Through the Valley Part 1

By Jordan Buendia

The Dark Plague infection has spread rapidly across the globe! On a late evening of a deadly outbreak in Glendale, Arizona, Jonathan Strain suffers from the tragic loss of his beloved wife, Melanie. A year after Outbreak Day, he loses his sanity, eventually becoming a ruthless killer for a savage group known as the Marauders. Throughout many dark years, Jonathan has stolen, tortured, and killed alongside their leader, Tyron Morales, a ruthless man with a vision to restore order to this "new world" he desperately craves to build and control.

Eventually, Jonathan leaves them behind along with his dark past, then travels to Nevada, where he partners up with four other survivors. During their struggle for survival, they hear about a safe community in Virginia known as New Haven. As they try to escape the ruined state of Nevada, Jonathan's past catches up to him. After his capture, Jonathan suddenly finds himself responsible for a fourteen-year-old girl who joins alongside him on their journey across America. Unfortunately, their expedition will not be so easy with Tyron and the Marauders on their tails because of Jonathan's heroic actions against the group of savages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798889829775

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

About the Author

cover.jpg

Through the Valley Part 1

Jordan Buendia

Copyright © 2024 Jordan Buendia

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2024

ISBN 979-8-88982-976-8 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88982-977-5 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Prologue

Glendale, Arizona

It was a cool Friday evening in the middle of fall. The birds could be heard singing as the wind swooshed outside the open windows. Melanie Strain was cooking chicken Parmesan for dinner in the kitchen, waiting for her loving husband, Jonathan Strain, to come home from work this evening.

Their German shepherd, Keeno, rushed into the kitchen looking for his dinner. He sniffed his bowl, realizing it was empty. He sat down by his empty bowl, whining at Melanie to feed him. He continued to do so until she gave in.

Oh, that's right. You want your dinner too, huh? she said, chuckling.

She put the lid over the pot of noodles, then made her way into the pantry. She took out some kibble for Keeno, then scooped a cup full of it. She poured Keeno's food into his bowl where he quickly dug his face into it, chowing down on the kibble. Melanie chuckled as she petted his back, then scratched the back of his ears. He wagged his tail in excitement as he gave Melanie kisses on her left cheek. She backed away, laughing and wiping the slobber off with her sleeve. She washed her hands, then read the text from Jon she received about an hour ago.

Hey, beautiful, I'm stuck in traffic right now, but I will be home shortly. I love you!

Jon was an art teacher at Independence High School here in Glendale, Arizona. He always had a passion for art since he was a young boy at the age of two. He would constantly draw a picture or a portrait or even write a book whenever he was not busy with work or anything else. He was always looking for inspiration to keep him going. He was a man with confidence, bravery, and full of wisdom. That was Jonathan, the man Melanie fell in love with.

She decided to give him a call to see if he was almost home since an hour had gone by. Independence was about a thirty-minute drive or more from there to the house depending on the traffic. No answer. She texted Jon, checking on him to make sure he was okay while feeling worried about him.

Are you almost home? Call me.

The steam from the pot was leaking out from the lid. Melanie put her phone down, then went back to cooking. The air fryer beeped right beside her, startling her for a second. The chicken was ready to be taken out and placed on the plate.

Keeno suddenly began scratching at the back door. It was usually an indicator stating he needed to go to the bathroom. He barked at the door as Melanie unlocked it. She opened it for him, but strangely, Keeno did not want to go outside. He backed away, letting out a small cry, as he stared outside. Melanie was confused.

What? You don't have to go potty all of a sudden? she asked with curiosity. Keeno continued to stare outside, letting out small cries, as if he were afraid of something or sensed something he did not like.

Melanie looked around outside, feeling the hairs on her neck stand up once she saw a pale figure crouching behind the wooden fence. Something in the neighbor's backyard eating away at something she could not make out.

A loud crash was suddenly heard outside in the front yard by the driveway along with tires screeching on the pavement. The noise startled Melanie. Keeno began barking at the figure outside. She quickly turned back and saw the pale figure staring at her through the fence. The figure let out a threatening growl, making Keeno move away from the back door. Melanie was shocked, and fear suddenly took over her. She quickly closed and locked the door.

