“What do I do?” I cried.
“Run and hide. You need to get as far away from the bunker as you can. They’re preparing to leave tomorrow. They’ll be using the choppers and dropping off teams of soldiers to search for you.”
“My family . . . I can’t let them die.”
“I’m afraid the only way they’ll be able to survive this, is if you separate from them.”
“I’m stuck in my mind and can’t get up. I think when he knocked me out, it locked me inside here.”
“Don’t let your mind control you, Abi. Control it.” His voice was strong and firm.
“I’ll try. Please take care of yourself,” I said.
“I have a feeling our paths will cross again. Stay alive, Abi. Stay strong.”
“Thank you. Tell Chase and Chloe I’m thinking of them.” I closed my eyes and yelled to myself, “Wake up!”
My eyes opened and everything was a blur. I blinked, trying to focus.
“Abi,” Dr. Banks called. “Abi, are you alright?” He was above me.
“I’m okay,” I breathed, trying to push myself up.
“Don’t move,” he ordered. “You need to rest.”
“We have to leave,” I cried. “We have to leave now.”
I stood but my head was throbbing and the world was spinning. I dropped back down.
“No, you can’t go anywhere right now. You need to rest,” he said.
A large unfamiliar face popped above me, making me jump.
“I’m sorry I hit you, Abi,” he said with a sad look. “You’re the first girl I’ve ever laid a hand on.” He offered me his hand. “Name’s Billy.”
“Hey,” I exhaled, shaking his hand. “I really am fine.”
“Abi, please stay down,” Dr. Banks scolded. My dad and mom rushed to my side.
“Listen to him,” my mom pleaded.
“Dad,” I said, looking into his eyes. “We have to leave. If we don’t they’ll kill all of you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Just now, when I was out, Dr. Simon came to me. He said the new leaders of the bunker will be sending soldiers to retrieve me at all costs, and they’ve been ordered to shoot and kill anyone with me.”
“Frank, what do we do?” Aunt Sandy asked.
He rubbed his chin and shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Why do they want her?” Billy asked.
“Because she’s special,” Finn replied vaguely.
“Oh,” Billy nodded, with a baffled expression. “Like…what kind of special?”
“Like, she can kill anyone with a look, kind of special,” Finn replied.
“Oh,” Billy answered, his eyes still narrowed with confusion. “Well, they can all just go to hell. We’ve got a place ‘bout ten miles thataway,” he said pointing northeast. “It’s a hidden bunker in the hills. There are seventeen of us, but we have plenty of room and food. Ya’ll are more than welcome to come and stay, as long as ya like.”
“Thank you, Billy,” my dad said.
“Not a problem. We’re all out here trying to survive. The more the merrier,” Billy replied.
“You’ll be putting your whole bunker at risk,” I said.
“We’ve managed this long without notice from the government. We’ll be just fine.”
“Okay,” I said. “We should go.” I turned to my dad who nodded. I needed to get my family to safety, and right now going with Billy was our best bet.
“Jei, bring the truck around,” Billy hollered.
“What?” Dr. Banks lifted his head in confusion.
“Got it,” a voice answered behind us.
I laughed, and Billy gave me a confused look.
“His name is Jay too,” I said, pointing at Dr. Banks.
“Oh. That explains the confused looks. The big dude back there with the tattoos…his name is Jeison. We call him Jei for short.”
A rusted military truck backed to the entrance of the barn. It had a makeshift aluminum covering over the bed that was spray painted a bunch of earthy colors. I was glad we wouldn’t be exposed to the sun. All of us were badly burned and wouldn’t be able to take much more of it.
When they carried Milton to the truck, he was awake, but his eyes were weak.
“You’re not dead,” I teased, raising my brow.
“It feels like I should be,” he moaned.
“Dr. Banks said the bullet missed anything vital. You’re lucky.”
“I also cauterized the wound and gave you a shot of antibiotics.” Dr. Banks added. “I’m pretty sure you’ll live, unless you get shot again.”
“Well, next time I’ll be sure to hit the floor, and won’t plead like a girl,” he wheezed.
“Hey, I’m a girl and I didn’t plead,” I admitted. “Actually none of the girls, or older women in this group pleaded.”
His face blushed with embarrassment. “I guess that was a wrong choice of word. How about wimp?”
“Wimp works for me.” I giggled.
“What happened to your head?” he asked, pointing to the blood matted in my hair.
“I got pistol whipped by the big guy,” I joked, thumbing to Billy. “I guess my ninja skills were lacking.”
“Yeah, I guess,” he grinned, then winced in pain.
After everyone was loaded in, Billy started up the truck. It rumbled to life, shooting me with another dose of hope. Although I was uncertain of the future, we were headed toward another place which offered us food and shelter. A safe zone with brand new people. Would they welcome us in, or be suspicious?
I did have some reservations, but the people of Sanctum also taught me there was hope for mankind. There were people who were generous and compassionate, who’d survived and were sympathetic and unselfish toward other survivors.
What I needed most was to shut off my mind for a moment, and the steady vibration of the truck relaxed me. At least we were safe . . . for now. I leaned back into Finn’s arms and closed my eyes.
