Survive (Book 1): Salvation

by Veronica Smith

  The thud was audible as everyone saw him hit in the chest from the axe of yet another hidden Z.E.D. who was about to plant it in Tamar’s head. Antonio bellowed in pain and anger and took the Z.E.D.’s head between his hands, the axe still embedded in his chest. Adrenaline kept him up as he ran forward, still screaming, and slammed the man into the corner of the commander’s wooden building. His head split open and he fell to the ground, dead before he landed in the dirt. Antonio turned around, got two steps before his knees buckled, and he dropped on his back, blood pouring from his chest. Chuck got to Angela and Tamar only a second later and punched the Z.E.D. in the face with his fist. He was afraid his hammer might injure Tamar or Angela in such close proximity; and it honestly felt good to hit this man. With the Z.E.D.s grip on Angela’s hair finally released, he tossed him aside. The man snarled through broken teeth and came at him with a knife as Angela scrambled away. Chuck pulled out his hammer again and slammed it first into the knife hand, shattering it, then buried it in the Z.E.D.’s face.

  “Antonio!” Tamar wailed as she dropped to the ground next to him.

  She knew pulling the axe out of his chest would speed up his death but he’d die if she left it in. For the first time in a long time, she didn’t know what to do. The others stood around, some crying, while others searched out for any remaining hidden Z.E.D.s. Chuck dropped down next to Tamar.

  “Chuck...,” Antonio spoke with considerable effort, spitting blood out, “You’ve been my closest friend. You rescued our group and you took us in. You made us... family. Thank you.”

  “Always, my brother,” Chuck said, placing his hand on Antonio’s shoulder, “You will always be family.”

  “You know I can’t survive this,” Antonio forced out. “I don’t want to turn. Promise me.” He grabbed Chuck’s arm weakly, “Promise me!”

  Chuck nodded and Antonio visibly relaxed. He turned to Tamar and moved his hand to her face. He lifted his head slightly from the ground to look at her,

  “My life for yours. Doesn’t make us even... but now you have the rest of your life to try to forgive me.”

  “I forgave you a long time ago,” she replied. “The truth heals and forgives.”

  “Your parents would be so proud of you,” Antonio whispered, “So prou—”

  His hand dropped and his head fell back and he was silent.

  Chuck kept his promise. With a knife through the skull, he made sure Antonio would never rise. He looked up at his team and wanted to cry when he saw Em talking to Tamar, both in tears. He got back up and looked to see if anyone was missing. Izik, Edd, and Paul were nowhere to be seen. Jim’s face gave Chuck the answer to what happened to Paul. Where were the others?

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  They built a huge pit where The Arena stood; The ground there was still stained from the blood of those that were forced to fight zombies, so it was a fitting place to burn the bodies. The dissidents, those that rebelled, anyone the commander deemed unfit; possibly even the man that had been tied to the posts when they scouted the camp. He hadn’t been hanging up there when they invaded. They would probably never know what happened to him. They began the disgusting task of dragging the bodies of the dead and undead into the fire. They planned to torch everything once they salvaged what they could. The explosion that killed Edd and Paul had drawn more zombies and the fire would draw even more. They were constantly dispatching them while finishing the camp. Em told everyone the sacrifice Izik made to draw away the huge mutants. No one was sure what happened to him, but Em was sure he drove them to the pit monster.

  Rodrigo, Tamar, and Jim drove to the pit monster to destroy it with their N5P bombs. They also wanted to see if there was any sign of Izik. Two of their new allies went with them as backup.

  “These things kill zombies?” One of the men, Andrew, asked, looking dubiously at the water balloons.

  “Sometimes,” Rodrigo replied, “Definitely not all zombies. It works great for the pit monster; that was why I created it. It destroys the tongues of those mutant zombie animals but won’t kill them, go figure. And it has no effect on the big human mutants. With more time maybe I could make it work on all undead.”

