Free The Reaper Virus (Novella): Sarcophagus by Nathan Barnes Page A

to add volume to
her mother’s deaf ears. Jessica still missed whatever was being said. She
watched Ava’s mouth, realizing that the same thing was being repeated. Focusing
on the repeated motion brought more volume. Finally she asked, “ what is it, Ava? Why are you getting so antsy?”

 
    At last
she heard most of the response. Ava explained, “ ....in the river! I swear, Mommy!”

 
    “What’s
in the river?” Jessica moved to look over the rail as the little girl
innocently answered.

 
    “The
people. They are swimming down there. Can you believe that ?! I wish we could go swimming!”

 
    A
generous contribution from regional rains turned the peaceful Richmond focal
point into a deluge. The water was the color of coffee with slightly too much
creamer added. Smoothed rocks that normally dotted the waters were obscured
from sight by the swollen rapids. Safety regulations are strictly enforced
during flood stages. Any native of the area knows not to willfully enter the
river during these times; there are better ways to kill yourself than that.

 
    Jessica
knew this about the river. She was envious of Ava’s innocent naiveté because
she couldn’t escape the truth. A dreadful pit burrowed slightly deeper in
Jessica’s stomach as she peered over the side because she knew what was down
there before looking. The little girl was thankfully too intrigued to pick up
on her mom’s hesitation. “Do you see them, Mommy?” Ava persisted.

 
    She
wished she hadn’t. Some sights cannot be unseen. Corpses littered the river
intermittently. They were all different, like rotting snowflakes trickling from
a putrid sky. Each had its own uniquely terrifying appearance emerging from the
caramel colored waters. Many splashed at the current in a bout of undead
confusion; their primal drive ill-equipped to process the predicament. More
simply floated along. It was difficult to tell if the still ones were
reanimated without any reaction to their bodies scraping against any larger
debris that normally belonged in a flooded river.

 
    It was
inconsequential whether they were alive, dead or otherwise. In her
panic-stricken mind they were all components of a horrid torrent of souls that
would bubble up to consume all that she held dear. Jessica couldn’t let Ava see
this. The silly view of people swimming in dirty water was the one she needed
to keep. If the little girl looked any longer she might notice the missing
limbs and mangled faces. She pulled her stare away from the river, finally
releasing her held breath. Then her hand found a grip on the bright sleeve
covering Ava’s elbow.

 
    “We don’t
need to look over the bridge anymore,” Jessica strongly suggested.

 
    “Just a
little longer. Please, Mommy?” The little one tried to deploy her weaponized sad-puppy face. “It’s fun watching the silly
people.”

 
    “No. Come
on, hon.”

 
    She
whined, “ pleeeeaasseee Mommy!”

 
    Fire of
parental scorn burned in her eyes. “ No. ”

 
    Ava got louder.
Her tiny feet stomped on the bridge. Noise from various breakfast preparations
blocked the tantrum from any other prying ears. As Ava prepared another defiant
protest Jessica pulled her closer. Calm and sternly she repeated, “ NO. Do not fight me. This is no place for a
little girl. Do NOT look back over the bridge. There is nothing more to see. Do
you understand me, Ava? ”

 
    Tears
welled up in her eyes. Jessica instantly felt bad for being so forceful until a
hint of splashing sounds from the human driftwood below quelled any sympathy.
Paul’s voice called over, “breakfast is ready, ladies!”

 
    “I love
you, baby girl. You have to understand that the things I say are usually
because I do love you so much. Some breakfast will make us both feel better.
Sound good?” she asked in a much cooler tone.

 
    Curly
brown hair slowly bobbed up and down with the answer. Ava sniffled as she wiped
a tear onto her pink and purple sleeve.