Post by radius on May 14, 2008 13:43:11 GMT -5
Howdy ya'll. I've been writing this fanfic, having been inspired by Cillian and always wanting to do a zombie story. ;D I gotta warn you, I like to write a lot. I'm also trying *desperately* hard to keep this fanfic in the PG-13 category. However, I may just provide links to the other chapters since language can get heavy and there are a few adult situations. It's nothing hardcore, but hey, this is a zombie fanfic. I like to keep things reasonably realistic than sappy and kiddie friendly.
Jim's in da house, though, this story is told from the perspective of another character. I think it's great because you appreciate Jim's appearances more. Plus, you're limited from the character's scope. My philosophy in writing is to never downright tell the reader what it is you're looking at. You gotta let the reader read between the lines to figure it out. For example, if you saw the 28DL sequel, you might know what's up with Jim's character in this fanfic. I think it brings a new ordeal for him.
Okay, time to shut up. Here's the prologue. I'm thinking of posting these chapters in a geocities website or livejournal to reduce space here. Until then, enjoy. ;D
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"28 Nights"
Prologue: Classical Music
Our boat bobs us back and forth. It’s a private model, one with a fancy upper deck and glass-enclosed hub. The lower level is filled with spacious rooms. I’m pretty sure the boat used to belong to some rich guy with money to spend. Now it’s ours. The engine continuously hums a monotone melody. We’re surrounded only by ocean and black sky. The air is cold and the night’s pale moon is bright. The sky is completely cloudless with only a few stars here and there. Here, in an open field of water with no sign of human civilization, the empty scenery almost frightens me.
After traveling for several days, I gave up asking where we were going. The adults riding alongside me keep quiet about things like that. I pray that we are seeking refuge in the States but I’m not sure anymore. Because most of Europe has been declared a hot zone, NATO troops have been ordered to shoot down any vessels leaving the premises. We’ve had to take several detours to avoid the scouts. I can only guess where we go from here.
God, I hope I can see mom and sis again…
There used to be twenty-one of us but we lost a lot of people along the way to finding a boat. Now there’re only eleven of us. Sitting on the floor deck and eating chocolate bars, there’s Minnie and her father, Harold. Minnie has bright red hair and hazel eyes. She looks young, probably in her early twenties. I think she used to be a waitress. She reminds me of my sister. Her father, on the other hand, is just a few hair strands away from becoming entirely bald. He’s a tall and lean fellow who sweats a lot and has bad breath. They were the first two people I met that weren’t infected.
Not far from them is Granny Patty, the oldest person in the boat. Her hair is as wild and white as Albert Einstein’s. Her face is also a mess. Make-up is smeared all over it, her mascara running down her cheeks. She mutters a lot of weird stuff. People think she’s crazy because of the way she looks and talks but I think she’s just as sad and angry as the rest of us. We tend to leave her alone. Once in awhile I’ll check up on her, just to make sure she’s all right.
There’s also Mr. Corey, Mrs. Corey, and Richard. Mr. Corey is a tall and muscular man while his Mrs. Corey is an attractive woman with a soft face and chestnut-brown eyes. Richard is a tad shorter than Mr. Corey but also is well-built. Mr. Corey and Mrs. Corey were in the middle of a divorce before the infection reached their area. I heard it had something to do with Richard, the man Mrs. Corey was having an affair with. Or so they say. In any account, I rarely talk to them. They don’t look like nice people. They’re always glaring at each other and everyone else in the boat.
Also on the first deck is Stan, a convict that escaped prison before the catastrophe happened. He’s a wanted man with a bad rap sheet, which consists of armed robbery and rape. He’s a very scary-looking man who always spits and curses at anyone he doesn’t like, which is basically everyone. He once told me to ‘f*ck off, f*cker-face’ when I told him ‘good morning’.
Steering our privately-owned boat is Professor Lawton. He stands inside the ship’s small hub, moving the wheel back and forth. The Professor is a sophisticated black man who teaches Biology at Texas A&M University, back at the States. He came to England for his vacation. I bet he wished he stayed home. In any account, he’s pretty strict but approachable too. Every day he assigns me a new homework assignment, whether it’s a math equation or reading a chapter from one of his books. ‘The world may be going to hell, but I still expect you to turn in your homework, young man,’ he always tells me. I think it has something to do with keeping things as normal for me as possible. He’s a decent man.
The five remaining people in the boat are in a different class altogether. They consider themselves hunters of the Infected, at least, some of them do. The rest just want to help folks like me.
Charles runs the group. Still wearing his military uniform and crew-cut hairdo, he used to be a part of the NATO forces sent to control the situation. He lost his squad when the Infected overwhelmed them. He’s pretty tough and makes all the decisions here. In a way, he’s our leader.
Nigel, Norma, and Wagner are also ex-soldiers, all from different squadrons. Nigel is good with technological issues while Norma provides heavy gun power. Wagner is the doctor. He used to be a Lieutenant for the Navy. That would put him above Charles, in terms of rank. Though, in our current situation, rank doesn’t amount to much. Even if it did, Wager doesn’t have the charisma and clever words Charles possesses to lead our small posse. He’s mostly the back-up man in case Charles dies.
The final man in Charles’ group isn’t affiliated with anyone in the military. In fact, he’s a civilian like the rest of us. He was there at ground zero of the infection. From what I hear, he was really lucky. He had been asleep during the city’s evacuation and woke up alone and naked in a hospital. He encountered other survivors and they made their way to a mansion guarded by soldiers. Something bad must have happened because now he’s here with us.
