The Infected (Book 5): Battleground

by Zuko, Joseph

  Troy nodded.

  There was movement inside the kitchen.

  Karen yelled, “What happened?” as she stepped from the house, pistol in hand.

  Leon stood behind her with his rifle tucked tight to his shoulder.

  “Oh, no!” Karen’s hand covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

  Troy knelt beside the woman and tugged the pack of smokes from her shirt pocket. He slid out a cigarette and held it to her lips. Troy sparked the lighter.

  Leon asked, “Was it her father?”

  Desiree sucked in a huge hit of nicotine and spoke from the corner of her mouth as she exhaled. “Yep, the mean old bastard couldn’t stand going to hell alone.”

  “I took care of him,” said Troy as he got to his feet and joined the others in the semicircle.

  She took another deep drag. Tears fell. Her final words, full of sorrow. “I got to say, this doesn’t surprise me one bit… Oh fuck me in my sad old ass… I lived a horrible… painful life. I regretted every damn decision I ever fucking made. To go out this way… It doesn’t surprise me.” She drained the cigarette to the filter and spit it to the ground. “When I turn, what are you gonna do? Shoot me? Stab me? I bet you’ll leave me here on this bench, to rot. I’m sorry… I don’t know what I’m saying… I can feel it you know… I can feel this fucking disease coursing through my veins. It’s working its way to my brain… It’s fast.” She coughed a bloody hack. “It’s like fire, burning in my blood.” She unwrapped the wound and dropped the blood-soaked towel to the ground. She slid her sleeve to her elbow. Black lines spread from the bite mark. “I don’t want to turn. It hurts so bad already… I can’t fucking take it!” She glanced at the group. “Please, you’ve got to end me now.”

  No one moved.

  “Come on. You’ve killed tons of those fuckers! What’s the difference?” Blood drooled from her mouth. “Alright, I’ll do it. Fuckin’ give me the gun!” She reached with her dark red palm. “I don’t have long. It’s almost got me… Please!”

  Karen took a step and handed Desiree the pistol.

  Desiree flashed one last sarcastic yellow grin. “Thanks for the ride.” She put the gun to her skull and tugged the trigger. Her head snapped to the side. A red mist exploded.

  The group flinched. Their jaws went slack.

  Desiree’s body slumped and fell from the bench. The gun clattered across the concrete slab.

  The group stood motionless. A minute passed as they processed the events. Broken by countless tragedies. Their humanity on the brink. They only met the woman a few hours ago and now she’s gone. How should one react? This was the tenth person taken from them in a single day.

  Cold to the reality. Each of them thinking a unified thought.

  At least it wasn’t me.

  Troy slid a shell from his bandolier and replaced his spent round, “I’m going to check the garage for a shovel.” He moved for the open door.

  Leon ran his hand through his hair and said, “Shouldn’t we hit the road?”

  “First, I’m going to bury Desiree and her father.” Troy entered the house.

  Karen caught her brother by the sleeve, “Leon’s right. I don’t like it, but we don’t have time for this. We still need to hit the pharmacy and I want to be at Jim’s folks house before dark.”

  Troy lowered his head, “It doesn’t have to be six feet deep and we can put them both in the same grave, but we have to do this. The second we stop caring about people, that’s when we turn into monsters.”

  She released him. “Okay, this place seems safe for now, but let’s be quick.”

  Troy nodded and stepped deeper into the house.

  Karen grabbed her gun. Desiree’s blood coated the grip. A perfect hand print remained.

  Leon slung his rifle to his back, “I’ll help him. I’d been hoping for more manual labor today.” He gave Karen a slanted grin. “Sorry, I know. Bad timing.” He entered the house and followed Troy.

  “I’ll find some blankets or sheets to wrap the bodies, but first, I’ve got to take a piss. Not joking.” Sara headed into the house and hollered. “Sorry. TMI.”

