by Urban, Tony
Aben couldn’t help but laugh. Mitch grinned too. Maybe the kid wasn’t so bad after all.
“Prince is a much better name.”
“I still think it seems a little pretentious.”
“Maybe. But have you seen any other dogs?”
Aben shook his head.
“Exactly. Makes this guy pretty damned special then, doesn’t it?”
“What about us? Are we special too?”
Mitch stood up, clasped his hands together and raised them over his head while he stretched. “Shit yeah we are. Look around this world, man. We’re not princes, we’re fucking kings!”
Mitch jogged away, toward wherever he’d come from. When he disappeared, Aben returned his attention to his dog.
“Prince? You like that name?”
The dog stared at him and panted.
“Prince,” Aben said, raising the pitch of his voice to an almost cartoonish level. The dog’s ears perked up. “Prince! You want that to be your name? Prince?”
The dog cocked its head sideways. Aben would have preferred a bark but supposed that would have to do.
Chapter 19
“Stop the car, please.”
Juli almost ran off the road upon hearing the voice from the back seat. It was too light, too gentle to belong to Mitch. Aben was beside her and it certainly wasn’t the dog. That left but one option.
Grady. The man who hadn’t said a word the entire time she’d been around him. The man who was as close to catatonic as she’d ever seen in person. She spun in her seat and looked behind her. Grady’s eyes were no longer the empty pools that looked ahead but saw nothing. Now, they were alert, focused.
She felt the car swerve and realized she was still driving.
Shoot!
She smashed her foot against the brake pedal, thrusting them all forward in their seats as the car came to a sudden halt. The dog flopped off Aben’s lap and landed on the floor with a ‘woof’ that sounded startled, if a dog can sound startled.
Aben had found an old rust bucket Impala while looking for guns in a storage barn behind the house. He’d said it probably wouldn’t run, but it did. Then he said the tires were probably dry rotted, but they weren’t. The car looked like a jalopy, but as far as Juli was concerned, it beat walking. They’d been on the road for about an hour, when Grady interrupted the drive.
“Thank you,” Grady said.
“Holy shit! You said the gork couldn’t talk!” Mitch said, his voice high and excited. Juli really didn’t like the teen. His presence made her think of her own son, Matt, who she’d left locked in their perfect, suburban home. Matt was a zombie but he was still better than this foulmouthed, self-involved young man. But she couldn’t allow herself to be concerned with Mitch now, not when Grady had seemingly returned to the land of the living.
Grady paid little attention to his companions in the car. Instead he opened the door and stepped outside. Juli quickly followed and heard the other doors open too. The dog bounded out, ran a few yards then stopped to urinate.
“That looks like a good idea, boy,” Aben said, then he turned his back toward the others and did the same.
Juli ignored them both. All her attention was focused on Grady who strode softly almost like he was floating, toward a small, clapboard building. The paint peeled off the walls in thick chunks and the setting sun transformed it from white to a brilliant orange that almost made the building look like it was on fire. Faded block letters above the door labeled the building “Church of God with Signs Following.” Grady pushed open the door and stepped inside.
“Wait.” Juli chased after him but he continued.
She looked back to Aben who had zipped back up and looked on. “Help me, Aben! There could be zombies in there.”
Aben snapped to attention. He grabbed his maul hammer from the car and chased after.
Sunlight spilled through the windows, drawing irregular rectangles across the dusty interior. Juli’s eyes scanned the building, scared and nervous, but it appeared empty. More than empty, it looked like it had been abandoned since long before the zombies.
There were no ornate stained-glass windows, no murals of Christ and his disciples, no oversized crosses mounted on the walls. It looked as simple as a summer camp mess hall, with six rows of flat benches for seating and a small lectern which looked as if it might have been fashioned out of used barn wood front and center. Grady stood at that modest pulpit.
“God is in this house. He’s called us here.”
