"Where did he come from?" a bewildered Rayne whispered, looking the Hispanic boy over.
"I found him in one of the closets in the back." Ian replied thumbing towards the bedrooms he had just searched. "He wont say anything except 'No hurt' over and over again. I don't think he speaks English."
Liv walked up to the boy, standing about the same height the two children eyed each other curiously. "Hoollaaa." Liv said slowly, intentionally drawing out the word. "Como te llama?"
"Me llamo Miguel." the little boy replied with a tentative smile.
Rayne and Ian both stared at the small girl with disbelief. "When did you learn Spanish?" Ian exclaimed.
"Miss Ginney has been teaching us Spanish for two years." Liv replied with a smug little smile.
"Can you ask him where his family is?" Ian said kneeling to get down to the kids level.
"Umm.. Donde... is.. tu.. familia? Liv stuttered, squinting like she was trying to make out the words in her minds eye.
"Ellos están en la casa por la calle" The small child responded. "Yo estaba buscando algo más de comida."
Liv scrunched her nose, in frustration. "Slow down!" turning to Ian she huffed. "I don't know exactly, but I think he said they are in a house."
Ian patted her head with a smile. "You did great Sis. Can you ask him to take us there?"
Liv nodded and turned seriously towards the boy. "Vamos a tu familia. Okay?" The boy nodded and led them out the door at a trot. Slipping down the street he was practically at a run. The trio hurried to keep up, still nervously checking over their shoulders with every step.
Finally the boy stopped in front of a beaten up little house. Paint peeled from red shutters that hung next to boarded up windows. The weeds had all but taken over the small garden area climbing up the side of the house as if to claim it as their own as well. This house had been abandoned long before everything else had gone wrong. With boarded up windows and doors the place actually looked like a great place to hide.
The boy pried open one of the boards on the door, and pushed it open. "Abuela!" He shouted as he walked in.
They followed in after him, and were shocked by what they saw. The house was stacked with food. Canned goods filled one whole corner with crackers and snacks in another. There were bottled drinks and water enough to fill a small grocery aisle. It was enough to feed a small army. Another look around the cramped dwelling showed an army there was.
At least a dozen children scampered around playing with toys and drawing on notebooks. Most of them were Hispanic.
"Miguel! Donde Estabas?" A voice called out from the kitchen area. Walking into the room an elderly woman hobbled over. Snow white hair was gathered into a tight bun at the top of her head, the wrinkles around her cheeks and eyes showed a long life full of warm smiles. Her eyes went wide at the sight of the three of them, especially Ian with his sword. "Ay dios mio!"
The woman sprang forward jumping between them and the children. "What you want?!" she demanded staring suspiciously at Ian.
Rayne didn't even flinch at the elderly woman, her eyes never leaving the piles of rations. "Look at all this food!" she whispered. "They don't need all this." Her eyes shifting over to Ian.
Ian however was looking past the elderly woman. His eyes sliding from head to head. "12 children. How on earth have you all survived?" Seeing the fear in their eyes he slowly placed the blade he carried on the ground at his feet.
The old woman noticeably relaxed. Her eyes softened and she smiled peering past Ian to look Liv over. "Hola niña bonita"
Ian brought Liv out from behind him, holding her at his side. "We haven't really eaten in days. Do any of you speak English?" He tried to mime a bit rubbing his stomach and pointing to his mouth. That got a chuckle out of all the children... including Olivia.
One of the older children stepped forward standing next to the older woman. It was a girl who looked to be about 14. "I speak English. My name is Sophia." The girl said perfectly with only a hint of a Spanish accent. "This is Senora Garza. She took us all in when we got separated from our families. Well, all of us except Miguel he is her grandson."
Turning to the older woman Sophia rattled off something in Spanish, at which point the old lady smiled and nodded her head. "Agui, Aqui." She said motioning the group into the kitchen. In a few minutes a spread of food was in front of them. It was mostly canned stuff, but it was spiced and served over rice that made it amazing in spite of the simple ingredients. Though, even if it had been gruel it probably would have been the best thing the starved group had ever tasted.
As they ate they talked to Miss Garza through Sophia. "Senora Garza used to run a day care in the city. She had to gather all the children into a van and sped out of the city when the riots broke out. She picked up more of us along the way. She found this neighborhood and decided it was a safe place to hide."
"I am amazed you all made it all this time in here!" Rayne remarked. "No one has bothered you?"
"No one has ever tried to check this house. A couple of people came through a few days back, but they just looted a few other houses and then left. We have already gotten most of the food out of the places nearby though." Sophia mumbled with her mouth full of cheese flavored crackers.
"What about... things other than people?" Ian asked gently.
The girl tensed a bit, looking over to Senora Garza. "Los Diablos." The older woman whispered.
Sophia swallowed hard and looked down. "One came around about a week ago. There was another group of people hiding down the street... They aren't hiding there anymore."
Ian nodded and started to say something, but paused hesitantly looking at the still so young Sophia. "Do you really think this is a safe place to stay, have you thought about trying to find a bigger group?"
