†
Desmond, Tyler, Styles, Rafael, and Stacy fired their weapons from the broken sunroom window while Doc and Carter kept watch on the hallway entrance. Stacy was surprisingly accurate with her shots. Tyler glanced at her several times between his own shots and grinned.
“I never knew you could be such a badass,” Tyler remarked while grinning.
Stacy glanced at him, considered the comment, and smiled in response.
“Would you ever consider going out with me?” he asked.
She looked at him and attempted to hide her surprise. She flashed a smile and shrugged. “I may be interested.”
Tyler grinned and resumed shooting from the window. Stacy smiled to herself. She'd finally gotten her date with a handsome, somewhat decent guy. Lee sat on the sofa not far from Elise, who slept in the corner. Lee held her aching head and watched the four men and Stacy firing out the window then looked at the four guests. They clung to one another while sitting on two other sofas not far from her. The four guests looked worried but more relaxed now that they felt safe for the moment. Lee glanced at Elise. It seemed odd that she could sleep with all the gunfire coming from the nearby window. She studied her a moment longer then uncertainly moved closer to her on the sofa.
“Elise?”
Lee gently nudged her shoulder. She saw a small amount of blood on Elise's hand. Almost everyone had blood on them by this point. Even Lee had blood on her arms, hands, and pink sneakers. Lee appeared curious and gently turned Elise's hand over. The bite mark glared back at her. It was small, but a bite all the same. Lee gasped and jumped up from the sofa as Elise turned her head to reveal dead eyes. She snarled at Lee and lunged for her. Lee screamed as zombie Elise tackled her to the floor. Desmond turned away from the window, saw them on the floor together, and ran for Lee. Zombie Elise had her teeth close to Lee's face. Desmond kicked Elise off her. Elise fell to the floor then sprang to her feet while snarling at Desmond. Desmond raised his rifle and shot her through her eye. As zombie Elise dropped to the floor, Desmond knelt alongside Lee and checked her for injuries.
“Are you okay?” he asked with concern in his voice. “Did she bite you?”
Lee stared at Desmond a moment as if unable to speak then slowly shook her head. He appeared relieved and rubbed her shoulders.
“That's a relief--”
Lee suddenly threw her arms around his neck, startling him, and kissed him passionately on the mouth. She pulled away before he had a chance to react. As he stared into her eyes, she smiled at him in a way she had never smiled at him before.
He stared back at her and remained stunned. “Uh, you're welcome.”
Chapter Thirty-one
Jetta's helicopter hovered over the school parking lot as Bishop and Hunter rained bullets down upon the zombies. Men from the trucks now sat parked by the school and shot the remaining zombies. Wayne drove the white pick-up truck toward the school bus. Edwin jumped out the back while Wayne continued to shoot the few approaching zombies. The school bus doors opened. Edwin ushered the weary survivors out and into the back of the pick-up truck. Once they were loaded, the truck raced across the lot and to the front of the school where Dixon, Hanson, and Remy stood just outside the open doors while shooting zombies. Edwin helped the ten survivors from the bus off the back of the truck. Dixon hurried them inside.
More than a dozen brave survivors from the gym gathered in the alcove to watch the ensuing battle with the undead. It was a welcomed relief to know someone was doing something to ensure their survival. Tanner held the little girl in his arms as the survivors from the bus ran inside.
The little girl's face lit up as she screamed, “Mommy!”
One of the women from the bus looked across the alcove and saw Tanner holding her little girl. She was overjoyed while running for them.
“Lily!”
Tanner set the little girl down. She ran into her mother's awaiting arms. Her mother hugged her to the point of suffocating her. Tanner approached and smiled with satisfaction.
“Mommy, this is Tanner,” she said. “He saved me from the bad people.”
The little girl's mother looked at Tanner, sobbed softly, and hugged him. “Thank you, thank you so much.”
“She's been very brave,” Tanner informed the girl's mother then looked at the little girl. “Isn't that right, sunflower?”
The little girl smiled and nodded.
