Indead-ted To You

BENICIA “Yes, mom. Yes! We’re all packed, I’m like five minutes from my place and Jace is there ready with the rental.” I rolled my eyes as I jangled my keys around for my building key. My phone was pressed between my face and shoulder while I had some small things for the trip and my coffee while mom nagged. “You should have been on the road, already, Benicia! We’re excited to see Jace and you!” She whined practically. I took a slow breath as I came to my building's door, “Okay I’m here, we’ll leave now.” And then she hung right up. I swear my mom only took an interest in me when I started dating Jace, her best friend/enemy’s son. They competed their whole lives. They both even wanted the opposite genders of children but rubbed it in one another’s face! It was a s**t show, if you asked me. I sighed, unlocking the door and headed up the 4 stories to my apartment. I came to my door, struggling with opening the knob. The door opened from the other side. Jace. I smiled, “Hey!” He gave me a quick smile, “Hey hon, Gina just called, we have gotta go. Everyone is waiting.” He took my coffee but not the bags on my other arm that didn’t have my phone and wallet in hand. “Oh, my cousin?” I asked, letting the items fall into the small circle dining table of mine. “Yes!” Jace hollered from my hall's bathroom, “If we leave now, we can be there by tomorrow evening. We can take shifts. You can start.” He just kept talking. I loved Jace but lately I’d felt so… alone? I don’t know really, he’s my first, real boyfriend and we have been in a relationship for 4 years. Family Friends our whole lives. He was different now. Once he started working for my uncle's firm, his attitude and ego just grew. I shook the thought because I noticed he was looking at me with a confused expression. “Okay, babe.” I simply responded. He dramatically rolled his eyes, grabbing some things-on the lighter side, some would say- leaving me with my heavy items. I stood there as he walked out. Going to our families gathering in Washington where I was already the black sheep, I didn’t need him against me too. I sighed grabbing my things. Just as I went to exit my apartment finally, I noticed the extra dishes he’d left out. The TV was on and his dirty clothes from his shower were on the couch. I felt the anger creeping in. I take a deep breath and just try to be positive. I can clean it when I’m home in two days. I let my deep breath out and simply walked over to the TV , grabbing the remote beside it. Just before I pushed the power button, I stopped, looking at the live footage of a reporter and someone in scrubs. “I’m here with the very scientist who has discovered there was a minor infection going around, tell us what’s that about?” The reporter pushed her mic in his direction. “This infection is different… we must refrain from too much travel. It’s been tested and found in multiple states, we must contain…” a honk stirred me from the scientist’s speech. I hit the power button and then headed down stairs. Where I loaded up my things on my own and got in the driver seat while Jace was nose deep in his phone. I took a deep breath, starting the car and we were off. It had been four hours of me driving. I sang to myself, talked to myself in my head because Jace slept. He just slept. It was a 22 hour drive, when did he plan to take his turn? I huffed off the frustration and impatience I’d had for him lately. I loved Jace and wanted us to work. We didn’t go through all the bullshit for nothing right? Another couple of hours passed when I finally came across a sign that indicated the small town where we’d stop and take a rest was 7 miles out. I turned on the radio. “Double K M.A! The quick news for you! Welcome back folks, new update, in California we’ve had some rumor of a riot starting out in the LA Med facility and it’s said to have caused havoc!” I listened to the broadcaster break down how multiple doctors had even been infected and hospitalized immediately. How a reporter was attacked by a patient who was said to have coded and walked right out of the hospital. It was so eerie to listen to. Thankfully the radio began to go static, so I clicked it off. We were coming up to the gas-rest area anyway and I was over driving. Jace began to rouse awake as we came to a stop at a pump. “Wow,” he yawned, “that was a fast first few hours.” I looked at him, eyes narrowed, because that’s not how it was for me. “Yeah, well, let’s stretch our