The Amour series (Book 2): The Ashes of Amour Read online

  “Just stay low and keep quiet okay?” Evan said. “Whatever you hear do not come inside.” Kevin told them

  Abby stared at them as she and Jessie walked to the back

  van’s door. The back door opened and Kevin loosened up. No one was inside. There was carpet in the back and a few bags of clothes and nothing else. The van smelt of moldy food and moth balls. Kevin lifted Jessie into the van and then Evan put Pooch inside.

  “I can help,” Abby told them, “I can.”

  “No.” Kevin snapped.

  Abby looked hurt. She hated feeling useless.

  “You need rest Abby.” Evan told her kindly.

  “You cannot be like the rest of us anymore,” Kevin started

  as he turned towards the clinic, “You have to accept that. Learn what your strengths are and turn them into power. But, right now. Your best strength is patience.”

  Kevin gave Abby a very long thoughtful look before he turned away towards the clinic. Evan smiled at her sadly and then nodded his head as she got into the van. Abby stared at his scars and grimaced. The van door closed and Abby took in a deep breath. Jessie scooted towards her and sat down and sighed.

  Pooch was making a bed in one of the ripped bags of clothes. “At least it is warm in here.” Jessie said trying to be positive. Abby looked at her unhappily and shook her head as she

  lowered it. Emptiness sat inside of her and she placed her hand

  under her breath.

  “Are you okay?” Jessie whispered. Abby rubbed her tears away.

  That the fear of turning into the Undead was always in the back of her mind. That the fear of whatever was killing the Undead would kill her too. That she was scared to lose Evan and now Jessie and Kevin. That she was tired of pretending to be stronger than she felt. That she wished she was stronger and did not feel so weak.

  Abby did not realize how badly she was shaking until Jessie placed a little gloved hand onto her hand. Abby looked at her and felt sweat roll down her face. She was freezing yet burning on the inside. Jessie leaned on her and put another hand into Abby’s lap.

  “I’m scared too.” Jessie said in a hushed voice.

  They both looked at Pooch sleeping peacefully in the bag of clothes and giggled when she snorted in her sleep. Abby thought of Haven and held Jessie’s hand tighter.

  “What was Haven like?” Abby asked.

  “It was wonderful.” Jessie started as she breathed in, “I was so scared we would never have a normal life again. But, we found Haven.”

  Jessie snuggled closer to Abby as Abby tried not to think about what Evan and Kevin were going into.

  too. They had a petting farm. I liked the pigs,” Jessie spoke with joy in her little voice, “They had cookies and cake. Once a month they would have a newcomer’s party even if there was only one new person. They had all kinds of food and games. It was almost as if the world was okay.”

  Abby closed her eyes and tried to imagine it but could not. “As if it was okay.” Abby said quietly.

  “Yeah,” Jessie breathed, “We could watch movies by the

  lake. It was an outdoor movie screen. Daddy brought me there a lot when dad worked.”

  Jessie’s voice changed and Abby could sense her sadness.

  garden. I miss my daddy.”

  Abby looked down at her and saw that Jessie was crying.

  Abby rubbed the tears from Jesse’s cheek and gazed at her with

  wide eyes.

  “You would have loved it.” Jessie told her with a sad smile. Abby forced herself to smile.

  growl and then jumped into Abby’s lap. Abby put a hand onto Pooch’s back and shivered.

  get to Autumn. We will both love it.”

  Jessie dug her head into Abby’s chest as another gunshot

  the front of the van and stared at the gray sky and falling snow. She wondered when summer would start. She hoped she would

  looked away from the front of the car.

  Jessie had her eyes closed.

  Abby ached in every place and sleep wanted her yet

  Abby was too scared to close her eyes. Scared she would wake somewhere she did not want to be. Looking over at the door of the van she took in a long deep breath. Tears rolled down her dirty cheeks.

