“Oh dear. They must have gone through a lot without their mother. I’m glad you found them,” Charlene said.
“Was their mother your sister,” Farrah asked.
“Step-sister. Mine and Pete’s mother married her father when we were young. We always treated each other as if there was never any separation. Family isn’t always blood. And she was definitely family,” Charlene said.
“Sounds like you had a strong family,” Farrah replied.
“Oh yes. Our ancestors traveled the waters for this land back in the colonial days. We survived the Great Depression and even that horrible drought back in the 90’s. Our family was resilient,” Charlene replied.
“I just got off the radio with a trucker named Steve in Memphis. He said he was born to drive, and he will die driving. Weird dude. Always ends his conversations with those words. Anyways, he said he once passed a compound that had more than a hundred different people circling it. Heavily guarded,” Pete said.
“Where’s the location,” I asked.
Pete pulled a map from the counter and placed it on the table. “Here in Lebanon.”
“Looks like we are heading to Lebanon,” I said to Farrah.
“Now Atlas listen. If he has your daughter there and from what Steve said it will take more than you and her to go up against them. One hundred to two are not good odds,” Pete concerningly explained.
“I don’t have a choice Pete. My Kiere is there waiting for me. I can’t leave her there,” I said.
“You will be no good to her dead either. Let me see if I can find where the Z.E.D.S. are. According to everyone they are large in numbers and can probably help you,” Pete said. “Last I heard they were based in Kentucky.
“I know who the Z.E.D.S. are. They can’t help. They are broken,” I replied.
“What do you mean,” Pete asked. “Wait a minute.” Pete searched his mind of a past conversation as he stroked his beard. “Wasn’t that the name you and your friends gave yourself?”
“That was my family Pete. They no longer exist,” I said. “Tell the kids bye for me.”
I grabbed my bag and walked out of the door with Farrah following behind me.
“Atlas, wait. Atlas stop,” Farrah demanded. “What do you mean they were your family? Who are the Z.E.D.S.?”
“They are no body anymore,” I replied.
“From the words of Pete, they are somebody. That was the group you were telling me about that prepared for a world like this. That is your group. Aurora, Kiere, your dad, your brothers, your entire family. Why won’t you go to them for help,” Farrah asked. I turned to walk away before Farrah grabbed my hand. “Atlas, tell me please.”
“Because I broke them. When Kiere was taken, so was the Z.E.D.S.” They don’t exist unless I have her,” I replied.
Farrah squeezed my hand and said, “Listen to me. You did not break them if there is chatter of them working the lands, saving people, and trying to make this world better. They are doing the work without you, but they would be accomplishing more with you. If Kiere is the key to bringing your faith back into your family, then let your family help you get your faith back.”
“Atlas wait,” Pete yelled. “I know I can’t convince you to stay so take this with you.”
“What is this,” I asked.
“It is a portable CB radio. If you ever need me go to frequency 9337. It’s where you will find all of us,” Pete replied.
“9337 huh,” I asked in amazement.
“Yes. Whatever you need, I’ll help,” Pete said.
“Thank you, Pete. Where did 9337 come from,” I asked.
“It’s what a man named Shaun told us to stick to if anyone ever needed help. He constantly broadcasts on that channel to make sure the world is okay. He said the Z.E.D.S. will always be here,” Pete replied. “Thank you again for bringing my family home.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied.
“Hold up,” Charlene yelled as she walked from the porch. “Take this food with you. There isn’t a lot of choices out there anymore.”
“We can’t take this,” I replied.
“Yes, you can. Here is some water as well. We have a well, so our supply is going strong,” Charlene said as she handed me another bag.
“Thank you for supper. If you ever need us, we will have the radio on us at all times,” I said.
“Same goes for you two. Just be careful boy. Death before Dishonor,” Pete replied.
I shook Pete’s hand before Farrah, and we disappeared into the wilderness. We had our destination after time of searching. My faith had long dissipated by the constant reminder of failure I am to my family. But now as Farrah said, there are no coincidences. It is a grand plan. We finally knew where Kiere was.