  Karen scanned the area. The yard had a new wood fence on all three sides with a gate that led to the alley that split the block in two. It appeared secure. Short green grass filled most of the plot. Two raised beds sat opposite each other, one for flowers, the second filled with ripe red tomatoes hanging on dark green vines, vibrant snap peas, ruby red strawberries, and a patch of zucchinis. Karen holstered her gun. On the other side of the glass door was an empty laundry basket. Karen grabbed it and headed for the garden.

  By the time Troy and Leon returned with yard tools, Karen had the basket half full of fruits and vegetables. “I didn’t want these to go to waste.”

  “Good thinking. You should empty the cupboards as well.” Troy stepped onto the soft grass and drove the head of the shovel into the earth.

  Leon passed him and stopped six feet away. He stepped onto the shoulder of the shovel. The metal scoop passed easily into the dirt. “The rain has softened the ground. This shouldn’t take too long.”

  “Good,” Karen plucked the last tomato and placed it in the basket. “I’m gonna drop this off and tell Jim what’s happened.”

  Jim sat with his girls, a toy car in his hand. The girls played sweetly with their Selena dolls. He was dying to know what happened but wasn’t about to leave them with Shawna. He couldn’t take them in either. All he could do was wait.

  He played along with the girls and drove the plastic sports car next to the dolls. With a cartoon voice he asked, “What’s up, ladies?”

  “Nothing, waiting for my prince.” Answered Valerie.

  “Your prince? What’s his name?”

  “Prince Handsome. He’s my boyfriend.”

  The name made Jim chuckle. “Well, can your prince do this?” Jim tilted the car into a wheelie as he did an engine sound effect. He performed this amazing stunt the full length of the seat. Then raced back to the dolls. “Can he do that?”

  “No,” said both girls.

  “He’s not a car. He’s a prince. He does prince stuff, like he does kisses.” Valerie leaned her doll in and gave the car a kiss.

  “Thank you for the smooch. Well, he doesn’t sound that great, if he can’t do stunts. Even if his name is Prince Handsome. Maybe, I can be your boyfriend?”

  “No,” Robin shook her head.

  “You’re a car. You can’t be our boyfriend.”

  Jim slowly drove the car away, as if it was pouting and said, “That makes me sad. I could be a really good boyfriend if you gave me a chance.”

  “Okay, you can be our boyfriend.”

  Karen knocked at the door.

  Shawna jumped to her feet and released the lock.

  “Thank you,” Karen grunted as she carried the heavy basket of vegetables up the stairs.

  Shawna closed and locked the door. “No problem.”

  Jim exited his row and asked, “What happened?”

  Karen set the basket in the front seat, “We lost Desiree.”

  Valerie peeked out from behind the backrest, “Is there a Scary Man inside?”

  “No baby. There is no Scary Man. Remember, I told you it was safe.” Karen kept her back to the children and pretended to organize the veggies. She spoke softly so only Jim and Shawna could hear. “Troy wants to bury Desiree and the father. We could use the time to empty her cabinets and add to our stockpile.”

  “Okay, you want me to wait out here with the girls?” Jim rubbed at a knot on his wife’s shoulder.

  She tilted her head and allowed him to really work the muscle. “No, it gets so hot in here when the rig isn’t moving. I’m sure the girls have to go to the bathroom and they should play inside.”

  Shawna spied the backpack she brought with her. It held a fresh set of clothes and some toiletries. A plan took form.

  She played it cool and asked, “Uhm, since we are stopping, you think I can change my outfit?” She pointed
to the stains on her shirt and pants. “This is my friend’s blood and I don’t want to wear it anymore.”

  “Yeah, of course.” Karen turned to her girls. “You guys got to go pee?”

  “No,” they shouted. After a second, Valerie changed her mind, “I mean, yes. I’ve got to pee.”

  “Grab your toys and come on.” Jim snagged his rifle and limped after Karen.

  Shawna grabbed her bag and marched down the steps into the home.

  The girls raced into the house, excited to be somewhere new.

  “Ewww. It stinks in here.” Valerie grabbed her nose.

  Robin waved her hand at her nostrils. “Stinky.”

  Karen locked the front entry.

  Sara walked through the kitchen with an arm full of sheets. She paused for a moment when she heard the family heading her way. Shawna rounded the corner first, saw the bedding and did the math.