She rushed herself into the living room where she saw Jon's black SUV in the driveway with their trash can knocked over. Melanie was relieved to see her husband home and needed to tell him what she just saw out back, but something was not right. Jonathan exited his car quickly, then rushed to the front door as fast as he could. Melanie felt in her gut something was wrong. He began pounding his fist on the door as hard as he could, calling out to her and making Keeno bark frantically.

Melanie! he shouted. Melanie, open the door quickly! Now!

Melanie quickly approached the door. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she reached for the knob. Goose bumps formed on her arms, and the hairs on her neck stood upright. She opened the door and gasped at what she saw. Jonathan's shirt was covered in blood, but it was not his. The two of them looked at each other, trembling with fear.

We have to go…now, Jon said shakingly, feeling terrified.

He made his way inside, then rushed upstairs to their master bedroom without thinking straight. Keeno followed him. Melanie was scared and confused as to what was going on. She feared why her husband was covered in blood and was anxious to get answers.

Jon, what the hell happened? she asked anxiously.

Jonathan was too focused looking through his closet. He did not hear a single word Melanie had told him. He pulled out a black box with a combination lock on it, then placed it on the bed. His bloody hands were shaking as he thought of the man he had killed to get back home.

Jon! Melanie shouted aggressively. He looked up at her. What the fuck did you do? Why are you covered in blood? she asked, feeling afraid of what her husband might have done. Deep inside, she felt Jon might have murdered someone.

Jon put in the three-digit combination code for the box. 9-3-5. He opened it up and pulled out a G17 handgun. He looked back up at his wife who was still shaking with fear. Jon was also frightened. He did not know what to do other than to escape Glendale with her before it was too late. Perhaps it already was.

Melanie, we have to leave now, he said. The military has most of the exits blocked off and the roads coming in and out of Glendale. Turn on the news.

Melanie listened and turned on the television without question. There was breaking news on every channel talking about what was going on, but the full story was not revealed.

The military has issued an evacuation order for individuals within the cities of Phoenix, Glendale, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Chandler. We have no further information as to why this is happening or what is going on at this moment. Again, there is no confirmation on this yet, but government officials and military advise everyone to make it to the nearest evacuation route. The evacuation points are listed according to which city you are in…

The signal was suddenly lost. Nothing but a gray static screen appeared. Melanie tried switching to other channels, but so far, all of them had lost their signal. The government knew exactly what was going on. They lied to the people before explaining everything was going to be okay.

Goddamnit, come on! Melanie said to herself, feeling frustrated.

Jon stood next to her as she desperately tried to find another channel. Suddenly, they were in luck to find one still in use.

I repeat! Residents in Phoenix will evacuate to the Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Residents in Glendale will evacuate in West Gate.

West Gate. That's where we're going? This has to be because of the virus, don't you think? Melanie asked Jon.

I have no clue right now, Melanie. All I know is, I was attacked by some crazy guy who tried to kill me. I stabbed him with a knife he had in his pocket, and I…I can't get that out of my head, he told Melanie. "I can still…see his fucking crazed face. He was covered in blood. His face was filled with such rage. I've never seen so much in a man's eyes."

Tears filled Jonathan's tired eyes, as did Melanie's. Melanie was shocked to hear her beloved husband could kill another man. Jon was not the type of man to harm another individual whatsoever. He would fight if necessary, but he was always the gentle type. He never had a reason to kill someone willingly on purpose. This made Melanie afraid to know what else her husband could be capable of doing. She did not see him as a murderer other than a loving husband who was happy with his life.

Why do they have the roads blocked? she asked. It doesn't make any sense if they want people to evacuate.

To answer your question…I do believe it's because of this virus that's been going around. People have been dying at an alarming rate as we speak right now, Melanie! said Jon. "We need to get the hell out of here and head out to West Gate. We need to leave now! Right fucking now if we want to get out of here! Grab what you can, and let's get to the car!"

Jon loaded his gun, then grabbed a few more mags before rushing out of the bedroom. They packed up their bags as fast as they could, only taking what was necessary—their clothes, some food, water, and their wallets. They suddenly heard gunshots coming from the street. Melanie gasped and stood frozen in place by their bed. Jon carefully peeked out their bedroom window. A woman had shot her husband in the middle of the street. She cried aloud as she entered back into her car, then drove off in a hurry.

"Jesus Christ! That was Mrs. Upchurch… Why would…how could she do that to Joshua?" Melanie said, feeling shocked at the sight of Joshua's body lying dead in the middle of the street.

Come on, Jon said as he grabbed his bag.

