Hush in The Bush

Split Up

The day had come when they were going to seek for their allies who have been wielded in the enemy’s lair. The sun glistened on their cheeks as the cold waft of air had swayed their hair. Her shoulders have been tiring, but she doesn’t have enough time to take a massage. Isabela was rubbing her fingers, keeping them warm. She wanted to feel herself wholly. As far as she wanted to have Catheryne by her side, the woman got a special task in the opposite direction. She knew that the role would fit her friend completely and setting her there is much safer. Agility is Catheryne’s ally alongside with the doctor.

She joined the troops who are near the vehicle, waiting for some to finish unloading the back of it. It is the only one working well for now and they need to be careful not to damage those wheels. She caught Catheryne having a conversation with George. She’s been pushing her best friend to the man as she could sense the spark that is slowly igniting between the two. They look better together. They were currently teasing each other on who was going to lead their way, making themselves do the paper scissor thing and got George to lose after three tries.

“Come on, Runner. Just go and set the path for us. It is the usual thing you do, right? We’re just going to check up on them, then we’re free to go to the north to help Isabela. That’s the plan being set.” George recommended, but Catheryne is locked by her decision. She wanted George to be the leader between the two of them, to make him learn something and have his mind to work in a mission, not only inside his laboratory. She wanted him to grow and move outside his comfort which is inside the four-cornered wall.

“Man, I didn’t sign for this. I should be doing my lab tests right now.” He’s about to take his steps back to his laboratory, when Catheryne had pulled him by the collar, flashing a grimace.

“O-okay. I get it. We’ll do it together. I’ll be the leader!” He forced himself to be excited just to chill Catheryne. He could feel his knees shaking.

Isabela laughed and directed to them. “You seemed to have trouble on who’s going to lead. Come on, you’re partners. You should be worrying with each other-”

“Since when did we call ourselves as partners?” Catheryne raised a question.

“It’s definitely today, Cath.” Isabela disclosed with her wide grin.

“Fine. We are partners for today and don’t do such lousy things when we get there. Don’t be such a chicken.” She kept reminding him as she understood that he’s a freaky person and anything could make him scream like a mad woman. George should contain his voice and not try to pee in his pants.

Isabella agreed and came between them, putting her arms on their shoulders. “I’ll see you around at the north. We’ll somehow wait for you there and don’t let those bushes contain you.” She pinched their cheeks hard and both have winced, trying to pull from her.

“You should stop that.” Catheryne warned her by glaring.

Isabela rubbed her arms as she felt the chilling scrapes from her sight. “Okay. I just want you to be safe. I don’t want to lose those who are important to me. Let’s do our best.” She explained almost in a whisper.

A sudden squeeze was given to her by Catheryne, while George held her on the arm. “Always remember that you’re not alone in this fight. You got a runner and a brainy here.”

John just came out from the comfort room near the washing area. He’s tapping his palms on his pants as he brushed his damped hair on the right side. He called Isabela as she noticed that his shoelace wasn’t even knot and he told him afterwards. He knelt just a few meters from them and smiled at the two.

“He looks like he’s going to propose to you, Isabela.” Catheryne whispered to her and poked her side.

Isabela rolled her eyes and shifted to him, waving her goodbye to the two. Catheryne and George watched them leave with pride in their footsteps. As the gates have closed, they departed to a small opening over the broken wall where it was just tapped by those wires at the back of the school. It was exposed to them a month ago, and they now often use it when they aspire to meander around outside. It is a hell ghost place and it would be lesser than a percentage to see a normal being nowadays. Some might be surviving, but they are already exposed and would turn to one these succeeding days. Trust had been an issue to everyone too, that even begging for help wouldn’t do much to outlive. They became selfish, but they also need not to fall into the veil of grimace.

Catheryne decided for them to do tracks than to ride which will surely catch the focus of those they don’t want to deal with. Their bags were full and they were expecting that it will take hours for them to get there.

“Is Amelia going to stay there for the rest of her days?” Catheryne was curious about George’s friend.

She’s bold and independent. Catheryne wanted to give her questions for her to answer, but it was clear that Amelia is silent about it. She’s thinking well and not giving them much information about the past, now leaving them the option to seek for veracity on their own terms.

“I think so. She got her own boundaries and we don’t want to fry on it. She hates it.”

“She’s stubborn.” She bit her lip and pulled her sleeves.

“I totally agree. What’s the status of the girl by the way?”

