The Last Legacy (Season 1): Episodes 1-10

by Lavati, Taylor

  I choked on a sob despite the fact that I didn’t care for Margaret.

  “What about Maggie?” I glanced at her in Mike’s arms but didn’t notice anything strange. Her limbs dangled, but she appeared alive. As Mike walked closer and closer, the stains down her shirt became more visible.

  “She was bitten,” Jim murmured.

  “She was bitten?” I hissed.

  So many different thoughts ran wild in my head. I didn’t know where she was bitten or how, but it would only be a matter of days before she’d change. I didn’t want her to be in pain like Kev was. She didn’t deserve to go through it all only to die.

  The selfish part of me knew that she posed a threat to us all. Yet, she was a child. She didn’t deserve to be murdered. She couldn’t understand like Kev did. If we killed her, it would be wrong. Evil, even. Yet she had no life anymore. Why prolong the inevitable?

  “Ya’ll, let’s get into the shelter!” Gavin called from down by the boathouse, waving us down. Jim grabbed my hand. My eyes skirted along the road-side searching for Scarlet. Where the fuck would she have gone? She wouldn’t have just left us, would she? She had to have known she couldn’t last a day by herself.

  Behind us nobody spoke. I peeked over my shoulder to make sure they were still here. Mike carried Maggie with much effort. Marcus walked beside his father, clinging to his leg in a gesture that obviously begged for attention. It was similar to how I clutched Jim’s hand. My lifeline.

  As we all crammed into the hut, I noticed how small it really was. With bodies all pressed against walls, I backed into a corner. I sat on a box of fishing tackle in the corner and waited as they piled in.

  “Any water?” Mike asked as he laid Maggie on a pile of worn clothes.

  “Powdered and condensed milk,” I said as I pointed to the box on the lower shelf. We arranged them by weight so the big boxes were at the bottom with the heavy stuff while things like chocolate bars were on top.

  When Maggie was positioned comfortably on a bed of cardboard and clothes, Mike stood, and his eyes connected with mine. They pierced me. I sunk back against the wall in fear. What did I do?

  “Why weren’t you with my girls?” Mike asked as he stepped forward. Marcus’s head snapped over to me. His eyes widened with alarm.

  “I was with Marcus downstairs,” I said quietly, but strong. I didn’t want to appear afraid or weak. In truth, I was.

  “Marcus can fend for himself. They can’t.” Mike pointed at his daughter.

  “I’m not their keeper!” I yelled when his accusations rose. Marcus stepped backwards, wrapping his arms around himself. This wasn’t Marcus’s or my fault. This was theirs. If anything, it was Margaret’s for not adapting.

  “You killed my wife!” He stepped towards me, his finger pointing near my face. I got up to my feet as my blood boiled, my heart picking up. I wouldn’t be talked to like that. I wouldn’t take his guilt or blame. This wasn’t on me, and I knew that. People had to stop taking advantage of me. Margaret’s death wasn’t on me or Marcus.

  “Your wife killed herself,” I said, trying to pick my words. Marcus and Maggie were both in the room, and I didn’t want to talk negatively on their dead mother. But at the same time, I wouldn’t be walked on. Maggie was unconscious anyway.

  “How dare you, you little bitch!” Mike lunged at me with his fist raised. Gabriel grabbed him by the arm and pushed him up against the shelves.

  “I’m the bitch? I fucking saved your son. I told Margaret how to get free. She didn’t listen!” I stepped towards Mike who was still pinned to the shelves. Gabe shook his head at me to shut up, but I wouldn’t back down.

  “She didn’t kill anyone. Calm down, Mike. Your wife is gone, and it was no-one but herself who caused it. You said yourself she wouldn’t change. I’m sorry, man, but none of us could’ve prevented that.” Jim stood between Michael and me, his hands to the side like he was a barrier.

  “I gotta go.” But Gabriel didn’t release him. “Let me go! I’m going to lose it if I don’t get out of his hut. I’ll go outside,” Mike said with a final glare in my direction. Gabriel released him, and he pushed past Jim, their shoulders connecting. He stormed out the front door and slammed it behind him.

  I stumbled backwards and sat on a box. I buried my head in my palms as I rode the adrenaline rush down. I looked down at my fingers as they shook, vibrating with the fury that pumped through my veins.

