Parish

by Nicole Murphy

  “Jack! Are you guys ok?” She was bracing herself as the driver continued to use the vehicle as a weapon.

  “We’re fine! We were just waiting for you!” Jack hollered back with a smile.

  “Sorry we’re late!” Emily smiled back. “Artemis is trying to get as many as he can. As soon as it’s safe we’re going to try to get up against the house and then you need to come over the railing and get in through this hole. But you have to go as fast as you can, we can’t hold them all off for very long.”

  “I’ll throw down the emergency bags first then Jamie. He needs to go before the rest of us.” Wade called out to his Mother.

  “Sounds good!” Emily leaned down, obviously listening to the driver before popping back up to speak to her family. “Get ready, we’re pulling up now!”

  Jack and Wade each reached down taking a bag each and moved to the railing. They watched as the truck pulled parallel to the porch.

  “Okay! Send down the first bag!” Emily shouted. Jack hoisted the heavy sack up and over the railing hanging it over the side. She reached up and got hold of the bottom of the bag as Jack let go of it. She pulled it in as quickly as she could before coming back for the second. Wade handed the bag he was holding to Jack, and he repeated the action.

  “Come on bud, it’s your turn!” Jack opened his arms wide but Jamie took a step back. “We all have to do it, it’s safe down there. You don’t have to worry your mom will have you, you’re not going to fall.”

  “I don’t wanna.” Jamie shook his head.

  “We have to hurry!” Wren was nervously looking over the railing.

  “Just go Wren!” Jack spat. Wren knit her eyebrows together before swinging her leg over the railing and jumping down onto the roof of the vehicle and slipping through the hatch. “See? She did it and she’s fine, you can do it too!”

  “Okay. Just promise you won’t let me go until you know Mom has me.” He pleaded with his eyes.

  “I promise, come on.” Jack ushered Jamie to the railing and lifted him up and over. Emily reached up and took hold of him. With a small cry of panic Jamie fell down into the waiting arms of his mother. Emily pulled him through and handed him to Wren. “Go on Wade, I’ll go last.”

  “Alright.” Wade nodded and went over the railing, jumping down just as his sister had done. Once through the hatch Jack went over and held on, looking down at the hole his kids had just wiggled through.

  “Come on Jack, we have to go!” Emily cried from inside. Jack took a deep breath and jumped, his ankle snapping as he landed. The zombies were swarming sides, smearing their hands and faces on the windows trying to get at the occupants. Struggling, Jack managed to pull himself to the hatch and slide through head first. As soon as his feet cleared the hole, Emily slammed it shut and locked it and the driver took off leaving massive tire marks in the once pristine grass.

  “Thank god you’re all safe!” Emily shrieked as she threw her arms around Jack and Jamie. Wade and Wren put their arms around them.

  “We were worried about you.” Jack whispered into his wife’s neck. Emily pulled back and looked into the faces of her family.

  “I was worried about you. If it weren’t for Artemis I would still be at the hospital.” She turned and looked at her new friend.

  “Thank you sir, for saving her and us.” Jack smiled and gave him a grateful nod.

  “It ain’t nothing. I’m just glad I could help. Now we got to get out of the city.” Artemis turned his attention back to driving.

  “Do you know what caused this?” Wade asked as he looked out of the window.

  “No.” Emily shook her head. “There wasn’t enough time to figure it out before people started turning. It was really bad at the hospital.”

  “We know we saw it on the news.” Jamie was still holding onto his mother’s hand as tight as he could.

  “Oh honey and you got scared for me?” Emily asked. Jamie nodded slowly. “Well, you can see, I’m fine, and you’re all fine.”

  “Do you have any information, we were stuck for a while?” Artemis asked.

  “No, it wasn’t too long after the news showed the hospital falling it went back to the emergency alert system after about fifteen minutes even that went dead. We don’t know anything. The president said the local authorities would speak to us after he was done, tell us where to go to be safe. No one came on to tell us anything. We watched the neighbors all leave, but we don’t know where they went.”