legs and eat. I’m starved.” I said, getting out of the car. We went into a diner after filling up. It was a cute and definitely older place. But it had so much character. I loved it. Jace on the other hand, looked displeased. I led us to the farther part of the breakfast bar, a seat away from a man with a cap on backwards and what looked like work clothes. I could smell him. Not in a bad way, but just that he’d worked all day in the sun and his deodorant was doing its job but it was just so-manly. I respect it. I worked mostly labor jobs, to pay for my own place and being a starving artist-and I was cut off from all support when I didn’t want to pursue law or medicine like my family all had. “God, you let the homeless sit in here like this?” Jace’s rude comment caused me to whip my head to look at him so fast, I swear I was dizzy! “Jace” I hissed! “I can smell him from here.” Jace said, motioning to the man. The stranger wore a biker's vest, looking over with a cold, dark stare. I turned to Jace, trying to silently shut him up. The waiter walked over, an older man with a red apron on, “Is there an issue, sir?” He regarded Jace. “Why yes sir, there is. The transient’s stench is going to deter you from good business, smelling like that.” Jace sneered like a priss! I was so embarrassed for him and of him at this very moment! Mortified. The man stood, the stool scraping. Making me jump and Jace’s cocky demeanor cowered slightly when he realized the man had at least half a foot on him and stood directly behind our stools. I didn’t dare move or my whole body would shake and betray my attempt to be calm and collected. He leaned in, the musk of an after shave made my mouth water-minty- with a hint of man. “Ma’am, do I smell good to you?” He asked, his low, southern tone lulled in my ear, calming but also making me fearful as to what he’d do depending on what I said. He’s so close! “Do you need to be that close?” I said. More fearful he’d hurt Jace somehow. The man in the apron laughed, “Man, don’t scare the poor girl. And you, uh, pretty boy. Yeah, I’m going to need you and your good business to head on out of my diner.” I looked to Jace, then the man that stood behind us. The man was now looking at Jace’s white as a ghost face. I can still smell the mint. “I mean she said it was bothering her.” Jace lied. My face fell, what the actual f**k! The men eyed one another, telepathically communicating, shaking their heads. The man backed off, heading to the other side of the diner. The owner clicked and whistled, pointing to the door, letting us know it was time to go. I walked with my arms crossed back to the car in the gravel lot. Jace a few steps behind. “What’s your issue?” He asked once we reached the car stopping at the passenger side. Meaning I had to drive! Again! I walked over to the driver side, opening up my phone, to see if there were any other food joints on the way out of the town. None until the next big city and that would be an hour! “I’m just hungry and you were absolutely rude! The guy clearly had work clothes on. I swear you have been absolutely unbearable.” I said, my frustration getting the best of me. I sighed. Great, I had started a fight. I could tell based on the stupid, confused face he made. “I’m unbearable? Man, you’re one to talk, Benicia.” He huffed, getting into the car. I was beginning to simmer! I got in the driver's side, silent. Turning the key to start the car and getting out of there as fast as I could. Thirty minutes had gone by and neither of us spoke. How was I unbearable? He was always nitpicking at me. I could dress better, I could use more make up here and there. And all I did was just accept him. Accept him for him. But what the hell about me?! My thoughts were making my head spin. I hit the radio again, the broadcast a little clearer than earlier. “Sacremento this is a *static* -state of emergency!” My ears perked up, Jace was still pouting out the window. I turned up the volume, since we were entering Sacramento! “Don’t leave your homes! Find shelter, lock yourself inside! The infected have mutated and risen!” As we entered deeper into the city, cars on the other side of the highway were congested going the opposite way. The broadcaster cut out and static filled the car. Jace clicked it off. “What the hell?” He scoffed, sitting back, feet up on the dash. Only snapping into reality when we came to the city’s entrance from the highway, red and blue police lights lit