Four (Their Dead Lives,1)

by Scott, Zack

  Jeff clenched the crowbar in both hands and swung back, sweat and blood spraying off him. Carelessly, his arm hit the other death walker in the face, but the crowbar corrected the mistake in seconds, blasting through an undead eye.

  Sadie felt her fear vanishing. Darkness surrounds us and devours us. I’ve always worshiped darkness, so kill fear, for the Dark Dragon flies over and protects me.

  The last death walker, hit but not killed by the sedan, rose in front of it, moaning and stared at Jeff, who was distracted. Its hands reached out for him. I froze earlier. I cost us the safe haven of the food mart. Never again. Praying for the Dark Dragon to protect Kelsey, Sadie dove to the driver’s seat, slid under the steering wheel, and smashed her foot down on the accelerator. The car jumped forward. The last death walker cracked against the sedan’s hood, sliding down the windshield. She hit the brakes and the body flew from the car. Slamming the accelerator again, she crushed the death walker to the ground. Still not dead. She reversed. The sedan bumped over its writhing body. Still not dead. She floored it again. Another bump as Jeff yelled for her to stop. She loved his commanding, confident voice, but she reversed one last time. No mistakes. Not again.

  When she felt it was completely dead, Sadie opened her door and swung her legs out, staring at the death walker’s pulverized remains. Yep, dead. Still seated, she looked at Jeff, feeling his eyes travel over her boots and stockings up to her bare thighs, her skirt, and her eyes. She smiled. “Sorry for messing up earlier.”

  It seemed as if Jeff wanted to smile but refrained from doing so. “Nice work, Sadie.”

  “Yeah, well, I can be a badass, too.”

  “Wait here for a second, please. Call out if you see anything.”

  She kept watch, thanking her lord, the Dark Dragon.

  Back in middle school, Sadie and her friends would have rituals to pay tribute to the Dragon. She had found it quite fun, although silly at first. Still, the Dragon seemed just as realistic as the god of any other religion. As she grew older, the Dragon became a reminder of a simpler life, of her childhood, of such imagination, such adventure. It even helped her through tough times thrown at her by this cruel world.

  That night, with the dead rising around them, with the apocalypse commencing, thinking of the Dark Dragon’s protection helped ease her fear. So real or not, she put her faith in Its fire, wings, and strength.

  Jeff jogged to the wreckage of an SUV. The vehicle was overturned, crushed beneath a tree, and next to a flaming bus, halfway out of the front window lay a body. Scot? She felt herself walking, as if having no control, mesmerized by the flames, the bodies, and the blood. So much blood. Jeff was slow in his approach and knelt ever so gently over his friend. Sadie’s heart grew ill. I don’t like him, but if he’s dead...

  Too many people she cared about liked him and she didn’t want them to be hurt. Kelsey, Jeff, maybe even Nicole.

  Jerry. She thought of poor Jerry as she continued walking to the body. My dear friend, eaten by death. She clutched her hands together in front of her chest and her eyes grew heavy with unshed tears. The sight of Jerry being ripped apart, and his screams, and his—

  Jeff looked back at her, one hand feeling for Scot’s pulse.

  “Is he alive?”

  Jeff gave her a quick nod. “Help me get him out?”

  It wasn’t long before they pried him out. Sadie had seen the dead body in the driver’s seat, Scot’s girlfriend. The sight didn’t make her squeamish. So much death tonight, so much pain. She hoped the killing would end soon.

  The night had aged only a little from the time they had fled the gas station to the time they returned to it. Their earlier escape had been successful in luring those starving creatures away, so Jeff pulled the sedan right up to the food mart. Sadie would’ve thought returning was stupid, but they had to ensure Kelsey’s safety. Plus, the old man had a gun.

  “We did good leading them away earlier,” Jeff said with a voice as dead as the walkers.

  Outside, the old man slid from the food mart, rifle in hand. An Arab with grey, curling hair, he had a calming voice, even when full of concern. “You must all get in quickly, quiet now,” he said. “They could be back at any time.”

