Seven Days: A Post-Apocalyptic Novel

by G. Michael Hopf

  “What is it?”

  “Let me show you.” Thomas went to the dining room table and set the sack down. He unfolded the top and reached inside. He pulled out several full IV bags. “I figured you’ll have to take her with you, so these will come in handy to keep her hydrated if she gets further along.” He dove into the bag and came out with two plastic medicine bottles. He shook them and said, “This is ibuprofen, eight hundred milligrams, for pain management and her fever in the beginning and this…this is Roxanol, essentially morphine sulfate, for when the pain becomes too much.” He set them on the table. Holding up a small bottle with a dropper, he said, “This is for her eyes. It will soothe them when they get bloody.” He pulled out another plastic container and a small glass bottle with a couple of syringes. Holding up the plastic container, he said, “This one here is Artane. It will help with her tremors in the late stages if she gets that far. Let’s pray she doesn’t. And this one here.” He sighed. “Is pentobarbital, it’s for…”

  “To kill her,” Reid said.

  “It will be painless, I swear.”

  “Painless? How would you know? Have you ever injected it?” Reid snarled.

  “I know this is tough. I wish I could offer more, but this will help, and I doubt you’ll have access to this or much less find it on your journey.”

  Reid shook his head. “I’m sorry, I’m just filled with emotions right now. I’m angry, sad, confused. This is all great, thank you. How did you come to get this?”

  Thomas cocked his head and smiled. “It helps to have friends in high places.”

  “You’re a retired vet,” Reid quipped.

  “A retired vet who also works in the infirmary. I still understand biology, Mr. Flynn,” Thomas joked.

  “Today started out so normal, like any other day, and now I’m faced with losing my baby girl. It all seems surreal,” Reid said as he turned away from Thomas and began to pace. “Do you suppose she didn’t get infected?”

  “You said she had been bitten?”

  “Yes.”

  “And the skin was broken?” Thomas asked.

  “Correct,” Reid said, fully knowing the answer yet was hoping to hear something that told him she wasn’t infected.

  “In medicine sometimes things can be…I don’t want to use the word miraculous, but things sometimes don’t go as they should. What I can do is draw a sample of her blood and test it, but that could raise some red flags in the lab.”

  Reid clenched his fist and felt tempted to punch the wall but stopped short for fear he’d wake Hannah. “No, don’t do anything. Who am I fooling? She was bitten by a dog that was infected with the virus; of course she has it. I’m just looking for anything that could mean she’ll be fine.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Thomas said. He could feel Reid’s pain as if it were his own.

  “Why is this happening?”

  “Life is suffering, at least that’s what Nietzsche said.”

  “You’re damn right it is,” Reid quipped.

  “When do you leave?”

  “Soon, I just need a vehicle, and I might know where to get one. Right now my best chance happened to present itself earlier today. That’s where I was going when I found you standing at my door.”

  Thomas walked up to Reid, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, “Then go. I’ll stay here with Hannah in case she wakes.”

  “You’ll do that? Aren’t you worried about getting sick?”

  “I’ll keep my distance, but if she wakes, she’ll know she’s not alone.”

  “You’ll do this for me?”

  “We’re friends, aren’t we?” Thomas asked as he gave Reid a wink.

  OUTSKIRTS OF DALHART, TEXAS

  The click of the deadbolt unlocking tore Brienne away from her thoughts. She looked at the door and prayed it was Emily coming back for her.

  The door opened and a figure stepped into the room.

  Brienne tried to see who it was but could only make out an outline. “Who is that?” she asked, shifting her head around, hoping to grab a glimpse.

  The figure stepped closer. By the sound of a hard-soled shoe grinding into the concrete floor, she knew it wasn’t Emily.

  Brienne gulped and steeled herself for what would happen next.

