Author's Note:
dandy44, adaddario, thewinchestergospel: thank you guys SO much for your reviews, so glad you liked the last chapter and the story so far, hope you're going to like what's coming next :D
Aya Salim, Jannine90: special thanks to you guys, I hope you will like what's coming up next as well.
All kinds of subscribers, thank you.
BIG thank you to cas-sweetevilangel, seriously, she did a great job beta this, THANK you (L)
Okay, with no further talk, here you go, 11/12, almost there. A little warning, dark, sad, and you might need some tissues. Enjoy.
*Declare this an emergency, come on and spread a sense of urgency
And pull us through, and pull us through
And this is the end, this is the end. Of the world
And it's time we saw a miracle
Come on, it's time for something biblical
To pull us through, and pull us through
And this is the end, this is the end. Of the world
Proclaim eternal victory
Come on and change the cause of history
And pull us through, and pull us through
And this is the end, this is the end. Of the world
...
Part one: Fully Alive.
...
Five years later.
"Anything else?" I asked one of our regular customers.
"Maybe you can smile for once, Claudia." Jenna said sighing. She was one of my mother's old friends, we knew her for years.
"That's off the menu Mrs. Chester." I huffed. After what happened on that day six month ago, they were all over my head, you know typical small town shit. They all thought we were one big happy family and made it their duty to take care of me, when what they were really doing was being nosy and annoying.
"Sweetheart, you are young, and beautiful, just let go, not because of what happened you should…" The woman started but I couldn't take it.
"Mrs. Chester, please," I snapped getting sick of her. "Your lunch will be ready right away." I said walking away from her.
I went back to the kitchen to give the order, when I came back I saw that my sister had arrived, what made it even better, she was talking to none other than Jenna Chester
"Excuse me," Martine apologized to the woman marching towards me as soon as she saw me coming out of the kitchen. "Hey, you can leave now, mama's home." She smiled not looking straight into my eyes, like she had been doing for the past six months.
"Oh, thanks, but I'm staying." I said taking a seat on the empty stool at the bar.
"You opened today, and it's midday now, you should go home." Martine said – mother mood activated.
"I don't want to go home, I'm helping, don't forget that Cindy is on vacation."
"I didn't forget Cindy is on a vacation…" Martine sighed. "But you gotta stop doing that little sister, you need food and sleep, you can't just work all day."
"Dude, I'm fine, stop worrying," I snapped getting up off my seat. Martine stared at me shaking her head.
"I know I sound like a broken record, but you do not look fine." She said sounding upset, "Dede, you really look bad, you can't do this to yourself, Brad wouldn't like to see,"
"Shut up! Don't talk about Brad, alright!" I yelled getting emotional. I wasn't ready to talk, not with Martine, not with anyone. "Leave me alone Martine, I'm not leaving, and I can do whatever the fuck I want, mind your own business,"
"You ARE my business, sister!" Martine told me firmly. "And I won't see you ruining your life."
"You better take care of your own," I said walking away. "You're the pregnant one here, not me."
"You're stubborn!" Martine yelled after me but I ignored her walking into the kitchen.
"Mark, please, take Jenna's order to her." I asked one of the waiters, he nodded at me and waited for the chef to give him the order. As for me, I was done dealing with the drama for one day, but I wasn't ready to go home yet, so the local bar it was then. I grabbed my bag and made my way to the door.
"Where are you heading?" Martine asked.
"Out," I said plainly.
"Yeah, I can see that, but where exactly?" She huffed, folding her arms against her chest.
"Home, you wanted me gone, so I'm leaving now." I said glaring at her. I knew she wanted me to get better but she was smothering me. It was annoying, I was not a child anymore and I was well able to deal with my own problems.
"You're lying, and I know it." Martine said. "The bar, right?" she asked and I couldn't help but to look the other way. "God's sake Claudia!"
"Stop! Stop doing that!" I told her, I was angry and frustrated; it was not the time to be pushing my buttons.
"I can't stop, you know that. Look at you, you lost half your weight, you don't sleep anymore, and don't try to deny it, those pretty little circles around your eyes said it all." Martine said, snapping at me this time. "You're still wearing black, all the time. You can't live like that!" She said pointing at me up and down with her finger, I was wearing a black half sleeved top and a gray pants.
"Are you done? Can I go now?" I huffed not ready to talk about anything. It was something my sister couldn't understand, she thought six months was enough time to cope, and I didn't agree with that.
