"Dad? There are people here." Francis sounded nervous, but not too scared. They were safe here, and she couldn’t hear anyone in the hallway.
Jack was rummaging through the boxes of books behind her.
Hunter was fast, and alert, "What you mean?"
Francis explained. "People came out of the Lake, there were… Thousands. There's something wrong with them. They walked together, like a crowd at a black Friday sale. The principal locked down the school. I don't know what they are doing out there." Francis said, her words were quick. She glanced back at Jack.
He shoved a pile of books over, and started digging through another box.
Hunter said, "Can you barricade the door. Are you safe?"
"Yes. I ran to the kindergarten classroom, so I'm with Jack. And his teacher…" Francis paused. "There are snacks, and a bathroom. I think we can sit tight for a while. I don’t want you to worry, I mean, We’re safe right now." She looked over at her little brother, who found what he was looking for, and was grinning hard, turning to her.
Hunter coughed nervously. "You are going to have to sit tight for a while. I don't know how long, I'm in a bit of a situation myself. These people… I don't want you to worry Francis, but I can't come right now. I will come rescue you soon." He promised his daughter.
Jack started tugging at her arm, “Let’s read!” he mouthed silently.
Francis blew out her mouth slowly. "Okay, so you can’t come yet. Are you okay?” She turned her back to her little brother, hoping she could finish the conversation with her dad.
“I’m okay.” He said, trying to give her confidence. “I’m just going to be delayed. But I will come.”
“Okay dad." Francis said.
Jack shoved her, and she shoved him back. “Let’s read!” he mouthed again.
"I have to go read Jack a book. We’re gonna do an art project in a minute. I’ll try to keep us busy." Francis said quickly, she had to go before Jack went really nuts.
"Okay, I love you." Hunter tried really hard to scrape the fear from his voice.
"I love you too dad." Said Francis, and she hung up.
Francis looked at the door, then though about all of the people outside. “We need to barricade ourselves in.” Francis told Mrs. Graham and she agreed.
Francis and Mrs. Graham pushed a bookcase in front of the door, fortifying the room as much as possible. With the bookcase in front of the door, surely, they could wait to be rescued.
“We’ve done all we can, now we try to stay calm… And wait.” Mrs. Graham said in an upbeat kindergarten teacher way but she gave Francis super nervous smile.
Francis sat down with her brother, and started to read, “Oh the places you’ll go.”
Hunter was so angry he could practically stomp on his hat. He took a deep breath, shaking his head furiously. The sick were swarming the church, he didn’t care much about the church, be he needed to get to his kids. He had promised Karen and Francis, and they couldn’t wait forever.
But his phone rang.
“Francis?” Hunter answered quickly.
“Hi dad.” She said nervously. “Are you still coming? It’s been hours.”
“Yes.” Then he paused, “I’m with your Grandpa Malcom and Grandma Joyce. I had to check on them. They are doing great. Are you guys doing okay?”
“Yeah dad. We are playing puzzles and stuff. I just got worried that maybe you turned into… a sick person.” She said, relief in her voice.
“Never, honey. You stay put, I just have a lot of… people to get around to get to you, but I promise I will see you before nightfall. I promise.” He paused. “Baby, I love you but, I gotta get back to it.”
“Okay dad. I’m not worried, they can’t get in. We’re safe. We can wait. Even if it’s tomorrow. We can wait. We have a toilet and everything. Take your time, be safe.” Francis said quickly. “I love you. Bye.”
Hunted nodded slowly. “Bye honey.”
Well, he didn’t have much of a choice. He’d have to take his time.
He glanced down at his phone, he had three bars. Quickly he called Karen. “Hey, are you guys okay?”
“Yeah, we’re fine. Hank’s been watching Delilah and we’ve been taking bets on which fingernail she is gonna break first.” She said, with an awkward laugh. “A bit morbid, but I think it sounds worse than it is. We’re just bored, but we are safe. I don’t think anything bad is going to happen to us. Did you get the kids?”
