“Tell me about it brother. Tell me about it.”
*****
“These fucking bitches are driving me up a wall Chad. I tell you what, they have no idea how good they have it here. And you know what? It’s all because of me. I got the soldiers on board, I got everyone organized, I got the election started, and I have kept us safe from that bastard at the school this whole time. I can see the way they look at me. No fucking respect at all.”
“Yeah I know Sean. No one understands what it’s like to be in charge.” One of Sean’s few remaining friends was consoling him. Chad was a former golf buddy of Sean’s before that fateful day in June when the world got flipped upside down. Chad secretly wished he could get a round in at Sunshine Meadow right now. He’d kill to get some driving range time in.
The two men were in Sean’s converted classroom. He had his office and his bedroom all combined and the two men were sipping on small glasses of a fine single malt scotch. The smoky fluid burned the throats of both men as Sean continued to bitch and moan about how bad he had it, and how good everyone else had it. And how much they owed him for everything they enjoyed.
“Look Chad. There are probably tens of thousands of survivors all over the place who are living in rat filled shit holes right now. They’re probably eating cockroaches and drinking toilet water. We’ve got plenty of food, tons of guns and ammunition, half a dozen National Guardsman, a working democracy, and a damn farm that’s giving us milk and eggs on the regular. So fucking what if we’re struggling with fresh water from time to time and we have to shit in buckets? Fuck these people.” Sean threw down the remaining scotch in his glass and slammed the glass down.
“Sean even the most popular politicians have what? A sixty percent approval rate maybe? Look man, they can’t get rid of you. There’s no one else that can motivate or organize people like you. Who is capable of dealing with all the crap besides you? Plus you still have your dad’s land to give away once all this blows over and the government comes back for good. Everyone wants a piece of that cheese. We just need to wait all this out.” Chad sipped the scotch.
Sean got up from his transplanted comfy wheeled office chair and went to the window. The world was a dull grey from the overcast sky. It looked like more snow was on the way. Ringing the school’s vehicular wall was a small number of the walking dead. It looked to Sean that there were a few more outside than normal. He sipped from his glass of scotch and observed as one of the undead stopped and started to slowly beat on the window of an old Ford pickup.
The senator watched intently as the dead and bloodied middle aged man brought one clumsy hand after another down on the glass. After a few good thumps the glass busted and spider webbed. Sean secretly cheered for the dead bastard. He admired the resolute morons. They could be predicted, and almost controlled if you knew how they worked. His mind drifted off into morbid plans of using the undead remaining in town as either a way to attack Adrian and his people at that damn private school, or as some form of defense.
Sean snapped back to reality. The undead man had frozen solid, and was looking directly up into the classroom. He was staring straight at Sean. Slowly, and deliberately the dead man lift one of his arms, and pointed it directly at Sean. Sean’s blood ran cold as he realized the dead man’s fingers were shattered and bent in a dozen different directions. The politician downed his glass of scotch and continued to watch as the zombie lowered his hand again, and slowly tapped the face of his black plastic wristwatch.
Three times the destroyed fingertip came down on the liquid crystal of the cheap watch.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Bile rose in his stomach and he turned away from the window. His mind reeled from the idea of the dead people regaining any kind of intelligence. What the fuck was that? He thought to himself. He strode back to the desk and popped the cap off the scotch and downed the final mouthfuls straight from the bottle with a wince.
“What the hell Sean that was the last of the good scotch? Now all we’ve got is Southern Comfort and Stoli Razz man? What the hell is wrong?” Chad was fuming. That was damn good scotch.
Sean swallowed hard to clear the burn of the scotch. He quickly thought of a lie, “I’m fucking Melissa tonight and I need to self medicate.”
Chad smirked. He’d probably do the same. She certainly wasn’t a top shelf piece of ass. “Yeah well, it’s too bad all the best looking ones are gone man.”
Sean looked over at the window again, and thought of the strange zombie with the watch just a few hundred feet away in the snow. “Yeah, it’s a shame all the good ones are gone.”
