“The only true alliances here are small groups within the group.”
“I care. I am your ally.”
“Prove it.”
“How?”
“I don’t know.”
“Nobody needs to get hurt here.”
“This stupid fuck needs to learn his place.”
“He has.”
“I have?” Mario laughed.
“She ain’t playin’ around,” Bubba said with an uncleared throat. “She’s gonna kill ya if ya don’t give her a sincere apology. Messin’ with a pissed off woman who has a rifle pointed at ya is dancin’ with the devil, son.”
“I am sorry,” Mario said.
“You will be if I so much as catch you looking at me.”
“The tension is pretty severe,” Wade said softly.
“Really? I had no idea, genius!”
“We’re just extremely hungry and thirsty. The tension will ease up when we get comfortable.”
“Expert commentary. Give yourself a gold star.”
They hadn’t traveled far when everyone realized Vinny had gone missing. Desperate to find their friend, Mario and Warlock searched for him while the exhausted nine waited.
“Fifteen minutes,” Wade said to Robert. “That’s all I can give them.”
Mario, Warlock and Vinny returned in time. Everyone shared the same thoughts after realizing Vinny had lost it. Without the means and knowledge to help the now unstable young man, Mario and Warlock were now fully responsible for his well-being. Vinny didn’t resist when his friends disarmed him.
“Zombies are everywhere,” Chap said as he saw the numerous undead creatures trapped in and under blocked and crashed vehicles.
“It’s okay,” John said, looking at his surroundings. “They aren’t bright. They can’t get us.”
“It’s not okay, Dad.”
“Now isn’t the time to practice lawyering, son. Stay focused.”
“Looking for zombies, crazy people and useful stuff is all we can do.”
“Unfortunately, most of who or what we find won’t help.”
“No shit.”
“Watch your language, little man.”
“Sorry.”
The sun shined brightly on the hungry and thirst driven dozen. The sight of the highway’s end swelled them with relief. They planned to enter a pharmacy on the corner. To no surprise, zombies were behind the counter and in the break room. The walking corpses looked as though they had recently reanimated.
“Just what I thought,” Bubba said, rolling over a corpse with an aching foot. “Not starvin’ or ill equipped. These poor fellas were infected. Bites on the underarms and hands.”
“Time for my magic,” Warlock grinned.
“This has been earned,” Mario supported.
Vinny smiled and nodded.
“The hell are you talkin’ about?” Bubba asked.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve made a lil’ tweak,” said Warlock.
Warlock vaulted over the counter and joined Mario and Vinny in the search for drugs. They rummaged through countless medicine bottles.
“You gotta be shittin’ me.”
“I’m not surprised,” Erica scoffed. “Let’s rest. I’m tired.”
15
Mario, Vinny and Warlock secluded themselves in a corner to create illegal drugs. The others took a breather in the restroom. John and Bubba disapproved of the teens’ behavior but didn’t care enough to put a stop to their stupidity.
Robert said the least. He was a tired old man who couldn’t endure much more. Everyone knew he’d eventually break. What they didn’t know was if his mind or body would break first.
Bubba hobbled to the three drug addicts upon finishing his guard duty shift. Mario was smoking a pipe made from aluminum foil. He found the smoke’s odor peculiar.
“What are y’all smokin’?”
“Whatever will get us high,” Warlock answered.
Mario passed the pipe to Warlock and giggled.
“You three are better than that. Getting high is stupid, especially during these times.”
“I disagree. This magical creation enhances the senses. Who knows? Our enhanced senses could save lives.”
“Tellin’ yourself that ain’t gonna make it true. Doin’ that shit’ll make ya sick and paranoid.”
“Square.”
“Say what ya want, but I’m tellin’ the truth.”
“You drink beer, Bubba?”
“Yep.”
Warlock pulled a glass bottle from his backpack and showed it to Bubba.
“That ain’t beer.”
“It is. Used to drink them every day.”
