The Extinction Series | Book 6 | Primordial Earth 6 Page 5

  It wasn’t working.

  Or not well enough.

  For all of her efforts, the situation was rapidly deteriorating into a full-scale disaster. Jessica hadn’t been joking when she stressed how infectious the disease was, or how badly it ravaged its victims.

  The council, headed by Moran and Patti, had emptied the city’s stores, and raiding parties went out every day, spearheaded by Bruce and Callum. Despite that, the hospital was running low on everything, including food. The hotel’s plumbing system was strained to the limits, and the electrical grid had failed under the increased demand. Doctors and nurses had to work by candlelight and oil lamps at night while engineers rushed to repair the damage.

  Kat wished she could run away. She wished she didn’t have to care about anyone or anything, but she did. Far too much. With reluctance, she returned to the waiting room and headed toward the front desk. Sandi manned the station, holding a clipboard in one hand and a crutch in the other. Her eyes were shadowed and her cheeks pale.

  “Have you been here all night?” Kat asked with a frown.

  “Just another day in paradise,” Sandi said with a wan smile.

  “Go home and get some rest,” Kat said, reaching for the clipboard.

  “I’m fine,” Sandi replied, yanking the clipboard out of reach.

  “No, you’re not. You look like you’re about to faint. Go home,” Kat commanded.

  “I can’t,” Sandi said, her bottom lip quivering.

  “Why not? What’s wrong?”

  “I just can’t be there. Not without Paul. It feels wrong, like the walls are about to crush me,” Sandi said, dashing at a tear.

  Kat sighed. “He should never have left in the first place, the dumbass.”

  Sandi choked on a laugh. “Maybe, but he did.”

  “Have you eaten, at least?” Kat asked. “You know. Actual food?”

  “No,” Sandi admitted with a touch of shame.

  “Come on. I haven’t had breakfast either,” Kat said.

  “Alright.” Sandi handed the clipboard over to another nurse and followed Kat to the kitchens.

  Breakfast was finished, but Kat scrounged up two cups of tea, a few biscuits, and some dried apples. “It’s not much, but it’ll have to do.”

  They sat down at a table and ate their meal. A few other people came and went, but the room was quiet. A blessed relief after the chaos of the infirmary.

  “How many fresh cases came in during the night?” Kat asked, not sure she wanted to know the answer.

  Sandi stared at her plate. “Thirty-two, but we sent six home again. False alarms.”

  “Again?” Kat asked with a sigh.

  Sandi nodded. “People are panicking. Just a sneeze is enough to send them running here.”

  “If they only knew what it was like,” Kat said. “Honestly, I think they’re better off at home.”

  “I know. If you’re going to die, it might as well be with your family,” Sandi agreed. “We can’t help them here.”

  “No, we can’t,” Kat said. “If this keeps up, we won’t have any more room.”

  “You think we’ll have to turn people away?” Sandi said with wide eyes. “That would cause a riot.”

  “I know.”

  “People are scared. Heck, I’m scared,” Sandi admitted. A deep silence fell between them, suffocating with its visions of a future filled with nothing but death.

  “So, you and Paul,” Kat said, changing the subject.

  “It was just a stupid fight about us having kids one day. We’re not even married yet,” Sandi burst out.

  “But you’ve been together a long time, haven’t you?”

  “Three years,” Sandi said. “I always knew he was the one. Now, I’m not so sure.”

  “You never talked about it? Having kids?” Kat prompted.

  “Not really, I mean… Paul did, but I didn’t think he was that serious about it,” Sandi said.

  “It sounds to me like he really wants children. How about you?”

  “I haven’t really thought about it. I can’t stand kids, to be honest,” Sandi said with a shudder.

  “That doesn’t mean you won’t love your own children,” Kat said with a low laugh.

  “That’s what my mom says,” Sandi replied with a faint smile.

  “It sounds to me like you need to make a decision,” Kat said.

  “Yeah, but why did he have to run away? We could’ve talked about this,” Sandi said, her cheeks flushing with fiery blood.