“I stopped by the church, your parents are here. Uh, I’m a little stuck here at the moment, but frankly, I’m a lot closer then I was before.” Said Hunter, and he realized his chest was relaxing a little. For a morning filled with fear maybe he could breath for a second.
“Okay, well, go there first, we’re fine. I sharpened my fluoride sign, so I’m even armed now.” Karen said with a smug grin.
The idea of that sign protecting her made him laugh. “I suppose so.” Relief filled Hunter. Everyone was safe. “Sooner I can hang up the sooner I can get to you and the kids. Love you Karen.” Hunter told her.
“I love you too.” Karen replied then hung up.
All he had to do was get them together. Hunter straightened hat and adjusted his holster. “Joyce. How many of them are there?”
“Too many.” Said Joyce, and there was clear fear in her voice. “I mean… How far does the crowd go? Does it go past the light pole?”
Hunter’s idea would require that the crowd filled the entire square of the church, but did not go past the light pole on the edge of the parking lot. If they were past the light pole, he wasn’t sure what his plan would be.
“No, the crowd is not that thick. Mostly because their surrounding us.” Said Joyce, watching the crowd slowly filter around the church they could feel the building start groan as it was pushed on from all sides in slow heaving motions. Dust fell from the ceiling.
“Okay.” Hunter nodded and he tried to imagine the outside of the building. It only difference this time he may have some equipment.
“Do you remember that Fourth of July party?” Hunter asked.
Joyce eyes went wide. “You can’t!”
“Oh yes I can.” Hunter grinned.
Malcolm resurface from turning off the bell. “He can’t what?”
“Do you remember that Fourth of July party?” Hunter repeated, this time grinning even better.
Joyce said, “No!”
“Yes!” Said Malcolm, at the same time his wife. He glanced at her. “Joyce, if you don’t want to watch… You don’t have to.”
Joyce’s hands popped onto her hips angrily. “You don’t have anything set up. He’s not even wearing a helmet!”
“Relax, it’s not like we are going to shoot him out of a cannon.” Said Malcolm. “Besides… We’ve already done this. It’ll be… About as safe.”
“As safe … as safe?” Shouted Joyce, her voice raising into an octave higher. “Sebastian broke his foot! And that was before there were crazy people trying to eat him! It’s more dangerous now.”
Malcolm sighed and rubbed his fingertips into his temples. “Joyce, if Hunter thinks will be fine, I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Malcolm looked at Hunter.
Hunter grinned and swallowed. “Besides, these people knock down buildings. So if I don’t get them to move, then this church is toast.” Said Hunter nervously. He coughed, trying not to let noise Joyce see how worried he was. But the truth was, he was terrified. He wasn’t even sure they could set up the zip line without a person at both ends.
They went up to the second floor, to the Sunday school room. Hunter glanced at the drawing from Francis and Jack, still pinned to the corkboard.
Malcom looked out the window. “I think it’s all still set up.”
“Are you serious?” Said Hunter. “It’s still up? Won’t it be… sun damaged? It’s nearly been a year in the elements.”
“Don’t know.” Said Malcolm. “Geeze Louise, I forgot to take the darn thing down. The party was right before the Millers got sick with cancer, and I
was going over and helping with their children. Then I just plum forgot.” Malcom scratched his head and awkwardly smiled. “At least we don’t have to set it up.”
“Okay,” said Hunter. He coughed and then added. “If I don’t make it, save the kids.”
Malcolm nodded. “You’ll make it.” He said a quick prayer and blessing over Hunter, and they slowly started to set up the harness. The harness had thankfully been stored inside, and looked almost brand-new. In fact, two years earlier when they had the big party Hunter, and Sebastian were the only two people to go down the zip line. After Sebastian broke his foot everyone decided it just was too fast, too steep, too dangerous.
Well, Joyce had decided. She was a bit of a flighty woman, and terrified the church would end up in a lawsuit. They were lucky… That’s what she said. Lucky that only their own child had been the only one hurt.
