by Maxey, Phil
Zach ran down and approached the Calgorian lying limp on the ground. Blood from its wounds mixed with the muddy water underneath it. He then prodded it with the barrel of his gun, there was no response.
“Nice shooting,” said Zach to Jacks.
“Almost missed it, boy that thing moved quick, that woman kept getting in the way, she’s lucky it’s not her lying on the ground, few more seconds and it would of been.”
“You got explosive ordinance right?”
“Sure do, few claymores, some packs of C-4, what you thinking?”
Alex appeared and ran up to Zach and Jacks. “Janine had quiet a fright, thank you for saving her.”
“We’re not going to be able to keep them out, so we should stop trying,” said Zach. Alex’s expression changed to one of confusion. “Is there another way out of this compound?” said Zach to Alex.
“No…”
“No trails, paths, nothing big enough for the vehicles?”
“Well on the west side, down there.” Alex pointed towards the barn “On the other side of the barn there’s a trail which goes through the forest, up Carters Hill and eventual joins Folsom’s road, which leads back into Brownstone, but I’m not sure if it’s big enough for the bus, and even if it is the bridge that crosses the creak is rotten.”
Zach slid his fingers over his stubbly chin. “I need to see this trail.”
Alex led Zach along the wall a hundred yards, until they were standing in front of the barn. Cal and Tyler were still on top of it.
Zach and Alex climbed up the small platform and then onto the barn to join Cal. A trail of about seven-feet wide crossed a small wooden bridge with rotten dark pieces of wood then disappeared into the trees. Zach followed the indentation in the treetops and could see it again a few klicks further on, where it appeared on the side of a treeless hill flowing over the top of it. Jacks appeared at the bottom of the platform trying to listen to the conversation above him.
Zach flicked the switch on the radio. “Fiona, if some of them start moving forward let them get closer than before and keep doing that. Over” Fiona acknowledged. “Could work.” Zach said more to himself then anyone around him.
“What could?” Said Alex.
Zach addressed Alex directly. “We’re going to blow up your church.”
“What?” said Alex not knowing how to respond to such a suggestion. “No, this church has stood in Brownstone for over seventy years, why do you want to blow it up? How’s that going to help us?”
“We’re going to set a trap for our friends outside. We make them think the east side of the wall is weak, by letting them get closer each time they attack…”
“Yeah but…” Said Alex trying to interrupt.
“Then we lead them a trail into your church, where waiting for them will be C-4 explosive, once there’s a good amount in there we detonate and try to make as big a bang as we can. While that’s keeping their attention, we leave by the barn exit below us and make our way across the bridge and along that trail. If we are lucky they will be too messed up by the burning church to realize what’s happening.”
“But the bridge, it’s not been repaired in years, that’s…”
“That’s why we’re going to repair it, all we need is to put some large beams along it, and that should be good enough to support the vehicles weight. It’s only thirty-feet to get across…Alex, you have seen what’s outside the east wall, there’s no way we are getting through that, at least not without taking casualties, and the longer we stay here the greater the chance they will all attack at the once, this is our best option.”
Alex looked down, his mind accepting the logic of the plan. Zach looked at Cal, who’s expression was one of agreement.
CHAPTER 7
Alex slowly walked into the church. Zach had called Abbey and Jacob outside to keep watch on the north wall. Some of the inhabitants of the church stood up as soon as Alex appeared.
“How much longer? We have been in here for over an hour!” said an elderly slim man in jeans. Alex went to reply then stopped, his words seemingly not right for the occasion.
“We’re all going to be leaving the compound within the next few hours.”
Jacks appeared behind Alex holding his backpack out in front. He then started examining the interior of the church, moving a stack of boxes and disappeared into one the recesses.
“What’s he up to? Whys he in here?” said a portly middle-aged woman with greying hair. The murmuring in the church started to increase in volume.
“Ben, Janine and everyone, please stay calm, I’m sure you have heard the gunfire outside…those creatures now number in the hundreds, and the soldier in charge, Captain Felton has a plan to kill as many of them as possible while allowing us to escape,” Alex paused then continued. “We’re going to use the old school bus, and leave through the barn on the west side, across the old bridge and up the trail,” Everyone started talking at the same time, throwing questions like they were grenades. He tried responding but before each word escaped his lips new questions were launched.
“Quiet!” The six-foot four wide frame of Rob stood in the doorway with Earl by his side. The church fell silent. Rob approached Alex. “We need to talk.” They both walked into Alex’s room, as the door closed the background noise in the church rose once again. Alex sat heavily on his desk chair. “What’s this I hear about leaving through the trail out back? And over Carters Hill?” said Rob.
“Captain Felton and I, decided it was the only way…” Said Alex.
“You mean Felton decided it?”
“Rob, we can’t stay here, and we can’t leave through the main road. You have seen those things out there, seen how fast they move, even with the solders we won’t stand a chance. The only option is distract enough of them so we get away before they notice,” said Alex his voice rising with each word.
Rob sat on the bed. “And you need to blow up the church? What if these people want to come back one day?”
