The Last Infection: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller by Michael W. Garza Page B

Two hours after crossing Denver’s boundary, the tallest downtown buildings could still be seen in the rearview mirror.
    They’d survived a disastrous start when the journey began. Chris managed to get the van stuck in the mud when he pulled off the road to avoid a pile up of wrecked vehicles littering the way. Alicen was left behind the wheel as Chris, Jenn, and Jake rocked the vehicle free. The end result was exhaustion and a hard reminder that food and water would be key in the days ahead. They left Denver without anymore supplies than what they had on them when they met. Chris wasn’t sure how they were going to fix the supply problem, knowing the open road offered few opportunities.
    “What are you expecting to find in Vegas?” he asked Jenn.
    The silence had gone on for longer than he could stand it. If he wanted to keep his eyes open, he would need some brain stimulation.
    “My parents,” she said sharply, then looked out at the passing trees.
    Chris peeked into the backseat at the kids and found them both still sleeping soundly. The overcast evening sky filled the interior with dark shadows. He waited until Jenn turned her attention toward him before clarifying his question.
    “ Did you get any sense of how bad the infection was in Vegas?”
    Jenn’s shoulders relaxed as she thought about the answer. There was an unusually long silence before she offered a response. “My father said it spread there much faster than it did in Kansas. He swore it had mutated with a better delivery system.”
    “How long ago?”
    She stared at him for a second until she understood the question. “Five months,” she said plainly. “I haven’t talked to them in five months.”
    Chris heard her but his focus shifted down to the gas gauge.
    “We’re going to need to check the next batch of cars.”
    They’d followed the same pattern since they left Denver. A group of vehicles meant danger, but it also presented an opportunity for supplies and gas. They’d managed to fill three milk jugs with fuel which they’d stored in the back of the van. Jenn was nodding at his assertion, but her mind was somewhere else. Chris took the bait.
    “I didn’t mean to stir anything up.” He thought about it. “I’m sure we’ll find them.” Her laugh surprised him. “What?” he asked.
    She smiled again, but there was sadness in her eyes. “No you’re not, you’re not sure at all and neither am I.” She pulled open a pack of crackers they’d found in the rear of the van and offered him a few. “I have to believe my parents are still there in one piece. Besides those kids,” she motioned at the backseat, “…my hope to find my parents is about the only thing keeping me going.”
    Chris nodded , but kept his eyes on the road. “You sure did take a shining to those two.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her glance at him. She wiped a tear off her face the moment it rolled onto her cheek.
    “They remind me of mine,” she admitted, “only in reverse.” Chris’ brow creased and she elaborated. “Sara was the oldest and Sam was my little man.” She was crying now and not trying to hide it.
    Chris knew he had to say something , but he struggled with the words. “Never had any,” he managed. “Not sure if that makes me lucky or unlucky.”
    Jenn wiped her eyes. “A little of both, I think.”
    Chris nodded , and then tried to change the subject. “It’ll be dark soon.” He looked up at the clouds. “We’re going to have to make some hard choices before then.” Jenn nodded, but didn’t say anything. “They’ll slam into the car,” he said. “As soon as the sun goes down, they’ll come out of wherever the hell their hiding and they’ll be all over us.”
    “We always hid at night,” Jenn said in a distant voice.
    “I’ve tried to plow through them before and it works for a while.” He shook his head. “But a vehicle can only take so much. It will eventually wear down.” Chris thought back to a