Chapter 8

     "If you are watching this it means you've made it to the 14th day since the outbreak of the deadly virus circulating across CA. Do not stop fighting to outlast; our rescue team is on their way to make sure they get y'all out of there. The American President and his wife want you to know that you are not forgotten. They are trying their best to ensure everyone who hasn't been infected makes it out alive. We have some things we would like to share. According to a video going viral on social media, the infected retain their senses of vision, smell, and hearing. Here's a video of Tom Fallon who used to be a building contractor now infected. As you can see, he's climbing into that house. He's..."

       "Could you turn that off?" Aguilera sighed. "For the past 14 days they've been going on and on about how their rescue teams are being sent out to save us but we've not seen any of them. People are still locked up in their houses waiting for death to come knocking." She chopped off the veggies angrily. Picking up the onion set aside, she twirled around and washed it thoroughly. "So they can see Tom Fallon but they ain't doing anything to help us. Unbelievable. Do we look like movie characters to them? I'm so irritated. I can't believe I serve this heartless country."

       "Oh no. Someone better go talk to her. She's going to chop off her finger any moment from now." Mr. Larry, Aguilera's father teased.

       "What is wrong with them?" She asked in exasperation. "I've worked for the government for 15 years and this is what I get in return?"

       A humongous grin spread across Hannah's face and her eyes lit up like that of a little girl on Christmas morning. She walked slowly to where Aguilera stood, then flung her arms around her tightly, shutting her eyes from the cruel reality of their lives. "It's gonna be okay, Mum." All Aguilera needed was that adorable voice to put her worries away. She spread her arms wider, allowing her son to join in. "We'll get out of here alive."

       "Thanks, baby. I should be saying this to y'all." She blinked twice as her eyes welled up with tears. "This is just crazy. This has never happened before so how could it just happen now?"

       "Well, coronavirus didn't happen before it happened." Mr. Larry giggled, revealing his two missing front teeth. "Life happens, sweetheart. Nobody knows what's gonna happen tomorrow. That's exactly why I forced you to serve our country."

       Their gazes caught and held for a much longer time, revealing fondness and admiration. Mr. Larry's unquestioning love for his family was obvious even to outsiders. His eyelids didn't blink at all.

       Hannah and Jacob watched their mum and grandma drown in their emotional moments. He ran to the kitchen door when he heard a noise coming from outside. Peeping through the small hole, he jerked off, almost bumping into the gas cooker. If only Mr. Larry hadn't seen him in time, goodness knew what would have become of him.

        Aguilera sat him and then offered him a glass of water after which a plate of toasted bread was given to him. His lips trembled as tears slowly rolled down his cheek. All efforts to comfort him proved abortive. Jacob's lips shivered. It felt as though he was saying something but no one could hear.

       Hannah rushed up behind her mum, bent over, and brought her ear very close. Exhaling loudly, she got up and said, "Dad. He just saw Dad."

       "Mr. Carter was here?" Aguilera's eyes welled up with tears. she sat still for what seemed like an endless moment but was pulled back to reality when Mr. Larry screamed. "Just breathe, Jacob." She said. "Where's your inhaler?" Her hand reached for his pocket, searching every corner of his trouser. "Why isn't it here? I told you to always carry your inhaler along with you." Looking up at Hannah, she yelled, "Didn't I tell you to always carry a spare inhaler for him?"

       "Mum, it was his birthday and we were at home." She replied defensively. "I didn't know any of this was going to happen. I did make sure he carried his inhaler before leaving for the sitting room."

       "Mum, I can't...I can't." Jacob struggled to catch his breath.

       Just then, Mr. Larry jumped up, ran to the trash can, and brought out nylon. He ran back to where Jacob was, gave him the nylon, and instructed him to breathe. "I saw this once in a movie. I sure hope it works though." All eyes remained on him as he repeated the process. Aguilera got up and then walked towards the door, she forced back the tears trying so eagerly to come out before taking a quick look through the hole in the door. Defeated by her emotions, tears rolled down her swollen cheeks as her eyes fell on Mr. Carter, her ex-husband. He staggered across the room, a piece of human flesh by the corner of his mouth, his face dipped in blood and teeth grinding against each other as if they were calling for more meals. Never in her life did she think a day would come when the same man she once loved, would be considered a threat to her and her family. The thought of having to put a bullet in his head to protect herself feared her the most. She observed tearfully as he ran up to Mrs. Diane hiding beneath the desk. She tried to escape but was immediately pulled back when Mr. Carter's noise which Aguilera assumed was their way of communicating, attracted more of his kind. She screamed and fresh tears trickled down, begging Aguilera to come to her rescue.  Mrs. Diane pushed and kicked, taking off the wooden table legs on the floor, she fought hard but was overpowered again. One could say she had the determination to survive. Pulling free from the clutches of blood-slurping cannibals, she ran towards the kitchen door, banging for Aguilera to open up.

