Rihanna nodded. She leaned in awkwardly like she was going to hug Mason but he drew back.
“I hope someday you’ll trust me again.” She turned and went to the door but she didn’t open it. “I really do like you, Mason. I don’t feel sorry for you. Why should I? You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“Please give Emalee my message.”
Rihanna left, closing and locking the door behind her.
Mason paced the room he was in, trying to get his emotions in check.
He was shaking and he hoped Rihanna hadn’t seen it.
Now he doubted his move. Maybe he should’ve left. Found a safe place nearby and come back for Emalee.
What’s the plan, Mason?
It was Parker in his head.
Mason smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Emalee sighed in relief when she saw Mason was alright. In fact, was he grinning?
It was night. Torches had been lit around the courtyard of the school.
She lost count of how many kids were circling the middle area and were on the roof above them. It was at least a hundred, she thought.
“Open the doors,” Devon said and pointed towards the other end of the courtyard.
Two kids pulled a door open and there was a loud crash as zombies tried to shamble out, but they were blocked by a chest-high barrier. Emalee guessed there were at least a dozen monsters.
“Everyone knows what happens when you lie or steal.” Devon pointed at the zombies. “They take care of you. You all know I hate to do it but there needs to be order and stability. Don’t I offer hope and a place to sleep without worrying about them? I share my food and supplies. I’ve been the only steady in a long time. I’m your protector.” He turned to Mason. “This freak is trying to destroy us. Everything we’ve worked so hard to achieve. We’ve managed to cut out a small kingdom for ourselves. He’s trying to let the zombies in.”
“Show everyone your proof,” Parker said.
Devon smiled like he’d been prepared for one of them to question him. “Does anyone see Allen or Joey? No, because we lost them when the zombies came. Why did they come? Led by these people. We lost two great warriors because we had to capture these freaks before they tried to bust down our doors.”
A lot of the kids began to murmur.
“That’s not true,” Emalee said.
Devon laughed. “It’s not? Funny but I don’t see them. I hope you’re not calling me a liar.”
“Actually…” Emalee stopped when Mason gave her a look to be quiet.
She didn’t know what her brother had up his sleeve but she guessed he knew what he was doing.
Emalee really hoped he knew what he was doing.
Instead of saying anything to Devon, Mason looked at the kids around him and sighed loudly. “I can’t believe no one will stand up for what is right. You all know what the truth is.”
“Don’t address them.” Devon shook his head. “This is between you, the accused, and me… the jury.”
“Who gave you the right to be judge and jury?” Emalee asked. She couldn’t help interfering, especially when her brother was about to get hurt. She had no doubt Devon was going to hurt him badly, too.
Mason turned to her and gave her a look that meant to be quiet. He knew what he was doing, even if she didn’t understand it yet.
The zombies were banging against the barricade, the only sound in the courtyard besides the flickering torchlight. Everyone was watching Devon and Mason, ready to see what happened next.
“I did nothing wrong. Let us go. We don’t want anything to do with you. We’re not the enemy.” Mason looked at the zombies trying to get out. “They’re the enemy but you’re using them to keep everyone in check. You’re ruling because of fear, Devon. Not because you deserve to lead anyone.”
“I don’t need to waste our time with a trial. Everyone knows the truth. You’re all guilty,” Devon said.
“You can’t do that,” Rihanna said.
Devon pointed at Mason. “I’m the final word. I say you’re guilty. You’ll be tossed into the zombie room. If you can escape, I’ll let you go. Even give you a five minute head start.”
“You can’t do that,” Emalee shouted.
Mason put up his hand. He was smiling again.
“Don’t waste your breath. I’m not guilty of anything and everyone here knows it. I’m also not scared of a roomful of zombies because, at least with them, I know what I can expect.” Mason turned slowly in a circle. “I wonder how many of your followers know where you’ve stashed your own supply of water bottles and cans of food.”
Devon looked like he’d been slapped.
“We’re done talking. Grab him,” Devon yelled.
Two of his buddies, near him, took a step forward but Mason put up his hand. “The concession stand at the end of the football field is where he’s hidden everything. You can also check the janitor’s closet, too. He has water and bags of M&M’s he sneaks, because Devon has a sweet tooth. It’s probably why he was overweight in elementary school.”
Rihanna stepped between Devon and Mason. “Someone go check. See if it’s true. If Mason is lying, I’ll personally toss him in with the zombies.”
“You’ll also find Allen and Joey, hiding because Devon told them to. I guess once I was gone they’d act like they escaped the zombies and tell a lie about being on the run. Devon offered them better positions in his kingdom if they’d lie for him.”
“You’re the liar,” Devon said and charged Mason.
Emalee’s brother tried to dodge away from Devon but he wasn’t fast enough. The two went down in the dirt throwing punches.
“Get him off of Mason,” Emalee yelled but no one was listening. She lost track of them as the crowd surged forward. Now they were vocal, the kids cheering for them to fight.
This is getting out of hand, she thought. She looked at Parker and Reading. They were both looking at her and then looking at the boys holding onto their arms.
