Revixit

By Mitch R Stewart

Robert Getham, a former runner from Newark, is searching for a cure to save himself from becoming a mindless zombie in a post-apocalyptic USA. The cure, if it even exists, is in Trenton, 50 miles away, on a path fraught with the same monsters he’s trying to avoid Turning into. Meanwhile, his oldest son, Jason, must contend with his brother and sister in the Pod. This, while standing up to a bully and trying to build a relationship with the beautiful Emily Lanuici; all with his fractured relationship with Robert hanging in the air.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781365900198

Book preview

Revixit

Revixit

By: Mitch R Stewart

Copyright © 2017 Mitchell Stewart

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Printed in Canada

Edited by: Kevin Forsyth

Cover art by: Danielle Fehr

First printing, 2017

ISBN 978-1-365-78312-8

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my parents, Bob and Pat Stewart. This book is a product of the gift you gave me. I truly am alive again.

Thank You

Thank you to my wife Ainsley, and my friends: Gill, Jamin, Nikkita, Dan, Brett, Kevin, Danielle, David, Daniel, Amber, Calla, Desiree, Deanna, and everyone else on the Sask Writers page. Your support, feedback, and ability to listen to me whine can’t overlooked.

Part I

1

Robert, watch out!

Robert Getham dropped to the ground as his wife, Marissa, swung an axe at the monster lumbering toward him. The Turned, as they were known, stumbled to the left and the axe glanced off its right arm, sending blood spraying out of the wound. The monster launched its left arm out toward Marissa, its claws narrowly raking against the woman’s right shoulder.

Augh! Marissa cried out and grabbed her shoulder.

Robert jumped up from the ground and pinned the Turned to the floor. He fought against its strength as it squirmed against Robert.

Marissa! Help me! Robert yelled.

Marissa released her shoulder and hefted the axe again. She swung her body forward and drove the axe through the neck of the Turned. The monster shuddered for a few seconds then went still.

* * *

That was a week ago. Robert and his family had since been forced from their home in Newark.

Robert grabbed his oldest son, Jason, by the wrist, pulling him along behind him. His other hand was clamped tightly on his wife's shoulder as she led them towards the edge of the city. The two youngest kids, Johnny and Kate, were being ushered along by their mother.

Johnny was 15, four years younger than Jason, and the boys couldn't have looked more different. Johnny had dark hair like his father, except Johnny kept his shorter. Johnny was also tall like Robert, who was just a hair over 6 feet tall. The youngest boy did share some similarities with his brother, like the fact that they both loved reading and were both extreme introverts. Apart from that, the two didn't share much, barely speaking a word when it wasn't needed.

Jason, on the other hand, took after his mother's looks. He had shoulder length blonde hair and a goatee that he kept neatly trimmed. He and his mother both stood around 5’10, with Jason having a one inch advantage over her. But he was much quieter, preferring to read about air planes and helicopters.

Robert's pistol, tucked under his shirt in the back of his pants, felt cold against his skin. He was wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans. He brushed his hair back behind his ears. He had a runner's physique and normally wouldn't have minded the five miles they'd walked so far, but the task at hand pushed any thoughts of exercise from his mind. The encroaching darkness of the late July night crept in on them, slowly replacing the friendly embrace of the warm sun.

Marissa, how long until we get there? Robert's voice broke the silence shared by the family.

Keep your voice down. Do you want to alert the Turned? We're nearly there, as long as we don't get attacked.

The Turned were mindless, zombie-like monster, so named due to a virus that spread across the USA ten years ago. This virus was spread with a simple scratch and turned the victim into the same monster.

Where are we going, Mom? Kate asked.

Marissa didn't slow her pace, still pushing the child along. We're going to the new Survival Pod just outside the city. We'll be safe once we reach it. Just hold mommy's hand.

Marissa had a fire inside her that emanated to the surface and came off in her speech. Robert, the ever-cautious husband, was quick to dismiss it, saying 'you just need to get to know her'. She had grown up in Boston and met Robert at a marathon, many years ago. She and Robert had moved to Newark shortly after they were married. She had a well-maintained head of blonde hair and a fit body, like her husband. Kate, only 10, was growing up just like her; mommy's little angel.