  “Sometimes it’s easier to run away than face things head-on.”

  “I just… I miss him,” Sandi admitted. “It’s not the same without him. I’m all alone here, and I don’t have any friends.”

  “Do you want to go home? To your family? At least until Paul gets back,” Kat asked. “I could arrange an escort for you.”

  “No, thanks. I’m staying. I need to be here when he gets back.”

  “Alright, but why don’t you move in with me for now? I’ve got room, and you won’t have to be alone through all of this.”

  “Are you sure? I won’t be a bother?” Sandi asked, her expression hopeful.

  “Of course I mean it. It’ll be fun,” Kat said. “In fact, why don’t you get your things and move in right away. No sense in waiting, is there?”

  “I suppose you’re right,” Sandi said, jumping up. She flashed Kat a huge grin. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

  “Take your time,” Kat said, standing up.

  Suddenly, a wave of nausea hit her out of nowhere. “Oh, dear.”

  “Kat? What’s wrong?” Sandi asked, staring at her in confusion.

  “I’m going to hurl,” Kat cried, making a run for the communal bathroom down the hall from the kitchens.

  She burst through the door, not caring when it hit the opposite wall with a resounding bang, and ran toward the nearest stall. She pressed one hand to her mouth while the other clutched her stomach. The offending organ churned like a washing machine, and she barely made it to the toilet in time.

  Watery bile erupted from her lips, and her entire body heaved with the motion until there was nothing left. Tears stained her cheeks, and her legs quivered like jelly when she finally got up.

  “Are you okay?” Sandi asked. Her voice was laced with concern, and she hovered in the doorway with a wad of tissues.

  “I don’t know.” Kat took the proffered tissues and wiped her mouth. She felt weird, off-balance, and strange. Her stomach fluttered, and she wondered if she was coming down with something. Her mind flew over the past few weeks, looking for related symptoms. Then it hit her. I’m late. I’m never late, but this time I am. Two months already.

  “Kat? What is it?”

  “I… it’s impossible. It can’t be, but I think…” Kat pressed both hands to her womb with a sense of profound wonder. “I think I might be pregnant.”

  Chapter 7

  Rogue was running. Running as fast as she could. She wasn’t sure what she was running from, but she knew she was in danger. Suddenly, a raptor burst out of a bush on her right and lunged at her. Its jaws snapped shut mere inches from her face, and its hot, rancid breath washed over her nostrils. Rogue let out a strangled cry as she veered to the left. She could hear more raptors behind her, crashing through the forest. Her heart raced in time to their trilling cries.

  Through the trees, she spotted a raptor running parallel to her on the left. Before the creature could act, Rogue skidded to a stop. As her feet slid across the ground, she spun on her heel, darting to the right. The raptors shrieked in protest as they flew past her, but it wouldn’t throw them off for long.

  The sound of pounding feet filled her ears along with her own gasping breaths. Her legs grew heavier with each step, and her lungs were on fire. The heavy backpack cut into her shoulders and weighed her down. A high-pitched trill broke through her suffering. Instinctively, Rogue lurched sideways, barely managing to stay on her feet. A raptor slammed into a tree just past her shoulder.

/>   They were right behind her. At any second, one would leap onto her back, its long claws sinking into her flesh as she fell to the ground. The vivid image brought forth a sob of despair. She was doomed, and she knew it.

  She burst into a clearing and raced across the open field. A quick glance over her shoulder caused her to stumble. There were at least four raptors in pursuit. Probably more. She looked ahead in time to see the ground disappear into nothing and skidded to an abrupt stop. A ravine opened up before her feet, plunging down to a river far below, the water white and frothy as it whistled past.

  Rogue whirled to face the raptors, holding the machete in front of her. The raptors hissed as they closed in. As she swiped at one, another lunged for her. The creature narrowly missed. Its teeth clacked together a hair’s breadth from her arm.

