The Rotting Flesh Book 1: Escatology

“Hey I’m going to check this road out just in case its a dead end” Tom said as he pulled his bike from the back of his car

“What makes you say that?” asked Theresa

“Wit how narrow it is if its a dead end, with this mud reversing is not an option” Jennifer explained

“I’ll be back in a short while” he said reving the bike a couple of times

“Here take this, safety first” Jennifer said handing him the balers which were fully loaded

He put them in his back pack and raced down the narrow road

“You know for someone who doesn’t know where the road leads he sure is speeding” Theresa commented as she leaned back on the passenger seat

He reduced his speed and started riding slowly once he was deep into the woods. His bike went at a three quarter pace as he looked around. It was awfully quiet all he could hear were birds in the far distance. The road seemed to stretch very far.

So far so good He thought as he saw that the road still accommodated a car the size of his. He followed it for a while for what he estimated to be about 2 kilometers. The only odd thing was it kept going deeper into the woods. He eventually came to the conclusion that their car would travel without any struggle so he went back to the others.

“Took you forever” said Theresa

“Patience is the key young Pado one” he said imitating Obi one

“Argg you too what is up with guys and star wars” she shook her head

“How is it?” asked Jennifer

“Its clear as day” he replied

“Did you reach the main road?” she asked

“About that no, it keeps going like the path to hell” he answered

“Okay okay, half a loaf is better than nothing right” she said meditating about something

“Lets go then” Theresa said

They got on the road as soon as possible. They wanted to leave the woods before night time the clouds were showing signs of heavy rainfall. The road kept going for kilometers and kilometers. They spent about five hours driving and still they had not reached the main road.

“Is it just me or does it feel like we have been driving forever” Tom said as he looked ahead and all he saw was more and more trees

“I’m sure we’ll get there soon” Jennifer said

Theresa was sound asleep since the journey started

“So in the event this goes out of control what are you going to do?” Jennifer asked

“Honestly I don’t know” replied Tom

“Where did you guys meet?” she said

“Meet who, you mean my sister” he said dodging the question

“I know she’s not your sister Tom” said Jennifer startling him a bit

“Ohw she told you didn’t she” he said

“She didn’t have to its very transparent” she said

“Ohw okay, I found her on the Cobi dust road after all hell broke loose” he said

“How old are you?” she asked

“Eighteen why ask?” he said

“Your behaviour says a lot” she answered

“Wow” he said

“I can’t believe Rugal’s recklessness led to this” she said

“What do you mean?” he argued

“The general i worked under, we warned him about this but he refused to listen. Now look at what the world has become ” she sighed

“I’m sure the government will do something about this” he said

“The government doesn’t even know what its dealing with, I’ll be honest with you here Tom since you and I are the adults here. I won’t sugarcoat it for you, things are not going to be okay. They are going to get far worse than this so I advice you prepare” she said toneless

Tom searched for a sign of sarcasm or a hint that she was joking but there was none she was dead serious. This scared him.

{“You better learn to be responsible Tom because someday someone is going to look at you for answers”

“Come on not in a million years and besides I’ll always have you”}

He thought as the rest of the trip commenced in total silence. This whole situation was affecting him, how can things change so fast. He never thought the time would come when he had to stand and take responsibility that had always been his brother’s job.

Come on Tom now you’re just over thinking

He comforted himself.

“Wait slow down” Jennifer said

Tom had been so deep in his thoughts he had not noticed that they were slowly exiting the woods and were approaching a small compound with two cabins. He slowed down and parked in the woods. Jennifer told them to stay in the car for a while and see what was going on. It seemed deserted there was no sign of human life. She knocked on all the doors and there was no one present. She called them to come and Tom parked the car in front of the yard.

“What sup” he said walking to Jennifer

“There is no one home” she replied

“Well this certainly isn’t the main road” Theresa said

“So we are lost aren’t we” Tom said looking at Jennifer who nodded

“I’m afraid we are” she said “looks like they left in a hurry ey” she added

“This place just gives me an eerie feeling” Theresa said looking around

“Well you’ll have to fight it for the night, travelling at night will get us lost even more” Tom said “I call dibs on the cabin on the left” he added going there

“Where is your gun?” asked Jennifer

“A gun, for what?” he asked

“Protection of course, you don’t know what could happen” she said

“Sticking together is also an option” Theresa said trying to get Tom to sleep with them

“No no girls go to the girls room Terry” he said opening his door then turned “sweet dreams” he slammed the door behind him