Barb appeared alarmed and stared at her husband behind his paper. “Do you really think so?”
Stan suddenly laughed, lowered his paper, and looked at her. “How should I know? Maybe Dennis caught them in bed together and shot them both.”
“You're terrible.”
“Why? I didn't shoot anyone.”
Barb groaned and hid her smile so not to encourage him further.
†
Zion's farmhouse appeared peaceful alone in the field. Teresa's second floor bedroom light went out. Only a moment passed before Teresa quietly climbed out of her darkened bedroom window, walked along the porch roof, and climbed down the massive rose trellis. As she jumped to the ground, she was suddenly grabbed from behind. Teresa let out a startled scream and turned to face a teenage boy, Jeremy. Jeremy was a jock, as indicated by his varsity jacket. He wasn't particularly attractive in appearance, but he had a muscular build, which created popularity among Winter Harbor High School girls. He chuckled at Teresa's nervousness. She playfully smacked his arm.
“Not funny, Jeremy. What if my parents heard?”
“You're jumpy tonight.”
Teresa shifted and appeared uncomfortable. “Sheriff Palmer stopped by this afternoon and smelled booze on me from the party last night.”
“You did drink a lot,” he teased with a laugh. “Don't worry about Sheriff Palmer; his bark is worse than his bite.”
“I don't know; he barks pretty loud,” she muttered. “He somehow knew we were tail gaiting in the woods last night.”
“Of course he knows we were tail gaiting in the woods. That's what he did when he was our age,” Jeremy informed her. “All our parents did.” He then appeared to consider something. “How did you get inside last night without waking your parents?”
“I didn't,” she replied. “I slept in the office.”
Jeremy pulled her into his arms and grinned lustfully. “We should check it out. Sounds quiet.”
“I don't know,” she replied and pulled out of his arms. “What if my father needs something from his office? Maybe we should just drive to our usual spot.”
“Can't,” he said. “My father took away my car keys when he caught me sneaking in late last night. I had to walk all the way here.”
“It's a half mile through the woods from your house,” she scoffed then appeared humored. “Considering you're on the track team; that should be nothing.”
Jeremy again pulled her into his arms and against him. He grinned boyishly. “Come on; let's break into your father's office.”
She grinned while caressing his chest and moved her lips close to his. “We don't have to. He doesn't keep it locked.” She pulled out of his arms, took his hand, and led him toward the landscaping building.
The office was dimly lit from the building's exterior vapor light shining through the solitary, dirty window. Teresa and Jeremy entered the office through the outer door. Jeremy immediately pulled her against him and kissed her passionately as he pushed the door shut with his foot. She pulled away and guided him toward the barely visible sofa. They fell onto the old, worn sofa and kissed aggressively while groping each other. Despite the dim lighting, it was obvious the office was poorly maintained. Something clattered outside. Jeremy pulled away from his position on top of Teresa and looked around the dimly lit room.
“What was that?” he asked with a note of concern.
“Probably a cat.”
She pulled him back down on top of her, and they resumed kissing. There was another clatter. This time, it was closer to the office. Jeremy pulled away and looked around. Something moved past the dirty window. He groaned with annoyance and climbed off Teresa.
“I think I saw someone outside the window,” he told her, as he hurried across the room for the window. He strained to look out through the layer of thick dust on the glass. “It might be one of the guys screwing around.” He looked back at Teresa on the sofa. “I should check it out.”
He hurried from the office, leaving the outer door open. Teresa groaned, rolled her eyes, and flopped on the creaky, old sofa.
“I hate boys with short attention spans,” she muttered.
†
Jeremy crept around outside the landscaping building with a devious grin on his face. It obviously wasn't the first time his friends had played tricks on him, and, this time, he was determined to give them a good scare first. As he rounded the corner to the office window, he noticed several rakes and shovels were lying scattered on the ground. He looked around but didn't see anyone. He appeared disappointed that it hadn't been his friends; and any chance he had of scaring them would have to wait until another time. He frowned and shook his head with disgust.
“Damned cats,” he scoffed.