Emalee suddenly pulled away from those guarding her and charged not at her brother but at the twins.
As soon as the kids holding them back saw Emalee racing at them, they got in front of her. She began to kick and punch, trying to keep them from knocking her down. She struggled as long as she could until they finally subdued her.
By the time they held her down and she started to relax, smiling, the kids knew something was wrong.
They turned to see the twins were gone.
“You’re too late. Let me go,” Emalee shouted defiantly and yanked her arms away, getting to her feet and dusting off her clothes.
She was expecting Parker and Reading to be fighting to free Mason but instead they were gone.
They’d run off like cowards.
Emalee wanted to cry.
Mason stood on shaky legs. His nose was bloody. He looked like he was exhausted. Mason put up his hands to block the next punch Devon was going to throw.
Emalee wanted to scream but her words were caught in her throat.
Devon motioned for everyone to move back so he could finish Mason.
“I was going to let the zombies do my dirty work. It feels good to beat you up, freak,” Devon said.
Mason nodded and glanced at Emalee.
He smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Mason was hurting. He’d been punched and kicked so many times he’d lost count as the blows had rained down from Devon, who was a much better fighter.
I need to keep my wits. I’ll need to talk my way out of this, Mason thought. He could take maybe one or two more punches before he was down for the count.
He needed to find Devon’s weaknesses but his own mind was cloudy with pain. He hadn’t thought this through.
Devon grabbed him by the shirt and started to drag Mason across the ground.
“What are you doing, you monster?” Emalee yelled.
“You and your freak brother are the monsters,” Devon said. “I’m going to let the
other freaks, the zombies, take care of you. They’re you’re family.”
As much as he struggled, Mason couldn’t get away from Devon or get to his feet. He was banged around on the ground as Devon dragged him closer and closer to the waiting zombies.
Mason didn’t want to be the jerk that made Devon look like a fool but he didn’t see how he had a choice.
You worry about trying not to get your head knocked off and I’ll run through his thoughts to get more information, Parker said to Mason in his head. Your sister created a distraction and we escaped. We didn’t go far. We’re on the other side of the zombie room. Trying to find a way to break into it and let them out in case Devon tosses you inside with them. Just stall as much as possible.
Mason knew he was going to be tossed in with the zombies. As he bobbed up and down on the hard ground, being pulled by his arm, he could see the zombies shuffling back and forth in anticipation of a new member joining their ranks.
Devon lifted Mason by the shirt and slapped him hard across the face as they got to the zombie barricade. Dirty hands reached out to grab Mason.
“This is trial by fire. If he can survive inside with the zombies, I’ll spare his life and his freak sister, too. I think that’s more than fair,” Devon said.
Stall him or you’re going to be a zombie. We’re trying to get a hole in the wall big enough for them to get out but it’ll take awhile, Parker said. Here’s something you can use against him.
Mason felt like he was going to pass out. He stared at Devon and felt nothing but pity for the boy.
“Your cousin had Down Syndrome, too. You were very close as kids but his parents had to move.” Mason sighed. “Your parents thought it was contagious. They had no idea it was something you’re born with.”
Devon took a step back and shook his head.
“You grew up resenting your mom and dad for forcing your aunt and uncle to have to move. Taking away your best friend.”
“You’re a liar.” Devon turned to the group, now moving slowly forward. “That never happened.”
“Which part never happened? Your cousin? Them taking him away?” Rihanna threw her hands in the air. “Devon, this has to stop. You’re hurting. We all see it. You’re taking out your anger and frustration on Mason and Emalee. They don’t deserve it. Your issues are with your parents and why your cousin had to leave.”
“Gary. His name is Gary. All I wanted to do was get old enough to go find him. I’d get a car and drive around. I heard they’d moved to Miami. I wanted to see him again. My parents would never talk about what had happened, even when they learned the truth about how it works. They never apologized to my aunt and uncle,” Devon said.
Mason took a step away from Devon. If he could get to safety and out of Devon’s reach maybe he had a chance. The boy looked like he was going to cry and Mason felt sorry for him.
He’d lost his best friend through no fault of his own.
Mason was another step away when Devon turned back to him and the anger in his eyes was frightening.
“You did this. You forced me to think of horrible things from my past. How did you even know? You’re a monster. I was right.” Devon grabbed Mason by the shirt as he tried to get away.
You need to give us more time, Parker said in Mason’s head. We’re not ready.
“We can stop this, Devon. We don’t have to be enemies. I can help you find him,” Mason yelled. He was trying to plant his feet in the ground but Devon was too strong.
He could feel the zombie’s fingers touching the back of his shirt.
Devon was right in his face, gritting his teeth. “His name is Gary.”
Mason nodded. “We can find Gary. I can help you. So can Emalee. We have… ways to do it.”
“You lie.” Devon was still holding Mason but he’d stopped pushing him towards the zombies.
“How else do you think I knew about Gary? About anything from your past? Let me help you,” Mason said. Despite being seconds away from being fed to the zombies he smiled. “I’d like to meet Gary. He seems like a cool guy.”