"No, I'm not done." Martine huffed. "Jared went to get Eve from school; they are on their way here,"
"Fine, fine, I'll take care of Eve today." I said interrupting her.
"Yeah, but no drinking." My sister ordered, pissing me off.
"Since when do I drink when Eve is around?" I hissed glaring at her.
"I'm just saying," Martine shrugged.
"Yeah, you tend to just say things a lot these days," I told her walking away.
"Like you listen!" She said sarcastically.
"Screw you Martine," I snapped turning around to look at her.
"It's been six months, you're taking this harder than you should." She told me sighing.
"How would you know the perfect way to deal with that? Huh?" I shouted getting emotional. "Yeah Martine, you don't, because it's my fucked up life, not yours."
"Let's talk inside the office, you can't just yell in here like that!" She said grabbing my arm.
"No, we aren't going anywhere, because we aren't talking." I said pulling back from her. "And you should stop worrying; it's not good for the baby." I said pointing at her tummy, she was seven months pregnant.
"You aren't giving me any choices here," Martine told me, getting emotional, starting to tear up. She was like that all the time now, hormones.
"Look, I don't want you to worry, I'm fine. Everyone has their own way of dealing with loss, and you just don't understand." I sighed feeling guilty seeing her crying, even if it wasn't really my fault, I wasn't the one who got her pregnant.
"Right, no food, no sleep, work all the time or drink, that's one hell of a way." Martine scoffed. "Oh, not to mention dressing up like a widow." She said not realizing what she said. "I'm sorry Claudie, I didn't mean to say that."
"It doesn't matter," I said taking a deep breath trying not to cry. "It's kind of true, right?" I laughed bitterly.
My sister looked at me feeling guilty, and I knew if I wanted to end this, now was the time. But before I could talk, the door to the diner was opened as Jared and Eve walked in.
"Auntie Claudia!" Eve giggled rushing to hug me. She was a beautiful seven year old girl now, and my only reason to smile.
"Hey Princess," I smiled kneeling to her level to hug her back. "How was school today?"
"Eh, not bad," she said not so excited. "But it's the weekend now!" Eve grinned with more excitement. "Mom said I'm staying with you, is it true?"
"I didn't tell you that!" Martine corrected.
"Yeah, you didn't, but I heard you talking." Eve told her mother, letting out a shrug, making Martine to roll her eyes.
"Well, we didn't spend anytime together lately, so yes! You're staying with me this weekend." I told her, still smiling.
"You better help her with homework then." Jared said as he stood next to his wife.
"Hi to you too Jared," I said sarcastically. "And I'll help her,"
"I don't have a lot of homework anyway." Eve told her dad, sounding annoyed with him.
"You are still going to do it, missy!" Martine said.
"Wow, I'm not the only one who is suffering here with the two of you." I huffed taking Eve's arm as I started to walk. "Come on babe; let's fix you something to eat."
"No sweets!" I heard Martine saying but I ignored her.
"Eve, you're in my world today," I told the little girl who was now smiling widely at me. "Remember what our rule there is?"
"Yeah," She grinned. "Be wild!"
"Yessss!" I laughed seeing how excited she was. "Okay, food, and after that we go to the park, then we go home and go nuts."
"Yeah, sounds awesome!" Eve told me, but she was less excited.
"What's wrong sweetheart?" I asked her as I held her up to sit on a table before making her some food.
"You're going to be alright?" She asked me sounding a little bit upset.
"Yes sweetie, why you're asking?" I asked her, but Eve looked down. "Hey, Eve, what's wrong?"
She looked up at me with her innocent blue eyes, and sighed. "Mom said you're always sad now," Eve told me, "She didn't tell me, but she was talking to Daddy, and I heard her."
"Well, Evie, as you see, I'm fine." I lied forcing a smile.
"Really? But, why Mom said that then?" Eve asked me, looking at me carefully.
"Because your mother is just worried, as you can see, I'm good."
"It's because of what happened to Uncle Brad?" Eve asked, both curious and sorry. I stopped mixing the pancakes, taking a deep breath trying not to cry in front of Eve, but it was hard considering the lump in my throat and the feeling that started to consume me, bitterness. "Don't feel bad Auntie, because Mom told me when someone dies they go to a better place where they are happy. Uncle Brad is happy now, you shouldn't be sad."
"Oh God, Eve!" I gasped holding on the counter for support, what she said tore my heart all over again, and I couldn't hold back my tears. I took a deep breath and sniffed trying to control myself, looking back at Eve with tears in my eyes. "Come on baby, go play outside until I finish your food." I said helping her to get on her feet.