*****
Mike drove the small Nissan pickup truck carefully down the hard packed snow street. Ollie sat in the front of the truck next to him, nervously watching out the windows for signs of zombies moving about. Since the snow had gotten deep and the soldiers had completed their umpteenth sweep of the city searching for undead, it’d been pretty safe to move around.
Of course his fellow Guardsman Tera had died just four days ago on a routine farm run just like this Mike thought. Even a single zombie was dangerous if you made a mistake. Sergeant Mike was not one to make mistakes. He down shifted the truck when they hit some loose snow and they continued north towards Ollie’s family farm.
Ollie kneaded his clammy hands together, waiting for a good moment to tell Mike about the secret his father was about to let him in on. Finally Ollie built up the nerve when Mike stopped the truck at the end of his dad’s driveway. Ollie had to get out and open the fence, but before he did, he turned to Mike.
“Mike, I need to tell you something.” Ollie was nervous, and his voice cracked slightly.
Mike missed the emotion in Ollie’s voice. He figured Ollie was about to tell him that he was going to ask Melissa on a date or something. He still hadn’t figured out a way to tell Ollie that Melissa was fucking Sean for extra food for everyone. He couldn’t bear to break Ollie’s heart. Mike simply turned and looked at his friend, awaiting his story.
“My dad needs your help with something.” Ollie’s eyes were very serious.
Mike perked up. He hadn’t seen the redhead that serious in a long time. Not since Martha McDowell had died when the tractor flipped on her back in December. Mike was suddenly concerned. “Okay Ollie, what’s up? Something wrong with your dad?”
“No not really. You remember that guy that Sean attacked at the school back at Christmas? Adrian?” Ollie asked the question almost as if he was afraid of the answer.
Mike stiffened slightly. That man was bad news. He’d dropped the hammer on a dozen of their people that day. “Yeah, why?”
“Him and his people have been talking to my dad on the radio. They want to help us get rid of Sean. They want to kill Sean. He wants to kill Sean.” Ollie rambled it all out like a steam valve getting opened. Mike could see the relief on his face.
Initially the sergeant was pissed off. His anger gave way quickly to opportunistic thoughts. Mike chewed his lip thinking about the way things were, and they way they could be. Ollie hopped out of the truck and swung the gate open, watching for any undead walking nearby. Mike slipped the truck into first gear and slid it into the driveway. Ollie got back in after he secured the frail chain link gate. They drove the length of the gravel driveway and came to a stop next to the big white farmhouse.
The two men knocked on the side door and let themselves in. Mike had no idea what to think or say. He knew it was high time to get rid of the prick trying to run the show, but to be honest with himself, working with someone who he felt was the enemy was a very alien idea. It was like working with insurgents to get rid of a politician you didn’t like. In fact, it was exactly that.
Ollie’s father Lenny McDowell sat at the kitchen table next to their massive wood stove. Mike always liked coming out here on farm trips because it was as warm as a blast furnace with that stove going. The school always had a chill in it. It didn’t hurt that there was fresh milk all the time and every other day the place sme
lled of Lenny’s fresh baked bread.
Mike pulled his winter cap off when he said hello to Lenny. Lenny rested his tobacco pipe on the table and motioned for Mike to take a seat. Ollie joined the two men as Lenny cleared his throat to speak. “Oliver you tell the sergeant here what I asked you to?”
“Yeah I did. I didn’t tell him everything though, just like you asked.”
Lenny took a full measure of Mike before speaking. “Mike, thank you for coming out with Oliver today. I have not been a good democratic civilian of the so called Westfield council of late. I can’t abide by a man like that Stockwell fella. He turns the milk in my stomach when I think about him.”
Mike didn’t say anything back. He knew Lenny held a major league grudge directed at Sean over the death of his wife. Mike was pretty certain it was deserved too.
“Coupla days ago your girl Tera got whacked by accident when that Adrian fella tried to stop Ollie and her to ask some questions. She pulled on him, and he was plain old faster. He left Ollie with instructions on how to get ahold of them, and I’ve talked to them a few times now.”
