Luke handled the dinner preparation. Opened chili cans were placed on top of a battery powered hot plate, two bottles of water were set out to thaw, and two packages of crackers were laid to the side. This was their routine.
“Damn. I forgot spoons.” Luke groaned, glancing up at Austin.
“Hurry if you’re gonna go.” Austin motioned to the door with a slight jerk of his head.
Luke hesitated. Austin dimmed the lantern. The dark oozed out of the corners like an oil spill. Luke’s face was barely visible, but Austin didn’t need to see to know the boy was scared.
“There’s time.” He said, taking the edge out of his voice. “Go on. I’ll leave the door open.” He handed him a pair of night vision goggles.
Luke opened the door, put on the goggles and slipped out. He cocked his head and listened. The only sound was his breathing. He moved out into the main store and waited for a few minutes. His eyes moved back and forth, scanning the store’s aisles for zombies or worse.
Luke stepped into the aisle, stopping suddenly when a shadow shifted from behind a display case. He froze mid step, and suspended breathing. For a long minute he stared at the spot, not thinking, but waiting for validation. He slowly released the air held hostage in his lungs. Maybe it was nothing after all. He shrugged it off as jitters, but then the shadow stepped out into his plain green panoramic view and he knew jitters weren’t to blame.
Paralyzed by uncertainty, Luke watched the figure move towards him. He took a step backward, preparing to take flight. The figure stopped and looked in his direction. Even in the green light he could see it was a woman. A woman, he breathed, sighing in relief, and then watched her walk smack into a floor display. Cans of green beans crashed to the ground, rolling in every direction.
“Shit.” He heard her mutter before her flashlight clicked on and off.
Unsure what to do next, Luke spun around only to collide into Austin, who grabbed him, placing his hand over his mouth. “You can’t outrun them.” He whispered as he held onto Luke.
“It’s not them. It’s a woman.” Luke mumbled through Austin’s fingers.
A beacon of light flashed in their direction. “Who’s there?” The woman whispered as loud as she dared. She turned her flashlight back on, but dimmed the beam with her hand.
Austin pushed Luke out of the way and drew his weapon. To his surprise, the woman pulled out her own weapon. They stood like old time gunslingers after the clock struck high noon.
“Captain Austin Reynolds. U.S. Marines. Who are you?” Austin took a step closer.
“Lieutenant Madison Capra. Tampa Bay P.D.” She held her weapon high, taking a step back.
Despite being the first human they’d seen since the Drop, Austin wasn’t in a generous mood and didn’t plan on doling out trust. “Are you alone?”
Madison didn’t answer.
“Are you alone?” Austin repeated more forcefully. The fact she was a woman didn’t carry any weight in his disposition towards her. Ruthlessness, he’d found, was gender neutral.
“I don’t want any trouble, just looking for a place to stay for the night.”
“Find another.”
Surprised by Austin’s gruff tone, Luke grabbed his arm. “She can stay with us.”
Austin ignored him. The last thing he wanted was another body to look after.
“She’s a cop. She probably shoots pretty good.”
Austin sniffed. “Bullets only work on humans and there ain’t a whole lot of them around.”
“That’s why she should stay.” Luke argued and pushed passed Austin to walk over to her, his hands held high. “Don’t shoot ma’am. I’m not armed?” Madison didn’t lower her weapon. “Lucas Taylor.” He announced, extending his hand.
Madison backed up a couple of steps. She held her flashlight on Luke and her gun on Austin. “That’s close enough.”
Ok. Ok. But you ain't gotta worry. We aren't gonna hurt ya.” Luke said.
“So said big bad wolf to little red rider.” She mused.
Luke smiled at her and lowered his hands. Austin, who had moved closer, maintained his defensive position.
“Seriously? You two gonna point guns all night?” Luke asked, but neither answered nor gave way. Luke turned to Madison. “Where ya headed ma’am?”
“Colorado.”
“So are we. You can travel with us if you want.”
Madison glanced at Austin. “I don’t think the other half of ‘us’ likes that idea.”
Austin finally lowered his weapon. “I ain’t holdin’ no hands.”
Madison also lowered her gun. “Made it this far without anyone holdin’ my hand.”
“Well then I guess miracles are still…” A loud thud on the roof cut off his snide remark.
