What Remains (The Reaper Virus Book 2)

By Nathan Barnes

The world has ended. Now the dead dominate the living.

Wounded and weary, Nathan has reached his loved ones only to have his injuries prevent their planned escape. Now the family must flee into a landscape ravaged by hellish forces. Together they face the ghoulish reality of surviving the unending threats from both the living and the dead.

In this sequel to The Reaper Virus, Nathan’s desperate quest to save his family has evolved into a struggle all of them must endure. The family discovers that when fighting for each other, there are no limits. And without limits, what remains of your humanity if you must become a monster to fight monsters?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Permuted
• Release date: May 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781618685759

Book preview

What Remains

The Reaper Virus Book Two

Nathan Barnes

A PERMUTED PRESS book

Published at Smashwords

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-61868-575-9

What Remains

The Reaper Virus Book Two

© 2015 by Nathan Barnes.

All Rights Reserved

Cover art by David Walker

This book is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

Permuted Press

109 International Drive, Suite 300

Franklin, TN 37067

http://permutedpress.com

Contents

Prologue - Purgatory

Chapter 1 - Resurrection

Chapter 2 – Lucid Dreamer

Chapter 3 – Improvised Existence

Chapter 4 – Seeking Normalcy

Chapter 5 – Relative Safety

Chapter 6 – False Security

Chapter 7 – Inconspicuous

Chapter 8 - Thankful

Chapter 9 – Murphy’s Law

Chapter 10 – Plan B

Chapter 11 - Unknowns

Chapter 12 – Still Human

Chapter 13 – Trust

Chapter 14 – Best Creations

Chapter 15 – Refueled

Chapter 16 – Deliverance

Chapter 17 - Divergence

Chapter 18 - Struggles

Chapter 19 - Haven

Chapter 20 - Onward

Chapter 21 – Safe Zone

Chapter 22 – Wicked

Chapter 23 – Malevolence

Chapter 24 - Wounds

Chapter 25 - Ingress

Epilogue: Contrition

About the Author

Prologue - Purgatory

I was pretty sure I had died.

Flashes of realization came into the darkness around me. I remembered the long fight home. Awareness of how bad everything hurt didn’t mean a thing because the full body pain had joined my normal sense of being.

Why wouldn’t there be pain in Hell? I thought.

I could only be sure at the time that I wasn’t in Heaven.

In the enveloping darkness I heard their voices. It was always just a light whisper. I love you Nathan, Sarah’s sorrowful voice said. Darkness returned between their soft pleas. I remembered the silence being louder than any voice every time I fell back into it. Daddy, you’re going to be okay, Maddox’s voice would break in. Again it went to more painful silence. Then it was Calise, my little princess, that broke through.

Daddy, you’re not one of the monsters. You can wake up now.

How is it that I can still hear them? Am I infected?

The thoughts were rampant and my wavering unconscious state gave them ample time to do so.

I searched my memory for clues. What I found was troubling. I recalled shooting my way past the wall of zombies. I could almost feel the air flow over my face as I hurtled through the air. The pain from impacting the street is still with me today.

What is today? I prodded my brain for some perspective of time and space. Will I ever wake up? Wasn’t I bitten?

The burning I felt in my leg answered that question. I remembered a hobbling creature coming for me. Then I felt his firm, icy grip through the filthy pants I wore. There was a searing pain from his teeth upon my leg with a pressure that was so strong I could find no reason to doubt an ensuing infection.

My head was lifted up. Cool, heavenly water traveled down my throat. Then I was gently placed back on the soft cradle below. Every moment that the memories were disrupted by that outside force brought me closer to reality. Each time was as if a lifeline had been tossed into the blackness that clung to my consciousness.

Regardless of the strength that gradually returned to my being, I was still consumed in the void. My internal pessimistic doubt forced me to dwell on the worst-case scenario. The defeatist thoughts asked, Am I feeling better because the virus is taking over? Is this what happens when I’m about to turn?

I was injured, that much was certain. However, the time I spent around the undead proved that the R33PR Virus gave the afflicted an evil endurance. Of course it also them, but in turn it enabled them to sustain horrible injuries and unending effort without faltering.

If I’m infected and only feeling better because I’m about to turn, I mentally reasoned, then I have to get out of here. I can’t infect them. I’ve heard their voices, I know they are here.

Yet no matter how much I screamed at myself to move – I could not. All I could do was stay in this darkness and dwell on what I’d done to arrive there.

This is punishment for what I have done.

It became obvious that when you have nothing but thoughts and pain to contend with in an unresponsive physical form, your brain turns vindictive.

I saw faces: faces of the people I abandoned, faces of the zombies I slaughtered, the face of the man I’d killed. All were faces that inundated me with guilt. I harbored a deep guilt for the fate I’d left them to or the end I had created.

