Jeffrey McElyea's Zombie Compilation

by Jeffrey McElyea

  Marty yelped as the zombie ripped and tore flesh from his throat with its teeth. Machete in hand, John fearfully rushed in to impale the monster’s head. Marty gagged. Blood spewed from his mouth and throat.

  “I’ll say it,” Bubba muttered. “We gotta end Marty’s suffering.”

  Marty died seconds later. All stood silent and stared at their fallen ally’s lifeless body.

  “That could have been any of us,” Casey cried.

  “Immediately do severe damage to the dead’s heads,” Wade ordered. “Now. Can’t be sloppy again. Let’s hurry. You’re the tip of the spear, Jimmy. Bubba’s covering the rear.”

  Putting the dead to rest was a numbing affair. All were speechless. None believed talking would serve a purpose until they escaped the area. Hoping not to succumb to a cruel fate, Jimmy led on.

  12

  Jimmy led his companions to an old house at the edge of a small neighborhood.

  “Need y’all to wait while I head in here,” Jimmy whispered.

  “That’s not happening,” Wade protested. “Safety in numbers.”

  “Like it or not, I’m going solo. Gotta do this myself. I’ll be fine.”

  “Sixty seconds before we come in to assist.”

  “This is my parents’ home. I won’t be long.”

  “Yell if you need help,” Bubba suggested. “Been through this a couple o’ times already. Shot my best friend and saw my son as one o’ those things yesterday. He’s in the horde.”

  “Sorry, Bubba. I’m heading in.”

  Jimmy grabbed a key hidden beneath a rock. He then hopped over the porch’s steps, unlocked the front door and proceeded. Nervousness increased as moments passed. A loud thud startled those who waited. Finally, Jimmy was seen dragging a body through the home’s front door. He gently left it between a tree and the garage.

  “My mom,” he bawled. “My mama.”

  Casey hugged the grieving man. He pushed her away.

  “Not now. My dad’s still in there. Bubba, please do what I can’t. Put him next to my mama.”

  “You got it, buddy. Anything for a friend in need. Won’t let ya do it alone.”

  Jimmy helped his allies search his parents’ property. He retired to his parents’ bedroom after raiding the kitchen. Wade and Jessica waited in the spare bedroom to catch their breath.

  “Didn’t think they’d come back from the dead so quickly,” Wade stirred. “It happened so, so fast. That dead old man moved like lightning. Marty was alert. Wasn’t near close to fast enough to pull away. Those zombies are not to be underestimated.”

  “Marty was caught off guard.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Did you see it happen?”

  “No.”

  “I did. He wasn’t paying attention. Better him than us.”

  “You’re as beautiful as you are cold, Jessica.”

  “Wouldn’t you be if you were me?”

  “How does someone manage after experiencing that?”

  “I push through it. Only option.”

  “Do you miss your family?”

  “I miss all but two of them. Both were a tiny step above worthless. One wouldn’t hesitate to sell your soul for a shiny dime. Really nasty bastard. Tried dividing the family out of jealousy and boredom. The second was a habitual liar. Was a fry short of a kid’s meal. She was shunned.”

  “Damn.”

  “Clean slates are limited. Anything beyond is a middle finger.”

  “I understand. Make it right or go pound sand.”

  “Getting rid of them wasn’t easy. They were a lot like hemorrhoids. You miss your people?”

  “I miss everyone except for my Uncle Gregory. Was as two faced as they come.”

  “Think Jimmy’s idea is worth the gamble?”

  “I am open to suggestions.”

  “Your perception is going to change at some point.”

  “Think so?”

  “Just wait. You’ll care less after adjusting to the new norms.”

  “I want this group to make it. I care about these people.”

  “I know. If your feelings don’t change, what you’ll do to keep them alive will burn your soul. Every encounter in this scenario tears at what used to be humane. It’s kill or be killed, Wade.”

  “Time to check on the others.”

  “I saw them as we left the road. You didn’t tell them. Why?”

