Firth had already told Benteen all this. They were just wasting time. Time that they did not have.
“I called over there and Bob Galway said the kids hadn’t been there, so I met the other parents. They said that they’d been told the kids were at my place.”
“I gotta try to figure where we can start to search, I don’t want us going off half cocked. Is there anything that could give you a clue, no matter how small?”
Firth had thought over and over again about this and the only thing that came into his mind was the Pandy Woods.
“It’s probably nothing, but a few days back Conrad said how much he’d enjoyed camping out up the Pandy Woods with me last year. I recall him saying he’d love to go back, that’s all.”
Eastman looked at Firth.
“The Pandy Woods are real close to Bill Merka’s tower; I’ll call and ask if he’s seen anything. Meanwhile, can you get some good people for a search party?”
This was more like it. Now at least they were talking about search parties. “Sheriff, what happened at Ben’s place?”
“Erin got attacked and Ben shot the punk.”
Firth could hardly believe his ears; Ben Burke had shot somebody?
“I hope he peppered his raggedy ass.”
“Ben blew his God damn head off. I had to bring him in for questioning.”
“You got Ben Burke in a cell?”
Firth was shocked; Ben was a feisty old bird but harmless. The thought of him in a jail cell was hard to take, even for Firth.
“Hell no, he’s helping Benteen put ration packs together for the search party. It was one of those ‘things’ he shot. Believe me; he wouldn’t have had a choice. He’s free to go after the Judge sets his bail this afternoon. We want Ben out ASAP.”
Firth and Eastman rose to get out of their chairs when Eastman’s phone rang. “Clara…funny, I was about to contact Bill just now…somebody else missing…no, just the kids…tell him I’ll get back to him soon…yeah, we’ll be out right now.”
He replaced the phone.
“Clara said that Bill Merka told her Jimmy Red Cloud’s gone missing. He was supposed to meet Bill last night but he didn’t show.”
Firth was worried. As Indians went, Jimmy was pretty reliable. When he said he’d be some place, he’d be there.
“What you gonna do, Sheriff?”
“The Pandy Woods are a fair stretch; we gonna need lots of manpower. I want you to start getting people together. You know the type of guys we need – good trackers. Benteen will lead. I’ve got some loose ends to tie up and then I’ll come and join you.”
Eastman got up and showed Firth to the door.
****
As Firth walked across the street to a large congregation of townspeople, he could feel the heat on his bald head. A lot had gone on in the last few days and you’d have to be some kinda sap not to think it was all connected. If Conrad had gone to sow his wild oats then that was the last thing the boy would want his folks to know. Damn brat! Suddenly, Marv Glitz’s father cut in front, stopping Firth in mid stride.
“Tony, what’s happening about the search?”
Firth looked at the man and fixed him with his best look of concern. Sam Glitz and his boy had moved from the city about a year ago. He ran the print shop on Main Street and Firth had put a lot of business his way recently. With practiced sincerity, perfected over the years, Firth took Glitz by the shoulders and spoke softly to him.
“Sam, me and the Sheriff have decided to launch a search party but no need to worry. The kids are gonna show up. I’m going to get some men together.”
A large crowd had gathered near the Post Office; it was time for Firth to play to his audience. This was vote-gathering time.
“Some of you will know by now that five of our kids are missing. One of them is my boy, Conrad. Also missing, is Sam’s boy, Marv, Jehna Galway, Tony Arcado, Britney Patrick and Ruby Carson. They went out camping last night and they ain’t come back yet. Now, most likely they gonna come in like lost sheep, but with all this commotion going down, me and Brad Eastman have decided we gonna go find these kids.”
He looked at the faces gathered around him; he had them in his palm now.
“Now our search area’s gonna be the Pandy Woods. It’s a big old space, so I want some good volunteers, people who know the area and can track. Anybody who wants to help out be back here in forty minutes and ready to roll. We’re gonna need enough people for at least five groups, maybe five a group.”
“I’d like to take a group,” called out Sarge. “I got me more than enough experience.”