“Don’t talk about my cousin. He’s gone,” Devon said and lifted Mason off the ground by the shirt.
The crowd gasped.
“Don’t do this,” Mason whispered.
Devon, still holding Mason, glanced over his shoulder. “I’m their leader. I have to do this or they won’t respect me. I need to be strong.”
I can’t get the wall knocked down to release the zombies, Parker said.
“Don’t do it, Parker. You don’t need to.” Mason was struggling to breathe as his shirt was strangling him.
I’m sorry. We’re both sorry.
“Who are you talking to?” Devon asked.
“Put me down. Please. You’re going to kill me.”
Devon’s eyes were watery. “I can’t. I have to save face. No turning back.”
Rihanna was suddenly next to Devon and she held a frying pan in her hands. “I’m counting to three and then I’ll bash you over the head, Devon. Put him down. Now.”
Devon was staring up at Mason.
“Three…”
Mason shook his head as his sight started to diminish. He was losing air and couldn’t breathe. He wanted to keep talking Devon out of doing this but he couldn’t find his voice.
“Two…”
Devon was crying but wouldn’t put Mason down.
“One…”
Mason closed his eyes and gagged.
Suddenly Mason had air filling his lungs and his feet touched the ground.
“Are you alright?” Rihanna asked him, gripping his arm and holding him up.
Mason could only nod his head as he rubbed his raw neck.
Devon fell to the ground and curled up, crying like a baby.
“What a little kid,” someone said and a few in the crowd laughed.
“Mason should be our new leader,” a girl cried out.
Mason pushed away from Rihanna and waved his hands. “Stop. Don’t do that. Devon is under a lot of pressure.”
Everyone stopped laughing and stared at Mason.
“Look around. You’re safe. You have four walls to keep the zombies at bay. Food and water. A place to sleep. Protection from anyone trying to take what’s yours.” Mason turned to Devon and put out his hand. “While I know you all helped to create this, Devon kept it together.”
“He did it by force. He’s not a good guy,” Rihanna said.
Mason shook his head. “Devon is rough around the edges but his heart is in the right place. You’ll see. He’ll do the right thing.”
Devon had stopped crying, wiping his face with the back of his sleeve and sitting up. He still looked angry.
Mason knew he was taking a chance but he extended his hand.
At first it looked like Devon was going to kick out or lunge forward and strike, but his features softened. He looked defeated.
Devon took Mason’s hand.
“I’m sorry,” Devon mumbled as Mason helped him to his feet.
“Don’t apologize to me.” Mason swept his arm back at the rest of the group. “You need to talk to them. You’re still their leader.”
“I think you are.”
Mason shook his head. “I’d like to stay with you. Help out in any way. But I’m not a leader. You are. Under all that anger and fear is someone who can help us. I want to join in and so does my sister.”
Emalee sighed, stuck out her tongue to her brother, but didn’t argue.
“Parker and Reading, the twins I came with, are also great to have on your side. They’ve helped me and my sister, too. I think they’d also be great additions to the group,” Mason said.
Devon smiled and nodded. “I agree. There’s no reason any of us should be fighting. We need to join forces and drive the zombies back. Away from the buildings.”
Mason put out his hand again and Devon took it, the boys shaking.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Can I talk to your brother… alone?” Rihanna ask
ed Emalee.
“No. I’m staying. I don’t want you to hurt him anymore.” Emalee stared at Rihanna.
Instead of looking mad, Rihanna smiled. “You two have such a great bond. I envy that. I also envy your strength and the fact that you don’t compromise. You help one another. I know I hurt both of you and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this right between us.”
“You have a long road ahead of you,” Emalee said.
Rihanna nodded. “I hope, if you stay, we can become friends. I’d really like that.”
Emalee shrugged.
When Rihanna turned to walk away, Emalee cleared her throat. “You know my brother really likes you.”
“I really like him, too. That wasn’t an act. He’s really cool to hang around with,” Rihanna said over her shoulder.
“Hey, uh… Emalee…”
Emalee turned to see Reading standing a few feet away. He had his head down and tilted to the side, kicking at the dirt. His brother was standing a few feet away with his arms crossed.
“Yes?” Emalee asked. If this was going to be another fight with Reading, she’d kick him in the shin and walk away.
“I want to say I’m really sorry for being so mean. I see what you and Mason did for us and I appreciate it.” Reading looked at Emalee and smiled. “You and I are a lot alike. I guess that’s why I was such a jerk.”
“You really were a mean one, too.”
Reading put up his hands. “I know. I hope you can forgive me.”
“Everyone’s about forgiveness today.” Emalee grinned. “I’d like to be your friend.”
“I’d like that.” Reading turned back towards his brother. “You happy? I apologized. I even meant it.”
“Can I get everyone’s attention?” It was Devon, shouting and waving his hands.
Emalee joined her brother and everyone else in the courtyard.
“Tomorrow morning we’ll be sending out a party to gather more supplies. We’ll need them, especially since I’m hoping four new members will be joining the group.” Devon put a hand on Mason’s shoulder. “Will you stay?”
Dying Days (Novella): Family Ties Page 11
