(Book 2)What Remains by Nathan Barnes

appeared on her face, which
made me feel instantly better. Rather than dwelling on my crimes I
quickly shifted back to the original subject. “The dirt biker
outside is doing a good thing right now. The infected are flocking
to him because he’s like a raving Happy Meal out there. If he keeps
it up he’ll eventually pull enough of them away from the cul-de-sac
for us to make it in the car and get the hell out.”
    The change in her posture was relieving. It’s
not every day that you confess crimes to your spouse like they are
as significant as taking the trash to the curb. Sarah swirled the
veggies around in the pan causing the sizzling to intensify for a
moment. “We’ll talk about our plan after dinner. This food smells
delicious and it needs to be in our bellies! Let’s enjoy
Thanksgiving mini-feast now then worry about the apocalypse
later.”
    Two happy faces appeared in the opening of the
attic. “Hey guys! Is everything ready?” Calise said down in an
excited pseudo-whisper. Sarah nodded happily and started up the
creaking ladder. I doubled back to make sure no lights were left on
so we could enjoy the meal in our hidden area without any of the
infected inviting themselves to the feast.
    I eased the ladder closed behind me; we were
sealed tight. The attic felt more vibrant than it had ever been.
Fruits of the kids’ decorative labor were obvious. They had gone
into the boxes and took out a few containers of Christmas
ornaments. Everything was so bright and festive that it resembled a
dream. Looking at the sweet arrangement of past memories and their
childish excitement made it easy to forget about the ravenous
ghouls just outside our walls. An array of pan-cooked delights was
spread across the impromptu table made from an artificial
Christmas-tree box covered in random tablecloths.
    We settled and our feast began mostly bathed in
silence. Food came as a welcomed distraction but it was obvious
that the events of the day were still being digested by every one
of us. I pondered how the little things in life suddenly took on
significance as I ate what could be one of the last chicken nuggets
ever made. The kids looked equally content with the warm morsels
that filled the colorful M&M plates.
    As much as it pained me to pop our pleasant
little bubble, I knew that we had to discuss the days ahead. Maddox
and Calise may be young but the time was near for their innocence
to be thrown out into the evil world. We would traverse the
wasteland as a family in every sense; withholding knowledge at this
point could be a disastrous mistake. I let out a deep sigh, and the
attention shifted towards my end of the makeshift table.
    “Kids,” my words were heavy as if I was breaking
the news about the loss of a family. “We need to talk about what
the next few days will hold for us.” Sarah’s shoulders dropped,
knowing what needed to be said.
    “We’ve been safe hiding here for a while now
waiting for me to recover. I really appreciate you guys taking care
of me after I got so banged up. With Monkey helping Mommy out and
Calise being the best little doctor I could ask for I feel almost
back to my old self.” Recognition made her grin from ear to ear.
“But after what happened earlier today I think we know it’s time to
leave the hou–”

Chapter 9 – Murphy’s Law

    A horrible boom , combined with a
bloodcurdling scream somewhere close by, cut through our isolated
bubble and ended my sentence mid-word. Calise screamed and we all
jumped.
    “ STAY PUT! ” I commanded, rushing over to
the peephole on the side facing our neighbors’ drive.
    I fumbled with the boxes covering the vent,
disregarding any attempt to maintain our silence. I wasn’t sure if
Calise’s crying was muffled by her mother’s hand or by the
palpitation of my own heart. Outside it was dark, but a wavering
light emanating from towards the cul-de-sac lit a few silhouettes
eagerly hobbling away from the house towards the light.
    “What do you