  She couldn’t hold them at bay. The river was her only hope. Inching backward, Rogue glanced over the edge. The water looked deep, but looks could be deceiving. Rocks could lurk just below the surface, ready to shatter her bones. It was that or the raptors.

  One of them leaped forward, its teeth snapping shut mere inches from Rogue’s throat. She swung the machete, nicking the creature across the chin. It screamed and reared back as blood sprayed from the wound.

  Enraged, the other raptors closed in for the kill. It was now or never. Rogue jammed the machete back into its sheath and spun around. Without another thought, she jumped off the cliff. Just before she hit the surface, she looked up. The raptors peered down at her from the edge, seeming perplexed by her actions, but they weren’t dumb enough to follow.

  Then the river closed in around her. The sudden icy cold made her gasp, sucking in a mouthful of liquid. Murky water swirled around her. Her vision blurred as the fierce current pulled her downstream.

  ***

  Rogue woke up with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. Sweat beaded her forehead, and her breath came in rasps. It was just a nightmare. Yet, it had felt so real. As real as the day it happened.

  Her groin twinged, and she noticed her full bladder. It was about to burst, and she shot out of the hammock like a bullet from a gun barrel. Squeezing her thighs together, she performed an awkward penguin shuffle to the edge of the boat.

  She dropped her pants and sank down with seconds to spare. A deep sigh of relief escaped her lips as her bladder emptied. She’d made it, and she realized the dream about the river had been caused by her need to pee. Her subconscious probably dragged up the old memory because it was filled with water.

  After a few moments, she became more aware of her surroundings. The sky had turned light grey, heralding the arrival of dawn. There was no point in going back to bed, and she decided to surprise everyone with a hot cup of coffee.

  She pulled up a bucket of river water and washed her hands with a sliver of soap in the kitchen. Next, she stoked up the tiny wood-burning stove and filled the kettle with clean water from their bottled supply. Rummaging around in the cupboard, she pulled out the tin can filled with ground coffee beans. It was half-empty thanks to the poor harvest they’d had, and she hesitated. Tea, rather?

  “Nah,” she muttered, ignoring the plastic bag filled with dried tea leaves. She hated tea and preferred coffee every time. Right then, she craved a cup of Joe.

  Rogue frowned. “I wonder where that saying comes from? A cup of Joe? Who’s Joe?”

  “I’ll tell you one day,” Seth said.

  Rogue jumped, nearly dropping the coffee can. Her heart bounced around like a jackrabbit, and she smacked him on the arm. “Don’t sneak up on me like that. You scared the bejeezus out of me.”

  Seth chuckled, unrepentant. “That’s the whole point.” He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. “Good morning, by the way.”

  “Morning,” she said, still pouting.

  “You’re up early,” he remarked.

  “I had to pee,” she said, stirring the pot. “Coffee?”

  “I’d love some,” he said.

  Once the coffee was ready, she poured two cups and put the rest aside to keep warm. Cradling the mug in her hands, she wandered toward the edge of the boat. The hot brew warmed her belly, and she soaked in the beautiful sunrise on the horizon.

  A ripple in the water caught her attention, and she squinted at the disturbance. It was some distance off, but it was getting closer. It was moving fast too. Too fast to be a branch or tree drifting in the current. The thing was moving on purpose, and it was heading straight for them.

  Rogue took a couple of slow steps back. “Seth. Wake the others.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “There’s something in the water,” she replied, pointing straight ahead.

  “What is it?”

  “I don’t know, but you’d better wake the others.”

  Seth banged on the cabin wall. “Everyone up. We’ve got company.”

  “Company?” Tony asked.

  “Something’s coming our way, and it’s probably not friendly,” Seth replied.

  A mad scramble ensued as everyone jumped out of bed and reached for their weapons. Jessica and Seth were the only two with guns. She’d loaned him her pistol while his hand healed. Though not ambidextrous, he could point and shoot well enough with his left hand to hit something big.

  The rest were armed with their usual weapons. Bear had his hammer, Paul had a crossbow, David preferred an ax, while Brittany wielded a spear much like Rogue’s. Tony used an array of weapons, including a machete and something that resembled a trident.