“You think what you’ve got in your hand is a beer. That’s funny.”
“How so?”
“That’s not for men, son. That’s for women and sissies who like to think they can drink. Twelve o’ those would just send me to the pisser all night. I’d be lucky to catch a damned buzz.”
Bubba pulled a beer from his right front pocket, showed it to Warlock and grinned.
“This is a beer, Warlock.”
“Those are gross, Bubba.”
“Says the boy who drinks sissy beer.”
“I drank with a guy who drank those. He couldn’t keep up. I drank nineteen of these. He drank sixteen before quitting.”
“So, he was drinking what I have in my hand?”
“Yep.”
Bubba chuckled.
“What’s so funny, dude?”
“Ever heard of something called alcohol content?”
“Yeah.”
“One of these beers equals the alcohol content of two o’ those.”
“He’s right,” Mario said with closed eyes. “By the way, I’m thinking we used the wrong shit to make magic.”
“We concocted it the right way, Mario. I mixed in something extra to add a calming effect.”
“I didn’t want to feel like this, man.”
“We needed to feel like this.”
“Think and speak for yourself, Warlock. I wanted an upper high, not a downer. You wasted valuable resources.”
“Vinny seems to like it.”
“Good for him.”
“You’re a selfish prick.”
“It’ll be many a day before we find what we need to make magic again.”
“I have the ingredients to make what you want.”
“Why didn’t you say so? Let’s get to work.”
Bubba shook his head and went to sleep. Robert sat with John at the entrance.
“Holding up alright?” John asked as he looked over his shoulder.
“No.”
“Anything I can do?”
“Probably not. I’m doing the best I can. These old muscles and bones can’t keep this up.”
“You give yourself little credit, old timer. I get it. You’re an old ox. There’s something you’re forgetting, Robert.”
“What’s that?”
“An ox is still an ox.”
“What have you got there?”
“A vapor cigarette. Weren’t any cigarettes. Figured I’d give it a try.”
“Do those things really work?”
“Not really. It’s a scheme to grab money from people who don’t have the willpower to quit tobacco. Never knew a habitual vaper who didn’t act crazy on a regular basis, smoke cigarettes on the side or both.”
“Sounds like the snake oil merchants have got a new way to swindle stupid people.”
“Right. Glad it’s a disposable one. Those bulky ones look foolish. Getting your nicotine fix is fine, but I don’t understand why people make a lifestyle out of it.”
“Whatever floats someone’s boat. Think we’ll make it to where we’re planning to go?”
“Not sure. Chances aren’t the greatest.”
“My body’s too banged up. Here. Take this rifle.”
“You can’t go out there.”
“You know me.”
“Yeah. Old and stupid.�
�
“Thanks for not arguing with me.”
“You’d just wait until I went to sleep if I protested. Can’t stop you.”
“After seeing my wife go the way she did, it’s best for me to leave. I’m in poor shape. At this point, I’d only hold everyone back by sticking around.”
“Is there no way to convince you to stay?”
“No.”
“Being your friend has been a pleasure, Robert.”
“God bless you. Take care of that wife and son.”
“I will. You do have a weapon, right?”
“God will take me when the time is right. Help me with this barricade.”
John let Robert’s departure be known minutes later. Most were sad but felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted. A pouring rain came the following day. None argued with Wade’s decision to stay at the pharmacy and collect rainwater. Wade addressed the crowd, but not before pacing yet again with a mind boggling with conflicting thoughts.
“We can’t break,” Wade warned. “The worst of the struggle can’t hurt us more than it has. Times are and will likely always be hard. Nothing’s going back to normal. Things can become easier if we pull it together. I won’t allow quitting. I want anybody here who doesn’t see it my way to leave.”
“What’s your way?” Bubba asked.
“If we don’t care for each other like a family, we’re going to keep losing and feeling horrible. Being alone results in depression. That’d lead to failure. We only have the people who are in this room. Anything and anyone else is an enemy. It’s us against everyone and everything.”