Jim’s at the far back of the boat, viewing the ocean. He’s completely isolated from the rest of us. No one can get near Jim. For whatever reason, I was told to never make contact with him. Wearing dark cloths and heavy boots, he’s got every part of his lean body concealed. I’ve never seen his face because he’s always covering it with a mask. I can only see his eyes.
His eyes… they look funny. One eye is crystal blue while the other eye is bloodshot red. I don’t like looking at it. Something about it feels very unsettlingly.
There were rumors that Jim was an Infected but I don’t see how. He doesn’t act like the Infected. He talks and behaves like a normal man would. Maybe I heard them wrong. Still, I see Dr. Wagner always with him, taking his blood all the time. Charles is never too far away from Jim either.
Today, those two soldiers must be busy at the lower deck of the boat because Jim is left up here by himself. His back facing me, he resumes watching the ocean and night sky in silence. I’m sure he feels very lonely right now. I wonder what happened to his friends before he joined up with Charles’ group. Part of me wants to make friendly conversation with him. After all, in the weeks we’ve all been together, the two of us have never been properly introduced before. My dad always told me to be polite and give me name.
I take my few steps toward his direction, my mind running with all types of scenarios concerning Jim’s face. What does he look like? Is he completely disfigured, with flesh mangled together in one lump? Is he as hideous-looking as Stan is, with a heavy jaw and crooked nose?
I’m only a few feet away and my mouth opens to speak, until someone grabs my arm. I turn.
“What’s the matter with you, Daniel?” Minnie whispers harshly at me. Her eyes are wild and alert. She looks between me and Jim’s back. “You know you’re not supposed to get near him.”
“But… why?”
“Don’t ask questions, Danny,” she replies, her voice a little calm now. She starts pulling me toward the front of the boat to join the others. “Believe me, it’s for your own safety. Now go draw or something. Just leave Jim alone.”
A few words of protest slip from my mouth until I finally give up. Minnie continues dragging me to the front of the boat. For a thin and short woman like her, she sure is strong. I give a quick glance back at the lonesome man we’re moving away from.
For a brief moment, Jim’s eyes make contact with mines, one blue and one red.
Minnie finally plants me near Granny Patty and I slouch a bit, angry at how Minnie thinks I’m too young to understand anything. I hold my tongue, however, and sit between Granny Patty and Ellen.
Technically speaking, there are twelve of us, but hardly anyone considers Ellen, the puppy dad gave me for my last birthday, to be a survivor. She's been with me since day one, though, and has helped me out of many sticky situations. Right now, she whimpers in her sleep, having a nightmare. I'm almost fascinated by the idea that dogs can have nightmares too. For a moment, I try to imagine what terrifying images she sees, but quickly dismiss the thought, fearful it'd fuel my own nightmares.
Minnie leaves to sit with her father. I look around and notice everyone with an intense look on their faces. They hold tightly onto their pocket knives, guns, baseball bats, and anything else they could arm themselves with. Charles emerges from the bottom deck and approaches Professor Lawton at the steering wheel. A few quiet words are exchanged between the Professor and soldier. I try to hear what they’re saying but Granny Patty, sitting next to me, rambles on and on again about Mickey Mouse being an Infected. Charles leaves the Professor after a short while and joins Jim at the back of the boat. The two men head for the bottom deck.
Something’s up but I don’t know what it could be. I wish people could let me in on the happenings here. I know they keep me in the dark because of my age and I absolutely despise them all for it. I’ve seen a lot by now, too much for any thirteen-year-old boy to see. Damn it. I’m not dumb. In fact, I’m a pretty smart guy. I used to get straight A’s all the time and tutored after school.
Curious and slightly frustrated, I get up and approach Professor Lawton. Perhaps he can tell me what’s going on. The thirty-year-old instructor continues steering the wheel until he notices me.
“Good evening, Daniel,” he says.
“Good evening to you too, Prof.”
“Have you come to turn in yesterday’s assignment?”
I frown and chew on my lower lip. “Um. Nope.”
“Get to it then. You don’t want a zero for today, do you?”
“No, of course not.” I find myself chuckling a bit. “But, really, what’s the point? It’s not like I won’t go to college if I get a zero from you. Heck, there might not be a college to go to, period, if things continue like this. Right?”
The Professor’s eyes narrow. “Thinking of a future is just as essential as surviving. If thinking about the future isn’t in your head, then you’ve got nothing else to cling to except misery or death.” His face finally softens. “Daniel, you’re a bright, young man. You’ll do a lot with your life. Please don’t think that this… hell is the only thing left for us.”
My sense of humor evaporates and I take in the Professor’s words. I nod in understanding.
“By the way,” I start very slowly, “Can you tell me where we’re going?”
The Professor stares ahead. “We’re trying to reach Canada. It’s the closes safe spot we can reach from where we’re currently at. It’s also got… little opposition against us.”
I understood what he was implying and switch the subject. “So we’re heading for Canada. That’s great, Professor. I can reach the States easier this way.”
“You have family there?”
“Yeah. My sister and mom, actually.”
“Why aren’t you with them?”
“My mom and dad got a divorce when I was nine. I decided to stay with my dad in England while my older sis went with mom. She’s currently in Rhode Island, attending an art school there. My mom’s in San Antonio, Texas. She’s a researcher. I think she’s actually looking into this Rage virus.”
“Oh?” Professor Lawton looks at me, interested on that last little tidbit. “San Antonio has one of the best research facilities in the world, not to mention, a strong military presence. I think I know which team your mother is on. In fact, before my vacation, I got an email from one of my colleagues, asking me to join that team.”
