Dead Faith (Book 1): Dead Faith

by Vee, Chadwick

  Kelly tried to reply, "I do John, but I never said I liked you as more than a fr…"

  "Of course not! I am just a joke to you! So what if I save you, feed you, keep you safe. You’re just like your dad! "

  Kelly recoiled as if she had just been slapped but John went on.

  "Your dad wouldn't let me stay with you guys, he didn't care if my parents were gone, he didn't think I was good enough."

  "He's old fashioned, he didn't believe in boys and girls spending the night together…"

  John cut her off again, "No! He told me I wasn't good enough for you! Just like the rest of you," Now John pointed around the fire, "None of you have ever respected me or listened to my ideas, you all think I am a joke."

  A couple of people cut in with objections and John started to tell them how horrible they were when the calm steely voice of Kelly cut through them all.

  "When did my dad tell you you weren't good enough for me? I was there when you asked to stay with us, and I felt bad that dad said no, I even argued with him when you left, but he never said anything about you not being good enough… When John?!"

  John looked a little stymied for a second and replied with a simple shake of the head and, "I don't know…"

  "When John?!"

  "I Don't.."

  "When JOHN!" Kelly yelled across the fire, standing up to confront him.

  John's eyes narrowed, "When you were at the neighbors."

  Kelly's eye's narrowed in understanding, even though a few around the circle hadn't put it together yet.

  "You son of a…"

  "What?" John spit, "you can't prove anything." He said, starting to grin.

  Slowly, making sure every word stabbed at John's heart, Kelly said, "I wouldn't be with you if you were the last man alive on the planet."

  "Oh," John said, getting an insane glint in his eye as he began to nod his head up and down, "well maybe we'll just find out." He began pointing at everyone sitting around the campfire again, "and all of you, you’re just going to let her treat me like this, running off with the first frat boy that flashes his pearly white-toothed smile at her…. Laughing behind my back the whole time… We'll see if you think I'm a joke, maybe I'll lead a group of these mindless zombies through the camp late one night, or maybe I'll just hide down the road with a rifle and-"

  The crack of the gunshot scared everyone in the circle; several went for their own guns as John fell to the ground with a bullet wound clearly visible in his forehead. Turning around, all were surprised to see Gabe standing there holding his gun, a whiff of smoke coming from the barrel.

  "I will not spend the rest of my life worrying about someone carrying out their death threats against myself or the people I care about."

  With that said, he holstered his pistol and walked towards his truck with the obvious intention of going to bed..

  "Can he do that?" Kelly asked.

  "He just did…" Kevin replied

  “He just admitted to killing your parents.” Chris said taking Gabe’s side but still sounding a little shocked.

  "I don't have a problem with it." Eric said bluntly, "Goodnight everyone."

  Eric got up and headed towards his vehicle. The rest of the group exchanged glances of confusion, concern and acceptance but soon drifted off to go to bed.

  Chapter 16

  The next morning when the others got up they were greeted by a view of Gabe digging a grave on the far edge of the field where everyone camped. They could also see John's body wrapped in a dark sheet. Chris went over and without saying a word picked up a shovel and began to help.

  When they were done digging they let Kelly and the others know. Kelly didn't come but everyone else did. After they put the body in the ground Gabe dropped a handful of dirt on him. "Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust. You were a confused kid in a hard place, may God have mercy on your soul." Gabe started to move on so the next person could pay their respects but suddenly he paused. "May God have mercy on my soul..."

  As the others walked by they each dropped a handful of dirt into the grave and paused, but no one else spoke. When everyone had taken a turn they stood there in silence for a while. Gabe looked around to everyone with a nod or questioning eyebrow formally giving them a chance to speak.

  "Amen" Gabe said out loud, breaking the solemn moment, and then he and Chris began to shovel dirt into the hole as the others slowly walked away.

  As they finished filling the somewhat shallow grave Chris leaned on his shovel. Gabe threw one last scoop of dirt and patted it down before speaking.

