Free Evolution by Cody Toye

feel.
    “I can tell you lost something back there child, something very dear to you.”
    Alex tried to speak, but was cut off by a sharp edge to the woman’s voice.
    “Now don’t you go thinking I’m a weak old lady now, I will be back. My Ma once told me that you ain’t got a lick of sense if you let a man save you. If you go through life letting people save you, you will never have the strength to save yourself. Now I don’t know if I agree with all that, because Ma was half a bubble out of plumb, but as crazy as that old biddy was I rejoice in her wisdom.”
    Completely lost for words, Alex watched in astonishment as the door slammed shut. Her thoughts rattled around like a pebble in a tin can. She don’t know who or what she’s looking for! She don’t know where Trevor is, she don’t know which direction to go or what she is up against. She is crazy!
    A smile crosses her face and she feels her body slump against the comfort of the couch. Even though she can’t explain it and as insane as it is for an eighty year old woman to slowly venture out into the wild, Alex believed her. She will be back.
    *~*~*
    Chapter 15
    The first bite was mental. Pure and simple. The sheer thought of the heinous act reflected on his taste buds and his stomach held picket signs. Jedd swallowed hard and doubled over fighting his gag reflex. The meat slid down his throat and splashed in his empty stomach. After two more bites, he greedily worked the arm into slender portions, grinding it with his teeth and swallowing with ease.
    The instinct to fulfill his basic needs took over. A calm satisfaction washed over him as the pings of hunger subsided. After twenty grueling minutes, Jedd felt something he hasn’t felt in a very long time. He was full. His stomach was extended and his hunger gone, life was almost worth living once again. He flung the casserole dish across the room and paused long enough to breathe.
    His eyes darted towards the door instinctively and he postured himself defensively ready for a battle. To no avail. Silence. Feeling brave, he slowly stepped around the bodies and listened to the nasty crunch from day old blood as he crept toward the doorway. His shoulder touched the frame and he leaned his weight against it.  A ninja. A robber. A cowboy dodging bullets from the fifth sheriff attempting to take down his posse.
    Inhaling deeply, Jedd slowly peeked out, lingering long enough to glimpse the edge of the hallway. Motionless corpses and bloodstained walls were all that lay down the path of wreckage. He replayed the events from the past week in his mind, from his exile in the sleeping quarters to the poor soul he just consumed. He had survived. Him and only him.
    He waited for what seemed like an eternity and inhaled and exhaled, feeling his lungs strain to accommodate the intrusion of air. Once again he poked his head around the corner. He casually glanced down both sides of the doorway, allowing his head to fall in full view of any living creature in the vicinity. He closed his eyes and stepped out in the hallway, his knees weak and his chest pounding he stood in pure shock as he seen the extent of bloodshed caused by the invasion.
    Cautiously, Jedd slowly slide his hand back to his boot, unsheathing his blade. His fingers curled around the handle and his knuckles whitened as he clung to it for dear life.
    “HELLO?”
    He waited with fear breathing softly on the back of his neck. What if I’m wrong and they are simply unaware? What if I just woke them? He felt his throat go dry at the thought. He closed his eyes and tested the waters of uncertainty once more.
    “H-HELLO! HELLO CREATURES?”  He stammered.
    Jedd felt the blood drain from his face as his voice echoed through the hallway and complete silence followed. He felt lost in a sea of nothingness, his life and his cause stripped from him in a single moment. What do you do when you actually win? When you stand the victor and the only soul left in a hellish