They fell silent again, tramping along the rubble on the streets of Newark, New Jersey. The world was a much different place than it was ten year ago. The 'Infection Outbreak', as the US Government, while it existed, called it, had started with a single victim in the year 2017 and claimed a large percentage of the population, forcing the surviving citizens to go into hiding in the CuzaniCorp supplied 'Survival Pods', or stay on the streets and fight for their life.

So how did you hear about this Pod, Mom? Jason asked.

The CuzaniCorp mentioned something about building a Pod near Newark ten years ago. When the Lanuicis left, I heard them talking about it.

How's your cut, honey? Robert tried to broach the subject quietly.

It's fine. I didn't get cut deep enough to get infected.

Her voice didn't sound confident at this statement. Robert opened his mouth to speak, but closed it quickly, not wanting to alarm the children.

The gates of the walls surrounding the city appeared in the distance. Robert breathed a sigh of relief.

Marissa started coughing and bent at the waist, dropping Johnny and Kate's hands as she covered her mouth. She fell to one knee and tried to balance herself. She pulled her hand away from her mouth and blood dripped between her fingers.

Robert, I can't keep up. Take... take the kids and go. I'll see you when I get there. Save... me a spot. Marissa collapsed to the ground.

Robert rushed over to her. Marissa! No, open your eyes! What's the matter?! He placed his fingers on her neck, feeling for a pulse, but none came. He felt tears come to his eyes, but he wiped them away quickly. He needed to be strong in front of his children.

Kids... He started, his voice shaking.

No sooner than she had passed, Marissa sat bolt upright. The Infection Outbreak Virus had gotten her. Now, minutes after it had claimed her life, it had claimed her body. Marissa had Turned.

Jason! Get your brother and sister to the Pod! Run! Robert shouted, shoving Jason towards his brother and sister.

Marissa slowly looked around, as though she were re-learning her surroundings. Robert slowly started to back away. He had learned over the past year that a Turned, once it targets you, will not stop hunting until either you, or it, dies.

Marissa's eyes narrowed on Robert, and she got to her feet, her gaze never leaving him.

Robert thought quickly, knowing he needed to put distance between himself and the woman who was once his wife. Deciding to go with the simple route, he turned on his heels and started running, his heart in his throat. He could hear feet against the crumbling pavement behind him, but he was afraid to look back. His years of training as a marathon runner helped, but Marissa’s speed saw her gaining on him.

He felt hands on his back and he was tackled to the ground. He struggled to roll over onto his back, fighting against the tremendous strength of Marissa. Her eyes were wild as she stared into his, as though she were searching for something. Robert's arms shook as he tried to push her off of him, but he felt his strength waning. He pushed against her, trying to get to a sitting position, hoping he could push off of her.

A man appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Marissa around the stomach and the neck and pulled back, ripping her off of Robert. Robert struggled to his feet as the man fought with Marissa. Her arms flailed wildly, scratching at the man, but his thick coat stopped her nails from meeting flesh. He dug his heels into the ground, trying to keep her from breaking free, but this new found strength was beginning to be too much.

You need to shoot her! The man yelled. She's not going to stop until she kills you, and then me! Shoot! Her!

I... I can't! That's my wife!

Was! WAS your wife! the man yelled as he struggled with the Turned in his arms. You need to let go and save us both!

I... Robert felt weak.

Do it!

I...

Robert knew he had to shoot Marissa. He shivered as he reached behind his back, his hand closing around his pistol. He pulled the weapon out of its resting place and he felt the cold steel grazing his skin. He pointed it towards Marissa. His hand shook as he carefully took aim.

I'm so sorry, Marissa. Robert's voice came quietly and a single tear rolled down his cheek. 

2

Jason could still hear his father's frenzied yelling, telling him to take his brother and sister and get to the Pod. They were near it now, and he could see the large metal door looming in the distance. A single guard stood watch, pacing back and forth, his gun held firm in his hands. The wind had picked up and was whipping dirt and rain around the entrance. The few traders that had set their goods out struggled to pack up under the power of the weather.

Hold it right there. The guard put his hand out as the group approached him and slung his weapon over his shoulder. Are you new residents or existing?

We-um, we're new. Um, we need four rooms. Jason spoke up, his voice shaking.

"You're just in time. That's all we