Jacqueline Druga - Omnicide

“I slept a few hours. I’m good. Just a little physically worn out.” Cass smiled. “Thanks for your concern.”

“I’m always concerned about you, Cass.”

“That’s because you’re sweet. How are you doing?”

“Stressed. I’ll be better once we get an idea of what’s going on. We have…” Mark exhaled and dropped his voice to a whisper. “A damn prehistoric apocalypse is happening here. Tell me that isn’t the shit.”

“If we have the time, we’ll beat it. We’ll protect Griffin.”

“Bingo. No pun intended to our location now. But time is the key word. You aren’t going out, are you?”

Cass shook her head. “As much as I would like to, I’m with Ada on ration committee. Set up a stockpile place. But we’ll be at the meeting tomorrow.”

“Where is Ada now?”

“She’s home, making up her concoction so everyone can take it out today. She’ll need stuff to make more, you know. She doesn’t have endless supplies.”

“I’ll put that on my list of things to worry about.” Mark stepped back and stopped. “It really works?”

“Yeah it does. At least on the little areas.”

“Crazy Ada.” Mark shook his head with a smile. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

He made his way through the bingo hospital and to the door.

When she herself turned to leave, Kit walked in the door.

“Hey.” She walked up to him. “I thought you were headed out with Floyd.”

“I am. We’re going south.”

“Prescott?”

Kit nodded. “I have a feeling we may find life.”

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed. What brings you by? I was just headed to Ada’s.”

“I wanted to see you. Is that… odd?”

“A little.” Cass smiled.

Kit cringed. “Anyhow. How about when I get back we do some Hamburger Helper tacos?”

“It’s not Monday.”

“I’ll make an exception.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Can we take you to Ada’s? Are you done here?” Kit asked.

“Um… yeah. I am. And thanks. I’ll take that ride.” Before walking out, Cass did a visual check. Everyone seemed to be settled. Even though she hadn’t truly stopped for days, she wanted to head over to Ada’s, start her work there. Everyone else was constantly busy so there was no reason Cass should be an exception.

It was hot. Too hot for six in the morning. Beyond the rows of her planted corn, Ada grunted as she tried to move a barrel. It barely budged. “Damn it.” She ran the back of her forearm over her forehead.

“Need some help? Cass asked.

Ada turned around. “No, fuck it. It can stay where it is. I was hoping to fit one more barrel in here. But three will be enough for now.”

Cass took a step toward her and backed up immediately. “Good lord, what is that smell? Is that the concoction?”

“This is early stages. Fermenting. Won’t be done for a few weeks.”

“It stinks.”

“It works,” said Ada. “Come to the other shed and help me with the bottles. Still have a couple people that have to stop by and grab theirs.”

“Sure thing.” Cass walked with her. “So, I take it Lena went out with a search party?”

Ada stopped walking. “No, why would you say that?”

“Walt gave her that green mini-van to ride around in so she didn’t have to walk or bother you for a ride to and from town.”

“Okay.”

“It’s gone.”

“I didn’t even notice. I…” Ada switched directions. Instead of going to the other shed, she hightailed it to the house, barreling in the back door.

Trixie peeped a shriek. “You scared me. I was making you breakfast.”

“Where’s Lena?” Ada asked.

“Still sleeping, I guess. I saw her last night. She went to bed early.” Trixie’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong?”

The back door opened again and Cass ran in. “Oh my God, you run fast for an old lady. Is she here?”

“Sleeping,” said Trixie. “But Ada is worrying me.”

Ada was worried too. Something didn’t sit right with her and immediately she walked out of the kitchen to the stairs and up.

Cass followed. “Ada, maybe she joined a team and didn’t want to tell you.”

Ada didn’t reply. She got to the top of the stairs and walked to Lena’s room. She brought her hand to the door and it opened when she knocked.

The room was empty and the bed was made.

“See,” Cass said. “She went on the search party.”

On the bed was a folded piece of paper and Ada lifted it. After unfolding it, her eyes skimmed it. “No, Cass, she didn’t.” She handed the note to Cass. A note that simply read, ‘Ada, thanks for everything. I went home.’

Los Angeles, CA

She was able to make it within a mile of her home, then Lena had to stop, the roads were just not passible. Some of the freeway was covered and it made for a bumpy ride, then there was too much of the fungus to even attempt to drive.

The fungus reminded her of old tree roots, long, wayward, and thick. It spread about like veins across the roads, wrapping up the sides of buildings, all covered in this thick multi-shade of green grassy-looking substance.

The perfectly maintained lawns of her neighborhood were still lush and green, untouched by the fungus growth. The driveways and pillars weren’t so lucky. The corners and roofs of homes seemed to be prime growth spots.

Art and Niles had talked about how it would destroy everything that wasn’t alive—she finally understood what they meant when she saw some of the homes. It had only been days, yet the brick exteriors of some appeared to be crumbling, as if the fungus was squeezing it apart.

The walk to her own home was a painful one. Each step breaking her heart knowing what she would find. Trixie told her that her family had passed because of the original event, the pred bug spray that took out most of the world. With the heat, she knew what she could physically face.

It wasn’t so much that she had to touch and see her family, she just needed to be where they were.

It had been days, and the usually temperate weather of Los Angeles was hot and muggy.

Lena approached her driveway. The gate was open and, like the pillars, covered with the fungus. The driveway was slick, and it felt like she was walking in a creek, thick stones beneath her feet making an unstable ground.

Her grass was untouched, as were her imported bushes and rose garden.

The fungus covered her double doors and the brick of her home. She knew the door would be impossible to open, so she walked around to the back.

The fungus made no sense to her. It looked as if it attacked with no rhyme or reason. Wanting to become one with nature, leaving everything that God created alone.

The entire pool area was covered, the statues tightly wound up with the growth, yet the water in the pool was untouched.

The fungus hadn’t fully reached the sliding glass door of the kitchen, just part of the base and Lena slid it open enough to squeeze through.

The home had a weird sour and musky smell. She entered into the breakfast area, just near the kitchen. While the growth had crept into the breakfast nook, the kitchen was untouched. Her shiny appliances still glimmered as if just cleaned.

Trixie told her that her family had all passed away in the family room. Both children on the sofa, her mother on the love seat and John in a chair.

Knowing that was where she had to go, Lena headed that way.

With each step not only was it emotionally difficult, it was increasingly physically difficult as well. It was like a forest with unbreakable limbs, a prison of nature, and Lena squeezed through each opening she could, climbing her way into the family room.