3. River
3
RIVER
R iver continued to trudge along the rain-slicked road to Campdale, each step carefully placed on the debris-strewn path. The storm had left the terrain in total disarray, with fallen branches and scattered junk making every maneuver a cautious one. The sky was heavy with clouds, mirroring River’s state of high anxiety as she pressed forward.
God, will this road never end?
The vibrant green forests surrounding her family’s beloved cabin seemed muted by the grim reality of her father’s injury.
River had consistently charted her own course throughout her life. Instead of following the conventional path of a college education, she channeled her passion for the natural world into a career as a wilderness guide. But she was now wondering if that had actually been her calling.
My legs are cramping. I swear my calves are going to explode. What am I going to do?
She usually spent her days leading expeditions for tourists and locals alike, teaching survival courses, and occasionally collaborating with Campdale University scientific research teams on fieldwork. She loved her job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. River’s expertise extended beyond mere navigation; she had what her father had told her was a rare ability to instill in those around her a profound respect for nature. She remembered feeling so proud when her father had said that. But as she made her way painfully toward Campdale, she questioned whether any of it was true.
Stupid goddamn cabin. Why did you have to build it so far from civilization, Daddy? I can’t handle this.
Before this so-called outbreak, River and her father were planning to make a permanent move to their family cabin, which would mark a new chapter in their lives. They intended to combine their skills to manage the land around their cabin more effectively and run expanded survival workshops. River had been eagerly anticipating the move to their cabin, where she could cultivate their own fruit and vegetables and live off the land in a way she’d always dreamed of. However, her father’s plans to rear their own meat clashed with her vegan lifestyle, which made her uneasy. At the same time, she was excited about the prospect of growing their own produce, but she struggled with the idea of raising animals for food, a reality her father was keen on exploring. She laughed to herself as she thought back to their fraught conversation on the subject.
“Dad, come on! Raising animals for meat? No way!” she’d exclaimed. “It’s not something I can get behind. I’m vegan for a reason, you know?” She’d crossed her arms, her brow furrowing as she glared at her father.
“I understand, River, but it’s part of the self-sufficiency we’re aiming for.” Her father had stood by the window of her small apartment, his hands resting on the sill as he continued in a calm but resolute tone. “It’s about respecting the whole cycle of life. You can’t expect to live off the land without accepting some hard truths, Lizzy!”
“Oh, Daddy,” she’d pleaded, “respecting life doesn’t mean I have to compromise my values.” River’s voice had softened slightly, but the tension in her jaw remained. She paced a few steps, her fingers gripping the edge of the table as she tried to maintain her composure. “I’m totally on board with the orchard and greenhouses, but I can’t be a part of your killing spree.” Her eyes met his with a mix of sadness and determination.
“We’ll find a balance,” he’d said. “Let’s tackle one thing at a time. We’ll work out the details as we go.”
However, their plans had been accelerated the day before the storm hit when news reports had begun to hint at an escalating crisis. The broadcasts had spoken of a rapidly spreading infection, some mysterious ailment that was easily transmissible. As soon as it had become clear that the authorities were urging people to stay indoors, River and her father fled to the cabin. What they’d initially planned as an exciting future endeavor had quickly become a desperate necessity.
I guess we moved sooner than we thought, huh, Dad?
River’s heart pounded as she thought about her father’s condition. Each minute she spent navigating the treacherous terrain felt like a minute stolen from his already limited time.
The memories of her and her dad’s excitement about their plans haunted her. “We’re going to expand the workshops, River,” he’d said with enthusiasm. “It’s going to be something special, something that’ll make a real difference.” Those words were a stark contrast to the current, grim reality she faced. Her father’s voice echoed in her mind, urging her to stay strong. “Stay sharp, River,” he would say. “The wilderness doesn’t forgive weakness.”
As she walked, River’s thoughts drifted to similar conversations she’d had with Jess, her ex-girlfriend. Jess had always been drawn to city life and the charms of Campdale, which were a stark contrast to River’s dreams of the rugged wilderness lifestyle. Their relationship had always been a dance between Jess’s need for stability, a solid career, cash flow, and bougie bistros and River’s yearning for independence, freshly picked wild berries, stargazing, and campfires. River remembered their conversations with a mixture of fondness and regret.
Oh, God…Jess…that night we spent in Moulin Rouge…
River pictured the moment she and Jess had sat on the cozy leather couch of their favorite bar in Jess’s hometown, the rich, inviting aroma of artisanal beer enveloping them. Jess’s eyes sparkled with a playful glint as she sipped her cocktail, her lips lingering on the rim.
Those lips of yours, Jess. The things they’d do to me…
“You know something, babe,” Jess murmured, her voice soft and filled with a wistful tenderness. “I love these weekends here. I know you don’t like spending time with my folks, but…”
“It’s not that, hon,” River protested. “It’s just that you moan so much when I go down on you that I’m scared your brother will hear us. He’s a good Catholic boy, Jessie.”