"Okay," She said simply, running outside.
And once Eve walked out I collapsed on the floor sobbing as I buried my face in my hands. Not that I forgot, but what she told me brought back all the memories. Brad died six months ago, he was on duty and he got shot, he died on the way to the hospital. Two weeks before our wedding. We dated for four years, and got engaged last year, our wedding was supposed to be last fall. We picked fall because we thought it would be more romantic, no heat, no snow, a perfect weather, and both of our families were going to be around, my parents were already there to spend more time with us, and to help me with the wedding preparations. I was with my mother and sister when we heard the news. And since then, life simply hasn't been the same, even six months and fourteen days later.
"Hey, Claudia," I heard Jared's voice calling for me, as I heard his footsteps coming closer. "Wow, what are you doing on the floor?" He asked concerned, feeling his hands on my shoulders shaking me a little. "Oh shit!" He cursed, "Oh God!" Jared sighed pulling me closer into a hug, and I didn't resist, I was too weak to.
"I'm fine Jared, it's alright." I said sobbing trying to pull myself from the hug, before I breakdown even more.
"I'm sorry, I know Martine is worried but she goes too far sometimes." Jared sighed, sounding upset, rubbing my back slowly trying to calm me down.
I shook my head pulling back as I wiped my face. "I'll be fine, she is worried and I get it, but,"
"I know," He said smiling at me sadly. "Come on, go wash your face," Jared said getting up and helping me up as well. "You so need to get better soon, you look like a skinny-eww model dude. I think you and Eve share the same weight now." He joked.
"Don't be a jerk," I sniffed. "I don't look that bad."
"Pfft, right!" Jared teased. And even though the tears weren't dried from my eyes, I laughed a little. "Wow, I made you laugh, Martine is so gonna pay me for doing this."
"You aren't that good," I teased him. He rose an eyebrow mocking.
"I'm better," Jared said with a smug smile on his face. "Go wash up, and I'll make you and Eve some food, and this time, you will eat!"
"Sir, yes sir!" I smiled wiping my face. "Thanks Jared," I said and he raised an eyebrow at me questioning. "For being the less nosy person in this town, you're the only one who didn't push me to talk." I loved Jared, he was like an older brother to me, I knew him since we were kids and he used to sneak into our house when he was a teenager to meet up with my sister, and at the moment I was thankful he was around, I know if I ever had a brother, I wouldn't love him as much as I loved Jared.
Jared smiled at me and sighed. "I know the feeling, I remember when my dad died, everyone was…, well, you know how people here are like," He laughed and I nodded rolling my eyes. "I needed time, but people don't get that, they only try to help. Close people feel guilty if they see you sad, like it's their fault,"
"I do want to feel better, but," I interrupted, but I paused sighing.
"I know, take your time, and I'll talk to Martine, if she listened, it's a win-win, if not," He shrugged throwing his hands in the air, he made me laugh.
"Yeah, worth a shot," I smiled at him and he nodded.
"Yep, and I know what will help with the healing process," Jared smirked. "My awesome food!"
"Oh yeah, totally!" I mocked.
"Smartass," He laughed. "Get out, I've got work to do!"
"Fine, fine," I said walking to the door. "Make sure whatever you gonna fix me, you add chocolate on it." I demanded, joking.
"Okay, Boss!" He laughed. I smiled at him and walked out of the kitchen.
...
I was sitting with Eve eating the happy meal Jared made us, when we heard noise coming from outside, people were talking loudly, but I couldn't figure out what they were saying.
"What's going on?" Eve asked me as she looked outside curiously.
"None of our business sweetie," I told her holding a napkin wiping the side of her mouth that was smeared with chocolate from her pancakes. "Eat, never mind what's going on outside." I told her, she smiled at me and turned her attention back to her food.
"Turn on the TV Jared," A guy named Lucas said marching into the diner, he was another regular, but he was always loud and kind of annoying.
"Why? Another game?" Jared asked him knowing that he loved watching stupid sport games here.
"No, the news, something weird is going on," Lucas said to Jared.
"Since when you watch the news Luc?" I asked turning around to look at him.
"Since we are all fuc…," He paused seeing Eve sitting there looking at him. "In danger," he finished.
"Why? Another war? It's getting old," I mocked but he didn't laugh.
"No, a new virus!" He told me with a solid serious face.
"Swine flu again, dude, again, getting old." I told him getting up walking to him as Jared turned on the TV.
