by RM Hamrick
Audra made up the time lost in negotiations with her delivery speed. While others took multiple days to get in and out of the town, Audra was fast even with a zombie in tow. In her childhood school, she hadn’t been a runner. It was a skill she learned and loved out here. Audra had met many people who hated running. It meant fear. It meant running for their lives. And Audra sort of got that, but she also knew she had always survived. She had always outrun her troubles. And that was something in her pocket. The people who did not want to run anymore stayed in their townships, got rations delivered by a fence-protected train, and negotiated with their loved ones’ lives.
The trio ran along the ten-foot-high fence towards the main township. There were several townships now, all along the trade route. Following the track was the most direct and cleared path. It was also a great place to catch up on gossip from the other taggers as they came in and out of towns. Randy followed along behind them, occasionally getting caught along the chain links that tore at his clothes. It was a wonder he was in such good condition. Besides taggers, an occasional lone hiker returned from a resupply. Some people did not transition well from surviving in the wilderness back into the strict towns with measured rations and daily reports. Audra felt the same.
Even ten feet away on the opposite side of the fence, she felt the buzz of the electric track. Audra questioned if it actually made noise, but at the least, it vibrated and made her hair stand on end. She slowed to look back at the train. Randy tried to take a bite from her neck. She shook her head and returned to speed. The fifteen cars of a sleek silver train passed. It carried each week’s rations, mail (subject to Lysent perusal), and trade goods. At times people used it to get from town to town, but it was an expensive endeavor for the sentimental. The train and its technology galvanized Lysent as the organization in charge after people began rebuilding.
No one could remember if Lysent had always owned the trains, but they owned a lot explicitly or under an umbrella in the world before. The train hadn’t broken down with the rest of the modern world. Solar energy collected by the rails and train cars supplemented the electromagnetic rail system. It was self-sustained. They only needed two fences to keep zombies from piling up on the tracks, and a periodic patrol to clear it. At first, that meant killing the zombies. But now that everyone was aware the zombies were not dead, and instead, alive and recoverable, more humane ways were required to keep the zombies from being an inconvenience to the fastest trade route. Lysent built corrals out of sight to confine the zoms in the name of safety. Everyone was thankful for Lysent’s reach and capabilities.
Audra understood that they would not have progressed at such a rapid rate without them, before or after the outbreak, but that did not mean they were worth the price of their autonomy and agency. They were too organized and too meddling. They left an awful taste in her mouth. But, here she was, working for them, like any government worker, just one who did not bathe often, and ran around chasing and running from zombies most of the day. Audra would drop off Randy, receive payment, and leave as quickly as possible. Their partnership was a necessity, but not one she needed to prolong.
Not even a couple miles in, a raunchy looking guy, thin and haggard, walked toward them from the opposite direction. He complimented their nice find, Randy’s business suit dirty and flapping open.
“Watch out for Audra, though,” he said toward Dwyn, “She’ll leave you out to dry.”
Dwyn made no comment but noticed Audra give Randy a little yank to increase his pace.
After an hour or so, Dwyn was forced to walk. He was not a conditioned runner like Audra. She kept going. It was part of the deal. He could tag along as long as he wanted and had the ability to do so. He knew where she was heading. Audra finished the thirty miles and camped not too far from the tracks. A couple hours later, after it was dark, he caught up with her. She had already eaten, her food tied up in the tree, and she was sleeping, hugging her pack in her tent.
Audra was up at dawn. She checked the cloudless sky and muddied her face and arms to protect her from the sun. She gave Dwyn a little kick, knowing he had come in late. He groaned but did not move.
“I’m heading out. I’ll see you at the township.”
“Mreh.”
CHAPTER THREE
Hands bound with neat twine and mouth covered with a red handkerchief, Belinda followed her sister obediently into the Lysent plaza. Audra had wiped the protective mud off their skin and combed their hair. The human bite on Belinda’s right forearm had been cleaned and dressed. They both needed to look their best for the committee. But, no amount of preening could disguise Belinda's eyes - frozen wide, lifeless, and gray.
Against the plaza, behind a waist-high barrier, several people shouted angry words at them.
“Don’t wake her up! It’s against God’s will!”
Audra knew there would be dissenters opposed to curing. They believed the infected had proven themselves incapable of surviving in this world. Reviving them would be a waste of resources. Audra walked past them without a word. She did not completely disagree with them.
The protesters were not allowed in the plaza and as the sisters approached the entrance to the main white building, the yelling faded. A sign posted on the door stated, “NO INFECTED THIS WAY”.
Audra glanced around and found no one to help. She was sure she shouldn’t leave her sister unsupervised outside. Lysent would not approve and she didn’t trust the protesters just outside the barriers. Before she made a decision, a tall thin man in uniform robes met them at the bottom of the white porch. The man raised his eyebrows at the pair. Audra had thought she had cleaned them both up, but they remained a stark contrast to his crisp, clean glow. He waved them to the side of the building and Audra followed, no longer eager to step inside.