       Aguilera's hand hadn't reached the doorknob when she noticed the bite marks on Diane's hand. She stepped away slowly as Mrs. Diane pleaded endlessly, trying to assure her she was okay. No sooner had she stepped away, Mr. Carter and the other living dead, dragged her away, biting and gnawing. The accusation look Diane was giving, pierced her heart.

       "It wasn't your fault. You didn't have a choice." Hannah assured. She placed her hand on her mum's shoulder, massaging it. "You didn't kill her. I'm sure if Aunt Diane was in your position, she would have done the same thing as well."

       "But I could have saved her." her heart sank. "If only I opened the door. What if she was okay then and,"

       Hannah's face crumpled. She took her mum's hand and said, "Mum. None of this is anyone's fault. She had already been bitten. If you had brought her in here then Grandpa, Jacob, me, and you. We'll all be dead. In a situation like this everyone is selfish; You only save people who can be saved. If you can't then it ain't no one's fault."

       Hannah's last statement reminded her of Inspector Fred. She withdrew her hand angrily. "That's the most unreasonable and heartless thing to say in a time like this. How can you just let people die because you want to survive? If everyone dies and you're alone, what's the point of living, huh?"

       Mr. Larry and Hannah's eyes met and for a long time didn't blink away. Aguilera's compassionate heart wasn't what they needed at that moment if they planned on getting out alive. Hannah's eyes traced her mum's down to the wedding ring on her finger. She immediately understood what was going through her mind. She stared at her with wild astonishment. She didn't expect her mum to react or feel lonely; after all, she ended the relationship.

       Out of genuine concern, she broke the long silence, "Do you miss him?"

       "Every day of my life." Aguilera took in a deep breath and continued. "You know, when_before any of these started, Carter, your dad used to call me every day to beg for my forgiveness. Whenever he called, I'll yell at him so hard and even threaten to call the cops. Anyone in that position would instantly give up but your dad was different. No matter how much I screamed and cursed at him, he would always call to check up on me again." She paused to catch her breath. "He was a good man. I feel guilty for kicking him out of my life because of one awful mistake. People often make mistakes, right? So why! Why! Who did I think I was to hold that against him?"

       "Mum,"

       "Even after everything I did to him," She interrupted. "He came by to check on us. Hannah, if I had forgiven him maybe, just maybe he wouldn't have come here. He would have been okay."

       "Agree to disagree." Mr. Larry cut in. He whispered into Jacob's ear before getting up. "If you had forgiven him sooner he would still be here and you know why? It's because he loves you_actually he loved you because the guy outside definitely would chop your head off the slightest chance he gets."

       "Grandpa."

       "What I'm trying to say is," Mr. Larry cleared his throat. He stroked his chin. "Don't punish yourself because of the things you did or didn't do in the past. Rather, make up for those things. I'm sure if Carter had met up with you, he would have told you to live not for yourself but for your children. Hannah and Jacob are little kids and they need you. Carter doesn't deserve what happened to him neither do those thousands of people out there who are infected. I hope whoever is responsible for what's going on gets the worst punishment."

       Hannah shook her head. Her smile broadened from ear to ear. "Grandpa, did you forget to take your medicine again?"

       "No, I did not forget to not forget to take my medicine." Jacob, who seemed to have caught the joke, smiled softly. "Nancy, you need to brace up and be strong for your kids."

       "Who's Nancy?" Hannah and Jacob corresponded.

       Aguilera threw him a worried look. She had the questioning gaze her children were given him. "Dad, you forgot to take your medicine, didn't you?"

       "Why should I take the medicine all the time?"

       "You will die. That's why. I can't believe this. You are exactly like Jacob."

