The Beginning of the End (Book2): Road to Damnation

by Kidd, Sean

  It wasn’t the pep talk I had in mind, but that would have to wait for now. We needed to get moving. I was about to take a look at our inventory when I felt Sophie tug at my arm, “What do you want me to do?” she asked.

  “Sophie, your job is the most important. Consider yourself my new best friend. I want you to be my shadow until I get you to Atlanta, understand?”

  Sophie responded with a half-ass salute and a, “Yes, sir.”

  Cowboy’s head was still under the hood of the Humvee when I started looking through the vehicle’s outer compartments.

  Cowboy peeked out from the side of the hood and asked, “What are you looking for, hoss?”

  I slammed the metal compartment door closed and sighed, “I was looking for a shovel to bury Kate with before we leave.”

  Cowboy slid his hat off his head and held it over his heart, his southern manners showing respect to Kate, “Entrenching tool, Ty.”

  “What?” I asked wondering what the hell he was talking about.

  Cowboy placed the Stetson back on his head, and positioned it back on his brow, “You’re looking for the entrenching tool. It’s a small Army shovel with a folding blade. It’s in the same compartment, but on the other side of the vehicle.”

  Cowboy disappeared back under the hood while I moved around the Humvee and searched the other compartment. It was right where he said it was. I guess he did know this vehicle well.

  I unfolded the spade as I walked to the far side of the wrecked Humvee where I found Sidara taunting Luther.

  “I’m gonna let them bite you. Then I’m gonna leave you tied up to the back of the Humvee until you rot and fall off. How do you like that, you murderer?”

  Luther cried while he pleaded, “Please don’t do that. I swear it was all Kane. I had to do what he told me, or he would have killed me. Please let me go, I’m sorry!”

  When Luther’s pleading slowed, and Sidara had her fill, she asked me, “What do you want to do with him?”

  “Cut him down,” I said.

  Without question, Sidara reached in her MOLLE vest, pulled out the REAPER knife, and cut Luther free.

  With his restraints gone, Luther fell to the ground with a thump, lying on his back like a scared dog. He had wet himself. Sidara bent over and pushed the tip of the blade into his neck hard enough to cut the skin, “You make one false move, and you’re dead. Do you understand, you kidnapping slime?”

  Luther lie there shaking with fear, “Yes, yes. I’m sorry.”

  Sidara got up and walked by me, not before giving me a wink and a smile. She apparently enjoyed frightening Luther, like he had done to her and the other girls.

  I threw the shovel on the ground next to Luther and ordered him, “Pick it up and start digging some graves.”

  Tears began to flow, and he was screaming again, “Please no. I’ll do anything. I’m sorry. Please don’t kill me.”

  I kicked the shovel closer to him, “It’s not for you, dumbass. It’s for Kate and your friends. Your friend killed her so you can dig the graves.”

  Luther picked up the shovel and started digging from a kneeling position. I watched while he worked for a few minutes, and then I sensed something coming up on me. I spun around while pulling my Glock and pointed at the figure behind me.

  “Whoa. Whoa, hoss. It’s just me. I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” Cowboy stood there with his hands up in the air. Grease from the engine left a black streak across his cheek.

  A little embarrassed, I holstered my Glock and gave Cowboy an apologetic look.

  Cowboy let out a nervous chuckle and lowered his hands.

  “You scared me there, hoss. I came over to let you know I checked out the rig. She’s good to go, but she’s gonna need diesel soon. You’ll get maybe a hundred miles out of her before she runs dry.”

  “Thanks, Cowboy and sorry about the gun thing.”

  Luther was already a foot deep, moving as fast as he could. Beyond the grave, the darkened skies had given way to a downpour that seemed to be heading toward Lake Champlain. With any luck, it’d miss us. The breeze had turned into a wind now. It was time to go. I gave Luther a little kick in the ass, “You’ve got three minutes, or I’m leaving two bodies in that grave, understand?”

  Luther didn’t answer, but the rhythm of his spade increased.

  A quick glance at Cowboy’s face showed me the sorrow he felt for his old friend. He knew by my expression Luther would be one of us, soon enough.