  -Chapter twelve

  Ava swallowed hard as three Marines tossed another burned body into the pile. The pile was high and full of young children and adults. The smell was overwhelming and Ava had already wretched up her lunch. Rodgers stood by her staring

  allowed to carry out the last few Liquidations so the media could wrap up their terrorist story.

  It was said the terrorists were backing down because of the threat of infection and some were supposedly going to the military to help stop the new enemy. It was just as shitty of a story as it sounded. Yet the people ate it up as they always did. A few protested and blamed the government for the infection and the Undead that walked the streets.

  The smart ones saw through the bullshit. Ava cleared her throat and turned from the smoking pile of dead bodies. The town was infected with the Scarlet virus and the new infection. What started as just a normal Liquidation soon just turned into a mass slaughter. The town was a loss her team believed and she had to choose to try and save some or just let them all go. Too many were infected. Too many were turning.

  Ava looked at the burning buildings in the back and blinked. She had wanted to save some. She truly did. She had walked into the school with the intent to try and help. All those young eyes looking back at her helpless. They were confused and lost. It only took one look at the hospital in the town to tell her the town could not be saved. It was swelled with bodies and those that had been bitten.

  The risk was too high. The towns nearby were not infected and showed no signs of the new sickness. They could not risk it spreading. Ava stared downward at the road and shivered. She still did not want to do it. The world was already in chaos and they knew infection had spread to every country. Ava only saw it getting worse. Cites were destroyed. Towns were in ruins.

  Ava was worried nothing could save them now. She just wanted to be home with her husband and sons. Yet she wanted to see this through. She needed to. What if this did help? It was always the what ifs that haunted her.

  around her cleaning the burned streets as Ava’s nose cringed. So much death and pain. Ava felt numb inside. Rodgers looked at her and his eyes lowered. All they had wanted to do was save the world from itself and now look what they had done.

  She wondered if she were doing the right thing. What

  keep people safe yet here she was standing over a dozen crisp

  at Rodgers. He had shaved and it made him look younger. “What are you thinking?” Rodgers asked in a hushed

  voice.

  “I wonder where Hadley is.” Ava swallowed.

  “Hiding somewhere far away if she is smart.” Rodgers

  all agreed to?”

  “She is the one- “

  The Ashes of Amour

  What matters is that we all agreed to this hellish plan.” “To save our world Ava.” Rodgers argued.

  Ava stopped and listened to a burning building falling in

  the distance.

  “To save our world?” Ava laughed and looked back at

  It was the human race who polluted the world. Poisoned our oceans. Killed almost every animal on this planet. Turned our edible livestock into sickness.” Ava smirked.

  “It was us who ruined this world Rodgers. We populated way too fast and tried to stop it too late.” Ava swallowed hard as

  Ava closed her eyes.

  “We had to try something Ava.”

  “I know. Get rid of those who serve no purpose to this

  was just wishful thinking. Maybe there could have been another way.”

  Ava paused and stared at the smoke. There could have

  too late to care.”

  Rodgers stood in front of her with his hands in his pockets.

  He shrugged sadly
. It was too late. His eyes agreed with her.

  The world was already dying and they did it a favor with this

  virus. They played God and the world fought back. It was truly

  ironic. It made Ava laugh as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I suppose this is what we get.” She laughed again. Suddenly Rodgers slapped her and she was falling backwards. She caught herself and closed her eyes. The stinging

  him with shock and disbelief.

  this is not what we deserve. You and I and your children. They deserve a happy long healthy life. Not this hell!”

  Rodgers shouted as he pointed behind her. Ava glanced backwards as some more Marines tossed a small body into the pile. Ava’s heart twisted. Rodgers placed his hands onto her shoulders and shook her.

  not mean we have to give in. We try harder. We learn. We do better. We let go of our mistakes no matter how dark they are.” Ava looked down at his name badge and lowered her

  away and rubbed his hands through his graying hair.

  Be with your family.”

  Ava went to speak but could not. She simply looked at the burning building down the road and listened to the distant screams. She shivered and squeezed her hands together. She

  pocket and she looked at it. It was her husband. She put it back into her pocket.

  we both go home.”

