by David Lovato
“Fellow listeners, fellow survivors, I have some important news,” the local DJ said. “I got a few visitors today, they’re here in the station, and believe me, they had some trouble getting in.”
Nikki heard Lou’s voice. “Hey, is this working?”
“Yeah, it’s on. Call me DJ. That’s as important a name as I’ll get, these days. So you boys are from outside of Spartanburg?”
“Yeah, that’s right,” Johns said.
“That’s quite a drive, and let me tell you, the streets here in Columbia are pretty busy, if you know what I mean. But, fellow survivors, these three are soldiers. That’s right, full-blown United States Marine Corps. There’s still an Army out there, folks, albeit in the form of a few pockets of servicemen.”
“We’d like to talk about something we’ve set up out there in Spartanburg,” Lou said. “We’ve built a safe zone. We converted a community college into a refugee camp. It’s well-fortified, and it’s getting stronger every day, everyone who shows up pitches in. We cleared out the city of most of the zombies, we’re out in the country. It’s safe.”
“That sounds like a lot of work,” DJ said. “Again, I want to thank you guys. For doing that, and for coming out here to share your story with people. Thank you, so much. Your service to us, to what’s left of this nation… What’s left of these people, it’s beyond commendable.”
The chat went on for a while. Nikki wondered when she’d hear Max’s voice. Johns gave directions to the safe zone and suggested people bring whatever supplies they could. Lou talked about a few methods of defense against the zombies. The show went on for about a half hour.
“As you guys know, we get messages from an AM station,” DJ said. “They can broadcast across the country, but this little station doesn’t have that power. I’ve given these brave boys some directions, and they’re going to head out and find our other radio friend, the one who gives those daily broadcasts I pass through to you guys. They’re going to try to get their message out across the country. I hope you’ll all join me in praying for the safety of these men. Do you guys have anything else you’d like to say?”
“Yeah,” Lou said. “To those back at the college, stay safe, and take care. We’re splitting up, so two of us will be back soon.”
A sudden anxiety rushed through Nikki. She didn’t want to hear what she knew was coming next.
“Well, that’s—oh, you have something else?” DJ said. “Sorry, go ahead. Take his mic, I only have the three—there you go. Christ, kid, you don’t look older than fifteen.”
“Hi everyone. My name is Max Greenwald.”
Nikki was happy to hear his voice, but she was afraid of what he was going to say.
“Mom, Dad… if you guys are out there… If my family is out there, I want you to know that I’m okay. I want you to head for the college. If you get this, I’ll see you soon. I’m heading for the other station. It’s pretty far.” Nikki’s heart jumped into her throat. “Nikki, I’m sorry. I knew you’d never let me go if I told you. I’m sorry. I’m an asshole, I know.” Max sounded like he was smiling. “I’ll be okay. I promise. I’ll come back to you as soon as I can.”
That asshole, Nikki thought, but she was smiling too.
“Well, once again, I’d like to thank you three. Head back up here if you ever need anything, I’ll be more than glad to help. You know how to get in. I’ll play this recording now and then, so the word stays out there. Good luck to you, and Godspeed. Thanks for listening, my fellow survivors. Good luck to all of you out there. Stay safe.”
There was silence, then.
****
A few long days had passed since Lou and Johns returned. They told Nikki she could wait by the radio, but she chose to help out around the base as much as she could. With every new group of people who arrived, she wondered if Max’s family was among them.
On the morning of the 12th, the radio came on. It was the local DJ.
“Fellow survivors, it’s me again. I have a new recording from our friends on the other side of the country, I’ll go ahead and play that now. You’ll want to hear it.”
There was a moment of silence, and then a different voice came through, one that was less clear, the voice of the AM radio operator the local DJ replayed every day.
“I have an interesting story for all of you, today. I guess someone out there is listening, because I have a young man in the studio, he came all the way from South Carolina. He has a message to deliver. Go ahead.”
“Hi everyone. I’m Max Greenwald. I’m an American soldier.” Nikki’s heart fluttered. Max was okay. He had made it.
“I know these times are hard. I know you feel pretty helpless right now. But I have a lot to tell you. I want you to know that there’s still safety out there. There are still things worth fighting for. I’m going to tell you how to set up safe zones, like the one we’ve set up in South Carolina. But most importantly, I want to tell you all, don’t lose hope. I want you all to know the sun will rise tomorrow. You can find yourself safe again, you can still have your life. No matter how dark, no matter how hopeless everything seems, there’s always tomorrow.”
~ ~ ~ ~
73
After the Burial
Rain came down over the world, late at night. Alan lay awake in bed with a lamp turned on. The thunder relaxed him. He sat up against the headboard and pillow with his legs pulled up, leaning his notebook against his thighs.
He wrote for a quarter of an hour before he started to feel tired. He set his notebook down, stood up, and walked to the window. Water rolled down the pane. Alan pressed a hand against the cool glass.
He looked down into the back yard. It was dark, but when a burst of lightning struck somewhere in the distance, he could see the three grave markers. Alan stared at Martha’s grave for some time. Tears came to his eyes.
