The Rotting Flesh Book 1: Escatology
Chapter 18: Washed up on shore

“Ohhh yess that hits the spot” Tom said as he urinated in the river

“You’re the most disgusting person i ever met!” Terry yelled as she walked down the river bank

“Its called giving back to mother nature” he replied zipping up his pants

“Some people might be drinking this water down stream you know”

“Like hell they are, have you ever wondered how planes flush”

“Ah gross don’t start with that please” she complained “Jesus!” she gasped

“What is it now?” Tom asked walking to where she was “what the fuck” he added

In front of them lay a woman dressed in army clothes, her legs were still in the water while the rest of the body was on shore.

“A friend of yours” Tom teased smiling

“No” Theresa said pulling out a bat from its holder on her back and lifted it up

As she swung it about to slam her head the person moaned, she stopped in her tracks.

“Umm is it me or did that sound human?” she looked at Tom

“Well lets see about that then” Tom said and walked closer to her

He took Theresa’s bat and poked her. She moaned again. He then flipped her over and looked for scars there were none on her.

“I think she’s human” he said

“What do we do!” asked Theresa

“Lets take her with us but we tire her up for safety incase we are wrong” he suggested

“You’re carrying her”

Feeling a cold breeze brush her, Jennifer slowly opened her eyes. Things were a blur at first but got clearer and she could see she was in a store with shelves surrounding her like a cage.

“Good morning sunshine” a young voice said

She looked up and saw a young red haired girl who seemed to be in her early teens looking down on her from the top of the shelves. The longer she sat there the more she remembered what had transpired for her to end up here.

“Hello, I said good morning. Do you speak english” the girl asked

“Where am I?” Jane asked in a low tone

“Tom, I think we got ourselves a foreigner here” she called out

“What, nooo this is the worst possible scenario” he complained as he got onto the shelves

“See I said good morning and she asked where she was”

“Like really, she was in the water for the whole night obviously her thoughts are mixed up” he riddiculed her “ hello ma’am Im Thomas who could you be” he said politely

“Don’t tell strangers your name damnit” Theresa said smacking him in the back of the head

“Ouch you didn’t have to get violent you know you’re a monster” he teased her

“What did you say!!” she burst about to pounce on him when Jane replied

“Jennifer, where am I?”

Theresa stopped and looked back at her

“You’re in Mvuma”

Jennifer’s eyes widened “Mvuma, how is that possible”

“Whats wrong, is everything okay?” Thomas asked noticing the surprise on her face

“The place i remember falling into the water at and where i am now its unreal” she explained

“Great she speaks our language” commented Theresa

“Where did you fall into the water?” Tom asked

“Cyna I was separated from my friends there”

“Woah thats far, well we left Cyna ages ago thats what I can tell you” said Tom

“What were you still doing in Cyna in this age and time?” asked Theresa

“Its a long story” she replied

“Well Miss Jennifer you aren’t getting out of there until we know you aren’t a threat” Theresa said boldly

“Heyy don’t be har” Tom tried to stop her

“No Tom we have something good here, if we just trust anyone it might cost us our lives” she explained

“Listen to her, she’s right” Jane pitched in

“You do know you’re the one up for debate here right” Tom said looking at her

“Yes but shes’s right either way”

“Thats not going to change my mind you know” Theresa said stubbornly

“Okay fine I’m a soldier”

“We can see that” interrupted Theresa rudely

“Let the lady finish please” said Tom

“We were sent to control the situation in Cyna the second day of the virus but things went terribly wrong and we had to flee. After fleeing we went to Nance field where one of my friend died in a car explosion and two of us were left. Me and my friend Merlyn. As things were about to get bad with the undead we were helped by two other people who were hiding in a restaurant. Desmond and Praise were their names.”

Theresa flinched when she heard the name Praise

“What is it?” Thomas asked noticing her changed expression

“Its nothing, continue” she said looking at Jane

“We stayed at the restaurant for a month as i healed from the wound i got from the accident with the car and as Desmond who had a plastered leg healed too. After that month we left the restaurant and were chased by the undead that were everywhere. During that chase was when i got surrounded and jumped into the river while my friends fled” she concluded

Tom and Theresa stared at her for a while trying to figure out whether her story was believable or just total bullshit.

“Look you don’t have to believe me. If you feel unsafe around me at least blindfold me and go and leave far from here. I’ll replace my own way” Jane bargained

“Great idea” said Theresa

“No you’re welcome to stay with us actually you must stay with us” Tom contradicted

“What, why no” Theresa argued

“Because she van teach us how to really fight and also how to shoot a bloody gun” he explained

“If this backfires, don’t say I didn’t warn you” said Theresa

“Wow so you mean in just the second day, the virus had already reached Nance field?” Tom commented astonished by how fast it spread

“Unbelievable, we couldn’t believe our eyes when we got there” Jane agreed

Tom hoped in where Jane was and untied her.

“Forgive the treatment, one cam never be too careful hey” Tom apologized and looked up at Theresa

“I’m not apologizing, we did nothing wrong” she said and jumped to the other side “im going for a ride I’ll be back……i promise ill be careful” she added and left

“Friend?” Jane asked

“Sister”