Beside the building stood a small metal outhouse. It was the perfect size for one person. Audra held back and Belinda bumped into her. Would they be separated? The thin man noticed the hesitation in her steps. He raised his bushy eyebrows once more, but his voice was friendly and assuring.
“What’s her name?”
“Belinda.”
“That’s a lovely name. Belinda will be really grateful that you took such good care of her while she was sick. She looks great. It must have been hard to keep her in such good condition.”
Audra gave a grateful smile. It had been hard to keep Belinda out of trouble. She was always wandering off toward any noise or movement in her peripheral. At first, Audra had kept her in her tent at night, but Belinda never tired. She was constantly shuffling. Eventually, she’d convinced herself that Belinda would be all right tied up outside the tent with a tarp draped loosely around her to keep off the rain. It was Audra’s least favorite part of corralling Belinda, but Belinda didn’t seem to care.
“Belinda will be safe inside while you meet with the Awakening Committee,” he said as he opened the shed door.
Audra weighed her options. She had promised her mother she would keep Belinda safe. This could be the only way to revive her, but it could also be a trap. The thin man tested the ties as Belinda shuffled in, and an image of an alive, kicking, and screaming Belinda protesting her confinement forced its way into Audra’s mind as the door clicked shut.
Audra felt small and childlike following the tall man back to the main entrance. She was not sure if she was supposed to be this small, or if she hadn’t gotten enough nutrition during her puberty and adolescence. Belinda was still much taller than her, despite her slowed metabolism in the last year.
The yells kicked up again as they turned the corner.
“Keep them dead!”
Audra expected her escort to dismiss the protests conversationally, given her purpose and his business, but he did not. He only motioned her inside when they reached the door. The front lobby had a tall ceiling and matching windows to let the light in. It was a nice feature. Given that electricity was rationed, the sun was preferable. Audra felt more and more inadequate as her muddy feet l
eft marks on the white marble and she saw the clean and bright lady behind the desk. Would they give her the time of day?
“Hi Clyde, someone looking for their parents?” the lady behind the front desk asked.
Her dark curly hair bounced as her fingers flitted from one stack of paper to the next on her desk. Audra was reminded of the doctor’s office of her childhood, or the few times she had visited her mom at work. She hadn’t realized people still had office jobs.
“No, she brought her own. Would like to see the committee, I imagine.”
He looked at Audra, who nodded approvingly.
“OK, well, answer this questionnaire, sweetie, and we’ll get you in as soon as possible.”
She guided Audra to one of the chairs. As she handed her a clipboard and pen, she whispered into her ear.
“Do you know how to read and write, sweetie?”
“Yes ma’am,” Audra said automatically.
That was the truth, but she had not done so in the last three years. Her eyes were trained to follow movement and as she looked at the paper, the letters swam around. She took a deep breath and willed the first word to stop moving. After a few slow, stumbling sentences, she improved.
The questionnaire was blunt and clinical. It asked her name, age, previous occupation, and current living arrangements. It asked her how long she had known the infected, and what she intended to do with the infected once awakened. The final questions stung.
“Do you have at least 1 million credits to awaken the infected person?” No.
“If yes, will the transaction be cash or through the bank?”
“If no, are you willing to discuss a payment plan?” Yes.
Audra returned the paperwork. Initially impressed by her literacy, the receptionist glanced at the bottom of the form to confirm her suspicion. Audra had no money.
“You can wait back at your seat. The committee will review your application and meet with you in the next hour or so. They have lunch right now.”
Wait? What people had the luxury of waiting anymore? She thought of her low food rations. She thought of checking on her sister. Perhaps she could come back later? She decided not to be a difficult person. She waited.
Eventually, the lady at the front desk escorted her down the hall. She roughly whispered quick advice to her as if she had just decided to help.
“There’s a big group but you only have to convince the one.”
Before Audra could ask which one, the receptionist swung open a pair of doors. There sat seven men and women in robes behind a long desk. A single chair faced them. Audra sat and nodded. A soft jab in her shoulder told her she should stand back up. After a few awkward moments, the lady in the center gave a small smile and told their rude guest she could be seated. Audra recognized her gray slicked back hair and small dark eyes. It was Larange Greenly, the woman who made all decisions impacting the towns and delivered the news - good or bad - on the plaza front.
“The infected is your sister?” she asked, her voice’s pitch rising in amusement.
Audra opened her mouth to answer, but Greenly did not wait.
“Why do you want to awaken her?”
“She is my sister and I love her.”
Her response was met with snickers and patronizing looks. Audra swallowed her anger. She needed them to be on her side.
A man to Greenly’s left with a full white beard cleared his throat.
“We understand you do not have the full payment yet. How much do you have?”
He sat back ready to do calculations in his head.
“Well, sir, I have no credits to my name.”
He sat back up and leaned toward her.