Malcolm, compliantly agreed.
He looked at the thick coil of cabling that was still attached to the roof outside the window. It didn’t look frayed, which was good. But it didn’t exactly look new either. There was a thin layer of rust on the cable. “It looks great.” Said Hunter, trying to believe it himself. “I’m sure it will be fine.” Hunter nodded. He glanced down at the cable running all the way to the light pole.
Then carefully at the mob forming below.
Joyce was right, they weren’t quite to the light pole, but they were close enough that he wondered if they would be able to grab him on the way by. He wiggled the cable a little bit, tiny rust flecks fell down, but none of the infected even looked up.
“You and Joyce need to stay here. I will try to draw them away. If you see any healthy people, let them in. I’ll bring Karen and Hank and the children here, after I rescue everyone.” Said Hunter, overly confident.
Malcolm coughed quietly. “What happens if you don’t make it back?”
“Then rescue whoever you can, but start with my children.” Hunter said. He looked over at his father-in-law and hugged him. “These are trying times, my friend.”
Malcom had serious look on this face. “Yes.”
It took them a minute to remember how to hook the harness back to the wire, and Hank stood on the windowsill nervously looking out over the crowd.
The mob was all covered in blood.
It was hard to ignore it, their nearly silent clicking teeth and the bloody trails behind them. Hunter close his eyes and tried not to look at them. Hopefully he could make it to the light pole, without them grabbing him. If he could do it, then Malcolm and Joyce could later, if he couldn’t draw the crowd away. Thankfully he still had doc’s car, with all the squealing obnoxious noises.
“Good luck!” Hunter said to Malcolm.
“I think you’ll need it more than me.” Hunter winked as he stepped out the window, the cable holding his weight. It didn’t make much noise, and he kept his mouth tightly shut, terrified he would draw the crowd before he was ready.
The cable stretched under the weight of the man. Hunter could feel himself sinking quickly, lower than he expected. He glanced down and he whizzed closer and closer to the crowd. His nerves suddenly start to get the best of him, and he made a tiny squeak of fear.
A few of the herd turned their faces up toward him. He wasn’t sure they could see him though, isn’t that what Doc said? They couldn’t see?
But he was still moving, sliding overhead the thousands of people that swarming around the church. One hand was on his hat, and the other clung to his gun, even though he couldn’t imagine that he shoot anyone and help himself. He didn’t have enough bullets to stop a mob, and any gunfire would surely draw them all.
Almost past them, only twenty or so people to go, but the cable was sagging, he was getting too close.
He tried to pull himself up, so his legs wouldn’t hit anyone. It was too late.
As a bowling ball hits pins, he knocked ten people over.
He was quickly running, still attached the cable running towards the light pole. Panic had fully enveloped him, and the people were tangled together opening and closing their mouths reaching their hands out for that him.
The entire herd, slowly turning in his direction.
Fear was so high that he managed to slide up the cable again, towards the light pole. He almost forgot to unclip the harness. He yanked at the straps, the mob moving closer. They hadn’t bitten him yet, but he had too much attention on him.
He managed to get out of the harness, and started running full speed to the Doc’s car. He climbed in, the door screaming open. Panic was racing in his burning lungs. His hand was shaking, and he dropped the keys, and then finally got them in the ignition. It let out its whiny noise, but it did not start.
He turned the key again pumping the gas pedal, but the car just screamed. The engine did not catch.
The herd was already starting to climb on the car.
Sweat was dripping down his brow, he turned the key again, desperate. The herd was surrounding him, mobbing the building or mobbing his vehicle. He heard the crash of his windshield shatter as the blond woman in front bashed her head violently on the glass. Faces and hands in blood and gore surrounded him. He tried not to look. Panic was overwhelming and he turned the key again honking in anger. “Start!” He begged.
The car didn’t start … it was dead.
Hunter killed the car with his lifesaving but reckless driving. Hands reached through the glassless windshield for him, he’s scrambled back in the car trying to get away from them.
