Beautiful Death (Bella Morté Trilogy Book 1) (15 page)

Frank joined them after his shower. “Does anyone know what the hell’s goin’ on?” He grabbed the bottle of water and cookie Brandon set out for him.

“Nope. We’re just as confused as you are.” Candice pointed to the trail of leaves and mud. “We clean up after ourselves around here and that mess is yours.”

“I know. I’m gonna clean it.”

“Good man.”

“I mean, what started all this? Tiffany looked like she ate the entire employee campground, ya know. It was like someone came in with a chipper, ya know, and started throwin’ people in.”

“If he serves anything with Ketchup I’m going to have to pass.” Candice glared at Frank. “Must you be so graphic?”

“I was lucky to get away, ya know. She looked an’ smelled like she was burnin’. I kept trippin’ over… ya know things. I swear I saw someone’s fingers.”

“No sausage either.”

Brandon popped out of the kitchen. He had a bowl in his hands, beating his egg mixture. “What do ya mean burnin’? Ya mean like on
fire
?”

“No, it wasn’t
that
bad. I mean, ya know, it was like… I dunno. She looked like she went through fire. There was ‘is horrible trash-burnin’ stench comin’ off her, ya know.” Frank cringed. “It was really nasty.”

Baffled, Sophia stared at him. “Ya mean the sun burned ‘er?”

“She looked like she went, ya know, swimmin’ in a deep fryer.”

Candice cringed. “So graphic.”

“I dunno if it was from the sun. She was outside. It
was
sunny.”

“Well, if the sun burns that would explain why Todd was so worried.”

“Where were you?” Brandon asked.

“Dude, I was in my sleepin’ bag,” he told him.

“We looked in your tent. We even yelled for you.”

“No. I mean I was
deep
inside my sleepin’ bag. I had those heavy-duty earplugs. I couldn’t hear shit.”

Brandon shrugged. “I guess ‘at’s legit. They block out most noise.”

“It was really gross. I thought for sure it was a, ya know, chipper accident.”

Candice grumbled. “
Must
we be so graphic
before
breakfast? Wait till we’re finished eating
then
get gross!”

“When ya sample my cookin’, ya won’t worry about not eatin’,” Brandon told her. “I’m that damn good.”

“As long as you’re not cooking mice.”

Frank cringed. “Ew, is ‘at even
on
the menu?”

“No.” Brandon chuckled. “Well, we’re happy ya made it back safely, Frank.”

Sophia sipped her coffee. “I wanna know what triggered ‘is. Was it government related?”

Staggering in, Justice headed for the coffee. “It must be the end o’ the world. Everyone said zombies would rise up an’ eat the livin’.”

“Didn’t someone else say that?” Trevor asked, following him.

Candice nodded. “I think it was Rachel because there’s no internet.”

Sophia shook her head. “That may be so, but they’re
not
dead.”

“What’s not? I thought zombies were definitely dead?”

Brandon nodded. “So did I.”

“No. I’m talkin’ about the Freakazoids.” Sophia shook her head. “When we drove by ‘em, I got a good glance at more ‘an my fair share an’ they appear to be livin’ human bein’s. Watchin’ those girls when ‘ey attacked, I can only guess ‘at they’re really sick, but what of, I have no clue. I have to figure out what causes ‘is virus. Once I find that, I have to figure out how to stop it or at least protect us.”

“Talk about a lotta pressure.” Justice sat down with his coffee. “So is it really necessary for us to keep watch durin’ the day?”

“I dunno.” Brandon walked out, bringing the plate of bacon and pancakes. “Even the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park learned how to open doors. I’m sure Freakazoids could figure it out.”

Frank looked over curiously. “What did you call ‘em?”

“Freakazoids. It’s what we agreed to call ‘em so everyone knows what we’re talkin’ about.”

“Ah. So that’s what Trevor meant.” He nodded. “Gotcha.”

“Yeah, but those doors were child’s play. They pushed the handle down and shoved it open. If they had doorknobs, it would be a different story,” Candice argued.