  “You want some help?” Shawna motioned to the fabric.

  “Yeah.”

  Shawna set her pack on the floor next to the fridge.

  Valerie and Robin zoomed through the kitchen. “Where’s the potty?” Shouted Valerie.

  Sara pointed to the door. “It’s right there.”

  “Thank you!”

  “Tank you!” Robin copied.

  Karen chased after the girls. “Wait for me.” She rushed into the restroom, shut the door, and clicked the lock.

  Sara set one of the sheets on the kitchen counter, turned to the hallway and headed back the way she came. “We should take care of this, first. I don’t want the girls to see the mess.”

  Shawna and Jim followed her to the last door. Sara opened it and the same whoosh of stench hit the two newcomers.

  “Oh, god.” Shawna covered her nose.

  “Is that the dad,” grunted Jim as he approached the room.

  “Yeah.” Sara led the way, unfolding the sheet. She draped the fabric over the old man’s withered body. The end of the sheet turned black the second it hit the puddle of goo.

  Jim glanced around the tiny room. “Can you imagine being trapped in here day and night?”

  Shawna reached for the corners of the sheet. “Sounds like hell.”

  “How do you want to do this?” Sara grabbed her corners.

  “We slide one side under him and carry him like he’s in a hammock.” Shawna motioned which hand she was going to scoop under the body. Sara copied her and in one move they had him.

  Jim stepped to the side. “I wish I could help, but doctor says I can’t lift bodies for a month.”

  They lifted the sheet, letting out a series of grunts as they duck walked toward the hallway.

  They waddled awkwardly across the kitchen. Jim snagged the sheet from the countertop and slid open the glass door. They zipped through the exit.

  Gently, they laid the old man next to his daughter.

  Sara stretched her lower back and said, “Thanks.”

  Shawna followed suit and twisted her spine.

  Troy and Leon already had the top layer of sod removed and the large oval was taking shape.

  Jim ventured onto the concrete slab. He inspected Desiree’s lifeless body and clumsily unfolded the fabric with one arm. “That’s horrible. Getting taken out by your own family member.”

  Sara reached for the sheet and draped the fabric over the body. Shawna took an end and with the same move, they wrapped the sheet tightly around Desiree.

  Shawna walked onto the grass and shook off the unpleasant job. Her brain clicked rapid fire, idea after idea played through her mind. Her goal: get the keys from Leon.

  How can I do it with everyone watching?

  It’s impossible.

  I need to get him alone.

  She stood beside the grave and watched Leon work.

  If I hint that I want a raunchy rendezvous, he might bite.

  But it must be subtle enough the others won’t grow suspicious. She was sure she had a solid scheme put together.

  “You guys are fast.” Shawna stepped closer to Leon. “You’ve got a strong back.”

  Compliments and suggestion.

  Guys are easy, but you can scare them off if you’re too forward.

  Leon stomped his foot onto the shovel and removed a clump of dirt from the hole. He flexed his arms and gave her a cheeseball grin. “It’s important to stay fit.”

  She hit him with a dazzling smile. Their gaze remained locked as she asked, “Is there another bathroom? I’m going to change out of these disgusting jeans.”

  Now he’s thinking about me naked.

  Troy heaved a heavy load of soil from the grave. “There’s a master bath.”

  Exactly what she hoped to hear.

  “Great.” She turned for the house. Shawna prided herself on being an athlete. She loved training for marathons, which meant hitting the gym hard. In the past year she had done thousands of squats in preparation for races. The added benefit were strong glutes. She wasn’t ashamed to admit she loved her bubble butt and on many occasions she had caught men and women staring.

  If he’s watching my butt walk away, I might have him.

  Shawna peeked. Not only was he glued to her curves. He appeared to be choking the life out of the shovel’s handle. His knuckles blanched. Veins popped in his forearm.

  Shawna’s heart rate climbed.

  This next part will be even trickier.

  She had to signal him, but not let the others see and pray he had the courage to see what she was offering. Shawna stepped through the glass door and listened to make sure the little girls were still in the bathroom. They were. She pivoted one-eighty. Everyone, but Leon had their backs to her.