When Alan went to sleep, he dreamed about Martha.
****
It was Independence Day, and the five survivors were restless. Alan dreamed of Martha every night, and every day the dreams replayed in his head. When everyone had gathered in the living room (as there was little else to do), he decided to start a conversation.
“What did you guys have planned for the fourth?”
“We were going to have a barbeque,” Emily said. “It was a family tradition. We’d invite the whole family. I always looked forward to the laughter, the poppers, bottle rockets… Remember, honey?” Emily turned to Billy and forced a smile.
“Oh, yeah!” Billy said, the excitement in his voice mostly feigned. “We’d have horseshoe competitions. Those were fun!”
“This year will be the first year in a long time that we don’t do anything,” Emily said. Francine leaned over to hug her mother. Emily hugged back, and Alan looked at the floor. He thought of his dreams again.
“I don’t want to be here anymore,” Alan said. “Not where Martha left us. Let’s get out of here.”
****
Everyone gathered their things. Alan had finished preparing to leave before the others, having only one thing of importance to take with him. He sat on the couch and looked over his notebook. He’d filled nearly every page with his messy scrawls.
Soon, everyone was ready to leave. After gathering in the living room, they visited the little graveyard one last time.
“We can all fit in my car, now,” Alan said.
“Sounds good,” Billy replied. Alan looked at him, and Billy smiled. Alan surprised himself when he smiled back.
The group headed back through the house, to the front door. Alan opened it. The first thing they saw was a few zombies. One was in the front yard, two more were just past the sidewalk. They looked bored.
“When did they get here?” Jesse asked.
“Who knows?” Alan said. The zombie in the yard spotted them and grunted loudly. The other two took notice, and all three shambled toward the house. Alan dropped the notebook and readied his shovel. Billy raised his own.
Alan took out the zombie th
at had been in the yard. The blade sliced into its head and got stuck, and the zombie fell to the ground. It continued to grunt and scramble, but Alan pried the shovel free and struck the zombie again, and it stopped moving. Billy hit the next zombie to arrive, slapping it across the face with the shovel. It fell and didn’t move, either dead or unconscious. Billy killed the third zombie while Alan picked up his notebook.
“What happened to the gun you got when you were at the hardware store?” Billy asked.
Alan shook his head. “I ran out of bullets.”
“Bring it anyway. We might be able to find some ammo along the way. Speaking of which, we should hurry, before more show up.”
Alan nodded and rushed into the house. He returned with the gun, and the survivors got into Alan’s car.
****
Alan drove until he got tired. Billy offered to take the wheel. They switched places and pressed on.
Alan wrote for almost ten minutes before he noticed Emily had turned back to watch him. He stopped writing. “How are you doing, Emily?”
“I’m fine. I’ve just wondered for a while now… What are you writing in that notebook?”
“Well,” Alan said, setting the pen down on the page, “it’s mostly a dream log, kind of a journal.”
“That’s great,” Emily said. She smiled.
Billy went to turn up the AC, but accidentally turned the volume knob instead. Static filled the car.
“Oops,” Billy said. Before he could turn it off, there was a small fragment of a word. “Shit, did you hear that?”
“Turn it up!” Emily said. Everyone sat forward.
“Is the radio working?” Jesse asked. Billy turned it up. The static was strong, and only a word poked through now and again.
“—someone out there can hear me … It’s a … story, and … ve in common, me … there, anyone b … yone able to … ive. A few … ing … in ways we coul … ed. And in the c … died. A lot of … what you might not know … ppened, that night. W … everyone, every—”
The voice was overtaken by static.
“We lost reception!” Francine said.
“Back up,” Alan said. Billy stopped the car, put it in reverse, and drove backward until the voice came back. Then he stopped the car.
“You can call … It’s our … The world w … killing each o … cannibals … crazy, then. But … everyone out … I want … I’m going … as long as I’m … offer some help … and a dangerous one. But it’s … I wish … ck. Remember, th—”
After that there was only static. The voice was gone.
But the radio was back.
No one in the car said anything for several minutes.
“That was very… inspiring,” Emily said. “I wish I knew what he said, but…”
“Just knowing,” Alan said. “Just knowing someone else is out there, someone else is alive, someone else still feels pain.”
“Yeah,” Emily said.
Alan smiled. Billy started the car and drove on as the orange sky darkened with the setting sun.
~ ~ ~ ~
Life After Death
Warren and Lacie had wedged a metal chair beneath the bars and gotten Dex out. He was breathing heavily, but otherwise okay.
“How did it go?” Warren said. The four somber faces told the tale, and the sadness spread to the others like a disease.
Layne read the message on his bracelet. Hope Perseveres.
They made their way to the lobby, where they used the map to find the control room. The sky outside was beginning to darken.
“Some of us will have to go back up to Vince’s cell,” Layne said. “When the cells open, some of the zombies will get out.”
