***
Near the Kentucky Dam
July 2027
Station 4 – New Arrivals Orientation
The next day Misty was sitting in the designated classroom where the Teachers would be welcoming them to Station Four, each and every Station doing the same song and dance as the one before. To be honest, she was quite bored with it, but it was mandatory. If it weren’t, she would’ve been in the orchard already, her newly assigned job for their first week in the Station to ensure she could assimilate to the lifestyle there. The walls were the same drab beige as the rest of the place, but the floor was covered in plush forest green carpet that reminded her of her mother’s death in the crimson mist seven years ago amongst the trees. Her shoulders sagged and her head hung low at the thought, and she attempted to shake the memory away, but it barged in unwelcome.
She saw her mother reaching out toward the fog, and then she was wrenched from Misty and into it. Her screams had echoed through the air, ending in a sickening, wet sound. A shiver moved up her spine at the recollection and she sniffed, trying to hold the tears that stung her eyes at bay. She squeezed her eyes shut and her leg began to shake, the anxiety that came with the memory a constant since that moment. Placing her hand on her thigh, she tried to stop the shaking, but it only seemed to make it worse.
“Misty?” a very familiar voice said from not even a couple of inches away.
When she looked up she saw Jenny standing in front of her, concern etched on her face. Her brows were furrowed, and she had a hand out like she had wanted to touch Misty’s shoulder but hesitated.
“Jenny, hey,” Misty croaked, wiping at her face as quickly as she could to rid herself of the remnants of the memory.
Jenny raised an eyebrow and pulled her hand back. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Misty sniffed. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind.”
Jenny came around to sit next to her in one of the dark blue plastic chairs, not once taking her eyes off her new friend. It was obvious that she was concerned, but Misty truly didn’t feel she could tell her about what had happened to her mother just yet. She had only known this woman for twenty-four hours. Not long enough to truly confide in her, but she knew that would change. She had a feeling about Jenny that she couldn’t shake. Like they would be friends forever, however long that would be. Considering the state of the world, it was highly possible it wouldn’t be long at all.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Jenny asked as she leaned in toward Misty, bumping shoulders playfully. Other new arrivals began to filter into the room, dispersing into random chairs and the rest filling in the empty spaces. The two men from earlier in the line sat behind them, joking and laughing with their deep baritone voices.
Misty shook her head. “No . . . no, maybe later.” She looked at Jenny and offered her a weak smile, trying to look stronger than she had just a moment before. She was no longer that weak, teenaged girl wondering the forest. Her time in the Dead Zone before the development of the Stations had seen to that.
“Okay.” Jenny didn’t push her to divulge anything, which was a relief.
She sighed and watched as the four Teachers moved into the room, taking their place at the front of the room. Each one had a specialization, whether it be science, economics of the new world, or one of the many other subject that those who worked within the Stations worked within these days. Each concentration had a purpose. Nothing went to waste, not even knowledge and, if you were going to learn something, it was going to be something useful. Misty loved agriculture, which was why she was ecstatic to be working in the orchard; and she was hoping she could concentrate in that field to help make sure that the food they needed would always be available. Her thoughts were cut off when one of the Teachers, the one with sleek blond hair, cleared her throat to quiet the room. Silence fell over them with a hush and their new life began.
***
Joshua listened intently even though he was certain the speech would be the same as those from the other Stations. Mark sat next to him, thrumming his fingers on his thigh as his leg bounced nervously. They had heard the same old song and dance before, so Joshua wasn’t sure what Mark was nervous about except for the fact that this was their last stop before being banished to the Dead Zone if they couldn’t comply with the G.O.D. guidelines and lifestyle for this Station. That was nerve-wracking enough as it was.
Each Teacher up front looked different from the other except for the slicked back hair put into a neat bun and the official light blue pantsuits that covered their bodies. One was blond, the first to speak, while the others sported varying shades of brown hair. The blond took a step forward and opened her mouth to speak, giving the same speech the other Stations used for new-comers. Now, Joshua and Mark would’ve heard this four different times. Her back was straight and shoulders pushed back, an air of authority around her that permeated the room.
“Welcome, newcomers, to Station Four. Today we reach the year seven A.A., After Apocalypse. We learn to work so we may survive. Four political ports or stations make our nation. They are called Government of Defense, or G.O.D. While we are known for produce, we are the leading manufacturer and producer of coal burning products as well as fresh water. Courtesy of the filtration systems inside the Kentucky Dam generously provided by G.O.D.,” she stated matter-of-factly, one hand raising to smooth for the lapel of her suit jacket even though it was as neat as it could possibly be.
One of the brunette teachers stepped forward, letting Joshua know that each one would get a chance to speak. This was unlike the other Stations where only one person made this particular speech. Each time they would outline job duties within the Station and what they manufactured, as well as any other miscellaneous pieces of information they thought was important. Even with those differences, the speech was still pretty much the same. This woman’s voice had a slightly deeper pitch than the blond, her brown eyes hidden behind horn-rimmed glasses that reflected the lights in the amphitheater-like room.