Chapter 20
Traveling in the night calls for cautious footsteps. Your surroundings are cloaked in shadow. Any timid of light that journeys from the moon through the trees isn’t constant but can be graceful. Groups of the undead scour the plains when the temperature is cooler. The way they roam aimlessly for food would seem to not be impacted by any type of climate change. In some cases, a touch of humanity still exists inside of the drifters to an extent of survival and hunt when it’s more comfortable. Deadly creatures hunt at night.
In random passing hours I hear the voice of Kiere screaming my name. “Help me dad.” I search for her, but only to find that darkness surrounds me. A fade into the deepest corner presents Aurora crying out for our daughter. Cursing me for failing. Disappearing into a dark hole that I had created.
“Atlas,” another voice called to me. “Hang in there. I’m not going to let you die.”
In and out of an endless loop, my limbs were numb and the images of my family becoming grotesque as if murdered in front of me. The sharp tingle that surfaced from the tips of my toes to the pressure in my head relentlessly sent me back to a nightmare. Chase’s eyes of crimson shade and full of rage placing my family on trial to establish power. Logan laying in the road surrounded by pieces of shattered car parts. Zora disappearing in a pit of fire.
“Don’t believe what you see. Your fever is causing hallucinations. Your mind is breaking, but you have to keep fighting,” the voice that seemed so familiar but as a stranger.
Verdant bushes freckled in the wind as a passing breeze softened the heat. The cracked pavement posed a beaten path towards my brothers piled together with blood-soaked clothing as my dad stood above them with a stare lost amongst the sky.
A slight pressure against my wrist and a clutch stronger than a vise subsided the tingle in my right arm. The swooshing of liquid exiting a mouth followed by pressure.
“Is it done yet,” the female voice ventured through.
“Two more minutes,” another voice came across my ears and echoed amongst the red sky.
My father stood motionless reaching for me. As I tried to run, they began pushing further away.
“Atlas, It’s Farrah. Stay with my voice. Stay with me.”
I recognized that voice, but I didn’t focus on it. As they pushed further away, my legs became slower and the ground began to consume me. I could not reach them. The pull from the dirt began to climb my body and enter my mouth.
“Garett, his heart rate is dropping. Where’s the antivenom,” Farrah’s voice echoed.
“It’s ready,” Garett’s voice echoed as well.
The dirt began to fill my lungs. I reached for something to grab, but like quicksand I struggled to escape. As the dirt encased me and the last breeze of air caressed my fingertips, something wrapped around my wrist.
“Not yet,” a voice appeared, and the sun blinded my eyes.
Old barn wood surrounded the ceiling. A blurred vision interfered with its true beauty of mocha stain and ideal carvings. My hand was encased by two others with a black bandage wrapped around my wrist. Farrah’s hands protected my right hand with her head resting on the cross-stitched faded turquois blanket which covered my body.
“I see you’re finally a
wake,” Garett said as he walked over to check my pulse. Farrah rose from her slumped position and embraced a powerful hug.
“Thank God. You scared the living shit out of me,” Farrah said as she burrowed her head next to mine.
“What happened,” I asked.
“You my boy were almost fatally capsized by the very popular Copperhead snake out by the creek,” Garett explained. “Lucky for you, I had some antivenom in storage.”
Garett was a wilderness loving man who embraced mother nature. His scraggly salt and pepper hair and mountain man beard were nothing short of stereotypical. His bookshelves were dominated by wildlife informative narrations and veterinary medical books he obtained throughout the years.
“A Copperhead? When was I bit by a Copperhead,” I asked.
“You were really lucky boy. Had Farrah not got my attention you would have been buzzard food,” Garett informed.
“I told you to be careful while trying to fish,” Farrah added.
“A Copperhead? Wow. I would have never considered snakes as being the thing that would end me,” I said.