  Rodrigo stopped the truck outside the markers they placed and they all got out as quietly as they could. Tamar pointed and they saw the rope scattered and tangled, not like they left it at all. There were two crude axes dropped to the ground, covered in mutant zombie ooze and blood. From all the scuffle marks in the dirt and bloody mutant zombie piles here and there, it was obvious Izik let them to their deaths. But where was Izik? They’d wait until the N5P bombs killed the pit monster then try to figure out what happened. It took three bombs to kill the larger one near Salvation so they thought they’d try two this time. Rodrigo and Jim each took one and threw them over the edge to the center of the pit. As before, the mutant in the pit howled in pain, and the tentacles, hidden in the depths, thrust upwards and violently waved. A few slammed on the ground, pieces of it already falling off with each impact.

  Andrew and the other man, Stu, were stunned. They’d heard of these but never seen one. How was it there was one so close to them and they never knew it? Once there were no sounds coming from the pit Rodrigo tiptoed to the edge. He waved the rest forward and they walked closer to see the mutant soup at the bottom. The smell was horrendous. More weapons were scattered at the bottom, some nearly covered by the dying goop. Tamar gasped and pointed. The machete she saw was Izik’s; he’d carved designs in his handle and it was unmistakeable.

  When they got back to the camp, Chuck saw their faces and Rodrigo shook his head when their eyes met. Damn, he really liked that boy! Another life gone; another family member gone. Paul and Edd’s bodies couldn’t be recovered due to the blast so the only body they could bring back was Antonio’s. They could’ve buried him here but that seemed so wrong; it would dishonor him to bury him with the Z.E.D.’s he’d hated so much.

  They spent the rest of the day salvaging what they could from the camp. The families packed up their personal belongings and filled up the vehicles they planned to take to follow Sabaton back to Salvation. They’d all been given the option of leaving on their own or joining them. They all chose Salvation. They had to bring still another three trucks from the Z.E.D. motorpool to carry all the scavenged supplies. Since they were going to burn everything it didn’t make any sense to leave anything useful behind. Even the tents were broken down and packed away; canvas, poles, everything. When they went through the commander’s quarters they found where the real stash of weapons and ammo was hidden.

  “He didn’t trust anyone,” Carlos spoke up, “he told us he booby trapped the Armory to keep us from stealing them. I guess he didn’t even have them in the tent.”

  Jim turned away, crying bitterly. His brother and Edd had died for nothing.

  “It wasn’t for nothing,” Chuck said to him as he followed him.

  Damn, that man can read minds.

  “Look what we’ve all accomplished. Together. We all did it together. Besides you have to trail along for the guilt line. And it starts behind me.”

  “You planned this!” Jim replied, “It went better than we could’ve hoped. No mission ever goes as planned, you know that. And we all knew the risks. This new world is hard and if you want to live in it you have to take risks.”

  “Hmm,” Chuck smiled sadly at him, “Sounds like something I would say.”

  Jim smiled back through his tears and said, “I don’t blame you. I don’t blame anyone. It’s just hard. Losing Paul... and Izik and Edd. And so many before.”

  They thought about waiting until the next morning to leave but no one wanted to stay a moment longer than necessary. They decided to drive as far as they could before dark, then stop for the night. All the vehicles were lined up on the road outside the front gate. The gutted camp was silent except for the splashing sounds of gasoline being poured around. They found several cans full of it. The Z.E.D.s must have been treating it so it was still useabl
e. They brought the empty cans back to the trucks and Chuck pulled out a dying lighter. It was almost out of fuel, lighter fuel was harder to come by than diesel or useable petrol. But as long as it had enough to light up the torch he planned to toss over the fence, its purpose served.

