White Flag of the Dead

by Joseph Talluto

  She wasn’t having any of it. “We fought hard for our lives and we have fought off men who would try and turn us into their slaves or worse. We came here because we have all lost something in the plague and thought the plan about taking things back sounded good. But I will not take orders from you.” She walked towards me during this speech and stood about three feet from me. From this vantage point I could see she was armed only with a knife, although there could have been other weapons.

  I was unrelenting and getting madder by the minute. “If you don’t like it, leave. I didn’t invite you, but I welcome you if you want to stay. I don’t force anyone to do anything I won’t do myself, and you are free to leave whenever you want. But while you are here you will take my orders, if and when I choose to give them. Do you see those two over there?” I pointed to Tommy and Duncan. “They have been with me since the beginning and we have been through more shit than I care to try and forget. They follow my lead, but I do not insist they stay with me. If they want to leave, they can go anytime.”

  “There is only one way I will follow you.” Pamela said, squaring off and raising her hands. “We fight. You win, I follow your orders. I win, you follow mine.”

  I was incredulous. “Are you kidding me? This isn’t some movie, you idiot. People die here. See that smoldering mess over there? That used to be a teenage girl who got bit. I don’t have time for these games. Take your women and leave.” I hooked my thumbs into my belt, leaving my hand close to my gun if things got ugly.

  Pamela moved closer. “I’m surprised anyone would follow a man who would get a teenage girl killed. But what man would actually care?” She sneered in my face, and at that moment, the days events came at me in a rush. I’m not sure what came over me, but the cold fire of battle had been stirred and for once I welcomed it.

  “You want to fight?” I snarled. “Fine. Head north and get yourself killed. I particularly don’t care. You and yours mean next to nothing to me right now. The only one I have a use for is your nurse. She will stay and help that little baby we rescued. I’ll pull a gun on her or you to get her to help if I have to, but it will get done. As far as fighting you? Dream on. I didn’t get involved in this effort to rebuild what we lost to be ruled by the will of the strongest. I was elected to this position and any time these people want to replace me they are free to do so. I will not,” and I got right up into her face as I said this, “reduce myself or those I lead to the level of some of the animals I have encountered since the world ended. If they are more to your liking, get out now. You’re not welcome here.”

  I turned my back to her and faced Tommy and Duncan who looked at me like they had never seen me before. “Get the rest set up in the condos. Get the fires going and we’ll see to their needs in the morning.” I turned back to the group of women. “I don’t have time for this nonsense. If you want to leave, go. If not, you know the rules.” I pointed at the nurse. “Please go check on our little survivor. Tommy will show you the way.”

  With that, I went back to my condo, shaking my head all the while at the stupid turn of events. I went inside and washed my hands with the bucket of water by the sink. Sarah came in and asked what had happened. I told her quickly, sparing her none of the details. She was quiet for a moment, and then she spoke.

  “You may have trouble with her later.” She said.

  I sighed. “Yeah, probably. But I will not let us fall to the level of uncivilized barbarians who kill each other for trinkets or status. Enough.” I shook my head to clear it. “I’ve had too rough of a day to worry about it now.”

  Sarah smiled. “No kidding. Go play with your son. He wants his daddy.”

  I smiled and went to the living room, where Jake and I played tag until it was time to go to bed.

  25

  In the morning, I got a surprise as I passed Tommy and Duncan’s condo. I could hear animated voices within and I swear I heard that Pamela’s voice. Shaking my head I went down to Charlie’s condo to check on our new arrival.

  Charlie was feeding the little girl when I knocked and was told to enter. The nurse, whose name was Rebecca Maxwell, as I found out later, was going through some medication that Tommy and Duncan had taken from the pharmacy down the road.

  “How’s it going?” I asked Charlie, peeking at the little face that was feeding noisily.

  Charlie smiled at the little face. “She’s been up and down all night, getting water and formula. She hasn’t gotten a fever, and everything seems to be normal.” Charlie looked up at me. “I think we got lucky and got there just in time. Doc says if nightfall had come she would likely have died.”