Mike’s hands balled up into fists. Tera had been shot by that asshole from the school? His mind raced with doubt and anger. Was Sean right all along and they were starting an offensive on them? He had half a mind to get up and walk out. The Lieutenant needed to know all about this.
“Calm yourself son. It was an accident, and God help me, but I believe them. I’ve met one of their people already, an older gent named Gilbert. He’s a right fine fellow, and if this Adrian man is half the man he is, I think we’ve been had by that bastard Stockwell.”
Mike looked long and hard at Lenny’s face. Mike was great at seeing through bullshit, and Lenny’s face was stone cold sincere. He really believed that this Gilbert person was good to go, as was this Adrian character. “Lenny I don’t know man. Sean’s a prick, but at least we can contain him. We don’t know this guy from a hole in the wall. I’m a little uncomfortable with the idea of just… you know, throwing in with a stranger and helping to kill our rightfully elected leader. Seems a little undemocratic to me Lenny.”
Lenny nodded slowly in agreement, “I understand son. Although I think there are few men in our history that got rid of their leaders and wound up being called patriots. Gilbert and Adrian want nothing to do with us. They just want justice for the attacks that Sean made on them. Gilbert says that’s all they want. They also said that if we don’t, one way or the other Sean’s gonna die, and others might get hurt when it goes down. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather go to sleep with a clean conscience knowing we put Sean to trial, instead of letting someone else bring a war we don’t want to our doorsteps. Think of it as an impeachment by force.”
This time it was Mike’s turn to nod. Sometimes tyranny looks an awful lot like freedom. He thought about it all carefully before responding, “We are talking about a coup Lenny. Who would take over here afterwards?”
“The Lieutenant could. He’d assume control until we could have another election, then he’s a shoe in for the win. We just need to convince the Lieutenant that we need to not mess around with these people, and we need to give up or get rid of Sean, and soon before innocents get killed over Stockwell’s paranoia.” Ollie watched his father talk in fascination. His dad had such a rich voice that entranced.
Mike shook his head. “How would we do that?”
Lenny smiled. He clearly already had a plan ready. “We fake another ambush. You two run back to Daniels, and tell him Adrian’s people are just the cock of the walk, and that until we give up Stockwell, they’re gonna keep hitting our supplies until we do. You tell Daniels that they won’t hit the farm here because they don’t want to hurt the food source. They just want to hurt Stockwell. Now because we’re faking it, no one will get hurt. You tell Daniels that they took the stuff without violence, and explain to him they’re powerful, and you tell him all we need to do is give up Sean, and from what Ollie says getting him on our side won’t be all that hard, and we get out of everything slick as a whistle.”
“Might work actually. Not a big fan of lying to my CO though. One way or the other I can’t follow through unless I meet this Adrian asshole. I need to look him in the eyes, shake his hand, and see if he’s the man you say he is. I won’t put my relationship with the L.T. on the line for a complete stranger. I’d rather run Sean over with a humvee myself before I shack up with that guy unconditionally. No way, no how. I gotta meet them first.” Mike’s face was stern. He was adamant.
Lenny nodded slowly again, recognizing Mike’s reluctance to deal with a devil he didn’t know. Lenny grabbed the radio he used to communicate with the school, and looked at Mike, “I’d bet you a pint of cream he is in town right now. You up for a handshaking?”
Mike’s eyes went wide and he dropped his hand to the Beretta on his hip. “If he’s in town already, then he better come shake my hand. Otherwise I’ll go out there and shoot his ass for trespassing. Shit I’ll shoot his ass on principle.”
Lenny smiled again, “You soldiers, always so ready to fight. You know you’ll live a lot longer talking to folks. Learned that in the Navy.” And with that Lenny thumbed the walkie to try and hail Adrian, or his people.
*****
“Mike, it was pleasure meeting you. I really hope this works out and everything goes smooth. I appreciate the risk you’re taking here to help get this resolved.” Adrian shook Mike’s hand. The two men were huge, nearly filling the entire back porch. Adrian had a slightly tense but friendly smile. He was alone with three Westfield men talking about murder. It was the definition of a sketchy situation.
