The three survivors were relieved to be departing from danger. They hoped they could reach safe passage. They hoped the world outside NYC was in much better shape.
Jason stood in front of the boat's controls. Beth and Paul sat in the rear. She noticed a gash on Paul's arm. It oozed crimson and whitish bubbles.
"What's that?"
Paul glanced at it. "I dunno. Must've scratched myself on something. Sure stings like a mother, I'll tell ya that!" He got up and headed inside the craft.
Beth looked at the skyline. Nothing but clouds of smoke and bursts of fire. Nothing much to look at. She went to the front deck.
"Whaddya think everyone will think?" she asked.
"They won't even know what to think." He glanced back at the site of total destruction. "They'll say it's Hell risen from above."
Jason asked where Paul was. Beth said he was inside. She mentioned the gash on his arm. "Guess he's finding some first aid kit."
A loud thud came from below them.
"Paul?"
No answer.
Jason called out Paul again. No response. He instructed her to take control of the steering so he could see what's going on with Paul. She kept her hands on the wheel.
Violent thuds erupted. Jason hurried downstairs. Beth kept calm, yet curious, even afraid of what may be happening.
Jason descended down the steps and saw Paul lying on the floor. His body was shaking. He was foaming at the mouth as every orifice dripped blood. The gash on his arm oozed copious amounts of pus.
"What's going on?" shouted Beth.
"Something wrong with Paul."
Jason pulled a tablecloth off a table and wiped the sweat off of Paul. Thinking Paul was epiletic, Jason grabbed a wooden stick and was about to insert it between Paul's mouth. He turned away from Jason and spewed blood and foamy saliva.
"Shit!"
Beth came down. "Not again!" She told Jason to come back up.
"What?"
"You can't help him! Those things bit him!" Paul's stomach started expanding, stretching out his shirt.
She grabbed his arm, pulling him away. They ran back outside.
POP! Red, meaty blobs flew into the air.
"What the hell was that!"
Beth took in some air, attempting to keep calm. "That's what happens when they bite you." She explained to him that he saw Marlena become sick after she was bitten.
They returned to the wheel.
"What'll we do?" she asked.
"We keep going 'til we reach land. Somewhere safe and secure."
"I like that."
"I do too."
--End--
