Zombified (Book 1): The Head Hunter

by Sowder, Kindra

  Misty let go of the door, and they watched in stunned horror as it swung shut, clicking once the locking mechanism was engaged. And just like that, faith in the system was shaken for both of them.

  “Wow, that was intense,” Joshua breathed. “Do ya believe her?”

  Strangely enough, he did.

  Chapter 8

  Near the Kentucky Dam

  July 2027

  Just outside Station 4

  The next day the town just down below Station Four was bustling in the distance as Jenny stood between the Station itself and the orchard. From that perfect spot she could see the dam, the town, and the Station, creating a pristine scene of serenity and green with the orchard she was assigned to work at right in the center of the large triangle. The sun was setting, throwing lovely shade of pinks and oranges into the sky and she sighed, footsteps moving through the grass behind her as she placed as hand just over her eyebrows to block out the sun’s blinding effect. The orchard looked especially green in the light of the setting sun, throwing off even more greens than usual.

  “Hey, ya wanna go down to town?” Misty asked as she approached Jenny’s back. She nudged Jenny’s arm with her elbow and continued, “I hear they have a bar.”

  Jenny thought about the possibilities for a moment. She and Misty had the uncanny luck of being assigned to each other’s team working within the orchard, taking turns from tree to tree checking for the ripe and viable fruit to pluck from the stems. And they had grown even closer over the last twenty-four hours, making them a nearly inseparable pair already. The two men, Mark and Joshua, had eaten dinner with them after the first day’s tasks were over, and she had learned a little about them. Just enough to realize she could trust them. And Mark always carried around a bag. She was unsure of what that was about or what was in it, but it hadn’t mattered the night before. Not really. Now, she was beginning to see that what was left humanity wasn’t all bad. At least not the people she had met here in Station Four, despite its reputation. But she could admit that she had mostly stuck to keeping company with three particular people.

  Misty pulled Jenny out of her thoughts with another nudge as she leaned in and whispered to her, a devilish grin on her face, “And I was told they have beer.”

  Jenny laughed loudly, placing her hands on her hips while she turned to stare at her friend with a mockingly disapproving stare. “Man, I haven’t had one of those since—well—forever. I’m going to regret being friends with you, aren’t I? You seem like a bad influence.”

  Misty took a step back with a look of playful shock on her face as her hand shot up to cover her heart, gasping. “Who me? Hey, it’s not like I’m tellin’ ya I know where to get some moonshine.”

  Jenny looked around and took her hand, pulling her as close as she could so that she could whisper in her ear. “Do you know where to get moonshine around here?”

  She was only half joking. At this point, considering the stress of assimilating to her new surroundings, she could use something stiffer than a beer or two. And the work was hard, her body still stiff and her legs fatigued from going up and down ladders all day long. Not to mention, her right shoulder was throbbing from reaching up constantly.

  “Now who’s the bad influence?” Misty joked as she tugged on Jenny’s arm. “Come on. It’s good to get out every now and then, and even though we haven’t been here long, after all that work in the orchard we deserve a few drinks.” She got a faraway look in her eye just then as Jenny stumbled toward her. “Do ya think Mark and Joshua will be there?”

  “Going boy crazy already, I see,” Jenny chuckled as they began to walk toward the town looming in the distance. Street lights and the like were already springing to life, looking like tiny fireflies in the distance. “Only one day here and I can’t keep you away from the boys. You know, I have enough problems to worry about without having to chase you down.”

  “Nope,” she replied as she shook her head. “No boys for a while until I can get settled somewhere, whether it be here or the Dead Zone. Since I have a feelin’ that’s where I’ll be headed anyways. I’m not sure if life at Station Four is what I need it to be.”

  Jenny sighed, unable to stop the sound from passing her lips. “You know, it’s only been a day. How about we give it more time before we completely give up?”

  “Yeah, I guess I could give it a shot. It’s just, after everythin’ and livin’ in the Dead Zone for so long before they got the Stations in workin’ order, I’m not even the same person anymore. But I think everyone feels that way.”