it up, blocked off with huge cement dividers and yellow tape and orange cones. It looked like a parade block off. Jace’s eyes were surprised and bewildered. And my mouth was open, taking it all in, and coming to a stop. The few cars behind me all hit their breaks too. Some rolling down their windows, others getting out, chatting to one another. We stayed put in the car. Watching an officer approach the crowd. He had a blow horn, with a walkie attached. It screeched when he clicked the walkie and raised it to his mouth, “There has been a pandemic outbreak. We suggest you return home or take shelter at your earliest convenience.” People began to either leave or approach the officer, talking urgently. “Oh my God.” I said, breathless. I was so confused and full of fear. Jace was on his phone! “Who are you texting right now! This is scary!” I said, stern agony in my voice, straining it! My heart was galloping. This wasn’t happening! “I’m texting the family. Asking what’s going on.” He said, looking around the car, “Turn around.” Jace ordered, “Back up, hurry up, Benicia!” His voice rose, making me flinch practically and panic. “Okay!” I shouted! “Shut up, I know how to drive. You don’t need to yell!” I felt the tears ready to flood the brims of my eyes. Jace looked at me like he was disgusted and appalled by me. I jerked the gear in reverse and began weeding out through the traffic. Impressed that my rage allowed me to do so swiftly. Finally, once I could turn around, I crossed the gravel barrier that led to the opposite side of the highway we were on to head back. “Damn it all to hell!” Jace cursed, smacking the dash. Traffic through the town was treacherous, we’d gotten caught in the exiting traffic from Sacramento. I rolled my eyes. These tantrums he threw were becoming too much. We drove 30 minutes before it became a dead stop. Bumper to bumper traffic. Now lights way ahead from officers flashed. I turned on the radio. Another broadcast played but the static was too bad to hear! Suddenly, we both noticed people walking, even running past us in the car! I looked around and abruptly got out of the car. I looked back, where people were running from. Cars honking, urgent chatter and yelling. Some kids were crying. There were helicopters coming from Sacramento. I watched in awe! This was a nightmare! A man ran by, “They’re going to bomb it!” My heart dropped! I turned around, opening the car to the back seat, grabbing our backpacks with our personal items and shoving the bags of snacks in both. Jace got out, looking lost. I tossed him his bag, “We gotta go.” And we walked urgently with the growing crowd. Jace and I walked by one another, close. I was so scared. This was not a big deal in Arizona. Now about a third of the way to Washington, an epidemic breaks out! We walked for about 20 minutes. Getting up and close with the lights. We were half way through the town we just drove through. And people were in a panicked frenzy! Demanding what was going on! Why couldn't they pass? Jace held onto my hand. I watched around me. We made it up to the tape, “Sir what’s going on?” I asked the officer dressed like a swat. He ignored me. Yelling, “Back up! Back up!” Suddenly I'm distracted by a wail of cries. I turned back, toward the middle of the crowd, a woman held another woman who appeared unconscious-or dead! “No no no! Someone please! A doctor! She needs her inhaler! She needs an inhaler!” The crying woman sobbed. Officers and emt hurried to them, trying to help! The woman wailed so loud I believe she knew she was gone. I gripped Jace’s shirt. Turning and burying my face in his chest. This isn’t real… Then I felt my phone buzz. I pulled it out of my pocket. Mom. “Mom, I don't know what’s happening!” I said as soon as I heard her voice frantically babbling! That’s when I heard her, “Where are you? They’re going to strike in California!” And just as she said it, a loud boom like bombing erupted behind us! I didn’t even turn. I crouched, struck with fear! That’s when we heard a raspy roar! I turned toward the woman who was unconscious who now began to sit up. The woman that held her smiled, “You’re okay! Oh my God, M! You’re- AHHH!” Suddenly a guttural scream along with a squelch ! The M girl bit the chin off the woman holding her! I'm standing now! A round of gun shots rang in my ears! The SWAT guy gunned them down… My ears were ringing, and then everyone started fleeing! Bombarding the cops barrier stop. More