“Did any of them touch you?” Shawn asked.
“No. I did kick some of them, though.”
“But their skin didn’t touch you or your clothing? No skin to skin contact?”
“No.”
“Take off your shoes. Can’t risk it.”
“So, I just go barefoot?”
“You’ll be able to find some shoes in one of the stores over there if we survive,” Joey said.
Everyone sat on the firetruck’s roof and looked at the growing zombie crowd surrounding them.
“What do we do?” Josh asked. “I know we’re safe here, but we have to get off of this firetruck at some point.”
“Have to sit here and wait for them to go away,” said Terrance. “Don’t let any more of them see you. Lie down flat.”
Shawn shook his head and sighed. He and the other trapped survivors waited for what was to unfold.
17
Another day passed. Gary often spoke with Landon. A former tobacco farmer, George gave the other farmers enough useful tips to gain their favor. Red fixed one motorcycle and began working on another. Nicole, Heather, Irene and Blake stayed inside the smallest apartment building and worked on the wall to pass the time.
If the farmers weren’t tending to the crops, they were cooped up in the structures. Only the curious, paranoid and those on patrol or guard duty stayed outside. Landon grew quiet and followed Gary around.
“They should’ve come back by now,” Heather said to Nicole while the two sat on the porch.
“I hope they come back.”
“Do you have a thing for one of them, Nicole?”
“I used to like Landon.”
“He stopped talking like a crazy person. He’s grown quiet.”
“I wonder what Gary has been saying to him.”
“As long as Landon keeps his cool, I don’t care. Last thing anyone here needs is another incident.”
“I think he’ll get better.”
“I’ve yet to meet anyone who loses their mind during these times and reverts back to normality.”
“I have faith in him. He just needs time.”
“I hope you’re right, Nicole. We need everyone we can get to help us.”
Ian stared at George and Red as he finished discussing issues and possible future issues with his closest allies. He approached them as they walked towards Gary and Landon. George stopped, turned around and gave a smile. Red ignored his advance and returned to the corner.
“Is there something you’d like to speak to me about?” George asked.
“Yes,” Ian answered with his arms crossed.
“I’m listening. What’s up?”
“I noticed you’ve been nearby during every meeting I’ve had.”
“It isn’t a bad idea to stay informed. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“My guards are concerned.”
“About what?”
“Cut the bullshit, George.”
“I’m being honest when I say I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I can’t prove you’re lying to me but can forbid you from coming around during meetings.”
“You expect me to be okay with being kept in the dark?”
“What exactly are you doing to contribute around here, George?”
“Gary, Red and I are guards. George has helped the farmers a great deal. Red has fixed a motorcycle and is in the process of fixing up another. I keep them in line. You are the leader of this place, Ian. How do you not know this?”
“My apologies. I’ve been so busy.”
“Like everyone else, we’re doing what we can when we can.”
“How’s Landon?”
“Quiet.”
“That’s good. Go about your business.”
Landon ran around the small stronghold naked as it began to rain. He smeared mud on his chest and rubbed his face against the cold, wet ground. Nicole cautiously approached and stood next to him. He looked up at her and smiled.
“You’re going to get sick if you stay out here,” Nicole said before kneeling next to him. “What are you doing out here, Landon?”
“I’m getting through it.”
“I’d like for you to be more comfortable and less frightening to others. I care about you.”
“Is my behavior so uncommon during times like these?”
“You’re scaring people. You’re scaring me. I need you. You’ve saved me before. Do you remember that?”
“I do.”
“You showed so much compassion. You didn’t have to save me, but you did. I need you to be that strong man again.”
“Can you prove you really care about me, Nicole?”
“I’m out here in the cold rain, aren’t I?”
“Now isn’t the time for this. I need time to recover.”
“In other words, you want me to leave you alone.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t mind being around three newcomers but don’t want me around you?”
“It’s complicated.”
Nicole stomped back to the porch.
“Didn’t go well?” Heather asked with raised eyebrows.
“He’s lost it, probably for good. Guess I’ll stick around you, Blake and Irene from this point on.”
“Not a bad choice.”
Gary observed Landon slapping the ground and wriggle in the mud until the rain stopped.
“You’re doing well,” Gary said to Landon, patting the unstable man on the back. “You’re getting through it. When it all settles, you’ll be stronger than ever.”
“I’m going to rule over the cadavers.”
“Be as powerful as you can be, Landon.”
Gary met with George and Red.
“This’ll be easy, boys. He’s gone in the head. We can make him do a lot for us.”
18
After a long and depressing wait, the salvaging team made a risky decision. Joey and Mack hopped from the fire truck to the roofs of cars to distract the undead. Then, the others made a run for the other side of the parking lot and into the stores. Joey and Mack distracted the majority of the undead while the remainder of the team searched. When their backpacks were full, they yelled while fleeing to allow Joey and Mack to escape.
Unfortunately, Mack and Joey were unable to catch up. They had to retreat to the checkpoint at the small park and wait until morning. Of course, it rained again.
