Inhuman - Book 1 Read online

  I sighed and said aloud, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

  For a moment I really did almost turn around… Fuck it, I’m already here.

  The road was heading slightly uphill, but I could see that in about a mile it started to drop back down again – the reason I couldn’t see the town yet. And in another two or three hours it would start to get dark, so I slipped back into the woods and picked up the pace. More than anything, I needed to get there before it was pitch-back.

  I have a feeling that even if this town does have power it shuts down early…

  As soon as I reached the crest of the road, the tragically small town came into view. After returning to the road, I raised my rifle and looked through the scope – only noticing a slight pinch in my left shoulder.

  I could make out a short strip lined with run down looking shops and several mildly “commercialized” storefronts. It was surrounded by rusting warehouses, sheds and small homes scattered in almost every direction. All the vegetation was overgrown and it looked like nothing had been renovated or so much as repainted since before I was born.

  Then I began to notice the vehicles randomly strewn about the road. There was a large truck sitting sideways in the middle of it all. It appeared to be the type that delivered food.

  The closer I got, the more obvious it became that everything wasn’t “normal”.

  The unmistakable signs of a bad situation inspired me to make my way back into the woods and stay out of sight. I still needed to get a little closer if I wanted any fine details…

  After about ten minutes of trudging through the thick woods, I came to a break in the trees and an open field. There was absolutely no cover along the way from my position to the edge of town, so I looked through the scope again – I could see a lot more.

  The large truck in the middle of the road was leaning to its left side on two flat tires. Bullet holes surrounded the wheel wells and driver door. It was obvious that some people shot out the tires, probably even killed the driver, and then stole whatever was in it. Due to the fear of starvation, of course.

  If I really needed to, I would have shot at the truck too… If it was for them.

  Most of the other cars and trucks around weren’t parked. They were crashed or abandoned, and many still had one or two of the doors hanging open. From what I could see, the town looked like a small battle had taken place, though in its current state it appeared to be completely dead – like everyone had left weeks ago.

  Knowing that what I saw didn’t really mean shit, I spent the next half hour watching and waiting to see any movement. And since I didn’t pick up a single sign of any activity, I took off running across the field until I reached the side of an old warehouse. Luckily, I wasn’t forced to be out in the open for very long – otherwise I probably would have decided to turn around.

  Still have a feeling I’m just here asking to catch another bullet.

  As I ran, I did my best to look around – I was almost certain that I saw two people on the ground near the truck.

  I slowly made my way to the front of the building and peered around the corner… Across the street there was a Diner and an antique/pawn store. Both had the front doors kicked in and most of the windows broken out. As I looked farther down I could see that it was the same for almost every building.

  My shoulders sank – This whole place has been looted to shit.

  Once again, I almost turned back, but something told me to keep going so I sprinted toward a green car that was parked right outside the warehouse. It would enable me to get a good view of the whole strip while remaining out of sight.

  The back of a woman’s head and a blood covered windshield awaited me. The right side of her skull was almost completely gone – like someone put a shotgun right up to it and pulled the trigger. She was leaned over the center console with her face resting against the driver’s seat and, judging by the smell, it’d been more than a few weeks.

  After seeing that, accompanied by the scene in the middle of the road, I felt it was painfully clear that I was in a very dangerous place… Just because I can’t see anyone or hear anything, doesn’t mean these buildings aren’t full of people hiding or waiting for someone like me to come along.

  It only strengthened the urge to act on my new idea – turn around, pick up my bag and just head to Sacramento. It seemed as though my subconscious mind was doing everything it could to keep me from making yet another horrible mistake.

  Instead of trusting my gut, I shoved my feelings aside and ran to another car about twenty feet ahead. Once I reached it I could see just about everything.

  Not only were there two bodies right near the truck, but close to a dozen more scattered around – and I was sure that more were being blocked from view by cars or other obstacles. As I stared at the large spots of blood on their clothing that suggested they’d all been shot, the urge to turn back only became stronger.

  Months ago, I would have guessed that I was sane enough to see shit like that and think – Okay. Time to go the fuck the other way – but there was a faint inner voice seducing me with the chance of obtaining some answers and possibly some supplies.

  The idea to get back to the forest, grab my bag and head for Sacramento became more valid every time I saw another mutilated corpse. Although, at the same time, if I was going to do something like that I needed to be much better prepared than I currently was.

  What the fuck do I expect to find?

  If I die I won’t find out anything…

  According to the map, it was well over one-hundred miles just to start hitting the surrounding small towns outside Sacramento. And there was still a chance that if I kept going I could find some canned goods to save and bring along, which was really what I needed. I could also come across something like a loaded gun or bullets. Judging by the look of things, it was only a matter of time before I would end up having to defend myself again – whether it was there or somewhere else.

  Maybe living out in the middle of nowhere was the only thing that kept us all alive so long…

  The whole section of stores and buildings couldn’t have been larger than a square mile - I didn’t even need the scope to see everything.

