Darkness Falls (Book 1): Rise of the Fallen

by Francis, Martin W.

  “Hello? Not sure who just saved my bacon, but it is much appreciated.”

  “Up here son. You are more than welcome. The names Jerod Wilkins. I’m Robert’s father, proprietor of this here shop.”

  Looking up I saw an elderly black gentleman with white hair staring down at me. He held a sniper rifle at the ready and was obviously a damn fine shot with it.

  “Pleasure to make your acquaintance Jerod. You can call me Rye, short for Ryan. Is Robert around? Have some business I would like to discuss with the both of you.”

  “Sad to say I had to put him down a few days ago.” The jubilant smile he had been expressing quickly faded away.” What kind of business you have in mind? I take it that you came to a gun shop because you need a gun or some ammunition right?”

  “Well, yes and no. You think we might talk in person. It’s kind of awkward talking up to you. Plus I don’t completely feel safe from whatever may still be lurking around down here even with you being a crack shot. I promise not to have any weapons present or cause any trouble.”

  His smile found its way back “Sounds like you’re pretty good at negotiating. Better put on my bargaining hat before you come up.” He stepped out of sight for a moment. When he returned he was wearing a dark brown cowboy hat with what appeared to be a gold Texas Ranger’s badge on the front. He tossed down a rope ladder for me to climb up.

  At the top of the ladder he gave reached out his hand. He grasped my outstretched hand with a tight grip pulling me the rest of the way up. I was now the one smiling. “Quite the bargaining hat if I ever saw one. How many years did you serve?”

  “Twenty years with the Rangers. Not much I haven’t seen. Well, that is until this plague came along anyway. Would you like some tea while we discuss business?”

  “Tea would be wonderful! Don’t suppose you have any sugar?”

  “Of course, it’s not tea without sugar unless you’re diabetic of course.” Jerod pulled out two cups and a box of sugar cubes which he dumped the entire contents into the pitcher of nearby tea. He stirred it thoroughly before pouring each of us a cup which we both gulped down enthusiastically. “So what did you mean earlier by yes and no? Usually it’s one or the other.”

  “Truth be told I currently have plenty of guns and ammunition to get by for a while. However it is always best to be prepared for the worst. Although I could probably eventually find another gun shop that hasn’t been completely looted finding supplies for free, I would prefer to deal with another human when the chance allows. It is after all a rare thing these days. Plus it honestly still feels like stealing to me even though no one else is around to assert claim to nearly anything.”

  “You kind of make it hard to bargain when I can’t match free prices. I’m sure we can come to some kind of fair arrangement by bartering perhaps. Getting supplies without having to deal with those things up close would be a definite plus for me.”

  “Actually sir I have another idea.”

  “Sounds like you’re the one wearing the hat,” he laughed momentarily. “Go on I’m listening.”

  “I own a cabin not far from here. Last couple days I cleared and somewhat secured a neighborhood about a quarter mile from my place. I’m sure you likely have your own dwelling somewhere about town. However, I am proposing that you transfer yourself and things to one of the eight cabins in the neighborhood I cleared. They are prime real estate which you would have first pick from. Let’s just say I have a feeling it is going to be a lively neighborhood.”

  “That does sound like an equivalent exchange of goods, but like you say I do have my own place. Of course it might be nice to have a friendly neighbor. I have been truthfully considering relocating. It’s a little difficult seeing all the reminders of my son at home since I moved in with him a couple years ago. I have actually been sleeping here on a sofa in the office since he passed away.”

  “Sorry about your son Jerod. We’ve all lost loved ones recently. As far as friendly neighbors I’m hoping that a few people I ran across will be joining up soon. If you would like we can go check out the cabins just to see what you think. Might get your mind off things for a while.”

  “Well, I suppose it couldn’t hurt. Providing your friends show up I suppose the massive collection of guns, knives, crossbows, and other weapons would definitely make preparations a little easier for a group of people. Glad to hear that there are still others out there. Are they here in Ruidoso also?”