“I wish I had shoes,” Mack said with a frown.
“You’ll have to find something,” Joey replied. “Use cloth or plastic if necessary. Taking care of your feet is a main priority.”
“I could make socks out of my sleeves.”
“There ya go. Beats hoofing it raw any day.”
“Always has to rain when you really don’t want it to.”
“Never does when you need it to.”
“Nope.”
“How much ammunition do you have, Mack?”
“I’m out.”
“Damn. Same here. How are you not shivering?”
“I block it out.”
“I can’t rest. The rain and wind are too cold for me.”
“You don’t sound like you’re okay, Joey. Would you like to chat about something?”
“I’m trying to not freeze to death. Before this, what did you do for a living?”
“I was a welder.”
“Good money?”
“Good enough. I worked my ass off, but it wasn’t worth it.”
“What do you mean?”
“The apocalypse happened before I could use the hard earned money I’d saved to buy anything nice.”
“Damn.”
“What did you do?”
“I was a cook at a restaurant in Texas. I traveled with family first. All of them died, as did the scared people who didn’t have the nerve to make the necessary choices. I somehow managed to get this far.”
“Almost everyone’s out to kill us nowadays.”
“Couldn’t trust people before t
he world went to hell. We’re in hell, Mack. We really are in hell.”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“Do you think we’ll die out here?”
“No. We won’t die. You will, though.”
Joey turned his head. The last thing he saw was Mack’s smile and machete. Mack took off and put on Joey’s shoes. After looting Joey’s body, Mack tore off a large chunk of flesh from his victim’s arm.
“Too hungry not to,” Mack said to himself before kicking Joey’s body off the roof.
Mack almost immediately regretted killing his only companion. He was all alone. After eating the flesh, Mack fell asleep. He later awoke to the sound of gunfire. He wiped his eyes and looked around. Unable to see the source of the sound, he carefully dropped from the roof and made haste towards home.
Mack sobbed quietly as he walked down the abandoned road. A group of wild dogs watched him from the tree line. Knowing they would soon attack, he waited with his machete. He swiftly killed two of them. The other four backed off. Mack watched the four remaining dogs begin eating their fallen brethren.
“We’re not so different,” he said with a smile as he jogged on.
Out of breath, Mack rested beneath a large bridge. He was too afraid to stop in the open. The moment he saw small mountains of skeletons was the moment he realized he was lost. He’d come too far and felt like he’d stepped into a trap. He heard the sounds of firearm safeties being switched off. Mack closed his eyes.
“God, forgive me for I have sinned.”
The gunshot he believed would end his life didn’t come.
“Why haven’t you killed me?” Mack asked without turning around.
“You’re not one of them,” said a woman’s voice. “Holy shit. He isn’t one of them, you guys!”
“One of what?”
“He really isn’t one of them,” a man added.
“Can I turn around?”
“No!” the man exclaimed.
“I understand. I won’t turn around unless you tell me to.”
“Very slowly place your weapons on the asphalt at your feet.”
He was searched but allowed to keep everything except anything that could be used as a weapon.
“You can turn around now,” said the woman.
Mack slowly turned to see unhealthy and desperate young adults.
“Hello,” Mack said to the weathered survivors.
“Hi,” one woman greeted. “My name’s Ashley. What’s yours?”
“Mack. Thanks for not killing me.”
“You’re really not one of them?”
“One of who?”
“He isn’t,” said the young man in front. “Where did you come from, Mack?”
“Inside a huge wall.”
“The wall of the unknown,” said Ashley.
“You really don’t want to go near there. I’m not sure how trustworthy the leader of my group is.”
“Why are you by yourself?”
“Got separated from my salvaging team. I was with one other guy, but he killed himself while I slept. Never saw it coming. So, I really need to address the elephant in the room. What’s with all the skeletons?”
“The many skeletons belong to people we’ve killed,” the young man answered.
“Why kill them?”
“It was necessary. I’m sure you know how rough life is now.”
“It’s stupid to be out in the open. We’re targets for anyone with a long gun.”
“You’re right. Walk that way.”
“Where are you and your people taking me?”
“Our camp. Please don’t make us regret sparing your life. We need people.”
“As long as I’m treated fairly, you won’t be disappointed. I guess now wouldn’t be the time to ask you to take me home.”
“One day.”
“When you and your people realize I’m not a bad person and vice versa, I’ll offer you whatever is needed. Allies and a safe place to live wouldn’t be bad. Am I right?”
“We’ll see how this goes.”
Mack was blindfolded and led to the survivors’ home. Mack was not impressed with what he saw after the blindfold was removed. The young adults’ camp was not up to par.
“I know,” the young man said with a disappointed shake of his head. “This place is a dump.”
“I mean no offense when I say I agree with you. This place isn’t safe.”
“Every other place we’ve come across has been taken by the risen dead or hostile humans. There’s nothing left for us. We don’t have the means to do hardly anything.”
“What do you want from me?”
“There are only seven of us. Be one of us.”
