by Josh Vasquez
That was until they entered the main foyer. Two, bright yellow machines graced the showroom’s floor on either side of the room. A massive, spiraling staircase wound up to the second floor, where there was a balcony and what looked like more offices. A walkway crossed over to a platform on the front side of the building. The whole front wall was windows like Jeremy thought. The windows were tinted on this side though, keeping the sun from blaring through. The room was cool too, so it must help with the heat as well. He would not be surprised if they were double-paned.
Good. A zombie wouldn’t be able to break through that.
A lone desk sat in the middle of the room. Probably to greet visitors and the higher-ups visiting the building. They walked over to it. Jeremy leaned over the desk to get a look behind it and gasped.
“What?” Lexx asked.
Jeremy shook his head and walked around to the other side of the desk. They followed him and stopped. Tori put her hand up to her mouth and Ben looked away.
On the ground lay half of the front desk secretary. Her legs were completely gone, her tailbone hanging out of the bottom of her torso. Intestines hung from the open cavity. Her blouse was torn open. She groaned and held up a hand reaching for Jeremy. She was still alive.
“I got it,” Tori said.
She came up to the dead woman and brought the butt end of the shotgun down onto her head. There was a sickening crunch as wood and bone collided. It wasn’t the crunch that got to Jeremy, but the slosh of brain matter afterwards. He threw up.
“You ok?” Tori asked, once he finished.
He nodded. He had seen a lot of gore and gross things the past few days, and maybe it was finally just catching up to him. It was about time he hurled. The only downside was now he was hungry. He tried not to think about it too much. The thought of food was making him feel a little queasy.
It was then he noticed a sign with arrows on it. One arrow pointed to the left and said, “AUDITORIUM” and the other arrow pointed right with the word, “ASSEMBLY” underneath it. Jeremy looked at the others
“Auditorium or assembly?” he asked.
The consensus was auditorium first, assembly on the way back to the truck. They walked to the left of the sign and entered a long hallway. One side was all glass windows, the same as the foyer, and the other wall was filled with pictures telling the history of the company. An old black and white photo of a few men standing next to a tractor caught Jeremy’s eye. They stood there proudly with their workmanship.
Auditorium was an understatement. More like full-fledged theater. A huge projection screen, a stage and rows and rows of cushioned, reclining seats filled the room. There was even a soda fountain. With Coke.
“Oh man, is that Coke?” Lexx said, running over to the machine. He grabbed a cup from the dispenser and put it under the fountain head. Taking a deep breath first, he then pressed the button. Cold, brown liquid began to fill the cup. He began to jump up and down.
“It works! It works! I’m sleeping in here for sure!” he yelled.
The others laughed and went to join him. After finishing their drinks in silence, Jeremy decided to bring up LJ and what they should do with him.
“I’ve been thinking about LJ and I don’t think he has much longer,” he said. “I know I said after what he did, we would find somewhere safe and leave him, but I don’t think we should do that anymore. I doubt he’ll make it through tomorrow, maybe even tonight. I say we just wait for him to turn, put him out of his misery and then make the rest of our journey to Ben’s house.”
He paused waiting for Tori’s rebuttal. She said nothing. They locked eyes, but still nothing.
“Tori, you ok with that?” Jeremy asked.
“Yes. If you think that’s what we should do, than yes. I may have overreacted back at the store. We can wait for him to turn.”
She looked over to Lexx and he nodded. Jeremy began to wonder if Lexx had anything to do with her change of heart. The two seemed closer since the grocery store, but Jeremy had not thought to ask about it yet.
“Good. Any other concerns?” he asked.
Nobody said anything. They were all exhausted. The only concern now was sleep.
“Well, I say we set up camp in here. Those padded seats are looking really comfy right about now, or maybe it’s the fact that we slept in warehouses the past two nights,” Jeremy said.
Everyone chuckled. They were tired, but their spirits were high. They had a safe place for the night and tomorrow they would get out of the city. Things would be good tomorrow. Jeremy started thinking about the fresh eggs again.
Soon.
They eventually made their way back out to the truck. Passing through the assembly area, they learned that they could cut through directly to the loading dock, bypassing all the offices. It was a huge, open room with giant ceiling fans. The blades had to be at least ten feet long each. It was the biggest fan Jeremy had ever seen. There were many workbenches that had a lot of hand tools, and a few power tools were spotted over in a metal cage.
They brought LJ inside and set him up in one of the offices. Lexx handed him a cup of Coke to drink. He was awake, but his fever continued to spike and he was overheating. Lexx left and came back with several cups of ice to help cool the man down. Once they got LJ situated, they informed him that they would come back and check on him before they called it a night, and then again in the morning.
He muttered something about his wife and daughter, then passed out from the exhaustion. The group closed the door behind them when they left and headed back towards the auditorium. They picked up several hand tools while passing through the assembly area, just in case they found anymore straggler z’s and they needed to take them out quietly.
***
Tori leaned back in her chair, stretching out like a cat. She let off a big yawn, which set off a chain reaction of yawning.
