The Dying Times: Nadene's Story in the Times of the Living Dead (The Survivor Chronicles)

By Brian Kittrell

Nadene Schafer never imagined a world plagued with the walking dead, and when she becomes infected with the virus, she wonders how much time she has left amongst the living.

A missile attack by the African arm of the terrorist organization known as Six releases a virus on the eastern United States and its allies. In the blink of an eye, the virus infects more than forty million Americans. The disease transforms the infected into cannibalistic monsters and spreads through the countryside like wildfire.

Nadene hopes that she can use her strange new abilities to help her friends to safety before the virus takes her life. With the living dead lurching around every street corner, the survivors are left with only two options: risk leaving their safe places to escape or remain hidden with no hope of rescue. In this new world, death watches from every shadow, waiting to sate its hunger on the tender flesh of the careless.

Content Advisory: Graphic depictions of violence, gore, and death. Some strong language. Reader discretion is advised.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Kittrell
• Release date: Nov 22, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301471966

Brian Kittrell

Brian Kittrell is a speculative fiction novelist and storyteller. Publications include the Mages of Bloodmyr series, consisting of The Circle of Sorcerers (2011, Late Nite) and The Consuls of the Vicariate (2012, Late Nite), The Immortals of Myrdwyer (2012, Late Nite), and The Mages of Bloodmyr Omnibus (2012, Late Nite); and the Survivor Chronicles second edition forthcoming in 2012.

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The Dying Times

Book One of the Survivor Chronicles

Second Edition

Nadene's Story in the Times of the Living Dead

Brian Kittrell

The Dying Times

Brian Kittrell

Copyright 2012 by Brian Kittrell

Smashwords Edition

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More Books by Brian Kittrell

Already released and coming soon!

The Mages of Bloodmyr Series

The Circle of Sorcerers

The Consuls of the Vicariate

The Immortals of Myrdwyer

The Mages of Bloodmyr Omnibus: A Collection of Epic Fantasy Novels

The Survivor Chronicles

The Dying Times

The War of the Dead

Prisoner and Survivor

A World Forsaken

The Survivor Chronicles Omnibus: A Collection of Zombie Apocalypse Novels

The Panacea Series

Cure

Stasis

Blight

The Panacea Omnibus: A Collection of Science Fiction Novels

Chapter 1

November

Nadene stepped onto the narrow stairs of the school bus and looked back at her mother. She smiled. She was halfway through the school year, and according to her teachers and progress reports, everything was going fine. Her mother, Pamela, tutored her in the morning and on the weekends, whenever her restrictive schedule would allow. Nadene treasured the little time she got with her mother because Pamela had to work the night shift at the local diner to pay the bills since Nadene’s father, James, had sought a divorce a few months earlier. After a wedding that was announced, arranged, and put on two months following his divorce, he went to live with his new wife in a big, fancy house across town, leaving Pamela and Nadene to fend for themselves.

Nadene didn’t mind. She no longer had to watch her mother sit up late at night in tears, worrying about when her father would come home. Pamela had told Nadene that she felt a sense of liberation in knowing the truth—James had been unfaithful, and he was gone. Although Nadene’s grades had fallen sharply during the divorce, she was back on track and doing better than ever in school.

The bus slowly lurched forward. Pamela, her brown curls still wrapped in a towel, waved at Nadene and smiled. Nadene waved back with her lunch sack in hand, then took a seat next to her best friend, Sally.

What’s up, Dina? Sally asked, barely looking up from her tablet computer.

Me, apparently.

Sally stretched her back. Yeah, I heard that.

Nadene leaned over, trying to catch a glimpse of what was on Sally’s screen. What are you looking at?

Nothing, Sally flipped it over. Don’t worry about it.

Oh, come on. What is it, Sal? Nadene grabbed at the tablet, but Sally snatched it away.

Nothing. Just drop it, okay?

Was it on Facebook?

Yeah.

Nadene held her palms in the air. If it’s on there, anybody can read it, but you won’t let me see?

It’s a private message. Sorry, I promised not to tell anybody.

Oh, I forgot. Fourteen-year-old business. No way I could understand it.

Sally sighed. It’s just… private.

Nadene fell back in her seat. Why’s she hiding it? We know everything about each other. Well… most everything. I can keep secrets, too.

Oh, yeah? What kind of secrets do you have that I don’t already know?

Not telling.

It’s because you don’t have any. You’re just trying to get it out of me.

If you say so, but it’s your loss.

It’s not my secret to spread around, Dina.

Now, we’re getting somewhere. She fought the urge to smile. Why would I tell anyone?

This can’t get out.

Like I said, why would I tell anyone?

All right, but you have to swear. If you tell anybody, I’ll say that you got into my Facebook. Sally shot a glance at the seat behind them, then lowered her head and her voice. You know Mandy Coates?

Yeah, isn’t she a junior?

Yeah, well, Sally lowered her voice. She’s pregnant.

She’s not— Nadene said, but Sally grabbed her mouth.

Damn, Dina, are you trying to tell the whole world?