  I nodded. “Given all that we have been through, I think we were owed a little luck. I’m glad it worked out in this case and we’re able to give this little girl a chance.”

  Charlie gave a thoughtful nod and then asked, “Any idea what her name might be?”

  I shook my head. “I didn’t see anything as we got out of there. I guess it’s up to you if you want to go back and see if you can find anything.”

  Charlie nodded again and said, “I’ll go back today to get the crib and supplies, and see if I can find anything else. What are you up to today?”

  “I’m in a mood to see if I can’t find us a snow plow.” I said watching Charlie’s reaction. I wasn’t disappointed. His eyebrows shot straight up and his mouth dropped open. He recovered quickly and returned to his usual stoic self.

  “Why?” was all he said.

  “I figure it might be a good idea to be able to move in the winter, and a plow will allow us to go wherever we want. We both know the heavy snows are on the way, and the fact that we haven’t been hit with any yet just tells me we’re in for it.”

  “Well, that makes sense. I’m going to take Jason and Lisa with me, and we’re going to clear the rest of the houses and start firing them up.” Charlie finished feeding the baby and motioned for the nurse to take her. After he had passed her off, he stood up and stretched.

  “I heard about last night.” Charlie said, looking at me as he belted on his gun and knife.

  I snorted. “Bunch of crap. I don’t have time for such stupidity. People like that have been reading too much End of the World as We Know It fiction.”

  Charlie laughed. “I used to read that stuff myself. Never figured I’d be living it.”

  We walked out of the condo together. “I try not to think about that too much.” I said.

  Charlie headed towards Jason and Lisa’s condo while I went back to mine. I found Sarah up with Jake, who was trying his best to thwart her attempts to feed him oatmeal. I couldn’t figure out who was wearing more, him or Sarah.

  Sarah turned to me, with a big glob of oatmeal in her hair and said, “Next time, you’re feeding him. He’s faster with his hands than you are.”

  I laughed. “He is. I should have warned you. Listen, Charlie is heading to the subdivision we went through yesterday with Lisa and Jason. They’re going to start firing it as soon as possible. I’m going to head to a Highway Department Facility and see if I can get a snow plow. I have no idea what Tommy and Duncan are up to, but I have a suspicion that Pamela Richards spent the night with them. Don’t know if that is going to cause a problem yet, but we’ll see.”

  Sarah finished with Jake and gave him some Cheerios to work on. “You’re not that stupid are you?”

  “What? What are you talking about.?” I was more than a little surprised.

  “Let’s do the math, shall we? Pamela does not like you and does not want you to be the leader. She hooks up with a friend of yours, and spends as much time as possible filling his head with bad thoughts about you, criticisms of your decisions and what not. Nothing out in the open, of course, but I would not be surprised if there is an election soon to replace you.” Sarah stood there with her hands on her hips. It reminded me of my mother, for some disturbing reason.

  I thought about it for a second. “You think so?”

  “Of course. It’s what I would do.” Sarah s
aid, giving me a sly smile and a punch on the arm.

  I returned the punch. “Thank God you’re on my side. I’m heading out soon, so if you want to come along, you’d better get off your lazy ass and suit up.”

  That earned me a glare from green eyes as Sarah stalked off to her room. I picked Jake up and got him dressed, and brought him to Charlie’s condo. I asked Rebecca if she would be willing to watch Jake for a few hours and she readily agreed. I told her about his nap schedule and brought some of his favorite toys.

  Kissing his little head and promising him I would be back soon, I went back to my condo and prepared for action. I put on my usual gear, checking my weapons and placing them in their usual spots. I had done this so often I could do it in my sleep. I grabbed my gloves and balaclava, the latter being used more for warmth than anything else these days.

  I met Sarah in the hall and together we went down to the ground. Tommy, Duncan, and Pamela were already outside, engaged in conversation. I waved Tommy over, and the trio came as a group.

