The Outbreak Series Boxed Set

by Thomas Baker

  Is this guy for real? Is he a priest, or a used car salesman with these theatrics?

  "You know, I'm here, lying around," Gus replied, as nice as he could.

  "Good, good," he said, pulling up a chair to Gus's bedside. Before he sat down, he pulled the curtain around them.

  "I first wanted to ask if you would like to pray with me. Give God thanks you are still among the living and healing nicely?"

  "I've already done that myself, so I think I will pass," Gus said. "Don't forget we should also give thanks to Hannah and Linda."

  Albright tried to hide it, but Gus saw a little frown on the corners of his mouth he quickly masked with a smile. This made Gus even more alert. He looked deeply into the Reverend's eyes, trying to read what the man was thinking.

  "It's good you give God your praises. I enjoy hearing that. In that case Gus, would you mind answering a few questions about your friends? I can tell Hannah has a great love and admiration for you. Even though it seems JT is the leader of your group, you seem more suited for it. More mature and reasonable."

  Albright sat there, hands folded in his lap, a slight smile on his face. His eyes didn't look happy though. The man has a good poker face, I will give him that.

  "I'm not sure it's right to talk about other people behind their back. That's what my momma taught me."

  "Your morality and your loyalty are to be admired," Albright said. That was not what his eyes said though. They crinkled in annoyance. "I'm looking after my people. Their safety is highly important. Wouldn't you say that is admirable too?"

  Gus was starting to think the guy wasn't a nutball, but he wasn't being sincere either. His first thought of a used car salesman might not be far off the mark. He was quickly deciding Albright couldn't be trusted.

  "It is. As you can see, I'm sure not a threat," Gus gestured to his arm, with the IV running to it.

  "JT and Tyrone?" Albright asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "Only in self defense. I haven't seen them do anything but help people when they needed it. They're protectors" Gus tried to spin a threatening tone on the last two words.

  "I see." Albright clapped his hands and grinned widely again. "Even in the old days proving self defense in your actions was hard. I have to tell you, I've had meetings with them both. They trouble me. Tyrone the most. Did you know the poor child is a nonbeliever?" Albright acted wounded by the mere thought.

  "No, but then again it is hard to have deep theological discussions when zombies are trying to eat your peckers off."

  He thought he might rattle Albright with some language, but Albright continued sitting there with his shit-eating grin.

  "Gus, you don't have to stoop to that. You're in a house of God," Albright sighed, as if the weight of the world was his burden. "If you want to talk, help your friends out, just let Linda know. She will come find me and I will come to you. At any hour. God doesn't rest and neither do I. Help me bring your two friends into the fold."

  Albright rose, making a show of pulling the curtain back open. "I will continue thinking and praying on my decision. I would welcome you all to God's house, so you know. You could all stay here. It would be as safe a place as you could find. All you would have to do is follow the rules."

  "Whose rules?" Gus dared to ask.

  Reverend Albright gave him a knowing look but didn't answer. Instead, he made a scene of moving his chair back where he got it. Albright was almost out of the room when he turned to speak to Gus one last time.

  "You are lucky she cares about you so much you know."

  They left Gus alone. He tried to fall asleepbuthis mind refused to calm down. Itreplayed the conversation over and over again. The more he thought about it the more worried he became for JT and Tyrone. How could he help them? How could he get through to Hannah that she needed to open her eyes? It all thrashed around in his head until he fell into a fitful sleep.

  The next day when Linda came to administer him his medication, he jumped right on her. He had to put his trust in someone. His gut told him this nurse was as good a choice as he would get. Until he could get up and around.

  "I want to ask you something Linda. No beating around the bush. Is Albright dangerous?" Gus demanded.

  Her face tightened and after long heartbeats he was sure he wasn't going to be answered. "I'm just not sure Gus," Linda answered, in a frantic, hushed tone. She had pulled the curtains around her and Gus but she couldn't help but look over her shoulders every few seconds. "We shouldn't even be talking about this at all.Let alone here on church grounds."

  "If this place is a legit church, then I'm the pope," Gus said. "Pope Gustas the Third. That's what my gut tells me."

