The Swarm by Seán O'Connor

Author:Seán O'Connor [O'Connor, Seán]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Horror
Publisher: Idolum Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

When day broke, he pushed his way out of the cave and studied the scene. His back ached from the pounding he’d received from the wolves, but bruising and scrapes he could handle. It would have been so different if the bites had done the intended damage. From earlier observation, the gnaw marks looked superficial. He trudged out into the snow and examined the scattered supplies lying around the sled, then salvaged what he could. In the distance, track marks and bloodstains were visible. He called to the boy, who emerged from the slit in the rock, shivering.

“We have a long walk ahead and it’s getting too dangerous. I don’t know how we survived last night.”

The boy stared at the wilderness, his eyes wide.

“Gather up your things. And go to the toilet, too. We won’t be stopping once we get moving.”

It surprised him that the lad didn’t argue with him, going about retrieving what he could from the supplies and packing them into his rucksack. Then he took a piss on a drift and watched the stream rise up, disappearing into the air.

Boucher did what he had to do, basically the same as the kid.

“Dad?” the boy cried on seeing him trudge through the snow, carrying nothing but a rucksack.

“Come on, son. We need to leave.”

“What about Matilda?”

“We’ve done all we can for her.”

“What? No.”

“Look, son, last night was too close a call. She is a liability. Next time, we might not be so lucky.”

He stomped the snow. “I am not leaving her behind.”

“There’s nothing more we can do, son. Her infection – she’s going to die.”

“No. I’m not leaving her behind again.”

Boucher’s heart sank. Standing there in the vast nothingness, his boy scared, motherless, and lonely. Nevertheless, what choice did he have? Her screams could get them killed. He couldn’t risk it. His boy was too precious to him. And with the facility within reach, the possibility of salvation during the winter was too close to be risked. He didn’t argue anymore and walked on for about ten feet, then stopped and called the boy.

Rémy stood firm, his arms folded across his chest.

Anger boiled inside Boucher. The boy was stubborn and they didn’t have time for this. His first impulse was to grab him and convince him that this decision was best for their survival. He took a step towards him and felt the loud crack just before he heard it. Everything went still for what seemed like an eternity. Then, in desperation, he called to the boy but, before any words came out, the snow swallowed him.

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