The battle ensued outside in the parking lot. A small herd of zombie football players, cheerleaders, and band members aggressively charged Wayne's truck. Wayne and Edwin shot as many as they could, but they kept coming at a rapid pace. Wayne attempted to start the truck, but it wouldn't turn over. Hunter disappeared from the back door of the helicopter then reappeared with the rocket launcher in his hands. A rocket whizzed from the helicopter and into the approaching zombies. The horde of zombies were blown to bits and body parts scattered across the parking lot, leaving a large crater in the pavement. Wayne and Edwin cried out with surprise and shielded themselves from the charred, fleshy body parts raining down upon them.
“Oh, yeah! I've got to get me one of these!” Hunter cried out with enthusiasm.
As Jetta's helicopter turned, it nearly collided with a military helicopter. Jetta veered her helicopter away from the massive, intimidating military helicopter and landed in the parking lot. Hunter, Bishop, and Jetta jumped out as the military helicopter lowered. Eight fully armed men leaped from the helicopter, stormed the parking lot, and immediately fired on the remaining zombies. The last man, Admiral Quinn Cross, stepped out and smiled at Jetta. The admiral was tall and built like a tank. His shaved head added to his intimidating appearance. Jetta stared at her father with surprise then became excited.
“Dad!”
Jetta ran to Quinn and jumped into his arms. He held her in his arms and appeared reluctant to release her. Jetta pulled away and stared at her father. How did he know to come and rescue her? He had his ways, but this was too amazing.
“But how--? The lines were down,” she announced. “How did you know we were in trouble?”
“I got your message about a problem,” he replied while grinning. “When I couldn't reach you, I poked around, learned a thing or two, and deployed the men.”
“That call was before the real problem even began,” she said then laughed. “But I'm glad you're a man of action.”
Hunter approached Quinn, grinned with the cigar between his teeth, and saluted him. Quinn stared at Hunter with a cheerful grin, but the look in his eyes conveyed his concern about the condition of his friend.
“Oh, wow, he's really fighting the war this time,” Quinn said softly to Jetta then gave a return salute to Hunter. He indicated the nearby crater from the rocket launcher. “Captain, I'd recognize your work anywhere. As always, I'm glad you're on our side.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Quinn hugged Hunter, who returned the manly hug. Quinn pulled away and indicated the Navy Seals storming the parking lot.
“There's your team,” Quinn announced then made the familiar motion indicating ‘rear assault and take no prisoners’.
Hunter grinned and joined the other eight Navy Seals. Most were former comrades and had fought alongside him years ago. They cheerfully patted him on the back as he approached, but their reunion was brief. They returned to shooting stray zombies with Hunter by their side. Bishop approached Quinn and Jetta, attempting not to interrupt their joyful reunion. Jetta saw him approach and grinned at her father.
“You've been gone a while, Dad,” Jetta remarked. “I don't think you've met--”
Quinn grinned and proudly extended his hand to Bishop. “Harlan Rafkin, it's a pleasure to meet you again.”
Jetta's expression dropped. Harlan Rafkin? It couldn't be true! How could he keep something like that from her? Why had he lied to her? Bishop and Quinn shook hands. Her father looked at her and grinned while chuckling.
“Mr. Rafkin put the team up for free in one of his luxury hotels last ye
ar after we finished a little mission outside Rio,” Quinn informed her then grinned at Bishop. “Again, sorry about the mishap in room 5010.”
Bishop avoided looking at Jetta. He suddenly appeared to recall the incident and uncertainly nodded. “Oh, yeah, I remember now,” he muttered. “The flamethrower thing.”
Jetta stared at Bishop, although he still avoided looking at her. “Harlan Rafkin?” she growled lowly.
He finally looked at her and appeared apologetic. “Jetta, I can explain,” Bishop gently announced.
“Yeah? Well, don't bother.”
Jetta hurried back to her helicopter and jumped inside. Quinn appeared surprised and watched the helicopter lift and fly away. He eyed Bishop while maintaining his grin and placed his hand firmly on his shoulder to the point of causing him physical pain.
“Please tell me you didn't screw my little girl.”