Sorry… how did you find out?

Ricky’s brother knows the guy.

Your boyfriend?

No, Ricky from Pensacola. Sally rolled her eyes. You know, sometimes I wonder how you skipped eighth grade.

Well, whose is it?

Some guy she met online from Mobile.

Nadene stared at the ceiling. You’re kidding me.

Nope. Grabbing her bag from the floor, Sally tucked the tablet inside, then pulled it onto her shoulders. Oh, what was your secret?

She shook her head. Later.

I told you—

Feeling her stomach churn, Nadene said, At lunch, okay?

Just say it, Dina.

I went to the movies last weekend with Nick. The words came out too loud, and she felt her cheeks get warm.

Sally sat, wide-eyed.

Throwing her arms in the air, Nadene asked, Aren’t you going to say anything?

What can I say? My little girl’s growing up.

Thanks, Mom. I appreciate that.

Sally leaned in with a devilish grin. Did you kiss him?

No way, she said, grimacing with disgust. On the first date?

Well?

Well what?

Well, how was it?

It was fun, but the movie was boring. Nadene put on her backpack when she saw the school’s sign through the window. The bus growled to a halt outside of Grand Bay High School, and the driver opened the door. Nadene gazed at the red brick and white stucco walls, and she remembered how intimidating they had been the first time she’d seen them. With her grades back up and a few friends, she had gotten used to the place and even felt comfortable there at times. She eyed the yellow and red flowers in the bed of mulch, the outdoor tables beyond, and the bike racks, then donned her backpack and stood.

Before she stepped into the aisle, Nadene turned around and stared at Sally, uncertainty in her heart. Would she? No, of course not. Well—

What is it? Sally finally asked.

About Nick… Don’t tell anybody, okay?

It was just a date—

Please don’t. I don’t want the attention. Okay?

I won’t, Dina. And don’t say anything about… you know.

She nodded, walked into the aisle, and went down the stairs, landing on the sidewalk. Herded with the others like animals to the slaughter, Nadene entered the school and raced down the hall to her first class. Better get there before all the good seats are taken.

The day started with English, Mrs. Owens presiding. To Nadene, the woman had a certain way of turning the study of nouns, verbs, and adjectives into a truly fun and exciting experience. The class played word games and practiced public speaking on an almost daily basis. On Fridays, the class watched the school news program, and as usual, the television clicked on at the appointed time.

She looked up when she heard a woman’s voice say, …still unclear. General Mumbatu has been identified as a member of the Zaire Liberation Front, the newest addition to a series of global terrorist organizations springing up throughout Africa and the Middle East. Secretary Greene of the State Department has hinted that this may be just another unit of the much larger organization known as ‘Six.’

All right, everyone, Mrs. Owens said, switching off the television. We’re pressed for time today. Everyone flip open to chapter twelve.

Nadene opened her textbook to the appointed page, then sighed. Shakespeare. I wonder if he ever imagined the students of the future loathing the study of his writing.

* * *

After English came the dreaded Mr. Redfern’s mathematics dungeon, and from what Nadene had seen and heard, everybody hated math class because Mr. Redfern taught elementary math like a college professor—he started writing notes at the beginning of class and continued writing until the end of class, hardly explaining anything, then he would finally issue a homework assignment that would make a career mathematician blush. Relief, in the form of lunch, came around 11:30 a.m.

Ever since she could remember, Nadene had always sat with Sally at lunch. Nadene pulled out the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and the prepackaged fruit juice from her lunch bag. Hear anything else?

About what? Sally fished through her bag for her fork.

The pregnant girl, she whispered.

What else is there? It’s not like things could get any worse.

No? Of course they can.

How’s that? She’s got a baby on the way, hasn’t even gotten through high school, and the guy’s not going to help her out.

Did he say that?

No. Sally pulled the top off her Tupperware dish. But they never do. Would Nick help you if, you know?

"There’s no way I’m doing that with him. We’ve only been on one date."

I know, but I’m just saying. If you did, do you think he’d help?

Probably not.

Sally pointed at Nadene with her fork, her head tilted down. You got it—

Suddenly, the school bell rang in a familiar sequence, indicating a fire alarm. Nadene gazed at the red box on the wall and noticed that she could see the haze of smoke when the strobe flashed. It’s not a drill? She stared at her best friend Sally across the table.

Nadene’s teachers—Mr. Redfern and Mrs. Owens—stood and walked over to the student lunch tables.

Everyone stand up and form a line, Mrs. Owens said, gesturing at Nadene, Sally, and the rest of the nearby students. Come on, no pushing.

All of her classmates stood and formed a makeshift line at the door of the cafeteria. Nadene and Sally gave each other nervous glances. No matter how many times the fire drills had been done, the noise of the bells and the yelling made Nadene edgy. The thick black smoke coming from the cafeteria’s kitchen wasn’t helping, either. The sprinklers engaged, dousing everyone in the room. The teachers led them through the mist to the outside courtyard, through the middle school’s playground, and stopped at the field on the farthest side of the school’s property.

