“Fucking shit, here come some fucking deadheads. Dave, go out there and take care of them,” whined Vinny.
“Are you going to help?”
“Fuck no, I’m not. I’m tired and cranky.”
“Let’s just tell the guys we will come back in the morning, then.”
“Oh, hell no. They finish tonight. It was their idea, so I’m going to hold them to their word. Tell you what, if they want back in the truck, they have to kill them fucking things.”
“Right, so we let the only two guys who know how to turn on the power get killed. Fine, I’ll fucking do it.”
“You’re goddamned right you will.”
Dave exited the APC and pulled out his machete. As he looked up the road in the waning daylight, there were more deadheads than he could count.
What the fuck? Did we attract every single one in town? Dave started hacking and slashing. He had killed fifty-seven when he started to get worn out. He was walking backward, towards the APC, and was unable to continue at the pace he was going. He turned and ran to the gate.
“Hey, guys? You almost done in there? The deadheads are almost here, and I can’t kill any more of them. My shoulders are shot.”
Bob and Danny were sitting at the top of a couple of ladders, side by side, with their backs to the gate, unbolting some thick wires off a terminal board. Bob turned his head and replied over his right shoulder, “Well, we can come back tomorrow. Or the other two can get out and help you.”
“Fine. I’ll see what the other two say.”
Dave opened the back doors to the APC and climbed in.
“What the fuck, guys? I really need your help, and the other two still have, like, an hour’s worth of work.”
“Tell them we will be back in a few,” Vinny replied.
Dave opened one of the back doors to relay the message. A deadhead grabbed the back of the door and pulled it further open. Dave hacked its arm off and slammed the door closed. Vinny started the diesel engine and threw it into gear. He spun the wheel to the right and plowed headlong into the throng of dead.
“Hey, Bob, I have a question for ya,” Danny said, turning his head to the left and facing Bob.
“Shoot.”
“Didn’t Vinny say that they had people that would help us get the power back on the first time we talked to him back at the hangar?”
“He sure as fuck did,” said Bob, looking thoughtful. “And then he shot us that cheesy-ass smile of his. I’m pretty sure he was full of shit just to get us to trust them.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking too. So, how long are we going to drag out the repairs on the dam tomorrow?”
“Not sure yet. I’ll radio back to Harv when we get a chance and see if he has any updates.”
“I like the way you think.”
“Since they are gone, should we finish up or stick to our original timeline?”
“Stick to the plan, man. We don’t want them getting suspicious.”
“Right.”
When the APC returned, Bob and Danny were standing at the gate.
Chapter 3. Denver.
Bill and Charity had last watch again. He walked around camp while she sat on top of Bill’s camper. Bo was the first to emerge that morning.
“How did you sleep, Bo?”
“Best night’s sleep I’ve had in weeks. I didn’t realize how much I was sleeping with one eye open,” he replied, still wiping the sleep out of his eyes.
“Glad to hear it. Listen, do you feel up to helping us scout out some shit today? I only ask because you know the area better than any of us. We have to get a paper map because cell service shit out on us completely two days ago. We didn’t realize it till yesterday, because we were having a little downtime to ourselves in North Dakota.”
“Yea, man, I would love to help out. What do you need?”
“Do you know where EarthRoamers’ shop is?”
“EarthRoamer? Actually, I do. Oh, you guys want to upgrade, huh?”
“Not just us, but you look like you need a more permanent solution for your family too.”
“Holy fuck, dude, that is a brilliant idea. I hadn’t thought about that. Do you think there are any left?”
“I don’t know, man, but I can tell you that people aren’t exactly flocking out to get a motorhome right now. However, those ones are different. I can only hope there are some left. If not, then we finish our other business here and move on. But for now, let’s get some breakfast, shall we?”
“Now your speaking my language.”
“Perfect, go get Ginger and the kids. I’ll see what I can whip up.”