  “Amen, sister,” Jenny admitted as she raised one hand in the air, both girls still walking hand in hand toward the town. Now they were halfway there, and she was truly looking forward to some down time. They hadn’t had any since they had gotten there besides sleeping, and that didn’t mean anything if it wasn’t a restful sleep. Not to her, anyways. What should’ve been peaceful sleep had been filled with nightmares from the meteorite strike as well as her time in the Dead Zone, fighting for her life against a foe she knew nothing about, having to learn all she could just to survive that very first day. Especially the red mist that had disappeared a couple of days afterward, devouring everything and taking those who went into it or were dragged into its deadly bosom. They had even seen a few animals every now and then, but not many.

  A shiver ran up her spine despite the desperate heat at the thought of what she had seen as the mist spread over the country, sprouting from the meteorites themselves once they had crashed into the Earth. There had been so much death and destruction in those first days that she couldn’t get the images out of her head. Some people were killed by the onslaught of Sycs, the parasite that created all manner of creature now roaming the land except for the Shadows. After G.O.D. created them to help with the Crank problem, there was unrest because the remaining survivors thought they were too much like their Cranker cousins and would kill any human being who crossed their paths. G.O.D. had assured everyone that this would not be an issue since the Shadows had enough memory left inside of their dead minds to remember what a human being was, but that was only the case for a few months. Then they began to not only attack Crankers, but their human creators as well. And now they roamed the Dead Zone and sometimes made their way toward the Stations just like all the other monsters out there.

  Jenny had lived through so much in the Dead Zone just like she was certain Misty had as well. And Mark and Joshua’s survival couldn’t be forgotten, either. After the Stations rose, adjusting to life with rules and regulations again was difficult. Some survivors had managed while some couldn’t as paranoia and post-traumatic stress took hold and shook the very foundations of what G. O. D. was attempting to build. Murders had run rampant for the first year as well as suicides, causing the few numbers they did have to shrink even further, but somehow they had managed to rebuild into some semblance of what humanity used to be. Even the population was beginning to rebound slightly, which called for the production of goods to pick up. This created the need for more bodies, meaning they needed to keep a better handle on the people who lived and worked with the Stations. Those like Jenny and Misty. Like all the others housed in its walls.

  A hand waved in front of Jenny’s face, and she finally noticed that Misty was no longer holding her hand, but was turned toward her and walking backward as they approached the town. She hadn’t noticed, but they were now closing in on it, finally being able to detect the fine nuances of the aged wood on the closest building. Jenny blinked, pulling herself from her somber thoughts of the time before she finally was able to find herself again. She had become violent and paranoid, but now she was careful and considerate, still holding that particular edge and skill that she had developed. A honed instinct that was ingrained in her.

  “Hello, Earth to Jenny,” Misty joked as she waved her hand in front of Jenny’s face once more. “Anybody in there?”

  Misty’s eyes were full of concern and worry, searching Jenny’s to find something she didn’t th
ink she wanted to see. Jenny shook her head and pushed her friend’s hand away playfully, giving a weak smile and a chuckle.

  “Yes, I’m still in here. No need to worry.” She put her hand up with two fingers pointed toward the sky just like the Boy Scouts. “Scout’s honor.”

  Misty’s eyes narrowed for a second as she studied Jenny again, looking her directly in the eye. Once she deemed her state as fully functional and fully human the stern look faded and she smiled, teeth bright white in the coming darkness.

  “Good. I was beginnin’ to think a Syc got after you somehow.”

  Jenny laughed loudly as they finally crossed into town, the large meadow cutting off completely and taken over by broken and cracked sidewalks and asphalt. “No such luck. Sorry,” she joked.

