Jessie opened his eyes and the beach and his boys and his wife were gone. All that was in front of him now were two dead zombies and hard decisions. He turned his head to see Kenny standing in the doorway looking between the dead creatures and Jessie, more specifically Jessie’s arm.
“Bro.” Kenny said.
“Is the kid alright?” Jessie asked.
“He is going to have a headache.” Kenny said. “What do we do?”
“We keep our mouth shut and get everybody back on the boat. That’s what’s most important. Once that happens…” Jessie did not finish.
“Jessie.” Kenny said because he did not know what else to say.
“Listen. You have to focus. You are going to be the man.” Jessie said.
Kenny started shaking his head.
“Look, you have my wife and my children and Abby and all the rest of them to look out for. You have to get them through this. Knowing that will happen will make this alright.” Jessie said pointing at his arm.
“Jesus Christ Jessie.” Kenny said.
“I know. We just have to get through the next hour. We do that, and it will be alright.” Jessie said trying to reassure his friend.
“OK.” Kenny said. “I’ve got your back. I always will.”
“We have to go.” Jessie said.
Out in the store Christopher was sitting up rubbing his head. Jessie made sure his arm was covered and he went to him.
“Are you alright?” He asked.
“My head hurts, but yeah.”
“I’m sorry pal, adrenaline kicked in, I didn’t mean to shove you so hard.”
“It’s ok. I know you were helping me.” The boy said.
Jessie tussled his hair and helped him up. Kenny was still holding the clothes he had picked out and handed them to Christopher. Jessie went over to the other bathroom and checked it.
“Go ahead buddy. It’s safe.” Jessie said holding open the door.
“Stay here and wait for him. I’ll be back.” Jessie said.
Kenny nodded and stepped in front of the door.
Jessie went into the stock room and found what he was looking for. He wrapped the arm in clean paper towels and a cast made of packing tape to conceal the wound. He came back to the bathrooms and everyone was ready to go.
They got back to the Home Depot a few minutes late and found they were alone, with the exception of a handful of shambling creatures.
“This isn’t good.” Kenny said.
“We give it fifteen and then we go.” Jessie said.
A few minutes later they heard gunshots not very far away. They went on for a few seconds, stopped then started again.
“Do you here that?” Kenny asked.
“Of course I hear that.” Jessie said.
“No, listen.” Kenny said.
Jessie picked up on it.
“Three shots, one shot, three shots repeating.” He said.
“SOS.” Kenny said and they jumped back in the truck.
Kenny followed the sound of the shots and they found themselves at another Target department store. The entrance to the store was surrounded by a thick ring of zombies. Jessie looked closer and saw they were funneling in through a smashed window to the right of the doors. More shots rang out. They were coming from inside the store. Kenny swung the truck around to the back of the store and saw two of the big bay doors were open and there were creatures throughout the interior. More shots rang out.
“Why the hell did they go in there?” Kenny asked.
“What if it’s not them?” Jessie asked.
“The Home Depot truck at the loading dock says it is to me.” Kenny said.
Jessie had missed the truck. He was starting to feel dizzy and warm.
“How do we want to do this?” Kenny asked.
“Let’s plow the road with this thing.”
“You buckled, Christopher?” Jessie asked.
The boy nodded.
Kenny swung back around to the front picking up speed. He hit the hoard going fifty. Undead bodies flew in every direction. He turned the jeep and came in for another pass. It cleared the rest of the creatures that were outside.
“Back it up again?” Kenny asked.
“It’s worked so far.” Jessie said.
Kenny pulled the truck forward and swung it into position.
“Hit it.” Jessie said and Kenny backed the jeep through the glass entrance of the store. He pulled back out and reversed again making the hole bigger.
The store was filled with dozens of the creatures. They all seemed to be migrating towards a stairwell near the customer service counter. More gunshots rang out. They made Jessie and Kenny duck.
“Patrick? That you buddy?” Kenny yelled.
“Kenny, get the fuck over here and help us. We are high and dry. I got half a clip left and they keep coming.
“Alright buddy, you got your brother with you?” Kenny asked.
“Yep, he’s shot, but he’ll live. The blood is bringing them up here.” Patrick said, and fired two more shots.
Kenny looked over at Jessie, who was slapping the clip into an M16. He tossed it to Kenny and picked up the other one in the bed of the jeep.
“Stay down.” Jessie said to Christopher.
“We’re gonna open up. Stay upstairs. Copy?” Kenny yelled.
“Hurry the fuck up.” Patrick replied.
They opened up with the machine guns. Jessie first and then Kenny as Jessie reloaded. They switched out five clips but there was still dozens of the creatures in the store. Jessie looked around and made his decision.
“Kenny.” Jessie said.
“Yeah, Bro?” Kenny asked.
“You have to tell Mauri something for me.”
Kenny nodded.
“Tell her I meant what I said last night. She is our children’s best chance.” Jessie said.
Kenny nodded again.