  I motioned to Kate’s body and asked Cowboy if he’d help bury her. Again without hesitation, Cowboy showed me his new loyalty.

  I called out to Chevy, not seeing him with the rest of the group. He appeared from the far side of the wrecked Humvee.

  “I want you and Sidara to head over to Sophie’s jeep and grab the cure. As soon as you’re back, we’re out of here.”

  “Are we going back to Plattsburgh?” Chevy asked.

  We were miles away from the center of the city, and I could still hear echoes of screams and gunfire.

  “No, buddy. We’re heading to the Port Kent ferry dock to gas this pig up. Then we’re moving south, on to Albany.”

  “Albany? Why, Albany?” Chevy asked.

  “Remember the television broadcast before we left the house? Those people were sending out that transmission. We need to see if there are any survivors there. If there are, we need to recruit them.”

  Chevy gave me a puzzling look and asked, “Recruit them for what?”

  “Dad’s in New York City. We need weapons and people to help us fight. The more, the merrier.”

  “What makes you think they will help us?”

  “I’ll tell you why Chevy. Because we have the cure and they want the same thing we want.”

  “Which is what, not to die?” Chevy asked.

  “Well, that, but more importantly, for everything to be normal again. The only way that’s going to happen is if we get that cure to Atlanta. With a little luck and a little hope, they’ll join us. The bigger our group, the better our chances are. Now go get Sophie’s serum packed up. I’m gonna help Cowboy and Luther bury Kate and the rest of the bodies.”

  Chapter 5

  I guess the little pep talk I gave to Luther did the job. Kate was already in the ground, and he was putting the last of the remaining dirt on top of her. I’d leave the task of burying his friends to him.

  Luther cowered when he saw me standing there, “Almost done, boss. Just a couple more.”

  I didn’t even give him the satisfaction of a look. As far as I was concerned, he was partially responsible for Kate’s death and in the mood I’m in now, I wished he were the one in the hole. That could have been my mom lying in that grave. Feeling disgusted with Luther, I turned without saying anything and headed toward Chevy.

  I caught a glimpse of Cowboy coming out of the woods. He was holding a bundle of sticks. I watched as he knelt down and used a lanyard to secure them in the middle, he was making crosses for the graves. He glanced up at me looking for approval. I nodded back and headed toward Chevy.

  He was still playing with the gunshot wound on his shoulder.

  “Oh my god, Chevy. Could you be any more of a pussy?”

  Chevy looked up at me, the wound was already forming a scab, “Yeah, well I don’t see any bullet holes in you. We’ll see how you feel if you ever get shot.”

  “You’ll never know because I don’t plan on ever being shot. Can we talk for a minute?” I asked.

  “Sure, Ty. What’s up?”

  “Not here,” I said as I motioned to the vehicle.

  I climbed into the driver’s side of Kane’s Humvee. The strong smell of old man’s cologne lingered in the cab. What kind of freak takes the time to put on cologne in the middle of the zombie apocalypse? The kind that likes to mutilate women, I guessed. It didn’t matter now; Sophie took care of that problem with a single shot.

  Chevy inched his way onto the passenger seat protecting his injured shoulder.

  “Close the d
oor, Chev. I don’t want anyone to hear us.”

  Chevy slammed the armor-plated door and asked, “So what’s the big secret, Ty?”

  I took in a deep breath and let it out slow, “It’s about the plan. I told everyone we were heading to Port Kent.”

  “Yeah, so let's go.” Chevy interrupted.

  “We can’t go yet. We need to pick up supplies. I don’t know when we’ll have another opportunity. Look out your window and tell me what you see?”

  Chevy glanced out his window and back at me, “Your mom making out with Cowboy.”

  “What!” I screamed.

  “I’m just fuckin’ with you.” Chevy chuckled.

  “What’s wrong with you? Now be serious, look out the window and tell me what you see in the distance.”

  “The highway, a wrecked Humvee, the Mall, and some…the Mall. We can get all the supplies we need there.”

  “That’s what I was thinking, but it’s a hell of a risk. With all the sporting goods stores and grocery store on the end, we can stock up with food, ammo, and weapons. The problem is, my gut is telling me the place is infested with zombies.”

