Outbreak The Beginning (The Outbreak Series Book 1) (6 page)

Chapter 11

Dawn passed me by. With a sigh, I make for the basement. I open the door and say, “Nate, wake up, we need to be ready ASAP.” This will be the most important jog ever to get Mimi and G-dad and their RVs.

He rolls over. “OK Mom getting up.” 

Shutting the door, I walk over to the laundry room and change the loads out, might as well get the laundry done while I can. Finishing up, I turn the light off and walk by Nate’s room and I can see that the light is on, so I continue up the stairs and head for the kitchen. I might as well get breakfast going. Putting the bacon in the pan, I walk into the living room and look at the TV. It looks like they are repeating the same thing over and over, nothing new there.

Smelling the bacon starting to cook I head into the kitchen to see Nate in camo pants and boots. Looking at him I shake my head,

“Nate, why you dressed like that?”

“Because Mom, I want enough of a barrier between me and those things, I don’t want too much skin showing.” He looks at me and what I have on too.

“Yeah well, I’m staying in these.” Flipping the bacon, I continue, “Do you want something to eat?”

“Sure do Mom,” Liam says, walking into the kitchen. He stretches. “I couldn’t sleep, smelled the bacon and smoke. Well at least that’s what I think it is.”

“Come to think of it, I smell it too.” I give Nate a worried look and he agrees with a nod. I grab Nate and rush out the front door. OMG!!! 

“The neighbor’s house is on fire,” Liam says out of breath.

I grab my boys and watch from the front of the house. People are running around to the back of the burning house. We hear awful screaming and yelling but it’s difficult to make out what they’re saying. I decide to go and help but Nate stops me. 

“No Mom, look … really, really, look. Some of them are not normal, they look like the ones at the school.”

Shit, those things are everywhere, covered in blood and chasing the others. “Liam do you have your gun? Nate, do you?” Running my hand down my hip, I realize I left mine in the living room on the table, what an idiot, can’t let that happen again.

“Yes Mom I got mine,” Liam says as he takes it out of the waistband of his jeans and hands it to me.

“Liam, go get the rifle that G-dad got for your birthday … you need to start shooting them things or our neighbors won’t stand a chance.” 

“Ok Mom, I’ll be safe on the roof, I’ll get them I promise.” He runs back into the house.

“Nate! We can’t shoot them from here with these 9mm’s. It will do no good. We would be wasting ammo,” I say.

“I know Mom, Liam is going to have to do it. If any get closer then we can take them down.”

I hear a noise behind us and look towards the house to see John coming out the front door. He points up and I see that Liam is up and ready to do what he needs to. He’s so young to have to deal with this kind of shit!!! John walks over and I notice he’s got a gun.

He looks at me and shakes his head. “Liam gave it to me, saying you guys might need help. Oh and I turned off the stove didn’t want a fire to start in our house too.”

“Alright John get over here and only shoot if them things come close enough to see the whites of their eyes. Aim for the head or your just wasting ammo.” I see Liam taking aim and BANG! Looking over at the house, I notice one has fallen to the ground. I hear more shouting over there and they are now pointing towards us. Liam takes out two more. Atta boy! I can’t hit something that far away.

The rifle fires four more times, then nothing except the crackle of flames and screaming. Looking out across the road I see other neighbors just standing there gawping. One of them raises his arm up and waves. What an idiot! I turn around and look up at Liam, he’s standing up now and slinging the riffle over his shoulder. He looks down at me and nods. He makes his way over to the stairs that lead into the garage.

Turning back, I watch the fire slowly consume the house. It will be a total loss. I’m just sorry we can’t help them. It’s everyone for themselves now and I have to think about my family and the family that’s coming here in the next couple days. We’ve got to be careful who we let in here now. Walking back to the house, I get to the front door and look behind me. Nate and John are still by the gate. Going inside I head back to the kitchen. Turning the stove back on I start to                                                         

make the eggs. Scrambled it is, for they’re fast and we really need to get a move on, especially now more than ever. If those things are coming this way we need to move fast.