  "I'm going to check on Kelly. Kevin is being a little standoffish from her... I think he is feeling a little guilty and self-conscious. I also haven't seen Aaron in a while; I think he is still pretty shook up by this."

  Chris nodded, "I'll check on him, I know how to be a big brother.

  Gabe nodded, realizing he still didn't know much about Chris. Did he have actual siblings? Or was he speaking metaphorically?

  #

  "No!"

  As Gabe came out of the bathroom that was on the side of the campground office he recognized the voice of the person yelling at Chris. Knowing he wouldn’t yell, and possibly bring more zombies down on their heads unless it was something very bad. Gabe grabbed the shovel he had leaned against the building and ran towards the camp.

  Gabe and several of the others reached Chris at the same time. They all had their weapons ready, expecting another zombie fight. But they saw Chris just standing by Chase’s tent shaking his head. As they ran up Chris looked up and just pointed inside the tent.

  Gabe got down on one knee and moved the orange flap aside. Inside the tent Chase laid fully dressed on top of his open sleeping bag. As soon as he saw him Gabe knew he was dead before he even registered the 22 caliber pistol next to his head. Pinned to his chest was a piece of paper that simply said in large print, ‘I’m so so sorry”. Gabe saw the small pillow between the gun and Kevin’s head and realized he had used that to makes sure the gunshot wasn’t heard by anyone, or anything, beyond the immediate vicinity.

  Gabe leaned back out of the tent and looked at the others shaking his head.

  “Suicide.” Was all Gabe said.

  “No…” Several voices said in chorus.

  Gabe moved aside to let others see for themselves, as he did he saw Chris go up the small hill and sit on top of the old picnic table, hanging his head down. Gabe waited for a second and then followed Chris. Reaching where Chris had sat down, Gabe wasn’t sure what to do at first, but finally he just silently climbed on to the table and set next to him and just waited.

  "I don't know how you do it Gabe. All this... this." Chris waved his hand towards the tent and then just waived it around to indicate the whole world.

  "When I first met you Gabe, you told me that you use to be a pastor or you were quitting or something, but I've seen you grow stronger or at least more, I don't know, more faith in God." He paused and then looked right at Gabe. “I know it sounds cliché, like a college freshman who just took his first philosophy class, but I just can't believe in a God that would let this happen."

  Gabe was surprised to see tears begin to streak down Chris' face. "Gabe, God cares but he gives us free will. Someone made a choice to unleash this on the Earth. "

  Chris wiped the tears off his face but just shook his head at what Gabe was saying.

  "Look Chris, if God never let anything bad happen to anyone then we wouldn't be people, we would be robots. But he chose to create us in his image."

  Chris stopped shaking his head and seemed to give it some thought. "I just don't know Gabe."

  "Chris, you're not just crying because after all the time we've been out here you suddenly decided this one incident was sad. You've seen a lot.. your wife, a brother killed, a husband killed... and then I kill someone right in front of everyone and no one can disagree with me about it being right. And now suicide... But part of it is because this has caused you to face your doubt in the fact that there is a loving an
d caring God... and your heart aches for that."

  Gabe could see that Chris was receptive, so he continued, "You feel that ache because that very God made you to worship and love him. The Bible tells us that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, even you and me Chris." Gabe placed his hand on Chris' shoulder. “But even though we were cruel to each other and did unthinkable things," This time it was Gabe that motioned towards the tent, "He still sent his Son to die, to pay for the sins. If he hadn't done that, we would have paid the price for our sins but now, if we accept his sacrifice, accept him as our Lord, then we are free of that sin and will have everlasting eternal afterlife."

  Chris was now squinting at Gabe, but the look wasn't one of anger, but possibly disbelief. Gabe took a second to reflect that just a short time ago he had been ready to throw away his own relationship with God due to the betrayal of his wife, but now, with the past few days events and this opportunity to share with Chris, he felt renewed in his faith.