       Oh no, she's mad. At least she ain't thinking about Dad. Hannah ran back to where Mr. Larry was sitting and grabbed the medicine and a glass of water from the table. He had the medicine the whole time and didn't take it. She sighed angrily. "Here's his medicine, mum. Maybe we should take him to an old age home instead. That way he won't forget to remember."

       Grandpa Larry fumed. He argued hard and tried to make Aguilera see why he didn't need the medicine. When he wasn't looking, she shoved the medicine down his throat and gave him the water. His bullet gaze didn't have any effect on her. She returned to her seat, staring at the door. There was no way to know if Inspector Fred and Dare were alive; her phone was in her bedroom. She thought for what seemed like a thousand hours about how she would get the phone but couldn't come up with an idea that wouldn't kill them. She didn't flinch but could hear Mr. Larry still lamenting. Just then Hannah asked the question right out of her mouth. "Are you crazy?" her heart nearly jumped into her stomach. How could she suggest such nonsense? "No?" She refused in an orotund voice. "I already lost one person. There's no way I'm letting you go out there."

       Determined to change Aguilera's mind, she moved closer, insisting on her murderous decision to go get the phone. "I'm the only person who knows more about these monsters than either one of you. I'm not a kid, Mum. I can survive."

       "I said no."

       "What then? We barely have enough food left, Grandpa's medicine is almost finished, Jacob needs an inhaler and his medicine and I can't stay locked up in this room for the rest of my life! We can't just sit on our arms and legs and expect someone to save us. Mum, there are thousands of people waiting to be saved just like us. Do you think the government would go to each house especially houses with more than one infected person just to save us? I don't think so. If you asked me then I would say these heartless people don't give a fuck about us. They are looking for a way to end this just to save their faces. The world is watching. They would try to do everything even if it meant killing unimportant people like us just to save their country."

       "Wow. I see another FBI agent in our lineage." Larry chimed in. "She's good. AG, she may be the change we need in this country. My granddaughter will be the first female president."

       "Nah. I ain't interested in politics. I'm going to be an activist and a dancer."

       "Then I'll go." She volunteered. Her reply didn't get enough room in her head before flying out unexpectedly. Jacob choked on the water he was drinking. He pouted. "Grandpa is old, you and your brother are still young. I'm the only person fit to go, plus, I'm a Cop. I know more about defense than any of you."

       Rising from the ground, Jacob said, "I'll go instead. I'm the only young guy in the room. I can handle bad guys."

       I'm sick of this melancholic drama. I thought I would spend my last days drinking coffee and chatting with my family but I guess life doesn't always give us what we expect. "I'll go. My child, you are right. I'm old that means I've lived longer than any of you."

       "That's not what I,"

       "I know. Aguilera, your mum and I raised you and your siblings. Don't take that away from these kids. When everything's over, your lives won't be like they used to be. I don't want you to look back and regret anything. Rather try to have fun and do the things which you couldn't do."

       "Grandpa. This is why I want to go. Grandpa's saying emotional things now."

       "Hannah, my only granddaughter. Well, Ruby and Ariana are now monsters." What he said triggered dread and dissatisfaction in their hearts. Once again Aguilera felt like something hard had been dumped on her chest. Who knew things would turn out that way? Everyone came to join in the celebration of Jacob's first birthday since he got discharged from the hospital. She remembered everything like it had just happened. Mrs. Lilian was still unwrapping the gifts when one of Jacob's friends fell and shivered and vomited. Then they thought he had epilepsy. His mum embraced him tight and assured him he was going to be fine. Just then she screamed and pulled away from him. Mr. Larry and the others observed the lad twitch on the floor and his mum bleed from her neck. They had the same questions in mind. Mrs. Lilian had suggested they called the hospital as she had never seen such side effects or illness in her 20 years of being a doctor. Terror had overtaken her features as they waited to know what was going on. Aguilera was still in the kitchen preparing the food when she heard screams coming from outside. She recalled running out only to see her worst nightmare. Everything was supposed to be alright after burning down the police department building. She reasoned. How Mr. Larry and the kids made it into the kitchen remained unsolved to her. His aged legs ran faster than usual as he pulled the kids after him.