  -Chapter thirteen

  Abby stroked Jessie’s hair as she slept silently on her lap. Pooch was sleeping beside Abby in some clothing. She was snorting in her sleep. Abby was staring down at Pooch as she snorted and a smile twitched on Abby’s lips. It felt as if it had been hours since

  It had been silent for a while now. Abby was sweating and her scars were aching and throbbing. It had stopped bleeding but when she touched it she felt the soreness and the wetness. It must

  have opened again. Abby leaned on the van wall and looked at the front through the glass. The sun was going down. It was getting colder inside the van but if they had to they could use the pile of clothes as blankets.

  positon for hours. Her stomach growled and her head pounded. She was sure she was feeling every pain there was. She swallowed hard and she closed her eyes to listen. She was sick of self-pity. Yet all she could do was feel sorry for herself.

  Her senses seemed stronger than normal. Ever since she had been bitten her hearing and sight had grown. Somehow she knew when the Undead was near and knew if someone was infected or not.

  She shivered when she remembered she could not sense the Husk. It was as if they were not even real. Like some sort of ghost. The Undead made her skin prickle. The living made her heart race. And those like her and Jessie made her feel as if she had always known that person. Somehow when she looked at Jessie she could feel it in her blood that she was infected too.

  A rustling sound outside the van made Abby’s eyes open. Dark circles colored under her eyes as she lowered them. The rustling sound came closer. Something bumped into the van and her heart raced. She tightened her grip on Jessie and Pooch began to growl. Abby patted her and Pooch licked her lips as her ears pricked up.

  thing stopped in front of the van. Its shadow peering into the back near Abby’s feet. Abby felt sweat dripping down her brow. Her blood was racing. She felt too weak to try to do anything. She was too weak to even try to sense if it was an Undead or not. She did not even reach for her gun. She hoped it would just disappear.

  disappeared.

  The sound grew far away and soon was replaced with the soft pats of snow on the top of the van. Abby did not let out a sigh of relief. She knew how easily things could go from good to bad. Pooch snorted then shut her eyes. Abby shifted and Jessie moaned. Gritting her teeth, she looked back at the window in the front and saw the sun setting. Abby felt her heart drop. Fearing that they would never return.

  After the sun had set the chill in the air grew and Abby twisted in pain. Jessie groaned in her lap and Abby trembled. She had to use the bathroom and worse she was starving. She knew Jessie and Pooch were too. When Abby started to think of a plan for them the door of the van swung open. Abby screamed and reached for her pistol when she realized it was Kevin.

  “It’s just me!” He said.

  “What the hell?” Abby snapped.

  Jessie sat up rubbing her eyes as she yawned. Pooch growled until she saw Evan then bounced towards him happily. Both Evan and Kevin were wearing new clothes. They only had a little blood on them. Evan’s hair looked wet and washed. Kevin grabbed Jessie and held her. Evan helped Abby from the van. Bones cracked and her scars ached.

  “Sorry,” Kevin said in a hushed voice, “I was worried.”

  “You were worried?” Abby laughed annoyed, “We’ve been in there all day. You could have knocked!”

  “We’re sorry. We had to make sure it was safe here.” Evan told her as he tried to put a hand on her shoulder.

  She was angry from waiting, mad because she was starving, and pissed because she felt dirty. Everything pricked at her and she wanted to explode. The sudden rage inside her scared her and she

  “We have shelter.” Kevin said, “We need to go now. We should not be out here.”

  Abby looked at him and the seriousness in his eyes. Abby glanced at Evan who was staring at her sadly. She followed Kevin and then Evan followed her. Pooch waddled beside her. They entered the clinic from a side door. It was musty and dirty inside.

  and fresh Undead bodies.

  “Why aren’t all the Undead dead?” Abby whispered. “They will all die in time. Some may take a while. But, they will

  be dead probably within six months.” Kevin guessed, “But, it will take time for them to die around the world.”