  “I’m going to head over to a highway facility and see if I can’t get us a snow plow. I figure when the snow hits, and it may be today, judging by that sky, we’re going to need mobility and a way to get around if the snow gets deep. Anyone want to come along?” I was sure Tommy probably would, but Duncan was another matter.

  Pamela spoke up. “Seems like a waste of time. Why don’t we spend the time gathering supplies and cutting wood.?”

  I tried to keep the irritation out of my voice. “If we can’t get to the supplies, we can’t exactly gather them, can we?”

  Pamela seemed unfazed. “Still seems kind of a waste.”

  Tommy spoke up. “Makes sense to me. I’m in.”

  Duncan shook his head. “I’ll stay here. I don’t feel like heading out right now.” His eyes drifted to the burn area, where Chelsea’s body lay.

  I nodded. “Fine. Do me a favor and make a check to see who needs cold weather gear and get them situated. Also, get some more people out to gather firewood. Check with Charlie and make sure he gets any useful tools before he fires the houses and especially extra coats and blankets. If he finds an axe, great.”

  Pamela shook her head and walked away. Duncan watched her go and Sarah ran out after her. I watched the exchange between the two of them, and the body language was interesting. Pamela first put her hands on her hips, then she crossed her arms. Next she leaned in towards Sarah, who didn’t give and inch. Finally, she took a step back and her face was frozen in shock. Sarah left her like that and came back to the group, smiling that little smile of hers that let me know she just did something I likely wouldn’t have approved of.

  I didn’t ask what had transpired, figuring Sarah would tell me in time. We climbed into pickup truck and fired it up. The gas gauge was at three quarters, so we were good for a bit. We were only going a few miles, so I wasn’t worried about running out.

  Turning east, we went past the grocery store and the gas station. Sarah wondered aloud if there might be any coffee left over in the coffee shop. I smiled but I was pretty sure I would cheerfully murder someone for a diet soda right about now. Alas for the little things.

  We passed the drugstore on the corner and I could still see the cars from my last encounter there. The man’s body had been pretty well picked over by animals, and I would bet the woman had been as well. I gripped the wheel tighter as we passed, and Sarah asked me what was wrong.

  I told her and Tommy about the murders and what I had done in retaliation. I didn’t hold anything back, as was my nature, and left people to judge as they would.

  Sarah didn’t say anything, and I was strangely afraid I had lost stature in her estimation, but Tommy seemed to empathize. “Good riddance. Scum like that are just opportunists. Kill ‘em all, I say.”

  “Amen.” was all Sarah said.

  I smiled as we rolled down the street, past a golf course and another subdivision. This one was gutted, with skeletal remains of homes burned and others with windows smashed and doors torn off. From our vantage point, I could see that no house had been spared. Every mailbox had a white flag of some sort on it. This must be what the areas north of the river, closer to Chicago must look like. When the Z’s headed south en masse, they overwhelmed everyone who tried to make a stand. Unless you were lucky enough to find a fortress, you were food.

  Turning right along the valley highway, we skirted around a couple of abandoned cars and made our way to the next intersection. The dark grey sky was getting more ominous all the time, and I figured we had two hours maximum before the weather broke.

  We drove up another street heading east and came to the entrance of the highway facility. The gate was open, but the garages looked like they had been left alone. Several vehicles were parked around the yard, and everything looked relatively calm. Usually that was when the other shoe dropped.

  We got out of the truck and spread out. I headed for the office, as I figured that would be were the keys were. As cold as it was, I wasn’t too worried about lingering zombies, but I still held my crowbar as a precaution. Sarah and Tommy went over to the smaller garage to see if there was anything useful.

  The office door was locked, but opened quickly with some judicious persuasion with my crowbar. The office was in a little disarray, but I didn’t pay particular attention to it since my own office often looked worse once upon a time. I checked the desk for keys, and finding nothing, went over to the lock box on the wall and checked it. My hopes were dashed when all that fell out were band-aids.