  “The time wasn’t right.”

  “Is there a right time to tell someone something like that?”

  “I’ll let it be known when we get to the basement.”

  Wade practically forced everyone into the basement.

  “Okay,” Erica sighed. “Trying not to be pissed at you for throwing us down here, Wade. Pretty sure we were fine. What’s up?”

  “A massive horde was coming this way when we took the detour. I didn’t want to say anything then. There was too much insufferable stress. Mentioning it at the time would’ve applied extra mental strain.”

  “We survived for this long,” John nodded. “I’m down but not out.”

  “I feel sick,” Vinny groaned as he laid in a corner on the damp floor. “I don’t know when I’ll get over it.”

  “You won’t get over it,” Wade frowned. “Willpower will help you adapt. That’s the best we can hope for.”

  “How many lives have been taken by your hands?”

  “More than I’d like to admit.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Not counting the attack on the road, I’ve lost count.”

  “Damn, dude. You’re a beast.”

  “We have what we need and should stay here for a while. That’ll give us time to collect our bearings. There’s no rush. Let’s rest.”

  13

  Jimmy, Wade, Bubba, John and Jessica spent the next morning reinforcing defenses. Furniture was stacked against openings. They spoke softly in the spare bedroom. At the end of their private meeting, a plan to keep a closer eye on Chap and Vinny was created.

  Spending a long time in the basement took its toll. Agitation boiled.

  “Not that it doesn’t bother me,” Robert slurred. “But why are we allowed to leave the room just to relieve ourselves?”

  “Don’t think on it,” John answered. “Easier said than done. It’s obvious we’re surrounded and must remain here. No point in doing anything except resting.”

  “Why are they here?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  “Do those things know where we are?” Casey asked.

  “No,” Jessica answered.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve been in the worst of it since the beginning. Had to see human beings at their meanest while running and hiding. The dead don’t know where we are. We’d know if they did. They’re simply passing through.”

  “I saw them when we walked off the road. Their numbers are in the thousands.”

  “There are tens of thousands of them. Their numbers are increasing at an extremely fast rate. They’re looking for food. We’re dead if that mass finds out where we are.”

  “I think we should quiet down.”

  “No shit.”

  “I worry every time the floor creaks. Every noise is a chance they’ll hear us.”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “You survived. How?”

  “By being the meanest person I could be. I suggest you do the same.”

  Six and a half days went by. Finally, the coast was clear. All stretched their legs with a quarter mile walk. They were attacked by thirty-five slow moving zombies. Fear prevented them from attacking. The team forced open and barricaded a small home’s rear door. Wade led everyone to the second floor. He and the others remained still and listened for an hour.

  “That was crazy,” Jessica whined. “We were too scared to fight. Those things were so close. They were within an arm’s reach of my face. There are too many.”

  “This isn’t working,” Wade sighed. “There’s nothing that can
be done. So few options.”

  “Patience,” Warlock said boldly before getting up and peering out the window. “We shall prevail.”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Chap asked Warlock.

  Warlock raised his eyebrows.

  “Your name isn’t Warlock. You’re just some weird guy who think he’s cool because he has a gun and nickname.”

  Laughter broke out amongst the survivors.

  “Smart kid,” said an embarrassed Warlock.

  “Warlock’s right,” Wade announced. “We’ll get through this. Patience is key. Time is the enemy. The water supply is dwindling. Do you still know where we are, Jimmy?”

  “Sure do, buddy. Used to ride my bike up and down these streets to look for a safe hiding spot.”

  “A safe hiding spot?”

  “A place where I could smoke weed and cigarettes without getting caught.”

  “There’s a kid in the room.”

  “Way I see it, he’s seen and heard a lot worse.”

  “Where to next?”

  “If our path isn’t blocked, we’ll head in the same direction.”

  “And if the way is blocked?”

  “Already have several detours in the back of my head.”

  “Any nearby bodies of water?”

  “There’s a creek behind a house less than two hundred yards from here.”