Keeno, come on! said Melanie.

Their dog followed them down the stairs and out of the house. Jon entered the driver's seat as Melanie opened the back door for Keeno. Once he hopped in, she sat up front with Jon. He quickly backed out of the driveway without looking behind. A car suddenly drove from behind, almost hitting their SUV.

Shit! yelled Jon.

He continued to back out and drove out of the neighborhood. Melanie turned on the radio to hear any updates on what was happening, but no such luck. The signal was out.

The radio's out. Do you think it's just Arizona having this problem? she asked Jon.

I don't think we are the only ones. Once the military rolled in, then started blocking off the roads and exits, I didn't know what to think of it at the time, he said. All I'm worried about right now is getting you and our unborn baby to safety.

Their unborn child. Melanie was pregnant with their baby. The married couple had recently found out a few weeks ago about the pregnancy. It was all they had talked about ever since they discovered the big news. They were hoping their future child was a baby girl. Jon always dreamed of being a father to a little girl. He knew deep inside he would make a great father one day, but with the virus going around, he fears his chances might have plummeted down the drain. Melanie suddenly gasped, and her pupils dilated from being horrified by what she saw.

Oh my god, Jon. She placed her right hand up to her mouth and the other on Jon's arm. She saw a two-story house in the neighborhood in flames. The neighbors were trying to contact the fire department, but the phones were all down as well. Not one person could get a signal in the area.

Holy shit, said Jon. That's Kyle and Jessie's house.

I hope they made it out, Melanie said, trying to hold back tears. She knew in her gut their dear friends were dead, burning away in the old home.

Boom!

The house exploded, startling the two and Keeno. The neighbors screamed, running away once the explosion happened.

Holy shit! Jon yelled in fear.

The debris from the home shot out into the air. Jonathan continued down the road, afraid about what was to come next. He was afraid like most of the time, but he was more scared of losing the woman he loved. He and Melanie were hoping it was all a bad dream. It was a nightmare neither of them could escape from.

They were getting closer toward the city. Jon turned down onto a street leading to the evacuation in West Gate. Chaos had suddenly struck in front of their eyes. Cars had been wrecked, crashed into one another, and people were running as they screamed in horror. The most frightening image Jonathan and Melanie saw was that most of them were covered in blood. There were dead bodies lying everywhere on the ground, and some had been torn apart from the devastating wrecks.

Holy shi— Melanie was violently interrupted by a large Toyota truck smashing into the left side of the SUV at high speed. The windows shattered; the glass went flying, cutting their skin; and the car was flipped upside down.

Melanie had opened her eyes moments after the crash, seeing a man being ripped apart by a feral woman on the sidewalk right in front of her. Blood squirted all over the concrete and onto her face. Melanie's heart was racing as she watched in horror. Fortunately, Jon had also regained consciousness, but poor Keeno had been killed from the crash.

Oh my god! Melanie said as her heart sank into her stomach.

Come on, help me kick the window shield down, Jon had told her.

After three hard kicks, they managed to break through. Jon had scratch marks on his face and hands. He pulled out a shard of glass from his right shoulder as he grunted in pain. Melanie watched, feeling squeamish from the blood and how deep the shard was in his shoulder.

Melanie had scratches and cuts as well and was also bleeding from the right side of her head. Jon was the first to get out.

Give me your hand! he exclaimed as he reached his bloody hand out to her.

He pulled Melanie out of the car. She stood in horror, watching people scream in terror as they ran for their lives. People were being ripped to shreds, being eaten alive. Blood and guts were everywhere. The sight made Melanie vomit and had left her in utter shock from the horrors she witnessed. Jon had a feeling they would not get out of this alive.

Gunshots were suddenly fired from all directions, killing those trying to eat one another. A man was shot in the head six feet away from Jon and Melanie. Blood shot out of the man's skull, splattering onto their clothes. Melanie's eyes widened and was frozen in fear as she watched his body collapse onto the road.

Come on, we need to keep moving! Jon said as he pulled out his pistol.

How far is the evacuation from here? Melanie asked, feeling terrified.

We need to get over that bridge! Jon said, pointing toward it.

It was a far walk, but they needed to cut through the area to make it there. Jon grabbed Melanie's hand, then ran through the town, forcing themselves through crowds of people.