  “Not sure if there are others survivors here but hope to find more. The individuals I met were back in Texas where my main residence is. I decided this would be a perfect place to settle in even before my wife came down with the Black Death.”

  “Now it’s my turn to say sorry. That had to be harder to deal with than I can imagine. Perhaps we were meant to cross paths in this screwed up world since I was finding it difficult to go on living thinking I might be the last person on Earth not among the Fallen.”

  I nodded my head not quite sure what to say in response. “There were three brothers who I became pretty close to even though we only spent an entire day together if you can imagine that. They helped me get meds for my wife. They lost a fourth brother from a serial killer while we were getting supplies at a hardware store. Both my wife and their brother are buried near each other on my property. Anyway, they had to make a trip to Colorado to see if any of their other family made it or not. I feel really bad about not doing the same for my siblings who all live in different states but to be honest I lost contact with most of them after it all began and I presumed the worst. Dan and his brothers sounded pretty sincere about coming this way after they made the trip to Colorado. Their good folks who hopefully should be here within a week I’m guessing if they didn’t run across any problems.”

  “You know what? I think you alleviated any uncertainties I may have had. You realize that it is going to be a lot of work loading up the entire shop and a few things at my son’s house right? Between your RV and my old pickup we might still have to make a few trips.”

  We talked a little more up on the rooftop. Afterwards we descended down an access hatch into the store. Unlocking the overhead door to the entrance we began loading up the RV with everything we could.

  -5-

  Jessie and Kurt returned to the campsite to gather Amy’s belongings. While they were away Sam refueled the van. Dan suggested that Jessie drive once they had returned. Dan told Amy that she should try not to talk for at least a day while she got needed fluids and rested. After drinking around a gallon of water followed by a long nap, she whispered for her purse. She pulled out a pen and small notepad commencing to writing up a storm. She handed over the notepad to Dan who read over her immense novel.

  “So you went a little ways into the woods to use the restroom and left your pistol in the tent? Really Amy? After all the Fallen you have come across and barely survived, seriously? You’re smarter than that. Hell, you’ve always been smarter than any of your brothers. Now that fact is in question.”

  Amy grabbed the notepad while slugging Dan in the arm with her other hand. She wrote, ‘I really had to go’ thrusting it back at Dan.

  “Dan read the sentence shaking his head. ‘You’re such a goober. A lucky one at that. Stuck in a tree for almost two whole days while a hungry Fallen licked his chops from below occasionally knowing on the wood imagining it was you. You realize that as your brothers we will all have to make fun of you for at least a month?”

  Amy stuck out her tongue and rolled her eyes. She grabbed the notepad again asking several questions about the woman who rescued her from the tree. Dan introduced Jessie to Amy filling her in on everything up until now. She eventually decided to go back to sleep after multiple more questions which she asked Jessie. By the time they arrived in Denver she was doing considerably better. She drank more water and downed an entire bag of nacho flavored chips from a small convenient store they stopped at for a restroom break.

  A short while after making it to Denver Jessie pulled up to
a house. She told the others to wait a few minutes after explaining that it was her house and she lived alone. She pulled out a key from her pocket letting herself in the front door. Ten minutes later she returned wearing a fresh clothing and carrying a couple duffle bags. She was barely able to stuff the in the almost full van.

  “Someone else’s turn to drive. Also, we should probably find some way to refuel that tank on the trailer if we are heading all the way to New Mexico.” Sam climbed out of the back seat letting Jessie take his place next to Amy.

  “What is in New Mexico?” Amy looked intensely at Jessie.

  “Seems to be our new home according to your brothers.”

  Amy glanced over taking in Jessie avidly for the first time. “Thanks for saving me by the way.” She quickly kissed Jessie on the lips before looking over at Dan. “Dan be a doll and rub my feet while I get some more rest.”