  Rogue prayed it would be enough. Whatever they faced, it was big, churning the water until it frothed. When the thing was close enough for her to make out, she frowned. “It looks like a fin. A big one.”

  Tony burst out of the cabin, shirtless and barefoot. “A fin?”

  “Uh-huh,” Rogue said, her eyes growing wide. The fin rippled through the water, picking up speed. An enormous shadow flowed underneath it, so big, she couldn’t make out the beginning or end of it. Realization set in a split-second later, and her coffee cup smashed to the deck. “It’s going to ram the boat. Hold on!”

  Rogue spun on her heels and ran toward Seth. He clung to a wooden beam with one hand and reached out to her with the other. Their fingertips brushed together just before a crash catapulted her into the air. She flew past Seth and over the side of the boat, hitting the water flat on her back.

  Liquid flooded her chest as she gasped for air, and black spots danced across her vision. She kicked out with her arms and legs, frantic to gain the surface. Her head burst into the open, and she choked. The choke turned into a hacking cough as river water poured from her lips. Treading water, she struggled to breathe.

  A tremendous bang filled her ears as their attacker rammed the boat again. Torn loose from its mooring, the boat slewed sideways. An enormous wave hit Rogue in the face, and she went tumbling through the water, head over heels. She pinched her nose shut and pressed her lips together, holding on to the little oxygen she had.

  The wave swept her onto the bank, and she scraped across pebbles and sand. Using her hands and feet, she clawed her way onto land, heaving for air. She twisted around and spotted the boat further downriver. It listed to one side, and she knew it was sinking. “Seth!”

  The Spinosaurus launched itself out of the water and rammed the boat a third time. The bow crumpled beneath the force of the blow, and the Water Lily shot back.

  Jumping to her feet, she tried to run, but the thick growth stymied her efforts. Rough branches slapped at her exposed skin, and sharp rocks cut into her bare soles. Undeterred, she pushed ahead, following the boat. Within minutes, it moved out of sight, swept around a bend. Gunshots peppered the air.

  “No,” she cried, pushing forward.

  Her progress slowed to a crawl despite her best efforts. Whatever happened, she’d be too late to make a difference. Despair set in, but she refused to give up. One step at a time, she struggled onward. They have to be alive. Please, let them be alive.

  A bright red light
brought her to a stumbling halt, and she gazed up at the sky in wonder. It rose high above the ground before it exploded in a blinding flash. The starburst pattern lingered, casting its reddish glow on the scenery. It’s a flare!

  Tony kept flares on the boat. They were ancient but functional. He was saving them for an emergency, a situation exactly like this one. The knowledge gave her strength, and she pressed onward with fresh determination. Unarmed, barefooted, and soaked to the skin, she struck out into the unknown with the flare as her guide. A lone beacon of hope to show the way. I just hope I’m not too late.

  ***

  The Spinosaurus focused on the foreign object that had dared to invade its territory. It whipped its powerful tail and surged through the green depths of the river. Bubbles streamed from its lips, and its powerful tail propelled it forward at great speed.

  It smashed the side of the object with its head before brushing past it. A quick turn and it made its way back for another round. The invader had to be destroyed. After ramming it again, the Spinosaurus reared out of the water. It spotted two-legged creatures running around on the surface, and its rage increased tenfold.

  The festering bullet holes in its hide sent shock waves of pain throughout its body, and its ruined eye ached with no promise of relief. Its blood was slowly being poisoned by the lead bullets and resulting infection, driving the creature mad.

  The Spinosaurus raised its head and bellowed out its madness and rage, trumpeting its agony to the world. Baring its teeth, it launched itself at the nearest two-legged. This time, nothing would stop its quest for revenge. Nothing but death.

  Chapter 8 - Brittany

  Distant voices penetrated the fog that surrounded Brittany’s mind. They tugged at her subconscious and nagged at her brain until she awoke. At first, she tried to ignore the words, but they carried a sense of urgency. Even panic.