His arms burning from carrying Sandra, who was becoming heavier with each passing moment, Allen asked “Now what? We’re runnin’ in circles.”
Danielle motioned to the slope. “Back up. I bet those things won’t be able to follow us.”
They climbed the hill as quickly as they could manage with the disabled Sandra, and reached the top before any of their pursuers reemerged. Once back up and looking down, the four of them paused to catch their breaths. Sandra even managed to open her eyes for a few moments, though they were filled with confused exhaustion.
While everyone else looked back over their shoulders, Danielle was scanning the path in front of them. She could see more of those things further up the hill toward the looming Begich Tower housing complex, but luckily there were none of them in their immediate vicinity. From where she was standing she couldn’t see around the Anchor Inn to Whittier Street, running in front of it, so there was no telling what might be waiting for them around the bend.
It was around the bend where the community’s lone store sat with its shelves of food and, more importantly for Danielle, medicine. She knew there wouldn’t be insulin on the shelves but she hoped to find some of the glucose sticks which many stores carried in their over-the-counter medicine aisle. Across the street, she remembered there was a sign for a Public Safety office of some kind. If she was lucky, she could get into there without being seen and get what she needed. Danielle accepted that the store was their first objective because the most needs could be met in one stop.
Close to their right was an old looking building with more painting peeling from its walls that was still clinging to them. Parked in haphazard fashion behind the rusty brown structure were several boats of varying sizes. The back lot had once been enclosed by a wire and wood plank fence but the barrier had long since laid itself to rest in the overgrown grass and weeds. Parts of the fence still poked themselves up from the ground but most of it had surrendered to the weight of the world.
Danielle led the five of them into the yard between the boats. Sandra was leaned against a trailer with grass growing up around and through it. She moaned as she came to rest, her eyes never opening. Allen wiped the cloud of bubbly white spittle from the corner of Sandra’s mouth.
Allen thought Sandra had been so pretty before, in a slightly damaged kind of way. He had always been drawn to women like her; women who had seen dark times of some sort that had left marks in her expression and her outlook upon life, like a permanent shadow across her countenance. Her beauty had a hint of sadness to it which, to Allen, made her face shine.
None of that was there now. She didn’t look like the same person anymore. Her skin looked so thin and frail, like it could simply peel away to the softer tissue underneath at any moment. He thought he could see the veins in her cheeks, especially following each shallow breath.
While Allen watched and cared for Sandra, William and Gus checked the back door of the shop, thankfully finding it unlocked but closed. Danielle watched despairingly when the two men disappeared into the building. She was still kneeling where she had stopped after leading them there. She was shaking all over, and couldn’t find the will to reign in her fright. She couldn’t have gone with the two men regardless. When all was said and done though, it didn’t matter.
William was quickly out and running back to their hiding spot next to the dry rotted fishing boat. Grabbing Danielle’s arm roughly, he hoisted her to her feet. She shot him a look but acknowledged what he communicated with his eyes. Stepping forward a couple of feet, she peered in both directions and then sprinted across the gravel lot to the still open door.
When Gus stepped into the open doorway, Danielle squeaked with surprise but didn’t slow one bit such was her focus. She was in the door and crouched in a corner well before William and Allen were able to help Sandra get inside. Looking back through the door to ensure they hadn’t been seen, William closed it behind them and turned to face everyone.
In the shop’s main workroom, a cavernous garage, sat motors of all shapes and sizes still resting in various states of disrepair both on and off several workbenches. The industrially sweet aroma of fuel and lubricants filled their noses with each breath. The shop was dark, though the day’s scant light coming through the front windows made navigating the tight quarters manageable. They were in the back where the tools were kept and the work was done.
They could hear the pounding of footsteps outside and were thankful when those footsteps went on by without stopping at the door. They thought they could hear pursuers out back continuing through the lot and away from them. They breathed a collective sigh of relief, though Sandra was struggling to find her breath to fill her lungs, let alone sigh.
Allen pressed torn cloths to her wound and apply pressure, but nothing staunched the bleeding. They sat Sandra in a chair in the front of the shop and tried to make her comfortable. Despite their efforts, her suffering continued.
“What the hell is wrong with those people?” William said, still shaking from their close encounter. “I mean, Gus planted his axe in that guy’s back and he didn’t even notice. How is that possible?” His wide eyes scanned from each one of them to another, hoping for some kind of explanation. None came. They were all dumbfounded, like they were surviving some kind of horrible dream, despite having heard stories from Danielle and others over the past weeks. It defied reason.
Danielle watched Sandra close her eyes and try to rest. “What are we gonna do about her?” she asked quietly.
“What do you mean by that?” Allen said, standing up. “We need to get her back to The Cove. We can’t possibly help her out here. We don’t have the proper supplies to—”
“We’re not suggesting we are gonna abandon her or anything,” William cut in, “but we’re here now. We need to get what we came for. Danielle needs medicine. We need batteries and—”
“And whiskey, damnit!” Gus said.
