Age of Decay (Book 1): Contagion (4 page)

The two of them sat on the couch. Lauren rested her head on Trevor’s shoulder. The television channels were all the same now. No real programming at all, just news, grim, deadly news. Trevor flipped to CBC which showed a large riot in downtown Toronto over food deliveries to local supermarkets. The food getting through was sporadic, and people were starting to panic. Toronto had been hit hard with the flu, with over five hundred thousand now infected there. The city services were stretched to the limit. The newscasts showed fires burning in other parts of the city. He had just flipped the channel to CNN when the doorbell rang.

Trevor went to the door to answer it. “Hey, Ben, how are you?”

Ben looked worried with dark circles under his eyes like he hadn’t slept in a few days. He wore a blue collared shirt with gray slacks. His brown hairline was receding away from his temples. He wiped his mouth, his blue eyes wide. “Chelsea has got it, she’s really sick. I don’t know what to do.”

Lauren looked up from the couch, “Oh, no. Ben, I’m so sorry. Did you take her to the hospital?”

Ben rubbed the back of his neck trying to get out the kinks and tension. “No, they aren’t taking any more patients there, they are sending people away. They tell you to ride it out at home. I couldn’t even get an ambulance.”

“What are people supposed to do then?” said Trevor. “Just go home and hope for the best? These people need drugs and treatment, they need—”

Ben sighed. “It won’t matter, nothing is going to matter anymore, this is it. Something bad is going to happen, I can just feel it.”

“Oh come on, society has pulled through these problems before,” Trevor said. ”We got through the Spanish flu didn’t we?”

“It’s different, everyone is getting sick. It’s only a matter of time before we all do.”

Trevor put his arm on Ben’s shoulder. “Have a seat. You want a beer?”

“Sure, thanks.”

“Hey, can you get me one, too?” Lauren said.

“Yeah, hon, three beers coming up.” Trevor went into the kitchen returning a few moments later with the cold beverages.

On the television, the CNN reporter was interviewing a doctor about the ongoing flu crisis.

“Dr. Grange, what do we know about this H1N1-ZX flu? Is it anything like the Spanish flu of 1918? I mean, it’s incredible. What are there, about two billion worldwide with this virus now?”

“Oh it’s not anything like the Spanish flu, that much is certain. We are not sure what to make of it, actually. This is a different virus that shows no signs of slowing down.”

“What can we do to protect ourselves from this virus? Should people stay at home, go to work, what is the best thing we can hope for?”

“We are advising people that have the flu to just stay home. The hospitals are already swamped with patients, and there’s no way to treat everyone at this time. We are confident, however, that a vaccine will be coming shortly.”

“He’s lying,” said Ben. There’s no vaccine. There’s nothing anyone can do.”

Lauren was visibly upset. “Ben, you have to be more positive, they will figure it out. They are the experts, after all.”

Trevor took a pull of his beer. “Once they get the vaccine out, things will begin to wind down. These viruses burn themselves out eventually, like that Ebola thing.”

“No, it’s something different. You can feel it. There’s fear, you can sense the fear when you look at any of these experts, they have no idea.” Ben wiped the sweat beading on his forehead on his shirt sleeve.

Lauren lifted her head as she heard a loud crack, crack. “Was that gunshots?”

Trevor took a swallow of beer. “Yeah, pistol shots, I think. Sounds like it was close by, maybe down the street some. We should call the police. Stay here, I’ll—”

THIS IS CNN BREAKING NEWS

The CNN interview was interrupted by the familiar breaking news logo. The broadcast switched to New York City at the Metropolitan Hospital Center. The hospital was surrounded by police cars and overhead, a helicopter buzzed. The CNN reporter began to speak.

“Something has happened at the Metropolitan Hospital Center. We are getting reports that patients inside the hospital have attacked the staff, as well as others. We are told that the inside is one of total carnage. Police are responding to the area now, but have not entered the building yet. We have someone on the line from inside the hospital. Sir, can you hear me? What are you seeing inside the hospital?”

“It’s madness inside here, good God, you have to do something quick! Patients are going crazy, they are biting and eating other people! They just go up from their beds, then attacked nurses, doctors, the other patients, there’s so much blood. Oh, fucking Christ, it’s insane, get us the hell out of here! We are trapped, there are so many of them. What is happening?”

“Sir, stay calm, the authorities are coming. You said the patients are attacking and eating others?”

“Yes! I saw them drag a nurse to the ground and tear out her throat. I thought she was dead, but shortly after that she got up and attacked someone else. How the hell could someone live through that?”

“What else did you see? Are you safe where you are?”

“No one is safe in here, people are dying damn it! Get the army here, quick before we all die! I have to get out of here, there’s so many of them now! Tell my wife I lov—”

“Sir, are you there? We lost the connection, we will try to get it back. We are getting reports of similar attacks now in Denver, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and other locations across the country, as well as the rest of the world. We are breaking live to Trafalgar Square in London.”

