “Get up!” Brian nor Juan could maneuver their boats to intercept Leon. Their trolling motors could not compete with the current.
Paula sat up and began screaming. “Help! He’s dead!” She thrashing about and struggling to turn around as the boat drifted.
Leon pushed himself back on the seat and sat up. Blood stead from a gash on the side his forehead. He took several seconds to realize their predicament. He grabbed the trolling motor control and shoved the bar to the side. The boat pivoted back toward the center of the creek. He aimed for the other two boats in the distance.
Chapter 37
The Cabin
On the third morning after arriving at the cabin, Della woke to the rising sun sending shafts of light through the open windows, climbed down the ladder from the loft almost happy for the first time since the attack. Sleeping in the loft had turned out more comfortable than she thought it could be. They opened two short, wide windows at the side of the cabin that allowed for a cooling cross breeze at night.
Millie leaned over the wood stove feeding kindling into the opened door. When the heat from the few glowing coals caught the fuel, she added three small split pieces of wood. She set a kettle of water on the stove to boil and readied the last of her strips of willow bark to soak. She sliced Spam into a cast iron skillet sitting next to a kettle on the stove top.
“He ain’t good,” Millie announced when Della drew close.
Della nodded. “I know. I’ve got to find him antibiotics.”
“I ‘member seeing a horse ranch about ten miles back the way we came. We dodged around the accident at the entrance. It said thoroughbreds on the sign. A big operation could mean vet supplies. Vets use same medicine as people,” Millie answered.
“I remember the place. Behind the white fence was a sign advertising Quarter horses, I think,” Della answered.
“It could be dangerous. It’s close to that last town we passed,” Darlene added stepping from the ladder with Penny close behind.
Millie nodded. “We need that young man. He’s the one that knew to get us out of Utopia and has kept us alive. If he doesn’t get antibiotics, he might just die.”
As if in agreement, Steve moaned softly from the bunk at the back of the room.
The three women sat down at the table speaking barely above a whisper.
“I have to be the one to go,” announced Della. “I’m the only one that will know what to look for.”
Darlene looked frightened. “You can’t go alone.”
“I have to. Zack needs to check the traps if we’re going to stay here long enough for Steve to get well. If something bad happens and you have to leave, Zack’s the only one that will be able to protect the rest of you. Steve is too sick.”
“She’s right,” Millie agreed. “We’ll send Zack to check the traps because he won’t want to let you go without him.”
“I’ll take the ATV we found in the shed and take one of the five-gallon containers of gas, so I have plenty of fuel. Zack already used it, and it runs. If I take it, you’ll still have transportation. Since Zack filled in the wash, the road is wide enough for the truck if something happens,” Della argued.
Darlene’s mouth turned down with concern. “I don’t like you going alone.”
Millie answered. “If we’re going to make it, we have to do for ourselves. We have to stop depending on the menfolk to do ever’thing. The world has changed.”
“Maybe I could come,” Darlene volunteered.”
Della answered, “You’re the only one left to protect Penny, Millie, and Steve while both Zack and I are gone.”
They all turned at the sound of heavy footsteps coming into the house through the front door of the cabin.
“All’s quiet. Glad I won’t be working on that wash again today.” Zack noticed the women seated at the table and asked, “What’s going on? Is Steve any better?”
Millie answered, “About the same. You need to head out early to check traps today. I need willow bark to make more tea for Steve.”
“I can do that. I can check the traps and be back with the bark in a couple of hours,” Zack announced. “If I can get some breakfast, I can leave right away.”
Millie stepped to the cabinet and pulled out a cloth wrapped loaf of bread. She cut a wedge and laid a single slice of warmed Spam on top. She handed Zack the sandwich and a bottle of water. “Off you go. Don’t forget your hatchet and that knife you found in the shed. Remember, pink bark and don’t take it from the same branch as we did last time.”
Looking a little confused by being pushed out the back door, Zack accepted the offering and stepped outside. He threw a wave over his shoulder and called out, “Later, I guess.”
Della chuckled, “Now that was a bum-rush if I ever saw one.”
“Boy was a bit thick when this started but that walking every morning is trimming him down real good. He’s turning into a nice lookin’ young man without all that sittin’ around playin’ those video games,” Millie grinned.