They rolled their eyes at his attempt at humor, but truth be told Gus did want to get his hands on some booze. He wasn’t a drunk before the apocalypse but he was trying his hardest to become one since. He’d worked for one of the lodges in Shotgun Cove as a cook but his career had been put on hiatus. His worry and his fear had driven his thirst and his lack of responsibility had made it all the more easy. There was very little alcohol left at the lodge, so he needed to replenish his stash. There were several places in Whittier where he might find some hooch and he had every intention of not leaving empty-handed.
With the sound of movement outside subsiding, they settled down somewhat and considered what they should do next. After a discussion, none of them had any ideas aside from getting back to The Cove safely. They weren’t necessarily paralyzed with fear, but their doubt and concern for their safety was palpable.
Finally, Danielle said, “I don’t have a choice but the rest of you do. I have to find some insulin or something like it. Anything is better than nothing. The store might have it, and it’s right there at the top of the hill. I can run over there and then hurry back.” She paused and looked at each of them hopefully. “I’d really like it if you all would wait for me. I don’t think I can make it back to The Cove on my own.”
William sighed loudly...one filled with doubtful resignation mixed with fear. “You don’t have to go by yourself. I’m in. I’ll help you.”
To cut the mood, Gus added, “And I still need some whiskey. Does that drug store sell it?”
Danielle shook her head doubtfully, raising her shoulders. She was still afraid, but not having to face the streets and whatever might be waiting for her on them alone helped to steel her nerves to her task.
Sensing her fear and lingering doubt, Gus joked, “Okay, but if there’s no booze, I’m gonna be pissed.”
Danielle nodded her understanding. She wanted to say something...anything but was afraid she was going to lose total control of her emotions. It was so unlike her and she found the new developments particularly irritating.
They determined
that Allen would stay with Sandra, who was shivering and suffering silently. Her color was fading quickly, leaving her cheeks almost opaque with spidery blue veins threatening to burst forth from her thin skin.
They were all worried about Sandra but Allen said he would keep her safe until they returned. They were only expected to be gone a few minutes, then the group could head back to The Cove.
Chapter 11
Looking up at the short hill facing them, they figured it would be a quick uphill run to the Anchor Inn that sat immediately adjacent to the store to which they were ultimately headed. The grassy slope was open except for two old fishing boats suffering from a lethal dose of dry rot.
Danielle, William and Gus exited through a side door and stopped themselves in their tracks almost at once. They were back outside where those things might be waiting for them. It was unsettling to think of oneself as prey. To their left and up the short hill was the Anchor Inn. That would be their first stop.
Danielle would have liked to be going straight to the store but the angle of slope leading to it was too sharp and the surface too wet. They would all likely end up sliding on their bellies to their certain doom.
The Anchor Inn, it was decided, was their best option. It was only so far away when they looked at it from the windows inside the shop. They could almost reach out and touch it.
Standing in the open and looking up at it was a completely different story. Danielle wasn’t sure how far it was, but she didn’t like it one bit. The fact that it was all uphill didn’t help matters in the least.
Sharing one last look, the three of them started the short but steep climb. They didn’t see any of those things but could hear them down the hill. The sound was enough to light a fire under each of them and propel them toward their destination.
About halfway up, first Danielle and then Gus slipped on the slick grass. Danielle hit heavily and slid back down, a worried grunt escaping as she struggled to get back to her feet. Finally able to get her footing, Danielle didn’t bother to brush off the wet leaves or clumps of muddy grass from her jacket or pants. She merely wanted to make up the difference and get to the back of the small inn at the top of the hill.
The Anchor Inn originally housed United States Army communications stations and headquarters offices. It was built with utility in mind, so the architecture of the outside of the building was less than an aesthetic marvel but it was solidly built and attracted attention from entrepreneurs who saw more in the little building in the little town.
And so the Anchor Inn was born. The building offered a handful of nicely redecorated and finished rooms, laundry facilities, and a restaurant that doubled as a nightclub for locals in the evenings. That all changed those many weeks ago. Now it was simply a solid building, which could either be an asset or an obstacle to them.
When she reached the dirty wall, Danielle, nearly hyperventilating, pressed herself flat against the building. The much larger William and older Gus both struggled up the hill very quickly thereafter. William shot Danielle a surprised look. Despite having fallen, Danielle still managed to beat both of the men to the inn. She stared back wide-eyed and gasping but understanding the compliment nonetheless.
With William in the lead, the three of them crept around to the side opposite the store. The door on that side of the building, to all of their relief, was much more easily accessible. They hated being out in the open and feeling so exposed and vulnerable.
To William’s relief, the glass door was not locked. The three of them slunk through the barely cracked open door. They wanted to pass without notice, under the radar of their hunters.
Inside in the dark stillness of the first floor entrance, which sat at the bottom of a wide staircase, Danielle struggled to see. The time it was taking her eyes to adjust to the faint light was maddening. Something about their current circumstances raised alarms in her head.
She was acutely aware of a smell that was both sweet and fetid and filled the space all around them. It reeked of mildew and something unfamiliar but sinister. A powerful shiver ran up Danielle’s spine and down her arms, taking her breath, and she shook uncontrollably.