Liam walks into the kitchen, speaking into his phone, shaking his head.

Looking at him I ask, “Who are you talking to?”

“G-dad Mom,” he says quietly and stops the call.

I sigh, wanting to check on them. I continue cooking but everything gets to me. I sit down, put my hands over my face and so want to cry. No, be strong! I really can’t believe what’s going on. It’s like a nightmare or something. I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up at Liam.

“G-dad and Mimi are safe Mom,” he says. “I just told them what’s going on here and that you will be down for the RV’s in about 30 minutes”

I perk up. “OK good!! I’m glad you called and checked up on them. We really do have to get a move on. There’s so much to do. Are they going to stay here?” 

“Yep sure are! G-dad thinks it’s the best move.”

The timer goes off and I get up and head back to the kitchen, grabbing the biscuits out of the oven. I sit them down next to the stove. Nate and John walk in and grab some plates. “Hey guys, make sure you leave some for Tabby. I’m going to let her sleep for now.” The boys load up on food and head to the table. I’m not really hungry but I know I had better eat something in case there’s no time later. Sitting down with the boys we all say a prayer over the food. Looking at them I think they have grown up so fast in 24 hours, it’s just crazy.

“Ok guys here’s what we’re going to do today.” They all look at me waiting for their instructions.

“Liam and John move the two RV’s into the back yard. On the left side. Drain some of the gas out and hook water and electric to them.  Nate and I will be running down to G-dads to get the other two and drive them here. They will go in the back yard as well. When Tabitha gets up, have her put three chickens in the crock pots, and peel potatoes. We will all be hungry tonight and will have some of the family here as well.” I pause. “And tell her to have a salad prepared too.”

“Ok mom,” Liam says. “When we’re done with all that, I’ll put up the cameras and make sure they are working. Plus convert the garage into a command center. Mom, I really used to think you were crazy making that bunker room under the garage but now I’m so glad you did. And all the food and drinks. We’re going to need all that stuff now.”

“Yes we will babe and I think it’s a great idea for the garage, it’s the perfect spot for it, we got the stairs going up on the roof and a pot belly stove for heat if we need it out there. All you have to do is set up the tables.” I am so proud.

“Ok guys let’s get a move on … everyone knows what they’re doing?” They all nod in agreement. “OK we are wasting daylight. Liam, John, DO NOT let anyone in unless it’s family. It’s everyone for themselves and we have to think about us first and the family. Liam, leave the dogs inside so they don’t get in the way. Oh and stay armed at all times. You never know if you will need it and it’s better to be safe than sorry.” I glance at Nate. “Ok Nate you ready?”

“Yep Mom let’s roll!” Nate says.

We leave via the front and head out shutting the door behind us. Stretching, I look up into the sky. God it’s amazing, not a cloud in the sky, just a crystal blue. The sun is hot this morning it’s going to be a scorcher. I take a deep breath and smell the smoke lingering on the wind. I can hear the birds making a fuss. Under any other circumstance, it would be a wonderful morning. But nothing’s going to be normal anymore. Looking over at Nate, he’s looking around getting ready to open the gate so we can go for our run down the road to my Mom and Dad’s house. It’s about a mile and a half. It will be a good run. I just hope that we don’t run into any trouble. Those things are close you can almost smell the rot coming off them.  Stepping outside the gate we both look around.

“Well Mom it looks clear!! Ready?” Nate asks.

“Yep let’s do this. I hope Hank has their stuff packed up and ready.”

We start to jog down the road. We pass the first set of houses, they are all on the left side of us. On the right there is a hay field. Nate points over to the hay field. Looking over I see two of those things. They are walking towards the burning house but I think they have seen us because they turn our way. Nate reaches for his gun, never slowing down.

“Nate wait! Hold off for a minute. I don’t want the shots to attract them, besides we’ll be G-dads in a few minutes!”