  Their boots scuffed on the black, crumbling asphalt of what used to be a road as Misty scanned her surroundings for the only existing bar in the town. The street was fairly deserted except for a few stragglers who seemed to be looking for the same thing. One man and one woman they could only see from the back, hands locked together as their heads turned from side to side to be certain there wasn’t a Cranker or any other creature in sight. And, from Jenny’s own observations as she did the same while Misty kept an eye out for the bar, she saw nothing that would indicate danger of any kind.

  Misty waved a dismissive hand. “Eh, that’s all right. You’re cool people.”

  Jenny laughed again and realized that she did enjoy Misty’s company. Not only was she funny, but she was real. She was solid. She was human.

  “So, Misty, where is this place anyways?” Jenny asked as they made a left turn deeper into the town, the buildings less degraded as they came closer to the center of town. Small towns like this put anything that used electricity toward the center because it could be more easily blocked out from anything else by the surrounding structures. This was a mostly guaranteed way to keep the monsters clinging to the edges from being drawn to the tiny bit of noise and bright yellow lighting from the inside. Every now and then you heard stories of a mass attack, but that wasn't often enough to deter anyone.

  “It’s just down yonder,” Misty said as they rounded a corner. “I got directions from one of the guys that work in the labs. He comes here sometimes to relax.”

  “And did you happen to catch the name of this guy?”

  Misty shook her head. “Nope. I decided I didn’t care.”

  Jenny’s eyebrows rose in amusement as she did her best to stifle a giggle.

  Just as they came around, Jenny spotted a small sign above the door made from wood with slightly glowing letters so you could see it in the blackness. The sign read, ‘Dead Edd’s,’ causing Jenny to frown.

  “Really?” she groaned as they neared the door, soft light filtering out of the windows as it peaked through haphazardly closed blackout curtains.

  “Yup,” she beamed as she pushed open the door, “Welcome to one of the last bars ‘After Apocalypse.’”

  ***

  Near the Kentucky Dam

  July 2027

  Station 4 - Dead Edd’s Bar

  Misty backed into the bar, the dim light making it hard to see as her rear end collided with what she could best interpret as what felt like a broad male chest. She turned quickly with her hands out in an apologetic gesture. She saw Jenny’s eyes sparkle with amusement when she turned.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t—”

  “Paying attention to where you were going?” the man’s deep voice caused her to stop walking, her eyes meeting those of a large man whose own were the same color of honey. Possibly just one shade darker.

  Her mouth went dry as she noticed the strong jaw lined with dark stubble, a straight and elegant nose, and high cheekbones. She also couldn’t help but notice the amused smile on his face as he watched her, the flickering light in the place dancing across his eyes. The small bar wasn’t as busy as Misty had expected, but it was busy enough for one person, a small woman, to squeeze past them and out the door in a rush.

  She felt Jenny’s warm hands land on her shoulder and give them a squeeze. “Yeah, I’m sorry about my friend. She has a short attention span.” She removed one hand from Misty’s shoulder and held it out to the man. “I’m Jenny Meldano. Resident newbie and wannabe botanist.”

  He took her hand and gave it a quick shake. “My name’s Tyler Morgan, a five-year inhabitant of Station Four and actual botanist.” His eyes shifted to Misty as she stood, nearly stunned into silence as he held his hand out to her for an introduction. Jenny used her elbow to nudge her, and she shook her head, bringing herself out of her stupor.

  “I’m Misty Calhoun, newbie and psychiatry enthusiast,” Misty indulged as she stuck her hand out and shook Tyler’s.

  His large palm was rough with calluses from working with them all day, every day. Misty was just thankful his hands weren’t still covered in dirt.

  “Well, newbies, it was very nice to meet you, but I’ve got to get going. Hey, Edd,” he said as he turned toward the long, dark wood bar that ran across the floor to their right. Another large man with blond hair and blue eyes as well as a sunny complexion was standing there with an old rag, wiping the glossy top down.

  His eyes shot up, and he smiled at Tyler, warm and fatherly like he had known him for years. He was an older gentleman with slight crinkles at the corners of his eyes and mouth. “What can I do for ya, Ty? You need another?”