Get out of the house before you hurt them! screamed my mind. GET THE FUCK OUT!

Instead, I did nothing. I remained in the unknown void. In that void it was just me, the interjection of familiar voices and the unrelenting torment of thought. All I could do was wait to go back into the loving light, or make peace with the inevitability of joining the ravenous darkness that consumed our world.

Chapter 1 - Resurrection

Day One: November 23

1100 hours:

Time had become so skewed that the unconscious realm was all I knew. I had honestly grown to accept that oddly… peaceful state of being. The looming concerns of gradually transforming into an undead monster were manageable after the hell I’d gone through to get home.

Maybe I am dead.

My voice echoed throughout the consciously empty void.

Isn’t acceptance one of the final stages of grief?

Being stuck with my thoughts and the occasional outside voice for so long had me questioning reality.

The midnight of my vision was suddenly broken. Blinding streams of light worked through and my stubborn eyelids finally agreed to open. It took intense effort just to will myself to blink. After a few minutes of straining every facial muscle, my surroundings became clearer.

When your eyes first open after the body is nearly in a coma, dilatation of your pupils can make any light source seem like a million candles. I quickly realized that there was only one little flame flickering in the corner. My eyes blinked rapidly to eliminate the blurry sight left over from that persistent vegetative state.

It was only a matter of time before other familiar sensations returned. I wished to God that the next one to return was something other than pain. My body hurt everywhere. Pain echoed from my chest and radiated from my leg. Surprisingly, the most notable sensation didn’t come from the duct-taped gash on my brow. A throbbing ache came from my left leg. It felt like someone had hit me there with a hammer or something.

I laid on a heavenly surface. It took bit of contemplation before I recognized it to be our memory foam mattress. The last few places I could clearly remember sleeping were makeshift cots and those fucking railroad tracks. Those memories made me all the more appreciative of the bed underneath me.

Then another sensation joined the mix. It was the tiny twitching presence upon my abdomen. Every atrophied muscle fought the movement that was required to turn my neck to look at what I felt. As I willed myself to move, my brain ran wild with questions about my current state. Much like it did when I was unconscious, fear of possible infection dominated all thoughts. That is, until I saw what rested upon my stomach…

It was a little hand. A sweet, heavenly hand with fingers that twitched like a cat’s paw during a mouse filled dream. My eyes followed the fingers to their source. Clinging to my battered side was my darling baby girl, Calise. Her pink pajama-clad arm emerged from beneath the heavy blankets on the bed. Twirling waves of light brown hair topped the face of this angel that was burrowed into my person.

She must have felt the consciousness return to me. The tiny hand moved across my chest towards her face. Every inch of skin that Calise’s hand touched throbbed with pain. My entire existence had been dominated by pain for what felt like so long. Each searing nerve served as a reminder of the evil forces that wanted to consume my life. However, for the first time, this bout of discomfort caused by the contact with my daughter’s hand also reminded me why I’m still alive. I was still alive for them.

Two little fingers brushed the hair away from her eyes. Her hair was just as pretty as Sarah’s, only with my coloring. Then two big, brown unobstructed eyes gazed up to check me. In the flickering candlelight I saw them immediately widen. Calise must have realized that finally, her father was looking back at her.

A sweet whisper escaped her disbelief, Daddy?

My throat was dry and both lips were practically fused together. I forced them apart and croaked out a response. Hi, Princess...

She jumped up then pressed upon my chest for leverage. I winced but didn’t let it affect the smile I showed her back. Daddy! I knew you were going to wake up! Then she descended over me in a hug only a daughter could give. Her wavy hair fell across my face and tickled my nose. Every sensation acted as a revival to feelings that had gone so numb.

You were right, sweetie. I’m so glad that you were right. Watch out though… Daddy has a lot of booboos. She reluctantly released her baby bear hug and sat upright beside me.

Mommy said you would come home. She started crying. She said the monsters wouldn’t stop you from finding us. The monsters are really scary but I knew they wouldn’t get you, Daddy.

Tears also streamed down my face. Every inch of me was so numb. I only became aware of the wet, salty streaks when one of them ran over a cut on my skin with a sharp sting. You were right, Princess. I wasn’t going to let the monsters keep me from getting home. Why are you the only one here?

Calise wiped her left arm across her nose and sniffled. Mommy and Maddox are in the backyard. I told Mommy I wasn’t going to leave you because I had to stop the monsters from trying to get you again.

Thank you, baby. You did a great job keeping me safe. My tone shifted to become stern. Why are they in the back yard? It’s not safe outside.

Her brown hair flung from side to side as she shook her head defiantly. No, no. It’s okay, Daddy. The monsters can’t see us in the backyard. We just have to stay quiet and they won’t bother us. But ever since you came home some of them have been banging on the fence.