       Ruby barely made it in when she started to feel uneasy. "I'm not going to be like them, right?" Aguilera recalled Ruby's innocent voice melting every single bone in her body, how Hannah's heart sank and her feet grew cold, Jacob's eyes peered into hers and Mr. Larry watched in silence as she took hold of the mop stick waiting for the final stage of transformation. "I'm not a bad person. I'm not a monster."  For the past 14 days, she imagined how Mr. Larry must have felt when he snatched the mop stick from her shivering hands and murdered his special grandchild. 

       She stretched her neck, taking one more sorrowful look at Ruby's lifeless body. "No. We'll stay here together until help comes. And if it doesn't come," She added as if she could read the next question in Hannah's head. "We'll die together. I can't lose any other person again. Everyone in our family is dead. It's just us."

       "I should have gone when my wife left." Mr. Larry grabbed the spatula from the table. "One of the painful things about old age is when you have no one to share your worries with. Losing your life partner at an old age sucks. You feel lonely and depressed even when you have many lovely people looking after you." Jacob tossed the mop stick by his side. "You have a gun on you, AG?"

       "Dad."

       "AG, I was a Cop before you were born. I'm going to be fine. I'll be back before Jacob request another glass of water. Seriously dude, Stop drinking that water or there won't be any left for us."

       "If you don't come back, I won't forgive you at all." She pulled out her gun from her right pocket. At first, they glared at her coldly. She had a gun the entire time and didn't tell them. Tactfully ignoring their gazes, she handed him the loaded gun.

       Mr. Larry removed the bullets leaving only two. Taking her hand in his, he dropped the bullets in them and headed for the door. "One bullet for the first monster behind this door and the other for me. In case I get bitten."

       "Dad, this is insane! The gun works better than the spatula and broken mop stick."

       "Not for me." When he said that, he looked at her like a parent would to his disobedient child. "And Jacob, his name is Quill. I've watched Guardians of the Galaxy. Now it's your turn. When I get back, tell me what year did Will Smith start acting in movies."

      Hannah smiled reassuringly and reminded Aguilera that their grandpa was a strong person.

       Outside Mr. Larry ran past the dozen of living dead. Feeling very dizzy and tired, he wandered to one of the windows and stared outside at the other living dead. Their neighbor was still alive. He waved from his apartment, signaling Mr. Larry to be strong and not give up. He returned his kind gesture with a smile before attacking the living dead approaching him.

       Aguilera leaped to her feet. "It's been 10 minutes since Dad left. I've been patient enough. He's my dad and the only one I have. I have to go after him." She pulled out another gun, this time Hannah and Jacob gasped in astonishment. Completely interpreting their shock, she explained, "A Cop needs to be prepared always. I'm going after him. Take care of your brother till we get back."

      "Grandpa's got this. She stretched and removed the strand of hair from her face. "He's strong and powerful. Everything you know today, he thought you. Just wait for at least 20mins. If he doesn't show up then I'll go and get him."

       Jacob dragged his knee, and stomach down on Mr. Larry's chair. He nodded in agreement to what Hannah said, still thinking about the question Grandpa asked.

       "Fine. 10 minutes. But if he doesn't show up, I'm going and not you."

       "Sure." I hope Grandpa is okay. Hannah reached for the fluorescent light and then blinked at the sudden brightness. Eager to get Aguilera's mind off her dad, she said, "About this Dare guy." Her fingers got lost in her hoodie. She curled and twirled around shyly. "You talk about him a lot."

       "Yes. He's a nice guy. I like him a lot."

       "So do I." Aguilera's eyebrows furrowed on hearing Hannah's last statement. "I have a thing for African guys and I think Dare might be the one for me. Think about it, it's not a coincidence that he chose to work along with you and Inspector Fred. Maybe God is trying to say something here but you ain't catching up on what he's saying."

       "Hannah, Dare is..."

       "What? Are you racist too!?"

       "What?" She drew her lower lip between her teeth, not willing to start an argument. "I ain't no racist. I already said that I like the guy."

      "So? Some celebrities pretend to like the Africans just to get more fans but they'll never date or have a relationship with them."

       "That's true but I'm not like that."

       "No one is ever like that until you find evidence against them."

       She looked heavenward, jaw clenched. "I'm...Forget it."

       "How old is Dare?"

       Her question played over and over again like it was on a DVD player until Aguilera succumbed to the pressure. "He's 24yrs and yes, he's single."

