No one knew for sure who decided or when, but it was determined a stand would be made along a line formed by the Mississippi River, Lake Winnipeg, and the Nelson River which emptied into Hudson Bay. This strategy sought to protect the Eastern halves of Canada and the United States of America. There were questions raised about defending southern routes into Mexico, Central America, and South America, but the grim reality was that the dwindling forces still available simply could not be stretched far enough to make any difference to a southward advance.
Amazingly, residents from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona joined forces with the population of northern Mexico to improve their chances. The Rio Grande, while a lengthy river, couldn’t be expected to withstand the tide as well as its larger sibling the Mississippi, but efforts were started, in vain unfortunately, to bolster that geographical landmark. Heavy equipment pushed and piled mountains of soft, dry earth along the river’s edge. It was never going to be enough but they had to try.
In a matter of days, Mexico City and its millions were swallowed whole, but the horde was not done. The press of death continued southward impeded by nothing but the speed with which their tireless legs could carry them.
Unfortunately, the infection wasn’t contained to the Americas. Derelict water craft, from monstrous oceangoing passenger liners to small skiffs, began to wash up on distant Asiatic shores. Disgorging their deadly cargo wherever they came to rest, these hellish arks unknowingly and unintentionally transported the voracious undead to some of the most densely populated urban centers in the world. Korea, Japan, China, and the island nations of the South Pacific were lands for the plague to feed.
That was as much as the woman on the phone knew and it was likely more than any of them could process after a single conversation anyway. It wasn’t pretty or ideal, but so far humanity was holding. It appeared as if man was going to be able to face down its doom and come out on top again.
William was the last one on the phone with the lady. They exchanged some information and assured one another that they would speak again. When William disconnected the call and turned toward everyone, he couldn’t find the words to express all that he had been told. He looked at the children and the other adults.
It was Jules who asked, “So, what did she say?”
William smiled and with a pool of tears forming in his eyes, he said, “I think we’re gonna be alright. She said everything was going to be okay.”
About the Author
Sean Schubert moved from Indiana to Alaska in 1993. He originally ventured to Alaska for a summer of adventure but he and his wife fell in love with the state and made it their permanent home. Schubert earned a degree in English/Literature from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN, where he found encouragement and inspiration to continue to develop his love of writing. Authors such as Tom Robbins, Christopher Moore, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., and Toni Morrison have all influenced his style and approach to his craft. When Schubert is not writing about zombies or the end of the world, he can usually be found playing soccer with his son and daughter or watching one of their games.
Alaskan Undead Apocalypse (Book 4): Resolution Page 45
