Dead To US: Episode 4: Infected States Of America, #4

By Aaliyah Abdul

The stakes have been raised in the fourth episode of Dead To Us, the zombie apocalypse serial inspired by the "zombie ant fungus", Cordyceps.

Survivors of the fungal virus are faced with new fears as the deadly pathogen makes an unpredictable evolution.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aaliyah Abdul
• Release date: May 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498953085

Aaliyah Abdul

As a fan of the zombie and horror genres, I've made it my goal as a writer to craft interesting and unforgettable stories and realistic characters. To the reader(s), thank you for joining me on this endeavor. I hope you enjoy the ride.

Book preview

Episode IV: FRANKIE

ONE

Trapped with no place to run.

He never thought it would end this way.

Dozens of eyes rimmed with blood peered through the window with a feverish intensity. Sharp fingernails carved a violent path on the windshield, etching a canvas of dread into Alex’s nerves. Beneath their snarls and moans he could hear glass cracking under the weight of the infected mob’s determination.

Alex turned the ignition switch in a desperate attempt to start the pickup. But the vehicle’s stuttered response proved that his efforts were in vain.

Damn it! Alex shouted, banging his fists against the steering wheel. I didn’t come this far just to die like this! 

His head snapped in the direction of glass shattering. Half a dozen hands reached through the fractured driver’s side window and latched on to Alex’s jacket. He pushed away from the door, freeing himself from their clutches. Alex forced his boot into their rotting faces, but the infected weren’t stopping. With an insatiable desire ― the need to feed on fresh brains ― the infected broke through a passenger window.

The boy next to Alex scampered to the floor, and kept out of the infected’s reach. Use the lug wrench, mister! he said, crouching to the floor as far as possible.

Beating the infected back with vigorous kicks, Alex reached across the seat and grabbed the lug wrench. A male infected forced its face through the broken window, ripping off its own skin and flesh. Alex plunged the lug wrench between its eyes and retracted the weapon.

After the infected crumpled to the ground, another ― a female ― stepped into its place. Its swarthy complexion, long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, and white clothing caused Alex to pause.

In his mind he saw Casey, the woman he loved, the dead mother of his dead child. Alex couldn't look away from her haunting, accusing eyes.

Without warning, a gunshot rang through the air, snapping Alex back to a cold reality. Dark blood trailed down the infected female’s mouth and nose, her body yanked from the window. The infected surrounding the door danced and jerked as their bodies were riddled with bullets. As they fell, Alex fixed his gaze on an armed man wearing military fatigues.

Not these guys again!

Where’s the kid!? the man said as he fired his weapon at one of the infected.

Alex hesitated. You’re not going to stop until you get what you want, aren’t you?

The man ceased shooting, and shifted his attention to the truck’s passenger. Peter? Are you in there?

Y..Yes, Peter replied.

Let’s go! Your mother’s with us! the man said.

Mom!?

Alex stepped out of the pickup, allowing Peter to dart past him. Where is she? Peter asked.

Peter! came a woman’s voice from up the road. She stood in front of a white Dodge Ram, waving her hands in Peter’s direction.

Mom!! Peter said, running up to his mother.

Alex turned to the armed man. You...you’re not here for me..?

As the infected dared to move closer, the man riddled the mob with bullets. I’ve no idea who you are, but if you want to come with us you’d better move your goddamn ass.

A lone infected zigzagged through the snow, oblivious to the meals seated inside the vehicle. The lone infected soon joined a larger group in the parking lot. Though the Ram was beyond their reach, Alex knew that if any one of them left the vehicle, the infected would descend on them in a heartbeat.

He wondered if the other survivors knew the same.

We need a new plan, the man in the military uniform said. We’re going to waste more ammunition than we have if we go back down there.

It’s not a waste if we can help Jessica, the teen said.

We’re not going back without those antibiotics, Elliott, the silver haired woman said.

Then we’re not going back at all, said Elliott.

Alex raised his cuffed hands. Excuse me for interrupting, but could one of you free me of these?

Why are you handcuffed anyway? the teen asked.

It’s not what you think. My name is Alex. I was abducted by a group of crazy soldiers, but I managed to get away from them.

A military group? Was it SubRosa? the teen asked.

You’ve heard of them?

Boy, have we. They were all over Gadeston, keeping the place under lock and key. Elliott used to be one of ―

Shut your goddamn mouth Stafford! Elliott barked.

I’m really getting tired of you telling me what to do, Elliott, the teen said, sitting up in his seat. He turned to Alex. "Yes, he was a member of SubRosa. The teen then shifted his attention to the silver haired woman. And that spore cloud I was talking about, Ivy, it passed over ours heads days ago, with the virus."

You know about that too? Alex asked.

Seems everyone knows about it, Ivy said. Except me.

Peter and I haven’t heard of this, the mother said, holding her son close.

Yeah, well, now you know, the teen said. He sat back in his seat, grasping the bandage covering his eye.

Did this spore cloud rain the virus down on all of us? Are we all infected? Ivy asked Elliott, searching for an answer in his eyes.

There's no time to discuss this, Elliott said, turning his attention to the infected strolling away from the truck. We need to worry about our next move. That pharmacy is out of the question.

Let’s just ― the teen began, running his hands through his hair. "Let’s go to my uncle’s ranch. He treats