  “They probably just tried to get out of the city before it got overrun.” Artemis shrugged. “Bet the roads out of town are all gridlocked now though. We’re gonna have a hell of time getting out, but we are in a military vehicle and these babies are designed to go off road. Don’t you worry. If there’s a way I’ll find it.”

  “I suggested we go to the swamp.” Emily looked to Artemis who was nodding.

  “Why?” Wade asked, confused.

  “There won’t be too many people in the swamp. More importantly if we have a military left they’re gonna go through and bomb the hell out of cities.” Artemis explained.

  “But what about survivors? We can’t be the only ones. If they bomb the cities they’re going to kill a lot of people who are counting on them to come and rescue them.” Wren grasped the back of the seat as she manically stumbled over her outburst.

  “They know that. But you need to think, if there are a million dead out there looking to eat anyone left who is alive and only a handful of survivors, the greater good has to win out or all of the survivors everywhere are at risk for being eaten. I can’t speak for the rest of ya but I have no intention of letting someone eat me alive.” Artemis shook his head.

  “Of course none of us want to be eaten.” Wren’s shoulders dropped. “I just thought the military didn’t leave a man behind?”

  “They don’t as a rule, but I think you would agree with me that the rules have changed?” Artemis asked as his eyes lifted to the rearview mirror to look at Wren.

  “I would agree with you on that.” Jack nodded as he reached over and squeezed his wife’s knee. “Everything has changed.”

  “This is so bad.” Jamie interjected. “This is so, so bad.”

  “We’ll be alright.” Emily reached down and pulled her son onto her lap, folding him into a loving embrace.

  “So, here’s the question…are we heading to the swamp or somewhere else?” Artemis asked.

  “I think it would be best to go there. It’s not heavily populated and we could just hide there until it’s safe.” Emily resolved herself to her earlier suggestion.

  “What if it’s never safe again? The swamp is dangerous.” Wade leaned forward slightly, holding onto the seat in front of him for balance.

  “It’s dangerous everywhere. Right now we have to find a place that is the least dangerous. That is our only chance.” Emily shook her head as she turned her attention to her husband. “What do you think?”

  “I can’t say I’m thrilled with the idea of going into the swamp, but I do understand it. I think you’re right, we should head to the nearest one.” Jack nodded slowly.

  “There you have it.” Emily gave Artemis a pat on the shoulder. “Just keep going straight ahead, we’ll run into one eventually.”

  “Alright.” Artemis replied hesitantly. It was obvious that he disagreed with the decision but he was choosing to remain silent.

  The drove in silence, going up over the curbs in places where the roads were clogged with abandoned vehicles. They saw a few zombies, but nothing like the hoard they had encountered earlier. The entire city seemed to be deserted, except for those who had turned.

  A few of the abandoned cars contained half eaten corpses partially spilled out onto the road, the meat picked from their bodies exposing the bone. Wren had long since closed her eyes and leaned on her Dad trying to sleep. Wade sat staring at his hands that were clasped in his lap. Emily held Jamie, shielding his eyes with her body the best she could.

  There were chunks of bloody innard
s smeared in certain places, some on the road others on the windows of the cars. It was hard to imagine how many people were now being digested by other people. They approached a church. It was large and old. A man was clinging to the tiles on the roof, seemingly waving a torch high above him. He was screaming. Artemis rolled his window down an inch in an attempt to hear what the man was shouting. As they drew closer they could see the man wasn’t just any ordinary man it was a priest.