  Jeff instructed Sadie to go ahead, that he’d bring in Scot. So she did, stepping past the old man. Kelsey was standing with her hands shoved in her jean shorts and her shoulders were hunched under her brown leather jacket. Such hopeful eyes. They rushed to each other, embracing at the entrance of the food mart. Sadie kissed her cheek.

  “I’m so happy you’re okay,” Kelsey breathed.

  Sadie fought tears and kissed her head again. “Jeff saved me.”

  “He saved all of us.”

  “Except Jerry,” Sadie started sadly, but stopped when she saw Kelsey’s gaze look behind her.

  Under the flickering lights, walking up the steps, Jeff cradled Scot’s limp body.

  “No,” Kelsey murmured. She grabbed Sadie’s hand and they walked to him together. Scot was so pale, paler than usual. Blood covered his strawberry blond hair, his white shirt, his jeans.

  Jeff‘s face was stone, hovering over all of them. “Can you please find towels, anything to rest his head on?”

  They did. Soon Scot was on the floor, head cushioned on a pile of cloth. They taped some rags to his leg wound and Kelsey sat by his side, holding his hand. Two years seemed like a long time apart for them to have the same feelings for one another. Under the circumstances, perhaps time meant nothing, and the way Kelsey looked at Scot, Sadie knew her friend would always love him.

  The old man remained close to the doors while staying hidden from the glass. He was smart, prepared, and he must’ve been through something like this before. Not something with zombies, but something that required similar survival skills. He had them all hide in the back behind an aisle of chips and dips, next to refrigerators.

  Jeff knelt by Kelsey, touching her shoulder. “Make sure his leg wound doesn’t drain him and he’ll be fine.”

  She gave two quick nods. “Where are you going?” she asked when he stood.

  “Back to the bar. I have to make sure they’re okay.”

  Sadie pushed off the refrigerator, surprised. “You can’t seriously go back out there.”

  “I have to find them and once I do, I’ll come back for you guys.”

  “Jeff, it’s not safe. You can’t.”

  “Listen.” He raised a hand to cut her off. “I will return. I will protect all of you. First, I have to ensure they’re okay. Alec, Kale, Nicole — they need me. I’ll bring them all here.”

  He wants to save everyone. There was so much courage in his voice, seemingly to mask his own fear. But he would go no matter what, so Sadie grabbed his hand. “At least tell me why they call you Homer first.”

  Jeff stared at her glowing golden eyes and touched her forearm with one finger. That gentle touch sent shivers through her flesh. “I promise you, I’ll tell you when I get back.” He took one last look at the motionless Scot and as he stepped out of the food mart, the lights inside flickered and died. Sadie was left standing in the dark.

  I pray to you, Dark Dragon, give us fire.

  Light had vanished from the food mart, and darkness crawled across the rest of her town, transforming Green Hills into a hopeless black pit. With the advancement of the darkness, she believed she would never see Jeff again.

  Sitting next to Kelsey, Sadie rested her head on her friend’s shoulder. Kelsey stroked her black hair, providing some comfort, and said, “I hate tonight.”

  “Morning is almost here.” Deep in her gut, Sadie knew the sun would bring no happy ending, but rather, a tragic beginning.

  May the death walkers perish by the Dragon’s breath.

  KALE

  The moon cast a dim glow on the huddling survivors. They’d been quiet on the roof of The Last Round for most of the night. The zombies were gone, thanks to Brian. He had saved them all, and it was hard to believe he was dead.

  Afte
r Alec’s return, Kale had tried to speak with his friend but Alec stayed silent, covered in blood and flesh. His eyes were as dead as the corpses that killed his brother. Nicole held him tightly. Kale just hoped Alec broke away from his sorrow soon enough, for there was work to be done. Everything that happened in high school was never pointless. That, well, that beast, it all makes sense now.

  Howard was next to Kale, cuff-less. Miller had set him free but refused to do the same for Kale. The zombie apocalypse is upon us, and I’m wearing these stupid handcuffs. Damn you, Jimmy Miller, you have no heart. Or brain. The deputy paced back and forth in front of Kale, looking at Tommy standing watch at the edge of the roof.

  “Do you see anything?” Miller asked Tommy.

  “Nothing,” Tommy said, standing with one foot raised, posing like Captain Morgan.

