Cade’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He extracted it and, seeing Brook’s name and number on the display, he answered it immediately. Sobbing on the other end of the line was indeed his wife Brook. She began recounting everything that had happened to her in the last twenty minutes. Towards the end of her story, Cade cut her off and asked, “If my memory serves me, your parents live on a cul-de-sac, right?”
“Yes,” she replied. “So?”
Not knowing how long he would have a signal, he told Brook to just listen. “It’s a good thing they do. If Myrtle Beach is anything like Portland those things will be all over the surface streets. Get as many shells for the shotgun as possible. Grab some food and water from the house and take the Escalade and get Raven and yourself to Bragg. Stay away from big public places, especially hospitals or triage centers. The National Guard and FEMA will try to limit your travel. If they give you any problems tell them where you are going and whom you seek. Explain your relationship with me as a last resort. Remember to go around popular major routes. Do not pick up anybody, and give Rave a hug for me. I’ll meet up with you at Bragg. See you soon, I love you.”
“Finished yet?” Brook said jokingly.
“Just the pertinent facts, ma’am!” he fired back. Then all business aside, voice wavering, Cade said, “You guys be careful, and I really do mean it, I love you. See you soon.”
Just then the connection was lost and replaced with the hiss of static.
There had been no time and no reason to tell Brook about Ted and Lisa, their neighbors from around the block. She had enough on her plate and Cade didn’t want to muddy the waters any further.
Brook was sitting on the neighbors’ sofa and taking this all in when her brother skidded to a stop outside. He left his car running and sprinted into his parents’ home.
By the time Brook walked out onto the lawn Carl had already been inside and seen his parents; he was on hands and knees hurling in the grass. When Carl finally stopped and wiped a trembling hand across his mouth, they met each other’s gaze. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked exhausted. He looked at the shotgun Brook held and said, “I’m sorry you had to do it, Sis. Before I saw Mom and Dad in there I thought I could never convince you what went on at the hospital. It was a hell house. I’ll never forget last night.” Breathing in deeply, he continued. “Earlier this morning I had a moment of clarity and remembered the bite that Dad got. I tried to call here; I only got a recording. Shortly after, people in the Emergency Room started screaming.” Carl paused, wiping his nose with his shirt sleeve. “I hid in a closet for over three hours until the wailing stopped. I finally decided to run for it. By then, everyone on the wing was either dead or a walking corpse. I drove here as fast as I could,” he gasped, eyes red-rimmed and teary.
As Raven joined them, Brook hugged her little girl and big brother close to her.