“Let’s hope everyone works together. From what I’ve seen, just about everybody’s in it for themselves.”
“Someone’s screaming.”
“We need to see what’s happening.”
3
“No, Drew.”
“What?”
“We’re much safer in here.”
“I have to know what’s going on behind us.”
“I want to ensure the pilot’s safety. You’re staying in here.”
“Go check.”
“I will. Lock the door behind you as soon as I walk out. I’ll knock eleven times when I come back. Don’t open the door for anyone else.”
“Gotcha.”
More screaming froze the pilot and war veteran.
“Save whomever you can. Prevent the fear from spreading. These people need to calm the fuck down. I can’t take it anymore.”
“Yeah.”
Wade unlocked and swung open the door to see dozens of armed individuals. Their firearms were pointed towards the plane’s rear.
“Someone needs to tell me what’s going on right now,” Wade boldly stated as Drew slammed the cabin’s door.
“Zombies on the plane,” a slender old woman replied. “Someone who got on was infected.”
“Aim for the head if they come this way! I’m investigating the problem. Let me through, everyone.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Arnold pressed. “You’ll be killed if you head back there. Wait for the dead to come to us. Staying right here gives us an advantage.”
“I’m a military veteran. I know what I’m doing. Let me through. I want to try to save some lives.”
“It’s your funeral, pal. We can handle one more zombie.”
“Don’t shoot me when I return to this part of the plane.”
“Then don’t turn into a zombie.”
“I’ll notify you before heading through the curtains.”
The crowd allowed Wade to pass through. Wade poked his head through the privacy curtain to see several corpses. Most had perished from knife wounds. He assumed they had succumbed to the zombie virus or malice of other frightened and desperate passengers. Two zombies feasted upon what was once a middle-aged woman.
A zombie stopped eating and slowly turned its head. Wade cautiously took three steps and drew his pistol. The second zombie chewed and swallowed four mouthfuls of flesh before acknowledging Wade’s presence.
Even after numerous encounters with the undead and savage survivors, Wade wrongfully believed he was ready to face the cannibalistic monsters again. He froze in place when his eyes met with the hobbling zombie’s feral gaze. It gave a dreadful moan as it sloshed gore from its clogged throat.
The seasoned soldier flinched until logic snapped him into combat. Seeing he had no choice, Wade pushed through the terror and put the approaching zombie down with a well-aimed headshot. The second zombie struggled to get up. Its legs were mangled and missing large chunks of flesh.
Wade used sturdy footwork and swept it to the floor. He then held it down by its head. He pulled the combat knife from his belt and plunged the blade deep into the zombie’s skull while it reached for him. Wade spun around to examine his surroundings. No one else in the section was alive.
“Is anyone near the back still alive?!”
No answer.
“I need to know! My name is Wade. If you’re still alive, let me know. Allow me to help!”
Still no reply. Ten seconds passed. From the curtain’s other side, Wade heard the soft shuffling of footsteps growing closer.
“Are you alive?” he asked aloud.
A small child walked through the curtain. The little boy frowned and raised the revolver he held in his hand.
“It’s okay, buddy. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not one of those monsters.”
The boy dropped the revolver and embraced the soldier.
“Is there anyone still alive back there?”
The boy nodded.
“Why are you alone?”
The boy didn’t answer.
“How many people are behind the curtain? I need to know.”
“A lot,” the boy whimpered.
“Why won’t they come out here?”
“Monsters.”
“I destroyed the monsters. They won’t bother you.”
“Monsters!” the boy cried as he pointed behind Wade.
Wade turned around. Fourteen corpses had reanimated and were now watching Wade’s every move.
“Go back to where you were,” Wade said, nudging the boy back and readying his pistol. “I’ll get rid of them.”
Eleven of the fourteen zombies limped forward, groaning and moaning as they struggled to reach their prey. Wade took a deep breath and carefully took aim. Shot by shot, Wade defeated the carnivorous beasts.
“Three rounds left in the mag,” he whispered to himself, releasing and swapping out the mag with a spare. “Where’s that revolver the boy had?”
The three remaining zombies were lodged beneath seats. Wade carefully disposed of the three flesh eaters. Removing the third zombie was trickier than anticipated. The angle at which it was positioned made destroying it difficult. Wade had to remove the right arm first. The thought of being scratched, pinched, grabbed or bitten brought a nauseous reaction.
“The monsters are gone, buddy!”
4
Seconds passed before the boy reentered the room. The boy was accompanied by several others.
“Are you this boy’s parents?” Wade asked the man and woman.
“No,” the man answered. “This kid’s parents are still at the airport. The father tossed him onto my shoulders and begged me to take him with me.”
“You allowed this boy to walk into an area occupied by demonic monsters that have no desire other than to eat humans.”
“I was scared! I didn’t know what to do!”
“You knew allowing this boy to come in here was a bad idea!”
“You think I’m not aware of that?! I made a mistake! I don’t need some wannabe hero scolding me for being imperfect.”
“He is a hero,” the woman scowled. “He saved our lives, Francis.”