Sophia shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. Once the sun comes up, we should go get my medical bag. I have a feelin’ I’m gonna need it.”

“So you think one or more of us might get it?”

“There’s no tellin’. My motto is: think safe as opposed to fixin’ sorry.”

Frank nodded. “It’s good havin’ a doctor around.”

It didn’t take long for everyone to join the others as the smell wafted through the air. Those still sleeping quickly woke up smelling the food. Breakfast was on the table: pancakes, bacon, fruit, butter, and syrup.

Brandon put the plates on the table. “Breakfast is on! I figured out how to stretch it for the rations.”

“If at all possible, everyone should stay far away from ‘em,” Sophia said.

Trevor sat down. “I agree. I don’t think ya should go down alone to check on Erica.”

“I wasn’t alone. Candice went down with me.”

He smirked. “I meant more like one o’ us guides with a gun.”

Brandon grabbed a plate of food. He sat down between Trevor and Candice. He nodded to Sophia. “Good call. There’s no tellin’ how many people might filter through here hurt. People around here know of ‘is place. They know this buildin’ so this’ll be the first place ‘ey come. However, first we must eat. We need to keep up our strength. The best way is with a good breakfast. That’s the most important meal o’ the day.”

Trevor chuckled. “Dude, are ya tryin’ to sound like Mom?”

“No, but everyone should eat a healthy breakfast. We can’t let it go to waste.”

Candice giggled. “That doesn’t sound like a mother at all.”

“I meant to do it
that
time.”

Montana sat down. “Damn Brandon, ya made this?”

He smiled, puffing out his chest. “I’m bachelor. We learn how to fend for ourselves.”

Trevor grinned. “For a second I thought ya were gonna say, Batman.”

Candice chortled. “I know right? So did I!”

Brandon looked from one to the other. “Well, in my spare time,” he wriggled his brows before taking a bite of pancakes.

“Batman themed footie pajamas don’t count,” Trevor teased.

“You told! Ya said you’d never tell!”

“Oops, it got away from me.”

He scoffed. “Yeah, she twisted your arm.”

Zach rushed in, looking over each face until he saw Candice, before grabbing a plate. He sat down beside Rachel. “Morning, sweetheart. How did you sleep last night?”

“Mornin’ doll. I slept like a baby.” Brandon winked, taking a bite of his bacon before looking from Candice to Zach, smirking. “Oh, ya meant
her
!”

Candice laughed, shaking her head. “Who slept? It was like being in the middle of a snore zone.”

Zach looked confused. “I didn’t hear a thing. I slept like a baby.”

“Yes, the nursery was pretty loud last night.”

Ian entered, leaning against the doorframe. He had one hand wrapped tightly around his stomach. His face contorted in pain. “I’m not feeling good. Do you have something for an upset stomach?”

Quiet settled over the table as everyone looked at him. Each one of them had one thought on their mind.
It was slowly infecting them all
. Each person looked around the table at one of the others, before looking back to Ian and Sophia.

She watched him. “Ya look pale. Is it
just
your stomach?”

“I don’t know if it’s
just
a tummy ache. I spent all night shitting and puking. By the way, you might want to hit the generator this morning. I hit all the toilets.”

Sighing, Candice shook her head. “People are so graphic before breakfast around here.”

“You’re the doctor. What’s wrong with me?”

Brandon looked over at him. “Were ya scratched?”

“No.”

Trevor watched him. “How about bitten?”

“No. I just feel sick to my stomach.”

Sopping his pancakes with syrup, Justice watched him. “What did ya eat?”

“Eating. I haven’t felt like eating since I hid out in my tent. When I’m scared, I have a tendency to eat. It relaxes me.”

“Hmm, check ‘at out. We learn a lot about the people we hang out with,” Brandon said. “A doctor who smokes an’ a psychiatrist with an eatin’ disorder. Interestin’.”

“Oh hush you,” Sophia said.

Justice took another bite of his pancakes, waving his fork at him. “That doesn’t answer
what
you ate, which
could
have everythin’ to do with how you’re feelin’.”