Shots were fired, along with the terrifying, bloodcurdling screams of people being ripped apart piece by piece. They came across a pile of cars crashed into one another, blocking their path. Fire shot out of the vehicles as they witnessed the dead become the undead right before their eyes. Luckily, Melanie had found another way to get around after desperately searching for a way out.

Jon, over here! she called out to him.

It was a gate to an alleyway. Jon ran to Melanie as fast as he could. He was suddenly attacked by an aggressive, infected man covered in blood who was trying to take a big chunk out of his neck. His gun fell out of his grasp, sliding into Melanie's feet. She picked up the gun, then shot the man in the head, saving Jonathan's life but, unfortunately, attracting the undead. Jon quickly got back up on his feet and took the gun from Melanie. They continued to sprint through the alleyway, approaching the back door of a local bar. The undead snarled, screamed, and climbed over the steel fences in the alley. People jumped to their deaths from a burning building in front of their very eyes, scaring the couple to death.

Go! Don't look back! yelled Jon.

He fired a shot, killing a woman going after Melanie. The two had finally made it to the bar, but another infected had caught Melanie by surprise. The infected man grabbed onto her, pulling her down by her hair, and tried to take a bite out of her.

Jon! she desperately cried for him.

He yanked the man off her, then tossed him to the ground. Jon quickly shot him in the head. Melanie got up, then opened the door as fast as she could before the infected caught up to them. Jon saw at least a dozen running after them from behind, then panicked.

Get inside now! he exclaimed in horror.

He slammed the door shut behind him. The two barricaded the door with a tall wooden shelf as fast as they could while the infected banged against the door. Suddenly, a shotgun was heard cocking back from behind the two.

"Turn around and don't y'all fucking move," a man said in a deep Southern voice. Jon and Melanie turned around to see a bald man in his midforties aiming a double-barrel shotgun at them at point-blank range.

We don't…want any trouble, Jon said shakingly as he took a small step forward. The man was on edge and meant serious business.

Don't you fucking move goddamnit! the man shouted furiously. Tears were building up in the man's eyes. His face was turning bright red from anger. I will put one right in between your goddamn eyes, boy! Don't you test me now!

We're not them, okay? We are not sick! Melanie said nervously as she began shedding tears. We're just trying to get out of here. Please, just let us go!

Jon saw the man had been bitten on his right arm. He then spotted a woman lying dead on the floor behind the bar. Melanie noticed the body as well, then gasped in horror, covering her mouth from the sight of another dead and innocent person. The man realized they were staring at the body of his deceased wife in horror. The sounds of the undead banging and clawing at the door could still be heard outside.

I didn't mean to do it, you know… I ain't mean to kill her, the man said shakingly, shedding a tear from his left eye. "Those goddamn bastards got her in the neck. She bled out so fast… I didn't know what to do. I had to put her out of her misery!"

The man slowly became angry, looking for someone to blame. Jon waited for the right moment to strike at him. He knew there was no talking past this man or calming him down.

I loved my wife with all my heart, but from what's going on outside right now, I realized something, the man continued to speak his mind as his tone slowly became harsh. He pointed his shotgun right at Melanie's chest, at Jonathan's unborn child. I realized we're all going to die! he said as he squeezed the trigger.

No! Jon yelled in terror, lunging at the man, grabbing his gun.

Boom!

Jon had pushed and pointed the shotgun upward at the ceiling before it went off. He pushed the man against the wall and fought him with everything he had. Melanie took cover behind the bar, then glanced over at the dead woman. The body began twitching and let out an eerie groan.

The man kneed Jon in his gut, then hit him in the face with the stock of his gun. Jon fell back onto the floor, then immediately found himself looking down at the barrels of the shotgun. Before the man could shoot and end Jon's life, he noticed his wife returning from the dead. Melanie acted quickly, grabbing a sharp blade from the counter.

No, get the fuck away from her! he yelled. He aimed his shotgun at her again.

Bang!

Melanie shut her eyes and quickly placed her hands over her stomach, thinking she had been shot, but thankfully, she was unharmed. Jon had pulled the trigger from his G17. He had shot the man in the back before he could pull the trigger. The man screamed in pain as he collapsed onto the wooden floor.

His dead wife was now back as an infected monster and slowly made her way over to Jon. Melanie then killed the infected woman by stabbing her in the head with the knife she had grabbed.

Are you okay? Jon asked, feeling relieved.

Yeah, let's get the hell out of here, she responded as she took a deep breath.