Julie went to him. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. He seemed completely normal. Like someone had flipped a switch and brought him into the light.
“Please sit, Juli. And you as well, Aben.”
Juli turned and saw Aben standing in the open doorway, half in, half out of the church. He stayed there, but Juli followed instructions and sat in the first row of pews.
“How do you know our names? You’ve been in… something like a coma, since they found you.”
“I was with God. And he told me everything.”
Grady looked toward Aben who remained on the precipice of the sanctuary. “Thank you for caring for me during my time away.”
“Don’t mention it,” Aben said.
“This is our home until God instructs us otherwise,” Grady said. “Here, we will be safe in the arms of our Lord.”
Juli heard the door close behind her and when she looked, Aben was gone.
“He’ll understand, in time,” Grady said.
“Will I understand too? Because right now this looks like— “
“A miracle.” Grady’s lips turned up in a serene, almost angelic smile. “It is. The first of many to come.”
Grady picked up a bible from the lectern and opened it sending a cloud of dust soaring into the air. The light caught it and made it look like a million diamonds glistening around his head.
“Let’s start with the book of Isaiah, chapter 26. ‘Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.’”
Juli had questions too. So many questions that she didn’t know where to begin, but she had a feeling now was not the time to speak. It was the time to listen.
Chapter 20
Aben cooked Spam on a propane grill and he was certain it was one of the best damned things he’d ever smelled. He’d put on four cans, which he felt would be more than enough for them and the dog.
Prince, his name’s Prince. He had to keep reminding himself.
He wasn’t certain but he believed Spam was already precooked so once it had sufficient grill marks to give it character he slid if off the grates and onto a serving tray which he then carried into the church.
Grady was in his usual spot at the pulpit. Juli sat in the front row. Mitch and Prince were nowhere to be seen.
Aben wished he had a bell to ring signifying dinner was ready but he didn’t so he had to settle for clearing his throat. That didn’t make it over Grady’s blathering. He was ready to speak up, but something Grady said caught his attention.
“Last night, as I prayed, God told me how the plague started. How all of this misery began.”
He’s got a direct line to God now? This is new. Aben leaned against the back wall and listened.
“It was not He who punished mankind. He played no part in the death and destruction we all have witnessed.”
‘We all?’ Aben glanced around the room to verify that it was only the three of them. It was.
“One of the Devil’s disciples started the plague. Together, Satan and this man did their best to destroy God’s greatest creations - Earth and its inhabitants, both man and animal. God played no hand in their evil plot, but he did ensure that some of us were spared. That some of us remained behind to restore humanity and spread God’s love.”
“And lest we begin to fear that the dead who now walk the Earth are our enemies, God has assured me that is not the case. Those men and women are but victims - pawns in the plot to undermine our Lord and Savior. The dead are not to be feared, they are to be loved. They are not to be slaughtered, they are to be saved.”
Aben had heard enough. He liked Grady much better when he was catatonic. “I hate to interrupt, but I made dinner.”
Juli looked back at him and gave a slight wave. She stood up and moved to the rear of the church, but then returned her focus to Grady who had not moved. “Come now, Grady. You have to eat.”
Grady held on to his bible like a man cast adrift in the ocean clinging to a life preserver. “I shall not. I need to keep my mind clear so that I can hear God’s voice.”
She gave Aben a pained, confused - I don’t know what to do - look.
“Let him go. He’ll eat when he gets hungry enough.”
Juli took another look at Grady who’d turned his attention to his bible. His lips moved soundlessly as he read. Julie followed Aben out of the sanctuary.
The smell of the Spam brought Prince running and Mitch wasn’t far behind. Aben had spread out a few plastic plates on a picnic table and Juli opened an extra-large can of mixed fruit and the three humans and one dog ate together. The food was nearly all when they heard a vehicle in the distance.
Mitch jumped to his feet and started toward the road.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Aben said. “You don’t know who’s coming.”