“Fine. Whatever.”
“How many people are back here?” Wade asked as he neared the plane’s rear area. “We should do a headcount. Everyone! All threats have been destroyed. It’s safe now.”
“You’re a fool if you think we’re safe!” Arnold yelled as he stomped into the gore filled space and paused.
Arnold shook at the gruesome sight. Blood and guts had soaked everything. Wade ignored Arnold and entered the back of the plane. A line of armed passengers cowered in a corner.
“I’m off to speak to the pilot. I’ll check on everyone shortly.”
Wade knocked on the captain’s cabin eleven times, waited and was allowed in.
“What happened?”
“There were zombies on the plane, Drew.”
“How’d that happen?”
“Someone on the plane had to be infected. I took care of it.”
“You took care of it? Are you certain?”
“Yeah. Just get us where we need to be.”
“I’m thinking that strip up in Canada is our best bet. It’ll be a rough landing.”
“Why?”
“The terrain isn’t level. I don’t like it any more than you do.”
“But you can do it, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad you’re the pilot. I’d be worried if anyone else here was flying this bird.”
“I am quite skilled. Wish I’d have had more time to hone my skills.”
“I have faith in this machine’s pilot. You can do this.”
“Have that much faith in me, huh?”
“Faith has nothing to do with it. I’m sure you’re capable of pulling this off.”
“Remind me to buy you a beer later.”
Twenty silent minutes passed. Suddenly, a harsh turbulence awoke the weary soldier.
&nb
sp; “What was that?” Wade groaned.
“Something’s wrong.”
“What do you mean?”
“Systems are failing and shutting down. There’s more resistance in the controls and less responsiveness.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m losing control of the plane.”
“Why?”
“May have something to do with whatever is happening on the ground. That’d be my guess. I don’t know how to fix this issue. The problem can’t be fixed by anyone, not while we’re airborne. We might be screwed.”
“Can the plane be landed safely?”
“Not sure. We’re losing altitude. The plane won’t climb.”
“Could an electrical storm or electromagnetic pulse device be causing the problem?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Where are we now?”
“I don’t know, Wade.”
“What?”
“Navigation is gone. All I know is we’re somewhere near a line bordering Tennessee and Virginia.”
“How are you going to be able to land? Where could you land this thing?”
“I’ll be able to land the plane. I just don’t know where we’ll land or how rough the landing will be. We’ll rapidly lose altitude and drop if I lose complete control over the steering. That could happen at any given moment.”
“Fuck!”
“Got any liquor?”
Wade got up, ran back to his seat and buckled up. Everyone else stared.
“Why are you buckled up?” Arnold choked.
“The landing’s going to be rough,” Wade boldly announced.
Passengers yelled, screamed and rushed to their seats. The plane sharply plummeted minutes later. What bothered Wade most was not knowing when the plane would crash. He wanted to die just to escape the terrifying suspense. Wade closed his eyes and thought of loved ones while awaiting the inevitable impact.
5
Wade woke up feeling intense thirst. His lips were dry and cracked. What awakened him was not the thirst but the smell of ravenous beasts moaning and writhing in their seats. His rapidly wandering eyes examined the surrounding area.
From where he sat, he spotted a road. The plane’s front end was gone. Sideways and nearly upside down, Wade struggled to free himself and drop to the floor. Zombies constantly reached for him.
“Have I been out for long?” he wondered. “Good thing the seatbelt kept me suspended up there. Would’ve been eaten otherwise. I’m exposed. Anything or anyone could’ve come in here while I was unconscious. Need fluids. Must escape this area.”
Wade didn’t put the zombies out of their misery. He rummaged through loose luggage. Nothing but water, food and supplies screamed in his head. There was liquor and peanuts but little water. Most suitcases and bags contained little more than clothing, papers and sentimental items. He was fortunate to have found a plastic bottle on its side. It contained enough water to keep immense thirst at bay. Survivors and weapons could not be found.
He knew the peanuts would increase his thirst. Too hungry to care, he wolfed down the three small bags of salted peanuts and chugged the water. A small suitcase was grabbed and stuffed with peanuts, liquor, empty water bottles and miscellaneous items.
Traversing through the wreckage was difficult. Fatigue caused wobbling legs. Until the soldier pulled himself over some debris, Wade was unaware his hand had been broken. He shrugged off the pain and walked several yards away. A final glance was taken.
“I survived,” he thought. “But how? Am I the only person who survived the crash? Where are the zombies and people?”
He entered the nearest building. It was an abandoned coffee and donut shop. A thorough examination revealed the establishment was uninhabited and had been looted.
“Nothing,” he huffed. “Damn it. Need food and water. Can’t get far without either.”
Although there were no items to quench his thirst, a newspaper on the counter helped him get a better understanding. Priceless info gave Wade a short break. He was too frightened and paranoid to remain in the open long enough to read the paper’s entirety. He read an outraged citizen’s article.
