COVID UNDEAD

My name is Emma Johnson, a mother of one and married to Richard Johnson, a medical doctor. My son is Javi Johnson 8 years old and studies at Hope Academy. And this is our story

Well, like any other virus affecting the world, this one come all too sudden and with little control.

Early morning on Monday, I prepared my son Javi to go to school. I packed his lunch, water and breakfast for the whole day. It has been a routing for years that it only takes me an hour or so.

At exactly 6:30 am, I led my son to board the school Van to go to school. I said hi to the school driver and the teacher on duty before going back in the house. I had so many things to do.

I was done with laundry and heading to the kitchen when I heard shouting's from outside. We live on the third floor room number 205. My husband worked at a research facility.

For the last few days he had been busy and had little time to spend with us. Which is normal regarding his line of work. Saving people's lives

I rushed on the balcony to see what's happening and I was stunned.

People were attacking each other. It was weird. When two people attack each other, then, it may be normal. When a whole lot of people attack and bite each other, then it's something else. My neighbor was also on the balcony looking outside.

"What's happening?" I curiously asked the neighbor

Before she could answer me, her husband come rushing to her and bite her on her neck. I was shocked and shouted at them

"What are you doing? Let her be?" He could not hear me. I shouted more loudly which attracted his attention. His eyes were weird. Which made me took few steps back. We may be separated by half wall but still it scared me. The eyes had no pupils. They were yellow. It was so scary. I intended to run back inside when he jumped towards me from the other balcony.

Luckily for me, he fell off the balcony which scared the hell out of me. I looked down where he fell and I was surprised on how easily he stood and walked with broken limps. I looked at the wife who was lying down on the floor dead. At least that was what I thought at first. She abruptly woke up and tried to come to me aggressively. The good thing the barrier was there. She looked as if she had lost her soul.

"Oh my God. What's happening?"

I ran inside and locked the balcony door.

The TV was on and breaking news was highlighting. The news anchor said that the Flu infection has spread all over the city and people should stay indoors until further notice. The signs and symptoms of people who were infected should be observed. Fever, vomiting, headache, Nosebleed, eyes turning yellow. So far, there was no vaccine or medication that can help with the virus.

" Oooh my son... ooh ..No...No I have to get him."

I ran quickly to get a piece of paper and wrote down a note for my husband just in case he come back today. I left the note on the table where I know it's easy for him to see.

I try calling my husband but he's not picking. I then call the driver and class teacher and they doesn't pick up as well. Things are becoming messed up. The only thing I could think about is going to the school and get him.

I pick up my phone and car keys and leave in a hurry. I make sure to lock the door before running down the hallway carefully. From what I saw from my neighbor, earlier, I did not know how many in the building have been affected.

The good thing was the elevator was still working. I proceeded to the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.

Immediately the door opened "ding" I charged toward my car. It didn't have time to look around just in case they were many. I know my actions were fooling but at that time it was sane.

There were infected people in the underground garage but not many

I had to sneak around and get my car out. I opened the car door silently and entered with urgency. I had no time to waste my heart and mind were all on getting my son back home. Whatever happens next I didn't care

I ignited the car and drove out of the garage. From the mirror I could see the infected following behind me.

I drove passed the infected trying to maneuver between them and got out of the community estate. The chaos were all over the street and driving around was hard. On the main road I could not drive an inch. A head, there were lots of card that were abandoned.

It seemed that there were lots of traffic and people could not drive and opted to go on foot. The car were full of clothes, bags, and foodstuff. Everything most people prepared for an escape was there. It seemed I was the only one didn't know what was happening.

I had to leave the car on the road and run. The good thing is the school was not far from home.

I walked for a while and I saw the school van which picked up Javi in the morning stranded on the road as well. Imagine what I felt. A sharp sensation in my stomach "waaaa". I was as if my whole body was in shock. I didn't know what happened to my son.

From the look of it, the van was abandoned. The driver's door was wide open so was the slide door on the other side. There was no one in the car and it looked like they ran for it. My son's lunch bag was there but the backpack was missing. Which further backed my speculation. They left in a hurry.

With the evidence, they must be alive somewhere. But the question was where?

The driver's phone was still there

No amount of words could describe the despair I felt at that moment.

With danger everywhere, I didn't know where to begin with. No trail at all on whatsoever happened on the road.

I looked around and maneuvered through the vehicles. I was scared to jump when I heard a snarling sound behind me. One of the infected was behind following me. Where he come from I did not know. But I believe he was among the people on the vehicles that did not make it.

I didn't know what to do with him and just hurried off. He was a slow one.