  How can there not be a bait shop? They’re lakes everywhere.

  What the hell else is there to do around here?

  Maybe one of the convenience stores has one inside…

  The most rundown looking building on the whole strip had a large white sign running across the front of it that read “General Store” in faded, red lettering. It was no different. The windows were broken, front doors hung open, and bullet holes were in pretty much every wall.

  Probably nothing left but shit I wouldn’t need or even want.

  Damn, it was bad here.

  I continued to move from car to car, stopping for a few minutes at each one to watch and listen. Suddenly, I got the feeling that I wasn’t alone – the familiar sense that I was being watched… I just had to remind myself that I was totally wrong the last time. If anything, the personally created, delusional paranoia distracted me from the real threat right in front of my face...

  As I kept moving, I did my best to ignore the bodies for the time being – I fully intended to search each one once I thoroughly checked out the town and felt safe enough to do so. And I soon came to find that there were even more than I originally thought. The abandoned cars had been hiding many from sight, and almost every storefront I glanced through had a few inside as well.

  This whole place went fucking crazy. Either that or they died defending themselves against groups of people from other towns and lost... I really had no idea what happened, but I knew it was horrible, and that the sooner I left, the better.

  I have to make sure there’s nothing of use here. I’d be stupid to head out to Sacramento with what I currently have.

  When I neared the “General Store”, I slowed down and cautiously approached the nearest smashed out window. Right away, I spotted bags of chips
, boxes and cans of food, along with other random crap sparsely spread out across some of the shelves and the floor. It almost seemed too good to be true.

  For a moment, I wondered if it was a trap.

  Did they all kill each other?

  Might actually only be a handful of people left around here.

  I was only a few feet away from the door – I hesitated. I still felt like every reasonable brain cell left in my head was screaming for me to just go back to the forest. I scanned the entire town again, and just couldn’t see any reason for people to stay around. Also, I felt it was obvious that there hadn’t been any fighting for some time.

  I mumbled to myself, “You’re just being paranoid again. This place is a ghost town. They all killed each other – that’s why there’s actually shit left.”

  Have a good feeling I’ll find loaded guns on some of the bodies too.

  I was staring at non-perishable food - exactly what I needed - right in front of face. The only thing keeping me back was the type of unfounded paranoia that had already proven to hurt me.

  It’s right fuckin’ there, man.

  As I forced myself to start walking over, I was brought to a stop by the sound of a vehicle coming – definitely just one.

  I whipped around, located a place to hide and then ran across the street to some thick bushes near an old, padlocked shed that I felt shouldn’t draw any attention.

  Good job… Now someone else might find all that stuff.

  Shit!

  I nestled in as deeply as I could without blocking my view and got my rifle ready. The car continued approaching, but so slowly that it raised suspicion.

  Whoever it is isn’t in a hurry. Means they’re here looking for supplies.

  God.

  Damn it.

  As it drew closer I began to hear what sounded like men laughing. Shortly after, I heard shouting and whistling – like they were having a good time. It was confusing to say the very least.

  The shed was a few feet back next to a building, so I couldn’t see in the direction the noises were coming from. I could only see straight ahead and to my right, so it was going to be a little while before I could actually see whoever it was.

  Within a few more seconds I could perfectly make out what they were saying.

  “Where you goin, girl!”

  “Look at that ass when she runs, boy!”

  “We’re gonna be gentle! We promise!” was followed by incessant laughter and the driver melodically honking the horn.

  It wasn’t long before a young, blonde woman ran up, stopped, frantically looked around, and then staggered into the general store. She was filthy, her shirt was ripped and I saw blood running from her nose and the corner of her mouth. The expression on her face was one of sheer terror and desperation.

  I knew exactly what was about to happen. I just didn’t know whether I should get involved or not. I had two options – sit by, watch and insure my own safety, or help and risk my life for someone who probably couldn’t care less about me.

  I felt guilty as hell following the thought – Why’d she have to run in there? Now they’ll find that food…

  The brakes of a red truck squealed as it rolled into sight, knocked, shuddered and then came to a full stop. The young man in the passenger seat reached over, beeped the horn twice and sarcastically called out, “We ain’t gonna hurt you!”

  There were only two of them. They both started laughing again. “Well, I won’t. But, Daryl probably will!”

  Pieces of shit.

  The passenger stepped out and pulled a revolver from his belt line. He spit, checked how many bullets were left and then tucked it in the back of his pants.

  They both came off as stereotypical country boys – tall and strong, wearing jeans, t-shirts and ball caps. At first, I thought the young woman managed to give the driver a swollen lip. Then I realized it was just chew. And the sun shining off a holstered revolver on his hip brought my attention to the fact that he was armed as well.

  The woman looked absolutely nothing like Jessica, but she made me think of her... What if Jessica had been in a similar situation and someone who could have stopped it didn’t?

