Living Dead 2.0

by Radovick, Ronda

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  They all shook their heads up and down. Renee said, “Now, there is the Aidan we know. I knew you were hiding in there somewhere.” He said, “ Okay. So, figure out how many vehicles you will have, and how much room you have to pack clothes, blankets, food, medical supplies, any kind of weapons, and especially... water.” Jose blurted out, “It's only a half hour away from here. Why would we bring water?” Aidan replied with a question, “What if the vehicle that you are traveling in breaks down, and you end up walking for two hours? Or, worse, your car is surrounded by those things, and you are trapped inside for the night? Or, even longer?” They all exchanged a worried glance back and forth, again. Chloe said, “Aidan, this is not Iraq.” She turned to her friends, and said, “Aidan was a marine, or something.” Aidan said, “Navy Seal... And, no. This is not Iraq. This is a zombie apocalypse... I have known you since you were a baby, Chloe. Would I lie to you about something like this?” She didn't know what to say to that. She knew that he would not lie to her about a serious issue. Aidan and her brother were best friends before his death. And ever since then, he had been the older brother that she had lost. He eyed each one of them, and continued speaking, “We find this place, we clear it for safety, we set up a perimeter, and we keep watch. We can probably be safe, if we are careful, and if we all work together.” They all agreed. Aidan continued, “We meet up in the morning. I think that, we should be ready to head out by 7:00 A. M. Bring as much food and water as you can carry. But, remember... we all need clothes, shoes, medicine, and blankets. Bring any flashlights, matches, candles. Virtually, anything that can be used to start a fire. Also, any personal hygiene items that you need, too. We are not going to the mall anytime soon. Check the gas, and fluids in your cars. We cannot afford to break down on the road. Is there anything that I have forgotten?” Ben asked, “ How are we going to drive through those zombie things, if we run into a large herd? They are everywhere. You go down one street, and nothing. Then, you turn around the corner, and boom! There they are, like, a whole giant mob of them.” His face went from a normal expression, to one of worry. The teenager ran his fingers through his hair, and stared downwards. Aidan tried to deflect from Ben's worry. He knew that the teenager had just lost his family to all of this. He answered, “Well. I was thinking that, we should stay off of the main streets. Does anyone have a map?” Renee stood up, “I have one in the closet.” She walked out of the room. Aidan continued, “I was going to drive ahead, and scout.” Renee rushed back into the room, “ Here.” She handed him the map. He unfolded it, then spread it out on the coffee table, in front of them all to look at. He said, “We need to stay away from the interstate. I went there to get a look a couple of days ago. It looked like a traffic jam extending as far as I could see. But, I could not see any people. What ever is going on there, we can't go that route. It is too dangerous. After we map out some alternative routes, we figure out which is the best to take.” Chloe said, “Here is the Orchard.” She pointed to where the property was located on the map. They all looked at her. Renee asked, “It's an orchard?” She smiled. “Marcus knew that, I wanted to start my own orchard.” Her eyes teared up. Aidan said, “He loved you, Renee. Keep that in mind.” He looked back down at the map, again. He said, “Okay. I see at least, two possible ways that are off of the interstate, and away from the rioters in the business district. We will need to go around Main street, at least, through the middle of the city. I think that, we should go down Center street, turn here at Old Pine Road, and circle around the the back of the mall. We need back up, in case the dead are too strong that way. So, if we can't get through there, then plan B. We take Sibley street. It winds and turns, which is going to add more mileage.