“Sorry guys,” she said. “I guess I’m more tired than I thought.”
“It’s okay Tori, I think we’re all tired,” Ben said.
He was munching on some fruit snacks that made the trip from the grocery store. His feet were propped up on the chair in front of him. He was tossing the tiny snacks into the air and catching them in his mouth. The others would applaud when he was successful.
Lexx got up from his seat to go over and fix another cup of Coke. When he sat back down, he had a grin on his face.
“What’s so funny?” Tori asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just love Coke,” he said.
He sat back down and started sipping his drink. Jeremy was happy that they found somewhere safe for the night. As much as he wished they were already at Ben’s place, this was a great secondary option. There was still power here. The plant must be on its own power grid. They had Coke. Which was more important to some than others. And they actually had something comfy to sleep on. Not a makeshift bed on a shelf or a crummy office chair and desk. The theater chairs’ cushions were still plump. They weren’t worn down with overuse like the ones in a normal movie theater. These seats probably don’t get much action.
“I guess we won’t find out what happened to LJ that day he has no memory of.”
Ben broke the peaceful quiet.
“Not that we would, he didn’t even remember,” Tori said.
“Yeah, I know. Maybe he would though. Sorry, I was just thinking out loud.”
“It’s cool man,” said Lexx. “Speaking of the Lumberjack, should we go check on him? I’m getting pretty tired, so I’d like to turn in soon. Screw it. I’ll go check on him.”
“Yeah, that’d be great,” Jeremy answered.
“Don’t look at me. I’m about to fall asleep over here,” Ben added.
Lexx tuned his gaze to Tori. She looked up from her own comfortable spot and shook her head no.
“Do not ask me to leave this very, very comfy spot.”
“Tori, you want to come with me?” he asked.
She let out a groan.
“Ugh. Ok, ok…
”
He smiled as she stood up and they walked out together. Ben sat up for a second and looked over at Jeremy.
“They together?” he mouthed.
“Yeah, I think so,” Jeremy said.
Ben smiled and drifted off to sleep. Jeremy reached for his bag and pulled his Mother’s Bible out of his bag. He flipped through the pages, which were covered in handwritten notes. The thought of maybe finding some help in this thing was soon overpowered by the sight of his mother’s handwriting. He placed the book back in the bag.
I’ll go through that later, he thought.
Her death was still too fresh in his mind. He promised himself that he would read it, just not yet. The Padre’s journal caught his eye. Maybe he could find something encouraging in it. Something to give him hope. He pulled out the leather-bound book and began to read.
***
March 31st, 2011
It has been thirty days since my last contact with the Church. They have ceased all communication with me and according to the priests in the nearby towns, with them as well. I am not sure what is going on. I will continue to shepherd my small flock until I hear from the diocese.
September 13th, 2011
It has now been six months since my last entry and seven months since contact with the Church. The other priests and myself are concerned with the absence of communication with Rome. Our Bishop is missing and I am hearing the rumor that all Bishops of México are missing. Only the local priests are remaining. It seems that the Church has abandoned México all together.
I have arranged to meet with some of the other priests to study the scriptures. As of right now, it is all we have. We will continue to administer the sacraments to our flocks and read from the Holy Scriptures. Praying that we will hear from the Church.
April 4th, 2012
It has now been over a year since contact with anyone outside of México. The other priests and I have given up on hearing anything from Rome. Our flocks have remained faithful, and some, including my own, have actually grown.
In accordance with the scriptures, we have cut back on some of the sacraments, finding them, unnecessary. The Lord’s Table and Baptism have remained staples, as we see them administered in the scriptures. The changes we have made are radical, but Rome has abandoned us, and the scriptures are all we have. They are now our authority.
Not all priests are happy with these changes. They accuse us of dividing the Church and say that we are acting like the reformers of old. Maybe it has something to do with the two Baptist missionaries from the States.
They have been here in the village for several months now, working construction, and helping the locals. At night time, they hold Bible studies and teach the people about the Lord Jesus. I cannot complain as it is bringing the people back into the church. Their house meetings have grown so large that I have allowed them to use the church building for their bible studies.
I must admit, that even I have taken many notes from them. Their knowledge of the word is extensive, even more extensive than my own church training. They have recommended and gifted books to me by men named Piper and MacArthur. MacArthur’s commentaries on the New Testament have proved to be invaluable in my teaching Mass. Piper’s are weighty, and at times, it seems that there are more footnotes than actual writing. But they are still ripe with information.
I feel as if the Father has sent these two missionaries here to us. May He be praised. When Rome abandoned us, the Father did not.
August 13th, 2012
Our two friends are leaving tomorrow to head back to their home in the States. It has been a great blessing having them here with us. The people and I are greatly excited to get to work in spreading the Gospel throughout México. A true revival has happened here and in the neighboring villages.
Travis and Daniel, who the locals have taken to calling ‘Paul and Barnabas’, have invited me to come visit them in their hometown of Savannah, Georgia sometime, and to be a missionary there. Ha! Me? A missionary to the United States? I asked them if that was even needed and they said, “Yes. Sadly so.”