Boom!

Melanie was shot in the chest by the man on the ground. Melanie was knocked down to the floor with blood rushing out of her stomach. Jon screamed in anger as he rushed toward the man. He aggressively snatched the shotgun from his hands, then without warning, smashed the man's head in with the stock in a fiery rage. Jon continued doing this until his face was completely unrecognizable. He immediately rushed over to Melanie as soon as the man was killed. She was bleeding out fast with tears running down her face, desperately gasping for air as she felt frightened of certain death.

No, no, no, no, please no, Jon repeated the same phrase to himself desperately, feeling his heart suddenly shatter into a billion pieces.

Tears started flowing out of his eyes like a waterfall. Melanie made a painful whimper as she cried, looking up at Jon, knowing this moment would unfortunately be their last.

Stay with me, okay? Jon said as he cried nonstop. Just fucking stay with me!

Melanie was not breathing. Her eyes were still open, looking up at Jon. He had her blood all over his hands and arms as he held her close to his shattered heart one last time.

"No…please no," he said in a depressing tone after realizing she had died along with their baby.

He could taste his own tears and pulled Melanie closer to his chest. He slowly rocked back and forth. He could not believe the woman he loved was gone. He did not want to believe it. He felt a strong, emotional, and sharp pain in his chest.

Please don't do this…please…God, don't. Don't go, Melanie, Jon said shakingly.

After a long, sad, and tragic moment, Jon lost himself right there. He felt like he had nothing else left in the world. He wanted to die because he knew everyone he ever loved was soon to be gone to the virus but mostly because he had lost the chance to finally have a family—to become a father and a loving husband. Feeling enraged and depressed, he held on tight to Melanie, holding onto her for as long as he could.

Chapter 1

Las Vegas, Nevada

Fifteen years later…

Jon, wake up, Donovan said, tapping his foot onto Jonathan's shoulder. Hey, man, come on, wake up.

Jon's eyes suddenly opened.

Good morning, Donovan said. You were talking in your sleep again. You kept repeating someone's name over and over. What was it, uhm, Melanie! That's the one.

Jon sat upright, scratching the right side of his head. He rubbed his eyes, trying to wake himself up. He felt his heart ache after having dreamed of the night he lost Melanie in the outbreak. He glanced around the old dusty living room he was in, then looked down at his black tungsten wedding ring. Poor Jon had also kept Melanie's wedding ring by his side after her tragic death all these years. Throughout the dark times he had been through, he had never let it go. Melanie's silver diamond ring had been placed on a steel necklace he had kept around his neck.

Yeah, sorry about that, he said, groaning from exhaustion. I just had a bad dream, is all.

Donovan went back over to the fireplace to continue fixing up a small breakfast for his group.

"That has been the fourth one this week, Jon. I reckon it was the same dream you had the night before. I can tell because you've been only repeating that one name of a woman."

He walked over to Jon, then handed him a bowl of scrambled eggs. Donovan sat down in an old wooden rocking chair across from him, next to the fireplace with his own bowl of eggs.

Was she someone special to you? Do you want to talk about it? he asked him.

No, it's fine. I'm fine, so…, Jon said as he rubbed his eyes again. There's not much to talk about, really. It was just another nightmare.

Jonathan kept his emotions bottled for fifteen years. He was still trying to wake up as he also tried to forget the horrible nightmare he had, but it was impossible. It was difficult for him to forget what had happened on the tragic night of the Dark Plague outbreak. The lethal virus known as DP-20 had taken everything from everybody around the world and had left humanity vulnerable on the road to extinction.

Jon had been in Las Vegas, Nevada, ever since he left Arizona. He was now forty-one years old. He was twenty-six when he lost Melanie. She was twenty-seven when she died. She was the one person who was constantly on his mind, and not a single day went by when she was not. He would also think of his friends and family from time to time, but Melanie was number 1 because she was the reason he felt happy with himself. She made him realize there was a lot to look forward to. He began making changes to make himself happy, and it pleased Melanie to know he was making an effort.

Jon turned his head to the left and saw Dina, who was still fast asleep. He wondered where Caleb and Bethany were at. They were the last two members of the group who were also a married couple.

Where's Beth and Caleb? asked Jon. He did not take a bite out of his eggs. He lost his appetite from the nightmare and could not even think about eating anything now. Donovan, on the other hand,