“Really?” I grin. “It’s a small world after all. Can I ask… why didn’t you join the team?”
He sighs and rubs his eyes with an index finger and thumb. “I was tired. I just completed an extensive research at A&M University concerning nanotechnology and its possible applications toward cell division. On top of that, I had been grading over five hundred Final Exam papers and was expecting my first child.” He chuckles to himself and stares at an empty spot between his feet. In a low voice he adds, “I never had so many people fail my class before.”
It was interesting to hear he just had a baby. I realized he kept his face downward after sharing that information to me, though.
“Where’s your family now?”
“My family went on vacation with me,” was all he said, keeping his face low.
I took the hint and wanted to leave it at that. However, an unsettling thought crept into my mind. I thought about my own family.
“Professor… you don’t think the virus spread beyond Europe, right? It’s been several weeks since we’ve last heard anything from Asia or the States or anywhere else, for that matter. My mom and sis… They’re… they’re okay, right?”
He looks up at me. His eyes are a bit glassy but the Professor manages a smile. “Of course, Daniel. Europe has been quarantined. NATO shut down all possible links to the outside world to avoid a panic to the rest of the countries. This infection is currently being dubbed as another mediocre virus.”
“Like the Mad Cows disease, huh?”
“Yes. Something like that.”
I sense tension in his voice. I notice Professor Lawton checking the gas gauge near the steering wheel. I finally realize why everyone’s been on edge lately.
We’re almost out of gas.
“We’ll make it to Canada,” Professor Lawton mutters, as if reading my mind.
I briefly smile. Then I turn away. “I’m going to finish my homework and sleep a little.”
The Professor tilts his head sideways. “I’ll go easy on you today, Daniel. You rest right now and turn in your homework tomorrow morning. That sound fair?”
“Yep,” I say with a nod.
He smiles back. Afterward, I return to my spot between Granny Patty and Ellen. I try hard not to think about the gas situation. I even regret how my curiosity got the best of me. I’ve always been a curious cat. It used to drive my dad nuts. I hope we reach our destination soon or find more gas. The last thing I want is for us to drift in the middle of the ocean, dying from starvation. To go out like… no, that’s not fair.
Ellen is still whimpering in her sleep and Granny Patty now rambles on about meeting Elvis Presley soon. I rest for a while, trying not to dream. Unfortunately, in my dream I see the Infected swarming our boat. They all have eyes like Jim. Somewhere, I hear my sister and mom yelling my name.
When I wake up again I don’t hear the boat’s engine anymore. My heart races and I flash open my eyes and scurry to my feet. I’m relieved when I find our boat still free from the Infected.
“God damn it…” mutters Mr. Corey suddenly.
He stands a few feet away from where I stand, looking up at something behind me. Next to him is his estranged wife who trembles uncontrollably. Minnie and her father look curious. So do Richard, Granny Patty, and Professor Lawton. Charles’ group isn’t that far away either. The four soldiers, plus civilian, share grim expressions.
I finally turn around to see what has everyone’s attention. My eyes widen and I immediately take a step back. Ellen’s tiny barks prompt me to take her in my arms and muffle her sounds.
A navy ship looms above our boat. From what I can read on its side, it’s a Britain warship. Its massive size is overwhelming.
“Christ, they’re going to shoot us outta the Goddamn waters,” Richard curses, clenching his fists. He looks at Charles. “What the f*ck do we do now, man?”
The ex-soldier stares up at the navy ship. Silent.
Nearby, Stan laughs. “I tell you what we should do. Bend over and kiss our pretty asses goodbye. We’ll start with yours, sweetheart.”
Stan blows Richard a kiss.
“We’re in the ring of fire,” proclaims Granny Patty, “Ring of fire, I say. We’re all going to see Elvis Presley now.”
“Maybe we should tell them we aren’t infected?” suggests Mrs. Corey, ignoring the old woman. “We got a radio, right? They’ll board us, right?”
“As if that’ll help,” states her husband, rolling his eyes. “They’re ordered to kill anyone they see. It doesn’t matter if we aren’t infected. And besides, that isn’t entirely true. We aren’t all clear of Rage.”
He looks back at Charles’ group, staring at Jim’s direction. Jim tilts his head in response. He raises his hand as if to scratch his nose. However, I see him subtly throw Mr. Corey the middle finger.
“I don’t like this,” starts Harold, shaking his head and glancing at his daughter.
Minnie keeps quiet.
“They’re not even sending us a signal,” Professor Lawton mumbles uneasily, taking a few steps forward. “It’s… almost as if nobody’s home. Something’s wrong.”
Looking at the navy ship again, I can’t help but feel the same way too. By now, someone should’ve radioed us or spoke over a speaker, telling us to stay put. Yet, the ship continues to loom above us in dead silence. My skin begins to crawl.
I see Norma undo the safety lock in her rifle while Nigel enters our boat’s small hub area. He checks the radio and tries to get a signal from the navy ship, turning the knob in order to switch channels. After awhile, the soldier looks at Charles through the hub’s glass window and shakes his head, appearing very disappointed.
Something is definitely wrong.
“Where are you going?” Harold asks his daughter.
Minnie walks toward a rail and looks over it. “I’m going to see if there’re any other ships behind this one." She pauses when she looks over it. Her face grows white. “Oh god… oh god…”
“What is it, baby?” her father immediately asks, joining her. A second later, he yells, “Jesus!”
Everyone except Jim rushes toward the rails to see what they see. Granny Patty laughs manically.
“We are seeing Elvis! We are seeing Elvis right now, indeed!”