As they reached the edge of the field, the Grand Bay fire engines came around the corner, screaming with sirens. Nadene could see a small pillar of smoke rising from the cafeteria area, and she pointed. Look at that.

I guess the sprinklers didn’t help.

Nadene nodded, then locked eyes with Nick, who was standing with his friends a few feet away. He smiled at her, but she turned away. We agreed not to be showy at school, didn’t we? Why’s he looking at me like that?

It doesn’t look like we’ll be going back any time soon, Bill, Mrs. Owens said to Mr. Redfern.

No, it doesn’t, Joyce, he replied, turning toward the children. Everyone go ahead and have a seat on the bleachers.

Something wrong? Sally asked, apparently noticing Nadene trying to hide behind her.

Nadene watched the firemen make their way into the school as flames broke through the roof. Is Nick still staring at me?

No. Sally craned her neck. I don’t think so. Is that a problem?

I told him I wanted some time to think about things.

You broke it off?

No, not that. I just don’t want people to know right now. You know?

Sally nodded. It’s just new to you. It’ll get better.

Will— Nadene paused when she heard a howl in the wind, a long wail that quickly grew into a siren. The weather sirens? She looked around in confusion—the sky was blue, the sun was out, and she could hardly find a cloud in the sky.

Mr. Redfern looked at his watch and chuckled. It’s twelve o’clock. No need to get alarmed. It was the first of November at noon—the sirens were set off on the first of the month at noon as a test of the siren system.

I don’t feel so good, Nadene said, itching her skin. It’s like a mosquito biting me all over.

Dina, it’s just your nerves. It’ll be over soon. No need to worry, Mrs. Owens said, overhearing, then pulled a strip of cloth from her purse and wet it from the water faucet sticking out of the ground near the bleachers. Placing it on Nadene’s head, she said, You’ll feel better soon. Let’s cool you off a little.

Sitting under the hot sun for what seemed like an eternity, Nadene watched the principal come walking out toward the field. He spoke to the teachers as school buses pulled up to the side of the field. When they were finished, Mrs. Owens said, Since the fire damaged the school and the smoke’s in the hallways and most classrooms, we will be sending everyone home on the bus.

I don’t feel right, Sally, Nadene said, still rubbing her arms. Something isn’t right.

Didn’t you say you and Nick went to the beach last weekend?

Yeah.

Well, mystery solved. It’s called a sunburn.

It’s not that, it’s something else. I don’t know what it is, but it’s not a sunburn.

Nadene had feelings that she couldn’t explain from time to time. Those unexplainable feelings of dread and pain or tingling in her skin seemed to come on strong when something bad was about to happen. She was even more confused than she had ever been, though; she had felt the pains after the fire, not before. Maybe they don’t mean anything, she thought, eying the school. Maybe it’s just my nerves.

* * *

The bus stopped at Sally’s house, and Sally stood, then walked into the aisle. Why don’t you get off with me, Dina? Maybe Mom can find you something for that burn. Come on, it’ll take your mind off of it.

Nadene nodded, stood slowly, and followed Sally off the bus, glancing at the metal sign on the gate. Nelson. The house’s red brick exterior complemented the white trim around the doors, windows, and dormers, and like most of the other houses in Alabama, the front door was a combination of a thin screen door and a thick metal one, but the fact that the house had two fireplaces puzzled Nadene. She assumed that it was merely a showy feature because she knew that Sally’s family never used either one aside from a few weeks out of the year.

The sun stung her skin as they walked to the door, but it was getting better. The sick feeling in her stomach had all but subsided, and the heat had reduced. Reaching the door, she took a breath when a cool wind swept over her and put an end to the itching. Relief at last.

Sally put her key in the lock, but immediately pulled it out. Mom must not have any houses to show today. She turned the knob and opened the door.

The inside of the house was magnificent, and the entryway reminded Nadene of her old house, except for the lavish décor. Being a doctor at the local hospital, Robert, Sally’s father, often had to entertain high-profile guests, and Nadene was never invited to those parties. You wouldn’t want to come, Sally had once explained. They’re boring… the people and the party both.

You didn’t have any appointments today, Mom? Sally asked, dropped her bag in one of the dinette chairs, and sat across the counter from Haley, her mother.

Nope, Haley said. Seems like people don’t want to get out and look today. I’ll be glad when spring gets here; people will be chomping at the bit to buy again.

Hi, Miss Haley, Nadene said, joining Sally on the seating side of the counter.

Sally gestured at Nadene. Do you have anything that could help her, Mom?

What’s wrong, Dina?

It’s going away now, but my arms and face were itching and burning. I think it’ll be all right.

Well, Haley opened a cabinet and pulled out a tube, put this on it anyway. You don’t want it coming back or getting worse.

Hydrocortisone. Nadene nodded. Thanks, Mrs. Nelson.

Come on, Dina, Sally said, hopping off of the chair and heading toward the hall.

Nadene followed, then stopped when Sally did.

You can put it on in there, Sally said, pointing at the bathroom door. I’ll be in the lounge when you get done.

Nadene shut the