“Someone alive, that’s who. And we haven’t seen anyone since leaving the Greenbrier so I’d say that makes whoever it is pretty fucking interesting.”
Mitch was off. Prince looked at Aben as if asking permission to join him.
“Stay,” Aben said denying him. The dog hung its head and pouted.
Juli watched the teen dash toward the road. “It sounds big,” she said.
Aben nodded. The engine rumbled along indiscreetly. It was diesel, that was certain. Probably a tractor trailer. It made him remember Jay or Ray, the trucker who’d been his final ride before the apocalypse. Wouldn’t it be a crazy coincidence if Jay or Ray was behind the wheel of whatever was rolling toward them? Now that would be a miracle Aben could get behind.
But it wasn’t Jay or Ray. It wasn’t even a tractor trailer. The vehicle that approached the church was a blaze orange dump truck that looked like something out of a Mad Max movie. Only this was real life and Aben had to admit that he was damned impressed. Steel spikes jutted from the front end and the exposed sides were cloaked with razor wire. This was a vehicle made to kill zombies. Or anything that got in its path.
Mitch stood at the edge of the road jumping up and down and waving like a—
“Goddamn fool,” Aben muttered. “You stay back,” he said to Juli. “You too,” he added to Prince who gave a little whine as Aben stomped away.
The brakes of the dump truck screamed as it rolled to a stop five yards past the church. Mitch ran up to it, well ahead of Aben who found himself more worried about the teen than he’d expected himself to be.
“Mitch, hold back.”
But the driver’s side door of the dump truck was opening.
“Wotcha!” A voice called out. It was gravely and hoarse. The man to whom it belonged followed a moment later. He dropped down from the cab and Aben was surprised he wasn’t as large as his voice. He was five and a half feet tall at the most but wide. Aben could tell he had the type of muscles that weren’t built in the gym but the kind earned in real life. He was an ugly son of a bitch too and a quarter-sized black spot in the center of his forehead didn’t help matters. When he smiled at them, his mouth was filled with brown and black teeth that looked broken, or perhaps rotted.
Mitch ran up to him like a kid meeting Santa Claus. “I haven’t seen anyone else in weeks. Thought maybe the whole rest of the fucking country was dead.” He thrust his hand out. “I’m Mitch.”
The man took Mitch’s hand in his own. Aben thought it looked exceptionally large for his height.
“Solomon Baldwin. And I’m very much alive. So’s me friend here.” He banged on the side of the truck. “Come on out. They don’t seem like the types to rape and kill us to me.”
The passenger door opened and an even shorter Asian woman emerged. The drop down from the cab was a big one and she hit the ground with an ‘oof.’
“You okay?” Aben asked her.
She nodded. “First step’s a doozie. I’m Yukie.”
“Aben.”
Mitch headed her way. “And I’m— “
“Mitch. I heard.”
Saw looked from the men to the church. He spotted Juli in the distance. And the dog. “Looks like we interrupted a family gatherin’. Sorry if we’re intruding.”
Aben wasn’t sure what to think of these new arrivals but, considering how other people were in such short supply, it seemed pointless to be rude without cause. “Not at all. We just sat down for a bite to eat. Want to join in?”
Saw smiled again. Aben wished he’d stop that as the sight of his mouth sapped much of his appetite.
“I reckon we would. Eh, Yukie?
Yukie nodded. “I can always eat.”
“So, what’s on the menu?” Solomon asked.
“Spam and fruit,” Mitch said.
“Sounds delicious!”
“I made it though, so I wouldn’t get your hopes up too high, Solomon,” Aben said.
“Don’t imagine a man can foul up Spam. If he did, it would be a first. And please, call me Saw. All me friend do.”
The food was gone in short order but the conversation carried on into dusk when everyone was little more than a dark outline in the diminishing light. Aben surprised himself by how much he enjoyed the company of the new arrivals. It was a delight to hear fresh voices, different stories. It felt almost normal, or as normal as life could be in this new world.
