Chapter Twelve: The Hunt Is On
Tessa pulled herself over the top of the cliff edge and breathed a sigh of relief. She
hated heights, at least, she did now. John threw himself up behind her and looked
round. No sign of their prey.
"Where should we start? Can't see or smell it anywhere."
They looked at each other hopelessly. Where to start? Just as John looked for a trail or
any tracks to follow there was a screeching sound, like a car braking suddenly. They
glanced at each other urgently before sprinting to the source of the sound.
The stopped for a moment at the top of the hill to see a small road below, and a
seemingly empty car stopped in the middle of it. They both made their way down
cautiously, Tessa uncomfortable aware she only had her pistol. All the car's doors
where swung wide open and smoke was rising from the engine. It was an old, battered
car that looked like it belonged in a museum rather than the roadside. There was blood
and bits of brain matter splattered over the windscreen and front chairs. John looked
back at her after checking all round the vehicle. Nothing. Whatever had made this
mess had gone somewhere else to make another.
"John. If that thing infects more people, the entire planet's population is going to be
screwed."
"You think I don't know that!"
She stared at him coldly, there might be all hell breaking loose because of us but
there's no need to bite my fucking head off, that demon motherfucker can do that for
me! He sighed, leaning against the car, the wariness and exhaustion finally showing in
his face. He looked like he was going to collapse any minute and fall asleep. Tessa
walked over to him and laid a hand on his shoulder. They both stayed quiet for a
moment, the breeze rustling the long grass along the roadside and beyond. Just at that
moment it didn't feel like the end of the human race, it felt like they should be sitting
on the beach with a picnic and watching the sunrise. Maybe, one day…
"John. We can't give up. It's not over until it's over."
His eyes rose to meet hers. It's gonna be over pretty damn soon the way things are
going. She slapped him round the face and put her hands on her hips, irritated. I'm not
gonna let you give in if I can't.
"Pull yourself together, marine!"
He looked at her, smirking. Damn, I need a CO like her more often. He stood himself
straight and nodded sharply at her.
"Let's move out!"
They started to run after the drag marks of blood until they came across a body torn to
shreds, literally.
"Well, at least we don't have two on our hands."
Eventually they stopped on a man hole with its cover pulled off in the middle of the
road. John jumped down first, scanning all round before shouting up for Tessa to come
down. It smelt of salt water and sewage but thankfully the flow of waste was only a
tiny trickle on the bottom curve of the round tunnel. Tessa and John couldn't help but
grimace at the stench. They branched off, Tessa taking the tunnel turning off to the
left, and John going straight.
I'm gonna die down here. All her fears came rushing at her when she could no longer
hear John's slippery boot steps echoing to her from behind. He could be dead or dying
somewhere in this fucking shit pipe and I'm gonna join him. The tunnel seemed to
grow darker with every step she took. She froze on the spot when something shifted
from around the corner ahead. A shadow moved out of sight and some ripples
disturbed the trickle of dirty water. She lifted her feet out of the water carefully and
placed them on the driest part available before she continued edging forward. As she
got closer she started to silence her breathing, making as little sound as physically
possible. Once she reached the corner she stopped, readying herself for an assault,
focusing on the gun in her hand that felt futilely feeble compared to the sheer killing
force that was waiting for her around the corner. Go down fighting, if you going to hell
your sure as fuck taking the son of a bitch with you. She threw herself around the
corner and was stopped dead. The sound of dry bone scrapping along something sharp
but wet pierced her ears.