  “Splitting up doesn’t sound bad. Half of us could secure the home while the rest retrieve water.”

  The brave and frightened were strategically divided and swiftly scurried about. Of course, nothing went as planned. It wasn’t easy like they had hoped. Four zombies dwelled within the residence. From the creek, Bubba and Casey witnessed a cluster of undead chase a young man onto a neighboring house’s front porch.

  “What should we do?” Casey whispered.

  “Wouldn’t get there in time, honeybee. I’ll watch while the rest of ya fill up the containers. We’ll boil the water when we get inside.”

  “Shit,” Hector said aloud.

  “Stay quiet,” Bubba scolded. “God damn it. Here they come. Containers down and weapons out, y’all. Don’t use a gun unless ya have to.”

  Casey slipped in the mud on the bank and fell into the water during the skirmish. Bubba tackled a zombie coming down on her and crushed its head with a rock. Erica used her baseball bat to take one down with two hard swings. Hector angrily eliminated the remaining three with a machete.

  Later, everyone sat upstairs and gathered around a carefully crafted fire. Casey tried not to shiver.

  “Glad winter’s a good ways off,” Bubba snorted. “It’ll start rainin’ a bunch soon. Always does this time o’ year. Never liked the cold.”

  “Pretty sure it’s game over for me,” Hector whined. “I fucked up.”

  “Were you scratched or bitten?” Wade asked.

  “No, but I’m screwed nonetheless.”

  “Don’t feel down. Keep your head up, Hector. We’ve made it this far. Nothing’s stopping us.”

  “Remember when it rained a few hours after we came here?”

  “I do. What about it?”

  “Remember how thirsty some of us were?”

  “Yes.”

  “Spit it out already,” Jessica snapped.

  “I drank infected water.”

  “The water in the creek wasn’t infected,” Bubba explained. “Nothing dead was in the water. I made sure before we filled up.”

  “I drank from a puddle. I was desperate and wasn’t thinking. I didn’t notice the bloated arm in the puddle when I dropped to my knees and slurped the shit up.”

  “You should’ve told us, son.”

  “No one in my position would have said anything.”

  “I would have because I care for every person on this team.”

  “Bullshit.”

  “I ain’t lyin’ to ya. Ain’t got no reason to lie to anybody.”

  “Do you feel sick?” Robert asked.

  “Yeah,” Hector answered, holding his stomach. “I feel like my insides are on fire. I have the virus. I’ve got it.”

  “You could’ve turned and tried to eat my son when we weren’t paying attention,” John spat prior to connecting a combo of jabs to Hector’s gut.

  Wade grabbed and restrained John.

  “Let go, Wade!”

  “I will when you calm down.”

  “That jackass jeopardized everything!”

  “Making too much noise, John.”

  “Shit. Sorry.”

  “No better than me now,” Hector laughed.

  Hector initiated uncontrollable vomiting.

  “Be ready to put him down,” Jessica warned. “Prepare for an attack by invaders as well. That was loud. Let’s retreat to the stairs. Staying up there from now on is the best choice.”

  “I’m not dead yet,” Hector said in between heaving. “Maybe I’ll puke it out.”

  “No. You’re doomed. Accept it. The carelessness has done you in.”

  “Bitch.”

  “Watch that mouth. Another word and I’ll run your ass through with my knife.”

  “Stop,” Wade demanded. “He’s already dying.”

  “Nobody steps on me. Not even the dying.”

  “An infected individual could easily spread the virus,” Hector threatened.

  “Enough,” Wade intervened, positioning himself between Hector and Jessica. “Need to focus on the big picture. This can wait.”

  “Fine, but I don’t want this dumbass behind me. He should be in front. Human meat shield.”

  Hector stood below the other survivors near the bottom of the stairs. Sure enough, the inner conflict did attract the undead.