"No, they don't have a name for it yet, not officially anyway." Lucas told me. I looked at him blankly, for a second I thought he was drunk or something, but the TV was on and the news reporter started talking, I looked at the TV listening.
"One week after discovering the unidentified deathly virus in Detroit, we are here in Denver, Colorado, as another patient was found by the police forces, after he killed three men. The police managed to capture the patient, Anthony Show. But the 32 year old teacher was shot dead after assaulting the officers and paramedics who were trying to get him to a hospital, in what seems to be one of the main symptoms, whereas a normal quiet person turns into a ruthless killer with no to very little incubation period. So far, no official statements were issued by the Department of Health and the Police Forces refuse to make any comments on the latest developments. But our sources told us that this 'Croatoan' virus – as it is known by some people – manifested itself in other states in previous years and that the public was knowingly NOT made aware of it.The question that remains is, are we all facing a new pandemic or is this just another gone crazy cover up story? Lara Ericson, channel one." The woman finished and Jared instantly muted the TV. I stared at the silent TV, a bad gut feeling about this whole thing growing inside of me.
"All that over a crazy dude who killed three people, this is just media man, and they always love to make a huge deal out of nothing." Jared said.
"Well, that's what lots of people said, but," Lucas paused looking around lowering his voice. "This isn't the second case man, there are others but they are trying to keep a lid on things till they know what exactly what it is. The reporter didn't make that up."
"So, basically this thing turns people into crazier versions of themselves." I muttered and the two men looked at me.
"Bloody violent versions of themselves, and they always try to bite and kill." Lucas told me. "Have you ever seen these old crappy zombie movies?" He asked me and I nodded slowly. "Well, that's pretty much it."
"How did you know that? It wasn't on the news." Jared asked him.
"I have a cousin in Detroit, he lives near that place where they found the first case," Lucas told us. "He said it wasn't one man, it was two, doctors or something, in a big experimental facility, a science lab, he said that one of the guys tore apart the other one… with his bare hands man." His face was starting to be red from talking so fast. "My cousin has a friend who works for the police; he told him there were more than 4 people, not only one like the news said. This shit spreads so fast guys, one day it was in Detroit, the other day in Denver, few more days, and it will be here."
"Or your cousin lied!" Jared said sarcastically, he apparently looked worried, but he was trying to kick it away.
"No man, he didn't." Lucas said shaking his head. It was either his cousin was right, or this guy really believed what he told us. "Anyway, I gotta go now. Take care."
"You too." Jared and I said.
"Do you believe this crap?" I asked leaning against the bar. Jared shrugged turning the TV off.
"Well, I don't believe everything I see on TV, but this, it's some serious crap." Jared sighed. "Bird and Swine flu, then Croatoan? What the hell does that even mean?"
"I don't know, but," I sighed holding back what I was going to say.
"But what?" Jared questioned seeing that I cut off my sentence.
"Nothing," I huffed. "We will see, we have nothing but time." I shrugged walking away.
"Yeah," Jared sighed.
What I didn't tell him was that since Brad died, I went back to my old obsession as I used to call it. Checking records, accidents, and all sort of crap like this. I went back to check on hunts. I was trying to forget about everything that happened to me, not that I was going on any hunts, hell no, but I just found myself doing that, going through the records of the last five years, since the time I started – and stopped – hunting. And the amount of crazy stuff out there was unbelievable, and in the last year alone, that was a whole new level of weird. That one year had the same amount of "strange" accidents as there used to be over a period of four years!
And I knew that I heard the word Croatoan before, I just couldn't remember when or what it meant. It only sounded familiar, and I knew I would have to back to my records and dig it, even if hunting and new disease didn't match…
But, I kind of forgot all about researching and the new virus. Having family over for the weekend does that, it had been a while since I felt sort of happy. I left with Eve and we spent the rest of the day together, and later that night my sister, her husband and a couple of travelling friends came over. All that – of course – made me forget all about the Croatoan.
Part two: Sunday, Bloody Sunday.
...
Stay low... Soft, dark, and dreamless
Far beneath my... Nightmares and loneliness
I hate me, for breathing without you. I don't want to feel anymore for you.
...
Grieving for you, I'm not grieving for you
Nothing real love can't undo. And though I may have lost my way
All paths lead straight to you
...
I long to be like you
Lie cold in the ground like you
...
A week later
It was a busy night in our diner again, and I couldn't handle the noise anymore, so I walked into the office for some quiet time away from stupid teens celebrating a birthday party, that was where I found Martine.