“I have a cousin in the group I was in. You do realize there are thousands of people dressed in blue killing everybody, right?”
“Thousands?!” a young woman cried. “Oh my God!”
“My people and I have had to run from them before. There are only around seventy of my people. When we come across large groups of them, we have no choice but to run. The only way I can help you and yours is if you join me and mine. You’ll die if you stay here. Cannibal or not, you need what I have to offer.”
“We’re not cannibals,” the young man replied.
“I know all of you are. It’s okay. I’m a cannibal, too. A survivor has no other choice sometimes. I know you’re scared, but you’re the leader here. You can’t be scared anymore. You’ll have to trust me if you really want me to help you. The best ideas you have at hand are taking me to my camp and joining my people or moving on.”
“Sit with us for a while. I have to think.”
Mack sat with the seven young adults by the fire. He took a good look at them. Sweaty, dirty and bearing the look of hopelessness, all surrounded the burning cardboard boxes with the same desire. Parker, Ashley, Maddie, Owen, Caleb, Noah and Abby eventually caved and decided to take Mack to the wall.
19
“We’re almost there,” Terrance said as he, Josh and his brothers climbed the steep hill. “Thank God. I don’t think I could carry all of this shit for another mile.”
“I hope Joey and Mack made it back okay,” said Randy.
“Yeah,” Josh replied. “I’m sure they’ll be fine. Mack’s strong.”
When the four reached the top of the hill, they looked to see a large group of people standing next to the wall. They were dressed in blue.
“I’m getting sick of their shit,” Terrance said as he readjusted his backpack’s strap. “It’s already difficult enough to get by without having to deal with them.”
“They’re infected,” Shawn said, looking through a pair of binoculars. “They have the sickness that has been going around. It is the same infection the screamers had at the gas station. They may have been sent there to infect our allies. If they’re doing something like this, I cannot help but believe something is wrong with the people dressed in blue.”
“That’d be a lucky break,” Josh said as he looked at his enemies through the scope of his rifle. “There are fourteen of them. None of them have firearms. Let’s take them out.”
“I wonder why our people haven’t disposed of them.”
“Something’s wrong. Fire when ready.”
The fourteen sickly men and women were not a challenge. They were dropped before getting too close. The encounter was nerve wracking. As always, the gunshots brought paranoia. The small band rushed in and opened the door in the wall to be ambushed by a large mass of zombies.
Josh and Shawn ran and jumped onto the hood of a rundown car and watched Terrance and Randy get overwhelmed. Nothing could be done to save them. The two men screamed in agony as they were torn apart and eaten.
“Come on,” Josh said to Shawn, grabbing the doctor by the arm. “If we’re fast enough, we won’t have to die here.”
Devastated by the loss, Shawn remained silent. Josh pulled Shawn out of the invaded sanctuary and beneath a pickup truck before being spotted. Josh held a finger to his lips and
shook his head. He and Shawn watched numerous legs slowly travel past the truck. Six hours of hiding went by before an escape attempt was made.
“We’re doomed,” said Shawn.
“Don’t be a coward,” Josh replied. “Let’s deal with everything one step at a time. We survived and have supplies.”
“What do we do?”
“We do what we have been. We push on. We survive, Shawn.”
“I want to know how so many zombies got in.”
“Someone on the inside betrayed everyone. There’s no other explanation.”
“The newcomers.”
“Probably. George, Red and Gary. I knew something wasn’t right about them. Ian was too trusting. He was a horrible leader.”
“I want to find those three people.”
“We might find them, we might not. It’s just you and I. We need to find a new place to call home. Got any ideas?”
“One of the checkpoints. At the top of my head, the gas station is the best place I can think of.”
“That’s close to where the hordes tend to be.”
“It’s also close to where the stores are.”
“Well, shit. Let’s go.”
20
George, Red and Gary were killed during their attempt to join the ranks of the people dressed in blue. The three never saw the snipers hiding in the bushes. Mack gained the young adults’ trust, killed them and moved on. After finding the zombie infested sanctuary, he retreated to the gas station. Josh was happy to see his cousin had made it.
Of the people who once resided within the sanctuary, only a lucky few escaped. Blake, Irene, Nicole and Heather survived the sabotage. Only Blake and Nicole made it to the gas station alive.
Mack, Shawn, Josh, Blake and Nicole barricaded and lived in the gas station. They sustained themselves by making occasional trips to the nearby stores. They’d grab what they could and retreat. Many close calls were undergone before the issue was discussed.
“We can’t do that anymore,” Blake said as he sat on the front counter. “There are always zombies there because others are trying to loot the stores. We’re fortunate to not have crossed paths with other salvagers.”
“We should kill people and take what they have,” Mack thought aloud. “What other choices do we have? There are five of us. Shawn and Nicole have to stay here to stand guard. That leaves Josh, Blake and I to get things done. Dumb people attract the dead to the stores. Instead of trying to loot the stores, we should loot the bodies of people who loot the stores.”
Jeffrey McElyea's Zombie Compilation Page 10