As he turned, he saw a shadow moving behind the far side of the building. Jeremy appeared curious then grinned. Maybe his friends hadn't disappointed him after all. He hurried along the side of the building and kept his back to the wall near the corner. He grinned and lunged around the corner. There was a loud crash followed by Jeremy's startled cry.
†
Teresa lie casually on the sofa in the dimly lit office and attempted to examine her fingernails. Jeremy had been gone nearly fifteen minutes, and it was unlikely he was going to return. It wouldn't be the first time he cast her aside for an opportunity to goof around with his friends. She'd outgrown him. Truth was; she'd outgrown all boys her own age. A shadow was cast upon her from something blocking the open doorway. She looked up and saw the outline of a man standing in the office doorway. Teresa groaned with annoyance and sat up.
“Well, it's about time. I was going to start without--”
Teresa stared at the man in the dim lighting. With the house light behind him, she barely recognized Brian in the doorway. Teresa uncertainly stood while staring at him.
“Brian?” she asked with surprise then appeared relieved. “Jesus, Sheriff Palmer was looking for you. He thought something happened to you.”
Zombie Brian moaned softly and took a step toward her.
She stared at him a moment then smiled seductively. “What?” she playfully teased. “See something you like?”
He moaned again and took another step closer. Teresa raised her brows suggestively and appeared pleased.
“Ah, screw Jeremy,” she announced then grinned. “I can't tell you how many times I've thought about you in that way.” Teresa quickly approached Brian, slammed the door shut behind him, and grabbed his hands. He attempted to lunge for her neck, but she had already turned and was pulling him behind her. “Your hands are so cold,” she said while giggling as she pulled him to the sofa. “I'll warm them up for you.”
Teresa cast herself onto the sofa and aggressively pulled him on top of her. Zombie Brian grabbed her shoulders and lunged for her neck. Teresa met him halfway and passionately kissed him. She suddenly muffled a scream and thrashed against him as he bit her lips. In the dim lighting, it almost appeared as if he was kissing her. The office door opened to reveal Jeremy.
“You're right. It was just a cat,” he announced. “And who the hell puts a wheelbarrow--?”
Jeremy hesitated and stared at the outline of what appeared to be a man kissing Teresa. Her screams were muffled as she firmly grasped his shoulders while attempting to push him away; but that's not how it looked to Jeremy.
“Teresa! What the hell?”
Jeremy turned on the light. Zombie Brian lifted his head and snarled at Jeremy, revealing blood stained teeth, and blood dripping down his chin. Teresa's mouth appeared torn away as she gasped and spit up blood. Her eyes rolled back, and she started to convulse. Jeremy stared, horrified at the sight, cried out, and ran from the office. Brian returned to devouring Teresa's face. He ripped off her ear, chewed on it, and then spit her earring onto the floor.
†
Jeremy ran from the garden center toward the house. Zombie Ted appeared alongside the house with the .357 Magnum still clutched in his hand. His eyes were glossed over, and hi
s left arm was missing. He had dried blood along the large, devoured part of his neck and down his clothing. Jeremy saw Ted's condition and tripped up the steps. He scrambled to his feet as Ted got closer and bolted into the house. Jeremy entered the well-lit kitchen, slammed the door behind him, and locked it. There was a thump against the door. He backed away from the door and quickly looked around. The back of Stan's head was visible in his lounge chair within the living room. Jeremy hurried toward the living room and stopped just in the archway. A woman in a satin nightgown knelt before Stan in the chair. She moaned while moving her head against him. Jeremy appeared surprised by what appeared to be a sexual situation.
“Mr. Zion, this is an emergency!” Jeremy cried out. “Please, they're out there! They got Teresa!” There was no response. Jeremy, who was now beyond hysteria, stepped into the living room. “Mr. Zion--”
Jeremy stopped alongside the chair to see zombie Pam kneeling over a clearly dead Stan while eating his innards. She stopped and looked up at Jeremy with intestines hanging from her mouth. Jeremy appeared horrified but held back his scream. He quickly turned and collided with Barb. She screamed and punched him in the face. He stumbled back a step while clutching his mouth. Barb gasped with surprise. Zombie Pam looked at them and started moving to her feet.