  Everyone watched silently as the flaming torch flew through the air. The sound of the fuel igniting was loud and as they saw the flames rise, the cheer from the former sodiers rose up. Chuck caught Tamar’s eyes and they grinned at each other. They may have lost family members in this mission but it looks like they gained some new ones.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Shirley was finishing up the stew and was almost ready to set it out. Since Sabaton left on the mission, everyone looked to her as if she were in charge. That was the last thing she wanted. Oh, she had no problems organizing the meals and delegating changes in the guards but that’s what she’d always done. She didn’t want the resposibility of the entire compound; she didn’t feel qualified for that. She smiled as she stirred the stew; it smelled delicious. The hunters had been getting lucky lately and only yesterday felled an uninfected doe. The stew would feed them for a couple of days and the remainder of the venison was being jerked and smoked even now. She and Edna had just taken the huge pot off the heat and set it on the cart to wheel out when they heard the clang of a bell. Just a single bell.

  “Is it them?” Edna asked.

  Almost thirty seconds went by then another single bell rang throughout the compound. Everyone began working their way outside and saw Mason Henry standing at the fence. He was grinning like a maniac and had his binoculars in his hand.

  “They’re coming back! It’s them!” he annouced.

  Everyone cheered and the crowd parted to let the families of those on the mission stand up front. Joe and Sheila had just got off sentry duty an hour ago and were probably still asleep so Shirley sent little Izabella to go knock on their door and bring them out. Those on the fence kept a close eye around in case Sabaton wasn’t alone in their trek home.

  “There’s a lot of extra trucks with them!” one of the guards called. “But they’re in the middle of the convoy. The first two and last two are ours.”

  Mason Henry called Kenny forward and had him run around the fence to give this information to all the sentries, especially those posted on the other side of the building. He made sure the boy repeated it back to him correctly then sent him on his way. Kenny sped off, pumping his fist in the air.

  “Weapons out just in case!” Mason Henry told everyone who was near.

  When the truck got closer he was able to make out Richie in the driver’s seat, a happy grin on his face. Chuck leaned the top half of his body out of the open window and waved like a madman!

  “It’s safe! Open the gate!” Mason Henry said to those waiting on his command.

  He put the binoculars to his eyes to scope out the land behind them. After they were all inside the gate was closed and Mason Henry put down the binoculars. He kept watch still, even as all the trucks found a place to park. It was a tight fit. As soon as Tracy stepped out he ran and hugged her, kissing her long and hard.

  Chuck jumped out and hugged the first person who came up to him—Shirley.

  “I’m so glad you made it back!” she said to him with tears in her eyes. “The mission was a success?”

  Chuck nodded but a sad smile played on his face and Shirley knew what that meant.

  “Who?” she asked him quietly.

  “Antonio, Izik, Paul and Edd. Where’s Joe and Sheila?” he asked, scanning everyone. “I want them to hear it from us first. Not voices down the grapevine.”

  “I sent Izabella to get them,” she answered. “They should be out any second.”

  Chuck saw Tamar and Jim get out of the last truck and look around for his parents. When he spied them coming through the door he ran over to them. Tamar went over to the ex-Imperials to tell them about Izik. When they didn’t see Izik with her they assumed the worst.

  “Daddy!” Izabella had come back out and spied JJ.

  She ran to him and jumped into his arms. He kissed her and pulled her close. “I missed you so much,” he told her; he was never leaving her again.

  “Jim!” Joe and Sheila ran to their son and hugged him, then pulled away, looking over his shoulder for Paul.

  “Where’s Paul?” Sheila asked, her voice faltering.

  Jim shook his head and burst out crying as his parents pulled him close.

  The new familes stood uncomfortably to the side, not sure how they would be received. Susan walked back to them after embracing Sol. Together she and Sol took them around to introduce them to the rest of Salvation.

  Word spread throughout the crowd of the deaths and wailing was heard among them. Chuck felt a weight come down on him; he felt like he was drowning. His people, his family had died. He led them and they died. He thought back on everyone that had died in recent years and the number seemed staggering.

  “Don’t you do dare that to yourself,” Shirley said, as she smacked the back of his head; it was a stretch and she had to do it on her tip toes.