       "Yes. This means he's 24, single, and a good guy. Then why are you trying to eliminate our future together?"

       Defeated by her daughter, she sighed heavily. "Dare is smart, talented, and strong."

       "Oh. So it's about me. You don't think I'm good enough for him or anybody." She buried her face in her arms until Aguilera approached her.

       Finally giving in to the strong emotional blackmail, she agreed to get them married if they were indeed meant to be together. Aguilera felt different emotions at once. Happiness that her daughter was at ease with her decision and fear that something bad might have happened to her dad. She was about to reach for her gun when she noticed it was gone.

       Hannah stood close to the door, hand firmly on the doorknob. "I'm going to save Grandpa."

      "This is madness. Did I jump into a bus full of mad people or what?" The color drained out of her face. "Give me the gun."

      "Only if you promise not to step out."

      "Why?" Aguilera stepped up after managing to convince Hannah to stay back. "Why didn't you react when you saw your dad in that state?"

       "No reason. I just don't feel anything at all."

       "Don't do that."

       "What?"

       "That. Pretending that you're not hurting. If you refuse to cry when others are crying, when everyone's moved on, you'll be hurting and no one would know why. You will remain depressed all alone crying for something you should have cried for many years ago. Allow yourself to hurt and heal with others, If not when everyone's moved on from that pain, you'll be left behind. I know you loved your dad unconditionally."

       "I'll wait by the door in case Grandpa shows up." She turned her back, resting her head on the door. The groaning and growling from outside served as medicine for the many thoughts running wild in her head. Forcing back her tears, her mum's soft hand rested on her shoulder. She patted her gently. There was no one in the world like a mum. There never came a time in a child's life when they didn't need their mum-at least not to Aguilera. She strongly believed a mum should never stop being a mum even after that child was settled.

       Jacob ran up to them and joined in on the group hug. "Open up!" For a second he thought he hallucinated their Grandpa's voice until Hannah asked the question right out of his mouth. "Use the gun. Open up quickly!"

       "I think that's Grandpa. It seems he's far from here. I'll do it."

       "No mum. I'll do it. I have a pretty good aim." She flung the door open, pulling the trigger at the numerous living dead running towards them. Jacob cheered from behind his mum. "This is a lot cooler than I imagined!" It felt like an action movie to Aguilera and her son as they admired Hannah and Mr. Larry's take on the living dead. Jacob was no less than a good hype man for Hannah. He chanted her name, eyes dancing with amusement. "Oh no." Just then the unexpected happened-more like the expected. Nothing good ever lasted.

       Aguilera pulled Hannah away from the living dead trying to bite off her hand while Jacob kicked the one on her leg. As soon as Mr. Larry got in, Jacob shut the door. "Are you okay?"

       "Yes. I got the phone, my medicine, and his inhaler. Son, what's the answer to my question?"

       "I wasn't asking about you but thank God you're okay. I'm talking to Hannah. Oh my, there's blood on your hand." The first aid box isn't here.

       "It's fine. It's not a bite but a scratch. I won't become like those monsters."

       "Are you sure? Don't leave me too." A disheartened Jacob sobbed, resting his head on her chest. "Don't ever leave me."

       "Jacob, I.."

       "Ever!"

       "Okay, I won't. I promise." I have to leave. "Mum, remember how you said you'll get me married to Dare?"

       "Yeah? Don't start with that now, Anna. I just recovered from a heart attack. You and your grandpa nearly killed me. It's a good thing no one got hurt."

       She didn't say a word for almost a minute then turned to look at their grandpa who seemed to have caught up with what was going on. Her brief nod answered the queries in his head. "I wish I could get married to Dare right now. I've always loved him."

       "Hannah, don't you understand? I'm stressed right now. Please just be with your brother and grandpa and leave me alone." What have I done wrong? What have these kids ever done wrong to go through such pain? Aguilera inferred. 

       Jacob withdrew his head, facing his grandpa. "I don't know. I don't know the answer to your question. I'm just a kid."

       "Come over here son." Aguilera opened her arms, waiting for him to run into them as usual.

       He remained defiant in his decision to remain with Hannah. "I'm comfortable here. She has comfortable legs. It's just like my bed."

       "I told you not to say that again." Hannah frowned. "But mum's right. You should go over to her. I want to rest."