  Abby looked down at an old woman who was rotting in a nightgown. They entered a ruined lobby that surprisingly did not have any bodies. There was no light and it was hard to see. Abby had to grab Jessie’s hand who was holding Kevin’s. Evan grabbed Abby’s loose hand as the building darkened. Somehow Kevin walked through the building with ease. They entered a room, went through an open doorway, and then down another hallway.

  It was very quiet inside and that made Abby scared. She glanced back and could barely make out Evan’s face. Something squished under her feet and she grimaced. Finally, they made it to a short hallway where she saw light. They hurried and then Evan let go of Abby’s hand. He turned around then moved something big in the way of the hall. Abby saw at the other side that there was a desk blocking the way.

  They entered a room with light and Evan shut the door behind them. He locked it then moved a large storage bin in front of it. It sounded heavy. The room must have been a nursery or something close to that. It may have been a daycare. There was child wallpaper. With cute animals all around. A few baby beds and kid’s toys were pushed in the corner of them.

  A desk sat on the left side full of paperwork and some toys. A

  corner of the room sat what looked like makeshift beds. It was just piles of bed sheets and a few blankets against the wall. In the middle was a lamp and a small bbq pit. Abby saw Kevin’s bag and another new bag she did not know.

  Jessie walked towards the makeshift beds and fell onto one and sighed. She looked up and called for Pooch. Pooch padded towards her.

  “I lost my teddy,” Jessie whined, “Sorry.”

  “We will get you another.”

  Abby walked behind Evan. Then she tried to sit down on one of the makeshift beds. She stumbled as her left knee buckled and Evan caught her. Her bladder screamed.

  “I’m okay.” Abby groaned.

  Evan helped her to the bed anyway. He stared at her as she sat and touched her forehead. She must have been burning up or very cold because he looked worried. Kevin grabbed the new white bag and looked inside.

  “I need to see your leg please,” He told her. Evan sat next to

  Abby and watched Kevin closely.

  “I really need to pee.” Abby told him.

  Kevin sighed and then nodded. “Please hurry.” He said.

  Evan helped he
r to her feet and she wobbled. He pushed the desk from the door and opened it. Someone touched Abby’s arm and she looked back. It was Kevin. He had his hand out with a

  room together and Evan placed a hand onto her back. He walked her three doors down until they came to a bathroom. They entered. It smelt awful. Abby would have thrown up if she had anything left in her stomach.

  she walked towards it. Opening the door, she peeked in and saw there was nothing in the toilet. She wondered if they had used it

  pulled her pants down and underwear than sat down. Looking up she studied the blackness above her. She began to pee and then looked down at her scars. The wounds were swollen, bright red, and oozing yellow gump. It smelt bad and looked worse.

  Abby shook her head as she touched it with the tips of her

  were long but not too wide. Abby stared at them and saw new blood coming out as she softly pressed downward. Wincing she groaned and looked for toilet paper. She saw none and wanted to cry. Then suddenly she saw toilet paper at the edge of the stall. Evan was holding it in his hand as he waved it under the stall door.

  “You may want this,” He said with a slight laugh in his tone. Abby leaned forward, feeling dizzy, then grabbed the paper.

  When she was done she stood up and left the stall with the Abby smiled and his lips cracked. Taking the wipes, she opened them and took one out to clean her hands. Then another and cleaned her face. When she took it away she cringed at it. It was dark and gross. She had not realized how dirty she was.

  “I want to wash my hair so badly,” Abby complained.

  “I know how you feel,” Evan agreed, he rubbed his stubbly chin, “I feel disgusting.”

  “At least we are all gross and smelly right?” Abby smiled.

  Evan smiled and snickered then looked behind her and sighed.

  “Let’s go now.” He said kindly.

  As they went to leave the bathroom Abby glanced back. Staring

  grimaced. On the wall written in blood was “We’re already dead.” Abby opened her mouth and breathed. Looking down she spotted

  The light disappeared and Abby shut the door. They hurried back and Evan shut the door behind them and locked it then put the desk in front of it.