“We have to get out of here!” Jeremy cried out.
Jeremy and Barb ran for the living room door. Zombie Dennis appeared in the doorway before them. Both screamed at the bloodstained, decaying man. Jeremy pulled Barb behind him and up the stairs. She stumbled up the steps in an attempt to keep up with his long strides. He pulled her into Teresa's darkened bedroom. Jeremy slammed the door behind them and locked it. Barb gasped and sat on the bed while sobbing and panting. Jeremy hurried for the window and looked out while Barb clutched her bleeding wrist.
“We can climb across the roof and down the trellis,” Jeremy informed her.
“Are you sure?”
He turned toward her and nodded. “Trust me, I've done it before.”
“I'm so weak, I don't think I can,” Barb said softly while gasping for air. “I'm having trouble breathing, and my chest hurts. I think I'm having another anxiety attack.”
“I'd run for help, Mrs. Zion, but I don't know that the bedroom door will hold,” he informed her. “It's not safe leaving you here. I know you can do it.”
She uncertainly nodded. “I just need a minute to catch my breath.”
“Okay, you rest a minute,” Jeremy announced and attempted to relax despite his anxiety and adrenaline rush. “I'm going to take a look outside.”
Jeremy hurried toward the window and climbed onto the porch roof. From his vantage point, he could see the entire yard and the nearby fields. Everything appeared clear. They just needed to scale down the trellis and run for the fields. If they made it to the woods, they'd have some cover. The woods would also be the quicker path to Millers Road. He returned to Teresa's bedroom window and climbed through it. Jeremy quickly approached Barb, who sat on the bed with her head resting against the bedpost.
“Okay, it's clear. We need to go,” he informed her.
She didn't respond. He appeared concerned and touched her shoulder. Barb lifted her head, snarled, and attempted to bite him. Jeremy cried out and pulled away with horror as she leaped to her feet. He ran for the window with Barb in pursuit. He quickly climbed out. Zombie Barb grabbed his ankle and tried to bite his leg. Jeremy cried out while attempting to kick his foot free. On the third try, he pulled his foot away from Barb and slammed the window shut on her fingers. She screamed and thrashed while attempting to pull free. She fell backwards, leaving her crushed fingers within the closed window. Jeremy hurried along the porch roof. The yard and field were still clear.
Zombie Ted stood on the porch below and looked at the roof to the sounds above. Jeremy climbed onto the trellis, quickly scaled down it, and jumped off at the bottom. Ted snarled and ran for him, dropping his gun near the edge of the porch. Jeremy saw him and quickly turned to run. He suddenly came face-to-face with zombie Teresa, who was missing all flesh from her nose to her chin, exposing her teeth and jawbone. He cried out with horror at her gruesome appearance. Teresa knocked him to the ground with a snarl and landed on top of him. He fought against her while attempting to keep her teeth away from his face. She sank her teeth into his forearm, easily tearing through his skin. Jeremy punched zombie Teresa in the face, striking her fleshless jaw, as he screamed and attempted to pull his arm free from her teeth. He managed to pull his arm free, despite the large amount of missing flesh, and tossed Teresa off him. He scrambled to his hands and knees and almost made it to his feet when Teresa jumped on top of him and knocked him face first to the grass. As he attempted to buck her off his back, she sank her teeth into his neck. Jeremy screamed and thrashed against her.
Chapter Nine
It was a beautiful, sunny fall morning. Hunter cheerfully poured pancake batter onto the skillet while lively swing music played. He danced by the stove while busily making breakfast. Jetta entered the kitchen, stopped when she saw him, and leaned in the doorway to watch. She enjoyed catching his exceptionally good moods. It helped balance the heartbreaking moments when he was fighting the war in his head. He sang into the spatula and spun around to the music. He saw Jetta and suddenly stopped with surprise or possible embarrassment.
“In a good mood?” she teased.
Hunter smiled cheerfully, grabbed Jetta's hand, and swing danced with her. She laughed as he spun her around. He was actually a very good dancer, and it wasn't the first time they swing danced together. He released her, grabbed his spatula, flipped the pancake into the air without missing a beat, and caught it with the skillet on the way down. He returned the skillet to the stove, pulled Jetta into his arms, and kissed her quickly but passionately on the mouth. He broke off the kiss leaving Jetta stunned.