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  But, it will bring us to our destination. I will drive ahead, if there is trouble, I 'll get back to you all. You all hold back behind me. If I pass a street with a horde coming at us. I will double back, unless there is enough time to get you all past them. Also, we need to be ready for an ambush by the living. In times like this, people get violent. The criminals, get more criminal. And, don't forget this; if a street is blocked, or there seems to be something not right,I'll start backing up. You turn around, and we meet back at the old mall. Then, we take another route. Okay?” Ben cut in, “That's a good plan.” Aidan said, “The boys in uniform left their stuff. We have some supplies to bring with us and I might load that big truck up and use that. If we get into trouble, it's big enough to ram through some obstacles.” Chloe added, “Okay. So, what if we can't get through these two ways? Then what do we do?” Jose added, “I might know another way.” All eyes were on him, now. Ben hit him on the arm, “Well?” he said, “Well, do you all remember when they built the new police headquarters?” Renee said, “You mean, the State Police Headquarters?” Ben cut him off, “The old runway.” Jose said, “Yep. It goes all the way through, to the back of the mall. We can pick it up by the park.” Aidan said, “I know that way, too. I forgot all about it.” He gave Jose a look of approval. “You are a genius! If we don't run into any Barney Fifes or mobs of zombies, it will be a straight shoot. We shuold make that, our first choice. Do we know how many vehicles that we will have?” Ben said, “I have my Dad's car. Jose and I, will go in that one.” Chloe said, “We should bring the Explorer, Mom.” Renee said, “Well, we can pack more.” Nina, who had not said anything until now, said, “ Well, I am with Aidan. But, I will take any extra vehicles that we have to, in order to get us out of here.” Chloe said, “So, are you driving that truck, Aidan?” He said, “Yes. Nina, and my Aunt will take my car. I need to stay up ahead of you guys. If there is trouble, I will slow down, or stop. If you see reverse lights fall back. For now, we'll g pack. You all do the same thing. If you see anyone one, or more of those things, stay inside.” He and Nina stood up, and went to the front door. He peeked out through the window, to make sure that there were no zombies outside. He turned, and said, “Get ready to leave in the morning. Get a good nights sleep, and eat a good breakfast, before we go. See you all first thing tomorrow. Oh, and, pack your winter coats. It is not cold, now. But when it is, the mall will be closed for business.” He and Nina started to leave. Nina turned, “ See you all in the morning.” They all said, “Good-bye.” They packed their vehicles. The next morning, they made their way to their new home. Adain found radio's inside the supply truck. He made sure that they all had one. As they traveled towards the old runway, behind the police station, they spoke over the radio. Aidan said, “Okay, People. Looks like there is a mini-traffic-jam up ahead. Fall back. Everyone, make sure that your doors are locked. ” They all complied. As they slowed their vehicles, they all noticed that there was debris starting to collect all over the place. Rosa had decided to ride with Renee. She was sitting in the passenger side of the vehicle. “Thank you, for letting me ride with you, Renee. I'm getting too old to be climbing into big trucks, like that one.” Renee said, “It's okay. Besides, Chloe wanted to ride with the boys.” Aidan stopped. He could see five vehicles stopped partially across the road. There were some people in one of the cars. It looked like it had stalled. He inched his way up, while looking around. He held the radio to his mouth. He said, “Okay. This could be a trap. Or, these people could need some help. As he slowly, idled the car around the other car. He started to roll his window down. He started to yell, “Do you need help?” When they heard him, they turned towards him. The people strapped inside, were not people. They had turned. Their faces were grotesque, and twisted.

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  The man and woman, still strapped in their seats, could not get out of the vehicle. Aidan watched them growling at him, as they reached up towards him. It looked like, they had been shot. They tried to get to him, but didn't know that they were strapped in. He looked around. His heart raced, as he panicked, then rolled up the window. He spoke into the radio, again. “They are dead. Don't stop. But, come on up here ….slowly. Keep your windows shut.” Renee asked, “ How bad is it?” He said, “ Bad. I repeat
.... Keep you doors locked. All of the bodies that should be here, are not. And, those people were shot. Whoever did that, may still be lurking around here.” He looked around. The first car was sitting there, the door still open. He could see a trail of blood leading across the roadway. He drove up to it. He looked into the empty car. There was blood on the seat, too. He looked around, in all directions. Up ahead, was a trailer left parked across the path of the roadway. Someone, had either pushed it there, or pulled it across with a pickup truck, then left it. There was no one in sight. He said, “Okay, come on. Let's go. This was an ambush. I don't know where the victims are. But, my guess is that they turned. So, expect to see some dead walking around up ahead. And, If I tell you all to get back and go. Get out of here as fast as you can. Who ever ambushed these people, may come up on us.” Nina said, “Aidan, be careful. Please.” He said, “I will, but you remember what I told you.” She said, “Okay.” He said, “Renee, Chloe.” They both responded back on their radios, “Yes.” said, Renee. “What, Aidan?” asked Chloe, from the other vehicle. He said, “If something happens, and I get ambushed, you get everyone to our destination...DON'T STATE WHERE IT IS ON THE RADIO. I'll meet you all there later. You just get going as fast as you can. Then, go to plan B. Got it?” She hesitated. Then said, “Okay. Aidan.” They all cautiously, followed him. After, getting around the grisly scene, they traveled another twenty-five miles to the orchard. Chloe put the radio to her mouth, “Okay, Aidan. I am having a hard time seeing. But, I know that we are close. You will see an old sign that says; Thompson's Orchard. And, a turn off to your right. There will be a gate at the entrance. I have the key to the lock. “He replied, “I see it. Is it an old iron gate? Attached to iron and brick fencing?” She said, “Yep. That's it.” He said, “Okay, Peeps. We're here. Come on up, and Chloe can unlock the gates.” They met him here within a few minutes. They all waited inside the vehicles as Chloe ran to the gate, and took a key ring with several keys on it out of her pocket. She unlocked two padlocks, pulled a large iron rod up and over, unlatching the gates. She and Aidan opened the gates,then waved them all inside. Once all of the vehicles were inside, they closed and re-locked the gates. She ran back to the car, and said to Ben, “Okay, let's go.” She pointed up the gravel road. He started to drive, all of the vehicles followed their vehicle. When they came to the large old home, Chloe said, “Drive around that way.” She pointed to the back side of the home. He did as she said. They came up right behind the home. There was a large yard, and a four car garage in the back. They all pulled their vehicles in behind Ben. Chloe stepped out of the car, and led everyone up to the porch. She unlocked the door, and led them inside. The home was very large. It was an older home, but it had four bedrooms and an addition onto the back. There was an office, a green house, too. Renee walked into the living room area, and saw old Victorian furniture. Chloe said, “Mom. Dad was going to let you see all of this, before tossing it all. He thought that you might like some of it. And, it's old. But, he said that you liked stuff like this.” Renee missed Marcus. She was both, happy and sad. She said, “There are four bedrooms, and some extra rooms in the back. I think the old owners had a big family, or something. My Dad bought this at an auction. And, we even have chickens! Dad would sneak up here, and feed them all the time.”