gunshots and another loud boom! Jace placed both hands on my bag straps, roughly pulling me to face him, “Run! Run you i***t!” And we did. We ran through the trees, beside the highway. Hearing screams and cries! More shots! We were gasping, trudging because our lives depended on it. I tripped landing in a thorny bush! “Ow!” I cried! Jace turned back only a few yards away. He hesitated then began to come back when a man fell right in the space between us. It startled me, I screamed! It was dark, but his eyes looked yellow and his irises white. He rose, a gruesome, bloody wound in his back that looked fresh. Dripping. Jace and I were both stunned! Stuck in position. Once up, the man began to growl at Jace. My adrenaline kicked in because I rose from the thorned bush, full sprint, pushing the man down with all my might into another bush! Jace backed up as the dead in the eyes man fell into another twigged bush, writhing and growling loudly like a rabid animal. Jace pulled me and we began trudging through the woods as fast as we could. We stumbled into the area where the diner was. Hell broke loose here as well. Cars peeling out and around on the road. People running. We scattered around trying to get in wherever we could. I felt tears, the agony of what was happening before my eyes was unfathomable! And then bodies. They laid on the floor but they almost seemed to be writhing still! We were by the gas station we’d filled up at. It was empty other than a few looters that bashed in and ran out with items. We hurried toward the back of the building, through a door and we were in a back room. That’s when another boom ignited! Shaking the gas station building. We both braced ourselves when shelves of their stock started falling over. “Jace!” I hollered when a second boom went off. Shaking us until I felt a hard hit on the back of my head. My vision blurred, falling into the darkness behind my eyes. Then black. I groaned. An aching throb pounding from the back of my head and neck. I felt a weight on me. Faint light from the rectangular windows allowed in what seemed like early morning sun. Was it over? That’s when it came crashing in. Reality. My eyes opened, dry. A dampness on the floor I laid on. Jace nowhere in sight. I rose slowly. Just the sound of myself and silence. My feet scraping the discarded items on the floor, making me jump. I noticed the door we’d come through closed and blocked by a fallen, metal shelf on wheels. I grabbed the wheel and pulled. Ow, f**k! My head was pounding! I gave one more hard tug and it moved just enough I could open it to squeeze out. I pulled the door open, looking into the gas station. Empty and ridden through. I slowly squeezed through, my backpack making it hard to. I slowly walked through the aisle that aligned with the door I’d come from. I began to hurry when I tripped! I stumbled, catching myself on the shelf of candy. I looked down at what had tripped me. It was Jace’s backpack. “Jace.” I whispered. I turned to the door, beginning to hurry out. The sun was blinding when I emerged. I looked around. The aftermath of last night's chaos. I walked the road quickly. My eyes frantically scan the area. Hoping I’d find Jace or anyone for that matter. I continued for a few more minutes until I saw a person sitting down in the middle of the road and looking around. His back was to me. Some birds flew above us. “Sir.” I shuddered out shakily, “Are you okay?” He turned, like he had heard me. Slowly, groaning, pulling himself up. Then he limped to turn. That’s when I realized, “s**t!” The curse breathlessly escaped me. Because the person that looked blankly at me had a face that was shredded up and half off ! With its white-yellowed eyes, he began to hobble my way, one seemed to reach out and the other dangled at his side, as he wailed at me! I stumbled back, running into a hard chest! Leather, soap and a familiar minty after shave filled my nose. I looked up to see the man who had been at the diner that Jace griped about for nothing. But he was in a dark grey tshirt, his motorcycle vest and a cap on backwards. He looked refreshed, clean but lethal. I stepped back a few steps, creating distance. My heart drops when he raises his arm with a gun in hand pointed at me! I closed my eyes and heard a loud pop! I cowered to the ground. When a loud thud behind me made me turn. The - thing -was dead. A bullet hole in its forehead. I turned back to the man, his arm back to his side, gun