  "There is no magic prayer or words Chris, but if you want to have a relationship with God all you have to do is truly believe in your heart and call upon his name." Gabe paused, gave Chris' shoulder a pat and continued. "Acts 16:31 And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household’. Would you like to pray and call upon the name of Jesus Chris?"

  "I don't know how." Gabe stated

  "Just talk to God, he is listening. Just tell him that you want him to be the Lord of your life, tell him you believe he died and was resurrected.” Gabe paused for a second and decided to lighten the mood up. “I would think the dying and coming back would be easy to believe under these circumstances." Chris looked up at Gabe to see if he was serious. Seeing that Gabe had a slight smile made Chris smile for a second too and he shook his head indicating he agreed. Gabe closed his eyes, keeping one hand on Chris' shoulder and leaned his head down to pray.

  "Jesus... God, I believe you are up there, I need your help, I can't do this by myself, I am asking you to be the Lord of my life, please Jesus." Chris prayed quietly.

  Gabe waited a minute, then began to pray, "Lord, thank you for Chris, he has saved my life and been a good friend. Now I thank you for a new brother. Comfort him and be with him during these dark days as his heart cries out to you." Gabe paused a minute before continuing. "God we just thank you and praise you in Jesus name.”

  Gabe opened his eyes and looked at Chris, and as Chris opened his eyes a smile spread across his face.

  "I can't believe how much better I feel." Chris laughed. "I just..." Tears welled up in his eyes again as he laughed quietly. "Thank you Lord! I feel so free. It's like I can feel God's love."

  Gabe smiled broadly and gave a big side hug to Chris. "Welcome to the family Chris!"

  "Well isn’t this touching." Neither man recognized the voice behind them, and both turned to see who it was.

  As they turned, Gabe could see a zombie reaching for Chris.

  "Watch out!" Gabe yelled jumping from the table while at the same time grabbing Chris' arm and pulling him.

  But Gabe's grip came loose, and to his horror, the zombie spoke, "Too late..." and bit into Chris's neck just above his shoulder.

  Chapter 17

  Half out of surprise and fear and half out of losing his grip on Chris's hand Gabe fell backward off the table. Landing hard on the ground he felt the air rush out of his lungs. As he lay there trying to get his air back he could see the dozens and dozens of zombies coming towards the camp. Panic set in and Gabe struggled for his feet, still unable to breathe, much less yell a warning. Why hadn’t their perimeter wire rattled a warning?

  Gabe felt a modicum of relief as he heard gunshots nearby. He knew someone was shooting at the zombies which meant the whole camp would now be on guard.

  Finally pulling himself to his feet using the picnic table, Gabe forced himself to take a deep breath while at the same time pulling his gun out of his holster. On the table in front of him the talking zombie was chewing on Chris' face.

  Gabe took careful aim at the zombies head and pulled the trigger of his Dessert Eagle. Just as he did the zombie looked up and saw the attack coming. It tried to roll off of Chris but the bullet caught him in the jaw, shattering it and knocking most of it off the zombie's face.

  "Gabe, behind you!"

  Jack's warning came just in time to allow Gabe to spin around as a zombie collided with him. Gabe's feet still mostly on the ground, he bent over backward and landed on the table next to Chris. Looking over at Chris, Gabe could see the blood flowing from his wound was already slowing down as Chris’ heart ran out of blood and his body went into shock. Gabe held the zombie back by its shoulders as it tried to reach for him with his teeth. While struggling with the zombie on top of him, he saw the talking zombie stand back up and hold where its jaw had been. Looking at its face, Gabe realized that even in its decomposed state, the talking zombie was in severe pain, and was very angry.

  A second zombie now piled on top of the one that Gabe was fighting, forcing the first one down so that its teeth were now just inches from Gabe's face. Struggling to keep from getting bit, out of the corner of his eye he saw the talking zombie put his hand in Chris's mouth. Gabe was able to get his left forearm under the throat of the zombie directly in front of him thus freeing his right hand. Putting the gun up to the zombie's head, he almost got bit in the hand by the second zombie that had jumped on top of them.