“Ha ha! You’re so right. But don’t you think this is…more…enjoyable than your crazy hikes through the middle of nowhere? We’ve got a nice shower, hot food, cocktails…I mean…come on!”
River chuckled, her fingers gently brushing a stray strand of hair from Jess’s face. “I know, Jess. But you have to admit, the wilderness has its own kind of magic, right?”
Jess leaned in closer, her breath warm against River’s cheek. “You’re right, Riv. I love discovering your world with you. When we were in your cabin, it felt like our own little paradise, away from all the noise.”
River’s gaze locked with Jess’s, a rush of warmth and affection flooding her. “I think we made more than enough noise, if I remember right.”
Jess’s lips curved into a teasing smile as her fingers gently traced the back of River’s hand. “Maybe. But it’s still not quite my thing. I love it, but think about it! Home comforts, Riv. Here, we can eat what we want, catch a bus when we want, see the latest movie, hit a late-night queer bar. I worry sometimes that our worlds are too different.”
“But we always find a way to come together.”
“You can say that again,” Jess joked as their fingers entwined with an intimate closeness that spoke volumes.
The air between them had always been filled with chemistry. River had leaned in, their lips brushing lightly, sending a spark of electric desire through her body. Jess had responded with a passionate kiss, their mouths melding together in a slow, deep exploration.
I miss you, Jess. I wonder where you are right now…
As River approached Campdale, the town looked strikingly different from the one she’d left only a day earlier. A scene of desolation replaced the quaint charm she remembered. She spotted an overturned car lying by a fuel station, its tires spinning uselessly. The contents of an abandoned backpack were scattered across the road, suggesting a hurried escape. What River thought would be a familiar route to safety now seemed threatening and alien. She forced herself to focus, pushing aside the creeping fears that threatened to overwhelm her.
Just then, a figure stumbled down the road, his clothes torn and his face smeared with grime. His breath came out in loud, ragged gasps. River’s wilderness training had taught her to handle frightened individuals, but this situation seemed totally different somehow.
“Hey there! Are you okay, buddy?” River asked, keeping her voice steady.
The man’s eyes darted around nervously. “Zombies…they’re everywhere, I’m telling you. They’re going to start attacking us. You need to get out of here, kiddo!”
River’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Zombies? You’re confused. Do you have a fever? What you’re saying is impossible. We’re not in The Walking Dead . Are you hurt? Talk to me.”
The man’s words tumbled out in a frantic jumble. “I swear to you, they’re attacking people— biting, spreading this virus thing. You don’t understand! I saw a woman bite her own husband. They had a kid, and she attacked him. The baby fell to the ground and?—”
River’s skepticism was palpable. “Listen, sir. You sound like you’re really unwell. We’re talking about the flu. You get that, right? It’s just a bug. People are scared because they think it’s Covid all over again. That’s all this is. Now, I need to get to the hospital. My father is injured. Do you want to come with me?”
The man’s face twisted in fear, his voice rising in pitch. “Look around you, girl! Look at this place. This isn’t a coronavirus! They’re not human anymore. You need to turn back before it’s too late!”
River’s face hardened. Despite the man’s panicked warnings, she had to keep moving forward. “I’m sorry. I can’t turn back. I need to find help for my father. You can come with me or you can stay here, but I don’t have time for this.” She took a deep breath and pushed past him, the urgency of her mission outweighing this stranger’s warnings.
The town that had been her home for so long now felt unrecognizable. The streets were deserted, storefronts shattered, and an acrid smell of smoke filled the air. Bio Moon Café, where she and Jess had spent countless mornings sipping the organic teas Jess always insisted would keep them young, supple, and horny, was now dark and silent, its door hanging loosely on broken hinges.
Why would the door be hanging off? What the hell is going on here?
River’s heart ached with a mix of nostalgia and dread. This neighborhood was once her haven, but now it seemed ominous and hostile.
As River made her way farther into town and the first light of dawn penetrated the dark sky, she noticed a flurry of people in front of a convenience store.
Finally! Some life!
As she hurried toward the people, she realized that what she was seeing was a far cry from typical shoppers going about their daily business. This was a frenzy of panic buying. She stepped inside the store. Shelves were being stripped bare as people grabbed anything they could find—canned goods, bottled water, and even cleaning supplies. The store’s once-organized aisles were now a chaotic mess of overturned boxes and spilled products.
One woman frantically stuffed packages of ramen noodles into her cart while shouting at her children to “Hurry up and grab more!” A man pushed his way through the crowd, his cart overflowing with supplies. He looked back over his shoulder and yelled, “We’re running out of time!”