  She lifted one of Jessie’s arms ducking underneath as she sprawled across the entire back seat. She rested her feet in Dan’s lap while laying her head in Jessie’s. She snuggled up with Jessie’s arm which she tucked around her pressing tightly against her breasts. “Night.” She closed her eyes smiling while biting her lower lip much as Jessie had done when she first saw a photograph of Amy. Jessie was a little shocked but that’s not why her heart was beating fast in her chest.

  “Looks like you made a new appreciative admirer,” Dan laughed as he began rubbing Amy’s feet. “And you’re lucky that you are my little sister Amy or I’d toss you and these smelly feet out the van on your head.”

  Amy stuck out her tongue again a Dan. Jessie couldn’t help herself from gazing and imagining what that tongue would taste like or feel like between her legs. Amy opened her eyes for a moment while still sticking out her tongue intentionally to see Jessie’s reaction.

  “Later sweetheart, promise.” Amy winked before closing her eyes again.

  Jessie blushed closing her own eyes and leaning back against the seat. She went back to her personal thoughts until she fell asleep. She woke several hours later finding the van had stopped moving. It was dark outside but Jessie had no great night vision. They were parked in a parking lot of a motel. Amy began to stir awake herself seemingly confused where she was. Several minutes passed before flashlight temporarily blinded both of them. The brothers climbed into the van all breathing hard.

  Amy sat up and stretched. “What time is it? Where are we?”

  Dan replied, “Little after two in the morning. We are in Oklahoma at a debatable looking motel in the middle of nowheresville. That does not mean we are desolate enough not to have Fallen about however. Ran into about seven of the creeps. Surprised us a little bit. Had to use a quite a bit of ammo putting them down. Pretty sure we got all the ones lurking about, but no way to tell for certain. Anyway, got a few room keys. Would you ladies like separate rooms or rather share one for safety?”

  “Share,” both women answered at the same time.

  “Fine, but don’t stay up all night even though you both napped today. You’re both on drive duty tomorrow.”

  “No worries. We’re going straight to bed mommy.”

  “Funny Amy. Here’s your key.”

  Sam moved the van over to a group of room for which they had grabbed keys for. The numbers were large enough to see even without the parking lot being lit. Outside of the van Amy took Jessie’s arm in hers while whispering in her ear. They both giggled while they walked to their room. After entering, Jessie closed the door locking it from the inside.

  Kurt grabbed a few things from the van he wanted to take inside his room. “I swear Amy always steals the pretty ones for herself. Skank.” Kurt appeared to be mildly upset.

  “Now Kurt, she is your sister. Second, I’m pretty sure Amy did not steal Jessie from anyone. If you were interested you should have made your intentions known. However that does not mean that Jessie would have chosen any differently, being that it is her choice. Just let it be and get some sleep. We’re all a little cranky after being cooped up for hours in the van.” Dan shouldered a duffle bag going off to his room.

  The entire Weatherford family and Jessie all somehow managed to sleep in until a little before noon. Shortly after leaving the motel the women began trying to talk the others into finding a source of water to take a bath. They suggested finding a map somewhere or a phonebook to look for swimming pool locations perhaps. They also suggested it would be a good idea to stop for essentials like soap, shampoo, razors, and toilet paper.

  “Just find the nearest place you can to stop Dan. If you don’t they will nag us the next thousand miles. We need to refuel anyway.”

  “You should listen to Sam. She always was annoying on long trips. Plus know Amy always gets her way in the end on everything,” Kurt laughed.