Madison clicked off her flashlight. They waited in the dark. Another thud echoed overhead as a heavy object landed on the roof directly above their heads. Bits and chunks of debris rained down around them.
Madison cringed. “Shit. I can’t get used to that sound.”
Austin holstered his gun. “We better get inside the freezer.” He walked backed to the storage room door, pausing. “Come now or don’t. Makes no difference to me.” He disappeared through the door leaving Luke to convince Madison it was in her best interest to do as Austin suggested.
“Did he say freezer?”
“Yeah. They’re insulated in aluminum or some kind of metal. Whatever it is, those things can’t see through.”
“How do ya know that?”
“Captain told me.”
“How does he know?”
“I don’t know how. He just knows shit…stuff.” Luke shrugged. “Best to do as he says.”
2 AUSTIN
Six Months Earlier
Daytona, Florida
6:37 am
With the covers pulled up to his chin, Austin lay staring at the ceiling, his gaze transfixed on something other than the spinning fan blades, on something not of this world.
A smartphone blared to life on the nightstand next to the bed and a heavy metal band belted out a tune loud enough to annoy a rooster. Austin’s focus returned to his current surroundings and he snatched the phone off the stand. The band noise was muffled and then silenced under the covers. He set the phone back on the nightstand, and went back to staring at the ceiling. The crease above his brow gave the only indication what he saw might not be pleasant in nature.
A peaceful stillness settled over the room. The moment right before the first bird chirped and another followed, somehow sending out the signal that dawn has indeed arrived and sunrise was not far behind. The smartphone came alive again, and rap lyrics took over the airwaves. Austin threw back the covers, but for only a second before snatching them back to his chin.
“Damn it’s cold in here.” He commented.
The lump next to him moved. “Hm? What you say?” A woman’s muffled voice responded from under the blankets.
“I said it’s freezing in here. Aren’t you cold?” He laid his hand on the lump that was his wife, Roxanne.
Hazel eyes and a pixie nose peaked out at Austin. “Turn up the heat.” She mumbled through the covers.
“Dummy. Why didn’t I think of that?” He patted her in the hip area and jumped out of the bed.
Austin trotted across the room to the thermostat. Woven cotton briefs were no match for the chill that morning. Shifting from one foot to the other to stay warm, he fiddled with the thermostat settings and then dashed back to the bed.
“How cold is it?” Roxanne asked, more alert now.
“Sixty two.” He snuggled closer to her.
“In the house. How cold in the house?” She pushed wisps of blonde hair away from her eyes.
“That’s in the house. It’s only forty outside.”
Roxanne pulled the covers down to her chin. “Are we still in Daytona? Or did you move me while I was sleeping?”
“Funny girl.” He tousled her hair.
“Thought the weather man promised a balmy week?”
“Meteorologists can’t predict shit. It’s the only profession you can always be wrong, never get fired, and millions of people still hang on your every word.”
“Don’t be jealous dear. They don’t get to play with all the cool military toys like you do.” She reached out, rubbed the five o’clock shadow that covered his head.
Austin smirked, nodding in agreement. She was right. As a member of an elite group of Marines he was afforded every opportunity to try out all the top secret toys the military wasn’t creating. And he absolutely loved it. Loved everything about his job. In fact the only thing he loved as much, and sometimes more, was Roxanne. Something she was well aware of before she married him and, for the most part, didn’t allow his love affair with his job to bother her. Another reason he was madly in love with her.
“What time are you leaving?” Her voice held the slightest quiver that she concealed with a smile.
“I don’t have to go Roxi.” He replied softly. “I already spoke to Larson, he’s cool about it. He understands.”
“Shut up already. You’d go nuts stayin’ with me. Besides, you’ll be back in time. I know it.” She moved into his arms, not wanting to see the relief in his eyes.
“I am, by far, the luckiest man alive.” He replied, thanking her with a kiss.
After a long moment of procrastination, Austin reluctantly exited the bed and disappeared into the bathroom. He cranked the shower temp all the way in the red. While waiting on the water to heat up, he flexed in front of the mirror, admiring his chiseled body, admiring the scar running down his side. If someone were watching they’d think him vain. And they’d be wrong.