  A man stepped out of the shadows and into full view. He was tall and lean with long black hair that hung down to his shoulders. His eyes were a piercing blue, with dark circles around them. His skin had numerous blemishes and scars from acne. He approached Brienne and stared down at her. In his right hand he held a chunk of meat. He brought it to his mouth and bit off a piece. As he chewed, the bloody juices clung to the stubble on his chin. He offered her a bite and said, “You hungry?”

  “Who are you?” she asked, although she suspected she knew who it was.

  “My name is Emile,” he replied.

  Brienne thought it odd that his name was so close to Emily; then she looked at him more closely and could see the resemblance. They looked about the same age too, making Brienne wonder if they could even be twins.

  Emile smiled and took another bite. He paced around her chair, his eyes glaring down at her.

  She attempted to track his movements, with an anticipation he’d pounce on her at any given moment.

  He stopped behind her and leaned down. He inhaled deeply and said, “You smell good.”

  “I find that hard to believe. I haven’t cleaned up in days,” she quipped.

  He licked his lips, the sound hitting Brienne’s ear sending shivers down her spine. “I’m going to have fun with you later.”

  The temptation to head-butt him came to Brienne, but she quickly brushed it aside. Any attempt to harm him while bound to the chair would only result in whatever he had in mind for her happening sooner.

  He got closer; not an inch separated them. “I wonder what you taste like—” he reached his arm around and grabbed her crotch “—down here?”

  She flinched. This time she wasn’t able to control her instincts. She swung her head but missed as he quickly stepped out of the way.

  He laughed loudly. “You’re a feisty one, good. I like them like that. Gives me the opportunity to tame them.” He tore off another piece of meat and chewed.

  She wanted to yell at him, but again knew anything she did now wouldn’t result in anything positive for her.

  He came back into view and stood in front of her. “Are you sure you don’t want a bite?” he asked as he again offered her a bite of the meat.

  “No,” she replied with a look of disgust on her face.

  “It’s thigh meat. I’ve come to find that the thigh meat of a child, say around seven to ten, is very moist. This is a delicacy around here. Are you sure you won’t partake?”

  “You’re vile,” she spat, unable to control herself.

  “Vile? No, I’m a survivor,” Emile answered.

  “Survivor? I’ve survived just like you, without having to eat people. What you’re doing is…”

  A smile stretched across his face. “Go ahead, tell me again how I’m vile or revolting. I’ve heard it all, but you know something; I stand here today only because I was able to do what it took for me and my people to survive. This is the world we live in now.”

  She shook her head.

  “They say in the Bible that the meek will inherit the Earth; that’s bullshit. I’ll inherit the Earth ’cause I’ll hunt down and eat the meek,” Emile boasted.

  Brienne looked at the chunk of flesh in his left hand and suddenly recalled the boy she’d seen earlier and remembered the woman telling her that they’d come for him soon. Putting a face to what Emile held in his hand made her nauseous.

  Laughter could be heard in the hallway outside the door.

  Emile looked over his shoulder then back to her. “My friends, they’re having such a good time. Best I get back to the feast.”

  Brienne wanted to look away but decided against it. She wasn’t going to be intimidated, although she did feel incredibly uneasy
around him.

  Emile stepped forward and got inches from her face. “I’m so going to enjoy my time with you.” He took the flesh in his hand and stuck it under her nose.

  She recoiled, but he pushed it closer.

  “Smells good, doesn’t it? All it needs is a bit of salt, and this might sound odd, but soy sauce helps too.” He smiled, showing his blackened teeth, small chunks of flesh stuck in between.

  Brienne gagged at the smell.

  Emile chuckled, stuffed that last bit of meat into his mouth, and stood straight up. He chewed, smacking his lips as he did, and gave her a big smile. With his mouth full, he said, “I’ll see you soon, darlin’.” He spun around and exited the room.

  When Brienne heard the clank of the deadbolt closing, she sighed. Emile was everything she imagined a cannibal leader would be. Disgusted and fearful of her fate if Emily didn’t return, she pressed her eyes closed and did something she rarely did, pray.