  Around an hour later, Dan pulled into a MegaMart Plus Groceries and More (there wasn’t much that they didn’t carry including a fueling station). The fact that there was twenty cars parked meant finding gas would not be a problem with a hose to syphon from. It also meant there were likely several Fallen around. They drove through the lot several times looking in, around, and under vehicles. Dan finally parked right next to the main doors in case they needed to make a hasty escape. They all got out cautiously with guns at the ready except for Amy who refused to budge. She told them the place was too big and in no way safe to be going inside. The others walked inside finding that the store was way indeed large. There was no way to sweep the entire area without missing something or potentially having moving targets that could travel to areas they already believed clear. Instead they decided that they would stay together to gather supplies. At each row that had necessities one of them guarded each entrance onto the aisle while the other two gathered items stuffing them into backpacks they had first grabbed from a back to school aisle. On the way to hardware to gather a hose and plastic gas container they all began to think the same thing. They had not run across even one Fallen so far which made no sense. Just as they were passing a set of swinging doors that led back into the overstock area Jessie motioned for the group to stop. She gave a sign to be quiet while kneeling down. The others ducked down in unison following her as she moved slowly about an aisle past the doors. Sam started to ask what the big deal was, but the frightened look on Jessie’s face was enough to freeze your blood solid. They got to hardware grabbing what they needed then headed straight for the front doors as quickly as possible. Once back in the van, Jessie told Amy who sat in the driver’s seat to drive immediately. Seeing the look on Jessie’s face Amy took off without question.

  About a mile down the road Dan gently rested his hand on Jessie’s shoulder feeling her mildly shaking. “It’s alright now. We’re safely away. What got you so spooked back there Jess? What was it that you saw?”

  It took a minute for Jessie to calm down. She explained that when they were passing the double doors she glimpsed through the plastic windows. In the back there were thirty to fifty Fallen huddled back there. Many were devouring rotten bloody meat from an open butcher’s storage freezer. Others were congregated around bodies that had been torn apart with the flesh completely gnawed off the bone. The brothers suddenly realized how lucky they had gotten that the massive group of Fallen had not heard or seen them thanks to Jessie.

  It was decided to find somewhere much smaller to safely syphon gas. A tiny convenient store with a couple cars was where they eventually stopped. The main thing that caught their eye was a small refueling tanker truck had parked in an empty lot of a boarded up building right next door. Amy suggested that Jessie stay in the van with her from which she got no argument. She reminded Dan to look for a phone book or map as he got out. Inside they took out three Fallen without any issues. Kurt found a phone book near the register and a map on a spinning rack full of tourist items. Sam grabbed a plastic bag stuffing it with junk food they had forgotten to get at the MegaMart being in such a rush to leave. Back outside Dan backed the trailer up to the refueling truck. He got out tapping on the truck’s
fuel tank finding it was about half full. Unlatching an opening on the top of their tank he saw it was barely big enough to fit the housing of the release valve attached to the house from the tanker truck. All set up he went to attempt to turn it on finding the keys were sitting in the seat of the truck. The pressure from the hose was pretty strong. Luckily Sam and Kurt were positioned to hold it in place while they refueled. They were able to completely fill the tank in the trailer. After shutting down the tanker and removing the hose, they filled the van up with gas.

  Back in the van Amy had already located a nearby indoor pool at a YMCA building. A short while later they pulled up to the YMCA finding it was completely empty of cars. Kurt broke the glass on the mostly metal door to reach inside and unlatch it from the inside. After making sure the place was empty the ladies decided to go first at bathing while the men guarded the entrance from outside smoking cigarettes they had also pilfered from the convenience store. The water was extremely cold making the women huddle together for warmth. They helped each other bath while occasionally making out. The men were next while Jessie guarded the door. Amy was too busy primping in front of a handheld mirror to be much use as a lookout. Afterwards, the group had a small picnic with the junk food before loading back up in the van with Jessie at the wheel.

  -6-

  With not enough daylight to view the cabins after loading everything Jerod slept in one of the guest rooms at Rye’s cabin. I wasn’t too worried that I had allowed a stranger into my home. He only seemed dangerous to the Fallen with that sniper rifle. The following morning after boiling some water for coffee I suggested we go take a look at the properties. Jerod appeared elated like a kid in a candy store for the first time. We arrived to the neighborhood shortly after finishing off our coffee. It didn’t take long for Jerod to make a choice on the cabins. One of them had a real western feel about it. Cowhide rugs, a bison head mounted on a wall, and rusty wagon wheels out front half buried to name a few of its unique traits. Jerod’s eyes lit up with anticipation of unloading his personal belongings.