Afflicted

by Susanne Valenti

  She reached out tentatively for the chain around my neck, running it through her fingers until my dog tags were in her grasp. She eyed them with a mixture of emotions that I couldn't place then let them fall back onto my bare chest.

  An awkward silence fell over us for several minutes until I pushed myself up onto my feet.

  “Breakfast?” I offered as I headed to the kitchen.

  She didn't answer but trailed after me, taking a seat at the breakfast bar while I set the kettle boiling with some bottled water. I could feel her eyes on me, studying me as I worked and fought to ignore it. She'd been doing it a lot since I came back and I could only guess that she was drinking in all the changes in me. There were plenty of them and just as many weren't visible.

  “Where did you get that scar?” she asked quietly.

  I glanced up to find her pointing at the white line which ran across my left side, lining a rib.

  “Knife attack while I was posted on a security detail. It was an assassination attempt not meant for me.”

  She gasped and pressed a hand to her mouth. I forced myself not to roll my eyes. She'd seen my father attack me more than once so I didn't know why the idea of someone else doing it would bother her so much.

  “It was just a flesh wound; my rib stopped it and the blade glanced off.” I trailed a finger along the scar from front to back, illustrating how the knife had struck me. It might not have been particularly serious but it had still hurt like a bitch.

  I turned my back on her wide eyes and busied myself with making the food. My gaze fell on the view out of the window and I stopped what I was doing as I caught sight of the lawn.

  “What the hell?” I muttered as I leant closer to the glass to get a better look. I'd only cut it yesterday morning but the grass looked like it hadn't seen a mower for a month. After the jungle of the day before, I wondered if I just hadn't cut it short enough but it wasn't just longer; it was green too. When I'd left it, the lawn was a dirty yellow colour from the lack of sunlight getting through to the lower level.

  I abandoned my breakfast prep and headed out the back, unbolting the door as I went.

  I stood on the deck and frowned down at the grass. It definitely wasn't as long as it had been yesterday morning but somehow, it had done at least a week’s worth of growing overnight.

  The satphone rang in the front room and I jogged back inside to catch it.

  “Santos,” I said as I answered. “What's up now?”

  “We’re being sent out to do some crowd control outside Harbour City,” she said hurriedly. “Kai said I should prepare you for the possibility that you'll be called back in.”

  “Okay. But that's not an order yet?” I asked.

  “No. None of the higher ups have mentioned it but everyone is getting deployed all over the state. That storm yesterday has basically crapped all over the containment zone. They'd been trying to burn everything affected but they weren't finished. Between the rain washing the contamination into the soil and rivers and the wind blowing contaminated plants and insects all over the place they're gunna be hard pressed to stop this thing now.”

  “So what does that mean?” I asked, running a hand over the back of my head as I tried to think of all the implications.

  “Long term could be anyone's guess. Short term we’re looking at more exposure so we can expect environmental changes as the plants adapt-“

  “Like a cut lawn growing back in record speed?” I suggested.

  “Could do,” she agreed. “Has that happened?”

  “Yeah. I guess that means the contamination has reached us here.” I felt a strong urge to cover my mouth and avoid going outside.

  There was a long silence and the background noise cut out as Santos must have moved away from where she'd been.

  “You'll need to watch out for more contaminated people,” she said eventually. “And possibly animals too. Maybe carry your firearm just in case.”

  “You think that's necessary?” I asked.

  “Better to be safe than sorry. We'll keep you updated,” she added.

  “Thanks. Look after yourself Santos.”

  “You too Sir.” She hung up and I tossed the satphone back down on the couch.

  I twisted my dog tags between my fingers as I considered the implications of what she'd told me. If the contamination was really as potent as they thought it was then we could be in for some serious trouble.

  Either way I'd be better prepared to face it once I got dressed and had something to eat.

  After breakfast, I headed out to start work on fixing the front steps. I glanced at the damage I'd done to the door with my fist and wondered if I should fix that too.

  I fell into the rhythm of the work, enjoying throwing myself into something practical that I could control.

  I kept my senses sharp while I worked, making sure I didn't turn my back on the street just in case one of the afflicted people came along but everything stayed quiet.

  Some time after midday, a large grey coach pulled up outside the Lewises house.

  I leant back against the steps as two men dressed in the slick, grey uniforms of the Harbour City Wardens marched up the drive and rang the doorbell.

  Katy’s mom answered and I watched as her face dropped in surprise. She ushered them inside and closed the door before I could catch anything they were saying.

  I turned my attention to the coach. Faces peered back at me from the windows looking confused and a little afraid.

  Two more Wardens stood guard by the coach doors and I moved towards them with a friendly smile.

  “What's going on then officers?” I asked, pulling my dog tags out from under my shirt so that they could see I was military.

  The Warden on the left looked to the one on the right who I guessed must be the superior officer. I gave her a bright smile which she didn't return.

  “It's classified,” she said, turning her steely gaze onto me. “And even if you have clearance, Corporal…“

  “Staff Sergeant Walsh,” I told her, hoping my position might convince her to be more forthcoming. She didn't even flinch.