Looking around carefully I could see trail of footsteps going on the same direction. That gave me hope. If I could follow the route, maybe I'll be able to find them.

I picked sharp rod lying on the road and followed the trails. I thank the rangers training I had acquired in high school. The camping in the forest, how to track trails and also looking out for animal traps. All the skills that I thought I have no use on them, become useful

A call come through on my phone and I received it without looking. I heard my husband's voice from the other end.

"Honey, where are you? I am on my way home. Stay inside. It's dangerous. Don't go out."

" Honey, I am not home. I am looking for Javi. Their van was abandoned on the highway. I found a trail on the Karura forest. I don't where they are heading to but I might find Javi. What should I do." Before he could reply, my phone was disconnected.

I checked and noticed the cell network was not connected.

What?

I tried calling it was not going through.

"What am I going to do?"

I followed the trailed for a long while until I found few dead infected on the ground. From the look of it, they were stabbed on the head.

The trail become a bit chaotic here with too much movement on the ground. It also seemed not long ago. The thick black has not clot yet

I followed few of the trails until I got them again. In the middle of the forest was a house. It seemed there was a family living there. It was quite from outside. Even the birds that were usually chirping in the forest were quite.

One thing I learnt from the ranger training is the birds are warning creatures. If they are quite an unusually quite then run for your life.

I walked cautiously making sure I do not step on the twigs on the ground. Making as little sound as possible. The good thing I had worn my sweatpants which makes me feel comfortable as well as a sneaker.

I approached the house with caution. I didn't know what will happen or who are inside the house. I was not sure whether the people inside were alive or infected. Most of all my anxiety was whether I will find my son in there. I have been walking for two hours following the trail and was exhausted.

Not being used to walking made it even more tiring for me. The only motivation and adrenaline booster I had, was my son.

It was getting late and if I didn't find somewhere to take cover or hurry back then, I would be doomed.

Before I drew near the house, I was shot at simultaneously. I jumped screaming and raised my hand. The deafening sound was real. I never imagined in my entire life that I would be shot at, ever.

"Don't shoot. Don't shoot" That's the only thing that could come on my mind everything else was black.

'What do you want here?" Asked an elderly woman whom I believe lived there for years.

" I am passing by. I am looking for my son. I found their van abandoned on the main road and I believe they must have passed by here. I don't want any trouble." I said anxiously.

"Come in then." Said the women

I walked to the compound and entered inside. I saw an elderly man sitting at a fire place holding a gun as well.

At the other end of the corner I saw someone I knew very well. The teacher on duty. She was the one that picked Javi in the morning. I was elated. At least I found my son.

"Finally I have found you. I saw the car and you guys were nowhere to be found." I said as I rushed to where they were seated. There were several kids with the teacher around four. When I looked closely I could not see my kid.

"Where is Javi? Why can't I see him? Javi. Javi"

"Calm down Mrs. Johnson" Said the teacher quietly

"He is not here"

"What do you mean he is not here? You guys were together. What happened? Where is he now?" I asked

"When we were driving toward the school in the morning, we were stuck in traffic which is unusual. The driver got out of the car to see what was happening a head and then come back rushing in panic. He just told us to run. He opened the door and took the kids out. That's when we saw a group of people attacking others and they were coming our way. In the process we run in different direction. I and the kids plus other people that were on the road run this way and the driver, your son and other 2 kids run the other direction. If I am not wrong they ran towards the Kibali warehouse."

"Some of the people we were together were bitten and they turned against us. We fought them until these couple found us and helped us kill them. From the look of it, they know more about them than we do. That's why we are here"

"I have to find my son." This can't be happening. I said as I ran towards the door.

The elderly lady stopped me at the door.

"Even if you go right now, you are not sure where he is. Besides, it's getting late. The infected are lurking outside more. From the gunshot earlier, they may be heading towards this direction"

"So what am I supposed to do now? Wait here and I don't know what my son is facing right now?!" I panicked imagining what my son was facing. I just saw the effect and the strength they have. Will an 8 year old kid be able to deal with it? No.

"Let's take cover tonight and tomorrow morning we will go together to look for your son. It's also not safe here."

Thinking about it for a while, I gave in. There is no harm in listening to the elderly. Besides where was I going to look for him?

Though I agreed to wait till morning, I could not get an ounce of sleep. We could not sleep at all. There were movements outside the house which grew disturbingly eerie at night. With snarling outside, who could sleep?

What was in my mind was if I am that scared what about the kids especially my son.

The kids were able to sleep. I was surprised on how composed the kids behaved despite being scared. Though some were asking for their mothers, they were able to understand the situation and not cause a scene.