An hour later, they were pulling out of the parking lot of Banner Lakes. Bill, carrying one of the hand pumps, Shaun, Shane, Mike, Q, Cootch, and Phillip were all with Bo, who was driving his bus. Bill knew EarthRoamer was straight up Highway 52, but he wanted to see if Bo was going to jerk their chain.
The first little town they passed through was Hudson. When Bo hit the first thriller’s head, it popped like a watermelon smashed by a giant mallet. Then Bo drove through a horde without slowing down. It sounded like a muffled drum. Thump. Thump-thump. Thumpthumpthumpthump. The air in front of the bus was filled with a maroon mist. Bo turned on the windshield wipers so he could see. Bill looked out a small opening in the side of the bus. He could see bodies flying out like snow from a plow on a Canadian highway in winter.
“Damn, Bo, with how efficient this thing is at moving thrillers, why did y’all stick around Keenesburg?” Bill asked.
“Didn’t really have anywhere to go. That was home, you know?”
“Yup, I get it.”
The rest of the trip was spent mostly in small talk.
EarthRoamer was located in a business park north of Denver, and Bo drove right to it. The drive took less than twenty minutes in the Super Bus.
“Bo, I gotta say, I’m impressed with what you did to the bus and with how fast it goes.”
“Thanks, man I am going to miss it, I think. But you’re right. I need one of those RVs. My family deserves better. So, is that what you wanted to see?”
“Fuck. Yes! Dude, look at how many are here. Good job, Bo. And don’t give up on the bus yet. We’re still going to need it for the rest of the day. We would like you to join us and make Washington your new home.”
“Oh, man, that sounds great.”
Bill then turned to the rest of the group.
“Which one of y’all want an upgrade? First, we need to get inside and find the keys. I don’t know if anyone will be here. It was a pretty family friendly company, so there would only have been people here if someone was picking up their ride on that fateful Saturday.”
“Ok, well, I got the door,” said Cootch.
“Sweet. Let’s go.”
Bill, Cootch, and Q headed to the service entrance door while everyone else made a sweep around the building to see if there were any random thrillers roaming about. Once the trio was inside, it was quiet, and it smelled like a musty repair shop, but not of death.
“Well, that’s a good sign. Let’s look around and find the damn keys,” said Bill
“I’ll look up in the office area,” said Q.
“Cool. We’ll search the shop.”
Bill and Cootch walked into the main bay area and looked around. Bill found a pile of solar panels and associated equipment in a storeroom.
Cootch was walking around a giant of a vehicle. “Find any keys?” he asked.
“Naw, but I want to take these solar setups with us. They would be good to have in case we need replacement parts, or we can use them on something else.”
“Cool. So, what do you know about this one?”
“That is their newest creation. Built on a Ford F-750 chassis, and they sell for one and a half million dollars. Too bad it’s not finished, or I would call dibs. Last time I was daydreaming and reading their website, the scheduled finish time was still over a year away.”
“Holy fuck, dude. How badass would th
at have been.”
“I know, right? Well, back to reality. Let’s go check on Q.”
“Guys, I found them on a pegboard in the main office,” said Q.
“Good. Good. Let’s go figure out which one is which.”
By the time they got back outside, the rest of the group had returned and informed them they’d only had to kill a few thrillers.
“Shane, Shaun, Bo, and Phillip, you guys are definitely getting a new ride. Here are your keys. Go figure out which one it is. If it has the street tires, let me know, and we will find you another. Make sure it has the forty-one inch off-road tires.”
“You got it!” said Bo enthusiastically.
“Anyone else?” asked Bill. “Ok, I’m going to take one back and see if I can get Sam or Kathrin to drive it. We’re going to need the space when we get to Washington.”
“I like that plan, Bill,” Q said.
“Thanks. I know it’s going to make the trip more of a pain in the ass and a lot slower, but in the long run, the payoff will be exponential.”
“I agree.”
“Bill, so after this, are we going to downtown Denver?” asked Cootch.