  “All right then, we wait here until sunrise.” Miller stopped pacing. “We keep quiet, we keep calm. Help will come.”

  Kale ignored him and examined Howard’s free hands. “You lucky bastard.”

  Howard dozed, his head nodding, and Kale nudged him resentfully. He jolted awake. “Bananas in pajamas!”

  Everyone, except Alec, hushed him.

  “Be more excited, man. This is your zombie apocalypse you always wanted,” Kale said to his roommate.

  “I am. I am. But we’ve been sitting here and doing nothing. Let’s grab a car outside and get the hell somewhere.”

  “Like where?”

  “I don’t know. The CDC, or a military base, or a grocery store, or hell, even a prison!”

  “Shut up,” Miller’s whisper whipped harshly at Howard.

  “Why don’t you un-cuff me?” Kale implored.

  “Like I said before, you’re my prisoner.”

  “But you took Howard’s off.”

  “Yeah, well, Howard ain’t an asshole like you, Kale.”

  “When have I ever been an asshole to you, Jimmy?”

  “Oh, don’t play innocent. You and your little foursome always tricked me in to doing shitty things back in high school.”

  Kale couldn’t help himself from snarking. “Oh, I see. You’re upset because we never let you hang out with us. That’s what it is. I get it, Jimmy.”

  “No. Simply put, you’re an ass.” Miller sulked and made his way to the edge of the roof to join Tommy again.

  Erica was sitting by her boyfriend’s feet and asked him to sit with her.

  “Why?” came Tommy’s response.

  “I’m cold and scared. Is that enough of a reason?”

  Miller paused, rethought his decision to join Tommy, and Kale chuckled to himself as the deputy went to the corner to sit alone. Miller clearly wanted to avoid a couple about to fight, a couple in mourning, and the two dimwits he called prisoners. He’s left alone. But I would be a friend if he took these cuffs off.

  “I’m looking out for us,” Tommy whispered, whipping his hair back and cracking his neck.

  “You can’t even see anything,” said Erica. “It’s too dark.”

  “Maybe if you weren’t screwing your boss behind my back I would sit with you.”

  Oh, great, relationship drama. Erica stood furiously. “You said we had an open relationship. I take ‘open’ to mean we can screw whoever.”

  “It’s whomever.”

  “No, it’s whoever,” she snapped.

  “I’m telling you now, it’s whomever.”

  Kale lowered his head and sighed in despair. I hope they’re eaten next.

  “This is pointless. I’m not fighting with you,” Erica said. Tommy gave no response. “Well, say something!”

  Their argument escalated and within moments, they were screaming at each other. The silence that had graced the refugees vanished.

  Miller tried desperately to quiet them.

  Too late.

  They came, searching for food, attracted by the noise. Their feet stumbled around the parking lot.

  “Great, now look what you did!” Tommy pointed a finger in her face.

  “It’s your fault!” She slapped him.

  Something devour them.

  Miller unholstered his Glock and rushed to Tommy. “How many?”

  “Can’t tell.”

  More footsteps. More moans. One sprinted through the parking lot to the front of the bar, arriving at the hole the patrol car had created. The zombie clawed questioningly at the walls.

  “Christ, they know we’re up here. How can they possibly know that?” Miller rubbed his sweaty palms.

  “Maybe if the two lovebirds kept their mouths shut!” Howard yelled and lowered his head, realizing it didn’t help the situation. He looked back at Kale. “What? I have an excuse.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Still drunk.” He burped.

  Me too, kind of. It’s hard to feel drunk at a time like this.

  The Last Round wasn’t a tall building by any means and the zombies soon figured this out. Unintentionally, Kale thought. Their numbers kept growing and they piled on one another in their rabid search for food. He wondered if any of them were his neighbors, friends, or even his family members. Green Hills wasn’t that big of a town, after all. But then again, all those in the cemetery would’ve likely crawled from their graves. So...Kale didn’t really know what he was thinking about.

  Tommy grabbed Erica’s arm, pulling her away from the ledge. Miller backed away, holding his gun at the ready. Howard stood behind them and helped Kale to his feet. Alec and Nicole stood on the other side. She looked up at him with her big brown eyes. “What do we do?”