Chapter Thirty-two
Two days had passed since Winter Harbor was a zombie war zone. Jetta and Hunter stood before the hanger and hugged the men from her father's team as the military helicopter prepped for departure. It was a long, tear-filled good-bye for everyone. She had two wonderful days with her father and his rowdy team. It was exhausting but exhilarating being able to fight alongside her father, and, for the first time in her life, be a part of his world. It was an amazing experience, which she hoped she would never have to repeat. The prospect of mind numbing helicopter tours with the rich and pampered never sounded so good. Quinn shook Hunter's hand then gave him a manly hug.
“Look after my little girl until I get back.”
“I always do, Admiral.”
Hunter once again returned from fighting the war both real and in his mind. It was the longest he'd ever been lost in his own mind since he came out of the coma seven years ago. His three-day siege proved one thing to him. No matter how lost he became; no matter what he thought he saw; he still knew enough not to take innocent lives. He no longer feared becoming an unstoppable monster. He also discovered he was still a damned fine soldier. Despite all that he lost the day he nearly died, he'd actually lost nothing that really mattered. Quinn approached Jetta, grinned, and held her firmly in his arms. She returned the hug and didn't want to let go.
As he held her against him, he whispered in her ear, “Keep Hunter away from anything that explodes, okay?”
Jetta laughed then nodded and kissed him on the cheek. Quinn pulled away, smiled at her, and then turned while secretly wiping a tear from his eye. He hurried for the helicopter and jumped inside before anyone would notice. Hunter moved alongside Jetta and placed his arm over her shoulder as they watched the helicopter lift off. She rested her head on his shoulder and sadly watched as the helicopter slowly vanished, once again whisking her father far from her. She was grateful she would always have Hunter. He was the one constant in her life the last seven years. And every time her father had to leave, she knew her second father would always be there with her. He gave her a knowing squeeze, as if he'd read her thoughts. She was almost sure he had, because he was probably thinking the same thing. Both stared at the empty sky and appeared reluctant to look away. There was a long moment of silence between them.
“Thanks for not telling on me,” Hunter said gently.
Jetta grinned and laughed softly while clinging to him. “What's one rocket launcher between friends?” she teased.
Hunter chuckled and kissed her forehead.
†
Piles of charred zombie bodies, exploded cars, and demolished buildings were everywhere throughout town. Army vehicles still flooded every street in Winter Harbor. Despite the destruction, a majority of the town seemed to have survived. This was indicated by the number of survivors milling about the sidewalks in front of their homes and other places they had sought shelter during the zombie rampage. Sheriff Palmer walked along the sidewalk with Deputy Styles on crutches alongside him. Both cheerfully greeted townsfolk as they passed. Spirits were high despite all they had suffered. The residents of Winter Harbor were survivors. Perhaps it was instilled in them from enduring their long, harsh winters, or maybe it was because they were direct descendants from Mainers just a short trip across the ocean.
Sheriff Palmer had his own, distinctive theory to their survival as he approached the diner. He watched his neighbors helping the cook remove boards from the diner window. He grinned and proudly patted the heavy door to the diner. The door had deep scratches down the front stained with blood and several torn fingernails embedded in the wood. It was his opinion that old-fashioned country craftsmanship kept the good people of Winter Harbor alive. If their homes could survive Maine winters, they could most certainly withstand a zombie outbreak.
Stella hurried out from the diner and handed Sheriff Palmer his usual extra-large cup of coffee-to-go. He grinned and, without warning, hugged her. She smiled, returned the embrace with delight, and nodded him inside. He placed his arm around her and held her affectionately to his side as he walked with her into the diner. She wasn't sure if it was the coffee or her that he missed, but he'd never displayed affection toward her like that before. It didn't matter; she'd take it either way. Styles watched them enter the dinner, grinned, and shook his head. It was a defining moment for the good sheriff. Everyone in town knew Stella made the worst coffee, yet Sheriff Palmer continually bragged about it. If that wasn't love, nothing was. Styles proudly looked around at his town and took a deep, cleansing breath. As he looked down the sidewalk, his smile suddenly faded. Several teenage girls were watching him and chattering softly among themselves. They hurried toward him while fussing over his injuries. Deputy Styles appeared alarmed and quickly hobbled away from them and into the diner after Sheriff Palmer.