Ian thought about it. “I had a cooler of food, but the ice melted. The sandwiches were still cold so I figured they were good.”

Candice took a bite of her bacon. “What
kind
of sandwiches?”

“I think they were chicken salad.”

Montana looked over. “How long had it been since the ice melted?”

“I put the ice in when I first got here. It was hot during the day, so… a long time.”

Sophia nodded. “Made with mayonnaise?”

“Miracle Whip, ‘cause my wife lived and breathed that stuff. So, guilty by association, since she was the one who cooked.”

“Sounds like food poisonin’. Ya never eat anythin’ with warm mayonnaise. If the ice melted, that’s probably what it is.”

“Really? I cook with it all the time. It cooks then cools. I’ve never gotten sick.” Brandon slapped his stomach a few times. “I have a rock gut that can handle anythin’.”

“Heatin’ an’ cookin’ are entirely different ‘an when it sets out an’ gets warm. One kills the germs whereas the other breeds them like an incubator. Then when it digests it just goes viral in the system causin’ explosive vomitin’ an’ diarrhea as all the bacteria an’ growth ascend upon--”

“There’s this whole thing I like to call
breakfast
going on,” Candice reminded them. “And that’s not proper dining conversation.”

Sophia smirked. “Ian, ya should go lay down. I’ll fix you a BRAT diet. After we get my bag, I have an elixir that’ll help.”

Ian and Trevor both asked the same question. “What’s a Brat diet?”

Brandon grinned. “I dunno, but it sounds like she told ya to go scarf down a few kids.”

Sophia cleared her throat. “Brat diet is made up of; bananas, rice, apples, tea, an’ toast. Usually, it’s the only thing to stay down. It helps bulk ya up when you’re feelin’… loose. You’ll feel better if you can get somethin’ in your stomach.”

“I’m laying back down,” Ian turned away. “Just come get me when you get back.”

“Okay.” She looked at Montana. “I need my bag.”

He nodded. “Okay, tell us where it is an’ we’ll get it. It’s too dangerous for you out there.”

“I can’t tell you exactly, but I know about. I’m goin’. Period.”

“Yes, ma’am. You’re goin’. Who else wants to go?”

Candice raised her hand. “How many people are you taking? I’ve got a case of cabin fever. I need to get out of here for a while.”

Zach shook his head. “You don’t need to go out there.”

“Well, I thought we should get our truck. It can get through anything.”

Montana shook his head. “Our vans’ll work. Today we have our Jeep. It fits five so I say Doc, Brandon, Trevor, an’ I will head over to pick up the bag. Justice an’ Frank stay here with the others an’ hold down the fort. We’ll be back soon.”

Candice stabbed her pancakes, unhappily glaring at Zach. “Okay, fine.”

Eleven

After breakfast, the four of them piled into the Jeep. It was a sunny day with no one in sight, other than bodies scattered and mutilated on the ground. They had to drive across the main road to get to the campground. Bodies festering in the hot sun did nothing for the smell. It was like sitting in a landfill with thirty years of trash. Even though, it couldn’t be helped, running over them made it ten times worse.

Brandon put his hand over his nose, waving the air in front of him. “Wow! What the hell
is
‘at?”

Trevor did the same. “Oh God, drive faster. Maybe we can outrun it.”

Sophia shook her head. “That won’t help. It’s what happens when the dead rot in the sun. It even looks like a few’ve exploded from the gas build up.”

“Dead bodies
explode
?”

“It’s not common, but they can.”

“How?”

“The human intestines are filled with bacteria which help us digest food. When we die, the walls o’ the intestines break down an’ under certain conditions like so, the bacteria can continue to breed an’ digest the internal organs o’ the corpse. This produces large amounts o’ gas that can build up in the abdomen causin’ it to swell an’ ultimately burst,” she said, pointing. “See over there. It’s not like the legs an’ arms explode, but the stomach swells an’ the intestines fly off in all directions.”