Della shook her head. “Do you always get what you want, Millie?”
Millie answered, “I see what needs to be done and that man needs medicine or he ain’t gonna make it.”
Della glanced at her watch. “I need to get moving. It’s going to take thirty to forty-five minutes before I get to the ranch. Give me an hour to find what I need and then forty-five minutes to get back. I should be back before noon.”
Millie gave Della a hard look. “Stay away from people. A black gal on her own could find herself in trouble.”
Darlene looked frightened. “Maybe I should go.”
“No. I’ve got the gun,” Della announced.
“Breakfast is ready,” Millie replied.
She set more bread and Spam on the table, and the three women and child ate, quickly with little left to discuss. When they finished, Millie handed Della a bag. “I got you a couple of those power bars and three bottles of water to take with you. You best be going. ‘Member what the boy said ‘bout that gas line needing turned on and off.”
She and Darlene hurried to the shed and pushed the ATV around the back of the cabin to the road. They guided the vehicle down the lane until they passed over the repaired wash and Della climbed on the tattered seat.
“Don’t forget to turn the valve on,” Darlene commented. “Turn it off when you stop.”
“Got it,” Della answered.
The machine had been used harshly over the years. The motor leaked gas somewhere, so someone had added a shut-off valve. They had mounted a rifle rack on the front and mounted an extended platform on the back.
“Are you sure about this?” Darlene asked.
“No. But I’ve got no choice. I’m not letting Steve die without trying.” Della turned the key in the ATV, and the motor roared to life. She stepped on the clutch, then kicked the machine into gear.
“Be careful,” Darlene called out as the ATV pulled away.
Della used the steep path to the blacktop to get familiar with riding the four-wheeled vehicle. She had ridden an ATV once, but it had been years ago. It was a short ride since the guy she was dating didn’t care for the sideline. He lasted about as long as the ATV ride.
When Della got to the blacktop, she slowed the machine and looked both up and down the highway. Della felt exposed and vulnerable when she pulled off the gravel road and onto the narrow blacktop. She accelerated as she thought of Steve and the faint red lines spreading from the lesions on his left leg.
Thirty minutes later, Della puzzled over the cluster of vehicles ahead. She slowed as she approached the first vehicle. It had two flat tires on the driver’s side. She glanced through the open doors and was shocked to see evidence of a hasty exit. Suitcases had been thrown open, and clothing left in a pile inside the vehicle. From what she could see, it was all adults wear.
Della stopped the machine and turned off the engine. She glanced around and saw nothing to give a hint of where the occupants had gone, so she decided to check it out since she was there. She stuffed a few items that looked usable into a case. She threw it into the carrier and lashed it down with a bungee cord.
When she finished, she stepped back on the ATV and cranked the engine. She accelerated, and the four-wheeler rolled forward. The next vehicle was disabled as well. Again, she saw no one nor evidence of the occupants having been attacked by the infected.
Della steered around two more stalled cars, then accelerated down the open road. The drive was almost pleasant with the wind on her face. Just as she neared the white fencing marking the entrance of the ranch driveway, she saw three vehicles locked together in a snarl of twisted metal. She could see smears of brown and red on the windows. She stopped the ATV and pulled off the road into a small stand of bushes. Della looked around the pasture some last me before she turned off the key.
The quiet was suddenly overwhelming. Della took a deep breath trying to calm her racing heart and stepped off the four-wheeler. Picking up the shoulder bag holding the handgun, water, and protein bars, she pulled out the 9mm, released the magazine to check the load, and slammed it back home.
“Okay. Let’s do this,” Della whispered to herself.
She walked deeper into the woods at the side of the open paddock. The ranch buildings were nearly half a mile from the entrance. A dozen infected fed on the carcasses of three horses in the distance. The pasture was a lethal prison for the surviving half dozen animals left snorting and dodging from a couple of monsters trying to catch them. Della watched the horror in the quiet pasture for several minutes before she could drag up enough courage to move. She took a deep breath and stepped back into the shadows of the trees. She looked toward the stables and decided she could make her way toward the building and stay out of sight. As she walked to toward the buildings, she plotted how to cross the short expanse of pasture to the buildings when she got there.