Running out of time for what? River felt a pang of anxiety as she spun on her heels and exited the store, her heart pounding as she navigated the turmoil of the now-bustling streets. The contrast from the eerie silence she’d experienced coming into Campdale from the northern forests was unbelievable. Just a short time ago, everything had been unsettlingly quiet. It had seemed as if the town was deserted, leaving her alone with her fears and doubts. But now the scene had transformed dramatically. As she ran a few blocks west toward the old bridge that led to the hospital and fire station, she saw a chaotic stream of people and vehicles converging on Route 92. The road was lined with cars stretching for what looked like miles, all moving southbound in a desperate exodus from the city. River’s unease grew with the realization that there was something significant unfolding that she hadn’t yet fully grasped.
This is like…a mass evacuation. What do they know that I don’t?
As River approached the hospital, she saw that the parking lot was clogged with abandoned cars, their doors flung open as if their owners had fled in haste. A crowd of desperate people surrounded the main entrance of the hospital. In their faces, River recognized raw, visceral fear—because she felt it, too.
Fuck me. What am I going to do?
River’s survival instincts kicked in as she assessed the scene. The absence of emergency services was glaring. Police officers and firefighters, who were supposed to be the ones everyone could count on to bring order and security, were nowhere to be seen.
So…this is it? We’re supposed to just fend for ourselves?
“Sorry, ma’am,” a young woman said as River tried pushing past her, “but the hospital is at capacity. They’re not accepting any new patients.”
River’s heart sank. “No, you don’t understand. Let me get past you. I need to speak to a doctor or paramedics…or someone in charge! My father is hurt, and he’s alone at our cabin. It’s in the middle of the goddamn forest! Miles away from here! I need help!”
The woman exchanged a tired glance with who River assumed was her brother, given how similar their facial features were. “I’m sorry, but we’re all in the same boat. You’ll just have to sit it out and wait like the rest of us.”
River’s frustration and anger started to boil over. “No! Someone has to help me! I don’t know what else to do. He hasn’t got the goddamn flu, or whatever it is you’re all here for. His leg has been crushed, and he’s losing blood. They have to let me in!”
The young woman placed a hand on her arm. “Listen, we can only assume they’re doing everything they can. It’s total carnage in there.”
River’s desperation turned to panic. The thought of failing her father was unbearable. She tried to make her way through the waiting people, but they held her back. Tears blurred her vision as she stepped away from the entrance, the weight of helplessness pressing down on her shoulders. “This can’t be happening,” she whispered, her voice cracking under the strain.
Just as River was about to succumb to despair, she noticed an old friend just inside the glass doors of the main entrance. She shouted out as loud as she could, “SHEILA! SHEILAAAAAAA!”
Sheila, a nurse at the hospital who River had once harbored a high school crush on, caught River’s eye. They’d shared a fleeting kiss at prom but had lost touch in the years since. Their eyes locked in a brief, silent exchange. With a subtle, knowing gesture, Sheila beckoned River toward a side entrance.
Doing her best to avoid attention, River made her way around the building. The side door was slightly ajar, and as she approached, Sheila quickly pulled it open.
The interior of the hospital was pandemonium the likes of which River had never seen. Patients filled every available space, their moans and cries blending into one single scream of distress. The staff moved quickly but looked as exhausted as River felt, their faces reflecting the strain of what was clearly becoming an impossible task. Sheila, holding River’s arm with a firm grip, led her inside.
“Do you think you caught the virus?” the nurse asked in a straightforward tone.
River shook her head. “No, it’s my dad. He’s up at this cabin we have in Northanger Forest, and he really needs help. Please, is there anyone who can see him?”
The nurse’s weary eyes met hers, and she nodded. “I remember your dad. He was a ranger up there. I used to be a scout. He’d teach us canoeing and stuff at summer camp—he’s a really nice guy. Listen, I’ll try to find someone who can help, for old times’ sake. But you need to know we’re barely keeping up here.”
River nodded, her mind racing. “Thank you, Sheila. I owe you one. Please hurry.”
As the nurse disappeared into the chaos, River stood in the hallway, trying to make sense of the scene around her. The sight of so many patients in distress and the frantic pace of the overworked staff were like something out of a horror movie.
“It’s spreading too fast…we’re losing control.” One nurse’s voice trembled as she spoke on the phone, her words barely audible above the noise.
The patients she saw were either thrashing out in anger as staff walked past them or sitting on benches in eerily catatonic states, their eyes vacant and unseeing.
What did that man say? Zombies? No. Get a fucking grip, Riv.
But the man’s words were starting to seem more like reality with each passing second.
The realization that the hospital might not be the refuge she’d hoped for was starting to sink in. Her father’s condition was bound to be deteriorating by this point, and if she didn’t get help to him soon, she knew she’d lose him. She faced a critical decision: continue searching for help in this hellhole, or plan an escape from Campdale.