“Many of you were sent to us from beyond the borders of the Dead Zone, while others have been moved from Station to Station to settle here with us. You traveled many days to have an opportunity to grow with us. To help us create a new life for this planet and those remaining after the meteorite strike.”
The third Teacher took a step forward, and she looked much like the second minus the glasses. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her as they trembled. She was obviously new to this job. “Those who don’t obey the law will be banished to the Dead Zone, where the Syc and all of its incarnations thrive. The only sustenance would be small animals and bugs, rain water to drink, and sleepless nights protecting yourself from the creatures that rule over the Dead Zone.”
The fourth Teacher followed suit, her blue eyes looking to each and every new arrival sitting in the blue plastic chairs, and cleared her throat as she pulled at the bottom edge of her suit jacket. Joshua couldn’t wait for the entire thing to be over. Boredom was setting in and setting in quickly.
“The way to survive and avoid exile to the Dead Zone is to follow the laws G.O.D. has set forth while committing to your daily tasks and studies. We work to survive. The same goes for the other Stations that make up our country. Some of you will help with the process by delivering the fresh water and coal to other posts as well as any other goods we deem fit. Some of you will be responsible for the incoming shipments that the other posts send. Some of you will be in control of the G.O.D’s Eye satellite—the only known functioning satellite we have.”
The other Teachers looked to the blond, who looked to be in charge of the others, which was odd to Joshua. At the other Stations, all Teachers were equally ranked, each structure with each Station differing only marginally at best. This intrigued him, but he didn’t say anything to Mark as his leg continued to shake, but his fingers had stopped their incessant thumping against the gray fabric of the uniform.
“Some of you will guard the wall and some of you will be sent to scout
the Dead Zone for new life. I will be perfectly honest in saying that some do not make it back from their assigned missions. Along with those creatures created by the Sycs as well as the Shadows, you will also have to monitor those who have been banished to the Dead Zone or enact justice to fugitives running from G.O.D.”
Joshua’s eyebrows rose in surprise. This was something new that the other Stations were not expected to do. Guard the wall, yes, but arresting and dealing out the hand of justice to criminals within the Dead Zone was a concept foreign to him. He did know that they monitored those who had been banished, but the rest didn’t sit well with him. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, thinking that one day he may have to end the life of someone who may have done something as simple as disagree with a law set forth within their Station. He didn’t believe that was a fair punishment.
“Now . . .” the blond Teacher straightened her back again and raised her chin slightly to show an air of authority, “before we release you to begin your scheduled activities for the day, are there any questions?”
At first, no hands rose, and no one spoke. Only a few throats cleared or an uncomfortable cough was stifled through a closed fist. Joshua was beginning to think that no one had heard the whispers of anything going on outside or even within the Stations, like discord and the exploration of other places where we had failed to determine their level of devastation. And that lack of concern made him sick to his stomach. He looked at Mark, whose eyes were focused up front, not looking at anyone around them or even the two women in front of them that they had joked about while in line to get their assignments. Then something happened that he hadn’t expected. The redhead woman in front of them raised her hand into the still air as the air conditioning unit roared to life, the cool breeze blowing at small tendrils that had fallen from her high ponytail.
“While I was at Station Three, I heard that there was trouble between the Stations. Can y’all shed some light on that?”
The blond Teacher turned to the one with the glasses and motioned toward her with a wave of her hand. “I believe that Teacher Garrison can best answer that.” She looked to the woman and said, “Teacher Garrison, you have the floor.”
“Thank you, Teacher Edwards,” she said with a nod, taking a step forward. She had shrunk back as Teacher Edwards had asked if there were any questions. “As some of you have surely heard, there is talk that G.O.D. is exploring the possibility of crossing the Atlantic to check on the state of foreign countries, especially the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. This is something that some of the Stations are willing to send their soldiers to do, and others are not. The shortage of those willing to go is the reason G.O.D. has not yet moved forward or made a definite decision on this action. Does that answer your question?”
The woman nodded and replied, “Yes, thank you.”
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest, and Joshua couldn’t help but think that she was lying. She had been hoping for more of an answer than the one she got, and she wasn’t happy about it. The state of their country and the world outside of it was important to all of them, and possibly even vital to humanity’s survival in the new world. Then again, Joshua had a question of his own, and he wasn’t sure if they would answer him or ignore it, but he decided he would try anyways. He raised his hand when no one else did and waited for the Teachers to acknowledge him. Teacher Edwards raised her chin again and pointed in his direction.
“Yes, what is your question?”
He swallowed hard but figured it was now or never since the Teachers were staring at him, awaiting the question with expectant expressions on their faces.
“Can you shed any light on the rumors of the Head Hunter or the NightHawks?” he asked before he lost his nerve, the words coming out in a rush.
His question was greeted with silence as the brunette woman sitting with the redhead turned back and stared at him, her eyes wide as each and every pair in the room turned to him. Anxiety spiked, causing a solid lump to form in the pit of his stomach. Mark kicked him lightly in the shin.
“Great, now all attention is on us, Josh. Good going,” Mark hissed through gritted teeth, his eyes flaring with irritation that Joshua would even ask about them.