“Morning, Caroline,” he announced cheerfully.
Jetta stared at him with horror in her eyes. “Oh, God--”
Hunter returned to his pancakes and appeared oblivious to what he had inadvertently done. Jetta quickly removed her cell phone and pressed a button while moving to the far end of the kitchen. She got her father's voicemail, which wasn't unusual. Taking personal calls while on covert missions was generally frowned upon.
“Hey, Dad, it's me,” she said into the phone. “I think we have a real problem. Call me as soon as you can. Love you.” Jetta disconnected the call, sank into thought, and then made another. She watched Hunter dance around the stove without a care. Someone picked up on the other end. “Hey, Doc. It's Jetta.” There was a moment of silence as she listened to Doc through the phone. “Hunter thinks I'm Caroline. He's in a great mood, but I'm really worried. He's never mistaken me for her or anyone else before.” There was another pause as Doc responded on the other end. “Yes, we'll be there around nine.” The line went dead. “Hello? Doc?” Jetta disconnected the call and attempted to call him back. Her cell phone hummed.
“How many pancakes, my dear?” Hunter asked.
Jetta stared at him with a dumbfounded expression. She wasn't sure if she should play along or not. There was a knock at the front door. She almost welcomed the interruption. She smiled weakly and indicated the door.
“Hold that thought,” Jetta announced then hurried from the kitchen.
Jetta crossed the living room to the front door and opened it to reveal Sheriff Palmer. He managed a smile but appeared tense. Given the early hour and his questionable mood, he probably hadn't had his coffee yet.
“Morning, Jetta.”
“Whatever you think he did, Sheriff, he didn't do it. He was here all night,” she said defensively.
“No, I'm not here about Hunter,” Palmer remarked then fidgeted. “We sort of have a problem that now sort of involves you.”
Jetta groaned softly. She didn't have time for this. “I'd love to play guessing games with you, Sheriff, but I have a pancake situation in the kitchen.”
“And I have three bigw
igs from CDC breathing down my neck over my missing person's case.”
“CDC?” Jetta asked. “What does CDC have to do with a missing person?”
“Beats the hell out of me, but they want you to pick them up at the federal building on the mainland and take them on a tour of the island.”
“Don't these high profile types have their own transportation?” she asked.
“I don't know, but you don't question these boys, or they'll go up your ass with a microscope,” Palmer stated firmly then appeared embarrassed. “Excuse my language. I didn't have my coffee yet,” he muttered.
“I really can't, Sheriff. Hunter just lost his reality button, and I need to get him to Doc by nine.”
He suddenly appeared enthusiastic. “Is that all?” Palmer asked then grinned. “Hell, I can do that. I'll drop you off at the hanger and run Hunter to Doc just down the road.”
“My helicopter is still on the hotel roof from yesterday.”
“Better yet. I'll have Doc see him at the hotel.”
Jetta was suddenly suspicious of Sheriff Palmer. He was up to something, which was actually pretty normal for him. “Someone has to keep an eye on him,” she informed him sternly.
“We'll look after him. Trust me, it's under control.” Sheriff Palmer's look suddenly turned serious. “Do you have any coffee?”
†
Hunter sat alongside Jetta in the back of Sheriff Palmer's police cruiser and stared out the side window with a look of disgust on his face. He was in a foul mood now, which was never good, but being lost in his own mind and in a foul mood was borderline frightening.
“Who doesn't have time for pancakes?” he muttered. “I made those special. Now they're ruined. They'll be like little Frisbees by the time we get back.”
“Rafael will make you some special pancakes at the hotel,” Palmer grumbled from the driver's seat.
And then there was Sheriff Palmer with his own, special kind of foul mood to add to the explosive situation. Caffeine withdrawal. Jetta was regretting that there hadn't been any coffee on hand, but she wasn't expecting Sheriff Palmer knocking at her door so early. He usually didn't bug her until closer to lunchtime, so he could score a free lunch.
Insanely Deadly Page 7