I hoped my son got together with caring people that would take care of him.

I only slept early in the morning due to tiredness.

The couple woke us up early in the morning to prepare for the journey.

From my point of view, I preferred to go with them. They know a lot than meet the eye. With the kids, we had to prepare well.

I came to know the couple name to be Mr. and Mrs. Kamiti They have lived in the piece of land for more than 30 years.

When it came to finding the best route out of the forest, they knew. Mr. Kamiti has an old car that they had been using to go groceries and other purchase in town. It was enough to fit 10 people.

We carried water, dry food and fruits with us. There were lots of fruits in the compound. Thanks to the beautiful environment that allowed them to grow well. If not for the virus, I would have loved to move and live around the area. The fresh air was very attractive.

We each were given weapons to help with clearance of the infected. Which I believe become a norm.

I never believed in my life I would have to pierce my fellow human in the head hard to just to survive.

To me the rod I found at the road side was a perfect weapon I could ask for. It was light, sharp and easy to swing. I may have stayed home for last few years but I was still as fast and sharp as I had been back then being a ranger.

With everything set, the couple went ahead outside and help with clearing the infected in the area to make it easier to move.

Noise was like a magnet that attracted them. It was therefore decide not to use a gun unless no otherwise.

The way they were swinging the weapons made me wonder whether they had done it before. It had only been a day since the spread but they appeared to be pros on it

Seeing them to work on them made me want to practice on swinging. It may have sounded weird to kill one of your own but what will you do. It's either them or you. That's the only option that you are given

When you get close to them you notice they have no sight at all but follow your smell or odor. That's what I noted.

I swung my rod and pierced one in the head. I can tell you it was not as easy as the elderly made it seem. I had to do it again. If they were any faster I would have been bitten

On my second victim it was a bit easier. The elderly man said it would be easier if I pierced right above the ear almost near the eyes. It worked perfectly well. When the ones nearing us were cleared, the kids were ushered inside the pickup and left.

Following unused road we maneuvered through the forest and appeared on a rough road. The good thing with the vehicle is it did not make any noise.

We were heading toward the direction the school driver and the other three kids were seen last. It was not far from where we were that night but if I were to go on foot it would be far.

I was curious about the elderly couple and how they know so much about infected.

"Well, young lady. I know you are too curious but it's a bit hidden from the public. The truth is the virus is not here for the first time. Early in 70s there was also the same thing. It affected lots of people and millions lost their life." The world was swept clean and a few survivors were rescued and started to increase the world again.

Our great grandparents were among the survivors and had recorded so many things that had happened and how to survive. We thought it was a joke at first back then but recently we saw them roaming around with symptoms same tot the ones recorded. It's a good thing we never stopped reading about the research"

"The government may say it started yesterday but it's not true. Few days ago we saw them around but not that many. We know they will soon spread all other the city. The government will close the city soon and the survivors may have difficult time."

The best thing at the moment is to get your son and husband and then go to the north and leave the city"

Since we were driving on the unused road, the infected were few. I think it was because most people were caught unaware that's why the effect was that much. The number of people that were infected was too many. I just prayed that my husband and kid were doing okay wherever they were. It was so hard to think our family was surviving in different routes with no clue where the others were.

The worst part is not knowing whether they were alive or not.

The phone disconnection was the worst thing ever.

We were back to square one. The age where there is no communication.

I didn't know where my husband was and if he was looking for us. He may be a busy man, but he loved us to the core. He would do anything to find us. Now, that's where the problem is. How will he find us? Suppose I found my son; where would we start looking for Richie? It was hard. Way too hard. Those were some of the worries that were on my mind.

The car stopped abruptly. Out of instinct, I stood up fast and looked around. One thing that came to my mind is we had been attacked.

I looked over and what I saw was scary. There was no amount of words or emotions that could describe what I felt. Hundreds of infected were coming ahead of us. We didn't see that coming.

"Why are there so many of them?" I asked curiously

"I don't know," replied the elderly lady, comfortable

She tried turning the car over again, but it stopped working. The vehicle could not start. The kids were panicking and crying. The experience they had the previous day was traumatizing

"Calm down, kids. We are going to make it. We are here with you. We are not going to leave. I will protect you." I said as I tried to assure them of their safety.

"What are we going to do?"

"The only thing is to run for it."

"They are too many. They will catch up. Jump out. Let's go towards the grass and try to go round them to the other end. There is no other way," said the elderly lady.

I jumped from the pickup and helped the kids down together with the teacher on duty. Her name was Monica Karemi.