  FIVE MILES WEST OF LOGAN, NEW MEXICO

  “Will, this is a bad idea. Please don’t go,” Tanya said just above a whisper.

  “She needs the drugs, and I have to double-check that old pharmacy. I owe it to her,” Will replied.

  “But what about what happened last time?”

  “I’ve got Chase with me this time. He’s got the rifle.”

  “And I know how to use it,” Chase said with a cocky attitude.

  Hearing the voices from the living room, Michael opened his bedroom door and peered into the darkened hallway. The only light was the flickering of a candle coming from the living room as well as a sliver of light pouring out from Nana’s door being cracked open slightly.

  “I’ll return as soon as I’ve found it,” Will said, urgency in his voice.

  Curious, Michael stepped out and walked towards the voices. As he passed Nana’s room, he could hear her moaning. He stopped and peered in the crack in the doorway to find Nana in the bed, the sheets soiled with what looked like blood and feces. He recoiled from the sight.

  “I have a bad feeling about this,” Tanya said.

  “We’ll be fine. We should return in half a day, tops,” Will said. He opened the front door, a door rarely used. Chase exited with Will just behind him.

  “Hurry back,” Tanya said.

  Will stopped on the porch, turned and said, “Tell Michael he’s in charge of security.”

  “Love you,” Tanya said.

  “Love you too,” Will said. He turned back and disappeared into the darkness of the late evening.

  Michael crept back to his room. As he was about to step inside, an arm reached out and touched his shoulder. He jumped and turned to see his mother there.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  “I heard a commotion. Is everything alright?” he asked.

  Tanya pushed him inside his room, closed the door, and asked, “Do you want to help me?”

  “Yes,” Michael chirped, as he expected his mother to tell him to steel himself, for he was the one who would now protect the women.

  “Then go outside. On the line are fresh sheets and towels; go get them. When you’re done with that, go get me that plastic bin, fill it with water, and add a drop of soap. Bring it to the room.”

  His heart melted when he heard he was being tasked with more housework. “What’s going on?”

  “Nana is having some trouble. We believe she might be having a flare-up of Crohn’s.”

  “What is that, anyway? Dad mentioned it yesterday.”

  “She has a disease in her guts. Listen, she needs me. Go run and do as I ask,” Tanya ordered.

  “And Dad?”

  “He’s going into Snowflake,” Tanya replied, her tone signaling her apprehension of the plan.

  “Snowflake, he was attacked last time.”

  “I’m aware of what happened last time. Now hurry, go get what I need.”

  “But, Mom, it’s dangerous out there.”

  “Chase went with him; they’ll be fine. Now go, hurry,” Tanya said. She turned and left, closing the door behind her, leaving Michael standing frozen with uncertainty.

  DELIVERANCE, OKLAHOMA

  Kaitlyn woke to loud banging at her front door. She rose and turned on the light. “Hold on, I’ll be right there,” she said loudly as she stuffed her feet into a pair of slippers. She scuffled out of her room and to the foyer. “Hold on,” she cried out, as the banging wouldn’t stop. She turned on the outside light and threw open the door to find Reid there, his eyes wide and sweat glistening on his face. “I know the lasagna was good, but I don’t have any more,” she joked.

  “I’ll do it,” he blurted out.

  Tying her robe tighter, Kaitlyn asked, “You’re talking about going to the coast?”

  “Yes.”

  She looked past him into the dark but didn’t see anyone. A nervous feeling spread across her body. “Why don’t you come in.”

  Reid hesitated.

  “What’s the matter?” she asked.

  “It’s not smart for me to come in.”

  She was taken aback by his statement and again asked, “What’s the matter? Why are you being so coy?”

  “I, um, I came because I needed to tell you right away.”

  “What’s changed? Something’s happened.”

  “I’ve just decided to go, that’s all. I want to get on the road as soon as I can,” he said, rattling off the words in rapid succession.

  “What’s really going on?”

  Sheepishly Reid looked away.