  Subtle, but convincing. She coached herself.

  Shawna executed a seductive expression, raised her eyebrow, and nodded in the direction of the bedroom.

  Leon’s head bobbed uncontrollably. Signaling to Shawna he understood and would see her soon. He couldn’t believe it. He bit his cheek to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. Blood was already rushing to his member.

  Don’t do that, man!

  Don’t assume she wants to hook up.

  Maybe she wants to talk.

  Either way he had to get moving.

  He loaded one more mound of dirt from the hole. Drove the shovel’s head into the earth and released the handle. “I’ve got to make a pit stop.”

  Sara leaned her rifle against the bench and as they crossed paths she said, “I’ll take over.”

  It took every ounce of Leon’s strength not to sprint into the house screaming, ‘I’m gonna get some!’ As he entered the home, he tugged his shirt from his slacks and covered the growing snake.

  He passed the guest bathroom right as Karen opened the door. His voice went two octaves higher. “I’m making a pit stop.”

  “We’re done in here if you want to use this one.” Karen nudged the girls through the entrance.

  “No, I better use the back one, if you know what I mean.” Leon scooted down the hall. Shame washed over him. He hated insinuating he was about to take a shit and really hoped Shawna hadn’t heard.

  Why do I constantly chew on my own foot?

  Before he had a chance to dwell on his faux pas, his mind was back on task.

  What mysteries lay within those jeans?

  Be confident and you might find out.

  He strutted the rest of the way.

  Karen brought the kids into the living room, cleared a space on the coffee table and said, “You guys stay here. I’ll get your Dad so he can play with you.”

  A few steps later Karen stood at the back door. Troy and Sara were hard at work on the grave. Jim’s posture was all wrong. He favored one side and his spine was crooked as a wizard’s finger. She couldn’t imagine the amount of pain her husband was in. She was sore as hell from a few punches to the noggin.

  He took a knife through the shoulder.

  God knows what else he went through to get home. She always loved him. There was never a time when she didn’t. Getti
ng to see firsthand how much pain and suffering he was willing to go through, to be with her and the girls made Karen fall even more in love with the man. “Jim, come in and get some rest on the couch.”

  He moved like a sloth when he faced his bride. “I’m okay.”

  “I’m not asking. Get your butt in here and rest.”

  Troy muscled another shovel load, “I’d do what she says. You don’t want to piss her off.”

  Jim shuffled toward the door. “Yes, ma’am. You’re the boss.”

  “I’m going to see what’s in the cabinets. Let’s try and hit the road in thirty minutes or less. Deal?”

  Troy mimicked Jim’s cadence perfectly. “Yes, ma’am. You’re the boss.”

  “And don’t forget it.” Karen jested as she headed for the kitchen.

  Chapter 24

  Troy and Sara were making progress on the grave. It was already a foot and a half deep and wide enough to fit the two bodies.

  “How much more do we want to go?” asked Sara as she heaved a shovel full of dirt.

  “Another foot.”

  “Did we want to put up a headstone of some kind?”

  “I hadn’t really thought about it.”

  Sara grinned to herself and lifted another load of soil. She had been thinking about it since she started digging, but the dark joke was not one she wanted to share.

  She wasn’t sure why it tickled her so much. She tried to turn off her brain, but the idea of taking that monster vibrator and jamming it into the dirt as a headstone was killing her.

  What is wrong with me?

  The woman just died.

  We’re cramming her into the ground with her father.

  And you want to use that pussy pounder as a headpiece?

  Maybe her grip on reality was slipping. She couldn’t be sure, but she was positive that little joke was staying with her. The last thing she needed was to scare off this wonderful man with her twisted humor.

  Give it a few weeks before you say crazy shit. She told herself.

  The muscles in her back throbbed and she was dying of thirst. Sara spotted the garden hose and couldn’t resist. She jammed the shovel into the ground and headed for the spigot.

  “I need a drink.” Sara twisted the handle a quarter turn. Enough to get the water going.