Infection - Part I

Chapter 16.

Valerie looked at the road that made up the motorway around them. It was busier than expected, with not many cars driving on their side of the road, but many more leaving the city.

The number of vehicles only grew bigger the closer they approached the city.

"Shouldn't they be going back to the city?..." Valerie asked.

Glancing at the cars and trucks and vans parallel to them, Griffin quickly added, "Looks like they've got a mind of their own... Maybe they've figured another way out.". He paused, clenching his jaw. "It'll be a jolly ride getting out of the fucking city...".

"You're not coming along?" Valerie asked. "Thought you said you were going to the airport too.".

"I am... but I can't just yet. I've some more errands to take care of before I go.".

Valerie nodded her head, her stomach once more swirling with nothing but fear.

And then a call came in on Griffin's radio. "Griffin?..." a man's voice called out. "Griffin, can you hear me?... I can't get this fucking shit to work.".

"I can hear you," Griffin responded after pressing a button on the steering wheel.

"Great..." the voice sighed. "Where are you?... Are you close yet?".

"Not yet... but the traffic jam stretches for miles... those who are leaving the city," Griffin responded.

"Tell me about it... the city is packed, it's mayhem... we just got hit by a wave of undead, we fear that there is more to come.".

"Shit..." Griffin voiced under his breath. "Are you still good to go on?".

"Yeah, I am fine. Got out just in time.".

"Good, good..." Griffin started. Silence followed for a mere second before he spoke up again. "Along with Devon, I've another person who'll go with you...".

"Griffin..." the voice was weary. "Griffin... You're putting another life in my hands... You've seen for yourself how everything's like... Please, please don't do that to me. I- I can't, I really can't take on another person...".

"James... She's a detective... Capable of self-defence...". Griffin glanced Valerie's way. "It'll be like she's not even there.".

"Griffin..." James's voice went off again before letting out an audible sigh.

"James... listen, she went through hell. I had to leave her friends behind because they were infected. Don't have to make me do the same to her too...".

"Infected?! Is she infected too??".

"No, no... She... She's fine. She got out of it unharmed," Griffin responded. 

"Fucking... Fine!... But if she dies, the blood will be on your hands. Not mine...". His words shook Valerie. But they also made her angry. Was it the heat of the moment so he thought for her to be weaker than him? Either way, she'll prove him otherwise. It'll be him she'll be saving and not her who'll be saved.

"I'll take full responsibility, James...".

Valerie's words came out of her mouth before she could stop them. "Are you implying that I am weak?... I just want to get out of this fucking place. I don't need no protection... I don't need no knight in shining armour who'll sweep me off my feet and carry me to safety. I just need directions... I need to know where I am going. That's all...".

"Do you see what I mean?... She's more than capable, James," Griffin spoke up, seconds after Valerie finished.

"I heard for myself, alright..." James responded. "How long do you have left?".