“Shut up!” Mrs. Corey shouts, her eyes getting watery. She covers her mouth and starts to cry.
I head for the rail. My throat dries up and I begin to shake when I stare down at the water.
Oh god… Bodies. There are over forty dead bodies floating on the water, spoiling it with their crimson red blood. Some float on their backs, their eyes wide open, staring up at the sky. At us.
“How long do you suppose they’ve been there?” Richard asks quietly to no one in particular.
“f*ck should we know,” spits Stan.
“Lay off,” Professor Lawton says. He looks at the bodies again. “They appear military.”
“Some are,” corrects Charles, standing next to him. “I see civilians among them.”
“Infected?” inquires Dr. Wagner as he emerges from behind.
“Unknown.” Charles’ jaw dances.
“What should we do?” Minnie asks the soldiers.
Ellen barks and whimpers. Frightened, she buries her head inside my jacket. I start to feel light-headed and stumble backward. I almost lose balance until someone catches me.
“Go to the lower deck and stay there, Danny,” Jim tells me softly, his voice muffled by the mask he wears.
In contrast to what I originally thought, there was nothing dangerous about him. His Irish accent was very subtle and his grasp on me was gentle.
I nod my head to him, still shocked by the sight of dead bodies floating in the water. Jim helps me steady myself until Dr. Wagner approaches us, soon giving Jim an ugly look. Jim lets go of me, taking several steps back.
“We need to get out of here,” Jim inserts urgently.
“We can’t do that,” replies Dr. Wagner. He looks up at the navy ship. “You know our situation. We need gas. This might be our only chance. And if there are Infected in there, well, it’s our job to get rid of them, right?”
He smiles. Something about it feels wrong.
“f*ck that,” spits Richard, overhearing their conversation. “We can’t go in there. The Infected are here! Let’s take our chances and just go already.”
“Nobody said anything about the Infected being here,” Mr. Corey argues, “We’re only making assumptions.”
“An assumption these days is as good as any solid fact.”
“We’re sitting ducks if we don’t go in there,” counters Norma, the weapon’s expert. “We’re nearly on empty. What do you think we should do after the gas runs out? Swim our way to Canada?”
Richard tries to come up with something. Instead, he shakes his head and curses.
“We are coming to see you, Elvis!” sang Granny Patty, grinning. To Mrs. Corey, she asks, “Do I look decent for the occasion, dear?”
Still crying, Mrs. Corey screams and slaps Granny Patty across her face. The group immediately begins to unravel itself. Jim walks away, shaking his head while Charles demands control. In the midst of the chaos, Professor Lawton takes my hand and leads me to the lower deck.
“Things are getting hot,” he comments quietly. We enter the kitchen area. “Stay here, Danny. Don’t come out until I tell you, okay?”
I try to stop trembling but my mind continues to run wild with horrible images of dead bodies. The idea that we’ve stumbled across a navy ship with the Infected is even scarier. Like Richard, I want to leave. Even though we need gas, I don’t want to be eaten alive by the Infected.
I force myself to sit down in a chair, fearful I might lose my balance again. Ellen jumps on top of the kitchen table and whimpers. Professor Lawton notices my state-of-distress and grabs a water bottle from the fridge. After handing it to me, he begins to leave.
“Will we be going in that ship?” I suddenly ask, my voice small.
Without turning around, he answers, “Probably. We have no choice.”
“But… what if we stumble across the Infected? What if they really are in there? Can’t we just wait for another boat and…?”
“We don’t know if we’ll ever get this chance again, Daniel.” Professor Lawton finally turns to look at me. “Don’t worry. Just lock this door and stay here. Okay?”
After agreeing, Professor Lawton leaves. I wait in the kitchen area.
For several hours, nothing happens. I pace the room back and forth and try to hear what the adults have decided to do. I can’t hear anything. My palms get sweaty and my heart races. Nearby, Ellen is fully awake and alert.
I play with my jacket’s zipper, moving it up and down, thinking of dad. I miss him. He always hugged me whenever I was afraid. I don’t regret staying with him. Mom always worked. She hardly had any time for us. I still love her but, in some ways, I despise her too. I wonder what dad would think of that.
Ellen suddenly sniffs the air. At once, she growls and begins to bark. Before I can quiet her, I hear a loud thump come from above. I take a deep swallow, wondering if someone fell. The sound is quickly replaced by gunfire. Someone screams.
“Oh god…” I whisper, hearing the awful shriek of an Infected. “They’re here…”
Yes, it is an Infected. Its yell sounds like a furious animal. I hear more similar screams. I grab Ellen off the table. Part of me wants to check upstairs and see if anyone needs help. Fear, however, compels me to find a hiding spot instead. I look around the kitchen and find a low cabinet large enough for me. Unfortunately, Ellen hasn’t stopped barking. No matter how times I try to shush her she doesn’t stop.
“Please, Ellen,” I beg, whimpering. “Please be quiet…”
I nearly jump when I hear gunfire again. It’s a lot closer this time.
“Goddamn it!” someone yells, “They’re everywhere! What the-? Behind you!”
Two more shots fire. Tears form in my eyes and I try to quiet Ellen again. Nothing works until I see a radio on the kitchen counter. After switching it on, I put the volume on full blast. Hopefully, the music will drown out Ellen’s constant barking should the Infected come here.