"Hey dude, you okay?" I asked her.
"Yeah, don't worry, the baby is kicking, and I got dizzy." My sister told me with a weak smile.
"Well, you shouldn't be here in the first place, I can take care of it, little Josh is almost here, you should rest, no more work." I said softly sitting next to her.
"Look who is acting like a mother now," Martine teased me. "I'm fine, and everything is sound, I just got a little bit tired."
"Yeah, because you're stubborn, see, it runs in the family," I smiled. "And yes, everything is good but you need to rest, or it won't be stable, lady!"
"Don't lady me!" Martine rolled her eyes. "I'm going home early today, can't handle those punks outside, too loud."
"You got rusty kiddo!" I laughed but she made a face at me. I got up grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge, and gave my sister one too.
"So, you're feeling better?" Martine asked and I huffed shaking my head. "Hey, I kept my mouth shut for a whole week, you know this was coming."
"Yeah, but I thought you might take another week off, or something." I rolled my eyes. Jared told me that he talked to my sister and asked her to back off a little, and she did, for a whole week, but like she said, it was coming and I knew it.
"No," Martine said. "So?"
"I'm fine. Better, happy now?" I said faking a wide smile.
"Smartass," she huffed.
"Look, I'm really fine, don't worry and focus on the baby."
"Me and the baby will be fine," She said getting up, "Because, I'm heading home now!"
"Good girl!" I smiled helping her to get up.
Martine was about to walk out of the door when she stopped suddenly turning around. "Oh, forgot to ask you," She started. "What is Croatoan?"
I was busted. We decided not to tell Martine about the whole Croatoan thing, she was pregnant and we didn't want her to get worried, especially that the virus was spreading so fast, everyone was talking about it. But we tried to keep it on the hush, which was nearly impossible, obviously.
"Why do you ask?" I answered my sister's question with one. Martine glared at me, her hands on her hips.
"I'm not stupid, I just wanted to make sure you and Jared did this on purpose, and heads up, you two aren't so smart, one question, same reaction, idiots." Martine snapped. "I'm pregnant, not stupid Claudia."
"I know that, we only didn't want you to be worried." I told her honestly.
"Well, too late for that now. I'm worried." She huffed. "Now, tell me all you know about this shit, and don't you dare lying to me." Martine demanded, walking back into the room, sitting down.
I sighed feeling the pressure, what I dug up wasn't pleasant, none of it. I had time to research that Croatoan thing and all in all, it was terrible. It wasn't something new; there were a few cases that were reported a few years ago, it got the name from it too. The first time ever was in a small town called River-Grove, Oregon. The whole town almost got wiped off the map from that thing, but no official records were left behind. I managed to dig up some info when I hacked into a certain database. A doctor in that town – one of the very few remaining survivors – reported to the CDC a new virus with the same symptoms, but from the report I saw, she had no evidence so no one cared, but she mentioned the name Croatoan. It was three years ago. And I was sure that was where the name came from, knowing that if I could reach that report, others could too.
I told my sister all that, seeing how her face got pale and worried, I also told her how the virus works, like we heard on the news, not like what I read and knew from my research.
Martine was silent the whole time when I was talking, and she remained silent even after I was done. "Are you okay?" I asked her.
She shook her head taking a deep breath. "They found a patient near by," She informed me.
"What?" I exclaimed with wide eyes. I knew it was coming, but I was busy living in my own denial-land. Now, the wall of denial I built around me was coming down, the danger was near, it was real.
"Yeah, Lucas Turner told me this morning." Martine sighed. "Is there any cure for this thing?"
I shook my head. "So far, nothing, but who knows, maybe soon." I said trying to be positive.
"Oh yeah," Martine said sarcastically. "Question is when are they going to find it, is it going to be before, or after we are all dead?"
...
You're not alone
No matter what they told you, you're not alone
I'll be right beside you forevermore
Two days later we received the ultimate bad news, our town's patient zero, the first Croatoan case in the town. And as you can imagine, that was only the first drop of rain. Everyone got scared and panicked, people tried to leave town, they didn't see that Croatoan was everywhere, not only here, it was spreading not only nation but worldwide. It was here to stay.
But trying to convince an angry and scared person was a waste of breath.