  “Tell me. I can help,” she offered.

  “It’s Hannah, she was bitten by a dog.”

  Kaitlyn’s jaw dropped. Shocked by the news, she said, “I heard about the dog that was found.”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Don’t take her to the infirmary,” she warned.

  “I didn’t plan to, but I won’t have much time. A friend of hers was there, and soon the word will spread. I need you to put this trip together before they come to take her away.”

  Knowing the urgency was high, she said softly, “I’ll do anything to keep her safe. Just leave it to me. I’ll make all the arrangements.”

  Reid let out a loud sigh. Tears formed in his eyes as, for the first time since he’d found out about Hannah, he heard something that gave him hope.

  “Go back home and take care of your daughter. I’ll be around as soon as I can,” she said and motioned him towards the door.

  “You know we only have seven days once she shows symptoms.”

  “I’m aware of the time-sensitive nature, but it will probably take me a half day or so to get everything arranged. You must understand.”

  He lowered his head. “I understand.”

  “Now go home to your little girl.”

  “Thank you.”

  “If by chance someone does come knocking, tell them they need to contact me immediately.”

  “I will,” he replied.

  “I’ll see you later. Goodnight, Reid,” Kaitlyn said. After she closed the door, she noticed her right hand was shaking. She could barely contain her excitement at the possibility of a journey to the coast. However, before she could celebrate, she still needed to convince the mayor, but thought that a person infected was just what they needed to get Kincaid to agree to set Reid outside the gates.

  Filled with hope, she rushed to her room to get dressed. Time was of the essence and she needed to see Kincaid as quickly as possible.

  CHAPTER TWO

  OUTSKIRTS OF DALHART, TEXAS

  An hour passed and no Emily. Soon the hour turned to two, then three and still no rescue, no Emily. Brienne began to wonder if it had all been some sort of game, or had she been caught? What she feared, though, as each passing minute went by, was that the longer it took, the higher the chances Emile would return, and this time he wasn’t going to taunt her.

  The door clanged.

  Brienne snapped her head in the direction of the door and waited.

  A figure came into th
e room and quickly closed the door.

  Brienne’s stomach tightened as the anticipation of who was there grew.

  Emily emerged from the shadows, a backpack slung over her shoulder. “I’m sorry I’m late. Took me longer.”

  “Your brother came,” Brienne barked.

  Frozen by the news, Emily asked, “What did he do to you?”

  “He did nothing if you don’t count offering me human flesh to eat,” Brienne answered, her tone angry.

  “I’m very sorry. I came as soon as I could get everything set up,” Emily said. She briskly walked over to Brienne and loosened the bindings on both her ankles and wrists.

  Pulling her arms free, Brienne felt the sudden urge to strike Emily and make a run for it. It was in her nature to be the lone wolf, but doing so now could endanger her escape. She needed Emily at least until she got miles away from her captors.

  “We don’t have much time. We need to hurry,” Emily said. She offered Brienne a hand to get up.

  On her feet, Brienne stretched. She shot Emily a hard stare and said, “Give me a weapon.”

  “A weapon? No, not now.”

  “What if we encounter anyone? I’ll need something to fight back with,” Brienne barked.

  “No, right now I don’t know if you’re going to use it against me or not.”

  A crooked smile stretched across Brienne’s lean face. Maybe Emily wasn’t as stupid as she thought, she mused to herself.

  “I need you to be quiet. If we come up on someone, just act like you’re my prisoner,” Emily said.

  “Fine.”

  The two swiftly exited the room into a long tiled hallway.

  “This way,” Emily said and headed to the left. “At the end of the hallway there’s a door; it’s a stairwell. We’ll take that to the ground level then head outside; that’s where the car is.”

  “Lead the way.”

  They moved down the hall. Lanterns on the wall gave them sufficient light to see. They reached the doorway, Emily opened the door, and there standing in front of them was Emile.

  Emile looked at Emily then to Brienne. “What’s going on?” he shouted.