Classical music plays as I open a cabinet and hide inside with Ellen. I’m not sure, but I think I hear someone banging on the door. Again and again, I see the faces of my family in my mind…
Jim's in da house, though, this story is told from the perspective of another character. I think it's great because you appreciate Jim's appearances more. Plus, you're limited from the character's scope. My philosophy in writing is to never downright tell the reader what it is you're looking at. You gotta let the reader read between the lines to figure it out. For example, if you saw the 28DL sequel, you might know what's up with Jim's character in this fanfic. I think it brings a new ordeal for him.
Okay, time to shut up. Here's the prologue. I'm thinking of posting these chapters in a geocities website or livejournal to reduce space here. Until then, enjoy. ;D
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"28 Nights"
Prologue: Classical Music
Our boat bobs us back and forth. It’s a private model, one with a fancy upper deck and glass-enclosed hub. The lower level is filled with spacious rooms. I’m pretty sure the boat used to belong to some rich guy with money to spend. Now it’s ours. The engine continuously hums a monotone melody. We’re surrounded only by ocean and black sky. The air is cold and the night’s pale moon is bright. The sky is completely cloudless with only a few stars here and there. Here, in an open field of water with no sign of human civilization, the empty scenery almost frightens me.
After traveling for several days, I gave up asking where we were going. The adults riding alongside me keep quiet about things like that. I pray that we are seeking refuge in the States but I’m not sure anymore. Because most of Europe has been declared a hot zone, NATO troops have been ordered to shoot down any vessels leaving the premises. We’ve had to take several detours to avoid the scouts. I can only guess where we go from here.
God, I hope I can see mom and sis again…
There used to be twenty-one of us but we lost a lot of people along the way to finding a boat. Now there’re only eleven of us. Sitting on the floor deck and eating chocolate bars, there’s Minnie and her father, Harold. Minnie has bright red hair and hazel eyes. She looks young, probably in her early twenties. I think she used to be a waitress. She reminds me of my sister. Her father, on the other hand, is just a few hair strands away from becoming entirely bald. He’s a tall and lean fellow who sweats a lot and has bad breath. They were the first two people I met that weren’t infected.
Not far from them is Granny Patty, the oldest person in the boat. Her hair is as wild and white as Albert Einstein’s. Her face is also a mess. Make-up is smeared all over it, her mascara running down her cheeks. She mutters a lot of weird stuff. People think she’s crazy because of the way she looks and talks but I think she’s just as sad and angry as the rest of us. We tend to leave her alone. Once in awhile I’ll check up on her, just to make sure she’s all right.
There’s also Mr. Corey, Mrs. Corey, and Richard. Mr. Corey is a tall and muscular man while his Mrs. Corey is an attractive woman with a soft face and chestnut-brown eyes. Richard is a tad shorter than Mr. Corey but also is well-built. Mr. Corey and Mrs. Corey were in the middle of a divorce before the infection reached their area. I heard it had something to do with Richard, the man Mrs. Corey was having an affair with. Or so they say. In any account, I rarely talk to them. They don’t look like nice people. They’re always glaring at each other and everyone else in the boat.
Also on the first deck is Stan, a convict that escaped prison before the catastrophe happened. He’s a wanted man with a bad rap sheet, which consists of armed robbery and rape. He’s a very scary-looking man who always spits and curses at anyone he doesn’t like, which is basically everyone. He once told me to ‘f*ck off, f*cker-face’ when I told him ‘good morning’.
Steering our privately-owned boat is Professor Lawton. He stands inside the ship’s small hub, moving the wheel back and forth. The Professor is a sophisticated black man who teaches Biology at Texas A&M University, back at the States. He came to England for his vacation. I bet he wished he stayed home. In any account, he’s pretty strict but approachable too. Every day he assigns me a new homework assignment, whether it’s a math equation or reading a chapter from one of his books. ‘The world may be going to hell, but I still expect you to turn in your homework, young man,’ he always tells me. I think it has something to do with keeping things as normal for me as possible. He’s a decent man.
The five remaining people in the boat are in a different class altogether. They consider themselves hunters of the Infected, at least, some of them do. The rest just want to help folks like me.
Charles runs the group. Still wearing his military uniform and crew-cut hairdo, he used to be a part of the NATO forces sent to control the situation. He lost his squad when the Infected overwhelmed them. He’s pretty tough and makes all the decisions here. In a way, he’s our leader.
Nigel, Norma, and Wagner are also ex-soldiers, all from different squadrons. Nigel is good with technological issues while Norma provides heavy gun power. Wagner is the doctor. He used to be a Lieutenant for the Navy. That would put him above Charles, in terms of rank. Though, in our current situation, rank doesn’t amount to much. Even if it did, Wager doesn’t have the charisma and clever words Charles possesses to lead our small posse. He’s mostly the back-up man in case Charles dies.
The final man in Charles’ group isn’t affiliated with anyone in the military. In fact, he’s a civilian like the rest of us. He was there at ground zero of the infection. From what I hear, he was really lucky. He had been asleep during the city’s evacuation and woke up alone and naked in a hospital. He encountered other survivors and they made their way to a mansion guarded by soldiers. Something bad must have happened because now he’s here with us.
Jim’s at the far back of the boat, viewing the ocean. He’s completely isolated from the rest of us. No one can get near Jim. For whatever reason, I was told to never make contact with him. Wearing dark cloths and heavy boots, he’s got every part of his lean body concealed. I’ve never seen his face because he’s always covering it with a mask. I can only see his eyes.
His eyes… they look funny. One eye is crystal blue while the other eye is bloodshot red. I don’t like looking at it. Something about it feels very unsettlingly.