Jessie changed the clip in his gun and pulled the Rambo knife from his pack. He jumped off the Jeep and ran towards the customer service desk. Most of the creatures were looking the other way as they shambled towards the blood smell. He checked a few in the back as he ran. He made it to the desk, jumped over it and closed the access door on the right He could see the stairs as he closed it. There were still dozens of zombies trying to reach the bleeding man upstairs. There was no opening between behind the counter and where the customers would line up to return merchandise. Jessie emptied his clip into the creatures that had not reached the stairwell. Then he jumped up on the desk, drew the giant knife from his belt buckle and cut himself from his elbow to his wrist on the outside of his good arm. Blood flowed freely as he jumped down on the customer side of the desk. He ran to the stairwell and swung his arm above his head. Droplets of blood landed on the backs of the closest creatures. Jessie began yelling and jumping. A creature came out of the women’s department and closed on him from behind. Jessie heard the dragging feet, spun and jammed the knife deep into the creature’s left eyeball. It popped with a sound one would associate with a Bubble Yum bubble. He spun back around wagging the arm in all directions trying to get as much blood on everything as possible.
“Come on down.” He yelled. “I’ve got your fucking lunch right here.”
Slowly the creatures on the stairs turned and began to lurch in Jessie’s direction. He stood his ground using the knife to dispatch each creature as it came within range. Eight eyeballs later he knew he was about to be mobbed.
“Whatever you are doing, it’s working.” Patrick yelled from the top of stairs.
Jessie smiled. He turned towards the women’s department and shoulder blocked his way out of the enclosing circle. None of the creatures were able to get a grip on him as he smashed his way into an opening. He swung his arm again and fresh blood flew. He backed up slowly checking his sides and back as he went.
“We are coming down.” Patrick said from far away.
Jessie ran to the jewelry counter and climbed up. He put his foot through the display
top, and then climbed onto the tall display on the center island. It was about six feet tall and had a two foot by two foot surface area. He knew the glass construction would not hold long, but it didn’t have to. Once his footing was sure he looked up and watched as Patrick and one of the secret service men carried Charlie from the stairwell to the safety of the Jeep’s bed.
Jessie smiled again. He already knew that Kenny would do a fine job with the new piecemeal family waiting for him on No Man’s Land, and with the new edition they picked up here. Kenny was looking around from the Jeep and found Jessie standing on top of the glass case. There were a hundred creatures around him now. The glass on the bottom cases were already breaking. Jessie pointed at the front doors of the store.
“Go.” He said.
Kenny pointed at Jessie and put his closed fist to his heart. Jessie did the same. Another glass case smashed as the Jeep rumbled to life and went out of the opening and into the sunlight.
Jessie looked around at all the creatures below him. The best he figured he had two minutes until the other displays crashed all the way down and they got to the center tower. Just then he wished he hadn’t dropped the M16, or that he had a pistol. He had no illusions of being able to shoot his way out of this. He knew his purpose had been served, and he wanted as painless an ending as possible. In the end he decided the Rambo knife would be painful and uncertain, but he figured that better than becoming one of them. If nothing else he could make himself bleed out. He looked at the underside of his arm. He could slice the vein and then his neck. The combination should do the trick. If not he had done his best.
The last case between the creatures and the glass tower gave way and three creatures fell in to it then landed on the floor. Jessie raised the knife and took a deep breath.
“I love you guys.” Jessie said and raised his arm.
An amazing explosion of glass and metal and fire destroyed the front of the department store. A split second later the grill of the Jeep appeared through the smoke. It obliterated everything in its path on the way to the jewelry counter. It only slowed marginally as it got within twenty feet of the glass tower. Jessie understood what was about to happen. As the Jeep got within five feet and began squashing zombies, Jessie crouched and jumped straight up in the air. The Jeep continued straight through the display at close to twenty miles an hour. Jessie had only managed a two foot vertical jump but it was enough to clear a windshield impact and land in the waiting human wall that was standing in the Jeep’s bed braced against the back canopy structure. The impact was violent, but they would all survive. Charlie, with the bullet wounded in his left leg, was driving and Kenny, Patrick and one of the secret service guys had caught Jessie as he flew through the air. They were all lying in a crumpled heap in the Jeep’s bed as Charlie navigated them out of the store through the existing hole.
They stopped to pick up the other secret service guy who was on top of a tractor trailer and holding a bazooka.
“Funny thing.” Jessie said to no one in particular. “That isn’t even close to the strangest thing I’ve seen today.”
“Are you alright?” Kenny asked looking at the blood soaking his arms.
“It’s but a flesh wound.” Jessie said smiling.
They got the Home Depot truck from the Target loading bay. It was full of the brother’s plunder. The secret service guys lost their ride to a gang of teenagers. They had been ambushed while trying to get into Target.
“Those little punks had Tech 9s.” Patrick said pointing to Charlie’s leg. “We heard the exchange of gunfire and came to see what was happening. They already had the truck, and took a shot at us as they made their escape.”
The two vehicle convoy made its way to the waiting boat for the last time. There were hardly any creatures around the dock as most of them were drawn to the gunfire and explosion. Jessie jumped out of the Jeep and operated the boat’s ramp. The vehicles drove on and they set sail.