Patient zero was a local boy, he was in a hunting trip or something, and he rushed back into town that morning, everyone said he was normal then, but a few hours later, gunshots were heard, he killed his parents, and infected his older brother. But when they got out onto the street, they were shot dead by the locals, seeing the blood on them and how they looked like the zombie dudes from '28 Days Later', no one thought about anything else but killing. That was only the first sign of a massive panic attack that was about to spread from one person to another. In one day, our peaceful town was turned into a living hell, we were usually out of the loop, what happened to the rest of the world didn't apply to us. But this time, we got to taste some of the pain everyone else was suffering, living in peace wasn't an option anymore, that wasn't what Croatoan was about, it travelled the world and killed millions in its path, why should we get away from its grip?
And as we lay in silent bliss
I know you remember me
I long to be like you
Lie cold in the ground like you
...
I was sick and tired, having a cold, knowing that I had to take the day off but I didn't know if I was going to have the strength to go. I already took a few days off and I meant to go back to work on Sunday, but I felt too weak. I couldn't even move out of bed, and of course I didn't know about the apocalyptic atmosphere outside, being sick for two days made me disconnect from the world. I was only sure that things weren't great at the moment, and a day off wasn't a huge deal since people were panicking and mostly stayed home, not many were able to go out freely like it used to be. I got up to get my phone remembering that I left it in the living room downstairs last night, I meant to call Jared to check on him and Martine, but when I checked the phone, I saw that I had over fifty missed calls, from my sister alone.
My heart missed a few beats as I redialed my sister's number, praying that she was alright. The connection was shit, I had to redial a few times for the call to go through, and if that wasn't a sign that everything was going to hell, I didn't know what could be. But I kept on trying, until Martine picked up the phone.
"Hey, Martine, I'm sorry I was," I started but she cut me off.
"Jared didn't come home since last night," Martine told me, she was crying. "I'm in pain, I'm bleeding Claudia! I don't know what to do, and I can't go outside, it's madness there, if they see blood they might shoot me."
"Wait, wait, what? What's going on? What do you mean Jared isn't there?" I asked her panicking; I didn't know what was going on. "Did you say you're bleeding? Is it the baby? Oh god, tell me it's not the baby."
"It is the baby, I don't want to lose my baby Claudia, and,"
"Hey, hey, nothing is going to happen,"
"You don't know that!" Martine snapped crying, she was getting hysterical. "My husband is probably dead by now, and I'm going to lose my son. Help me, please."
I felt tears starting to form in my eyes, I never heard my sister talking like this before, she was always the calm one when it came to tricky situations, and hearing her crying and freaking out tore my heart.
"I'm coming, and Jared is going to be okay, I will not let anything happen to you." I promised her.
"Hurry, please hurry!" Martine pleaded.
"Ten minutes, and I'm going to be at your house, I'll take you and Eve to stay here with me, and then call Jared to join us." I told her, hearing her sobs, which made my tears roll down my cheeks.
"Just hurry, please." She sobbed and I nodded to the phone unable to talk.
...
And the battle's just begun. There's many lost, but tell me who has won
The trench is dug within our hearts, and mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart
Sunday, bloody Sunday
Sunday, bloody Sunday
...
After I hung up with my sister I was shaking, I didn't know what to do or what was going on, all I knew was that I needed to be ready for any surprises. I changed as fast as I could and I went to check my old duffle bag, where gathered all my hunting gears and paper works, I grabbed my gun and made sure it was loaded, I then grabbed my knife and for extra insurance I went to get Brad's old shotgun, I needed it with me. I hid the gun in the back of my jeans, the knife was in its sheath tied around my waist and I was holding the shotgun at the ready. I walked out of the house to my car and braced myself for whatever would be coming my way.
And to my surprise, the town was silent, so quiet that it felt wrong, you couldn't see or hear anything at all, like I was in a ghost town and it reminded me of the last horrible hunt I had with Dean. I didn't want to admit it but I had the same sensation, the same terrible gut feeling I had before that hunt, I was too scared to face my inner demons, I didn't want to think I was going to go through the same pain I went through then.
But driving through town made me realize it was going to be worse, way worse. Homes, shops and places I used to go to were burned to the ground. The local bar, the motel, the police station, everything was either a pile of charcoal or in pieces. And I saw my inner demon, the blood, it was everywhere, but I tried not to look at it, I knew what I was going to remember so I tried to look further, to focus on what was around, under or covered with that blood. I kept driving to my sister's house hoping it wouldn't be too late.