  He pulled her close, kissing her hair, remaining silent.

  Back at the ledge, a dead hand clambered for the top. Zombie! Tommy swiftly kicked it back to the ground. At least he’s good for something. Miller helped fend the other zombies off.

  Kale would’ve assisted if not for the damn cuffs around his wrists. Although, he guessed he could still kick. Instead, he fled to the back of the roof, past the air duct. He stared down at where he and his other friends had held their brief meeting during the reunion. A meeting that went nowhere. He saw a line of trees past the bar. The area was clear.

  Howard bumped into him. “What are you thinking?” he asked. Huffs and groans came from behind him as Miller and Tommy continued to kick the moaning zombies off the wall.

  “They can’t kick forever and their numbers will only grow. We hop off and run while they’re still on that side.”

  “I’m in.”

  Kale looked back. An arm reached up and grabbed Tommy’s ankle. It tugged him forward. His feet slipped off the roof and he screamed. Miller grabbed his arm and pulled him to safety. He stomped on the rotten face with his boot. “There’s too many,” he observed. The deputy backed away.

  Tommy marched to Erica, wrapped his arms tight around her waist, and kissed her forcefully. She returned the kiss. He pulled away, staring at her with a smile twitching his lips. “If we make it through this, forget this open shit we have. I want to be closed with you.”

  Erica’s face broke into a wide smile and she wrapped her arms around him tighter. They held each other for a few long seconds, surrounded by rotting moans.

  Typical couple.

  Alec, Nicole, Tommy, Erica, Kale, Howard, and Deputy Miller gathered at the roof’s back. They watched as the first few undead climbed successfully onto the roof.

  And as Kale yelled for them to jump, and as the undead charged across the roof, a shower of bullets blasted through the night, ripping bodies open. The survivors rushed forward, looking for their saviors. Muzzle flashes burst from a truck that had pulled up. Soldiers dressed in all black, much like Jeffery “Homer” Brennan, were firing at the zombies.

  The Vault Tactical Force had arrived.

  With the zombies either distracted or dead, an opening for their escape came. “Hop off the back!” Miller commanded, stealing Kale’s idea. The deputy was the first one off, followed by Tommy and Erica. Kale jumped next. He did not fall gracefully, face-planting afte
r losing his balance on the landing. Curse these cuffs!

  Squirming his way to a stance, dirt sticking to his chin, Kale spat at the deputy and jiggled the handcuffs on his wrist. “Free me.”

  “Let’s go.” Miller grabbed Kale’s arm, tugging him to the establishment’s corner. The gunfire crackled on the other side. “Where the hell are the two lovebirds?”

  Kale shrugged. Miller peered around the building, searching for Tommy and Erica. The couple had already turned the corner, running for the truck, running straight toward a pack of sprinters.

  “Tommy!” Erica trailed her boyfriend and jumped as a rotten arm swiped at her. She fell, barely evading the attack. Tommy slid in the dirt, spun, and sprinted back to save her, his hands chopping the air at his sides. He grabbed the zombie’s shoulders and threw it to the ground. A quick stomp to its face. Another. A third stomp broke through rotten skull and finished it. Okay, I guess he’s kind of a badass. But Tommy’s ankle was stuck in the skull. He struggled, lowering his guard, and finally freed his foot from the moldy trap, just as Erica screamed.

  Teeth broke through his flesh.

  “No!” Erica ran for her boyfriend as skin and leather pulled off his body. “Tom—”

  The zombie’s head blew open.

  Tommy swung to the ground, dodging bullets, and rolling to his knees. He grabbed the back of his neck; his fingers were red. Light shone on him, illuminating his body for all to see.

  Tommy raised his shaking hands above his head. “I’m okay!”

  Erica stared at him. Tears poured down her face. “Tommy?” her voiced cracked.

  “Close your eyes, my love.”

  One scream. One bullet. Like the sun shining in a dusty room, blood showered and sprinkled through the light beam attached to the shooter’s rifle. Tommy dropped to grass, and his brain was visible beneath loose flaps of his skin. Erica fell beside him as more zombies charged for her, only to be cut down by a spray of light machine gun fire from the bed of the truck.