Alright, honey. I tried to sit up. I’m not mad. Can you go get them and tell them I’m awake? Calise leaned over and gave me a sweet kiss on the cheek. She then jumped off the bed and moved towards the trap door we’d installed in the bedroom window.

The little angel disappeared behind the blackout curtains. I heard her voice yell out like she was telling someone a secret. Then she jumped backward and a blur of motion pushed past the thick fabric. Maddox popped into the room with the ease only an eight year old could muster.

Daddy, he said in disbelief, you’re okay! My son looked taller than when I last saw him even though it hadn’t been a long time at all. Maddox practically jumped over his little sister to reach the bed. He grabbed me in a painful hug. Calise, ignoring my earlier pleas to be gentle, joined her brother in the embrace. Being held again by my children made it easy to swallow the pain that radiated within me. I craved medicinal relief like it was my favorite food.

Hi, Monkey, I said with a proud smile. I see you’ve been taking care of Mommy and Calise.

He stood up looking like a little man. I did just as you asked me to, Daddy. I knew you wouldn’t let the zombies stop you.

My heart sank when I heard him say that word. That was the word that echoed in my unconscious thoughts. I still despised the fact that it had to be spoken of as a statement of fact instead of fiction. I tried to hide my discontent, You were very right, Maddox. I’m just glad you kept our ladies safe.

Then the curtains rose again. The area was granted an increase in illumination from outside. Through the natural light, my beautiful bride entered the joy-filled room. She looked at me and smiled. Tears streamed down from her gracious eyes. Her cold hands were placed over my cheeks and her lips met mine. Sarah gave me a tender kiss then looked into my eyes.

Welcome home, Nathan.

1130 hours:

Sarah sent the kids up to the attic.

Maddox proudly informed me that he had helped Sarah clear out the area above our ranch home so they’d all have a place to spend time. It was a smart move. The attic was more isolated from sound and had a large open area. Up there the kids were able to move around without the worry of being seen through any outside predatory eyes on the ground level. Not to mention, the only way to reach it was by way of a pull down ladder. If the infected were to break inside then they wouldn’t be able to reach anyone up there.

My wife ushered the kids out and closed the door. Sarah climbed up into the bed and under the covers. She occupied the area that was still warm from where Calise had been nestled minutes before. Her head leaned on my shoulder and she started to weep.

Baby, I was crying too but naturally wanted to put her at ease. I’m home – just like I said I’d be. It’s okay now.

I was starting to lose hope, she said in a soft, almost shameful voice.

So was I. There were so many of them. Sarah, I… I did some terrible things...

You’re here now. You promised you’d make it and you did. She tried to shift the subject. You were pretty beaten up. I did my best to patch you up but worried about giving you medicine because I didn’t want you to choke on the pills.

Memories of the creature biting me came prominently to my mind. Sweetie… I felt like I was telling her that I had cancer, I remember being bitten.

You were.

My heart sank. "Then I have to leave. I’m not going to put you at risk. You know what a bite does… right?"

Her voice was oddly calm. Yes, of course I do. After all, I was willing to use a shotgun against those people because I know what a bite does. The bite didn’t go through your skin though.

I was so ready to accept the fate of infection that I nearly argued the fact. How is that possible? I remember the pain.

Sarah sat up and reached over to the nightstand. Her hand returned with a flashlight and a freezer-sized Ziploc bag. The flashlight beam revealed a dirty patch of duct tape inside the bag. I looked closer and saw the obvious, gore splotched, bite mark that was indented in the silver sleeve.

The tape stopped the bite?

She nodded happily. Yes it did. But… what was this? Sarah flipped the bag over to show the adhesive side. It was dotted with my forcibly removed leg hair. Her finger pointed to a little broken black rectangle wrapped in plastic.

Immediately I was taken back to that night. I remembered the feeling of utter despair I’d suffered from thinking I wouldn’t make it home. Most of all, I remembered the shell of a man I saw played back in the messages I’d recorded to say goodbye.

Sarah noticed the distant look on my face. Sweetie, what was this?

It’s nothing that matters now. I’m just glad it was there. I hoped she’d pick up on the hint and not push the subject any longer. That man who’d recorded those goodbye messages didn’t exist anymore.

"Me too. I stitched up your forehead and bandaged a lot of other places. I felt my forehead and was comforted by a covering that was not made of duct tape. We also had some antibiotics that weren’t too old. I ground them up and put them in your water but that was risky since you were unconscious. It’s only been a couple days but I think the inflammation is down. It’ll be better now that you can swallow the other prescription anti-inflammatories we have."

Thank you for tending to me. I needed it, I said with a smile.

I’m almost positive you have at least one cracked rib. Then my wife turned on the commanding power of a mothering tone. So I hope you’re comfortable, because you’ll be laying here another week at least.

