The Contagion

.19.

The dream of something incredible has a name.

We call it 'hope'.

The stench of smoke and gasoline filled the compartment and everyone's attention snapped towards the door of the compartment. My eyes bulged out of my sockets as I took in the person I saw standing there.

Billy.

And what the hell was she doing with that Molotov cocktail? "C'mon get me!" he sneered at the Mutants. I whimpered in response. Billy threw towards me the Molotov cocktail which I caught with ease. I broke the bottle by flicking it in the air and dropping it on the floor, causing flames to erupt in a straight line before me. I slid through the double glass doors and joined Joe and Ellen who were watching me with shock. I walked towards the driver's cabin and was about to hop out of the door that Ellen's voice stopped me.

"How did you find us?" she asked me running towards me.

I stared into her eyes for some time and lowered my head in response. She sat on one knee and patted my head. "You were brave, very brave. I'm very grateful for what you did to us tonight." she stopped and looked out of the window. "Or should I say I'm very grateful for what you did for us this morning?" she looked down at me. Without wasting further time, I jumped out of the door and ran into the forest away from the train.

When I found a decent spot, I shifted and made my way back towards the train. My joints began to swell badly and gashes were formed along with claw marks. My hair must be in a tangled mess and lethargy spells were evident. The stench of the decayed and decomposed bodies hit me straight in the face and I resisted the urge to vomit.

I quietly entered the driver's cabin and made my way towards the double doors. When I reached the compartment I was in earlier, I found it surprisingly empty. I ran towards the other compartment but I didn't find them. My eyes then caught Joe and Ellen running towards the woods, looking back at the train in fear.

I went closer to the window and pressed my head to the window glass looking out for Billy. I then heard an ear-piercing shriek and my heart fell in my chest. I drowsily got down from the cabin door and casually walked in the forest. My feet began to wobble and each step I took seemed like forever. A stone came in my path and I stumbled forward falling face first on the forest floor, breathing in the sand and dust.

After that, I didn't bother walking up and sleep had taken over me.

***

I woke up with a start. The sun's rays were shining through the forest leaves. I yawned and stretched myself. I felt the hardness underneath me and that's when I realized that I wasn't home. I got up immediately and the flashes of some hours ago as well as of the previous night flooded me. I absently glanced for my watch and didn't find it on my wrist. I cursed under my breath and began to search for my bag.

Then I realized that my bag was in that wretched train. I groaned and stomped my foot in dismay. I then marched towards the broken window and walked towards the compartment door for my bag. When I entered the compartment, smoke clouded my vision making it difficult to see anything. The entire train was in a mess. Blood splattered on the windows like a Tuberculosis patient coughing up blood. Blood was smeared on the train's floor and luggage items were scattered around.

Among several items I recognized was Kate's laptop which was lying under the seat. I sat on my knees and pulled it from under the seat. I switch on the laptop and find an unsaved Word document. "I shouldn't look at private things," I mutter to myself and keep the laptop back in its original position. In the next compartment, I find Ged's body in a seated position near the seat. His neck was ripped out and his blood had fallen like rain on the compartment wall. I walk ahead and find the half-eaten body of Kate in the middle of the compartment. Her eyes were staring at the ceiling and her hand was fisted tightly having the hair of the Mutant.

An idea pops in my mind and I quickly remove my handkerchief from my pocket and keep the hair of the Mutant in the handkerchief. A buzzing sound resounds in the train compartment making me jump. I look around for the source of the sound and trace it to my right. I quickly grab the mini backpack and rejoice to realize it was mine. I search for the phone and find an incoming call from no other person but Myrel.

I had no option but to end the call. As much as hated to talk to her, Myrel would be the person who may know about the Mutants. I needed to know all the answers to this Mutant mania and also about how my parents die. I make my decision and walk out of the train towards the Eastborough station. When I walk on the tracks, I catch sight of Ellen and Joe running through the forest with the two Mutants running behind them.

My heart leaps in my throat and I quickly scamper to the nearest tree watching the Mutants growling like maniacs. Joe is faster than Ellen who lags behind him. "Ellen, keep up!" he tells her. She glances behind her and stumbles on a stone. She manages to steady herself quickly and continues to run ahead glancing back occasionally. They take a turn and come across a trail which leads to the tracks.

Joe stops mid-way and Ellen continues to run ahead. When she turns back to check up on Joe, she stops running. "Joe, Joe there's a track." She points out to the track with ragged breathing.

"They're going to get us, Ellen." He says leaning on a tree for support.

"What? No." she shakes her head and walks towards him pulling his arm. "We've to keep running." She looks behind him for the Mutants.

"Ellen," he says closing his eyes and breathing deeply. "I won't make it to the station. You've to go without me."

"Joe.... Please don't do this." She says looking behind him for the Mutants. "They haven't even reached here. You should come with me!" she pulls him harder, sadness evident on her face.

"Ellen, please go." He grabs her by the face and kisses her deeply. When they pull away, Ellen continues to beg him.

The howls begin. They both look behind them and see the Mutants running towards them.

"Joe...." She cries.

"Ellen, run! He tells her glancing to the back. "It's too late now." He says softly.

"You had a choice Joe!" she cries fisting her palms at her side. "You had a choice!"

"I know!" he yells back. "I know what I'm doing Ellen. Now go!"

She cries and backs away, running immediately on the trail and then on to the tracks. Joe turns towards the Mutants, ready for a fight. "Yes! Come on!" he challenges them. The Mutants surround him and he punches the Mutant on his right. The Mutant was quick to dodge him and bends to the side, expertly ducking Joe's punch. Joe kicks the Mutant to his left and she hops backward like a kindergarten child in a mood to play. Then the Mutant on the right grabs his throat and bites him on the neck.

That was when my world crumbled to pieces. I slumped to the floor staring at the Human I loved. Tears welled up in my eyes and I constantly hit the tree trunk with my hands. I cried bitterly and hugged my mini backpack with my chest. I felt betrayed and humiliated by his actions. How dare he do that to me?! My knuckles began to ache and blood began to seep out from them.

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So, I found this on Pinterest:

No doubt, all Wattpaders will relate to this. 😂