Mike shared a similar smile. The four men had just discussed an alliance to take out Sean Stockwell, and there was a lot of raw emotion floating around. No one had gotten heated, and just as Lenny had surmised, Mike thought this Adrian man was a standup character. He had slipped out of the woods like a snow covered ninja when he’d been summoned on the radio. Adrian had gotten to within ten feet of the porch before any of them even knew he was there. Mike knew immediately that he wouldn’t have to exaggerate the martial prowess of these people. Adrian could’ve killed all three of them and been gone like a ghost if he chose to.
But he hadn’t, and Mike knew that the man had genuine concerns for further violence. Mike didn’t like a lot of people, and a lot of people didn’t like Mike. He hated drama, and he despised idiots. He’d known the big man for no more than 30 minutes and he knew he’d eventually like him. At the very least Mike knew Adrian was a lesser evil than Sean, and that was enough to go to war for.
“Adrian, I hope this all ends shortly. I can’t tell you enough how much we appreciate your being civil about all this. I appreciate the fact that you didn’t take my head off with that rifle you got there.” Mike pointed at the heavy caliber hunting rifle Adrian had slung over his shoulder.
Adrian smiled and nodded thoughtfully. “Mike I never wanted to hurt anyone. I’m good at killing people, but I don’t like doing it. I’m having enough trouble keeping my own people safe from the dead folks trying to bite them, let alone living folks trying to bend us over too. Trying to have a little more faith in humanity right now.”
Mike nodded in agreement as Adrian shook Ollie and Lenny’s hand. Mike watched Adrian smile and knew the man was sincere. Sean’s smiles reminded the sergeant of a snake spitting venom. You just couldn’t trust the bastard.
“Good luck with your girl Ollie. I’m glad you’re living at the school for a good reason man.” Adrian gave Ollie a wink. Mike thought it was pretty funny that Adrian had assumed that Ollie was living at the school because he was being held hostage there. That line of reasoning did make sense though. Why would a son not live with his dad? Mike supposed a girl was a damn fine reason.
“Take care you all. Someone will be around listening if you guys need help. Best of luck.” Adrian left the porch. He walked slowly and confidently behind the barn near the farmhouse, and without a noise, was gone.
; Mike watched him disappear into thin air, and then turned to his two compatriots. “I like that man, but he scares the living shit out of me.”
Ollie smiled nervously, “He scares me too, but I don’t hate him like I hate Sean.”
And that just about summed it up.
*****
When Mike and Ollie returned to the school they had agreed to not say a word to anyone else that night. They would think everything over, and if they were still on board with the idea of faking an ambush in the name of Adrian’s people, then they’d do it tomorrow. Lieutenant Daniels would be approached after that with the information they’d discussed, and if they did it right, then Daniels would at least talk to Adrian about starting a coup.
That was the night of February 17th. Forever after Mike and Ollie referred to it as “checkers night.” The two men were not interested in being particularly social. They had too much on their minds, and far too many secrets they could let slip easily, so Mike challenged Ollie to an epic “best of 21” tournament of checkers. The two men wandered down to the cafeteria right after dinner and they sat in the corner, sliding red and black plastic disks across the board for hours.
When the kitchen crew cleared out for the evening Melissa stopped over and sat a small bowl with a few pear slices in it next to the guys. “Who’s winning?”
Mike scratched his head in utter bewilderment. “We are on game fifteen. Ollie is up nine games to six. Guy is a checkers savant Melissa.”
Melissa smiled and rubbed Ollie’s balding head. Mike caught a glimpse of affection in her eyes and couldn’t stop himself from smiling too. He’d lost his wife of ten years in June when he didn’t get home in time from the armory. She was eaten alive by one of their neighbors, and watching two young kids fall even a little into love chipped away at the ice he’d let freeze around his heart.
Midnight (Adrian's Undead Diary) Page 37
