“Sounds like the ship is dying,” Shanna said.
“Is there any danger of a meltdown?” Derek asked.
“Yes,” John said.
“Are you serious?” Amy said. “Shouldn’t we get out of town and away from that ship as soon as possible?”
“Yes,” John said. “We should. But that ship is our ticket out of here. There are still two fully fueled and stocked Seahawks on the flight deck.”
“Wait a minute,” Amy said. “You’re not suggesting we...”
“That’s exactly what I’m suggesting,” John interrupted. “We have to go get one of those aircraft.”
“That’s suicide,” the Rector said.
“That’s where you come in,” Derek said laughing. “Pray...”
“Right...” John said grinning.
“John and I will go,” Derek said.
“That’s my ship and I’m going with you,” Shanna said.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Derek said.
“Why?” Shanna said.
“Because you’re a loose canon,” Derek said. “It’s too risky.”
“Either I go with you or I go alone,” she spat.
John and Derek looked at each other. Derek looked down at his feet and shook his head.
“Get ready,” John said to Shanna. “You can go... but you’ll do it our way. No freelancing.”
“Fine...” Shanna said leaving the tower to retrieve her weapon.
She was excited to be going with them. She thought this was her chance to repair her relationship with the two men.
“Derek?” John said after she left.
“Whatever,” Derek said with a frown not happy at the idea of taking her with them. “If she screws up she’s going to get one of us killed.”
“Do you guys really need to do this?” Amy said.
“This is our chance to get out of here,” John said. “And besides, I don’t want to be within one hundred miles of that ship if there is a problem with the nuclear reactors.”
“Is that possible?” Amy asked.
“Absolutely,” John said.
“I thought they had safe guards to prevent that from happening,” Derek said.
“They do.” John said. “But I don’t know if all that works if there is no-one left to operate it.”
“How long before it could become a problem?” Amy asked.
“Well...” John said thinking for a moment. “Could be seconds, minutes, hours or even days. Hell the ship’s safe guards could all work perfectly and it may not be a problem for years. I don’t think we can take that chance though.”
Another mechanical groan came from deep within the ship. They turned to see a blast of steam exit a vent on the port side.
“I agree,” Derek said. “That did not sound good.”
“Why don’t we just take a car or van out of here?” Amy said.
“Because,” Derek answered. “We can get to where we’re going much quicker and safer in the air.”
“Right...” John said.
“And besides,” Derek continued. “Zombies can’t fly...”
“Exactly,” John said smiling.
“I have the keys to a car parked out on the street,” the Rector said. “Do you want to take it?”
“No,” John said. “The last thing we want to do is get the attention of that large mob of dead we had to go around to get here.”
“We need to make this trip in stealth mode,” Derek said.
“Amy have everything ready to go. We’ll land at the intersection there,” John said pointing down to the intersection of Broad and Meeting Streets.
“You guys act like this is a done deal.” Amy said.
Derek and John looked at each other and back to Amy.
“Failure’s not an option,” Derek said. “So why even consider it?”
“Right...” John said.
But inside John was concerned.
“How long will it take?” Amy asked.
“I don’t know. Just be ready,” John said. “You can watch from here. As soon as we get the helicopter powered up I’ll turn the lights on. You’ll see it.”
“Are you sure there’s enough room to land?” the Rector said.
“It’ll be tight, but it can be done,” John said. “When you hear us approaching light flares.”
“I’ll handle that,” the Rector said. “Under the circumstances, I think I will be leaving with you this time.”
“Excellent. Wherever we end up... we’ll find you another church,” John said. “I still have the key to the front side gate. We’ll head out from there.”
“Just make sure you lock it back once you’re outside,” the Rector said.
“We will,” John said.
“When you do get back and we’re all safely in the air,“ Amy said, “where are we going to go?”
“I don’t know,” John said. “We’ll talk about it once we’re in the air.”
“If we’re going to do this we need to do it soon,” Derek said looking at his watch. “We leave in thirty minutes. That gives us time to ammo up and get ready.”
“Ok,” John said. “You guys go ahead. I want to talk to Amy for a minute then I’ll be down.”
Derek and the Rector left the tower and made their way back down to the balcony. Derek checked their weapons and loaded ammo into a backpack along with some water.
“Is that going to be enough water?” Shanna asked.
“You’re not going to have much time to stop and drink water. And, if you have to pee you better do it now,” Derek said.
Shanna left to go to the bathroom. Derek continued to ready their equipment.
Amy could see the worried look on John’s face.
“What’s wrong?” she said.
“What if we don’t come back?” John said.
“John, what are you talking about?” Amy said. “You’re coming back. You hear me? It’s not like you to say something like that.”
John put his forehead against hers and took a deep breath.
“What if something happens and I’m not here to protect you and Jimmy?” John said. “Like I wasn’t there to protect Susan and my unborn child...”