down. I shook, absolutely fearful of what could happen next. “‘You okay?” His deep voice asked me. I rose slowly, “You killed him- it…” my voice shook so hard along with my body. It felt like if I breathed, I’d just crumble right here on the asphalt. “That wasn’t a person. Not anymore anyway… Come on.” He said, turning and walking back. I hesitated. But then realized, if he was going to hurt me, he would have now… right? But then I looked back at the dead person in the road who just got up without a face and impaired. I guess anything this living man had to do with me wouldn’t be as bad as whatever this one was going to do. I jogged, to catch up to him as quickly as I could. TOMMY I waited at the door of the diner for the woman that followed me. Her brown, siren eyes wide. Poor thing. I thought. She got away from her little prissy boyfriend, I gathered. I knew she was the one from the diner last night when I saw her running through the town streets. That’s when it got so bad... Aside from the trauma on her face, she was still strikingly perfect. Long dark hair, a little frazzled, fell down to just about her waist. Her almond eyes looked around, her full bottom lip busted slightly and right cheek bruised. It was rough for her last night. As she walked in, I closed and locked the diner door. When I turned her back was still to me. Blood matted the back of her head. I heaved my gun from my waist band, c*****g it. She turned quickly! Hands up instantly. She mouthed, ‘Oh my God’. “Were you bit, or shot?” I asked coldly. Suddenly, Joe and Cori rounded the corner from the back area's entry way. “For God sakes, Tommy!” Cori scolded me. “N-no. I hit my head, I think. And I woke up in the gas station… alone.” The young woman responded, voice trembling. My nerves were on edge. Had I not been woken up by my grandfather getting his gut eaten in front of me in the living room, and having to put a bullet in him after I’d done so to the demon of a man who … ate him… she had to be checked out. I wasn’t going to take the risk. I looked into her eyes. I could tell she was scared but something also made me realize she had to be fine. She didn’t look or act like they did. The sick ones. And she could cry. A tear fell down her perfect cheekbone off her unbruised cheek. I put the safety on and tucked it back into my pants. “You’re a fuckin’ menace, ‘You know that, Tommy Ray?” Cori said, “Hi, hon. I’m Cori, I’m the nurse from the school, this is Joe, my daddy who owns this diner and that is - well this feller who just pointed a gun at you is Tommy.” She said to the woman. “Ben-Beni…” the woman stuttered out, suddenly falling into Cori’s embrace. “Oh! Okay now… great, Tommy, you scared her dead!” Cori complained. It wasn’t my fault she was squeamish. I’d seen a gun well before her age when I was her age. These young ones were just soft. God, I sounded like my grandad. Grandad. I shook the thought of him away. I moved to help Cori take the woman back to the break room. I sat in a metal chair, in the back room with the girl. She was unconscious on the prep table in the kitchen. A folded towel under her head. For comfort, I guessed. She looked so peaceful. I don’t remember the last time I slept that good. Sucks she’d only wake up to this being her reality. And like I was on queue, I watched as she began to stir. I suddenly felt like it would be weird to be here when she woke up but Joe asked that I did. Her eyes fluttered open, groggy. They became wide when she saw me. “Hey, hey now. It’s okay.” I reassured her, hands up and free of any weapons. “Look, you passed out, Beni. Cori stitched you up and you’re all good now.” She raised a hand to feel the back of her head. “You held me at gun point again… and it’s Benicia.” Her eyes were watching me. “I do apologize for that. I thought you’d been infected when I saw your head injury. Like the sick ones... I’m Thomas, ‘go by Tommy .” I cleared my throat in the silence that followed. As she got to her feet I watched her. Making sure she didn’t fall. “What is happening?” Beni asked. I shook my head, “‘The hell if I know. I mean I’d heard things on the news lately when my grandfather would watch but - I just don’t know.” I said. I weirdly felt odd for carrying on. No one wanted to hear my thoughts, I told myself. Silence fell over us again. “Cori made chili, if you're hungry.” I rose and headed for the door. “Thank you.” I heard her say. I turned about half way, nodding to her and exiting.