Chapter 1: Breakout

It was a quiet fall night in New England. Daphne was laying on the couch patiently waiting for Fred to come home. He worked nights as a correctional guard at the local jail while she worked day shifts at a local state park. Since their schedules conflicted Daphne tried to stay up and spend as much time with Fred as she could before going to bed.

Daphne looked at her phone for the time 12:57

'They must've kept him late' she thought. Fred was almost always home the latest around 12:30. She tried calling him only to get his voicemail. Now she was really worried. Fred was known to respond quickly he hated leaving people on read and when it came to Daphne he really tried to respond as soon as he could. She shot him a text hoping he would respond but after a couple minutes passed without a response her thoughts went to worst case scenario.

Did he get into fight with an inmate?

No, I would've gotten a call about that.

Maybe he got into a car accident or hit a deer? His commute had spots where there was no service so that thought made the most sense to her. She decided to drive his commute. She put on her jacket and her boots, grabbed the keys off the breakfast bar and headed out the door towards her 4runner. About five minutes into her drive, she saw what looked like Fred's truck smashed into a tree.

Fuck, please don't be Fred's truck.

She parked her car next to the truck and quickly got out of the car and realized it was his truck.

"Fuck," she whispered under her breath. She ran to the driver's side to see the door wide open like Fred was in a rush to get out.

"Fred?!," she yelled into the darkness it was the dead of night and nothing but thick forest around.

"FRED," she yelled again. Suddenly, she heard an ungodly screech coming from the woods. She shined her flashlight towards the direction of the screech frozen in fear her heart pounding. She couldn't muster up the courage to yell Fred's name again let alone start searching the forest for him. Whatever that was it was not human. She cautiously started walking towards the forest regretting each step but pushing on to hopefully find Fred. When she was about to walk into the tree line two strong arms wrapped around her. One hand was on her mouth the other covering the flashlight. She relaxed in his arms when she realized who it was.

"It's me, turn the flashlight off and don't make a sound we have to get the fuck out of here, ok?" Fred's voice was barely above a whisper. She obeyed and they both walked as quietly as they could towards her car. The car was only a few yards away but seemed like it was miles to them. Once they were both in the car Fred calmly instructed her to start driving.

"Are you going to tell me what the hell happened back there your truck is destroyed, and what was that sound I heard? I'm sure you heard it too. Also are you ok?" She asked frantically.

"I'm fine and I did just keep driving, and don't head back towards the house."

"Why?"

"Because I said so." He said softly. She could tell he was panicked. When Fred was panicked or scared, he would put on an oddly calm demeanor. She grabbed his hand and he held it tightly.

"Where would you like me to go?"

"Go to your park, there shouldn't be too many people there right?"

"Other than the campers, no," She replied softly.

"Shit, then head to your sister park it has no camping right?"

"Mount Tom? Yeah, are you going to tell me what happened?"

"I will when we get there I promise. Thank you for coming to look for me."

He brought her hand up to his face and gently kissed her knuckles. The rest of the car ride was in silence Daphne desperately wanted to talk about what just happened but sensing Fred's fear she felt it was best to obey his wishes and wait until they got to their destination. When they got to the park, she punched in the gate code and drove down the mountain to the beach parking lot. She turned the car off and sighed.

"Ok, big guy what happened?"

Fred glanced around making sure he saw nothing in sight. Satisfied with what he saw he responded.

"Daph, I don't even know. I get off of work start driving and on my way home I see a person run out in the middle of the road causing me to swerve right into the tree. Thankfully, my doors are locked cause this crazy person starts clawing at my door. Daphne, he clawed until his hands bled. I tried calling the police, but of course I had no service. This went on for the longest time, this thing wouldn't stop clawing until an animal ran by. Then he starts chasing after the animal! That was around the time you showed up and thank God you did" Fred exclaimed his breath starting to shake. Daphne looked at him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Sweetheart, you're fine now. You got into a scary accident and dealt with a crazy man. You have every right to be scared. But we have to go back to your truck, call the police, and tell them what happened." Fred shook his head.

"No."

"Freddie,"

"Daphne, no what if that was caused by that virus?" Daphne let out a small chuckle. "Freddie, that virus doesn't cause people to turn into zombies. I'd put good money on that guy was high on bath salts. Remember that incident in Florida?" She explained.

"No, past couple days my co-workers had been telling me about similar incidents they experienced, but I brushed it off." He said. "You mean like zombie attacks?" Daphne questioned with obvious doubt in her voice. "Yes! Y'know Jack, he got bit by one of those crazies and has been in the hospital for days now!" Fred said panic rising in his voice. "Fred, baby, listen to yourself, zombies? Do you really think we're on a brink of a zombie apocalypse?" She laughed. "Yes," he said sternly. "We're sleeping in here tonight."

"In the 4runner? Freddie, we don't have any pillows or blankets and, hey, its fall it's gonna get cold tonight."

"I'll be your pillow and blanket." He said with a smirk.

"What am I supposed to do drape you over me?" Her witty attitude caused him to laugh. Daphne smiled she was glad she gave him some comfort. She watched as he laid the seats down in the back worrying about his mental state. He was usually calm and collective and never believed in supernatural things such as zombies. But he did have a pretty traumatic night, so if this was what made him feel better, she was going to go along with it.

"Alright, beds made." He smiled. She grimaced. "Looks cozy, babe." She climbed into the back and laid down next to Fred, he wrapped his arms around her and laid his head on her chest. She ran her fingers through his hair until he fell asleep. I guess we'll figure things out in the morning. She thought.