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  Ben blurted out, “Chickens?” Everyone was amazed at how well the place was preserved. It was old, but in good condition. Aidan said, “Well, Renee. You should take a look around, and figure out where you want us. We don't want to get in the way here. I think that we should look around outside. We don't know if any of those things wandered around up here.” Ben said, “ We should go. You, me, and Jose. Let the women stay inside.” Renee said, “ That's a good idea. Aidan, you guys are not going to get in the way. We are all in this, together.” Aidan said, “ Thanks, Renee. And you are right, Ben. The women should say inside. We can scout the premises, make sure it's all safe. Then, we all have a a sit down on how to guard this place.” Renee agreed. Rosa said, “This place is beautiful, Renee.” Renee said, “Thank you, Rosa. You take a look around. Pick yourself a room.” She looked around, “I can't believe how big this place is.” Rosa gave her a hug, then walked around the home. Aidan called everyone into the dining-room. They all gathered around him. He said, “ Tia, can you wait, please? “ Rosa turned back to Aidan. The others gave him their attention. He continued, “Okay. First, I want to thank you, Renee. For being such an awesome friend to us. No one else, in a time like this, would invite their neighbors into their home. And, I want to tell you all that if we are careful, and set up a perimeter, we can better guard this place. We need a weapon for each of us. We need to keep our weapons with us, at all times. Get comfortable, for today. But, do not let your guard down. Especially, when going out back. I peeked out there. It is huge, and we don't know what, or who is behind that tree line. If it's okay with you, Renee, I will do some scouting out there, later on.” She replied, “Sure. I was thinking that we should figure out what our boundaries are.” He said, “You read my mind.” He looked at each member of the group, “So. Just be careful, until we know what we need to do to hold the fort down.” They all agreed. Chloe said, “We have a grill outside. And, we have solar power and some kind of power pack, or something. Dad had it put in.” Aidan said, “ There is power here? Marcus was always up on things. Can you show me where the battery source is?” She said, “ Yes. It is in the back. I'll show you.” She headed towards the kitchen, then through a doorway leading to another room. He followed her. “When he saw the set up, he said, “I'm impressed.” He looked out the window. He could see a large brick building about three hundred feet away. Behind it was a playground that was fenced in. he turned and asked, “Is that the school?” She looked out, “Yes. This was and orchard. But, that school comes with the property. When the original family ran it, they rented the school out to the county. I think there is a back road on the other side. Dad was going to ask Mom if they should renew the contract. They fenced in the playground so that the kids would not wander into the woods. When it was sold to my Dad, it came with. He was going to let my Mom decide what to do with it.” Aidan asked, “Are there keys?” She said, “Yes. On the key ring.” She said, “ Come on.” They walked back through the house.

  Now, being curious about where Aidan and Chloe were going, the others followed. They all walked across the grassy field that led to the school. Chloe unlocked the chained door handles, then the doors. They walked inside. The school had everything inside, it still had the desks, and all of the things that you would see in any school. There were still computers in the computer room. There was library. And a gym. Chloe said, “ It has been locked up for summer. The man was supposed to meet Mom and Dad together. Then, they were going to talk about what to do with it.” Rosa said, “ This is a good omen.” They all gave her a glance of confusion. They found a storage room off of the gym, where all kinds of sporting equipment was stored. Jose and Ben were already shooting hoops. Aidan looked around, “Boy. Your Dad really out did himself, this time.” Renee said, “It' s got everything that a school has.”

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  Rosa stood there. She said, “I am telling you, Renee, this is a sign.” They all turned and looked at her, again. Nina asked, “Rosa? What do you mean?” Rosa said, “I think that we are meant to be here. I think that, others will come. Renee, if we are alive. Others must be, as well. Children, too. God has put everything in place. You have chickens, power, and a school. Now all we need, is a garden. If this school is not here for us to teach, maybe, to use for people.” Chloe asked, “You mean, for us to live in, Mrs. S.?” She said, “No, Chloe. Others.” Aidan cut in, “Tia. I don't think ...” She turned to him, and cut him off, “We are here, aren't we? Surely, there are more people.” Jose said, “But, what if they are bad people?” Ben cut in,” Well, some are. But, we aren't bad. Maybe, she has a point. I mean, I hope that my parents are out there somewhere. And, I hope that somebody helped them.” Nina said,
“Rosa is right. If we got this far. There have to be others. We should look for people. People that need help.” Aidan blurted out, “Do you remember what happened at your building with those two punks?”

  She replied, “Yes! But, everyone is not like that, Aidan. Your Aunt is right.” Renee took all of this in. She sat down on a table near them. She held her chin in her hand as they all bickered about why the school was in their hands, now. She thought about Marcus. He had always had a heads up before others about everything. Did he know that he would not make it, the day that she brought him to the hospital?