  “Keep cool,” Wade said firmly after seeing his companions flinch. “Flesh eaters are working on getting through the exterior. Show no fear. The noise they’re making will attract more. Make sure the safeties are off. Make every shot count. Takes a single bullet to the head. Don’t panic if you miss. We have each other. Shoot them as soon as they get in.”

  Anxious paleness washed the survivors’ faces. Less than a minute had passed when the windows were busted. Enough force was applied to knock down a barrier made from a bookshelf and chairs almost immediately after. One by one, the feral beasts poured in.

  Hector took a deep breath and fired the first shot. The first invader to step foot inside the house dropped to the living room floor. Roaring, growling, snarling and moaning erupted as more zombies entered the fray. Three minutes of defending passed. Wade realized he and his team were short on ammunition. Wade led everyone except Hector to the bedroom.

  “Out the window,” Wade ordered, locking the door and opening the window. “It’s our only chance. Hurry or we’re all dead.”

  All but Wade and Hector were crouched on the roof when Hector started beating on the bedroom door.

  “Please!” Hector screamed. “Don’t do this! I might survive! Don’t fuckin’ do this!”

  The last person to escape, Wade heard Hector’s screaming body being torn apart. Everyone hung and dropped from the roof. They blindly followed Jimmy through the neighborhood’s back yards and passageways.

  14

  Seven days were spent searching, looting and fortifying houses. Very little progress was made. Sips of water and scraps of food were enough to keep the group going but not push them forward.

  “I feel like a rat,” Casey said in a fetal position. “I’m smelly, hungry, thirsty and scrounging like crazy to get by.”

  “A lone rat is next to powerless,” Wade replied, handing her a half-eaten can of soup. “You are not alone.”

  “We’ve not gotten far from the hotel,” Mario complained. “What are we doing wrong?”

  “Nothing,” Wade answered. “We rarely see living people. Avoiding them is best. Any nearby survivor is equally desperate.”

  “What’s the plan?”

  “Doing what we have been.”

  “Yeah, okay. Why? Because that’s been going oh so well?”


  “It has kept us alive, hasn’t it?”

  “That’s a fair answer. If I come up with a better idea, you’ll be expected to consider it!”

  “I’ll consider any reasonable idea, Mario.”

  “Leaving Hector to die isn’t what I’d call teamwork.”

  “A leader has to be ready to make sacrifices. Hector wouldn’t have made it. I locked him out to give at least another day.”

  “That might not have been necessary, Wade.”

  “That’s possible.”

  “His death is on your hands.”

  “True.”

  “I hate cereal,” Chap complained.

  “You’re really tough,” Casey praised.

  “Just like his daddy,” Erica encouraged.

  “I wonder,” Warlock grunted, rising to his feet and peering out the garage’s window. “I wonder how many people within a hundred miles of here are alive. How many sane people are alive and willing to help? Will there be enough food and fluids to get us to this supposed sanctuary?”

  “We’ll know in time,” Wade reassured. “No sense in waiting here for a moment longer. The sun’s coming up. Where to, Jimmy?”

  “Two choices. Skim more backroads or try the straight shot through the rest of the highway.”

  “How long’s the highway?”

  “Three, maybe three and a half miles long. Backroads will take longer.”

  “We’re taking the highway.”

  “Voting on it sounds like a better idea,” Mario pushed.

  “You shutting the fuck up and falling in line is a wonderful idea,” Jessica asserted.

  “The almighty whore has spoken.”

  “Call me a whore again,” Jessica said coolly.

  Jessica swung her rifle over her shoulder and pointed the barrel’s end at her new enemy.

  “No,” Wade said to Jessica.

  “Shoot me,” Mario bluffed.

  “Stop,” Wade said, slowly attempting to point Jessica’s rifle at the floor.

  Jessica smashed Wade in the throat with the butt of the rifle, stepped away and pointed the weapon at Mario’s face.

  “No man’s making me do shit. Mario wouldn’t be the first motherfucker I’ve sent to hell. Give me a reason why I shouldn’t blast this idiot.”

  “I am trying to help you.”