  Tyler waved his hand at the man. “Nah, pour two dark lagers for these ladies here. They look like they need it.” He turned back to them and smiled broadly, the smile reaching his eyes as he shook their hands again. “Have a good night, ladies. And I only recommend one of those if you plan to walk back to your quarters. And Jenny, since you’re a wannabe botanist, why don’t you request a transfer to the greenhouses? That’s where I work. You can take your classes and learn by doing the work at the same time.”

  “Will do, for sure. Thank you, Tyler,” she said with a large grin on her face. She oozed appreciation as he started to move past them, turning around to back out of the door so he could say a few more words.

  “Make sure to tell them I sent you. And Misty,” he paused as he looked down at her, his eyes growing sincere. “I’d like to have a drink with you before too long. Tomorrow night?”

  “Um—um—sure,” Misty stammered. She was in utter shock that Tyler was basically asking her out on a date. Was that what that was? “Tomorrow night. It’s a date.”

  She cringed at the use of the word since he hadn’t mentioned it at all. He had just asked her to have a drink with him. That was all. A friendly drink between two people, a Station newbie and a Station veteran who could show her the ropes so she could stay there. Yes, that was it . . .

  His smile broadened, showing off his perfectly straight teeth. “It’s a date.” And with that he opened the door and left, taking a single look back at them as they both craned their necks to watch him leave. Misty couldn’t believe that had just happened. You want to talk about dumb luck?

  “So much for not being boy crazy,” Jenny joked as she turned toward the bar, Edd pushing two dark lagers in their direction across the wooden bar top. A tiny bit of the foam sloshed out and dripped down the glass in a welcome creek of suds.

  Misty rolled her eyes and took a seat next to Jenny, pulling the glass toward her and wrapping her fingers around the slightly warm glass. “I can’t help it if I get stupidly lucky.”

  She picked up the glass carefully and put her lips to it, taking a deep swallow of the beer and glancing around at her surroundings. The bar was so dimly lit, and the light flickered, so she knew that candles were sitting on any available surface there was and as far away from anything flammable as possible. The beer was warm and slightly bitter, the strong taste of hops and some other grain she couldn’t identify as it filled her mouth and rolled over her tongue while she attempted to decipher it. Fatigue hit her like a tidal wave, causing her body to sag on the weathered leather bar stool as she g
roaned quietly and took another sip of the brown liquid.

  “This is good,” she said as she eyed Edd and nodded, his light blue eyes lighting up. They looked nearly white in what little light there was in the place as they sparkled with pride. His thin lips rose in a smile, and he ran his hand through his hair and then over his scruffy, splotchy beard.

  “Thank you,” he murmured. And that was that.

  Misty saw Jenny take another sip of her beer and place the glass back down on the counter, turning slightly toward her with a question in her eyes. Misty couldn’t lie that she had questions for Jenny herself like, how did she ever come to see the Head Hunter at least once? And what had transpired during the meteorite shower so that she was alone? Her brown eyes sparkled in the light as Misty still stared past Edd and to the wall behind him, the old photos telling of a time before the apocalypse. The most recent one looked to be from seven years ago with slightly singed edges, not too long or just before the strike that debilitated the world and everyone in it. The smiling faces and happy people were a thing of the past.

  Edd was summoned away to pour yet another drink.

  “I want to be completely honest with you. I think we need to talk about that day, so we know where we both stand,” Jenny admitted as she watched Misty take another swig of her lager, swallowing with a sigh, knowing full well that Jenny was right. “I like you, and I’d love for us to be friends, so I feel this is important.”

  Misty nodded. “I agree. Now who goes first? That’s the main question.” Misty looked over at Jenny and saw the tension in her body even though she had suggested sharing their stories with one another. And she couldn’t blame her. Everyone had seen and done some very unsavory things to survive, and Misty was no different. Jenny was twirling the already half-empty glass between her fingers on the wooden countertop, showing just how uncomfortable she truly was. “I’ll go first.”