“The dead now walk the earth! Time is not on our side! The government has tried covering it up. The secret is out! Lying government officials and politicians hoped scientists and military personnel could hide the truth. They hoped to have the virus cured or eradicated. Didn’t happen. It spread with ungodly aggressiveness. Those frauds couldn’t have made a bigger mistake. If the truth would have been revealed, humanity could have prepared! These so-called leaders have doomed us all!”
Wade folded the newspaper and crammed it into his back pocket. He took a deep breath. That’s when an approaching vehicle could be heard. He dropped to the floor and waited. He didn’t dare move on until a half hour passed.
“Better safe than sorry,” he thought as he laid behind the counter.
Not a single zombie was seen during his journey towards a small shopping center. Wade found a couple in the break room. By the looks of them, he could tell they were not all there. He’d seen those expressions on civilians’ faces while serving in the Middle East.
“Hello,” he greeted with a short wave.
The two said nothing. They immediately retreated behind a turned table.
“I have no intention to do harm.”
“You liar,” the man shakily whispered. “You’re one of them. Stay away from him, honey. He’s a raider.”
“I’m not a raider.”
“Haven’t you people had enough sick fun? Leave my girlfriend and I alone.”
“I am not a raider. I was knocked unconscious after a plane crash.”
“I believe you.”
“I’m guessing these raiders are hostile survivors?”
“That’s right. They’ve left us alone in exchange for disgusting acts.”
“They forced me to do things,” the woman growled. “And this idiot let it happen. Fucking coward. I hate you.”
“Doesn’t sound like they’ve left you two alone.”
“I’ve tried fighting them,” the man whined. “I couldn’t keep them away. I can’t win by myself.”
“Have you not tried retreating?”
“We have nowhere to go, no weapons.”
“You’re a man. Why in the hell would you allow anyone to hurt this woman?”
“You weren’t there! You don’t understand!”
“How have the two of you managed?”
“We eat what we can find.”
“You two look sickly. I’ve seen such behavior before. Please don’t tell me what I’m thinking is correct. Cannibalism?”
“We had no other choice. There’s no food that isn’t surrounded by monsters. The raiders took all the easy pickings.”
“There’s no way they took everything in plain sight. I refuse to believe that. Food is everywhere. It’s only been weeks since the virus went global. I don’t trust you. Ma’am, is he lying? Is he keeping something from me?”
The woman stared at the ground and nodded.
“Why are you lying to me, sir?”
“I’m a coward.”
“That’s already established. You’re a coward who allowed nasty things to happen to your girlfriend.”
“I’m not his girlfriend.”
“Oh, really?”
“The things she did were necessary. They’d give us food afterwards.”
“You’re a horrible human being.”
“For all you know, Jessica liked it.”
The woman furiously shook her head.
“Go ahead. Try coming up with a good reason for me not to end your life. Explain how you aren’t just as bad or worse than those raiders.”
“I didn’t rape her.”
“The man standing before me is not a true man. He’s a nasty vile thing. A true man wouldn’t give perverts any rights, not even to save himself.”
“I tried to fight! It was me against an empire, you dick!
”
“This is how it’s going down. I think you’re demonic as all shit. Whether or not I kill you is Jessica’s choice.”
“Kill him,” Jessica immediately demanded.
Wade drew his pistol.
“Don’t shoot him. The gunshot will attract every zombie and raider in the area.”
“Fuck you!” the man yelled.
The man lunged at Jessica but wasn’t fast enough. Wade forced the man to the ground with a bone breaking kick. He holstered his firearm and jumped onto the man’s chest.
“Please! I’ll do anything!”
“You’ve already proven that,” Wade growled while unsheathing his combat knife.
“I’ll be useful! Your wish is my command!”
“You’re a monster and deserve to be put down. You are a disgrace. I hope God forgives you. I sure as fuck won’t.”
Wade plunged his knife deep into the man’s chest. The man made a final attempt to take a breath. Wade watched the life leave his enemy’s eyes. He became lost in the moment until Jessica spoke up.
“Thank you.”
Wade blinked hard and regained focus.
“I have a question.”
“What?”
“Where are the zombies? There were zombies in the plane wreckage, but that’s all I’ve seen.”
“Oh, they’re around. Most are trapped inside buildings and in large groups.”
“I want to search this place before we move on.”
“Okay.”
6
“Cannibalism?” Wade asked as Jessica stayed close during the search.
“For a while, yeah.”
“As long as you’re with me, I’ll protect you if I can. There isn’t anything useful here.”
“Nope. Raiders took everything good. We really need to leave. They’ll come back.”
“Almost done.”
“It’s late in the afternoon. We should get moving now.”
“Fine. Traveling at night wouldn’t be a bright idea.”
Wade and Jessica traveled a half mile and reached a road blocked by crashed cars. On the highway’s right side rested a hotel. A hospital eerily resided on the highway’s left.
“We have to get off the highway,” Jessica worried.
“I see the horde. Hundreds of them.”
“There’d be med supplies in the hospital.”
“No way. No medical supplies or anything else is worth dying for.”
“My brother is in there.”
Jeffrey McElyea's Zombie Compilation Page 17