When I arrived at the house I parked the car outside, walking to the front door I saw it was wide open. Unlike my house, my sister's wasn't protected, it was your typical house with no alarm system, no nothing, only a baseball bat at the door, like that would have stopped anything! While my house had a big tall fence, and an alarm system my dad installed a few years back, which Brad upgraded two years ago, my sister's place was pretty vulnerable here.
Seeing the blood drops on the front lawn I followed the trail all the way to the front door, I was tense but alert, all my hunter lessons coming back to me in an instant, I pulled my shotgun walking into the house.
"Martine, hey, Martine, I'm here!" I muttered when I got inside, but I got no answer. I kept walking seeing that there was more blood on the floor, it started as drops but now it was a thin line that was getting thicker with every move I took further into the house. "Jared! Martine, anyone is here?" I said again, and this time I heard something, it was coming from the kitchen, someone was in there.
I ran to the kitchen still holding my gun, ready to shoot at any second. I saw more blood on the floor, but that was like someone was bleeding, I remembered that my sister told me she was bleeding, but it couldn't possibly be that, that was from an injury. I walked into the kitchen and gasped when I saw my sister on the floor. "Oh my god, what happened?" I cried getting on my knees next to her.
"Eve, upstairs, Eve." Martine whispered to me, but I didn't know what to do, panic paralyzed me. She was hurt and bleeding, but when I looked closer I saw she was holding a knife, and defensive wounds were all over her hands and arms.
"Martine, did you hurt yourself?" I asked taking her in my arms, I didn't feel the tears running down my cheeks till my sight got blurry, I wiped them and looked back at her. My sister had a huge gash from up her neck to her chest, it tore through her dress and her skin badly, she lost a lot of blood and now she was lying in a small dark pool of blood, she was dying, and there was nothing I could do to stop that from happening.
"No," She whispered not able to talk, or move. "Jared, Croatoan," Martine said coughing blood, tears pouring down her face.
"Shhh, don't talk, I'm sorry for asking, do not talk, I'm going to go and get you help." I told her feeling how her body was getting limp in my arms, seeing the blood dripping from her wounds, and more from between her legs, little Josh didn't stand a chance, but I knew I could save my sister if I got her help. I was about to get up when she grabbed me by the jacket.
"N- no, no ti-me," She said coughing, she was trying so hard. "Eve, save he-er, Eve," My sister told me, looking me in the eye with her glassy eyes, life was leaving her. I nodded still crying, I was in shock, I didn't want to leave my sister to die alone, MY sister. "Go, please." She pleaded.
"Okay, but I'm coming back for you," I promised her as I laid her head back slowly on the floor. "I'm coming back for you, hang on." I told my sister, but she didn't answer me, she closed her eyes. I knew I needed to work fast, get Eve and then call 911 for help, and see where the hell Jared was.
I got out of the kitchen and headed upstairs. I heard noise coming out of the bedroom, I didn't know where Eve was so I went to check, I had to get her before she could see her mother like that. But when I got into the master bedroom, I didn't find Eve. I found Jared; I found that thing that once was Jared. He was trashing the place in anger, he was bloody and messed up, and his hair was no longer golden blond, it was mixed with blood and dirt, like everything else on him. Jared heard me, when he looked back at me, I saw his eyes, red and full of violence instead of their old blue color, he was infected, he had Croatoan, and he killed my sister, his wife.
I didn't get a chance to be in shock or to even try talking to him – I wasn't just going to shoot my brother in law, the guy I knew and loved since I was a kid. But once he saw me he made a run for me and I knew I didn't have but one choice. "I'm sorry," I muttered before shooting him, I didn't know how many shots, I just shot him, once my finger was on the trigger, I couldn't control it. When I saw Jared's lifeless body on the floor I knew it was over, I shot him several times, to the head and heart. No one could survive that. I knew I should go and make sure he was dead, but I couldn't, I just killed the man I always considered my older brother.
I closed the door and walked out of the room, tears were streaming down my cheeks, but I felt nothing, I was numb, from the moment I pulled the trigger, everything stopped, it was like I shot myself, not Jared.
Now, I needed to go get Eve, and save my sister's life, there was still a chance, or so I thought. I wasn't ready to lose my sister, even if she stopped talking to me forever for what I did to Jared, at least she would still be alive.
Walking into Eve's room, I couldn't see her in it. "Eve, Eve, it's aunt Claudia, are you in here?" I called while checking the room, but there was no sign of her. There was only one place left, the closet. "Eve!" I called as I opened it, my gun pointed at it, "Eve," I saw her, curled up in the closet, covering her ears with her hands, while she buried her face in her knees. "Sweetie it's me, its okay, no one will hurt you." I said stroking her hair. "Baby, talk to me." I pleaded feeling her shake under my hand.