Nate nods his head but keeps the Glock in his right hand and keeps scoping the field. God, I needed this run, my lungs are stretching and it feels amazing. Nothing like a good run to get your blood pumping. I elbow Nate and point to our left. There are five or six of those things trying to get into a house. He shakes his head and we run faster.

We stop on Mom’s driveway. I have sweat running down my face and chest, the sun is blazing down on us. UGH it’s going to be a hot one. I’m so glad we have the AC at home. My Mom has to have it. Being cooler helps her breathing. She has finally gotten off the oxygen and that’s amazing. The doctors didn’t think she ever would but she beat the odds. As we near the garage I hear a noise and swing around pointing my gun.

Nate must have heard it because he’s doing the same thing, going ahead of me.

Always the man trying to protect his mother. UGH!!! We are so going to have to talk about this at some point.

Hank comes out. “Whoa guys, it’s just me!!” 

“Damn it Hank you scared the shit out of me!!” I say, slipping my gun back behind me.

“Well it’s always good to be on your toes. What’s with that commotion? I saw smoke earlier,” Hank says.

“That’s our neighbor’s house across the street. Those things attacked.”  I shrug at him.

“Man I knew it was something bad! Liam called and talked to your mother. You guys come for the RV’s?”

“Yep, we’re going to use them for the rest of the family,” Nate says.

“Hey guys while you get them ready I’m going in to talk to Mom and see if she needs any help with anything,” I say.

“That would be good, I got most of our stuff packed up in the truck and some more in one of the RV’s. But I’m sure your mother will find more,” Hank says.

“I bet!” I say laughing and then on a more serious note, “Hank we do need to make this quick. Nate and I have seen quite a few of them things between here and our house and I’ll feel better when we are all safe behind the gates.”

“You’re right!! Go help your Mom and Nate and I will take care of things out here. If you hear shots, make your Mom stay in the house and watch out for her. We’ll handle it out here ok?” Hank says.

“You got it,” I say. Heading into the house, I hear them start talking. I get to the door and go up the steps. This is kind of bitter sweet because we won’t be coming down here for dinners, holidays, picnics, everything has gone to shit.

“HEY MOM IT’S ME!!”

Coach starts barking and runs to me and I pet him. “Hey little guy, it’s just me. Are you coming to stay with me, little man?” I see the kitchen has been stripped bare. All the cabinets are open and empty. I wander into the living room.

“MOM, IT’S ME WHERE ARE YOU!!!”

“I’m in the bedroom getting the rest of our clothes packed,” she says.

I find her in the walk-in closet. “Hey Mom did you pack all the meds you need, the ones that you have to take all the time?” I check the medicine cabinet. Okay no need to ask. Back in the kitchen, I see Hank is loading up his truck. Looking around I wonder where Nate is? Knocking on the window, I make a gesture to Hank. He points to the side of the house and makes a gun sign with his hands. Hmmm, I wonder if those things are out there or is he simply watching just in case.

“Egypt,” My Mom says walking in the kitchen. “I got everything packed that I think we will need, I just can’t get the boxes out here, as for my medicines. Well I’m taking everything. When I’m out I’m out. Not much we can do about it.” 

“Mom, we will get the boxes, you go get in the truck and take it easy. As for your meds we will figure something out. How long before you run out?”

“A little over a month,” she says. She heads out the kitchen. Hank helps her down the steps and into the truck. 

My mom is sick, she’s got a lot going on. She just got over breast cancer for the second time and made it through the surgery. They couldn’t put her under because of her bad lungs and they said she wouldn’t come out of it. So she was awake for the whole thing. On top of that she’s got Scalera Derma and Raynaud’s. She has to take all kinds of pills for that including a water pill. We’re going to have to find her more. That’s all there is to it. My mother is a very strong-willed woman. I hope I can be half that strong. My walkie goes off.

“Mom, hey Mom you there over,” Liam says.

Grabbing the walkie I say,. “Yep I’m here how are things over your way babe, over?”