  “O kind and good Mother, whose own soul was pierced by the sword of sorrow, look upon us while, in our sickness, we arraign ourselves beside you on the Calvary where your Jesus hangs. Dowered with the high grace of suffering, and hopeful of fulfilling in our own flesh what is wanting in our sharing of Christ's passion, on behalf of his Mystical Body, the Church, we consecrate to you ourselves and our pain. We pray that you will place them on that Altar of the Cross to which Jesus is affixed. May they be little victims of propitiation for our salvation, for the salvation of all peoples? O, Mother of Sorrows, accept this consecration. Strengthen our hopeful hearts, that as partakers of Christ's sufferings we may also share in his comfort now and for evermore. Amen!” The man was sobbing as he shouted the prayer to the heavens. Suddenly the priest’s attention turned to their vehicle. “Do not believe this, my children! These are not ill human beings by the measure of anything medical! These are Satan’s army, possessing the weak of faith and turning them into these creatures! They are possessed my children! They are demons from the bitter depths of hell!”

  “He’s gone looney.” Wade shook his head in awe of the man and his screaming.

  “Father, get somewhere safe!” Artemis yelled. “You’re just attracting them out there screaming!”

  “Go with God my child! I must stay and save these souls that the devil has claimed! He shall not take one more lamb of the almighty on this day! He shall not be victorious for God is all and knows all and he is ever victorious! These are his children and I shall not forsake him for God does not forsake those who hold fast to him!” The priest stumbled, his torch falling from his grip. It slid down the tiles of the roof and plunged over the side, striking one of the zombie in the head and causing them to ignite. The human torch continued to moan upward toward the priest, un-phased by his hair, flesh and tattered clothing which was on fire.

  “We can’t leave him.” Jack shook his head as he watched the manic priest struggle to remain on the roof.

  “He’s made his choice. He thinks he got it all figured out, wants to save them lost zombie souls.” Artemis shook his head. “Those things ain’t got no soul, whatever soul they did have it done flew away already. They’re dead. Dead things don’t have a soul.”

  “He’ll fall eventually, and then he’ll be one of them.” Wade interjected, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “Look,” Emily held her hand up to stop Artemis from arguing. “We can’t save everyone. We also don’t know who anyone is. You can’t assume everyone is a good person. We can’t run the risk of surviving these damn zombies just to be killed by some psychopath because they want what meager supplies we have.”

  “We have a vehicle that is probably the most important thing to have right now. Someone will want to kill us for it. We’re safe in here, the people out there aren’t it’s simple.” Jack bent down a bit so he could get a better view of the priest.

  “Just keep going.” Jack interjected. No one spoke up to argue. Artemis sent one last glance back to the man of the cloth before gunning the engine.

  CHAPTER SIX

  They drove in silence far longer than any in the car had desired. The only sound permeating the stillness were the sound of the tires on the blacktop and the occasional zombie growl. Jamie sat despondent, staring out at the scenery as it moved past, Wren had one arm around him and simply chose to stare down at the top of the boys head instead of facing the horrors just outside the window. Suddenly Artemis slowed down to a crawl, causing every inhabitant of the vehicle to look to him.

  “Look just up ahead! That’s military! I bet the done cleared a safe zone up there!” Artemis smiled widely as he approached the two soldiers on the road. He rolled the window down so he could speak with them.

  “Identify yourself.” One of the soldiers commanded. He was smeared with dirt and blood, his eyes were bloodshot and he appeared exhausted.

  “Private first class Artemis Bandeaux.” Artemis replied.

  “How many in vehicle?” The soldier continued.

  “Six including me. I got a family in here, no other military personnel.” Artemis inhaled deeply, seemingly holding his breath.

  “Where were you stationed when this all went down?” The soldier narrowed his eyes as he peered in through the window trying to get a look at everyone.

  “I was at St. Katherine’s hospital.” He cleared his throat. The soldiers’ eyes went wide for a moment.

  “Has anyone shown signs of extreme violence or do they have a fever? Has anyone been bit?” The soldier spoke quickly, almost stumbling over the words as they flowed from his mouth.

  “No sir, we are all just fine in here. Matter of fact, this lady here is a doctor.” He motioned to Emily with his thumb.

  “You’re a doctor?” The soldier leaned left to look past Artemis’ bulk to make eye contact with Emily.