“Not exactly. First, we stop at the gas station up the road. Then we are going back to base camp to drop off the five new RVs. That way, folks can move everything around and be ready to go by the time we get back. Bo is going to lead in the bus, and I figure Q can drive Bo’s new ride back to base camp. Mike will ride with me, and we will take the rear. That way, if it gets wrecked by some fucking mouth breather, it’s not one we have to have.”
“Cool.”
Once everyone had figured out what they were driving, they loaded up all the solar equipment into one of the new RVs. Then Bill made sure that all helmet comms were switched to voice activated. Before they left base camp for the day, Bill had also ensured Shaun and Bo had fancy new helmets from the stash they’d acquired in Red Wing.
They pulled onto the frontage road and drove back the way they’d come. The convoy stopped at the Kum & Go just off of Highway 52, and after all six rigs were topped off, they headed back to base camp.
They dropped off the new RVs and made sure everyone knew the plan for the new living arrangements. Then the same eight guys hopped back on the bus. An hour later, they were close to downtown Denver. Bo had to slow the bus to dodge crashed cars everywhere. He exited the freeway at Thornton Avenue.
“Why are we getting off here?” Bill asked.
“’Cause we need to avoid the I-75 interchange. Most people around here call it the mouse trap. On a Saturday morning, it would be super congested with everyone trying to get to the mountains for the day. So, we’re going to hit the surface streets the rest of the way from here.”
“Cool. Sounds like a plan, then.”
Bill looked over at Cootch, and he just gave Bill an affirmative nod. Bo weaved around cars and made his way to the east side of town.
Driving south on Colorado Boulevard, they had just gotten over the Interstate 70 overpass when they noticed a huge building off to the left with a Safeway sign prominently placed on the upper corner. It wasn’t noticed because of what is was; they noticed it because of the gunfight taking place along the north side of the building.
“My guess is that’s a distribution center and those guys are fighting over the food inside,” said Cootch.
“Sounds like a pretty solid assessment. Let’s hope they don’t think we’re encroaching on their turf,” replied Q.
Just then, they heard the smack of a small-caliber round punch through the sheet metal by one of the beds in the back of the bus on the driver’s side.
“Shit! I’ll keep an eye out from the back to see if anyone is following us,” said Shaun.
“Keep your head down, man. Let’s get up the road a little ways first,” said Bill
Two blocks up the road was a golf course on the left. That was when Shaun went to the back and looked out.
“Looks clear so far,” he called out.
“All right. Let us know if anything changes.”
When the bus got further into the residential neighborhoods, the thriller population also went up. Crossing M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard, Bo noticed two vehicles barreling towards them from a side street, and he announced his findings to everyone.
“Let us know if they change direction,” Cootch said. “We seem to have found ourselves in the middle of a fucking warzone here. And it’s going to be worse than anything you’ve ever experienced. Everyone is our enemy. There are no rules. If you get a funny feeling, listen to it. And right now, I think those trucks are going to come after us. Here is the plan when we get to the apartments just up ahead. Bill, Q, and Shaun are with me. Bo you’re going to drop us off and drive around the block or some shit. Do not let those guys catch you.”
“You got it, man. I’m not trying to die today. Super Bus will make sure we stay ahead of them.”
“Just don’t be too reckless. Listen, keep the handheld CB on. We will turn ours on and let you know when we need pickup.”
“Cootch, you were right. Those trucks turned and are following us now,” Shaun said, interrupting him.
“I figured they would. We’re a big yellow target. Ok, Shane, take Shaun’s place, ‘cause I can see the zoo, and that means were stopping in less than one minute.”
Bo halted the bus in front of some very nice apartments that lined Colorado Boulevard and were right across the street from the zoo. He had the doors open before the bus stopped, and he watched Bill, Cootch, Q, and Shaun leap from the top step and run to an exterior stairway. He then mashed the gas pedal, and the large engine roared to life. The rear tires chipped a couple of times before they found purchase and the bus rocketed forward.