Alex stood and put his hand on Robs shoulder. “Then we build a new church.”
Outside on the platform near the front gate, Fiona watched the Calgorians edge forward. Every now and again one of the creatures would dart forward and each time Fiona would allow it to get a few feet closer to the east wall before shooting the creature dead. Even though the creatures moved so fast they almost became a blur she learned to shoot ahead of them and became quite adept at bringing them down. After killing over a dozen, the waves of creatures were now getting to within fifty yards of the front gate. She almost felt sorry for them, more intelligent than the animals that inhabited these lands before, but still not smart enough to know to avoid a human with a gun.
Zach and Cal had removed the large beams securing the barns doors carefully placing them in a pile, until only one large plank lay horizontally across them on two paint chipped clasps. Cal had told Tyler to bang on the roof if he saw any creatures approaching on the other side of the barn door. Alex appeared at the barns entrance with a small group of people from the church.
“Cal I’ll be happier if you were up there with Tyler, two guns and all that.” said Zach. Cal agreed and left the barn. “Just this one last plank to remove than we can open the doors. I want us to be on the same page as to what we’re going to do once we are on the other side.” Alex nodded.
“This is Mike, he’s lived around here since he was a kid and knows the trail and bridge well, he’s going to show us what parts of the bridge need securing,” said Alex. A smallish man in his seventies, wearing a plaid shirt, a brown cowboy hat and charcoal black boots stepped forward and held out his hand, which Zach took.
“She’s been a good bridge over the years, she’ll hold that old bus up I’m sure,” said Mike. Zach smiled.
“Cal and Tyler are going to cover us from above, if they see anything they will shout or let me know on the radio. I’ll cover us from the ground should something get past the guys above,” said Zach addressing the group. “These planks here and
the others in this barn should be enough, all we have to do is place them over any planks with holes on the bridge or any that look rotten. If you hear shooting you run back to this barn, and we have to do it all without talking or at least being as quiet as possible, agreed?” The group murmured in agreement. “How’s it looking outside Cal? Over.”
“All clear for a few hundred yards, but I can’t see too far into the trees, so once you’re out there that’s where I would keep my eyes. Over.”
Zach and Alex gripped the last plank, and lifted it off the latches and placed it on the straw covered ground. They then gently pushed the wooden doors opened, which creaked loudly seemingly in annoyance at being moved. Once a gap of a few feet opened up, Zach moved through with his gun raised.
Looking left and right and seeing no creatures he then looked down the scope at the tree line on the other side of the river and waited for any sign of movement, but there was none. He then ran quickly over the twenty or so feet to the entrance to the small wooden bridge and knelt down, giving him a good view into the trail that snaked it’s way through the trees ahead. From this angle, he could see that it was going to be a very close fit for the bus to make it through, but there was no going back now. After waiting a few seconds, he looked up to Cal and Tyler on the roof and Cal gave him the all-clear signal. He then turned and waved for the others to start bringing the planks out.
Hobbling as fast as they could carrying the heavy planks they moved to the start of the bridge. Mike stepped on the first plank of the bridge and pressed his weight down with his leading foot. The bridges plank didn’t move. He then walked onto the bridge, placing his foot on a dark piece of wood and his foot promptly broke through a few inches, sending splinters into the waters below.
Damn thought Zach looking on. He then looked back to Cal and Tyler who were both scouring the area around them. There was a chill in the air, but the sun felt good on Zach’s back as he knelt trying to see in all directions at once. The people from the compound, nailed and roped planks according to Mikes direction. Even though there were hundreds maybe even more creatures that could tear a man apart just hundreds of yards away it was easy to forget the world had changed so much and just enjoy the sound of rushing water. Zach saw that two women were struggling to carry a large plank and threw his gun over his shoulder, running up to them and helping to carry it the rest of the way.
Mike was now on the other side of the bridge, smiling and holding thumbs up, when Zach spotted it out of the corner of his eye, a movement in the trees. His actions seem to play out in slow motion as he instantly dropped the plank and pulled his gun from over his shoulder and raised it. But even though he did this within a few seconds, the Calgorian sprung from the woods quicker, it’s claws slicing across Mikes back and sending him spiraling to the ground. The sound of gunfire opened up all around as bullets split the air and ended their journey in the Calgorians side. Most of the people where just standing frozen, when Zach started shouting for them to get back to the barn. Running across the bridge as fast as he could, he spotted more movement in the forest to his right and dropped down, placing his gun on the rusted metal railings that ran along the side. Bushes quivered in the forest, but no sign of a Calgorian could be seen. He then stood up and started running again, while trying to keep his gun trained on the suspicious area. Arriving where Mike had fallen, he gently turned him over, and felt for a pulse. Mikes eyes blinked for a few times then fell shut, just as another Calgorian leapt at Zach from only fifteen feet away, Zach fell backwards on his backside, trying to raise his gun in time, but instead a number of shots rang out and the creature landed dead in front of him. Zach sighed a deep breath, then immediately scrambled to his feel, scouring the trees around him. He then realized Alex and Rob were running across the bridge. They both arrived, Rob picking up Mike with one hand, while Alex pulled on Zach to move back across the bridge. Soon they were back in the Barn with its door closed.