Firth looked at the crowd’s reaction. It wasn’t good, judging by the head shaking and muttering going on. Although he knew Sarge had the experience, he was also a fruit loop and not to be trusted. But with Sarge came the vets’ vote and after all...
“Appreciate that Sarge, but I think you’re gonna be more use in town. We need some people left in charge…”
“Yeah, no offence there Sarge,” cut in Billy Yardman, “but people wouldn’t trust you to fetch them back safe.”
Firth had to agree with Yardman. In fact half the town agreed, though few would admit to it. Sarge was able to help with the patrols in the town and he was good at that, but leading a group in the woods, well that was another thing.
“What makes you all so sure those kids are up there in the first place?”
“Because Sarge, that’s where folk go with their families when they go camping.”
“Families maybe, but the kids all go to Hinckle Point or the old Air Force base and…”
“I’ve told Conrad if I catch him up that air base, I’ll leather his hide. Look Sarge, you got a hell of a lot of experience in military matters but these are kids we’re looking for. And I know that base is the last place to look.”
“Mayor, I’m gonna ask one last time. You go to the woods but let me have some guys and I’ll search the old base. Now that’s fair.”
“Sarge, I don’t have the manpower to waste, besides, no one will go with you. Sorry, but that’s how it is.”
“Did all of you always listen to your folks? I know where I’m headed and I aim to fetch them kids back here.”
Firth watched in silence with the rest of the crowd as Sarge strode off down the street. Turning to Sam Glitz, Firth patted the man’s arm.
“Sam, since we’ve got some time spare, I wanted to talk to you about that second poster of me.”
Firth led Glitz to the print shop; well, business was business after all and he only had two months before the election.
Chapter - Nine
Al Paxmore gripped the edge of his seat as Jill threw the truck around yet another sharp bend. The journey had turned into a white-knuckle ride, but it was the kind of ride you only did the once. It was times like this he wished he’d never taught her to drive. Admittedly, it was vital Jenha get to town; he knew that all too well. There just didn’t seem too much of a point if they all got wiped out on the bends.
“Jill, maybe you could leave some of the damn wheels on the ground next time?” Al griped as he held the sides of his seat.
Before she could reply, a loud commotion erupted from the rear of the truck. Jenha was convulsing violently. Tony reached forward to help her and recoiled in shock as trickles of blood ran from the corners of her eyes.
“Mrs Paxmore you’d better, I mean...!”
Jill shot a glance at the interior mirror; at this speed it was too dangerous to risk anything else. The girl was crying blood!
“Okay, kids,” she called, “don’t panic, I can see the town.”
They were about ten minutes away, but she doubted if the girl would make the journey. Suddenly, Jenha started vomiting. Thick, dark, foul smelling liquid exploded from her tortured face, splashing about the rear of the vehicle. Britney tried to hold the girl’s flailing arms while Tony held her head, just as Jenha vomited directly into his face. Tony drew back and wretched as he wiped his face.
“Jill,
you’d better stop, that kid’s in a bad way,” Al cried out.
“Can’t. She’ll never make town if I do,” came the frantic reply.
Al knew that was the truth. They just had to keep going.
“You kids hold on,” he called as Jill threw the truck around another bend.
He turned around in his seat for a better view of the scene behind. Jenha had stopped convulsing but her body was still shaking. It kinda reminded him of the way you get with the flu, all shaky, but there the resemblance stopped. This was like no flu he’d ever seen. The boy was covered in gunk, his hair, eyes and even his mouth. It made Al want to throw up just looking at him. He’d always thought Britney a snob but looking at her now, she seemed a different kid. She was covered in Lord knows what, but she’d stuck with the others.
The stink in the car reminded him of diapers and rotten meat and he quickly cranked down the window. The rush of air did nothing to take the stench away. Everything seemed a whole lot calmer now; the girl had stopped moving about. It was a hell of a way to start the day.
“Mrs Paxmore,” Britney called softly, “I think Jenha’s stopped breathing…”
“Britney, I want you to check for a pulse. Can you do that for me honey?”