       "Why? You're not leaving me, right? I won't say anything to unsettle you again, just don't go anywhere. I'll be good from now on. Mum, will Hannah leave as well?"

       "Come over here." Aguilera's response had tears rolling down from Mr. Larry's eyes. He instantly knew she was aware of everything. "I have my phone. Come and watch your favorite animation."

       Jacob's pace increased until he got to where she sat. Taking the phone away from her, he plugged in his earphone.

       "I'm sorry, Mum. I didn't mean to denigrate you."

       "Dad, tell her to stop. I'm tired right now. I don't have the strength to listen to her nonsense." She walked briskly to the end of the room, gazing out through the window. "I can't do this." The whole world suddenly disappeared for her. A drop of tear fell down her cheek as she struggled to win the battle against her emotion.

       "Grandpa,"

       "Your mum is exhausted. She's been through a lot. I'll go talk to her."

       "But I don't have much time, Grandpa. I don't want to die. I'm scared, Grandpa."

       Mr. Larry's lips trembled as the weight of the grief was crushing his soul. He gazed at his palms. Was he destined to kill his grandchildren? It felt like the circle of life had changed. Even if someone had told him in a dream his children and grandchildren would die by his hands, he wouldn't have believed it in a million years. He stood behind Aguilera, tucking her hair behind her ear. "She doesn't have much time. The only thing you can do for her is listen."

       "I can't. I can't hold back my feelings when I see her. I know she doesn't want me to know she's infected but how? How can I pretend not to know I'm going to lose my only daughter."

       "And would you be able to forgive yourself for not hearing her last words, for not spending these few moments with her?"

       "I loved Dad!" Hannah cried out. "You were right, Mum. I felt bad when I saw him in that awful condition. It broke my heart that I never got to say goodbye to him."

       "I can't do this." She turned away tearfully. "I just can't. I can't. It breaks my heart hearing her say those things."

       "Aguilera,"

       "No Dad. I wish I have the courage like you but I don't."

       "I'm sorry, Mum! I'm sorry I told the court you were a bad lady when you wanted to get full custody of me and Jacob." She breathed heavily, still trying to stay conscious. "I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry."

       "Aguilera, go to your child." Mr. Larry tried to persuade her.

       When Jacob looked up at Hannah, she fixed her gaze on the ceiling fan, cleaning her eyes as if something had entered. He mimicked what she was doing and then continued watching his film.

       "I already sent Dare a love letter before," she scanned the room. "We got here. Now I know I should have always listened to you. There's nothing like a mother's love ever. I also want to be a mum someday, you know."

       "AG, please. Please go be with that child."

       "It breaks my heart to hear her say goodbye. I feel like this is all my fault. I'm a bad mum. I shouldn't have let her take the gun. I should be in her place."

       Moaning, grunting, and panting loudly, Mr. Larry closed his eyes tight. He held the gun firmly, turning to face Hannah. "Hannah Carter, my world. My favorite grandchild, you were too good for this world. I hope we meet on the other side."

       "Grandpa. Mum,"

      "My child," Aguilera ran up to her, embracing her with every strength in her body. Hannah's determination to survive breached the set time for full transformation. Veins popped out of her body, eyes twitching, still trying to maintain their human form. "I'm sorry. You are not at fault for anything. It's not your fault at all."

       "It's not yours either. Make sure Jacob has his meal regularly. Grandpa never takes his medicine, make sure to give it to him or send him to an old age home. That way he would learn."

       "My little boss lady. I'll do just as you say. Promise me one thing.

       "What?"

       "If there's anything like a next life, you'll be my beautiful daughter again."

       "God forbid. I want to have a successful dad and a mum who works in the bank. I could use a lot of the money to buy stuff."

       "Silly child." She smiled.

       "If there's a next life, then let's return as one family again. Grandpa, You, me, Jacob, Dad, and everyone else. I wish I could say goodbye to Jacob!" Her eyes flickered, her legs and arms twisting behind. "I wish I could hug him one more time! Grandpa,"

       "I'm sorry, kid. He has a weak heart. I don't think he would be able to take another trauma again."

       "I know. Kill me. I don't want to be like those monsters. Kill me now!"

       "My child,"

       "I'm sorry. I've never been a good grandpa. I had always compared you to Ruby. I'm sorry, dear." Placing the gun on her forehead, he fired it.