But Eve raised her head and looked at me with her puffy red eyes, she was crying and shaking, my princess was in shock. She sobbed unable to talk, once she saw me and made sure it was me; she jumped off her place and wrapped her arms around my neck holding onto me for dear life. I held her tight soothing her, the poor girl was shaking violently in my arms. "It's okay baby, it's okay, everything is going to be fine, calm down, it's okay." I kept saying rubbing her back softly, as I started to cry again, seeing Eve like that broke my heart, it broke me down again. We stayed like that for some time, I didn't know for how long, but I felt her calming down a little, her sobs and shakes were quieting down.
"Daddy, he, he was," Eve started but the girl went through enough, I couldn't let her re-live it.
"Shhh, baby, don't talk, okay," I asked her pulling her back from my arms. "Look at me Eve, look at me," I asked her softly. "Mom needs help, I'm going downstairs to help her, okay? I want you to stay here and wait for me."
"No, no, don't go, please." Eve panicked as she started to cry again, she held me tighter and I knew she wasn't going to let go.
"Okay, okay, don't panic, I'm not going anywhere." I told her softly, trying my best to be strong for her. "Okay, I want you to do something for me Evie, alright? Can I ask you something?"
She looked at me with her terrified eyes, and nodded softly.
"Okay sweetie, I just want you to close your eyes, alright, can you do this for me?" I asked her, she was shocked and probably scarred for life; I wasn't going to add more onto that.
"Yes, I can." Eve said between her sobs.
"Good girl, you're a good girl." I said holding her tighter to me. "I'm going to carry you, and walk out of here, you bury your face in my shoulders baby, do not look around, keep your eyes closed until I tell you to open them, alright?"
"Okay," Eve sniffed nodding. I sighed and nodded back at her.
"Come on baby," I said getting up. Eve held on to me tight, her small arms wrapped around my neck as she buried her face in my body like I told her to, wrapping her legs around my waist. I held her close to me and started to walk slowly out of the room, Eve wasn't a baby anymore, she was seven and walking as I carried her wasn't easy, especially going down the stairs. "Almost there sweetie, you're doing great." I muttered to Eve, keeping her still, she stopped shaking but I still could hear her cries.
I went downstairs and I wanted to check on my sister, if she was still hanging on, there would be a chance to save her. Walking into the kitchen, I put Eve down, she kept her eyes shut, "Eve, keep your eyes shut, do not open them unless I tell you." I asked her and she nodded again. I walked away from her, but she grabbed my arm about to panic again. "Hey, hey, I'm just going to check something, I'm here, you can hear me, let go Eve, we are fine." I said softly pulling my hand away from hers; she calmed down and stood still. I walked into the kitchen to check on Martine, who was lying still on the floor; the pool of blood was larger than when I left her.
"Martine, hey, sister, don't freak me out." I called taking her in my arms again, resting her head on my knees as I sat next to her on the floor, I checked her pulse and it was barely there. "I got Eve she is safe. I have her." I assured my sister who opened her eyes slowly looking at me. Her body wasn't moving, and except for the fainted pulse, nothing was there.
"Eve!" Martine said through her dried lips, it was barely a whisper.
"Yes, I have her, she is alright. We are going to get you some help, keep hanging on." I told my older sister, I was sobbing, but I tried to keep my voice low so Eve wouldn't hear it.
"No, go." Martine told me, she looked at me with her tired eyes, "Tell Eve, tell h-her," she paused coughing blood, as a tear rolled down her face. "I love her, t-tel-ell her th-that." My sister asked me, she was waiting for a promise.
"I will, I will tell her that, and she will be safe, I swear I'll keep her safe." I promised my sister, she closed her eyes and opened them; she wasn't able to talk anymore. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I said leaning on my sister, feeling the life slipping out of her limp body, my only sister died in my arms and I couldn't do anything to help her but watch her slip away, helpless.
...
I wipe the tears from your eyes. I wipe your tears away. I wipe your bloodshot eyes
Sunday, bloody Sunday. Sunday, bloody Sunday
Sunday, bloody Sunday
*Songs: Apocalypse Please, by Muse. Like You, by Evanescence. Sunday, Bloody Sunday, by Paramore.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, I know its hard and very sad, personally, I cried writing it, only hope it was good. Please, as always, let me know what you think, and review. #60Reviews :))