‘Luckily, Farrah caught the damn thing, killed it and brought it to me so I knew what kind of antivenom to use. She is your personal guardian angel that one,” Garett said.
“I agree,” I commented.
“I’ve got some coffee brewing in the kitchen. It has some prunella vulgaris infused within the beans for all heal purposes. Works perfect with my arthritis,” Garett said as he walked into the kitchen.
“Thank you for saving my life,” I said to Farrah as I grabbed her hand.
“I’ll never let anything happen to you. This world needs you. I need you. You’re not going away that easily,” Farrah said before raising my hand to gently kiss the bandage.
Farrah was my guardian angel. She has watched over me for many months with years included. She has become as determined as I am into finding Kiere. I would have never thought I would have come across someone like her.
“I’m going to grab you some herbal coffee. Hopefully, it doesn’t taste as bad as it sounds. Maybe the old man has culinary skills that match his botany talents,” Farrah said.
“I’m not that old,” Garett added.
“His hearing is sharp for an old man as well,” Farrah added.
Farrah and I met Garett while passing through the trenches of an Appalachian Forest. He was camouflaged in an old deer stand he said he found while searching for some weird plant name I can’t pronounce. A bear had creeped around him, so he snuck into the old deer stand for he only had a kukri which doesn’t stand in comparison to a big black bear.
Leaves crumpled beneath our feet as we walked through the wilderness. Our warm breath embraced the cold air that surrounded us. Not many roamers strolled through since Fall’s climate began to take over.
“Where you passing to,” Garett asked as we strolled through the wilderness.
Our guns raised to the deer stand as we saw Garett sitting calmly with a hand full of berries.
“No need to aim your weapons at me. There will be no harm from my end. Just sitting up here and enjoying nature,” Garett explained.
“Do you have any weapons on you,” I asked.
“Just this knife,” Garett said before dropping it to the forest floor. “What branch did you serve?”
“Excuse me,” I asked.
“I can see your tags around your neck. My great grandfather was in World War One. Your stature places you in, I would say, the Rangers,” Garett said.
“Good guess,” I replied.
“Did the Rangers teach you to bear fight,” Garett asked as he pointed to the distance.
Farrah and I turned as a gargantuan black bear was racing towards us.
“Shit,” I said as I began shooting.
Farrah’s accuracy was in placement of its legs as mine was of its head. As it fell to the ground, it slid to a halt across the leaves.
“That was some good shooting there boy, and mam,” Garett said as he tipped his hat.
“What the Hell is a black bear doing out here this time of year? Why isn’t it hibernating,” I asked.
“Food scarcity, viral transformation or maybe even suicidal thoughts. My money is on it’s hungry. The world isn’t what it used to be. It’s all out of whack except for the plants. Natures purest form of medicine,” Garett informed.
“Are you a Botanist,” Farrah asked.
“Zookeeper by profession, herbalist by trade,” Garett replied as he climbed down the ladder. “The name is Garett, Garett Hofstetter.”
“I’m Atlas and this is Farrah,” I said while placing my hand for a shake.
“Nice to meet you both. Welp, after all of that excitement, I have a hankering for some bear meat and carrots. You’re more than welcome to join me if you’d like. My place is right over that hill,” Garett said as he placed his knife back to his side.
“Do you live alone,” Farrah asked.
“I have now for twenty-five years since I left Floyd County. I was in a bit of trouble,” Garett replied.
“What did you do,” Farrah asked.
“I set the animals free from the local zoo. You know because of the cruelty and what not and then I fled here. Apparently, the undeclared release of wildlife animals is a felony,” Garett explained. “So, y’all want to come over for supper? It’d be real nice to have a little company.”
“Would you be offended if I searched around your place first,” I asked.
“Is that an actual request or are you telling me,” Garett asked.
“I’ll be back. Keep an eye on him.”