  “Well Staff Sergeant Walsh, you would need to get that information from your own commanding officer. The city Wardens keep their own chain of command and we don't answer to soldiers-“

  “I'm a Marine.” I winked at her but she didn't look amused.

  “And you're standing too close to the coach,” she said, placing a hand on her holstered gun.

  I raised my hands in surrender and backed away with a smile. If she wouldn't give me any answers then I'd get them myself.

  I jogged back to the porch and grabbed the satphone from one of the steps. It rang a few times before Hawker answered.

  “We’re kinda busy right now Walsh.” I took a seat on the stairs and smiled at the Wardens.

  “A coach just pulled up outside the house next door. It was driven by Wardens from the city but they don't wanna tell me what they're up to. Any ideas?” I waved at the Wardens standing sentinel by the coach as they scowled at me.

  “I'm guessing your neighbours are important. They're selecting valuable civilians and getting them and their families inside the walled cities. They're saying it's just a precaution, to make sure they have people with important skill sets inside in case this contamination problem gets any worse.”

  “And do you think it's going to be getting worse?” I asked.

  “I think it's about time we told our families to get inside The Wall,” she said in a low voice.

  “Thanks Hawker.” I hung up on her and ran my hands through my hair as I tried to decide what that meant for me.

  “Just give them a few more minutes! I've left messages, they'll call back soon!” Katy’s mom, Aubrey, called and I looked up to see the Wardens heading back to the coach. They stopped to have a whispered conversation with the the other Wardens before turning back to her.

  I guessed I'd be saying to goodbye to Katy again sooner than I'd planned. The thought left a hol
low pit in my stomach and I frowned at the step between my feet.

  “It will take an hour for us to travel around and collect the rest of the families on the list. We’ll come back for you and your children then. If they aren't here then we can't wait. We have our orders and not a lot of time.” The Warden nodded to her before the four of them filed back onto the coach.

  I waited until it drove away then eased off of my spot on the steps. I crossed the drive and slipped through the hedge before heading to the Lewises front door.

  Aubrey was still there, standing in the doorway and watching the coach disappear into the distance.

  “What's wrong?” I asked as she spotted me.

  “Oh Lincoln!” She stared at me with wide eyes for several seconds before recovering. “I never would have recognised you. My gosh when Kaitlyn said you'd become a Marine I guess I just didn't realise how much that would have changed you. I'd invite you in but…”

  “I'm guessing they told you not to tell anyone why they were here?” I asked as she trailed off awkwardly. “It's okay. I've got my own security clearance. I know they came to take you to Harbour City because of the contamination.”

  “Oh.” Her face broke into a relieved smile then she suddenly started crying. “They aren't home. Kaitlyn and Reese; they went to the cinema with their friends and I can't get hold of them. I can't drive - Terry didn't even leave the car keys here.” She covered her face as a sob escaped and I stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her to comfort her.

  “I'll go and get them,” I offered. “Where are they?”

  “Orville. But there isn't time to get there and back before the coach comes for us.”

  “I'll get them,” I said firmly. “Just get yourself organised and if I'm not back by the time the coach returns then just get on it. I promise I'll get them inside the city.”

  Aubrey looked up at me with wide eyes, hope shining in them. “I can't ask you to… they said there are hordes of contaminated people heading towards the city. I think they're going to close the gates - permanently.”

  “Hordes?” I asked with a frown, Hawker hadn't said anything about that and there had been nothing on the news either.

  “They said that the contaminated people are drawn to each other. They're forming groups and attacking anything that comes near them.” Her eyes shone with terror and I felt a knot of it form in my stomach.

  “I don't know anything about that but if it's true then the best thing you can do is get to the city. You can make sure they let Katy and Reese in when I get them there.”

  “I can't leave without them,” she said with wild eyes.

  I caught hold of her arms and looked into her eyes, making sure I kept my voice calm and authoritative. “You need to get to safety. I promise I'll find them and get them to the city.”

  “I should come with you-“

  “I'm trained for this kind of thing. You aren't,” I said kindly. “I'll be able to do it quicker if I'm alone.”

  Aubrey nodded, finally letting herself trust me. “I'll wait here for you. I'll wait for my babies-“

  “You need to get on that coach when it comes back. Terry is waiting for you and you can't do anything from out here. It's getting more dangerous outside the cities with every passing moment. I'll find your kids and I'll bring them back. And if the coach returns before I do, you'll meet them in the city. Okay?”

  I could see that she wanted to argue more but her resolve was fading. She knew that waiting out here wouldn't help anyone and if she was inside the city then she might be able to make sure they let her kids in too. Even if they got there late.

  Finally, she nodded. “I'll get on the coach,” she whispered. “And meet all of you there.”

  “Good. Pack some stuff. I'm going to call my team for some intel then I'm going to get them. You can trust me.” I turned away and started to head back.

  “I do. If there's anything I can do in return…”

  I paused as I reached the hedge. My mother was peeking out of her bedroom window looking down at me. She had abandoned me when I'd needed her the most but that didn't mean I had to do the same.

  “Take Diane with you,” I said, turning back to Aubrey. “To the city.”