Jill shot a sideways glance at Al then back at the girl. She could try CPR but it was not something she’d relish. Just then, Tony cried out.
“No, she’s all right. Look, she’s moving her hand. It’s okay.”
Britney desperately felt for a pulse – any pulse. “Yeah, yeah I got it!”
She looked at her friend, draped on the seat just like a ragdoll, head slumped on her chest. She wished that above all else she’d made more time for the girl. The truth was she’d hardly even noticed her before this. Jenha didn’t have any money; she was a nothing and nobody. When they’d set off yesterday, she’d just been the one with the tent.
Jenha Galway made a sudden rasping noise in the back of her throat and lifted her eyelids revealing a set of colourless orbs. Shakily she moved her head around to look at Tony, and then peeled her lips back over her teeth in a cruel snarl. Like a creature possessed, she began to claw at his face.
It was the noise coming from the girl that affected Al the most. Her voice didn’t seem right any more. Hell, it didn’t even sound human any more. The snarling shriek chilled him to the bone.
“Pull over, we gotta calm her down!”
As Jill was about to stop the truck she felt her head jerk backwards as Jenha caught hold of her long auburn hair. Al and Jill fought to break the demented girl’s grip but it was too late; Jill lost control of the truck and ploughed into a roadside fence, sending clouds of dust into the air and bringing the truck to an abrupt halt.
****
Ethan Mason watched with interest as the situation developed outside the Town Hall. Eastman and Benteen had been arguing with Tony Firth, but they’d been too far away for him to hear. Was it only him who could see the disdain those two had for each other? There was trouble heading their way. Big trouble.
It looked as if half the town had turned up to see the search party off. Some were genuine well-wishers, others were there because they didn’t have any place else to be. He looked around the group; pretty much all white folk. But Armstrong was like that. He’d spent his whole life here but Monica, his wife, was from Houston and she’d always been uneasy about there being so few black people. She’d moved back with the girls some months ago because the Armstrong branch of the bank had shut and she’d had to transfer. At least that had been what they’d told people. They’d found it difficult to sell the house and so he’d decided to stick with the General Store for the time being. He’d tried Wal-Mart for a while but George Lee gave him the creeps. He was one of those survivalist nuts and he carried a hunting knife with him, everywhere. Even as a kid he’d been odd. Mason liked it where he was and he had a good friend in Al Paxmore who also worked there at the store.
The group of roughly twenty-five or so volunteers had gathered around a collection of four-by-fours as they waited for Benteen to fetch some extra CB sets. Mason squinted up at the midday sun perched above the Town Hall. This was going to be hot work and all because of that little runt, Conrad Firth. He’d led the others on a merry ride, lied to his folks and then got lost. What a bum.
Mason recalled the time Conrad Firth had stolen from the General Store. Oscar had wanted to tell the cops but Firth’s old man had done some kinda deal and Oscar got the planning permission for his lock-up. That was how Tony Firth did a lot of his business. He watched as Firth worked the crowd, shaking hands, smiling and joking. What a sleaze. No wonder Eastman had left Benteen to deal with him. The two cops were like a double act, but they kept the town safe. Benteen and Firth moved to the front of the group just as Mason began to think he’d melt.
“Okay folks, can I have your attention? First of all we appreciate so many of you coming forward today. Now we all know why we’re here and we know what it is we gotta do, so I’m gonna let Gerard here say some words.”
“Thank you Mayor. Okay, just so as no one forgets what we said. There are four groups: the Mayor, Deputy Chattman, Kate Black and me. Each group got one police radio and a few CB sets. Now listen up, real careful. You gotta keep a watch on the range of these things. If you go too far you gonna be out of range, then you gonna need to use the flares. Just remember to fire them things towards the town. We ain’t fixing to have no forest fires out there. It’s hot and dry. Each of us got our own areas to cover, just use the maps. Ain’t no need for anybody to get themselves lost out there.”