Trevor turned to Lauren. “Oh my God, what is going on? People being attacked by others and eaten?”

“Christ, look at Trafalgar!” screamed Ben.

The helicopter shone its light down on the people in the square. The scene was one of complete chaos, people were running everywhere. A man had a woman on the ground and was tearing her guts out with his teeth. His eyes were white, vacant, and lifeless. Pools of blood filled the city streets. Others seemed to be walking slowly, in a daze-like trance, but attacking people randomly. Large groups of them converged on a man and tore pieces of flesh off of his body, sending blood squirting in all directions. The camera panned down to a woman gnawing on a forearm like a rabid dog. Troops arrived in military vehicles and took up positions, firing their L85 rifles into the crowd of people attacking others. One soldier was overwhelmed, and they descended upon him tearing out chunks of his flesh. The royal marines backed up, firing their rifles relentlessly, but there were so many of them. The things that were once human were attacking, then eating the living in a horrific display of complete chaos.

People ran past the soldiers, trying to escape as their attackers lumbered towards them. Those that were wounded staggered along in a daze or were overwhelmed and torn to pieces. The helicopter moved around other parts of London. Smoke billowed from a building as a car rammed through a store window and erupted into flames. Groups walked slowly down the street in an almost trance-like state. Many of them were covered in blood or had torn clothing, some had missing limbs, or chunks taken out of them, adding to the grisly scenes unfolding in London. They quickly overwhelmed anyone they saw and descended upon them like a pack of hungry dogs. As the helicopter continued filming, an explosion in the distance sent geysers of black smoke into the sky. A voice came through the television.

“What we are witnessing now around the world is indescribable. Reports say that millions of patients with the flu worldwide have died and are coming back to life. They are attacking the living, then consuming their flesh. Lock your doors, don’t go outside. If someone you know is sick, call the authorities immediately. Governments around the world are calling up their militaries to deal with this emerging worldwide crisis.”

“Good God,” said Lauren. “This can’t be real!”

Ben stood up. “I got to go home and see if my wife is alright!” He ran towards the door.

Trevor got up. “No, Ben, it’s dangerous don’t go, call the police.”

“I have to go to my wife, she needs me. Get out of the city, before we all die.” Ben opened the door and ran across the street.

Jason came down the stairs, his smartphone in his hand. “Dad, you have to check this out. On YouTube there’s all these videos popping up of people attacking others, then eating them! The videos are horrific, I’ve never seen anything like this before. Is this on the news?”

Trevor looked up from the couch. “Yeah, it’s all over the news, it’s going on worldwide. We just watched something similar happening in London and New York, too. People with the flu, are dying in droves then coming back to life. I know that sounds crazy, but this is happening. They are crazed, attacking anyone in sight.”

“That’s insane,” said Jason. “Like a zombie from the movies?”

Trevor ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t know, I just don’t know, it’s so incredible! I don’t know what to believe, all I know is things are unraveling. Go outside and dump out the gear from the hockey bags. Get as much of our camping equipment as you can. I’m going to empty out the gun case upstairs. Son, don’t go outside, do you hear me?”

“Yeah, Dad, I’ll get the gear right away.”

Lauren turned to Trevor. “I don’t want to leave our home.”

“We have to get away from the city, hon, it’s not going to be safe here. If these flu patients are all turning like they say on TV, then we have to get the hell out of here. Get our backpacks and put some clothing in them.”

“I think we should stay here, maybe the authorit—”

“Lauren, just do as I say, this is going to get bad, do you understand me? Look at what we saw, it’s going to happen here.” Trevor jumped as he heard the sounds of gunfire again and police sirens down the street somewhere. “See, it’s just beginning, now go get the clothes and fill some boxes up with food, cans, whatever we have, anything that will keep.”

They both raced up the stairs. Near the top of the stairs, Lauren started crying, she held unto the post. Trevor put his arm around her. “Honey, you got to keep it together, I need you now. I’m scared, too, we all are. We will get through this, just get the clothes.”

Lauren wiped the tears from her eyes on her sleeve. “Okay.”

Trevor moved into the spare room where he kept the gun cabinet. He grabbed one of the gun bags on the floor and began to put in his gear. Trevor and Jason liked to shoot. It was their break away from the daily grind. Just last year, they had even bagged a moose; there was still some of it in the freezer downstairs. Trevor grabbed his Glock, a Remington shotgun, two AR-15 rifles, and a blot action rifle he had in the case, as well as all the ammunition. He loaded the Glock and put on the holster. To his belt, he attached his hunting knife.

He ran downstairs and went into the garage from the kitchen entrance. “Get those clothes into the caravan, then pack some food,” said Trevor.

“I got most of the camping gear in the caravan already,” said Jason.