“John we’ve discussed this. You can’t blame yourself,” Amy said. “It’s not your fault.”
“You don’t understand...”
“That’s where you’re wrong...” Amy said. “I understand completely.”
“What do you mean?”
Amy grabbed John’s hand and squeezed it tight..
“Sit down...” she said leading him to the bench on one side of the tower. “We’ve been so busy... just surviving, you really don’t know that much about my past.”
“Nothing that happened before we found each other matters now,” John said. “It’s not important.”
“But it is John,” she said looking into his eyes. “When I was younger I made some poor decisions. I was into drugs for a while. Drinking. Hanging out with the wrong crowd. My Grandmother was the only one who never lost faith. My parents gave up on me.”
“I’m sorry,” John said.
“It’s ok,” Amy said. “We barely talked for years. I only came around when I needed something. They didn’t trust me. I had one failed relationship after another. I was always with someone for the wrong reason. And then... I realized I had to make some changes. My Grandmother got me into rehab two years ago.”
“Your Grandmother must have been a good woman,” John said.
“She was. I can’t tell you how many times my Mom and Dad refused to help me but she always came through. If not for her I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
“Why wouldn’t your parents help you?”
“They tried. But after a while... after I lied to them and let them down over and over they just stopped trying. They still loved me, they just couldn’t take the heart break any longer... Anyway, when this started I had finally put myself back together and they were back in my life. It was a trust
but verify type of relationship but we were working on it. We were finally getting there... and then... all this ruined it.”
Amy cried. Tears ran down her face. John wiped them away with his hand.
“I’m so sorry,” John said.
“That’s not everything. The reason I said I do understand is... I had a child too. A little girl. I gave her up for adoption. I had to. I couldn’t take care of her. For a long time it felt like she died. My Mom and Dad didn’t even know about it,” Amy said sobbing. “The couple adopting her were there when she was born. So was my Grandmother. She begged me to keep her. She said she would help me with her. I just couldn’t do it. They let me hold her for a few minutes then took her from me. That was the last time I saw her. I haven’t been able to bring myself to hold another baby since then. It hurts too much. It was the biggest mistake of my life. And now... now I’ll never have children. I’ll never know what it’s like to hold my own child. To raise my own child. To be a real Mother.”
“We can have a child together,” John said.
“No John we can’t... we can’t raise a child in this world.”
“Why not,” John said.
“Look around,” Amy said still crying and sweeping her arm around the city. “This city is dead. The world is dead. And it’s just a matter of time until we’re dead. We can’t bring a child into this.”
“Don’t think like that.”
“It’s useless John.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” John said sternly. “What our odds are I have no idea, but... we’re not giving up that easy. If I don’t make it back I can guarantee you I’ll go down fighting.”
John put his arms around her and hugged her tight.
“John!” Derek shouted from the bottom of the stairs. “We have to go.”
Amy reached out and touched his face. Their eyes met. Nothing else needed to be said. John kissed Amy and handed her the binoculars.
“Keep your eyes on that flight deck. When you see us take off, get down to the street and get ready for us to land. We’ll be back,” John said. “We will be back...”
“I know you will,” Amy said wiping the tears from her eyes.
John kissed her again and left to join Derek.
“John we can’t afford to have Shanna screw this up,” Derek said.
“Don’t worry,” John said. “I think once we’re out there she’ll fall in line. She won’t have a choice.”
John turned to Jimmy who had been quietly sitting on the floor. Still upset at losing Suzie. He knelt down beside him.
“You ok buddy?” he said.
Jimmy looked up slowly. “It’s my fault,” he said. “I should have been holding her tighter.”
“It’s not your fault Jimmy.” John said. “We’ll get you another dog. I promise.”
“Yeah,” Derek said. “It’s not your fault.”
Jimmy’s eyes watered. “Ok...” he answered weakly.
“Jimmy, Derek and I are going to go get another helicopter so we can leave here and go to a safe place, ok,” John said. “I need you to watch over Amy while we’re gone ok?”
Jimmy looked up. “I will.”
“We’ll see you soon ok?” John said.
“Ok.”
Shanna returned from the bathroom. “Where is Amy?” she asked.
“She’s in the tower,” John said.
Shanna left them and went up to the tower. Amy was looking at the Truman through the binoculars.
“Hey,” Shanna said softly.
Amy turned around to face her.
“I would like to apologize for earlier,” Shanna said. “I’m sorry. We’ve all lost everything we had and I guess I was taking it out on you guys.”
Shanna stuck her hand out to Amy. Amy refused the handshake and hugged her instead.
“Accepted,” she said. “I’m sorry for what I said too.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” Shanna said. “You had every right to be angry with me.”
“I could have handled it differently,” Amy said.
“It’s OK,” Shanna said. “Are we good?”
“Yes,” Amy said. “We’re good. Be careful...”
“Thanks.”
Shanna went back down to join Derek and John.