  I went over to the smaller desk in the office and checked the drawers. I found nothing of interest except for an unusually large supply of chewing gum. Frustrated, I looked around and saw a door that led to the large garage next to the administrative building. Opening the door, I looked into the gloom of the garage and saw several plow trucks, so that part of the mission was accomplished. But the keys were elusive. Staying in the doorway, I looked around at what I considered logical places for keys. Finding nothing, I went back into the office and looked around again. I noticed something on the wall behind the open door of the office, a rack with keys. That made sense. The secretary and supervisor could see at a glance what trucks were out and what ones were still in the garage.

  Grabbing three sets of keys, I went into the garage and started a slow recon of the garage. I stayed near the doors, as I could see better using the light from the windows in the garage. The plow blades loomed large in the waning light, the trucks waiting like dormant beasts. I couldn’t hear anything out of the ordinary, so I used the tried and true method of throwing something and seeing if anything moved. Picking up a pop can from a work table, I tossed it towards the back wall. The can hitting the floor sounded like a shot, and I listened intently for any sound.

  Sure enough, I heard some scraping and sliding on the concrete floor. Something was back there. But I wasn’t going to go hunting in the dark, no matter how cold it was or how slow the Z’s were. I went to the garage door and unlocked it, shoving the door upward with a grunt. God, I missed electricity.

  The open door cast a lot more light into the garage, and I bent down to see underneath the trucks. There was something moving in the back, but the truck’s tires kept me from seeing clearly what it was. I circled to the left and saw what was left of a man trying to crawl. He was wearing a blue jumpsuit, and when he raised himself up I could see CARL stitched on the breast pocket. His skin was nearly white, mottled with black streaks. His back around his kidneys had been torn out, and I could see his broken spine through the cloth. That would explain why he was crawling.

  After checking to make sure he was alone, I hefted my crowbar and slammed Carl’s head to the ground. His skull cracked like a coconut, and his movement stopped completely. I hooked his collar with the claw end and dragged him outside. A quick look around showed he was alone, so I checked my keys and went over to the truck that had the corresponding number.

  I climbed into the cab and looked things over. It didn’t se
em too complicated, and I was thankful yet again that my parents insisted that I learn to drive stick shift when I was learning to drive. “Never know when a skill might be handy.” My dad used to say. I hoped he was alright, but I didn’t have much faith in that.

  I put the key in the ignition and tried it. The engine coughed and turned over, but didn’t catch. I tried it again and the same thing happened. Hoping the third time was the charm, I tried it again. No go. Okay, one last time and I would try another truck. Once again I was rewarded with nothing.

  It wasn’t until I tried the third truck that I actually got one running. It was a newer model, so I imagined it didn’t lose power as fast as the other ones. I got out of the cab to let things warm up and ran into Tommy and Sarah. They were both grinning like fools and I wondered what was going on. They had to have found something pretty neat to be smiling like that.

  “What’s up?” I asked, giving the two of them a suspicious look.

  Tommy nudged Sarah who smiled and pointed to the pickup. In the bed were two small devices, and it took me a minute to figure out what they were. When I did, I whooped and grabbed up Sarah, swinging her around in a small dance of joy. She laughed and it was a good thing to hear. For good measure, I grabbed Tommy and did the same thing to him. He didn’t laugh.

  “Where the hell did you find them?” I asked, walking over to the truck and resting a hand on two of the most beautiful gas powered generators I had ever laid eyes on.

  Tommy came up and slapped me on the back. “We found them just sitting on the side of that small garage. There was a bunch of other tools, and another welding torch, but these were the prize. I hear you have a truck running.”

  I smiled. “Took me twelve tries, three trucks, and a crippled Carl to find it, but she’s warming up now.”

  “Carl?” Sarah asked, arching an eyebrow at me. “Since when do we name these things?”

  I laughed. “Ordinarily I don’t. But it’s on his coveralls, so he gets a name.”