When William touched her on her shoulder she nearly jumped out of her clothes. She saw the desperate look in his eyes and glanced to where he was looking. At the top of the stairs with its back to the three of them, stood one of the ghouls.
Danielle’s breath caught in the back of her throat and her heart skipped a beat. If it hadn’t been for William’s steadying hand, she may very well have swooned out of consciousness. She remained standing, and took a step back away from the stairs.
With all the agility and enthusiasm of a rusty hinge, the creature pivoted on its sore-covered, bony feet until it was looking down at them. At the moment of recognition, the zombie jolted with spasms, nearly sending it toppling down the stairs. Its skin and the exposed muscles around its mouth cracked audibly as it started to chomp the air aggressively, creating a nauseating clicking.
William had seen and heard enough. He raised the hefty revolver in his hand and fired. The large caliber handgun roared like a cannon, sending its heavy slug into and through the creature’s chest. The grievous wound barely produced a reaction from the monster that seemed not to notice. The impact did set the thing back two paces and created enough time for William to pull the trigger again to much the same effect.
Finding courage he didn’t realize he had, Gus mounted the stairs in three quick bounds and swung his axe like a mighty Norseman, sinking the blade into the side of the creature’s head. The skull beneath the thin layer of emaciated skin was weak and collapsed beneath the weight of Gus’ swing. Its head split like a ripe melon, splattering jelly-like matter onto the wall behind.
Not anticipating the ease of impact, Gus spun on his heels, swinging the axe around dangerously, spreading more of the soft and gooey inner matter into the air. Ducking reflexively to avoid the axe, Danielle and William were stunned still at the bottom of the stairs. Coming to rest finally, Gus shot Danielle and William a surprised and not wholly comfortable smile. His breathing was shallow and labored, though it was apparent his breathlessness wasn’t from exertion.
He was about to speak when sudden movement to his right got his attention. A wobbling, teetering female ghoul draped in the remnants of a dingy white t-shirt and a blood spattered white apron was coming at him from near the bar in the dark pub. Most of her long, dark hair had either fallen out or been pulled from her scalp, leaving only hints and wisps of black along her head. Dark angry clouds stormed in her eyes.
She walked through the maze of tables and chairs scattered haphazardly around the white tiled floor, growling and hissing like a feral animal stalking its prey. She cleared the tables in seconds, then found her legs capable of more pace.
Gus shook his head incredulously. “It’s Heidi, the bartender. She doesn’t look very good.”
The fiend walked right into Gus’ axe as it came down upon her head. The blade drove through flesh, bone, and brain tissue, and didn’t stop until it sank into Heidi’s neck where it joined her chest. In the failing light of the dark bar, Heidi the bartender’s mangled flesh and bone of her upper third didn’t look human. It barely resembled anything remotely akin to an animal. From the right angle, she looked like some horrifying new variety of carnivorous Venus flytrap, its sickening trap gaping open in hungry invitation. The ghoul’s hands finally and thankfully fell to her sides but she didn’t fall immediately.
It was obvious to Gus that the axe was there permanently so he released the handle. When he did so, the still standing headless former bartender spilled to the floor in a heap of rotted flesh and splintered bones. “I’m so sorry, Heidi,” Gus whispered. He looked down at William sorrowfully. “I always liked her. She poured tall drinks and always smiled at me.”
Neither William nor Danielle commented. They moved their disbelieving stare from Gus to the two new crumpled bodies. The three of them were jolted from their stupor by the sudden banging ag
ainst the outside of the glass door behind them.
Danielle retreated and whispered worriedly, “It’s more of those things. They must know we’re in here.”
William was backing up the stairs. He readjusted his grip on the tire iron in his left hand. The tool was becoming increasingly heavier and harder to manage but he was thankful he had it.
Danielle was holding the long filleting knife, while Gus was attempting unsuccessfully to extricate his axe from Heidi the ghoul’s body.
Looking over his shoulder for anywhere to run and hide, William said, “Those glass doors aren’t going to hold them for long. We better get outta here.”
A familiar and unpleasant sensation pressed Danielle’s chest uncomfortably. She was reminded of earlier when Nakissha’s truck was pushing the ovens. Danielle realized it likely wasn’t the sound of the appliances grinding themselves along the pavement that she had heard; it was those things. Their moaning was more than a sound. It was like auditory poisoning for the soul. Like icy daggers, it cut her to the core.
Feeling a surge of helplessness overtake her, Danielle said, “There’s nowhere to hide from those things. They just don’t stop.”
William grabbed Danielle’s arm when the first cracks appeared in the glass and quickly became spreading webs of fissures. “C’mon dammit. We can’t stay here.”
Through the moaning buzz, Danielle thought she heard something else; something familiar and promising. She swore she heard voices, human voices. She resisted William’s pull and strained to listen.
William tugged again, and Danielle pulled her arm free and took a step away from him. She said, “Shhh! I can hear something.”
Confused, William answered, “Yeah. Me too. That’s why we got to run. C’mon little girl.”
Alaskan Undead Apocalypse (Book 4): Resolution Page 10