“I’m on my way,” Garrett said. Dex and Lacie followed him. The others made their way to the control room. There was an emergency cell release switch, which Layne flipped.
Most of the zombies had starved half to death and the rest had gone the whole way, so it didn’t take long for the groups to join up again. Vince showered Layne with his thanks, but Layne’s mind was miles away.
They gathered in the lobby and left the prison. As they walked across the yard toward their cars, Dex said, “Hey, guys?”
“What is it, Dex?” Layne said.
“My watch is working.”
“That’s good, Dex.”
“No… Remember? It’s a satellite watch. It hasn’t worked since the plane.”
Everyone stopped moving. Layne turned to Dex. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, look.” Dex offered his watch for the others to see. “It’s almost 7:30.”
Katie turned to Layne. “Do you think he was doing it? Blocking airborne signals, somehow?”
“I don’t know what to think anymore. I’m just glad they work.” He looked at his bracelet again.
“So,” Keely said, wrapping her arms around Katie. “Where to, now?”
“I think it’s time we settled down somewhere,” Layne said. “I mean, if you’re all still willing to follow me.”
“Are you kidding?” Dex said. “You’re stuck with us. Forever.”
“I don’t know what we’d do without each other,” Ralph said.
“We’re family,” Warren said.
Layne thought he might cry.
“Then I have an idea of where we can go. It isn’t the safest place in the world, but it isn’t far.”
****
They parked in the same lot they had stopped in upon arriving in Los Angeles. The radio station was empty. Layne sat in the main booth with a microphone in front of him, studying the controls. It was silent in the booth; the song from his dream was long gone, and Layne had a feeling he’d never hear it again.
Outside, after they finished fueling and starting the generator, Keely and Katie searched through the remains of the old cars. One had burned out long before, but the other, still turned on its side, hadn’t suffered much damage.
“Maybe some of our stuff is still in there,” Katie said. Keely peered in through the window and saw a small metal spiral. Her heart skipped a beat. She reached in, having to lift her feet completely off of the ground, and pulled out her sketchbook. It was intact. She turned to the drawing Brandon had made for her what felt like forever ago.
“What’s that?” Katie asked.
“It’s a drawing,” Keely said. “From an old friend.”
The two embraced, and kissed below the sunset.
With as many manuals and charts as he could find spread out on the console, Layne decided he was as ready as he would ever be. He consulted a large book, flipped a few switches, and watched as the bright red “On Air” sign lit up.
Layne pulled the microphone to his mouth. His friends watched from behind the large glass window behind the console. Vince waved and mouthed another “thank you”. Katie and Keely soon joined them.
“I don’t know if anyone out there is listening,” Layne said, “if anyone happens to have their radios on. I know it’s been a while since these things worked, but they work now. I hope someone out there can hear me.
“Like a lot of you out there, I have a story. It’s a long story, and it’s a tiring one. It’s a sad one. Something I’m sure most of you can sympathize with. But there’s something else we all have in common, me sitting here in this station, and all of you out there, anyone bothering to listen, anyone able to understand me. We’re still alive.
“A few weeks ago, something happened. Something changed our world, and our lives, in ways we couldn’t possibly have imagined. And in the chaos and the horror that followed, a lot of people died. A lot of my good friends died.” Layne fought to choke down the tears.
“But what you might not know is that something else happened, that night. We were all given a new chance. Everyone, every single one of us gets a new life. It doesn’t matter who you are anymore, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, or what you believe, or what you’ve done. This is our chance to start over new. Hope perseveres.
“I met a man a few days ago,
and he said this was the year of our death. He called it—” Layne paused for a moment to try to remember. “He called it Anno Letum. And he called it their world. But I disagree. I think this is the year of our rebirth. You can call it a renaissance, if you like. I like to call it ‘life after death’. It’s our chance to start over. It’s our new world. It’s our…” He looked at Garrett. Garrett smiled. “It’s our lone and level sands. Our blank canvas.
“The world we left behind wasn’t perfect. We were killing each other off in droves even before most of our population turned into cannibals. We were crazy, then. But things are different now. We have a new chance. To everyone out there, anyone who might be listening, I want you to stay strong. To keep your hope alive.”
Layne stopped to clear his throat. He felt a little silly, not knowing if anyone could even hear him.
“I’m going to continue broadcasting from this station for as long as I’m physically able to. I hope I can offer some help to anyone out there in this new world of ours. It’s not a perfect world, but it can be anything we make it to be. It’s a harsh world, and a dangerous one. But it’s filled with opportunities.
“I wish you the best of luck. Remember, this is still our world. Let’s get it right, this time.”
####
Afterword
The earliest incarnation of this novel began in early 2008. Seth and I had been writing short stories for years, and we were both huge fans of the zombie genre, so we decided to put the two together and collaborate on a zombie story.
The only thing I remember about that version is that it started in an airport, and my main character was a woman. I have searched to no avail to find the actual draft; it appears to have been lost during some computer hardware failure or another. I also remember we didn't get very far before scrapping the project, probably due to the loss of the document.