A loud noise and a jolt woke me from my snooze. The truck lurched to the side like something was slamming into it, and it kept happening over and over again.
An Arvy shoved its ugly head into the back of the truck, making everyone scream and claw their way toward the front, squishing me and Finn.
“Get off,” I screamed trying to reach Hellfire, but she was pinned under body parts.
Finn stood and pulled me free. I knelt and yanked Hellfire from her holster, aimed, and shot the Arvy right between its eyes.
At least a dozen more screams pierced the air around us.
I had to get out. I had to know what we were up against.
Billy was unable to keep the truck moving because they were trying to knock us over. As they hit the side, it furiously rocked back and forth, sending everyone inside flying on top of each other. After a few more strong hits, the truck tipped over to its side, and everyone fell into one large heap.
I couldn’t think. There was too much screaming going on from both humans and Arvies alike. I scrambled over bodies to get out of the truck. Uncle Frank jumped out first and as soon as he did, gunfire erupted. I followed directly after, with Finn right at my heels.
Twenty Arvies turned and charged after us.
I raised Hellfire and began shooting, knowing I only had nine rounds left. Each bullet was aimed right between the eyes, and each Arvy dropped, lifeless.
I was out of bullets when one charged directly at me. I slid forward, kicking its legs out from under it and pushed Hellfire’s barrel through its eye. Fluid and blood gushed as it kicked and clawed at me. I pushed harder, hearing a loud crunching sound, and it stilled.
Uncle Frank and Finn took care of the rest.
“Shit!” Billy cursed.
“We’re dead!” Jeison bellowed, pointing behind us.
A mass of white bodies were charging toward us in the distance. This was the greatest nightmare we could ever face. There was no way in heaven or hell I could stop them.
“We ne
ed to tip the truck back,” my dad urged. “Everyone out!”
Every man except Milton, and every woman who could, gathered on each side of the truck. The stronger ones attempted to powerlift it up, while the others, assisted in pulling it down.
After a few failed attempts, cries of desperation began. If we didn’t get this truck back up, we were going to die. There was no way we would be able to outrun thousands of Arvies.
“Get the truck up!” I screamed, heading toward the horde.
“No!” Finn grabbed my arm.
“I have to try something. Help them get the truck up.”
He nodded.
A few hundred Arvies led the pack, and although they were a few miles away, they were running at a fast pace.
“You can do it, Abi.” Milton’s voice encouraged.
“Yes, Abi. We all believe in you,” Pops added. Everyone else offered their encouraging words. The voices of my family boosted my inner strength.
“Let’s do this,” Finn said.
I closed my eyes and focused. This time I wasn’t going to be humane. These things were coming to murder us. In my mind I pictured the dream I’d had. The massive sea of bodies surrounding me. Everyone I’d ever loved was dead because of them.
I felt the rage start to burn. I wanted it, and welcomed it like never before. I hated them for what they did, and what they were about to do. They were the ones who turned me into this weapon. A weapon which would be used against them.
I wasn’t sure how far this gift would carry my rage, but I sent it out in a tidal wave. I envisioned it crushing the few hundred leading the others, along with one word. “Kill.”
“Push!” Uncle Frank’s voice yelled.
I heard them struggling to get the truck upward, but I couldn’t lose focus, and continued sending the tidal wave of death toward them. My mind and body were buzzing and everything around me soon became muted.
Opening my eyes, I noticed the Arvies were still unharmed, continuing to move at a fast rate. They were so close I could see their decayed faces.
Strong arms wrapped around me, breaking my thoughts. “Abi, let’s go,” Finn urged.
I turned and the truck was back upright and everyone was piling inside. “I couldn’t stop them,” I said, my body trembling and weak.
“It’s okay. You don’t need to. Not right now.” His arms whisked me up and carried me to the truck, placing me in the back.
Billy started it up and it rumbled back to life.
“Hurry,” Milton screamed.
One of the Arvies sprinted toward us and right before he reached us, Uncle Frank shot it directly in the middle of its chest. It dropped, and just as the others rushed in, Billy took off, slowly pulling farther and farther away. Soon, they were out of sight.
“That was a close brush with death,” Nana panted, her face was red and sweaty.
“Too close.” Pops wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek.
Still wondering why nothing happened to them while using my new power, my head started to ache.
“What’s wrong?” Finn whispered.
“Nothing, just a headache,” I replied.
“Abi, it could have been they were too far away.” Milton’s voice cut through the silence.
I shrugged. “Yeah, but I could feel the power pulsing through me, and they weren’t that far away.”
“Maybe you’re just tired, and you did receive a pretty hard whack to the head.”
“Maybe,” I answered. My limbs were still shaking, so Finn gently rubbed his arms up and down mine, which helped calm me a bit.
“Don’t worry. We’re all together and everyone is safe. You can relax now,” he said softly.
I nodded.
Everyone’s eyes were wide open, but they remained silent for the rest of the ride, probably going over how fragile life really was. In a split second, it could have been gone, just like that.
My stomach knotted, knowing I was putting all of their lives at risk. I couldn’t stay with them for any length of time, knowing how precious each life was to me.