  "I know but..."

  "My friends are all in trouble. My old bones can feel it. Not to mention we just got done dealing with one whack job. After the last one carved me up like holiday ham, I'm not ready to meet another one. I can't lay here and do nothing. If not for them I wouldn't even be here."

  She bent across his bed, looking like she was checking out his IV. "Look, maybe I can scrounge up a wheelchair. I'll convince the Reverend you need some fresh air and some time outside. Then we can talk." Linda ripped back the curtain. She spoke in her usual, casual drawl. "Gus you are healing real fine. Sorry there's not more I can do now. I have to go."

  She headed towards the stairs and gave one last look at Gus. He could tell she was frightened, but also concerned.

  For herself or for both of us Gus wondered.

  Linda was good on her word and later that day she helped Gus limp up the stairs and into a wheelchair. It looked old,faded and cracked from prior use.

  "We need to get you out and walking around. We wouldn't want your muscles to atrophy," Linda said as she got Gus settled in. While she was helping him into position, Gus took a gander around at the church. This was the worship room, dominated by the stage and the TK. Rows of pews marched off from the stage to the front door. Linda pushed him up right in front of the main doors, behind all the pews. Albright came in through a door on Gus's left and crossed the room, beaming as usual.

  "God bless you Gus. His grace has healed you well. You are looking almost as good as me."

  You are about as slick as a snake oil salesman, Gus thought.

  "You wish you could make this look good sonny," Gus said, patting the wheelchair arm. He could play the part of doddering old fool if that's what Albright wanted. If it kept Albright off guard, even better. "I need to get up and about. Someone's gotta stay around and give you young folks some wisdom."

  Albright gave them what was supposed to be a winning smile along with a wink. Gus thought it was disgustingly vulgar in its fakery. He wasn't much of a churchgoer in his latter years, but his first wife was. He had known his fair share of church leaders during his life. None had acted like this yahoo did.

  "A little stroll around the grounds is all Reverend," Linda said, not meeting Albright in the eyes. Albright didn't seem to notice, he just nodded to them and walked off, hands behind his back. Gus watched him go beside the stage and out of sight. Linda let out a barely audible sigh and got him through the front door.

  Linda pushed him around the church one time for a good show. After that, she pushed him back a little farther off of the church grounds. She stopped and helped him up out of the wheelchair.

  "I didn't think I would ever say this, but it is good to be out of bed and up walking around," Gus said with a chuckle to himself. It felt wonderful not to be in constant pain. He didn't even feel much was Linda got him up into a standing position.

  "I know how you men are. I've been working with them all my life. Was even married to one once. Don't try tooverdo it at first. No showing off for me either." Linda was stern, but unless Gus was mistaken, also a little flirtatious.

  "Well, I've had a few ex-wives, so I'm guessin I'm not very good at doing what women tell me to."

  He held onto her arm, legs wobbling more than he liked. They walked off into the tall grass. He hated to admit it, but he
couldn't have walked very far without her help. The pain in his gut was growing after a few steps. It was times like these he would love to dig Harold up and kill him all over again.

  "So what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?" Gus asked. Linda groaned.

  "That one is even older than you are."

  "I like to consider it a classic, like me."

  Gus was quiet as he weighed his decision if he could trust Linda or not. He liked to think of himself as a prettygood judge of people, but his run in with Harold had shaken his confidence. Linda didn't seem like she was blindly following Albright like he was the next Jim Jones. She had brought him out hereafter all. Even though itwas obvious it worried her too. If he was wrong, he could be hurt, or more likely, killed. He was so vulnerable right now. He decided they would most likely all die anyway if they didn't conform. That was the vibe he was getting. Blind devotion wasn't his style. He couldn't image it was JT's either. Gus rustled up his courage.

  "So what is the deal with this place? Is it some kinda cult?" Gus tensed up as he waited for her reaction. He was sure she could feel it in the arm she was holding.