Sophia translated to Senora Garza, who shook her head vehemently. "No leave. No leave los enfermos." Standing quickly she led them to a back room full of sleeping bags. "Sleep here, tomorrow you go."
Rayne's eyes widened, "Go! why would we go. There is food here. She can't make us leave!" She shot a demanding look over to Ian." Do something!"
"There must be something we can say to convince you to let us stay. Holding up his sword, we can help protect you." Ian said quickly, as calmly as he could muster.
Sophia translated again, going back and forth in Spanish with the older woman. Until Senora Garza simply walked off. Sophia, looked back at them bashfully. "I am sorry, I don't really understand, but she is not alright with you staying here." she hurried out of the room leaving the three in silence.
Rayne stood fuming. "Who does she think she is! What kind of person could.... could send people back out there." She was almost screaming, walking around in frustrated circles. She finally stopped and stared over to Ian. "You know none of them can force us to leave. They are lucky it was us that found them and not some other group of people. Most people would have just taken what they wanted. She is CRAZY thinking she can stay here by herself, an old woman with a dozen little kids. They will be dead in no time!"
"Rayne!" Ian barked, gesturing to Liv, who was tearing up in the corner, bringing her rant to an end. Rubbing his temples he sighed. "They are scared. Give them a night to sleep on it. We will convince them in the morning, but I am not going to threaten them." Leaning in close, he added quietly. "She may be a frail old lady, but it doesn't take a strong person to stab you in your sleep. I would rather they trust us."
Rayne's face reddened at the rebuke falling silent she curled up in the corner. Ian put his arm around Liv comforting her. "It will be fine, Liv. Don't worry."
"I am not worried." She said looking up at him. "I just hate seeing people fight. There is enough shit going on around here."
"Olivia Kaitlyn Goode!" Ian exclaimed, fighting back a laugh. "You watch your little tongue."
Liv grumbled turning around to pout. "You and Dad always said it."
Ian shook his head, and grabbed her from behind, tousling her hair into a mess. "well you are not old enough to have a mouth like that." Smacking her back playfully, he pushed her towards the door. "Go get ready for bed it's been a long day."
Liv frowned, stomping off, she turned and stuck out her tongue as she went through the door to the bathroom. Ian rolled his eyes and collapsed onto the sleeping bag. What am I going to do to convince her to let us stay?
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"Dad where is the food?" A small girl with auburn curls whimpered.
The man in front of her bore no resemblance to a loving father. The white tank top he wore was stained in a smattering of tawny droplets right down the middle of his chest, with a reek of cheep whiskey that nearly bowled over the 10 year old Rayne.
"You ate yesterday, you needy bitch." The drunkard grunted, tipping back his flask. The moonlight glinting off the cold steel container glared into her eyes.
"Dad, you promised!" tears streaked down her face. "I didn't eat yesterday, it's been almost a week!"
The sharp sting of his hallmark back hand took her off her feet. His class ring leaving yet another mark she would have to explain away at school tomorrow. "Quit whining." he sank into his recliner and flipped on the latest football game. "I'll make sure you get a big dinner tomorrow. Now be a dear and get daddy a beer."
Rayne had learned not to be asked twice when it came to her father's drinks. As quickly as her feet could carry her, she shot out of the kitchen with his beer. She stopped dead a few steps behind the age worn seat, a chill running down her spine. Small hands trembled so hard that little droplets of condensation sprinkled off the cold can like a leaky faucet. Something was wrong.
The dim light of the TV set cast a shadow around the room, shifting and twisting with every movement on the screen. The frightened child had to force each step, dragging her feet like lead weights. The chair was enormous now, step after step bringing her no closer to the front. Finally, a loud creak signaled a shift in the now house sized recliner. Red eyes stared down at her as a nail covered face turned to greet her in place of her father. Without even time to scream massive spiked hands shot out wrapping around her neck...
...Rayne jolted to wakefulness. The nightmare was not completely new, but the demon was certainly an unwelcome twist. Slowly she regained her breath wiping away the cold sweat with shaking hands. Her stomach rumbled. The small meal from earlier had done a poor job of making up for almost a week without food. Gritting her teeth she vowed she would not go hungry again.
The rhythmic rise and fall of Ian's chest finally convinced Rayne that he was asleep, tucked in the corner with his sister resting her head on his shoulder, she felt safe to get up. Creeping to the door she cracked it open. Children laid sprawled in contorted positions on sleeping bags and clothing piles. The soft breaths of calm sleep resonating throughout the cramped space.
In the living room the elderly lady sat in an overstuffed recliner, her mouth open with long wheezing snores passing her lips. Rayne sneered at the old woman. Quietly, she sneaked past, reaching the food she began sliding cans and boxes into a backpack. I am not going hungry again. I will make sure this time that no matter what happens tomorrow I have enough food. After filling the bags she walked to the kitchen. A small kitchen knife sat in the sink. The simple blade was tattered, its chipped wooden handle told stories of countless meals crafted.