There were rumors that Jim was an Infected but I don’t see how. He doesn’t act like the Infected. He talks and behaves like a normal man would. Maybe I heard them wrong. Still, I see Dr. Wagner always with him, taking his blood all the time. Charles is never too far away from Jim either.
Today, those two soldiers must be busy at the lower deck of the boat because Jim is left up here by himself. His back facing me, he resumes watching the ocean and night sky in silence. I’m sure he feels very lonely right now. I wonder what happened to his friends before he joined up with Charles’ group. Part of me wants to make friendly conversation with him. After all, in the weeks we’ve all been together, the two of us have never been properly introduced before. My dad always told me to be polite and give me name.
I take my few steps toward his direction, my mind running with all types of scenarios concerning Jim’s face. What does he look like? Is he completely disfigured, with flesh mangled together in one lump? Is he as hideous-looking as Stan is, with a heavy jaw and crooked nose?
I’m only a few feet away and my mouth opens to speak, until someone grabs my arm. I turn.
“What’s the matter with you, Daniel?” Minnie whispers harshly at me. Her eyes are wild and alert. She looks between me and Jim’s back. “You know you’re not supposed to get near him.”
“But… why?”
“Don’t ask questions, Danny,” she replies, her voice a little calm now. She starts pulling me toward the front of the boat to join the others. “Believe me, it’s for your own safety. Now go draw or something. Just leave Jim alone.”
A few words of protest slip from my mouth until I finally give up. Minnie continues dragging me to the front of the boat. For a thin and short woman like her, she sure is strong. I give a quick glance back at the lonesome man we’re moving away from.
For a brief moment, Jim’s eyes make contact with mines, one blue and one red.
Minnie finally plants me near Granny Patty and I slouch a bit, angry at how Minnie thinks I’m too young to understand anything. I hold my tongue, however, and sit between Granny Patty and Ellen.
Technically speaking, there are twelve of us, but hardly anyone considers Ellen, the puppy dad gave me for my last birthday, to be a survivor. She's been with me since day one, though, and has helped me out of many sticky situations. Right now, she whimpers in her sleep, having a nightmare. I'm almost fascinated by the idea that dogs can have nightmares too. For a moment, I try to imagine what terrifying images she sees, but quickly dismiss the thought, fearful it'd fuel my own nightmares.
Minnie leaves to sit with her father. I look around and notice everyone with an intense look on their faces. They hold tightly onto their pocket knives, guns, baseball bats, and anything else they could arm themselves with. Charles emerges from the bottom deck and approaches Professor Lawton at the steering wheel. A few quiet words are exchanged between the Professor and soldier. I try to hear what they’re saying but Granny Patty, sitting next to me, rambles on and on again about Mickey Mouse being an Infected. Charles leaves the Professor after a short while and joins Jim at the back of the boat. The two men head for the bottom deck.
Something’s up but I don’t know what it could be. I wish people could let me in on the happenings here. I know they keep me in the dark because of my age and I absolutely despise them all for it. I’ve seen a lot by now, too much for any thirteen-year-old boy to see. Damn it. I’m not dumb. In fact, I’m a pretty smart guy. I used to get straight A’s all the time and tutored after school.
Curious and slightly frustrated, I get up and approach Professor Lawton. Perhaps he can tell me what’s going on. The thirty-year-old instructor continues steering the wheel until he notices me.
“Good evening, Daniel,” he says.
“Good evening to you too, Prof.”
“Have you come to turn in yesterday’s assignment?”
I frown and chew on my lower lip. “Um. Nope.”
“Get to it then. You don’t want a zero for today, do you?”
“No, of course not.” I find myself chuckling a bit. “But, really, what’s the point? It’s not like I won’t go to college if I get a zero from you. Heck, there might not be a college to go to, period, if things continue like this. Right?”
The Professor’s eyes narrow. “Thinking of a future is just as essential as surviving. If thinking about the future isn’t in your head, then you’ve got nothing else to cling to except misery or death.” His face finally softens. “Daniel, you’re a bright, young man. You’ll do a lot with your life. Please don’t think that this… hell is the only thing left for us.”
My sense of humor evaporates and I take in the Professor’s words. I nod in understanding.
“By the way,” I start very slowly, “Can you tell me where we’re going?”
The Professor stares ahead. “We’re trying to reach Canada. It’s the closes safe spot we can reach from where we’re currently at. It’s also got… little opposition against us.”
I understood what he was implying and switch the subject. “So we’re heading for Canada. That’s great, Professor. I can reach the States easier this way.”
“You have family there?”
“Yeah. My sister and mom, actually.”
“Why aren’t you with them?”
“My mom and dad got a divorce when I was nine. I decided to stay with my dad in England while my older sis went with mom. She’s currently in Rhode Island, attending an art school there. My mom’s in San Antonio, Texas. She’s a researcher. I think she’s actually looking into this Rage virus.”
“Oh?” Professor Lawton looks at me, interested on that last little tidbit. “San Antonio has one of the best research facilities in the world, not to mention, a strong military presence. I think I know which team your mother is on. In fact, before my vacation, I got an email from one of my colleagues, asking me to join that team.”
“Really?” I grin. “It’s a small world after all. Can I ask… why didn’t you join the team?”
He sighs and rubs his eyes with an index finger and thumb. “I was tired. I just completed an extensive research at A&M University concerning nanotechnology and its possible applications toward cell division. On top of that, I had been grading over five hundred Final Exam papers and was expecting my first child.” He chuckles to himself and stares at an empty spot between his feet. In a low voice he adds, “I never had so many people fail my class before.”
It was interesting to hear he just had a baby. I realized he kept his face downward after sharing that information to me, though.
