Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 8

"You got to try and drink some water, Chris," His mom urged him, leaning forward with a cup.

A trembling hand rose to grab the cup, but stopped, jerking wildly as a fit of coughing overtook him.

"Oh, baby," She moaned, sitting the cup down and leaning forward with a cold rag. "You'll be fine. Just a couple of days to sweat out this fever."

The pale, hollow face of Chris nodded softly before his eyes shot wide and he threw his body violently to the side. Vomit sprayed into the trash can, blood and bile mixed, causing Kayla to flinch in concern and disgust.

The bedroom door creaked open, Kayla glancing back with half-closed eyes. Matt, leaning against the doorway, watched in lethargic agony as Kayla tried to comfort their son, his mind still reeling from the latest news reports.

The news began reporting a growing death rate, and the infection spreading like wildfire. Reports along the Northeastern states of a sudden onset of cases; the cities surrounding the crater; and the first responders who had fallen sick in the early reports, all pointed to one thing: Biological Warfare. They reasoned that the bomb, while not placed in a significant location, could still spread a plague with little difficulty if released unexpectedly. With no one claiming responsibility for the attack, the issue at the forefront of the government became protecting the nation, and so, Martial Law had been enacted across the country.

Everyone was to remain at home. Deliveries would be made to supply food and necessities. No bills would be applied against the citizens since survival depended on their agreement. The government realized this once Kentucky and Virginia reported over ninety percent fatalities across their states. The fear in the eyes of the President as he spoke into the camera, begging his citizens to stay inside.

"Matt!" Kayla called out, rousing him from his thoughts. "You want to take over?"

A soft smile came to his lips as he stepped forward, towards his son and wife, then came her scream as the ground rushed towards him and then darkness.

"MATT!!" Kayla called out, reaching for him, before her hand retracted back, covering her mouth.

She lurched forward, grabbing the trash can at the last second, vomiting painfully and forcibly into the mixture already filling it. As she sat it down and leaned back, Chris suddenly appeared next to her, rolling over and grabbing the can once again. Gasping, trying to prevent a second release of bile, her tear-filled eyes turned to Matt lying unconscious. Kayla could do little but watch and vomit every other minute as his body lay there.

"Mom..." Chris wheezed, reaching over to her trembling figure.

"Baby... I'm so tired..." She said, barely audible over their mutual ragged breaths.

"Mom?" His eyes grew wider, realizing hers was almost completely closed.

"Chris... honey..." Kayla whispered, her voice becoming fainter, "I need a nap."

"MO---" Chris rolled over, vomiting his objection into the can, tears running wildly down his cheeks as he watched his mother fall over.

"MOMMY!!!" A primal scream came from his consciousness, burning the image of his mother and father, lying there, unmoving on his bedroom floor.

He laid back, screaming with every ounce of mental lung power, cursing and begging, being torn apart by his despair.

*** *** ***

"The Detective told me that you can stay with me, here in town. So I just need to find a hotel to stay at for right now." Blake told his daughter, watching as she shifted uncomfortably in her hospital gown.