Free Infected by V.A. Brandon

Chapter 1
     
    Amy parked the station wagon on the side of an empty road, attempting to get a hold of her emotions. Behind her, she could hear Marie still weeping quietly. As for the rest of them, they sat there in mute silence and stared ahead, lost in their own thoughts.
    Time slowly ticked by. Like a person awakening from a vivid nightmare, Justin suddenly jerked straight up in his seat.
    “I think we should go back,” he declared, breaking the heavy silence in the car. His voice was soft, but dead serious.
    “And why would we want to do that?” Patrick demanded at once, his eyes wild. “Haven’t we been through enough already? What are you, an adrenaline junkie? It’s like you enjoy having a Runner breathe down your neck or something!”
    Patrick was ranting, as usual, but his tirade wasn’t exactly without its merit. What was the point of returning to Central Creek Mall? Why would Justin even suggest such a thing?
    Amy shook her head. “I’m not going back there,” she said firmly. “I don’t ever want to see that place again.”
    “Hear, hear!” Patrick added in, his voice shrill.
    Daniel coughed quietly in the backseat. “Might I ask why you wish to return there?” he asked carefully.
    There was a long pause. “I just feel that we need to make sure,” Justin replied finally. “We need to make sure that Mr. Kang is really dead –”
    “You did not even try to change his mind!” Marie burst out, upset. Amy wasn’t sure who she was accusing – Justin or her husband. Or both. “You could have tried harder . . .” She trailed off, dissolving into quiet tears again.
    Heavy silence reigned once more. To an extent, Amy understood what Justin was saying, but her revulsion of Central Creek Mall overrode everything else. She was not going back there.
    Justin wasn’t finished. “Look . . . all I want to make sure is he’s dead. What if something went wrong? I can’t bear the thought of him lying there on the ground bleeding to death.” He cast a hopeful glance at Daniel. “Maybe if you and I went back to make sure –”
    “I will not.” Daniel sat up, his gaze steady as it landed on Justin’s surprised expression. “I am sorry, but my responsibility is to my wife. Mr. Kang made his decision. Let us respect that and leave him be.” His eyes turned soft. “You are a kind man, Justin. I am sure Mr. Kang would have appreciated your concern.”
    Justin’s shoulders drooped considerably as he released a deep sigh. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Sorry, everyone. Let’s head to the farm, then.” With reluctance, he settled back into his seat, when Amy suddenly swiveled her head around, staring at the back windshield. Her eyes narrowed.
    “Someone’s coming this way.”
    “What do you mean?” Patrick cried out, but his panicky question was soon answered.
    The sound of a speeding car reached their ears.
    Before they could even think of what to do, a red sports car slammed into the rear end of their station wagon, causing everyone to shout out in surprise. Walter fell off Marie’s lap and landed at her feet, his pained yips getting lost in all the commotion.
    Within seconds, the sports car drove off and disappeared over the hilly road.
    “Is everyone okay?” Justin asked when the wagon jolted to a standstill.
    Amy nodded, wincing, as she rubbed the base of her neck. “Except for the whiplash, I think we’re fine.”
    Daniel stepped outside to check the damage. Minutes later, he returned, looking relieved.
    “There is a big dent, but it is not so bad,” he informed them. “One of the brake lights is smashed, though.”
    “Hope we don’t get a ticket for that,” Justin joked before turning to Amy. “Hey,” he said, studying her face, “you’re looking a little green there. Want me to drive?”
    She nodded, grateful for his offer. After exchanging places, Justin steered the wagon back onto the empty road, frowning as his gaze frequently returned to the rearview mirror. He seemed