“Where’s your family now?”
“My family went on vacation with me,” was all he said, keeping his face low.
I took the hint and wanted to leave it at that. However, an unsettling thought crept into my mind. I thought about my own family.
“Professor… you don’t think the virus spread beyond Europe, right? It’s been several weeks since we’ve last heard anything from Asia or the States or anywhere else, for that matter. My mom and sis… They’re… they’re okay, right?”
He looks up at me. His eyes are a bit glassy but the Professor manages a smile. “Of course, Daniel. Europe has been quarantined. NATO shut down all possible links to the outside world to avoid a panic to the rest of the countries. This infection is currently being dubbed as another mediocre virus.”
“Like the Mad Cows disease, huh?”
“Yes. Something like that.”
I sense tension in his voice. I notice Professor Lawton checking the gas gauge near the steering wheel. I finally realize why everyone’s been on edge lately.
We’re almost out of gas.
“We’ll make it to Canada,” Professor Lawton mutters, as if reading my mind.
I briefly smile. Then I turn away. “I’m going to finish my homework and sleep a little.”
The Professor tilts his head sideways. “I’ll go easy on you today, Daniel. You rest right now and turn in your homework tomorrow morning. That sound fair?”
“Yep,” I say with a nod.
He smiles back. Afterward, I return to my spot between Granny Patty and Ellen. I try hard not to think about the gas situation. I even regret how my curiosity got the best of me. I’ve always been a curious cat. It used to drive my dad nuts. I hope we reach our destination soon or find more gas. The last thing I want is for us to drift in the middle of the ocean, dying from starvation. To go out like… no, that’s not fair.
Ellen is still whimpering in her sleep and Granny Patty now rambles on about meeting Elvis Presley soon. I rest for a while, trying not to dream. Unfortunately, in my dream I see the Infected swarming our boat. They all have eyes like Jim. Somewhere, I hear my sister and mom yelling my name.
When I wake up again I don’t hear the boat’s engine anymore. My heart races and I flash open my eyes and scurry to my feet. I’m relieved when I find our boat still free from the Infected.
“God damn it…” mutters Mr. Corey suddenly.
He stands a few feet away from where I stand, looking up at something behind me. Next to him is his estranged wife who trembles uncontrollably. Minnie and her father look curious. So do Richard, Granny Patty, and Professor Lawton. Charles’ group isn’t that far away either. The four soldiers, plus civilian, share grim expressions.
I finally turn around to see what has everyone’s attention. My eyes widen and I immediately take a step back. Ellen’s tiny barks prompt me to take her in my arms and muffle her sounds.
A navy ship looms above our boat. From what I can read on its side, it’s a Britain warship. Its massive size is overwhelming.
“Christ, they’re going to shoot us outta the Goddamn waters,” Richard curses, clenching his fists. He looks at Charles. “What the f*ck do we do now, man?”
The ex-soldier stares up at the navy ship. Silent.
Nearby, Stan laughs. “I tell you what we should do. Bend over and kiss our pretty asses goodbye. We’ll start with yours, sweetheart.”
Stan blows Richard a kiss.
“We’re in the ring of fire,” proclaims Granny Patty, “Ring of fire, I say. We’re all going to see Elvis Presley now.”
“Maybe we should tell them we aren’t infected?” suggests Mrs. Corey, ignoring the old woman. “We got a radio, right? They’ll board us, right?”
“As if that’ll help,” states her husband, rolling his eyes. “They’re ordered to kill anyone they see. It doesn’t matter if we aren’t infected. And besides, that isn’t entirely true. We aren’t all clear of Rage.”
He looks back at Charles’ group, staring at Jim’s direction. Jim tilts his head in response. He raises his hand as if to scratch his nose. However, I see him subtly throw Mr. Corey the middle finger.
“I don’t like this,” starts Harold, shaking his head and glancing at his daughter.
Minnie keeps quiet.
“They’re not even sending us a signal,” Professor Lawton mumbles uneasily, taking a few steps forward. “It’s… almost as if nobody’s home. Something’s wrong.”
Looking at the navy ship again, I can’t help but feel the same way too. By now, someone should’ve radioed us or spoke over a speaker, telling us to stay put. Yet, the ship continues to loom above us in dead silence. My skin begins to crawl.
I see Norma undo the safety lock in her rifle while Nigel enters our boat’s small hub area. He checks the radio and tries to get a signal from the navy ship, turning the knob in order to switch channels. After awhile, the soldier looks at Charles through the hub’s glass window and shakes his head, appearing very disappointed.
Something is definitely wrong.
“Where are you going?” Harold asks his daughter.
Minnie walks toward a rail and looks over it. “I’m going to see if there’re any other ships behind this one." She pauses when she looks over it. Her face grows white. “Oh god… oh god…”
“What is it, baby?” her father immediately asks, joining her. A second later, he yells, “Jesus!”
Everyone except Jim rushes toward the rails to see what they see. Granny Patty laughs manically.
“We are seeing Elvis! We are seeing Elvis right now, indeed!”
“Shut up!” Mrs. Corey shouts, her eyes getting watery. She covers her mouth and starts to cry.
I head for the rail. My throat dries up and I begin to shake when I stare down at the water.
Oh god… Bodies. There are over forty dead bodies floating on the water, spoiling it with their crimson red blood. Some float on their backs, their eyes wide open, staring up at the sky. At us.
“How long do you suppose they’ve been there?” Richard asks quietly to no one in particular.
“f*ck should we know,” spits Stan.
“Lay off,” Professor Lawton says. He looks at the bodies again. “They appear military.”