  Chevy’s head spun back to me, “Zombies? When did we start calling them that?”

  “Well, what the hell are they then? They’re dead, but they still walk around, and they are trying to eat us. The only way to stop them is to shoot them in the head, and if they bite us, we’ll turn into one of them. I’m not sure about you, but I’ve watched enough T.V. to tell me those things are zombies.”

  Chevy pinched his chin between his two fingers, “I guess they’re zombies then. All the more reason to get food and ammo.”

  I pulled Chevy’s shirt back enough to look at his injury, “How serious is that wound. No bullshit.”

  Chevy ran his finger across the dried blood, “I’m 95% ready to kick ass.”

  I nodded my head, “Good, that’s why you’re staying here.”

  “What!” Chevy yelped.

  “You stay here with the girls. I’m going to commandeer Sophie’s Jeep, and we’re heading to the mall for supplies. I’m taking Luther and Cowboy with me.”

  Chevy interrupted again, “Ty, you can’t trust those guys. An hour ago Luther wanted to kill us, and correct me if I’m wrong but, I’m sure Cowboy wanted to do the same yesterday?”

  “I know what you’re saying, Chev, but I don’t have a choice. Besides, Cowboy proved himself today, and Luther is a parasite. He’ll cling onto anyone willing to help keep him alive and right now that’s us. You and Sidara keep an eye on everyone. If we’re not back in two hours, gas up in Port Kent, then head to Albany without us.”

  “Fuck that. I’m not leaving here without you. I’m going to the mall with you in case you need help.” Chevy insisted.

  “No, Chevy. You’re staying here. You’re not a hundred percent healthy; you said so yourself. Besides, I need you here. I’m not taking a chance of something else happening to my mom. If something happens to me, promise me you’ll take care of her.”

  “You know it, Ty. I’d give my own life to protect her.”

  “I know that, Chevy. That’s why you’re staying.”

  “In two hours you leave. That’s noon. Not a second later. If I’m not here, it means I’m dead,” I said as I stepped out of the Humvee.

  Chapter 6

  When a man reaches his limits and has run out of options, he begins to feel the sting of defeat. Your stomach knots, your face flushes, and you feel like your body is radiating heat. Daniels knew defeat, and he could see it in Bunker’s face. At the bottom of the stairs was a man defeated. Daniels walked back down the stairs and gave Bunker a firm squeeze on his shoulder, “Hey, are you all right, buddy?”

  Hiding his face, fearing Daniels might catch the wince of a tear, Bunker pulled away.

  “What the fuck are you touching me for, Cop?”

  Surprised by Bunker’s response, Daniels released his shoulder and stepped back, “Hey, man. It’s okay. I’m scared too, but we’ll get through this. Let’s just head back upstairs and talk to those people and make a plan together. One of them must know this building. If not, there are a ton of exits. It may take a while, but we’ll find another way out.”

  Bunker let out a long breath, “I’m sorry, Corp. I’m creeped out by all this shit that’s going on. I can’t believe fucking zombies are attacking us. Last week, I thought we were all going to die from Ebola, now this shit happens.”

  Daniels put his hand back on Bunker’s shoulder, “Listen, Bunker. The last thing I heard was that everyone was sick. The government had a cure, and they were going to treat everyone. We can only assume something went wrong. Listen; between you and me, I could give a shit what you did in your past. I know you’re not a murderer. You’re just an idiot who likes to get drunk and fight. All that’s done now. No more barroom brawls. No more stupidity. Now the only fight is for survival, and we’re in that one together. I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a family back in Plattsburgh. Somehow, I need to get back there and make sure they’re okay. From now on, no more convict, no more cop. We are on the same team, and we’re going to need each other to get out of here. Do you have any family?”

  Bunker paused for a moment, “I got a kid. Little girl. She lives with her mom in South Carolina. I haven’t seen her in years. I think she’s seven now.”

  Daniels moved around, so he was standing face to face with Bunker, “Wouldn’t you like to see her again? Just to know she’s all right?”