Just then, the bell rang.
The church bell rang for the second time that day. In the herd stopped descending on his car, and turned back to the massive building. Malcolm must’ve seen he needed help.
It was like the sound was drawing them in.
Hunter put his hand to his pounding chest terrified that it was going to explode and closed his eyes, praying that the car would start. As the herd slowly swarmed towards the church.
He tried the keys again, this time nothing. Not even a groan in pain.
Hunter was nearly in tears; his adrenaline had been crushing his heart. What could I do now, I have no car?
When he opened his eyes, the windshield was so shattered, that he could see a chunk was missing. Blood drops dripped down from the infected. If they had he would’ve been reborn as the sick.
He tried to keep it together, think of Jack, Francis, Karen and my dad, Hunter told himself. But tears trickled down his face. Suck those tears up! Hank’s voice ran through his mind. They need you! Hunter knew he could do this, no! He would do this. It’s his family. It’s his town. It’s his job.
He slipped out of his fear and slid to the passenger seat then slowly opened the door the farthest away from the church. It squealed a little, but not as loud as the driver door. Thankfully with the bell tolling, the sick, the herd they didn’t seem to notice.
How am I going to draw them away so that Malcolm and Joyce would be safe?
He glanced at the church and saw Joyce in the window staring at him. He took off his hat and waved in a friendly manner, tears still streaking down his face.
She waved back. That little act of humanity reinvigorated him. He straightened his hat and got himself together. Move the herd, save the kids, save his wife. It wasn’t even 1 o’clock yet.
Hunter stared at the herd, he needed a trick that was better than his last one. It seemed that they would follow loud sounds, but they wouldn’t all fall in a ditch one after another like lemmings, he’d learned that at the pit. He straightened his hat and stared.
There had to be thousands of them.
The herd he had tried to drop in the pit was small compared to this one.
He’d have to be clever, they had some sort of group intelligence he didn’t understand.
Hunter looked away from the church and down to the town. Slowly the infected were filtering out of the town and heading towards the church. He wondered if the big old building could hold against all of infected once they got to the church. T
he church was solid, and made out of brick, but still, hard to tell if it could hold. They had been going to church with Karen’s family ever since he started dating her. Their wedding was at this very building, that was now swarmed with a herd of people.
He wondered if he’d ever feel that sense of community again.
Now, they were turned into a crowd of rabid, sick people. Hunter adjusted his hat, and frowned. How could he get the herd to move without killing anyone? He’d need something noisy, with bells and whistles. He glanced up at the bell at the top of the church. Something really noisy.
He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his damp, salt and pepper hair. He glanced down at the town.
Hunter was shocked to see Mrs. Richardson in the infected herd from the town. Mrs. Richardson. She had been wheelchair-bound the last time he had seen her. She is always a nice little old lady, said to be in her 90s. She would always sit behind them at church. Sebastian would pick her up every morning for church, once she lost the ability to drive.
Hunter was fairly certain that Malcolm still visited her at least once a month. She’s such a sweet old lady. He remembered these tiny crocheted booties that she had handstitched for Francis. She wasn’t in her wheelchair anymore. She was walking, but not quite upright. Her back in a gnarled shape. Her legs were complaining at every step, bending at strange angles. But yet, she was moving forward. Slowly joining the crowd at the church.
He stared at her.
How could this virus make someone so frail able to stand?
He blinked repeatedly, trying to clear the hallucination. But still she walked, dragging a red strap behind her. He stared at the clattering strap behind her, wondering why it looked so familiar.
Slowly his brain started to make sense of it, it wasn’t a strap. It was red suspenders. She walked through red suspenders. But nobody wore suspenders anymore. Nobody except for the firemen.
Hunter’s eyes went wide, as he suddenly realized what he needed to do. He could use a fire truck to draw the herd away from the church. The herd could move away from the church… into the already cleared countryside. Then he could make his way across to the school quite quickly.
They Are Zillions (Book 2): Zurrounded Page 2