Chapter 32
The brothers and the secret service guys sat in the pilothouse with Christopher while Kenny and Jessie remained in the café. Kenny was one booth away from Jessie facing him with an M16 on the table. Jessie’s arms were cleaned and redressed. Kenny had done it so as not to alert anyone else to the bite.
“So, now what?” Kenny asked.
“Now what? I don’t know.” Jessie said. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel, but I feel fine.”
“You’ve been bitten.” Kenny said. “You are not fine. I don’t know why I came back for you.”
There was a long silence.
“Actually, I do. I couldn’t stomach the thought of you being one of them.”
Jessie nodded. “Thank you.”
“But I know I have to kill you. There is no way you are getting off this boat.” Kenny said.
“I’ll be turned by then. I’m sorry it has to be you, but under the circumstances I wouldn’t want it any other way.” Jessie said.
They sat in silence for a very long time.
“There is another way.” Jessie said.
Kenny jumped at the sound of his voice.
“If I’m still alright when we get there I want to see my boys and Mauri one more time.”
“Never gonna happen.” Kenny said.
“I won’t leave the boat. I can use the binoculars. I just want to see them. Just leave me the gun. I’ll be satisfied. It’s the last favor I’ve got to ask for.” Jessie said.
Kenny thought about it. What harm could really be done. The boat will be a football field off shore and he was ready to sacrifice himself in the store. He was the one, after all, that had prolonged the inevitable.
“You have a day to watch.” Kenny said. “Tomorrow I come back out here if I haven’t heard a shot.”
“Thank you.” Jessie said relieved.
“We have to tell the others.” Kenny said.
“We will, as soon as we are in position. I don’t want them to panic beforehand.” Jessie said.
“For sure.” Kenny said. “But all bets are off if you start acting funny in the meantime.” Kenny said.
“Understood.” Jessie said and got up to find something to eat.
They dropped the secret service guys off at Oak Bluffs before heading to No Man’s Land. Horrigan had thanked them for their bravery and would make sure he told the President they had saved his and Booth’s lives.
They arrived at the buoy they would tie the big boat to, and lowered the first of many lifeboats full of supplies. It was still attached to the main boat, but in the water, when Jessie pulled everyone together.
He didn’t say anything, just unrolled his sleeve and pulled back the bandage.
“Son of a bitch, Jessie.” Patrick said. “When?”
“In the toy store. I didn’t clear a bathroom properly.”
“Shit, man, that was four hours ago.” Charlie said.
“It’s quicker in some than others I guess. Who the hell knows? I just wanted to see everyone was safe before I…” Jessie didn’t finish.
“Jesus Christ brother.” Patrick said.
“As far as anyone is to know I was killed outright. You brought me on the boat, I died and you buried me at sea. That will cover things with the boy seeing me. No need for the particulars. Is that understood?” Jessie asked.
“I swear.” Patrick said.
They all agreed.
Kenny took the first lifeboat to shore. Jessie watched from a concealed position using the binoculars. He watched as Kenny dragged the boat up to shore and as Abby and Mauri came out to meet him. He watched as Abby threw her arms around her man and as Kenny took Mauri by the elbows as she pulled away from their greeting hug. As Kenny spoke Abby covered her mouth with her hands and Mauri started shaking her head. He saw Kenny secure his grip as Mauri’s knees buckled. He watched, with tears streaming down his face, as Abby and Kenny eased her to her knees and each put arms around her. She was taking giant gasping sobs and had her face buried in Kenny’s chest. Then Michael and Shawn appeare
d, walking across the yard to their mother. She brought them in close and held them for a very long time. He couldn’t read the boys. With Jessie being gone all the time he didn’t think they comprehended him not coming back eventually. He put the binoculars down and sat back in one of the booth benches.
Jessie stayed in the café as the others went through the long process of getting the supplies to the island one lifeboat at a time. Kenny would come by from time to time and nod through the window at Jessie. He was surprised at how good he felt, physically anyway. The fever he felt initially seemed to have broken, and the only nausea he was feeling seemed boat related. Once they were all done unloading the boat Kenny came back into the café and sat down.
“Did you tell her everything was going to be alright?” Jessie asked.
“She is a smart woman Jessie. She knows the score. She is going to pour herself into those boys as her way of coping.”
Jessie knew he was right.
“That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Kenny said.
Jessie had nothing to say. Anything he could think of would come off as trivial.
“I’m going to go. You have until noon tomorrow.” Kenny said and stood up.
Jessie stood and approached Kenny. Kenny showed no sign of being scared.
“’Thank you will never cover what I have asked of you, so I won’t bother.” Jessie said and hugged his friend. “I’ll see you again.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Kenny replied. “On this side or the other.”
They both smiled.
As Kenny rowed the boat back to shore, a single shot was fired and there was a faint splash. Kenny closed his eyes and said a prayer for his dead friend.
Sawkill : Omnibus Page 25