  “Of course I’ll bring your mom. I'll tell them she's my sister, I'm sure they won't argue.”

  “Thanks.”

  I turned away from her and jogged up the front steps and into the house. Getting Diane to safety meant one less thing for me to worry about.

  I grabbed the satphone and started pacing as I dialled. I needed to get as much intel as I could before I headed out and I needed to get it quickly.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kaitlyn

  “What the hell is that?” Jason asked as the rest of us froze.

  At the bottom of the hill, the road turned and the houses rose up to conceal it. There was no way of knowing if the screaming was coming from something just ahead of us or further away. As the wind turned, the sound dropped away again, pulling us back towards a false sense of security.

  I glanced over my shoulder at the abandoned streets behind us but they didn't offer us any real safety. We needed to go north, down the hill and on towards Harbour City and home. If I squinted, I could make out the dark smudge on the horizon which was The Wall. If the heavy clouds above us would only part for a moment, I knew I'd be able to see the skyscrapers twinkling in the sunlight, beckoning us on.

  “There's no way to go around,” Spencer said, running a hand through his blonde hair absentmindedly and messing it up. “We just need to stick together and keep moving north.”

  “Towards those screams?” Tara asked, failing to hide the horror she felt at the idea.

  “We’ll be fine,” I said quickly, sensing her slipping towards panic. “Look how many of us there are - no one’s gunna be stupid enough to come near us.”

  Tara glanced around our group and nodded warily. I could tell she wasn't completely convinced but then neither was I. I had no idea what could be waiting beyond the bottom of the hill and I wasn't sure I was ready to find out.

  A distant squeal of brakes sounded ahead of us, quickly followed by a huge metallic crash. I flinched as the sound of metal on metal ground together shortly before a loud boom.

  A plume of black smoke billowed up between the houses in the valley and joined the ever darkening clouds above.

  “We should go,” Reese said slowly. I doubted anyone else could detect the hint of panic in his voice but I knew him too well.

  No one moved. I clenched my fists against the fear that was trying to claw its way up my throat and took a decisive step forwards. As I took a second step, the others all fell in around me and we resumed our cautious descent into the valley.

  “We need to get home,” I said, mostly to myself but loud enough for the others to hear.

  “We don't stop until we get back,” Lacey agreed a bit louder.

  There were mumblings of assent from everyone and we all upped the pace in silent agreement. It got harder to keep up the speed as we approached the bottom of the hill but I gritted my teeth and forced my feet to keep moving.

  Ryan took my hand again but this time I felt it was more for his benefit than mine. I squeezed his fingers reassuringly and we finally reached the corner.

  The wind shifted as we rounded it, sending the column of black smoke swirling around us. I grabbed the edge of my jacket, pressing it across my nose and mouth and slammed my eyes shut just a second too late.

  The acrid smoke stung my eyes and I tried not to cough as I breathed through the thick material of my jacket. As the wind howled around us again, the smoke lifted and I carefully eased my eyes open.

  Two cars blocked the road ahead, so entangled that it was hard to see where one ended and the other began. A huge fire was burning its way through the wreckage and a man lay on the tarmac in front of it. He was either dead or unconscious and I wasn't sure if I wanted to find out which.

  The screaming was closer now. It echoe
d down the street and reached us through the smoke. My heart was pounding again and I looked to my friends, hoping to find strength somewhere amongst them.

  Rose stepped past me and approached the man laying in front of the wreckage. She placed two fingers to his throat and I held my breath as the seconds ticked by. I checked my cellphone to see if I could dial nine one one but the call didn't connect.

  “He's gone,” Rose said quietly as she stood and hurried away from the raging fire.

  As soon as she said it I felt relief, quickly followed by shame. But if he'd been alive we would have had to try and help him and we wouldn't have known where to begin. Panic was threatening to engulf me again and I forced myself to take a deep breath tainted with smoke. We just had to get home. I closed my eyes to block out the sight of the corpse. Home. But what the hell was it going to take to get there?

  The screaming intensified, suddenly sounding a lot closer to us. My eyes snapped open and I squinted into the black smoke just as a woman came tearing through it. She screamed as she ran and blood flowed down her face from a wound to her head.

  We scrambled aside, our group parting like the tide as she sprinted straight at us but it was like she didn't even notice us. She didn't slow down as she reached us but raced by. I caught sight of tears flowing down her face before she passed and disappeared around the corner.

  Beyond the smoke the screams were closing in on us. We were frozen, like rabbits in the headlights waiting for a truck to approach. But there was no way in hell that I was going to get mown down.

  “I'm not sticking around for this!” Carter shouted as he turned and fled. Most of the football team and several of the squad followed him, running back the way we'd come. But that was the wrong way. We had to get home.

  “This way!” I shouted before I even knew where I was heading.

  I spun around, catching my heel on the curb before spotting a gap between the houses to our left. I grabbed Lacey’s arm and propelled her ahead of me as I started running. She stumbled as she snapped out of a daze and looked where I was pointing.

  “Run!” I yelled as I grabbed a handful of Reese’s jacket and dragged him after me.