I can live with that. Is the house safe? Do we have enough supplies to make it through until I can become more mobile?

We’ll be fine. Maddox is helping out a lot. Just get better and then we can figure out what to do next.

Yes ma’am. She settled back down next to me. Sarah, am I in my pajamas?

This was met with a cute giggle. Yes, you are. Your clothes were covered in things I don’t even want to think about. And I had to make sure you weren’t bitten anywhere else. She stopped and was quiet for a moment. Nathan, you had blood on you.

I was pretty messed up.

I know, but it wasn’t in places where you were injured. Did someone else bleed on you?

I knew she’d found blood that belonged to the man whose life I’d ended. Yeah… someone did.

A partner in life can recognize when you don’t want to talk about something. Sarah picked up on this and didn’t push the matter. It doesn’t matter what you did to get here. She stifled more sobs. "The only thing that matters is that you are here."

The love of my life got up from the bed. I looked back at her like the simple act of leaving the bed was like pulling out my life support. Where are you going?

I’m going to get the kids something to eat. And if you can get some substance in you, then we can finally get some drugs in your system, Sarah said without a hint of concern for my response. My response was a side note because she was right – she’s always right.

I’ll be right here, I called with a strengthening voice. She only looked towards me with a smile.

Once I was alone, I continued to lie there in the bed reeling over past events. My dilapidated form subdued the natural instinct I’d formed to jump up and find a weapon. Regardless of the fact that I was not in immediate danger, I had conditioned myself to be prepared because being alone meant I had to watch my back. After fighting tooth and nail against Hell incarnate, I couldn’t fault myself for still wanting to follow this urge.

Sarah returned a few minutes later. In her hand was one of our translucent green plastic cups. It was littered with cracks that should have made the drinking apparatus useless long ago. Somehow, years later, the thing still holds liquid. This time it was filled with a brown fluid that became distorted from the ribbed texture of the cup. She set the drink down on the nightstand and pulled the blackout curtain back a bit.

She took a pillow and attempted to help me sit up. My muscles were stiff and resistant. Pain echoed everywhere that pain could be felt. After a minute of struggle, I finally sat up at a forty-five degree angle and Sarah handed me the cup.

The drink looked like cheap lunchroom chocolate milk. What is it? I asked hesitantly.

Darling, whatever it is, she said with a devious smirk, you’re going to drink it.

I could win battles against the undead, but wasn’t worth trying against the much more fearsome force that is my wife. The drink wasn’t as bad as I thought… but then it wasn’t great either. I choked it down and enjoyed the sensation of sustenance returning to my body. This tastes like that instant breakfast crap.

"Probably because it is that crap… only in water instead of milk," Sarah snickered. She walked into the bathroom and returned with an old prescription pill bottle.

What, you’re trying to drug me now? Come on, you’ve already got my pants off! I said with a painful chuckle. It’s amazing I could be here joking with my beloved. Marital humor is a powerful force.

She rolled her eyes at me and twisted the bottle open. It’s the pain pills you never took from when you broke those toes. They’re a little expired but it should help more than the Advil you’ll have to take when these are gone. So enjoy it while you can!

I was born a klutz. Frankly, I was shocked that I won any battle against the walking dead. My normal level of clumsy dexterity should have created a fatal ‘out-take’ of some kind. Fortunately, I had the proper motivation fueling my actions. Sarah handed me two of the capsules. I downed them with the last sip of my chocolate flavored beverage.

Get some rest, Nathan, my wife commanded with loving eyes. The meds should help you sleep. I’ll send Calise in to check on you later.

Please remind her that hugs hurt when your ribs are broken.

Sarah laughed. I will, but you know it’ll only make her want to hug you more. She turned to the door.

Sarah… I said almost shyly.

Her hair angelically flipped around with her turning head. Yes, baby?

I… My voice choked and cut off. I just wanted to tell you that I love you.

A smile worked over her face. When she turned I saw that her eyes were already moistened with tears that had most likely formed before I said it. Sarah walked over to me and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I know you do sweetheart.

Then she was gone and I was alone again. My mind was so flooded with thoughts that I couldn’t focus on a singular one. Any effort to sort through the tsunami of worry was drowned by the greater strength of sleep’s embrace.

Chapter 2 – Lucid Dreamer

Day Two - November 24

0800 hours:

Suddenly I was back alongside the James. I could hear the churning rapids. A bellowing shriek of some passing undead debris permeated the droning water. Then I felt the strain on my arm. My right grip was getting moist but tightened out of necessity. It was attached to the blade that had become a deadly extension of my very person.

The contortion of my body radiated pain from every joint. I looked up in a panic. Black clouds blanketed a soulless sky. Under my left fist was the rusted ribbing of