  As they walked into the store I shut my eyes and clenched my fists, thinking of Jessica more and more. I truly wanted to help… I have to worry about myself now… And after everything that happened, I genuinely believed she might end up betraying me shortly after I helped her – if I was even able to.

  People have proven themselves to be that fucked up in a situation like this.

  When I looked back over, I could see that she was throwing cans and anything else she could find at the two men. They just continued to laugh and move closer.

  She must be cornered…

  Shortly after they disappeared from my sight I started to hear a struggle – followed by her screams. .

  “You hold her down! I’m goin first this time – you got the last one!”

  The other man replied, but he didn’t yell so it failed to reach my ears.

  Her cries were suddenly stopping and then starting right back up again… They must be struggling to keep her mouth covered.

  “Just hit her – who the fuck cares if she’s passed out? Teach that dumb bitch a lesson, Roy!”

  “Hell, we might have to break one of her legs – this is the second damn time!”

  Jesus… they’ve been holding her captive.

  I can’t… This is crazy.

  I have to.

  I heard her cry out again, even louder – it abruptly stopped. All that remained were the howls of one cheering the other on…

  Before I realized it was happening, I found myself crossing the street and heading for the store – the Walther in hand.

  Jessica and Sophia filled my head…

  The two men were obviously distracted and under the impression that they were alone, so I stayed quiet and slowly walked to the front of the store – watching the ground to ensure that I didn’t step on anything that would alert them.

  Somehow, I wasn’t afraid at all, and surprisingly calm – Is it because my own life is meaningless to me now?

  As I stepped through the front doors, continuing to think of Jessica and Sophia only gave me more strength.

  I have to do this – I have to try and save her…

  They would be ashamed of me if I didn’t.

  The man I first saw step out of the truck was on top of her in the corner by the register, violently thrusting away. She was barely conscious and even more blood was running down her face. The other one was just a few feet in front of me, watching – still laughing.

  “Come on you pussy, fuck her harder!”

  After what I felt was a shockingly short hesitation, I took several steps forward, raised the Walther and shot him in the back of the head. As the man on top of her reacted to the noise and turned back, I ran over and kicked him in the face, sending him off of her and rolling to the side. Then I quickly aimed and shot him in the chest – meaning to hit his heart.

  I missed.

  He began calling for help and tried to sit up, but he couldn’t – he was in shock. Just when I was about to shoot him again, I felt my hand go for the knife instead. There was a whisper in my head – Make it hurt.

  I tucked the Walther in my beltline and calmly walked over to him. He was disoriented, mindlessly calling for help that would never come. He wasn’t even making eye contact. I assumed the kick alone probably made it so he didn’t really know what was happening.

  I buried my boot into his side and then got on top of him. When he opened his mouth again, I saw that my kick had badly split his lip and knocked out several of his teeth.

  He started grabbing at my hands, but he was already weak from losing so much blood and the pressure from my weight was making it even harder for him to breathe. So I easily powered through his offensive and forced the knife deep into his throat as slowly as I could. It was a rather long blade, so it didn’t go in all the way before it stabbed throug
h the back of his neck and hit the floor.

  His fear gave him the energy to jerk around and fight slightly harder. If anything, it just mangled him more. Nothing was going to get me to relieve any pressure.

  His already obstructed and low screams were soon totally drowned by the shocking amount of blood. When I looked into his bright, blue eyes, I was so blinded by anger that all I could think about was causing him more pain.

  He coughed, spraying my face and chest with specks of blood. My eyes bulged and I showed my teeth before twisting the knife and ripping it out with all the vigor my body would grant me. While doing so, I pulled the blade to my right so it opened up half of his throat and flung thick streams of blood in multiple directions.

  The pool of it had already grown large enough to reach my legs and begin soaking into my jeans.

  He gurgled out his last few breaths, shaking and flailing like he was having a seizure. Then his hands gradually relaxed, let go of my arms and fell to the floor – smacking against the hard linoleum.

  I sat on top of him and watched as the spark of life gradually left his eyes. It felt so satisfying – like it relinquished some of the anger I’d been harboring. I could almost go as far as to say I enjoyed it. I actually found myself wishing that I had only wounded the other man and taken his gun so I could have done something similar to him.

  They deserved to suffer.

  They didn’t suffer enough.

  Jim didn’t suffer enough…

  I was no stranger to watching blood pour out like it was coming from a bathtub faucet – just not from a person. If it wasn’t for the fact that I’d gone hunting so much when I was younger it probably would have made me sick...

  When I turned around to check on the woman, I found her huddled in the corner – lightly sobbing and trying to pull her pants back up. She was looking at me like I was just as horrible as those men.

  I must look crazy right now – I could feel it.

  I got to my feet, put my hands up and slowly backed away. “Don’t be afraid. I just wanted to help you… There’s food left here. You can have it. Just get ahold of yourself and run away. I’m about to do the same.”