“Before you go, take these,” Garett said as he threw a ring of keys to me. “The big one unlocks the barn. The red key unlocks the gate. The blue key unlocks the stable. In that stable I have a Razor Raptor that can help us drag this bear to the barn for supper. And don’t forget to grab the rope hanging on the wall in front of the Raptor. It’s nylon so it won’t break hauling this big ass thing across the field.”
“Here’s the coffee,” Farrah said as I sat up in the bed.
“Now, make sure you drink all of it. The potency is only as strong as the last drop,” Garett informed.
“I can’t thank you enough Garett. These past couple days you opened your home to us and saved my life,” I said after taking a sip of coffee.
“Eh, no worries. Do to others as if you want done unto you. That’s what the good book says. Now drink your coffee. You should be back on your feet in the next couple of days,” Garett said. “You too Farrah.”
“The people we have met since we have walked together are of different sorts of awesome,” Farrah said before she took a sip of coffee.
“Yea, who would have thought there are still people like this alive,” I replied.
A faint echo appeared carrying some power.
“What’s that sound,” I asked as an engine roared outside.
“Ah shit. Not these assholes again,” Garett said as he ran past the bed.
“Who is it Garett,” Farrah asked.
“Them damn Road Ragers. They come through randomly from time to time and steal my shit. I’ve got something for them today though,” Garett said as he pulled a rocket launcher from behind his six-foot-tall gun cabinet.
“Where did you get that,” I asked.
“Abandoned gun show warehouse out towards the city. It was just sitting there,” Garett replied.
“Help me up Farrah,” I asked.
“No, you need to stay there. You exert yourself too much, you will pass out. Farrah, go to the loft and take my Barrett fifty cal. with you. It’s by the fridge,” Garett demanded.
“Stay here. I’ll be back,” Farrah said as she ran to grab the rifle and then upstairs.
I adverted my gaze to the window behind me and saw a dozen shirtless men with black and white painted masks.
“Oh Garett,” a man yelled as he stood on the hood of his truck.
“Eat my ass you morons,” Garett yelled as he raised his windo
w and pulled the trigger.
The rocket soared through the air and impacted a truck which sent many of the men flying across the grass. Bullets began flying through the walls causing the wood to splinter. Shards of glass exploded in the air and I jumped from the bed. As I crawled across the floor to a gun bag, Garett pulled out a grenade and tossed it through the window. Another explosion followed behind it.
“Who are these guys,” I asked while loading my gun.
“A bunch of dumbasses who they think they can take whatever they want. They stole my horses last time. They ain’t taking anything else,” Garett yelled as he grabbed his M4 from underneath the couch.
“So, what happened to your do to others as you want done to you,” I asked.
“They done it first. I’m still following the creed. Steal my shit, get blasted with high powered weapons,” Garett said before laughing.
“Farrah, you ok up there,” I yelled.
“Yea, just trying to get the tubbo wearing a crop top and fishnets. He’s annoying me,” Farrah yelled.
I placed my rifle in the broken window and saw more vehicles pulling into the field. “I’ll take the ones on the left. You take out the ones on the right,” I said to Garett.
“You better start shooting then, I’m running out of bodies on my side,” Garett demanded.
Pieces of car and skull scattered in the air as we fired upon them. I could hear Farrah’s rifle taking most of them out.
“Reloading,” I yelled.
I heard the side door swing open and saw a man run into the barn. I gripped the knife from my boot and pushed off the bed across the floor. As he ran through the corridor, I tripped his legs and he fell to the ground. My legs wrapped around his waist and my knife entered his chest. Gun fire began coming through the same corridor. Garett turned to shoot the other Rager, but the Rager was quicker. I pulled my knife from the Rager’s chest and threw it at the other to force it into his forehead. I released my legs from the lifeless Rager, and I crawled to Garett to see him holding his stomach.
“Dammit. That doesn’t feel good. I don’t think my herbs will heal this one,” Garett said before laughing.
Z.E.D.S. Series (Book 2): Z.E.D.S. Wayward Son Page 16