When the truck stopped, we all piled out and waited while Billy and Jeison pulled a large brown, dusty tarp from the ground and covered the truck. From the air, no one would be able to see it.
I glanced around; we were at the foot of a small mountain range. They moved a bunch of debris to the side to reveal a small trail. At first it was a tight squeeze, especially for Billy, but as we pushed through, the rock walls widened. It was a good ten minute hike until we came to an open area. On the left hand side was a large steel door embedded into the rock face. Billy pulled up a large handle, unlocking it, and waved us in.
“How’d you manage that?” Pops asked.
“It wasn’t easy.” Billy’s laughter rumbled. “We’ve got some of the best miners and excavators in the state. It took us years to prep, but we found that this mountain already had a set of hollowed out caves inside. There’s also a natural spring way down, which gives us fresh water.
“Come on,” Jeison drawled. “We’ve got lots of friendly folk, food, unlimited drink, and great music.”
“Do you think those monsters will find us here?” Mei asked.
“No ma’am,” Jeison answered. “We’ve never had a problem with them here. They know there is no food in these parts, so they stay away.”
She nodded, and I watched the faces of my loved ones light up as they followed after him. Finn and Martheus assisted Milton down the stairs.
I hesitated and caught Billy’s eyes studying mine.
“I see the look of someone who carries the weight of the world on her shoulders,” he assessed.
I dropped my head, not wanting him to read me anymore.
“I just want them to be safe, and me being here puts everyone in danger.”
“Are you thinking of runnin’?” he asked.
“I’m still debating.” I shrugged.
“Sometimes what you think is helpful, could possibly turn out to be more harmful. Your family needs you right now. Why don’t you come inside, fill your belly, have some fun, and get a good night’s rest. You’ll be safe tonight. So, leave all your worries at the door, because tomorrow they’ll still be there waiting for you. And you’ll always have the choice of whether or not to pick them up again. It’s in your hands.”
I shook my head and grinned. “You’re a wise man, Billy.”
He offered me his arm with a large smile. “So what do you say, Abi?”
“I say, leave the stress and let’s party.”
“Now that’s what I like to hear,” he cheered loudly.
He closed the door behind me, and led me down a set of slate stairs. When we got to the bottom, there was a large open cavern with bench style tables and chairs. Jeison was making all the introductions, and everyone seemed to be very friendly and hospitable. There was a lot of laughter echoing within the cavern walls. There a few people playing instruments, while others were singing and dancing.
Food and drink was quickly offered.
“Your family looks like they’re already settling in,” Billy said, nudging me.
“They do,” I acknowledged, watching their beaming faces. It seemed like forever since I’d seen them all together like this, happy.
“We have an area back a ways which has access to direct sunlight. A few of our people have planted a garden. It’s a great place to escape when you feel troubled. You could make this home if you wanted to. We have lots of space.”
“I’d love to see that,” I said.
“Sure, I’ll take you,” he said. “Follow me.”
Excitedly, I followed him through a small tunnel which twisted and turned a ways. I heard footsteps behind and when I glanced back, Finn was coming.
“Where are you off to?” he asked.
“Billy is taking me to see their garden.”
“Garden? I’d love to come too,” he said.
“You’re more than welcome. The more the merrier,” Billy chimed.
After walking a ways we stopped at another metal door.
“This was created just in case.” He winked, unlocking it and yanking it open. “After you,” he said, motioning us to go in. “I’ll leave you two here. You can’t get lost, just follow the same path back and don’t forget to lock the door.”
“Thank you, Billy.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he winked, then turned and headed back out.
Finn wrapped his arms around me. “I thought you were going to leave without saying goodbye.”
“I’d never leave without saying goodbye,” I said, smiling at him.
“I hope not.” He lifted my chin so my gaze met his. “Promise me you won’t leave without me.”
I shook my head. “I can’t make that promise.”
“If you leave without me, I will never forgive you,” his eyes were dark and serious.
“I won’t risk your life. You being with me puts you in great danger.”
“I don’t care.”
“I do,” I cried. “I love you, Finn, and if anything happened to you because you were with me, I’d die.”
“My life was specifically designed to be with you. It was destined from the beginning, the day your father hid us in the back of your truck and took us to your bunker for safety. If it wasn’t for him, we would be dead, or changed into those creatures. But fate brought us together, to this moment. I don’t care what the future holds, Abi, as long as I get to spend the rest of it with you.”
“Stop,” I said, shaking my head. “I won’t be responsible for your death.”
He grabbed the sides of my face and steadied me. “You’re right, you won’t. Every decision I make is mine alone. I am your protector . . . well, most of the time, when you aren’t saving my butt.” He chuckled. “Listen, I want to be with you, and I need you to promise me that if you leave, which I know you will at some point, you’ll take me with you.”
Tears flowed from my face. My heart swelled and was breaking at the same time, knowing what he was doing.
“Promise me, Abi.”
“I promise,” I whispered.
He threw his arms around me and squeezed, then leaned back and wiped my tears. “No more tears. Right now, let’s enjoy this moment . . . shall we?”