The NightHawks were a sect of Revs rumored to be attempting to take down G.O.D. as well as hunting down the Head Hunter who everyone had heard of at that point. He had been a man who lost everything in the meteorite strike when the Sycs came and infected everyone and everything, and he roamed the Dead Zone killing anything undead and walking that got in his way. Including the Revs. It gave everyone hope that there was a way out of this and the Head Hunter was fighting to free what was left of them to roam the country they had once been able to inhabit without fear of being eaten alive. Even if he was only a myth, it kept that hope alive in all of them. Then, when there wasn’t an immediate answer, the room began to fill with even more questions and angry words that the Teachers seemed to be refusing to speak about what was said to be happening in the Dead Zone. Since it could threaten all of their lives, they wanted to be soothed by the assurance that these two things didn’t exist, and Joshua didn’t blame them.
Within the throng, someone said, “I heard he takes their heads to experiment on.” An audible shiver of disgust moved through the room.
Teacher Edwards moved forward, nearly coming down the three steps to meet the crowd head on, waving her hands in a motion meant to quiet them.
“Now, now everyone. Please, silence so we can answer the newcomer’s question,” she shouted over the noisy crowd. When no one quieted, her voice rose in pitch and volume. “Silence!”
The room finally fell quiet. Joshua was shocked at the commotion the question of the NightHawks and the Head Hunter had caused. He even noticed the girl with brown hair and brown eyes had glanced at him one more time before looking back up at the front of the room, the shock on her face hiding something else he couldn’t put his finger on. Recognition? Toward the Head Hunter, maybe? He had no idea, but he was bent on finding out.
“All right,” Teacher Edwards said as she dropped her arms to her side, quickly adjusting her suit jacket. “We have all heard the stories, but we cannot waste our time here entertaining fairy tales and hokum. If we are all to survive, we need to believe in what we know as fact.”
The brunette girl in front of Joshua raised her hand and spoke before Teacher Edwards could acknowledge her.
“There have been reports of sightings of the Head Hunter at Station One. What do you make of those?”
“False reports by superstitious people. That is all. Now, does anyone else have any questions?”
The girl spoke up again, glancing over at him again as she spoke, “But they say he has a cure for the Sycs. Is that at least true?”
A pause in the room as Edwards looked at her, the anger evident in her stiff muscles and glaring eyes. “Enough. The Head Hunter and the NightHawks are just an urban legend created by those living within the Dead Zone. Nothing more, nothing less. Now . . .” She straightened and smoothed her hair back in a nervous gesture again, “the introduction is over. Please report to your assigned duties or classrooms. Thank you.”
***
Mark couldn’t believe that Joshua would even ask about the Head Hunter at all. They had all heard the rumors, but that was all they were. Rumors. Right? As both of them stood along with the rest of the crowd of new arrivals that petite brunette and her redhead friend turned to them, looking them over with suspicion. Especially the brunette with olive-toned skin that was slightly pink with sunburn. She reached her hand out to them in a polite gesture of friendship.
“Hi, my name’s Jennifer Meldano. Jenny for short. This,” she jerked her head at the girl next to her, who offered a small wave, “is Misty.”
“I’m Mark, and this is Joshua,” Mark introduced, both young men taking her hand and giving it a shake, quickly followed by Misty. He wasn’t sure what to think of these women, but they seemed nice enough so far.
<
br /> “Hey,” Misty said, “someone had to ask. There are too many rumors now for him to be just a myth.” Each of them nodded their head, and Joshua muttered a quiet word of thanks.
“He does exist, you know,” Jenny said to them, dropping her voice to a whisper that only they could hear. “I’ve seen him for myself. Out in the Dead Zone before the formation of G.O.D.”
Mark’s eyebrows rose in surprise, and he wouldn’t have been surprised if they were touching his forehead. “How can you be sure that’s who you saw?”
She shrugged and began to turn away from them. “You don’t have to believe me at all, but I’m not crazy. He does exist.”
With that, she began to head toward the exit, and Mark felt compelled to follow her as Misty bounced right along behind her. But Joshua was one step ahead of him, taking off after the girls and catching up to their quick steps.
“Hey now, no one said you were crazy. It’s just, G.O.D. says he doesn’t exist. Why not believe them?”
Jenny chuckled but kept walking through the hall, headed toward the exit that would take her to the orchard. “Because they’re the government.”
“And they would lie to us?” Mark asked as they approached the exit door.
Jenny turned and put her back against the door, her hands resting on the push bar that would open it. Mark’s eyes met Misty’s, and she was nodding, but let Jenny do the talking. And he had to admit, she hadn’t said much to them, but he did believe her. For some strange reason, he truly did.
“Of course they would.” She pushed the bar and began to back out of the door. “Don’t believe everything they tell you. After all, we’re here now because of something they didn’t tell us.”
“She’s right,” Misty said as she followed Jenny outside. “We survived the Dead Zone, too, but do y’all believe any of those G.O.D. officials ever stepped foot out there? I bet not.”
Zombified (Book 1): The Head Hunter Page 9