  Linda looked over both of her shoulders before answering. "That's a fair assessment in my opinionGus. Your instincts are sharp. It took me over a month to realize it. I was scared out of wits at the time,to give myself some credit." She smiled while staring off then continued. "Reverend Albright is about as Christian as Benny Hinn. I think he gives most people the same choice he gave me when we crossed paths. Join the church, or I'll kill you. Of course,he is too smart to come out and say that, but was heavily implied. Must be some new branch I have never heard of before. I used to be Mormon, and even we weren't that strict," She gave a little laugh. "You can guess what my choice was. It isn't hard to pretend to read the Bible and mouth along with the rest of the people."

  "You telling me you are the snake in his Eden?" Gus chided. "How Eve of you."

  "I guess you could say I am. I like the thought," Linda smiled. "The sad thing is everyone else accepts him as Jesus returned. Not a hint of questioning what he says. No hesitation in anything he asks. As far as I can tell one thing that's helped him legitimize his power is he's been lucky to keep everyone safe."

  "You know what they say about broken clocks," Gus replied.

  Linda frowned. "With all that said, I don't know what I could possibly do to help your friends though. It's not like I have special privileges. In fact, as one of the newest recruits, I suspect I'm watched a little more closely than most of the others. It's what I would do in his shoes. He needs me though, my skills. That's helped keep me safe."

  "Well, shit."

  "That about sums it up. Look Gus, I like you. I like Hannah. I haven't seen your other friends but I'm sorry you all ended up here. After what you have told me about that Harold character, for you and your friends to end up here..."

  Linda trailed off.

  "Let me think on it, chew some fat. It's nice to know there's somebody here I can trust." Gus gave her hand a little squeeze. At least Gus hoped he was placing his faith in the right person.

  "I can trust you as well right?"Linda raised her eyebrows.

  "Linda, my lips are sealed. If they weren't well, you could slip me a little something that could shut me up for good."

  Her horrified look told Gus she was trulyon the up and up. "Gus!"

  "Just speaking plainly. Seems to get me in trouble sometimes though."

  "Gus," Linda said, trying to lighten up the subject. "What did you used to do, back in the old world?"

  "Well, I tried to make a living outta winning the lottery," Gus said smiling. "That's a hard career to break into though."

  Linda smiled. "Let's hope your luck of getting out of here is better than picking the winning numbers."

  "It's just a different kinda gambling darlin'."

  JT listened intently as he heard someone approaching the door. The door slowly swung open. He rose to his feet as Charlie's head poked through the door, scanning the room like he was looking for someone. He entered, shoving the door open so hard it slammed against the wall, waking up Tyrone and Jelly.

  "Charlie!" Jelly exclaimed. "Did The Almighty Golden One let you off your leash for some playtime or are you here on a mission from God?"

  "Jelly, Jelly, Jelly, I think you're even more stupid when you're not stoned." Charlie was smug. He didn't even bother to turn to Jelly when he insulted him. He only had eyes for JT.

  He casually stepped to the bars of JT's cell. Charlie didn't break the glare JT was giving him. He simplyplaced his hands on the bars and stared at him. Neither man was backing down. JT thought something changed about the man. He still looked like a homeless bum but seemed to have a more confident swagger about him.

  Tyrone spoke up. "Big, bad man staring people down through some steel bars. You gonna handcuff me and beat my ass again hitman?"

  Charlie spun to face Tyrone with a smile upon his face. Tyrone was at the bars, but took one step back. JT couldn't blame him. Charlie seemed slow upstairs, but he was a physically intimidating man. Plus, he had already wailed on Tyrone once.

  "That's a big mouth for someone protected by bars. Perhaps the last time I saw you I wasn't clear enough about why you shouldn't cross my path."

  Charlie caught Tyrone off guard. He quickly lunged forward and grabbed Tyrone by the shirt. He pulled Tyrone hard against the bars. Tyrone, usually quick, must have been too shocked to move. JT watched helpless as Tyrone's lip split open and blood spilled out. Charlie held him against the bars, spittle flying into Tyrone's face as he berated him.

  "Sinners like you rot in the depths of hell. People like you sell drugs, rob banks, steal cars, and die for their stupidity. Punks like you die in jails just like this one, of unknown causes."