The only light was the orange flicker at the end of Juli’s cigarette. Even she seemed happier than she had in days, maybe weeks. Aben supposed it was good for her to have another woman around, some estrogen to balance out the testosterone.
Juli finished off her cigarette, blew out a mouthful of smoke then stifled a yawn. “I hope you two will stay the night.”
“We got no place to go,” Saw said.
She led them to the church and pulled open the metal door. Grady had lit dozens of white candles and, as their eyes adjusted, the details of the simple sanctuary came into focus. As did Grady who sat in the front pew, his back turned to them.
“Grady,” Juli said. “We have guests.”
There was a muffled thump as Grady closed his bible and set it down beside him. He stood and turned to the men and women at the back of the church, a small smile on his thin lips.
“Welcome. Welcome friends.”
He moved down the narrow aisle, seeing Yukie first. She put out her hand but he ignored it and gave her a gentle embrace.
“Hello, Miss. And welcome.”
Yukie gave him an awkward hug in return. Aben thought, if he didn’t know how pious Grady was, he might have been flirting with her.
When they separated, Grady looked past Aben and Mitch and Juli until he found Saw. His smile vanished. Saw appeared not to notice the change in demeanor and strode forward.
“‘Ello, mate. They tell me your name’s Grady. I’m Sol— “
Grady took a step backward. He turned his face like he couldn’t bear the sight of the man before him. Like Saw’s very presence caused him pain. “Get out of here!” His voice rose above its usual whisper, but was still breathy and quiet.
“Pardon?” Saw asked.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Saw looked toward Aben with a bemused smile, one that thankfully didn’t show his teeth. Aben shrugged his shoulders.
“And why’s that? Do I got B.O. or something?”
His attempt to defuse the situation failed. Grady managed to look at him again and Aben thought th
e diminutive, fragile man looked almost fierce.
“You’re of the Devil!”
Juli gasped. Aben had almost forgotten she was there. “Grady! How could you say that?”
Saw put his hand on Juli’s shoulder. “It’s aw right miss. I been called worse.”
Juli ignored him. Her focus was on Grady. “You apologize.”
“I will not. Get that man out of here. This is a holy place and his very presence is a desecration.”
Juli reached for him but Grady pulled away.
“Noffin’ to worry about,” Saw said. “I can sleep in me truck. Or in the grass for that matter. It stays nice and warm at night in these parts.”
Saw exited the church. Aben decided to follow, leaving Juli alone to deal with Grady and Yukie.
The Brit had made it a few steps away when Aben caught up to him. For a moment, he thought he saw something like anger on the man’s face but Saw’s quick grin made him think he imagined it.
“I’m sorry about that. About Grady. He’s a little…” Aben twirled his finger around his ear, hoping that sign for ‘crazy’ translated to the UK too.
“Chap’s fucked in the head. Anyone can see that. I’ll stay out of his little chapel if it keeps the peace. I’m not one to go looking for trouble.”
Aben appreciated that. He liked Saw and Yukie and found them far more pleasant company than Grady.
“Tell you what, I’ll crash out here with you. That’ll give us two sets of ears in case anything should wander in.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I don’t mind. I’ve slept in far worse places than the grass on a summer night.”
“You and me both mate. You and me both.”
Chapter 21
The town had two prizes - a supermarket and an army navy surplus store.
“Want to flip for it?” Saw asked Aben and Mitch.
Aben shook his head. “We’ll hustle for supplies. I never did much enjoy grocery shopping.”
Saw agreed to take the supermarket. He had a feeling that bringing back a truckload of food might win them over. It wasn’t that he felt the need to prove himself - they’d be lucky to team up with him, not the other way around - but he knew that, should he ever return to the island he’d uncovered earlier in the summer, he’d need an army of sorts. And men like Aben and even Mitch seemed to hold potential and could be valuable assets down the road.