“Some are,” corrects Charles, standing next to him. “I see civilians among them.”
“Infected?” inquires Dr. Wagner as he emerges from behind.
“Unknown.” Charles’ jaw dances.
“What should we do?” Minnie asks the soldiers.
Ellen barks and whimpers. Frightened, she buries her head inside my jacket. I start to feel light-headed and stumble backward. I almost lose balance until someone catches me.
“Go to the lower deck and stay there, Danny,” Jim tells me softly, his voice muffled by the mask he wears.
In contrast to what I originally thought, there was nothing dangerous about him. His Irish accent was very subtle and his grasp on me was gentle.
I nod my head to him, still shocked by the sight of dead bodies floating in the water. Jim helps me steady myself until Dr. Wagner approaches us, soon giving Jim an ugly look. Jim lets go of me, taking several steps back.
“We need to get out of here,” Jim inserts urgently.
“We can’t do that,” replies Dr. Wagner. He looks up at the navy ship. “You know our situation. We need gas. This might be our only chance. And if there are Infected in there, well, it’s our job to get rid of them, right?”
He smiles. Something about it feels wrong.
“f*ck that,” spits Richard, overhearing their conversation. “We can’t go in there. The Infected are here! Let’s take our chances and just go already.”
“Nobody said anything about the Infected being here,” Mr. Corey argues, “We’re only making assumptions.”
“An assumption these days is as good as any solid fact.”
“We’re sitting ducks if we don’t go in there,” counters Norma, the weapon’s expert. “We’re nearly on empty. What do you think we should do after the gas runs out? Swim our way to Canada?”
Richard tries to come up with something. Instead, he shakes his head and curses.
“We are coming to see you, Elvis!” sang Granny Patty, grinning. To Mrs. Corey, she asks, “Do I look decent for the occasion, dear?”
Still crying, Mrs. Corey screams and slaps Granny Patty across her face. The group immediately begins to unravel itself. Jim walks away, shaking his head while Charles demands control. In the midst of the chaos, Professor Lawton takes my hand and leads me to the lower deck.
“Things are getting hot,” he comments quietly. We enter the kitchen area. “Stay here, Danny. Don’t come out until I tell you, okay?”
I try to stop trembling but my mind continues to run wild with horrible images of dead bodies. The idea that we’ve stumbled across a navy ship with the Infected is even scarier. Like Richard, I want to leave. Even though we need gas, I don’t want to be eaten alive by the Infected.
I force myself to sit down in a chair, fearful I might lose my balance again. Ellen jumps on top of the kitchen table and whimpers. Professor Lawton notices my state-of-distress and grabs a water bottle from the fridge. After handing it to me, he begins to leave.
“Will we be going in that ship?” I suddenly ask, my voice small.
Without turning around, he answers, “Probably. We have no choice.”
“But… what if we stumble across the Infected? What if they really are in there? Can’t we just wait for another boat and…?”
“We don’t know if we’ll ever get this chance again, Daniel.” Professor Lawton finally turns to look at me. “Don’t worry. Just lock this door and stay here. Okay?”
After agreeing, Professor Lawton leaves. I wait in the kitchen area.
For several hours, nothing happens. I pace the room back and forth and try to hear what the adults have decided to do. I can’t hear anything. My palms get sweaty and my heart races. Nearby, Ellen is fully awake and alert.
I play with my jacket’s zipper, moving it up and down, thinking of dad. I miss him. He always hugged me whenever I was afraid. I don’t regret staying with him. Mom always worked. She hardly had any time for us. I still love her but, in some ways, I despise her too. I wonder what dad would think of that.
Ellen suddenly sniffs the air. At once, she growls and begins to bark. Before I can quiet her, I hear a loud thump come from above. I take a deep swallow, wondering if someone fell. The sound is quickly replaced by gunfire. Someone screams.
“Oh god…” I whisper, hearing the awful shriek of an Infected. “They’re here…”
Yes, it is an Infected. Its yell sounds like a furious animal. I hear more similar screams. I grab Ellen off the table. Part of me wants to check upstairs and see if anyone needs help. Fear, however, compels me to find a hiding spot instead. I look around the kitchen and find a low cabinet large enough for me. Unfortunately, Ellen hasn’t stopped barking. No matter how times I try to shush her she doesn’t stop.
“Please, Ellen,” I beg, whimpering. “Please be quiet…”
I nearly jump when I hear gunfire again. It’s a lot closer this time.
“Goddamn it!” someone yells, “They’re everywhere! What the-? Behind you!”
Two more shots fire. Tears form in my eyes and I try to quiet Ellen again. Nothing works until I see a radio on the kitchen counter. After switching it on, I put the volume on full blast. Hopefully, the music will drown out Ellen’s constant barking should the Infected come here.
Classical music plays as I open a cabinet and hide inside with Ellen. I’m not sure, but I think I hear someone banging on the door. Again and again, I see the faces of my family in my mind…
Please put more up on here if you can! Definite Cilly Bar for you! 
and felt sorry for him at the same time. I kept thinking about what must have happened to Hannah and Selena(if anyone has seen the movie hopefully you won't be confused in knowing who those two are). I did kinda think Ellen was a human before you started talking about how she wouldn't stop barking. 
But yeah I like reading, especially if it keeps my interest which this of course did. You should write books radius! 
Many thanks for the previous compliments, btw. I'm honored you think I should write books. ;D I hope to start my own comic book some day. First, though, I'm practicing on my writing skills through these fanfics. ;D
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*sniff* I'll let it slide this once, lol