  “Yes, sir, I am.” Emily nodded nervously. She knew it could be dangerous for any medical personnel to make themselves known in situations like this, because their skills were going to be in very high demand.

  “Excellent. Great! Alright, listen to me PFC Bandeaux. We have a small area in here clear, pull in past the makeshift gate here, and pull to the right. We don’t have all that much but we got some food and water as well as a place for you folks to take a rest. I need you to bring the doc here to the medical tent, you won't miss it. It’s a white tent with a huge red cross on it. Ok?” The soldier nodded.

  “Yes, sir.” Artemis expressed his understanding of the situation. The soldier backed up a few paces and spun his hand in the air, signaling another soldier to open the gate. Artemis carefully pulled forward and parked the vehicle. Everyone moved to get out. “Wait!” His voice was a forceful whisper.

  “What?” Emily shook her head, confused.

  “Listen, okay? We need to make sure we all know where everyone is at, at all times. If shit hits the fan here we’re gonna bug out right quick, you got it? I don’t want to leave anyone behind. Agreed?”

  “Good plan.” Jack nodded as he opened his door, and began helping his wife and children out of the vehicle. Artemis walked with Emily over to the medical tent leaving Jack and the kids with a few others who had sought refuge with the small outfit of soldiers. One woman was stirring a cup of some kind of soup, curling her lip as if the nourishment was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen in her whole life. Beside the woman sat what appeared to be her husband, dressed in a tattered collared shirt his coif less than perfect. They looked like yuppies. Their conversation was unmistakable.

  “Brighton, this is not organic soup! I would not permit this swill to be served to my precious beagles let alone to be served to me. This is unfit for human consumption. Disgusting!” The woman turned her nose up.

  “Aspen, dearest, I do understand, my love, it is dreadful. I believe it may be a bit challenging to locate organic food at the moment.” The man replied. He looked equally disgusted, but appeared to have a better grasp on the situation compared to his wife.

  “I refuse to consume this! This cheap imitation of food is nothing more than poison drivel. My body is a temple!” The woman flipped her hair over her shoulder. Wade and Wren exchanged looks. Jack had herded Jamie over to a seating area and was attempting to find something for him to eat.

  “Excuse me, ma’am?” Wren walked over to the couple who had to look up at her to see her clearly from their position seated on the ground.

  “Why are you speaking to me in such a manner? It is uncivilized to speak to your betters as you are. When addressing me come to my level.” As
pen snapped her fingers and quickly pointed her finger to the ground indicating where she wanted Wren to move.

  “Listen up you snotty pompous bitch!” Wren put her hands on her hips. “This is not your damn country club, we are in the middle of the city that just so happens to be clear of those people eating monsters. How dare you sit there and complain about some bullshit organic food when people are dying! There are literally people being eaten not two hundred feet away from where your ass is parked. Now you may be crazy, I don’t know and I don’t care but you need to realize you ain’t queen of the survivor camp, you are not supreme dictator of the end of the world, and you are just another person who is trying not to be the main course.”

  “Well, I never!” Aspens hand shot up to her chest to express her shock.

  “Yes, that much is quite obvious.” Wren spun on her heel and marched back to where Wade was standing.

  “I can’t believe you just told that lady off like that.” A smile slowly crept across his face.

  “If zombies eat brains like in the movie, she doesn’t have anything to worry about. Nothing up there but hot air and organic squash.” Wren raised her eyebrows as she spoke, sending Wade into a laughing fit. “Now, come one, we need to go over with Dad and Jamie. You remember what Artemis said?”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Wade rolled his eyes. “Speaking of queen of the survivor camp.” Wren giggled.

  “He seems nice, and he saved Mom so he’s okay in my book.” Wren shrugged.

  “Yeah, I got that, and I am grateful. He didn’t just save Mom though, he saved us too. If it weren’t for him we’d still be sitting on the floor of Jamie’s room listening to those god awful moans outside.” Wade spotted Jack and Jamie and nudged Wren in their direction.