“Good. Take the rifles and load all of them. There are some empty plastic jugs near my work bench, fill them with water, then get some clothes and get ready to go. I’m going to check on your mother.”

Trevor went through the garage door that led into the kitchen as Lauren rushed down the stairs with the bags. She came into the kitchen and took the clothes to the caravan before returning.

“Jason is getting some clothes, and then we are getting out of here. I don’t know if we are ever coming back, to tell you the truth.”

“We will be together,” said Lauren. “That’s the import—”

Both of them jumped as they heard the chilling scream. Lauren dropped a can onto the floor as Trevor turned to her. “That came from Ben’s house.”

Samantha stretched out on her bed after waking up from her nap. There wasn’t much to do with the schools closed now and people staying home because of the flu. Samantha worried about her mother, and she had made her tea while her mom laid on the sofa while watching the news.
How can so many get sick all at once?
Before she went to sleep, she texted with her friend, Susan. She tried to comfort Susan since her father had recently died, a victim of this horrendous flu. Susan had even more bad news—her mother had come down with it, too, just like Samantha’s mother this morning. So many people she knew were now sick: her mother, friends from school, her neighbors. She wanted it to end, to go back to the way it was. Life was fun, she went out a lot and she was beginning to think that she might have a thing going with Jason Blake.
He’s so cute, that shaggy hair. He’s getting some muscles, too
. Although the two of them had only dated a couple of times, his friendship seemed like more to her
. I’ll go out with him again, if he wants to.
I should text him, see how he’s doing,
but first I need a snack. Maybe I can make something for Mom, too
.

She flipped on her smartphone and checked her text messages. Her phone was literally flooded with them.
Gee, I’m a popular girl today. Any texts from hot guys in here?
She read one from Clair, her friend from English class.

Omg, chek out the TV. Tons of people dyin. The flu, goin crazy!

Samantha read another one her heart began to beat fast. It was from Craig.

Grl, holy shit! They are killing each other in L.A.!

There was one from Shauna, too. Samantha’s arm started to shake, and she broke out in a cold sweat.

Neighbor just went crazy. He just chewed on another guy’s arm. His brother hit him over the head with a shovel! Peeps with the flu are losing it!

She almost dropped her phone as she read all the texts in her inbox. She could think of only one person right now.
Mom!
Samantha raced downstairs, but her mother wasn’t on the couch. Samantha stopped to look at the
Breaking News
scrolling across the screen.

“Stay inside, random acts of severe violence occurring everywhere. Do not confront anyone with the flu, call the authorities, National Guard being deployed on city streets across the U.S.A.”

“Portions of Los Angeles now on fire. Groups of infected moving down Los Angeles freeway, thousands reported killed, although exact number not known. Communications around the world beginning to fail in several areas.”

“Situation is escalating rapidly in many cities. Portions of New York now inaccessible due to infected.”

“National Emergency called by Canadian, U.S, French, British, and most other Governments around the world.”

“U.S. government unable to comment on crisis.”

“Airliner crashes into heart of Toronto.”

She stood, staring at the television screen, not understanding what she was reading, her mind raced. Samantha looked around the living room, it was so silent. Her mother’s cup rested on the coffee table still half full of tea. “Mom?”
Maybe she went to bed
. Samantha went around the couch and headed to the kitchen. “Dad? Is anyone home around here?”
Fuck, I’m getting scared
. She moved closer to the kitchen, thinking she could hear noises.

“Mom?”

Samantha entered the kitchen, and there she was kneeling by the kitchen sink. Her father’s body lay against the cupboards, his head back with his eyes wide open in a cold, dead stare. Blood stained the counter, cupboards, floor, it was everywhere. It pooled halfway across the white tiles of the kitchen. Her mom was in the process of chewing a giant hole in her dad’s stomach, pulling out his guts. The thing that used to be her sweet mother turned when she stepped into the kitchen and looked straight at Samantha with white, empty eyes. Her mother hissed with a mouth full of bright red teeth as she chewed on her father’s entrails.

Samantha stood there frozen in shock. The front of her mother’s robe was drenched in her father’s blood.
No, it’s not possible. Mom!
Samantha backed up and held onto the wall by the door. She shrieked at the top of her lungs, then turned around, running to the stairs. She glanced back and saw her mother behind her—slowly walking, her mouth still open, showing off those awful red teeth. Samantha glanced at her mother’s slippers, now soaked in blood that left bloody footprints on the kitchen floor, and screamed again as her mind became unglued. She bolted up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door behind her. Samantha collapsed near her bed and sobbed, tears flowing down her cheeks. She sat there, waiting in the silence, when she heard the thump at the door.
The
thump, thump, thump
. Samantha reached for her smartphone. Her heart raced in her chest but she managed to text Jason. She clutched her hands to her head and sobbed uncontrollably.
Make it go away, please make that awful thumping go away!