She helped hold two kids while I held the other two. The elderly couple was behind us for protection. They had the guns, and also Monica had one, but she had to hold the kids.

I can't say I was not scared at all. My heart was beating too fast. My mind was blowing with thoughts and fear. I didn't know for how long we were going to run or for how long we had to live.

With all the undead a few meters from us, it was getting worse. Way too bad

"Guys. Hurry up. They are catching up. They sensed us. Oooh, my God. They are splitting," Said teacher Monica as she led the kids ahead, running. On the tall grasses.

Though the grass was tall, they were not enough to hide us. The only ones that were not seen were the kids. It was also not the best place to pass by. The grass was dry, producing too much noise as we pass which attracted their attention.

"Stop." Said the elderly lady after a while.

"We can't continue these ways, look."

With that, we all looked where she pointed, and my heart broke.

The infected had surrounded us. I looked at the kids and felt their fear. One kid, Dan, was calling for his mummy. I tried to hush him, but he could not stop crying. I consoled him the best way I knew how but I was scared as well. I didn't know whether ill survive it or not. It was only the second day, but the infected were so many.

I was getting doubts about getting my son and husband alive.

Up ahead was a house at the field. The place being a bit outside the city, there fields around. Though it was not well barricaded, it was our only safest haven. We only need to get inside.

Being surrounded was not funny. I could not show the kids how scared I was. I had to give them hope and show I was there for them. We all were.

"There is a house ahead. I don't know if we could reach it before we are completely surrounded."

"Let's head that way. Place the kids at the center. Let's make a circle," said Mr. Kibali.

"Sure. Kids come here. Stay together. No matter what happens, don't runoff. We won't let anything happen to you." I said, getting them together.

We proceeded in an encirclement towards the house.

"watch out. One is coming from your right Monica."

"I can't do this. I have never hit anybody before. Let alone killing one."

"Hurry up. He is coming faster. If you don't kill him, it will kill you. It's either you or him."

"Nooooo"

With that, she hit him on the head. The kids shouted in panic and started running off the encirclement.

"Kids come closer to me. Nothing is going to happen to you. Don't run off." Before I could finish up. Dan had run off shouting. It attracted the attention of the other infected and followed him.

The other three were holding my clothes, shouting. I had no way of getting Dan. Tens of them were running after him. He was scared shitless.

"Mummy. Mummy. Help me. help me". He tried to turn around, but they were catching up.

"Teacher Monica, hold the kids and help them get to the house. I'll go help, Dan. I promised to protect him."

"No. It's late. You won't make it."

"Do you expect me to leave him to die, and I could help. Take care of the other kids."

I rushed after him with all my might. He was just a scared kid. His first reaction was to run.

I stabled the first one on the left down. It was hard when I first did it but not anymore. It was hard to kill someone else, but when your safety is at risk, then it comes naturally. Surviving.

I killed the third, fourth and fifth when two others came at me. I was surrounded by the three. Killing one is always easy, but not when they come three at the same time. I was overpowered. One of them bit my leg. I was scared shitless.

"Get off me," I shouted at them, but it was like I was attracting more of them to me.

"I said, get... of ...me, "I said one word at a time as I pierced one of them on the head. The other one was holding on to my leg, and I fell down. They pounced at me.

"I am not going to die here without seeing my son. No way."

I pierced the one holding my shoulders on the head. I then kicked the one holding my leg off of me. It was like he was possessed. He didn't go or leave me. He kept coming at me. I tried standing up, but the two bodies that fell on me were heavy to throw them.

The infected came at me again, and this time, I was sure I was dead. I didn't have the strength to push them off me and fight the other one simultaneously. I held the rod tight and waited to pierce him. He fell on one of the infected ones on top of me and almost bit my arm.

The next thing I knew was blood had splashed my face

I looked over to see the elderly man, Mr. Kibali holding a silencer gun.

He then helps pull me up

"Thank you, sir."

"It's nothing. We have to get that kid. He will attract more of them with his shouting."

'Wow, you killed all of them in seconds. I used to be in the army. I know one or two things about fighting in crowds. And this seems like a crowd. "

I laughed at the joke and followed behind him. He may be old but not slow.

He was swift and strong. I followed and helped in clearing the undead.

They did not die if not pierced through the head.

We killed our way to him.

"Dan, get down" I really regretted not having a gun. It was much faster to use than a rod.

I pierced one of the infected from behind and pushed him down. I held the boy and hugged him. He was scared that he peed on himself. With my assurance, the boy calmed down a bit.

The others were almost at the house. The elderly lady fought her way to the house.

From where we stood, we could not pass through the ones coming towards us. They were too many.