  Charlie shoved Tyrone back and forth, pulling him harder against the bars with every tug. On the third time Tyrone hung limply like a rag doll. JT was groping through the bars as far as he could stretch. Trying to get a piece of Charlie, screaming profanities the whole time.

  "Everyone, where's your chill man?" Jelly asked, sounding agitated.

  JT screamed. "Turn around and try that shit with me you cock-"

  Sheriff Randall burst through the door, cutting him off.

  "Charlie! What in the God's hell is going on in here?! You know the damn rules. Let him go."

  Charlie let go of Tyrone. He put on a'I wasn't doing anything wrong' look. Tyrone collapsed on the floor. He struggled over to his cot, one hand holding his bleeding mouth.

  "Now what business has The Reverend sent you down here on and why was I not notified?"

  "He don't know I'm here Randall. Samuel has made me his whatca call it. Lieutenant of God. I'm second in command now. I can do what I want. I wanted to come see these prisoners. Make sure they get in line. Let them know God controls their fate, through me."

  Randall did not look amused in the slightest. In fact, he brought out his club. He smacked it against the side of his leg as he spoke.

  "First of allCharlie, you know not to address me as anything other than Sheriff Randall. This is still my town, like it was back when you used to spend time in these cells. Your drunk ass puking all over the place. Second, since when did we get to refer to Reverend Albright on a first name basis?"

  "We don't Randall. You don't get that privilege. Besides Sheriff Randall," Charlie said mockingly, "it is only a matter of time before I put on that badge. I've been washed of my past sins. You, who act like you are to good for Jason's church, will be brought down low."

  "Charlie, I'm going to suggest you head on back up to the church. I'm not sure if you're drunk of have gotten into Jelly's stash but you better shut up either way." The Sheriff's words were stern.

  Charlie inched into Sheriff Randall's personal space but before he could speak Sheriff Randall cut him off.

  "It will serve you well to never break my rules again. The next time I catch you in my holding area unauthorized you will find yourself in one of t
hese cells with or without The Reverends blessing. Your delusions notwithstanding, I still see the stupid ass bully I gottired of seeing on a monthly basis."

  Charlie took a deep breath, exhaling it slowly. He glanced at the Sheriff's club, over at JT and Tyrone and back.

  "Yes sir," Charlie said through a smirk as he headed for the door. He stopped and spun around. "And Sheriff, I'll be seeing the four of you real soon. I have a real good feeling about that. Make sure you lock up tight tonight, be a shame if a zombie strolled into town. Somehow got right inside your precious police station."

  Charlie gave a sarcastic salute as he left. He yelled back from somewhere in the office area, "Sweet dreams sugar plums, Charlie's law is coming and it will be swift and merciless."

  The sound of his voice faded away. Singing. "It'll be coming around the mountain when it comes."

  Sheriff Randall came over to Tyrone's cell and opened it up.

  "Son, I'm sorry about that. I don't know what has gotten into him. He has always been a big dumb side of beef and a pain in the ass but never has he been so bold. Something like this has never happened on my watch."

  Sheriff Randall unlocked Tyrone's cell and gave Tyrone a hand up. He helped Tyrone slowly along. Tyrone turned to JT as he walked past, his face a bloody mask. His eyes bore into JT's. They were the familiar eyes of fury. Whether hedirectedat him, Charlie, or both, he couldn't tell.

  Albright stood on the stage, striding its length back and forth as he spoke.

  "We will one day leave this place," Albright said, raising his hands to the sky. "God will choose us for the rapture. These sinners left behind in this purgatory shall know God's punishment for all of their transgressions."

  He looked out upon his audience. The great majority of them looked up at him with a mixture of fear and awe. That's how he liked it. He saw the same few he always kept a particular eye on. Like Linda, who sat in her seat with a blank look upon her face. He had even seen her stifle a yawn when he started the sermon. He questioned if he should keep her around more than once in the past few weeks. It wouldn't do to have any discontents. She was valuable though, her skills were something no one else here possessed. The day they found another nurse or even a doctor though, she would have to be judged.