Staring at the kitchen utensil a rogue thought splashed across Rayne's angry mind. It doesn't take a strong person to stab you in your sleep. Rayne shook her head. I am not that kind of person... though if Ian can't convince her tomorrow, being forced to go back out there is about as sure a death as a knife in the back.
She picked up the blade about to put it into her pack, when the haunting sound of a barely audible moan startled her. Quickly she dove under the kitchen table still gripping the knife. Peering out into the darkened house she pricked up her ears. The low pained cry reached her ears again a moment later, but it wasn't coming from the living room. Crawling out from under the table Rayne followed the sound to a small door in the back of the kitchen that must lead to the basement. Towels had been stuffed into the space under the door, and it was locked from her side.
Trembling fingers grasped the lock sliding it from vertical to horizontal. The metallic chink of the metal gears twisting sounded like a gong in the nearly silent house. Shuffling movement could be heard from the other side of the door, and Rayne's heart seemed to stop beating. What am I doing?! she internally screamed, but she couldn't keep herself from opening that door. Not anymore.
The door slid open. Rayne couldn't hold back her scream.
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Ian's veins ran cold as ice. The banshee like wail, stirred him from the most comfortable sleep he had gotten in days. Snatching up his sword he dashed out into the main room. Leaving a startled Liv still struggling to wake up.
The scene in the living room was a mad house, a dozen sets of small arms tugged fervently at Rayne, as she brazenly waved a kitchen knife at Senora Garza. A stream of profanity pouring from her lips.
"YOU GODAWFUL BITCH!" Rayne shrieked. "YOU FUCKING KILLED US!"
Ian grabbed her by the shoulders shaking her and rending the knife from her hands. "What the Hell, Rayne?!"
Finally, stopping her struggle she huffed, wordlessly pointing to the kitchen. Ian followed her finger walking into the empty room where the old woman had generously served them dinner, just hours ago. The pungent smell of blood and vomit stung his nose as soon as he entered the room. Looking to his right he saw the open basement door.
Peering down the stairs his eyes went wide. "Holy shit..." At least 20 people were crammed into the small basement. Flies buzzed in a thick swarm, basking in the aroma of death and disease. Most of the people at the feet of the stairs were still alive, but even in the darkness it was obvious the state they were in. Every one of them was infected. Infected with the same virus that had already wiped out over a quarter of the worlds population, including Ian's father.
Many of them were in the final stages. Boils, disfigured their faces blending them into a homogeneous mass barely recognizable as human, basins had been laid out for them to vomit into, but they now overflowed. with the putrid mix of blood and bile. Water bottles were littered around the floors next to plates of food being eaten only by the flies.
"She is trying to take care of them..." Ian whispered. It certainly wasn't going well, not to mention it was horribly dangerous to the rest of them, but it certainly explained why she was in such a hurry to get them out of the house.
Ian paced back into the living room, desperately trying to think of what to do. "SEE!? Rayne yelled her face still red with rage, "She has been feeding them, caring for them! And then she made our food! WE ARE ALL GOING TO GET IT NOW!" Ian's stomach pitched at the revelation of that unwelcome possibility.
"Please she is just trying to help our friends!" Sophia cried out, tears staining the over-sized pink t-shirt she wore as a nightgown.
Staring at the elderly woman who was sprawled out on the floor holding the smallest children close trying to shelter them from the argument, Ian spoke. "Please Sophia, you have to explain to her. Those people down there. They can't be saved, and she is putting all you in very grave danger by trying. We have to get everyone out of this house now!"
Sophia bowed her head. "But my mom is down there..."
Ian wanted to throw up. This couldn't be happening. Looking up he saw his sisters green little eyes peeking out from the room they had been in. He knew he couldn't put her in danger. No matter what the reason. Lifting his sword he pointed it at the old woman. :"Everyone is leaving... NOW!"
The old woman shook violently, "NO!" reaching under her chair she pulled out a black handgun, and leveled it at Ian. "YOU GO! YOU GO NOW!" she crawled to her feet, the weapon trembling as she held it, the object clearly alien to her hands.
Ian didn't lower his sword, but quickly put himself between her and Liv. "The children are coming with us!" he shouted back.
Rayne grabbed Ian's arm, whispering into his ear. "We can't take the children. They may be in danger here with her, but we will all die on the road if they come. There is no way we can keep from attracting attention if we are carrying a dozen kids out there. We have to find help, maybe if we find a big enough group they can come back with us to get them."
Ian gawked back at her. "But... no we can't leave them. There has to be some other way." Rayne just shook her head slowly her gaze moving back to the room Liv still peaked out of. Ian squeezed his eyes shut. "This can't be right!" he muttered, grabbing Liv's hand he bolted towards the door.
He paused after Liv and Rayne had both gotten out and cast one last sad glance around the room, his eyes landing on the frightened and sobbing form of Sophia. "I am sorry" he wasn't sure which of them said it first.
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