  “We gotta kill the girl,” Gabriel said aloud. My head shot up, my eyes immediately connecting with Marcus’s.

  “Marcus, honey. Why don’t you show Gavin the water?” I walked over to him and hugged him, dropping to my knee so our eyes were the same level. Fear swam behind his eyes, his lips turned down in defeat. I didn’t want him to have to hear about us killing his sister.

  “Okay, Miss Lana.” He nodded and then grabbed onto Gavin’s hand near the door. Gavin used the stick to help him maneuver the tight space, click-clacking as he walked out the front.

  When they were out of earshot, I sat down again, brushing the hair off my forehead that dripped with sweat. Gabriel and Jim stood in matching positions with their arms crossed over their chests in front of me.

  “We have to kill her.” Gabriel wasted no time getting into the subject at hand. He looked over his shoulder at Maggie, who was as still as stone. The room felt empty without Scarlet, like we weren’t a full group when she wasn’t around. My heart panged.

  “I know we have to, but he’ll go ballistic. He’s already on the verge of a breakdown because of his wife. You know, she’s all he talked about,” Jim said with a shake of his head. He dragged his hand down the side of his jaw, his face pinched.

  “What if we just wait for her to fully infect? He’ll have to kill her then, right?”

  “And if she changes early?” Gabriel replied. “We don’t know if it is three days. She’s a child; it’ll probably be less time since her immune system is weaker.”

  “What if she were to change when we were asleep? We’d all be dead.” Jim’s eyes met mine with conviction.

  “He’s not going to allow it.” My words were true, but none of us wanted to admit it. If we killed her, there would be hell to pay. Mike would freak out, and I didn’t think we were ready for the repercussions. He appeared so unhinged that I bet he’d probably try to kill us.

  “We don’t have a choice!” Jim slammed his fist into the metal rack, making two boxes fall over. Bags tumbled out, and a pound of sugar split. White grains spilled across the floor.

  “There are eaters all around. Be quiet,” I scolded him.

  “We need to make a decision,” Gabe said as his eyes darted between me and the door.

  “She needs to die, but I’m telling you right now, Michael is going to freak the fuck out. Someone has to convince him it’s the only move,” I said, raising my shoulders.

  “Unless we kill her quietly now. She’ll change once her body dies. Then when he comes back, he’ll see her as an eater and kill her himself,” Gabe said. I cocked my head to the side with furrowed brows as his words rang in my head.

  “We don’t even know that the infection transforms like that,” Jim said.

  “From what I’ve seen, that’s what I’m guessing. The infection kills the host, then reanimates the brain. That’s why they only have one need: hunger. It makes sense. But you’re right,” Gabe said. “I’m not positive the body dies first. But this would be a good indicator.”

  “We’re not experimenting on Maggie.” I shook my head. Kev I could understand since he was dead. But Maggie, I don’t know, it just feels wrong.

  “If we killed her peacefully then there’s no harm. It’ll probably be less painful than her changing. More humane,” Jim said, shrugging.

  “What do you suggest?” Gabe asked like he actually entertained the idea. This was insane and completely immoral. We couldn’t just kill her.

  “Suffocate her. Something fast so she feels no pain. She’ll die, then change by the time Michael gets ba
ck here. He’ll have to kill her to save Marcus.” Jim’s plan was good. I knew it would work, but it was also the idea of a psychopath.

  “I’ll only agree if you promise she won’t be in pain,” I said. I refused to agree to murder unless it benefited us or didn’t hurt her. God, even thinking that made my insides squirm.

  “Do you know a way that’s better?” Jim asked Gabe.

  “Do you still have that bag of pills?” he asked back. I reached into my backpack and pulled out the bottles we stole from the hospital. I passed them over as he bent down. The air weighed on me as Gabe rifled through the bag, tension-filled air rippling through the room. He glanced up and shook his head.

  “None of these will kill her. We just have to cut off her oxygen. She’ll die fast. She’s already unconscious so she won’t even know. I swear.” His dark eyes collided with mine, pushing his truth on me. I had no choice but to trust his word.

  “I’ll do it,” Jim said as he pulled out a pair of thick jeans.