  It was at that moment, as he jerked his hand back out of danger, he saw the talking zombie rip Chris's jaw off.

  Gabe's fear and panic were all washed away by white hot anger. He put his hand back up again and as the second zombie tried for his hand again he shot it in the head, the impact of the 50 caliber slug knocking it off of them. He was then able, by sheer force of will and anger, to shove the first zombie off of him too, allowing him to stand up. He shot the zombie in the head as it tried to get up off the ground, and then turned his attention back to the talking zombie. He saw the talking zombie, Chris's jaw in his hand, was already 10 yards away, running towards the tree line.

  Gabe snapped off two quick shots and was sure he saw the signs of impact from at least one of the shots. He put one leg up on the table and steady himself, taking careful aim at the talking zombies head.

  "Ahhhhh."

  Gabe immediately recognized Jill’s scream, spinning around he noticed for the first time the chaos around him. Everyone from the camp was fighting an onslaught of zombies.

  Seeing Jill pinned on the ground by a zombie, he took careful aim and shot. The zombie jerked upright and fell over next to her. Jill looked over and gave a nod of thanks as she jumped back to her feet.

  Another zombie was running up the hill at Gabe and he shot it in the chest. The power of the 50 AE round used by the Dessert Eagle pistol plowed through the zombie's chest and took a large section of its backbone with it upon exit. But as Gabe was about to turn away he saw that the zombie immediately began to crawl towards him using its arms to drag itself towards Gabe. In frustration Gabe shot it again in the head.

  Without checking, Gabe knew he had used eight shots and as he turned his attention back to the talking zombie he was already releasing the magazine from his gun, allowing it to fall to the ground. Gabe saw that the zombie was almost to the tree line. Shoving a new magazine into the pistol he knew he now only had seven rounds and immediately shot the zombie running up to him on his left in the head, leaving him with six rounds. As he turned the gun back to the talking zombie he saw it disappear into the trees. Gabe let out an expletive, yelling “Crap”, the closest he ever came to cussing.

  Just as he started to turn his attention back to the campground he heard the crack of rifle fire coming from the woods. First one shot and then a couple of seconds later a second. Gabe remembered with excitement that Billy had gone into the woods to hunt. Hopefully he had bagged the talking zombie but Gabe knew he couldn’t stand around and wait to see.

  Gabe ran towards where it looked
like most of his friends were making a stand. He could see Jill had climbed on top of the pickup truck next to Eric while Mercedes and Jack were on top of the VW bus. Chris and Kevin where between the two vehicles back to back but Gabe couldn't see anyone else.

  Most of the zombie's had their attention on Brad and Kevin on the ground which allowed Gabe to pistol-whip several of them from behind and burst through the zombies joining the other guys between the vehicles. They acknowledged him and let him know they were glad to see him as they began to fend off the next wave of oncoming zombies.

  Gabe shot a few more Zombies giving himself a little space. He stopped and observed the chaos around him for a few seconds, then to everyone’s great surprise he pointed his gun straight up and fired off four ear cracking rounds in rapid concession.

  Every zombie in the area now turned its attention toward Gabe's location. The ones that had been reaching up for the people on the roofs of the vehicle turned and started towards Gabe, as did the few that had been wondering up towards the main building.

  "In the name of Jesus, be gone!"

  Gabe's voice carried across the field with a booming authority. The Zombies staggered for a second as if they had been blasted by a gust of wind, swaying on their feet, before turning and staggering away. The group of survivors paused for a moment, even those that had seen it before were momentarily stunned at what they were seeing. But Jill was the first to break the silence, shooting one of the retreating zombies with a well-placed shot in the back of the head. As soon as her shot rang out the others joined her.

  "Okay, okay." Gabe called everyone’s attention after just 30 or 40 seconds of shooting. "Save your ammo."

  Kelly and John climbed out of the back of the VW bus and Shirley came running from the house, killing the few zombies that had fled in that direction.

  "How... " Kelly started. "I mean I know I wasn't there when you turned them at the grocery store... But it is just amazing."