“That. It’s not really a bad alarm to make us all worry. Maria had bumped her nose on their table when she accidentally slipped herself, which caused the bleeding and bruises on her elbow and face. She didn’t inhale anything and she’s okay.”

Catheryne rubbed her nape and sighed in assurance. “That’s good to hear somehow. Let’s hope that she’ll recover soon.”Catheryne kept giving him replies as she kicked those pebbles in front of them.

The road was coarse and they are surrounded by those heavy, thick weeds, closing them from those who are hunting. It will direct to an abandoned subdivision, where it was known to be a high class one named, Greenfield. Those window panels have been shattered as well as those oaken doors. Those paints have been paled. Crows have winged, some landed on those posts and wires, while the others have started to feed on those dead bodies lumping on the grounds. Those vehicles have filth and already blocking some parts of the road.

History had made itself known and the place being called as Happy Town had now become Zero. Their home was taken from them. It is where it all started and they couldn’t deny that they’re the ones to be blamed on. The clouds were gloomy just like how they felt for months, but they’re trying to convince themselves that it will be alright soon. Catheryne halted George, by blocking his way with her arm. Her sight was focused on one of those houses. George narrowed his and caught five people roaming without their sanity. Their clothes were jagged and their bodies were heavily bitten and got welts most on their arms and faces. One of them had his mouth smothered with blood, munching a fresh cut of flesh from someone. Catheryne covered her mouth.

“What are we going to do?” George whispered.

Another house was surrounded by those and slowly they’re getting numbered. Catheryne could feel her hands sweat. “Are your feet in good condition?”

“Yes, but why?”

“We’re going to have a marathon. Do you see that blue one over there?” She pointed to a certain house, which is the only difference from the remaining ones. It was also the biggest of them all – a two-story house and has a circular garage, now covered with dried leaves. A squirrel had jumped off the tree and caught their attention. The creature had paused and in an instant, fast paced have echoed around, chasing the little one.

All have gathered in one direction, stretching their arms to grasp it. Hunger could be seen in their disdainful faces as if they haven’t eaten for weeks. The two have realized that the residents have stayed there up until they have lost themselves.

The squirrel continued to run, up until it had found another tree to climb. Terror was expressed by the tiny creature and when it glimpsed below, it had seen the horrific glares of them all.

“Let’s move.” Catheryne carefully said to her partner and took forward, not until she had stepped over a wrapper of chips and it had sounded. She sluggishly raised her head to see those and they have heard it too. Their eyes twitched and a screeching sound came from them. They rapidly chased towards the two.

“Sh*t! Let’s go!” She pulled George who was glued in his spot. Even if he had seen it a couple of times now, he couldn’t act straight towards them.

A hand suddenly landed on his bare face, making reality spit on his mouth. “W-What was that for?!”

“Get hold of yourself will you?!” She yelled and kicked his feet to run.

They went beside the road, trying to lure those who were running after them. They could feel the cold sweat crippled at their backs as they took bigger steps. George has jumped over the broken face while Catheryne had entered a house. They were separated and George couldn’t stop but to yell in fear. She shook her head out of disbelief.

Shadows have hurled around behind those curtains and she had smelled the lewd scent of the location. Abruptly, one of those window glass have been crushed and a girl in her twenties had rolled on the wooden floor. Half of her face was covered with a smith mixed with her hair and own blood. Her nails have been covered with soil and she’s been spitting blood. Her right arm was bitten, but what’s more horrific is that she’s the one who had bit herself out of hunger.

Catheryne took her small steps away from her but it was too late when she had seen her crawl, breaking her bones. Every snap clenched her heart. Her movements have debauched and called the others, going in her direction. George has reached the blue house first and recognized that only a few had chased him and the others were up to Catheryne. He moved to the second floor and was thankful that the house was empty and secured. The windows were in sturdy grills and the doors were made strong. He searched for some that could help them both. Now, he’d heard the call of Catheryne and it’s also a moment that he had seen a whistle.

“I-I’ll be meat if I don’t do this!” He hissed. “I should have really denied this mission from the start!”

He instantly went to the first floor, opening the door wide and blew it so hard so everyone could hear it clearly. Gradually, they turned their heads and just like how they watched it before on television, had now happened to them real. They have shifted course top him, while Catheryne had to deal with the remaining ones. George ran towards the stairs and instantly lock the doors. He carefully listened to their steps and when it had stopped, he dashed over the window and jumped to the front yard. He landed on his knees, and he flung. Not minding the throbbing wound, he darted to the main door. Just before they were able to chase him again, he pushed the door and locked them up, barriering it with a wood plank.

