The Collapse Omnibus by V. A. Brandon

Author:V. A. Brandon [Brandon, V. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopian | Infected
Published: 2016-05-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

They began to fall into a routine: in the mornings, Amy and Marie would go to The Peak to observe the Runners’ movements on the highway. Around mid-afternoon, Justin and Daniel would take their place and stay well into evening, when they would return to have dinner with the rest of the group and discuss their findings.

On the fourth night, the group huddled in the main room, eating chicken noodle soup with baked potatoes and marshmallows for dessert. In the corner, Walter dined on filet mignon and bacon bits, courtesy of some fancy dog food brand that Marie had picked up at the supermarket. He was eating better than the rest of them.

“I think it’s time,” Justin said, popping a fat marshmallow into his mouth.

Amy sat up, narrowing her eyes. “Time for what?”

“Time for us to leave,” Daniel explained. The flickering flames on the candles cast long shadows across the walls. “We have been here for three days, watching the Runners’ movements. We have a good idea of their schedule now.”

Amy burst out laughing. “You make it sound like the Runners are rushing to a meeting or something.”

“In a sense, maybe they are,” Justin said, shrugging. “At least, that’s my theory, anyway.”

Patrick snorted. “Let’s hear this theory of yours, then. Go on – don’t get coy on us.”

Ignoring the older man’s sarcasm, Justin straightened, his expression serious as his gaze landed on Amy.

“Tell me again what you saw during the past three mornings.”

“On the first day, the horde ran past around seven in the morning, I think. Then at eight-thirty for the next two days.”

Daniel nodded. “And Justin and I saw the horde go past between three and seven in the evenings.”

“You see the pattern here, don’t you?” Justin smiled at the rest of the group. When Amy, Marie, and Patrick stared at him blankly, his smile grew wider. “The hordes move during rush hour.”

A lengthy pause greeted this revelation. Then Patrick barked out a derisive noise.

“That’s preposterous. Yeah, that’s some theory you’ve got there.” He rolled his eyes and snatched up the entire bag of marshmallows for himself.

Marie, on the other hand, seemed more contemplative. “Why do they move during rush hour? Where are they going?”

“Nowhere. They just stay on the highway.” A furrow formed between Justin’s brows. “Prior to the infection, they must have traveled on Great Memorial Highway day in and out, probably to get to work. It was a route that was ingrained into them. And it seems old habits die hard, even when you become a mindless cannibal.”

Justin’s theory did make sense. The remaining Runners at Central Creek Mall hadn’t left the mall to chase after their victims, unlike the rest of the infected. They had stayed to consume the dead . . .

“The Runners at the mall,” Amy croaked. “Many of them had name tags on, and some wore uniforms.” When Justin gave her an encouraging smile, she continued. “Among the infected, the mall workers – sales assistants, managers, baristas, cleaners . . .

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