  “Do you think she’s all right? I mean,” Bunker asked, “I don’t think I could handle it if she turned into one of those things standing on the other side of the door.”

  “Well, you will never find out if you keep standing there feeling sorry for yourself. Now man up and let’s do what’s got to be done. Pull yourself together and come back upstairs. We’ll make a plan and save those scared souls locked in that room upstairs. We’ll do it together.”

  Daniels reached out with an open hand. Bunker took it and sealed their pact with a handshake.

  The maze of stairs and doors took the new duo almost as long to find their friends as it took to find the Grand Central Terminal. Daniels knew they had found it when he saw the dead zombies on the floor.

  “We’re almost there, Bunker. They’re in the last door on the right.”

  When they got there, Bunker gave the door a few light raps and whispered through the fist hole in the middle of the door, “Open up, it’s us.”

  Hopeless faces stared out as the door opened.

  “Did you find a way out?” Cecilia asked.

  “Where are we, Corp?” asked Cooper.

  They stepped inside and re-secured the splintered door with the desk. All the eyes in the room were on him. Daniels leaned against the desk and took in a deep breath. He spoke as he released it, “Well, we’ve got some good news and we’ve got some bad news. The good news is, we know where we are. The bad news is, it appears the exit we found is blocked.”

  Cooper spoke up first, “Let’s just unblock it.”

  Daniels winced at the suggestion, “It’s not quite that easy, buddy. We’re better off finding a new exit. And in case you’re wondering, we’re in Grand Central Station.”

  Cooper interrupted again, “How is that possible? I thought Grand Central was just a train station.”

  “What have you been doin’ your whole life, son? Living in a hole. Ain’t you never been here before?” This was the first time the aging prostitute made a sound since her screaming attack. Once she had the floor, she couldn’t seem to stop.

  “Let me tell you, cutie. This place ain’t just no train station. You got a Banana Republic, some restaurants, a pub, and hell, you even got a bank so you can refill your wallet when you run out of shoppin’ money. Hell, almost a million people pass through here a day. This is a bad place to be in the middle of a zombie outbreak.”

  “Whoa, whoa,” Daniels interjected. “Nobody said we’re in the middle of a zombie outbreak. Let’s just stay
cool and keep our heads together. I have to apologize, and I don’t recall hearing your name, Ma’am.”

  “Honey, that’s because you weren’t ready to hear my name. One has to prepare them self. But if you must know, I’m Lady Destiny, Temptress of the Night. But you can call me Destiny for short. Lady is just my official title. Since I was nice enough to tell you my name, why don’t you tell me yours, sweetie?”

  “Ah…my name is Daniels, but you can call me Corp.”

  “Oh, honey. Did your mama not love you? What kind of name is Corp?”

  “It’s not my name. It’s my rank. I’m a Corporal at the Plattsburgh Police Department.”

  “Well Daniels Smaniels, aren’t you a long way from home?”

  “I’m serious, ma’am. Corp is fine. You seem to know a lot about this building. Do you work here?”

  “Well, I guess you can say that. I’m here for my Wednesday nooner with Mr. Sutherland. He’s in office 316, and he’s got a private bathroom with a window that faces the top of the Chrysler building. He likes to take me from….”

  “Whoa, whoa, again, too much information. I need to know if you know a back way out of this building?”

  “Well, honey. You know I do. I’m the queen of backdoors.

  Kind, old Mr. Sutherland wouldn’t have his best number two girl walking in the front door. He sneaks me in and out of this place like a sewer rat. I know this place like the back of my ass. You’ll just have to trust me.”

  Chapter 7

  Sophie drove the jeep across the median and parked next to the Humvee while I was talking to Chevy. Cowboy was unloading the brown boxes filled with the serum and stacking them in the Humvee.

  “Be careful with that,” Sophie ordered.

  Cowboy carefully set the box in the back and gave the brim of his Stetson a light tug, “Don’t you worry ma’am. I want this cure to make it to Atlanta as much as you do. It’s as safe as a school boy in a monastery.”

  Sophie was about to say something sarcastic when I walked over and saved Cowboy.

  “I need to steal your jeep for a little while,” I said.