Well at least with Benteen running the show things would get done properly, thought Mason. He looked at Mitch Chattman and Kate Black. Two college kids but they were smart and Kate used to run his kids’ swimming lessons. He liked her. He’d seen Sarge all done up in his army gear earlier and Mason was glad he’d gone off on his own. That kinda guy could be bad news, real quick. Suddenly, to his left he could see Frank Jorgan and his boys making their way through the crowd to Benteen’s group.
“Sorry we’re late Gerard... uh Mr Mayor, only my Nancy done taken sick.”
“No bother. Frank I’m gonna ask you and the boys to leave the guns in the truck. We don’t need any guns; we’re looking for kids, not bears. Right, anyone got themselves anything to say?”
Mason looked around him but no one had anything to say except Firth.
“Lenny’s here to take a couple of shots for the paper, can we get around the Jeeps?”
Mason couldn’t believe it; the man was turning the whole thing into a PR stunt. He really was priceless. Mason looked on in disbelief as the search team crowded into the photo shoot. Then after several minutes he heard Benteen calling them to order.
“Okay, if we all quite done now? It’s a quarter after twelve. I want us up at the start position in under half an hour. We gonna work on till six and finish up at position four...”
“Tarnation boy, say where?”
Mason looked around to see who had just spoken, it was Henry York. Henry was a regular at the store and had to be at least eighty plus. Mason glanced over at Benteen to see what he would say.
“Position four is Aldridge farm gates. You sure you up to this, Henry?”
“Yep. You just gotta speak up a bit. Can’t stand all this darn mumbling.”
Mason shrugged his shoulders and blew out hard. He was beginning to wish he’d stayed home.
****
Jill Paxmore opened her eyes as she felt someone tug at her arm. Everything was hazy and the sound around her was just a din. Gradually her hearing returned and she heard Al calling her name.
“Jill! Jill you all right?”
Jill rubbed her painful neck. She knew she’d been out cold. The inside of the car was a mass of swirling dust. Slowly taking the picture in, she could see Al had gashed his arm.
“Al your arm. What...?”
Then with a rush of fear, she remembered what had happened. Her neck hurt too badly for her to look
into the rear of the vehicle. She had to release her seatbelt to do so. Tony was curled into a tight ball in the far left of the truck and Britney was holding a rucksack up against Jenha, who was still raging. She was hurt bad. She’d impaled herself on the fence post Al had taken with them. This was the type of injury that should’ve killed her. The shock, let alone the internal injures ought to have been enough.
“Mrs Paxmore, she’s just like those things that killed Ruby!” Britney yelled.
“Are you and Tony injured, darling?”
Jill’s main concern was for the other two kids. Jenha was way beyond the help Jill could offer up here.
“I think so, but Tony’s all zoned out. I don’t want to look at her anymore.”
It was the eyes that freaked her the most. Dead eyes. All those horrid noises and now this damn wood thing stuck right through her was all too much. Why the hell couldn’t she just pass out or die?
Al looked at the situation; the whole thing was surreal. Pal Yantos’ 2 x 4 fence post was sticking out of this kid’s gut. If that wasn’t enough, the thick brown gunge pooled on the floor was like no blood he’d seen before. What was more, she was still trying to get at the other two kids, moving from one to the other. She reminded him of an eel with its head cut off. Dead, but not knowing its dead. But this was no darn eel.
“Kids, I want you to get out of the truck and come to us. Can you do that for me?”
Britney waited until Jenha’s attention had transferred to Tony, then dropped the bag, un-did her belt and leapt out of the truck. Safely on the road she began attracting Jenha’s attention. To her dismay, Tony just lay on the seat.
“Tony! Tony, get out now! Come on, move your lazy ass!”
Al walked around to the rear door and pulled on the handle only to find it locked from the inside. The only way to get at the boy would be through the truck. He cursed the panic stricken boy under his breath. Al rubbed his hands through his hair and kicked at the ground sending a mini dust cloud into the air. Then he had an idea.
Containment: A Zombie Novel Page 9