“Are we ready?” she asked.
“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Derek said.
“Good. Lets do it,” John answered. “We’ll leave from the front gate, go left for about three hundred yards then bear left again. From there it’s another maybe two hundred and fifty yards to East Bay Street. The carrier will be about one hundred yards from there.”
“Then what?” Shanna said.
“Then we find a way onto the ship, take a helicopter, fly back to the church, pick up the others and get the hell out of here,” Derek said. “Simple...”
“Right...” John said grinning. “Simple...”
“I wish I had your confidence,” Shanna said.
There was a moment of silence as the three stood looking at each other. Shanna sensed their unease at taking her with them.
“It’s OK guys,” she said. “I won’t let you down this time. I promise.”
John looked at Derek.
“I believe you,” John said.
The Rector re-joined them.
“Be careful,” he said shaking their hands. “I know you can pull this off.”
John nodded and looked at Derek and Shanna. “It’s almost dark. Lets go...”
11
The Coachman
-------------------------------------------悪魔死--------------------------John pulled the key from his pocket and stared at it. He turned it over several times in his hand and looked at Shanna and Derek.
“Are you guys ready for this?” he whispered.
“Damn right,” Derek answered.
“Ready,” Shanna said. “I’m sorry for being such a hard ass before.”
John and Derek looked at her and nodded.
“Don’t worry about it,” Derek said. “To pull this off we have to work as a team.”
“I get it...” Shanna said looking both in the eye. “I really am sorry. It’s either lash out or cry. And you guys are not going to see me cry...”
“Forget about it,” Derek said.
Unlocking the gate John stepped out onto the side walk, checked the area and motioned for the others to follow.
“Ok no turning back,” John said. “Single file. Shanna you’re in the middle. You scan the sides. Derek, you have the rear. I’ll be up front.”
“Our rally point is here,” Derek said. “We’re not traveling that far. If we get separated or something happens make your way back to the gate.”
“Right...” John said. “Lets move. Talk in whispers, be as quiet as possible and safeties on...”
The three set out down Meeting Street. The pace slow but steady. Their footsteps seemed amplified.
They passed the body of the suicide gomer from earlier. Each looking down for a second as they passed. Shanna felt a shiver up her spine and wondered if maybe she should have stayed back with the others.
“I would feel safer on the sidewalk,” Shanna whispered. “Instead of out here in the middle of the street.”
“It’s better to travel out here,” Derek said. “We have more room to maneuver and time to react if something jumps out at us.”
“Ok...”
“Guys,” John said. “Lets not talk unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
As they neared the corner of Meeting and Tradd Streets, Shanna heard a noise to the left and stopped.
“Hold up,” she said.
John and Derek stopped and looked in the direction Shanna had her weapon pointed.
“What is it?” John asked.
“Shhh... Listen...”
No sooner had the words left her mouth when the solid metal door of a nearby gate swung open rapidly as two figures ran at them from the dark.
A scream shattered the quiet. Sh
anna dropped to her knee and opened up. Derek fired five shots dropping one ten feet away. Shanna fired six more times killing the second demon. Its momentum carried it into her legs knocking her down.
John walked up to each one and put a bullet in their heads.
In the tower Amy and the Rector heard the shots and hoped they were OK.
Derek helped Shanna to her feet. “You ok?” he asked.
“Why do they always come after me?” Shanna said.
“You’re smaller,” Derek said. “An easier target.”
“I guess...”
“Check yourself over good,” John said.
“I’m good,” Shanna said.
“One more block to go,” John said. “Then we take a left.”
When they neared Prices Alley, John halted the group.
“Whoa...” he said.
Clop, clop, clop. The sound traveled down the alley and to their ears.
“What the hell is that?” Shanna asked.
“That is the sound of a horse drawn carriage,” John said. “I hope it’s our friends from the other day.”
After a minute the two horses appeared followed by the carriage. Still driving was the same tour guide John and Amy had seen several days earlier. The gomer couple was gone. The gomer guide pulled back on the reins and brought the carriage to a stop. He looked over at the three and nodded.
“A gomer Coachman...” Shanna said.
John approached the carriage. The gomer, dressed in a white frilly shirt, red bow tie and red sash around his waist, gestured for them to climb up into the back.
“Come on guys,” John said. “We have a ride to the ship.”
“This is hardly stealth mode,” Shanna said. “Is it safe?”
“As safe as walking these streets,” Derek said.
They climbed in and sat down.
“Oh my God,” Shanna said. “This guy smells really bad.”
The gomer guide looked back at them and grunted.
“Sorry,” Shanna said.
The driver’s nose was missing. A gaping hole where it used to be. The skin was falling away from his hand revealing the bone underneath. Its left ear hung by a small piece of flesh.
“He’s in worse shape than he was a couple of days ago,” John said.
The Demon Dead: Troubled Waters Page 11