  “What?” he asked, rubbing his head as if it really hurt, “Are you a damn mind reader now?”

  “Not at all,” she replied, “I just know you is all. You’re blaming yourself, again. This world is harsh and just staying alive is a struggle. You made that so much easier for everyone here.” Chuck was starting to tear up.

  Damn that woman could always get to him.

  “Look around you,” she went on. “They are sad but happy too. You’ve saved more than one of them and kept them safe. And you’ve freed those famlies from the hell they were living. Get that blame shit out of your head right now!”

  Hearing Shirley curse shocked him like nothing else ever could. He didn’t even think he’d ever heard a damn cross her lips.

  “I’m allowed to feel this way,” he said bitterly. “That’s what you do when people die.”

  She crossed her arms and looked up at him, “You’re confusing mourning with blaming yourself. Everyone is allowed to mourn, everyone must mourn. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t. But throw away that guilt. It doesn’t belong here.”

  Chuck grabbed her up in another massive hug, lifting her off the ground.

  “Put me down, you big ox!” she exclaimed, but she was smiling.

  He put her down and planted a big kiss on her cheek. He smiled through his tears and Shirley knew he’d be all right.

  Dinner was lukewarm when everyone finally got inside. Richie shooed Mason Henry away from the gate, insisting that he go inside with Tracy. Richie was tired but he was home. His home. And he just helped complete a mission that would help ensure that his home stayed safe. A little gate duty was nothing after that

  Chuck barely ate. He couldn’t help but watch everyone, imagining their blame. Joe, Sheila, and Jim went to their rooms to mourn in private. Tamar and the other assassin kids sat together at a table away from everyone and completed their ritual to honor Izik. They silently did a toast to him and each set aside some of their food. They had no body to bring back so there was no grave. But Chuck remembered their ritual.

  Without a word to anyone he stepped outside and dug a shallow hole for a small fire. Once it had caught flame and was burning brightly he went to Tamar and told her about the fire outside waiting on them and their offerings. She hugged him and they went outside, their morsels in their hands.

  Once Chuck went back inside he realized how hungry he was. He attacked his cold bowl of stew with new gusto. He noticed that no one looked at him resentfully; no one seemed to blame him like he blamed himself. He smiled a little and then noticed Susan sitting by herself, an empty bowl pushed away from her as she drew in her favorite sketch pad. She kept pausing and closing her eyes then going back to her drawing. Curious now Chuck tipped the bowl to his mouth to finish the broth and walked over to her, carrying the empty bowl to put in the sink.

  Mission or not, Shirley would give me hell if I lef
t it on the table.

  He sat down next to her but she only absently muttered a hello. He saw some of the other pictures that were mostly finished and looked at them fondly. This one was a very good likeness of Carlos. And there was Rick. And Amy! Thinking about all who had died made him sad again.

  “I’m doing one for each of them,” she said quietly. “It’ll take a while though. I want them to be perfect. And I’m doing them all from memory since we have no pictures.”

  Her partner Sol came back with a second bowl of stew and made Susan eat it. The empty bowl on the table must have been Sol’s. She gave Chuck a quick hug then sat on the other side of Susan and put her arm around her waist, resting her head on Susan’s shoulder.

  Before everyone finished eating Chuck snuck outside again. This time he went to the area set aside to bury their dead and, after picking a good spot, began digging a grave for Antonio. Mason Henry and Tracy came out to relieve an exhausted Richie and saw Chuck struggling to get Antonio’s wrapped body from the truck alone. A man with two arms might have been able to do it without a problem. Chuck was a big person, but it was awkward and it looked like he might drop Antonio’s body.

  “Help him first,” Richie told them, “I’m fine. I’ll sleep well tonight.”

  Mason Henry turned to Tracy and before he could say a word, she kissed him and said, “Help him. I’ll get the others.”

  Then she turned and went back inside.