Bo turned the bus right at the next intersection, and he noticed there was a large hospital on the left. In the middle of the building were several broken windows, and the front doors had been ripped off the hinges. Bo popped the bus into neutral, letting it coast for a few seconds. He gunned the engine several times, making the exhaust as loud as he could while simultaneously honking the horn. He popped the transmission back into drive when he saw hundreds of thrillers begin to emerge from the gaping maw of the hospital.
Half a block up the road, Shane reported that the street was completely filled with thrillers and that the pursuing trucks had stopped because they were completely surrounded.
Cootch ran up to a security gate with his lock pick set already in hand. In a few seconds, all four were headed up the stairs with the gate locked behind them. The apartment complex was designed so that all the apartment doors were in the breezeway between the buildings, and all exterior entrances were blocked with a keyed gate. It was a security feature that prevented unwanted solicitors or guests from arriving unannounced. Bill paused at the corner of the breezeway and watched the two vehicles speed past. He could hear muffled gunshots behind him.
“Those assholes must not have seen us get out, because they didn’t stop.”
“Good. Let’s hope that Bo can lose them,” replied Q.
Bill turned around and saw nine thrillers with fresh openings in their foreheads.
“Up this way. Tess’s brother lived just over there,” Cootch said.
The team headed up to the second floor and passed three doors before Cootch knocked on one. There was no response from inside. He removed the lock pick set from the cargo pocket of his old Desert Combat Uniform pants and went to work. Hearing a satisfying click, he replaced the tool set from whence it had come and gave a countdown from three on his left hand. Q was the first one to enter, followed by Bill and then Shaun, and finally, Cootch closed the door behind him. The apartment stank of death and unwashed bodies.
“Hello? Jimmy? Fran?”
No response.
“Ok, let’s make a quick sweep. Something died here, so be on your toes,” Bill said, holding his finger under his nose. “I’ll start in the kitchen.”
“Always thinking about your stomach, huh?” Q quipped.<
br />
“Hey, this fat kid has to eat,” Bill joked.
“That reminds me. I meant to ask you back in Grand Forks. Do you have cancer? Cause you have lost a lot of weight since I saw you last,” Cootch said as seriously as he could muster.
“I might, but I’m pretty sure it’s because I’ve been getting real exercise for a change,” Bill replied. “But seriously, we need to look around and get the fuck out of here. I’m starting to get the creeps.”
Shaun went left, and Cootch and Q went right.
Cootch and Q returned to the main area, and Bill told them the cabinets were bare.
“Shaun?” Cootch called out.
“In here.”
The three walked into the master bedroom to find the couple on the bed. Shaun was just standing there, frozen.
“Shaun? You ok, buddy?”
Shaun slowly turned his head towards Bill, peeling his eyes from the grisly scene.
“Um. Yea. So, I have never seen dead people before. I didn’t know what to expect. Kinda weird, I know. Been in the apocalypse for two weeks now, and this is the first.”
“It’s all right, man. We’ve all been there. I can’t say that it gets any easier per se, but you do mostly go numb to it after a while.”
Bill looked back at the bed. The couple lay with their heads next to each other. Bill was pretty sure their ears had been touching at one point. The tops of their heads were touching the other person’s shoulder, and their feet hung off the opposite sides of the bed. On the bed near the man’s hand was a revolver.
Cootch picked it up and opened the cylinder.
“Only one round spent. They went out together. I guess you could say they got lucky he aimed it that straight. If the bullet had deflected or if his aim had been off, she would have lived.”
Then he placed the pistol on the night stand.
“They ran out of food and decided to end it. Not so much as a crumb left behind. Let me radio Bo and see how long till we get a pickup,” Bill said.
“Bo, what’s your twenty?” came Bill’s voice from the handheld CB.
Beginning of the New Beginning Vol 3 Page 4