“Harsh words, but I agree. Right behind you. I stand with Wade. Leave if you still question the man’s leadership.”
“Thanks for the support, Bubba.”
“Vinny’s sick,” Warlock alerted.
“What’s wrong with him?” Casey asked. “I was a med student. Maybe I can help.”
“Don’t know. Please help him.”
“Where is he?”
“Follow me.”
Vinny was found rocking back and forth in a corner. Casey slowly stepped towards the sick teen.
“Hey, Vinny. I’m here to help.”
“I can feel it,” Vinny said shakily.
“What can you feel? What do you need? Is there something I can do to make you feel better?”
“Too much and not enough power.”
Casey gestured for everyone to create space.
“I’m the ghost in the abyss. Help me escape to my own dimension.”
“Rest, Vinny.”
“Rest is not what I require. Rest will not grant me peace.”
“What would grant you peace?”
“No more. No more chaos. The lamb’s life should be a peaceful one. Leave the lamb alone. Assist the furious.”
“I’ll stay right here, Vinny. I’m a friend.”
“Is the lamb a friend?”
“What makes you happy, Vinny?”
“Leave the lamb alone.”
“I’ll leave the lamb alone.”
“Those who give kindness to the lamb are spared. The lamb knows.”
All kept a close watch on Vinny. Mario oversaw the next creation of Warlock’s drug while Jimmy stacked shopping carts and dog food against the wall.
“Trying to get a bird’s eye view?” Wade asked.
“Yep.”
“That’s smart. Would like to know what it’s like out there instead of taking a guess.”
When the raining ceased, Jimmy led his friends deeper into the eerily quiet town. A few zombies lurked about. The eleven moved faster. Common sense told them something was wrong with the lack of zombies and opposing survivors.
“Where are the zombies and people?” Jessica asked. “The absence is strange. Have the zombies moved on? Are we stepping into a trap?”
“Maybe we’re the food being played with,” Mario thought aloud.
“Oh,” Casey whined. “Can we go faster?”
“I doubt anyone opposes the idea,” Jessica replied.
Search after search revealed that people had recently been in the area. Beverages and cans containing fresh food sat on desks and tables. A variety of supplies rested in some buildings. None hesitated to take what could be carried.
“Finders keepers,” Bubba laughed, his sweaty hands struggling to open a potato chip bag.
“Id be so pissed if I came back to see my shit isn’t here anymore,” Mario chuckled. “I’d go on a manhunt.”
“Where are they?” Bubba asked. “This ain’t right. People aren’t gonna leave food, water and weapons behind. Either we got lucky while they were gone or they were in a hurry to skidaddle.”
“Hope this doesn’t bite us later,” Casey worried.
“The sickness is claiming the unholy lives,” Vinny said blankly. “Solace comes for the dead. The dead are fortunate. I long for such rest.”
“You’ll be alright, Vinny.”
“None can escape the wrath of the holy. We are outmatched by the eternal sleepers.”
“There’s a small store on the top of the next hill,” Jimmy informed, ignoring Vinny’s incoherence. “Few people know about it. It’s my buddy’s thrift store. He might still be there.”
16
Eleven survivors found out why there were so few undead creatures roaming about. Deep holes were dug across the heart of the town. Hundreds of hungry beasts stood and groaned in each hole. Wade stopped everyone to rest next to a smaller hole that held twenty zombies. All stood quietly and stared at the wretched creatures before provoking them with noise.
“They don’t look so bad when they aren’t hunting,” John said quietly.
John’s voice attracted attention. John stared at the first zombie that noticed his presence. It lazily turned its head and looked up. It appeared calm. The tranquility it seemed to possess vanished when its gaze met John’s timid stare. John frowned as it opened its mouth and pushed out a dry growl. It walked as far as it could before making ignorant contact with the muddy wall. It reached for him.
“The next generation wouldn’t believe this without proof,” John sighed.