  “No.” Gabe placed his hand on Jim’s shoulder. “You have had to do enough for this group. Let me do this.” They stared at each other for what felt like minutes. I didn’t want Jim to do it. I wasn’t sure if I could face him afterwards. He was too eager to kill, to take the brunt of our guilt.

  Jim finally nodded and stepped back. I didn’t want to be here when they killed her. My opinion of Gabe would change if I watched it happen, so I decided to leave. I stood up and left the hut. Shutting the door behind me, I leaned back against it and pulled in a breath of cool air.

  Marcus and Gavin were down at the edge of the lake. But I wasn’t ready to face Marcus’s innocent face. He wasn’t stupid. And he was old enough to understand what was happening. I just had to distance myself from everyone.

  I knew from moving the eater’s body earlier that behind the boathouse was a decent sized yard. It was pretty secluded so I figured I’d walk around back and decompress. Michael leaned against the back of the neighbor’s barn. His presence surprised me, and I paused, trying not to alert him before I was ready. I swallowed the lump in my throat, ready to talk to him about what had happened. We had to clear the air if we were going to live together in peace.

  “Hey,” I said to announce myself. He jumped and dropped a sharp stick on the ground. He glanced at me over his shoulder, purposely blocking me from seeing behind him. I peeked to the side, leaning, but he countered my movements. He spun around to face me, pulling at his long sleeved shirt. I narrowed my eyes and frowned as he leaned against the back of the barn, his foot propped up.

  He grabbed at his shirt and rolled the hem between his fingers. I tried to be inconspicuous as my eyes darted between his sleeve and his face. His white waffle shirt began to change colors to a deep maroon.

  “What are you doing?” I asked him, trying to get a gauge for his mental state. I didn’t know what was going on, but something felt off. The unease between Mike and me made the hairs on my arms stand up.

  “Thinking, Lana. It’s none of your business, anyway. You best go now.” He flicked his hand like I was a fly, shooing me away. I shrank back, not knowing how to deal with this.

  “I’m not leaving you alone,” I told him, remaining far enough away that I could run if need be. My heart picked up.

  “You should.”

  “Cutting yourself isn’t going to solve anything, Michael. Trust me. I know you’re in pain. The only way to make it stop is to accept that it won’t stop. Loss never dies. You just learn to live with it.” It was like coaxing a frightened kitten down a tree. You had to be slow and nurturing, yet stern.

  With the way he treated me, he didn’t deserve to be talked off the ledge. But his son needed a father. He’d be left without a daughter, then what? Would he kill himself? I forced myself to remain calm as I raised my hand slowly.

  “You don’t know shit, Princess. I bet the only thing you ever lost was a fucking earring.” He snarled at me as he clutched his wrist where the blood stain was deepest.

  “I don’t have to prove anything to you. But I can assure you I’ve lived through some terrible things. Try spending your adolescence as a girl in foster care. The things I’ve seen…” My body actually shuddered at my memories surfacing.

  “I love her so much.” He shook his head as tears fell down his face. I had to re-think what he had said. Gone was the man who spewed anger. Instead Mike was a wreck. His lip trembled as he struggled to keep it together. “She was the only reason I even wanted to live through this war. Now I have nothing.”

  “That’s not true.” I shook my head but didn’t want to get too close. He was volatile. I feared what he might do if I pushed him too far. I knew from experience the repercussions. “You have Marcus.”

  “And Maggie.”

  “Maggie isn’t going to make it much longer, Michael.” I didn’t want to lie to him. He needed to be strong and prepared to console Marcus and live with her absence. He was the adult here. “She was bitten. You saw what happened with Kev. You should say goodbye while you still can.” Just then, the thought of what Gabe was doing in the hut hit me. Michael wasn’t going to be able to say goodbye. They were in the middle of killing her right now. I had to stop them.

  “Lana! Michael! Come! Something’s wrong!”

  I widened my eyes as my mouth dropped open. They already did it. Holy shit. This was going to blow up in our faces. I bit my lip to maintain my control. Michael wasn’t going to be able to survive this. Both his wife and daughter died in one day. Nobody could handle such a tragedy.