The truth behind his admiration was simple. His body was not mere flesh and bone, but a valuable asset, a military machine, and thus something to be respected. Right up there with all those cool toys Roxanne reminded him about. Steam clouded the mirror and Austin’s image. He undressed and disappeared into the shower. Soon an out of tune version of
Roxanne
by The Police mingled with gurgling water.
A couple of versus in Roxanne opened the bathroom door. Steam poured out like thick fog. She waved it away from her face. Her other hand held a phone that rested on her very pregnant stomach. Her brow was furrowed and an expression of concern clouded her face.
“Austin.”
He continued singing.
“Austin!” She flicked the lights off and on.
The singing cut off mid note. Austin’s head popped out. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s Mitch.” She waved the phone at him. “Says it’s urgent.”
Austin frowned. “Tell him I’ll call him back.”
“Maybe you should take it. He sounds kinda nervous or scared.” Roxanne tried to feel calm, but something in Mitch’s tone had her feeling nervous and scared.
“Mitch don’t do nervous, nor scared.” Austin remarked, but Roxanne wasn’t convinced. “All right. All right. I’m coming.” He grabbed a towel, wrapped it around his waist before taking the phone from his wife. His demeanor belied the uptick in his heart rate, the adrenaline that was starting to work its way through his veins.
“Mitch. Dude what’s so…”
“You gotta get yer ass outta there right now! We got something like you ain’t never seen man!” Mitch shouted through the phone, sounding out of breath.
“Slow down man. What’s goin’ on?”
The sound of rapid gun fire blasted through the phone’s speaker. “Shit! You can’t kill em!” Mitch’s voice yelled through the phone.
“Can’t kill what? Mitch what is it?” Austin’s casual stance shifted to a more rigid posture. “Mitch.”
Mitch didn’t answer. Yelling and rapid gun fire could be heard. “Mitch! Mitch! Damn it man answer me!”
“They’re fucking everywhere.” Mitch yelled loud enough that Roxanne heard him.
“What is? What the hell’s happenin’ down there?” Austin gripped the phone tighter.
“Get the fuck out Austin. Get out of the city!” He yelled. “Shit! Die you mother fuckers!” More gun fire was heard, a gurgling choking sound and then silence.
“Mitch? Mitch!”
Austin stood statuesque with the phone to his ear waiting for his friend to answer. He didn’t notice when his towel slipped to the floor. Nor did he pay attention to his wife, who through great efforts squatted down, picked it up and wrapped it back around him. He was intent on what was happening on the other end of the phone.
“Honey what is it?” She touched his arm.
He looked down at her, turned the phone speaker outward. Roxanne’s eyes widened when she heard the garbled noises emitted from the phone, noises that weren’t human. Austin snapped out of his daze, the adrenaline taking over. He dialed one number after another, but no one answered. He handed the phone to Roxanne, and strode with purpose back into the bedroom.
“Austin?” She reached after him, but he was walking too fast.
Austin disappeared into the closet, returning with a set of fatigues in his hand. He tossed these on the bed, disappeared back into the closet. A pair of boots flew out. Roxanne stepped out of the way in time to avoid a collision. Out of habit, her hands went to her stomach. She watched the closet doorway, listening as Austin rummaged through drawers and boxes.
He emerged carrying his ka-bar, standard issue combat knife. This was thrown on the bed next to his fatigues; the blade gleamed wicked in the light. He glanced at Roxanne and began dressing without saying a word.
“Austin you’re scaring me.”
He didn’t look at her. “I want you to pack some things. Enough for five or six days.” He sat on the edge of the bed, pulled on his boots. “Call Vicky. Tell her to come get you. I want you to stay with her until I call you.”
“Your cousin Vicky? But why?” She waddled over to him. “Austin what is it?”
He finished tying his boots, stood up. He took her hand, his expression softened. “If Mitch says to get out of town he has good reason. Whatever’s goin on, I don’t want you two anywhere near it.” He patted her stomach.
“I only have three weeks left.” She didn’t want to sound clingy, but those noises, they were still in her head and ‘not human’ kept running through her mind.
“I’m just goin’ down there to check it out.” He kissed her. “I’ll be back tonight. Tomorrow at the latest. I promise.”
Roxanne paused. She didn’t want to ask, but had to. “Did you see her again?”
Austin stared at her for a long second, his expression unreadable, and then shook his head. “Call Vicky right now. Ok?”