“Will there be another generation?” Casey asked.
“I think so.”
“I like your optimism.”
“I don’t think I’m being optimistic. Human beings are resilient. They always find a way to adapt to harsh conditions.”
“We aren’t on the top of the food chain anymore, though.”
“That’ll change.”
“The way you’re looking at that zombie is scaring me.”
“I’m trying to figure out who it used to be. He used to be a person. His uniform looks like it belonged to a garage. He might have been an automobile mechanic.”
“You just invented zombie watching. Nice.”
“Nothing human about him now. Maybe this is God’s way of telling us we shouldn’t take life for granted anymore. Maybe God’s pissed and has had enough. Maybe this is His way of cleansing the earth. The wrath of God is no joke. Piss off the man upstairs and you’ll be in for it.”
“Can we go now? I don’t like standing here in the open.”
“Fine,” Wade said. “There are some lurking around. Always are. The townsfolk tried their best. The world might have had a better chance if everyone had pitched in with some deep holes. It was too late to act by the time the world knew. Lead the way, Jimmy.”
“Follow me, everybody.”
Jimmy led his allies up the steep hill and to the storefront. He grabbed Bubba by the arm, pulled him back and pointed at the barely visible string on the ground.
“Booby traps, Bubba.”
“Damn. Ya saved my life. I owe ya.”
“Nope. You’ve saved me plenty. We’ll call it even. Duck, y’all. Jacob might be upset when I knock.”
All dropped to their knees. Jimmy tapped on the glass door three times. Two or three minutes passed. Finally, a ghastly skinny man peeked through the fabric covering the windows. The door
opened and the man started to cry.
“I thought I was the only man left,” the man sobbed.
“Jacob, it’s me. Jimmy. Recognize me?”
“Jimmy?”
“Yeah, from high school. I gave you your first beer.”
“Holy shit. Never thought I’d see you again. Who are these people?”
“They’re friends. Wouldn’t have gotten this far without them. You look very hungry, buddy. Want some food?”
“Yes!”
“Okay.”
“Let me disarm the traps before you come in.”
Disarming the twenty-six traps took Jacob ten minutes. The store’s interior held a smell so pungent, Mario vomited. Vinny smiled.
“Sorry about the smell,” Jacob said shamefully, pulling open the attic’s door. “Smells worse than the damned monsters. Couldn’t air the place out.”
Vinny stared at the mass of fermenting urine and feces in a far corner.
“Have you not ventured out to enlighten yourself with the truth?” Vinny asked Jacob.
Jacob shot Vinny a confused glance.
“Sorry,” Wade grumbled.
“What’s wrong with him? He’s not gonna try to kill me while I’m asleep, right?”
“He’ll be fine. He and everybody else here has been through a lot.”
“I know the feeling, but I’m watching him. He ain’t right in the head.”
“I understand.”
“Let’s get in the attic. Much safer in there.”
The attic’s stench was almost as potent as the main floor’s. Cardboard boxes filled with water, carbonated beverages and loads upon loads of firearms and ammunition took up nearly half the room’s space. Dirty clothing, bedsheets and what appeared to be ripped up couch cushions were clumped together in the furthest corner.
“You look like you haven’t eaten anything in a long time,” Jimmy said to his old friend as he handed over a can of ravioli. “Stay with us and we’ll do our best to prevent hunger.”
Everyone watched the starving man open the can and wolf down the pasta. Jacob wiped his hands and wrists on the wall after finishing the desperately needed meal. He then let out a disturbing belch.
“It has been a while. Thank you. Couldn’t have seen another day without a good bite. Got lots o’ weapons and ammo here. Had everything except food. Let me be in your group, Jimmy. I’ll share everything I have and do what I can to help.”
“You’re in no shape to travel,” Jimmy replied. “But yeah. You can join us. Need to regain your strength before we get going.”
Jeffrey McElyea's Zombie Compilation Page 21