  Michael shoved past me. I chased after him. Tears ran down my cheeks in rivers. I had to do something. Mike tore open the front door, and it clattered against the metal.

  Jim stood in the center of the room with his arms dangling by his sides. Gabe hunched over Maggie’s body. I could tell he acted through the part, pretending to take care of her, genuinely worried about her heath.

  “What’s going on?” Michael dropped to his knees beside his daughter.

  “She just stopped breathing for a second. I thought she might start seizing so I got her on her side and held her down. But she’s grunting. I don’t know what’s going on.” Gabe paused and ran his fingers through his messy hair. He shook his head in fake confusion. “The only thing I can think of is that she’s changing faster since she’s so young. But I don’t know what’s happening.”

  I had to give it to Gabriel. The lies rolled of his tongue so honestly I believed him. He sold his story like it was truth. He had killed her in cold blood with his bare hands, but right now, he was just a concerned doctor. My trust in Gabe plummeted.

  “My baby girl. She looks just like Margaret, doesn’t she?” Michael held onto Maggie’s head, brushing his hands over her hair, patting it down. More tears blurred my vision as the scene unfolded. I didn’t dare leave the doorway.

  “Michael, this is the time to say goodbye,” I told him, trying to keep my voice from shaking. But it was useless. I was a wreck. But more so, I was scared. I didn’t know what would happen now with Mike’s sanity.

  “Goodbye, my last love.”

  Michael pulled out a knife from his pocket and plunged it into her ear. He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her face towards him. Their cheeks pressed against each other. He twisted the knife, pockets of air squishing and popping. I covered my mouth with my hand and ran from the hut. My stomach pinched, and I threw up, heaving against the side of the building. My throat burned as I choked on air.

  “What’s the matter?” Jim followed me out. His hand pressed against the small of my back, his fingers drawing circles against my bare skin. My chest constricted again as the noises refused to quit sounding off in my head. Pop. Click. Squish.

  “I’m fine. Go back in.” I didn’t want him to see me like this, hunched over and powerless. I didn’t want anyone to. Seeing that girl be murdered, knowing what Gabe had done, tore at my soul. My body ached at the viciousness behind it. I knew it was all in self-preservation, but she was just a child. I
couldn’t imagine having to do it to Marcus.

  I had to get a grip on my emotions. I couldn’t care. The good of the group outweighed the good of the single. It was a fact of life now. People died, and that was that. It should’ve been second nature by now. I had killed, so why was I so affected?

  Yet I did care. I cared about Jim and Marcus and Gavin and Scarlet. Scarlet. Where was she? Who knew where she had run off to, if she was alive, or whatever else could’ve happened. Odds were we’d never find her again. Yet this one little shred in the depths of my psyche knew we’d find her. Ignorant hope made me care. Yet why would she leave us? I knew that she was upset over Kev’s death, but I only tried to support her. She lashed out at me. She showed her emotions—not me.

  “Lana?” Jim’s hand on my shoulder jolted me out of my thoughts.

  “I’m fine. Just a minor break down.” With my back still facing him, I stood and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. It wasn’t like I had anything to throw up, but I still felt gross.

  “What’s really going on?”

  “That’s it. It’s just a lot, you know?” I shrugged, turning to face him.

  “Yeah, I know.” He nodded, but from the sharpness in his eyes, I knew he didn’t understand me. How could he? He thrived, enjoyed conquering. I’m sure it affected him, but he was more skilled at hiding it, masking it, ignoring it.

  “Miss Lana!”

  I turned towards the voice. Marcus sprinted towards me, a hobbling Gavin trailing behind him. I shook my head to switch mind-sets. I plastered a smile on my face and crouched down to receive him. He skidded to a stop.

  “What’s up, buddy?” I asked. Jim swayed beside me awkwardly and took a step backwards. I wasn’t sure if it was Marcus or the fact that he was a child, but Jim appeared uncomfortable.

  “We saw fish swimming under water. They pushed their mouths against the top!” Marcus laughed, and his happiness brought tears to my eyes. I averted my eyes to the sky to stop tears and wiped under my lids.

  Marcus was so innocent. I didn’t want him to know that his father killed his younger sister. Sure, it would open his eyes to what was going on around him. But he was so young. I pulled Marcus towards me and held him tight.