“Then why are you wasting our time?”
It was easy for them to sit in these meetings, making assessments and dictating people’s lives behind their table and walls. They did not understand what lay beyond the fences. Their undeserved power could not be overturned, though. Audra realized she was losing their patience and possibly her chance.
“I’m not wasting your time. I’m a good runner, sir. I can run a 7-minute mile in the woods. I can run twenty-five miles one day, and thirty the next. I’ve been out there for three years. I would be a good tagger.
“Let me tag zombies for you in exchange for waking up my sister.”
Audra looked at each committee person. Most seemed unconvinced, but Greenly’s mild amusement had grown into a sly smile.
“Let’s hope your abilities match the grit we see here,” she said, not missing Audra’s simmering attitude.
“An ambitious girl. She may be one to watch. Give her a contract. Committee dismissed,” announced Greenly.
“Wait, that’s it?” she asked as the receptionist ushered her to the lobby.
“Yes, I’ll give you the contract to look over. It says as a tagger, you get ten percent of the negotiated price of an awakened zombie. You can get that money in cash or put it toward awakening your sister. Your sister stays here and you pay rent each month, pulled from your account. If more than two months pass without communication, Lysent reserves the right to put down your sister.”
“How many people do I need to catch and bring in to awaken my sister?”
“If you brought them all in tomorrow and everyone, including your sister, went for the average price, ten people would do. Unfortunately, rent and indenture fees add up quickly.”
“Rent and indenture fees? Aren’t those the same thing?”
“No, unfortunately, they are not.”
“So, practically, how many people will I need?”
“If you’re good at it, maybe fifty?”
“What if I keep Belinda somewhere else and don’t pay rent?”
“It is part of the deal. She is collateral for the biometric reader we are lending you. We guarantee she stays in her current condition, barring death. If she stays somewhere else, she may degrade. You will be out running and won’t be able to care for her. Did you have a secondary place in mind?”
“No.”
Audra considered how much care her sister required, especially the hunting. Belinda couldn’t eat anything farmed or gathered. She looked over the contract. Even with a lack of formal education, she surmised it was not in her favor. It was a piling of debt she might never repay.
She thought of her sister, outside in the dark closet. It had seemed a fool’s errand to keep her body for so long. She sat and shed a tear for every time she considered ending her sister’s existence. Would it have been for her own selfish desires? Did she really think a person needed to pass on from this world to be complete? Audra had her answer, a promise to her mother and promise of a cure. Settling in a town, Belinda would thrive behind walls, under roofs, and behind fences. They would learn occupations. Belinda would be a seamstress. Audra would do labor and mail runs for extra money. It would be the life that Belinda deserved.
She signed the paper.
* * *
Audra realized the committee agreed to make her a tagger because there was nothing to lose on their end. Someone would bring in her biometric reader for a small reward fee when she died trying to tag her first zom. And then, they would destroy Belinda. But she proved them wrong with every tag and return.
Audra tugged Randy. Her quads twinged with each footfall and her back ached, but she could handle more speed for a few more moments. Even if Dwyn had not slept in, he would not have been able to keep up with her. Randy matched her speed without complaint. She would be rid of him soon and tomorrow he would wake up under the watchful eyes of scientists.
The dissenters outside the plaza had changed their chants in the last two years.
“Don’t add to the rich!”
“Lysent owns us!”
With every awakening, another was added to the corporation’s community who required food, energy, and clothes. They argued that their job never matched their burden on the community. No one ever woke up and became a farmer. They were part of the elite, part of the rich. Audra did not disagree
with them, but she rolled her eyes at them all the same. These protesters who yelled at her went home just a few hundred feet away from Lysent, cozy within their fences. They hassled her as if she had a choice.
It was old routine now. Audra ran Randy over to the metal closet without an escort. It was unoccupied. She secured him and sauntered into the lobby. She greeted Rosie who was sitting at the desk, shuffling through paperwork strewn all over.
“I’ve brought Randy… I mean, Randolph… Ludington?”
“Ludington, Ludington… Audra…” Rosie said as she shuffled through yet another set of papers and folders behind her. She found a blue folder and pulled it out and placed it on top of all the other papers on her desk, the easy cause of her clutter. She gave some of the papers in the folder to Audra.
“Audra! You got me another winner?!” called out Clyde as he entered the lobby. Audra just smiled politely and started her paperwork without banter. Clyde and Rosie exchanged knowing glances. Audra would withdraw against her Finder’s Fee today.
Clyde returned from his review, assessment in hand. He compared his notes with Audra’s form. Their rating on body condition differed.
“That bite is bad, Audra.”
The sullen expression on Audra’s face erupted into an amiable grin. Her laughter reflected their years of friendship.
“C’mon man! He has been out there for years, and he looks amazing. That bite is not my fault. That’s how he… y’know got infected.”
“He does look great, besides the bite,” Clyde said with pride in his voice as if he had anything to do with it.