From his peripheral view, Catheryne was able to get rid of those and went directly to her. Her clothes were splashed with blood and she was catching her breath.

“What happened to you?”

She wiped off her fingers on her collars and blew her hair that was covering her left eye. “Damn*t! I have never seen you run like that before. You should be the Runner next time!” She complimented him with her rowdy laugh.

George checked up on her if she was good and glanced behind Catheryne, now seeing those people lying off the surface. Most of them were slashed on their throats and he realized that she had killed them. He saw her currently cleaning her dagger on her chest.

“D-Did you do that?” He stuttered and pointed them.

“Mhm. If I didn’t, then you’ll be alone in going to Ethernal. We need to survive no matter what. And…” She put her weapon inside her pouch. “They’re also doing that to last. Come on, let’s continue. We don’t want to stay here until night.” She slowly pulled his shirt and they made their steps again.

They didn’t look back. Catheryne always reminds him not to leave tracks, especially what happened. They need to contain their emotions and not be drowned by the guilt. They need to act fast. They have thwarted to a small street and they could see the river from the distance. George suddenly went to his right and took a bicycle that was parked beside a tree. He tested it. “Can we use this? My feet are about to give up.” He mentioned.

“It’s not that far now-”

“My feet hurt. Do you want me to crawl?” He’s about to kneel and lay his stomach low when Catheryne agreed swiftly.

“Okay. Okay. Let’s take it and be sure not to stop.” She said.

“What? Who said that I’ll be the one to drive?” He smirked and pulled his sight out of her.

Catheryne nodged at him and took the bike with a contemptuous look. George has followed her and settled behind. He hugged her tight on her waist and Catheryne had rolled her eyes. “Hurry up. We still need to plant some seeds there.”

George chuckled as he knew what she was referring – traps. Being the Runner, she knows that every step could lead her to a pit, that is why she’s always cautious. She’s a vehicle to her own and Catheryne won’t let herself be caught up until she could find her daughter.

“What’s the condition of the patients?”

“Their vitals are getting low each day. Other cases have been mutated.”

“Did you find any antibodies?” She questioned.

“I’ve drawn myself to it, but their percentage is not stable. I hoped we could find someone who got it.” He sought. His back felt heavy and he kept peeping in different locations. George is having a bad feeling about itm but he tried to shake it. His grip has tightened and Catheryne had noticed it. “Are you that scaredy-cat?”

“I would be a scared one than to chase a mouse which’s larger in size. Do you think we should get back there instead? I don’t know why Captain Roswal pulled us out in this, when there are others who can do better.” He hooted.

Catheryne brusquely stopped their trip. They have arrived at an elevated place and hid themselves under a pine tree. Slumping themselves on the ground, Catheryne took her barnacles and examined the place. It was fresher and there are still no bushes by the river. There is only one entrance and exit to move. Barbed wires have been set around, blocking those who’re trying to get in. A black SUV had suddenly appeared, making its way to the bridge.

“Who are they?” George asked and she let him burrow to study it.

The vehicle is well tainted and they couldn’t see anyone inside it at all. It’s sparkling and maintained that even its color is still the same. It was a high class and private.

“I think that’s Alejandro himself. So, it’s really true that they’re going to get some allies with them. What’s happening with Ethernal lately?”

It had stopped in front of their gates and three men on guards, wearing their protective gears and got some revolvers. Their faces couldn’t be seen also as they started to inspect the car. They’re talking to each other and when it’s done, he gave the signal to the watchman to open up the gate. Slowly, it had entered their base and as soon as the entrance had closed, an overwhelming sound elapsed and the vehicle had exploded.

“W-What is that?!” He yelled, taking himself back and he had felt something watered on his pants. George totally regretted it.

Both were shocked by it and it was totally a trap that they have discerned. She pulled herself from lying low. “It’s not the Howard…”

She narrowed her sight and focused to where it had blasted and the chilling spike had slashed her on her back. They heard some shots from the base and yells, aching to leave. A group had suddenly exposed themselves. All the weapons were aimed at them, but no one had pulled the trigger.

“What’s happening? Why are they not shooting them?” George whispered as he started to put some traps behind them.

“Something is not right…”

“T-They have been breached…It’s…It’s the group. But, w-why are they here?” Shakingly, she lowered her hands and her eyes reverted to where she is right now.