Mike’s body lay on the ground, some of the people around him were sobbing. Alex who was out of breath moved to Mike’s body and said some words over him. Zach went to leave the barn when Rob stood in front of him blocking his way.
“Out of my way,” said Zach.
“You did this!” said Rob. He then went to push Zach, but Zach swiveled, getting Rob into an arm lock and then forced him to the ground.
Zach realized everyone was looking at him, and let Rob go. “I’m sorry for your loss, we have all lost people to those things out there, and others like it. I’m not going to lie, my people and I will not be able to protect all of you, some of you may die, those things, Calgorians I think they are called want in this compound, and they want to kill all of us.” Zach surprised himself by how emotional the words came out. Rob got to his feet then left the barn muttering to himself. Zach raised the radio to his face. “Cal, how’s the bridge looking from up there? Over”
“Looks like you all did a good job, looks secure, no sign of anymore creatures. Over.”
“Alex, we need that bus ready,” said Zach, Alex nodded and left the barn following Rob. Michael and Abbey appeared near the barns entrance.
“What happened? There was a lot of firing,” said Abbey, who then noticed that Zach’s hands were covered in blood.
“It’s not mine,” said Zach seeing Abbeys expression change, “Back there, a guy called Mike, helped us take care of the bridge, he got hit by one of those things on the other side, it moved too quick for me too…” Before he could finish Abbey hugged him. Zach let go before Abbey was ready. “Tell everyone in the church that we will be leaving soon, and to get their things ready for travel.” Abbey turned and ran towards the church. “Michael you’re going to be driving the new pickup, get that now and position it behind the Humvee when it’s over here.” Michael left to get the pickup. Zach then raised his radio again. “Jacob, I need you in the Humvee, drive it over to the barn and position it just inside. Over,” Jacob Acknowledged. “Jack’s how it’s looking in the church. Over.”
“All done. Just need to flick the switch. Over.”
“Good, get yourself over here, you’re going to be on the Humvees main gun. Over,” said Zach looking at all the gasoline lying around.
CHAPTER 8
The convoy of five vehicles sat stretched out from the barn. The Humvee driven by Jacob with Jacks on the main gun was at the front, and already sat inside the barn. The new pickup came next driven by Michael, then the bus driven by Rob, then the old pickup driven by Fiona with Cal as passenger, then finally the semi truck with Abbey waiting in the passenger seat. Rob and Earl just had enough time to solder a few metal plates across the side and back windows, but the front was still exposed.
The walls of the barn dripped with gasoline and the smell made everyone in the convoy keep their windows down. The sun had passed its apex some hours back and was now heading towards the horizon, turning the chill in the air into a ground frost.
Zach and Alex stood on the platform near the gate, having just killed a Calgorian. The plan was to allow it to ten-feet from them before killing it, but it moved so quick they missed with the first few shots and it crashed into the metal gates, before they could finally end it. They could see more Calgorians already scratching the ground and snarling in their direction, just fifty yards away.
Zach handed a radio to Alex. “Here take this. Stay in constant contact throughout the journey. If you see anything that doesn’t look right, let us know. Fiona’s going to need it back when we get to the Camp though,” he said smiling. Alex nodded.
Zach then raised his own radio. “It’s time. Over.” He and Alex half jumped half climbed down from the platform, then unchained the main gates, pulling them slightly open, then ran as fast as they could over the frost covered mud, past the church. Zach jumped up into the driver’s seat of the truck, while Alex ran and got onto the bus. “You ready?” Zach said to Abbey, who nodded. In one of her hands a rolled up old newspaper dowsed in gasoline, in the other a lighter. All the vehicles engines sp
rung into action with the exception of the bus that spluttered.
“Shit,” said Rob, then turned the key again. More spluttering. “Wait here.” Rob leapt out of his seat, opening the side doors and then lifted the engine cover.
“What’s going on? Alex. Over,” said Zach.
“Not sure, it’s not starting, Rob’s seeing what the problem is. Over.”
Zach looked in his side mirror, which gave him a view of some of the east wall about two hundred yards away, but most of it was blocked by the church behind. “Abbey, keep watching behind, as soon as you see any movement let me know.” he then switched to the radio “Everyone, stay sharp, those things could be on us at any moment.” Zach started regretting putting the Humvee at the front of the convoy but did not allow the thought to take root.
“What was that?” said Abbey, her eyes fixed on the rear mirrors.
Zach leaned out of his window, and listened. The unmistakable sound of the front gates sliding across the ground could be heard. “I don’t think we have long.” He then clicked on the radio. “Alex, we gotta go. Over.”
Alex was leaning out of the open bus side door, talking in Rob’s direction, the then held up the radio. “The fuel pipe has come off, we need some tape to keep it on. He says he has some back in the carport. Over.”
Zach swore under his breath. “Where? I’ll get it.” Even though he wasn’t looking at her, he could feel her body tense, and he reached out and held her hand.