Maybe. Maybe one day I will journey to America.
November 3rd, 2012
My bags are packed and I am ready to head north to Savannah, Georgia! Since our missionary friends have left, I have had many men step up in the church who are helping me lead our ever growing flock. I am confident in them that they will take care of things while I am gone.
I am lucky to have been practicing my English for so long, that hopefully I will not need a translator! The journey will be long and it will take me a few weeks to reach my destination, but by God’s grace, I will get there!
Jeremy closed the journal after reading the last entry. His mind raced with the Padre’s story. How the church abandoned him and how God provided two missionaries to fill the hole. Some of what the Padre said seemed to make more sense now. That God knew what he was doing, even when it seemed like he was not there. Jeremy didn’t feel the comfort like he wanted, but he did feel a peace about things. Not that things were great, but that maybe everything would eventually be okay. Maybe they would be alright. The thoughts continued to swirl around in his head until he felt his eyes begin to grow heavy and soon he was fast asleep.
***
It was not long into their journey before Tori had Lexx pressed up against the wall. She was definitely the more aggressive one, which she liked. The fact that he wasn’t pushing her, made her only want him more. Even when her hand would move a little too far south, he would grab it firmly, and place it back on his chest. These small gestures made her want him even more.
“Hey, hey” Lexx said, pushing her back so he could get some oxygen. “Let’s slow down just a little.”
“Said no guy ever,” she responded somewhat annoyed.
“I said just a little.”
His hand slid down her back, ending with him grabbing a cheekful. She went back to push him against the wall, but he sidestepped her.
“For real though,” he continued. “Let’s at least go check on LJ first.”
“I do not get you Lexx,” she said as she began to walk away from him down the hall. “Here I am practically throwing myself on you and you want to take it slow.”
“And I appreciate that Victoria, but I would rather go check on the man first, and then give you my undivided attention. Plus, I’m enjoying the anticipation that’s building up here between us.”
“Are you stringing me along, Lexington?”
“Maybe,” he said with a coy smile.
“You rat bastard.”
She playfully punched him in the arm.
Fine, she thought. If that’s the game he wants to play, then two can play that game.
She walked away, slightly shaking her hips as she went. She knew he was watching her because he lingered a minute before catching up to her.
When they got to the office where LJ was staying, they paused for a moment at the door. LJ could be heard through the door mumbling to himself. Lexx leaned in to try and get a better listen, but he shook his head. He couldn’t make out what the man was saying.
“Here we go,” Lexx said as he reached for the door handle.
LJ was tucked into the corner of the room, asleep in the fetal position. He was drenched in sweat and shivering. The fever must have grown worse since they left him. The shivering was borderline convulsions. He had been talking in his sleep and his mumbling was much more intelligible now.
“Killed them. Killed them all. I did it. I did it. I killed them all.”
Tori looked at Lexx.
“He must be talking about the zombies at the port,” Lexx said.
Tori nodded as she leaned in to feel the man’s forehead. It was burning up, but slick with perspiration. She wiped her hand on the back of Lexx’s leg. He turned and gave her a disgusted look. She giggled. This caused LJ to stir and turn over to his other side, so he was facing away from them.
“Alright, let’s go. There’s not much we can do for him. W
e’ll come back and check on him in the morning,” Tori said, standing up.
Lexx nodded and they retreated to the doorway. LJ began to mumble again. They stopped to listen to the man sleep talk.
“I did it. I did it. Killed them. Killed Burton. Killed the girls. Killed everyone. I did it. I did it.”
Horror crept up on their faces as LJ began to rant about having killed his friend and everyone there with him at the port. The man went on for a few moments before finally relaxing and falling into a deep sleep. Tori grabbed Lexx by the arm and pulled him outside. She closed the door and pushed a nearby large trash can in front of it.
“What. The. Fuck,” she said. “That’s what happened? He killed everyone? That’s what he doesn’t remember? How do you forget that?”
Lexx shook his head. He was trying to wrap his head around the situation.
“I knew this guy was bad news. I fucking knew it,” she continued. “We gotta go tell Jeremy and Ben.”
“Hold on,” Lexx finally said. “We’ll tell them in the morning. He’s not going anywhere and he’s not much of a threat now. You saw him. The guy’s on the verge of death. We’ll deal with it tomorrow.”
She seemed hesitant to his response, but he watched as it slowly sunk in. She nodded. She didn’t like it, but she nodded. She knew Lexx had a point. The guy was not going anywhere. And the important thing was: She was right.
“How do you just block killing everyone around you from your memory though?” she asked as they walked back to the theater.
“He must have freaked out when he got the call from his wife. What did Jeremy call it, “the rage?” Maybe that’s what happened.”
He shrugged. She knew that Jeremy had mentioned the whole “rage” thing, but she didn’t know what to think of it. She hadn’t experienced it, neither had Ben or Lexx. Maybe it only happens in time of extreme grief. She just didn’t know. And she did not like that.