†
The hotel looked like a war zone. Nearly every door and window on the first floor of the hotel was boarded up after shattering from the force of the improvised explosives. The parking lot had charred, wrecked vehicles sticking out of crater-sized holes in the blacktop. Scores of military men collected the remains of exploded zombie parts and bagged them for whatever their reason. A large bonfire burned nearly one hundred zombies as more were being tossed on. Carter walked the parking lot with a solemn look while shaking his head. Recovering from the devastation seemed a long way off, and he didn't have the energy for it. Bishop walked the parking lot with his clipboard and documented the damage. Carter frowned and uncertainly approached him.
“What's the damage?” Carter reluctantly asked while looking around his once luxurious resort. “Do you think the insurance will cover this?”
Bishop snorted a laugh while busily writing on his clipboard. “Our insurance doesn't cover biohazard contamination, willful property destruction, and damage sustained from a zombie apocalypse. But, on the bright side, Harlan Rafkin agreed to pay for the damages I orchestrated. I just need to submit a bill of damage for the parking lot and first floor windows.”
“What about the rest?” Carter asked.
“You can't exactly sue a zombie,” Bishop replied. “You and he will have to assess the remaining damage and come to an agreement. I was only responsible for the damage done by our homemade explosives.”
Carter groaned and shook his head with disgust. “The next time you speak to Mr. Rafkin, tell him I'd like to reconsider his buyout offer.”
“I think the buyout amount dropped drastically, but I'll mention it to him.”
Carter nodded and walked away.
The parking lot entrance to the hotel lobby was crudely boarded with a makeshift door in the middle. Despite the fact that a pick-up truck had been sitting in the middle of the lobby just two days ago, the lobby appeared almost tidy. The debris from the door and wall was already cleaned and removed. The salvageable remaining furniture was neatly organized to restore some sense of normalcy even if the hotel wouldn't be reopened until the following summer after all necessary repairs had been made. Several bloodstains remained as a grisly reminder of recent events. Desmond held Lee in his arms as they stood before the
front desk. She smiled while clinging to him and played with the buttons on his shirt. Desmond grinned and indicated the pink high heels she wore.
“Those are my favorite,” he informed her. “Maybe you could wear those on our trip to the mainland.”
“Maybe I will,” Lee teased.
“How many pink shoes do you actually own?” he finally asked.
“Twenty-three,” she said sheepishly. “I know; that's too many pink shoes.”
“Actually, I was remembering a pair of pink slippers I saw at that mall on the mainland. You'd look adorable in them.”
Lee laughed and kissed him warmly. Desmond returned the kiss with a little more passion and some added aggression. Rafael approached, saw them in their compromising embrace, and cleared his throat while attempting to hide his smile. They quickly jumped apart and appeared flustered.
“Dude, you should hear the word around town,” Rafael informed Desmond. “You and Hunter are heroes.”
“I'm no hero,” Desmond remarked with a humored chuckle. “Hunter pointed a gun at me and made me help. He's the hero.”
“According to him, you gave the orders.”
“Not exactly how I remember it,” Desmond replied with a laugh.
“You'll always be a hero to me,” Lee cooed with a grin.
“Well, hero worship does have its rewards,” Desmond teased and quickly kissed her.
“Get a room,” Rafael teased.
“Hmm, excellent idea,” Lee replied without taking her eyes off Desmond.
Hunter and Ming entered the lobby through the beachside doors. She kissed him warmly on the lips then headed down the corridor toward the kitchen. Hunter watched her with a grin until she was gone then waltzed toward the front desk. He cast his back against the desk and sighed dreamily.
“She kissed me. Did you see that?”
“Yeah, dude, we saw. I'm happy for you,” Rafael replied cheerfully. “And when the hotel reopens next summer, I heard Ming will have Elise's job.”
Insanely Deadly Page 22
