Living Dead 2.0

by Radovick, Ronda

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  He took his field glasses out. He pulled his hand gun out, and checked that magazine. He slid the gun back into it's holster, and walked towards the back of the property. He walked around the pond, towards the neighboring home. It was a decent looking home. He walked up to the door, then peeked through a window to the side of the door. He could not see much. He knocked on the door. He waited to hear any movement from within. He heard thumping, and snarling. He tried the door. It was locked. He walked off of the porch, and around the side. He looked inside an open window. He could see through, what was a bedroom. The bedroom door had been left open. Through the open doorway, he could see a partial view of the hallway. The zombie woman walked around inside, bumping into the wall. Then, she turned around, just to bump into something else. Kyle waited for her to pass the open door way. He pulled out the window screen. When she walked past the open doorway, he said, “Hey!” He pounded the window sill three times, with his knife. The zombie woman came through the bedroom. She growled, and snarled. She staggered right to him. As she made it to the window, she reached for him. She looked as hideous as the others Her skin was leathery. She had a deep slit around the front of her throat. Someone had killed her. She was not bitten, he thought. She tried to get through the window at him. When she leaned through, and tried to grab him, he got his chance. He grabbed her., and pulled her further over the sill. He quickly, stabbed her in the temple. She went limp. He pulled her body out of the window, and onto the ground. He climbed through the window, and walked through the bedroom. He slowly, looked in each room. There was no one else inside the house. He started to look through cabinets and closets. He found canned food, and some medicine. He went to the bedroom closet, and rifled through small boxes. He found two boxes of bullets. He could not see a gun. He looked around, and studied the place. There was no sign of a struggle. But yet, the woman had been killed, by having her throat cut. It does not look like she was robbed. She could not have done that to herself; he thought. He went into the bedroom. Then, rifled through the night stand by the bed. He opened the drawer, and there it was. He took the gun out, and stuffed it in his waist. He went back to the living room, then the kitchen. There was a cup of coffee left sitting on the table. He picked it up, then studied it for a few seconds. It was half empty, with a layer of mold growing on top. He placed the cup back where it was. Then, headed into the living room, and out through the front door. He walked around to the side of the house. He grabbed the feet of the grotesque, dead zombie. He pulled the corpse around to the front of the home. He dropped it's feet, and looked around for a place to bury it. Imogen was going through their supplies. She listed, and counted everything. She knew the nearest town, pretty well. She wondered if there were a lot of those things walking around. Just thinking about the bloody, leathery-skin, and dead look in their eyes, gave her chills. She wanted to go into town. She took her father's gun from her waistband. She thought; later. She made a list of things that, she knew that they would need. Kyle had been a while, and he had not come back yet. She went outside to look for him. She walked over to the neighbor house. As she moved closer, she could see Kyle on the side of the house. He was digging. He had taken his shirt off, and his dago-T was soaking wet, from sweat. She walked over to the spot where he was jabbing a shovel into the large grave. As she stood there, she focused on the dead corpse that lay on the grass. Kyle had wrapped the corpse in a sheet. She asked, “Is she the only one you found?” He stopped, looked up at her, and took a minute to catch his breath. “Yes. There was a cup of coffee on the table. It was half empty. Someone cut her throat. There was no sign of a struggle. The door was locked. I had to climb in the back window.” He looked at the confused expression on Imogen's face.

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  He continued, “Why? What is wrong?” She looked around. “It's just that, I don't remember ever seeing her without her husband. I mean, I didn't know them, except from up here. But, they were always together.” She nervously, looked around. She said, “I was thinking, we need some supplies. I am going to take a ride to town. Just look around....” He cut her off, “No. Wait for me. We should go together.” He stopped digging. “It's too dangerous. Those things could come up on you, and corner you. Or, the wrong people can.” She didn't say anything, she knew that he was right.

  Will woke up early, and had his coffee and breakfast. As he started out the back door, to do the chores, Stella called him from the kitchen.“Dad.” Will turned around. “You forgot your radio.” She was holding his two-way radio in her hand. He took it, and said, “Thanks, Stel.” She said, “You're welcome, Dad. Be careful out there.” He replied, “I will. You two keep watch for me.” He paused, and looked down at the floor, “I think that, I am going to try to set up a meeting with that young man we met the other day over at Ms. Clea's place. Maybe set up a meet-n-greet between our families. “Stella said, “Do you think we can trust them?” He said, “Not sure, yet. But, he did come up there, and take a lot of those things out. He could have watched us fight them off from behind the trees. He saved Rose's life. We were trying to shoot a whole bunch, while one had her pinned.” Stella thought about it. “Well maybe, he and his are okay, then.” He said, “I think there may be strength in numbers, now.” He walked out to the back yard. He fed the chickens, horses, then the cows.He thought more and more about the meeting he wanted to get set up. If there were other good people out there, they needed to work together. Things were different, now. He got on the radio, “Keith, Rose, Aidan? Anyone one the radio?” A minute later, Granny came on, “Hey Will. Whatcha doin?” He said, “Chores. You all alright over there?” She said, “Yes. For now, Will. You want to talk to Rose or Keith?” He said, “Sure... I was going to set up a meeting with Aidan, and his group. Thought, maybe, we could all work together as look outs, or help each other with supply runs. What do you think?” Clea said, “I think that is a good idea, Will. He saved Rose. Yes, I think that is a fine idea.” He said, “Okay, then. I'll keep trying to reach him today. But, I still want to talk to Keith and Rose about it.” A voice came over the radio, “I'm here. I think that would be a great idea. If you like, you all can come here. Renee is here with me. She heard the two of you. When do you all want to come out? You are all welcome.” Granny said, “How about today? That okay with you, Will?” He said, “Yep. Today is good. What time you want us there, Aidan?” He replied, “How about, lunch time? Bring your families. We can all get to know each other.” Will said, “Alright. But, we need to go in through the back. We'll come from the side of the old school. It's too dangerous to go up the highway. We have to be careful. And, I still need to get Keith and Rose on board.” Aidan agreed, “Yes, get them to come, too. And, entering from the back is better for all of us, it will keep attention away from our front entrances. We'll see you later today, then.” Will said, “Okay.” Clea said, “We will be there.” They signed off. Later, Will, Stella and Scarlett met Rose, the children, Keith, and Granny on the trail behind their properties. They took an old pathway to the old back road, leading to the back of the old school.

  As they drove their two vehicles onto Renee's property, everyone came outside to greet them. The two families exited their vehicles. They all greeted each other. Granny handed Renee a large platter, and two pies. Renee said, “ Thank you. I am Renee.” Granny said, “ I am Clea Fox. Nice to meet you. Welcome to the area.” Stella came forward and held up a pie, and a cake. “ I am Stella Neely. Welcome to the area.”

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  She handed the food to Chloe.” Chloe responded, “Hi. I am Chloe Gallo.” Chloe accepted the items. “Thank you.” Stella said, “You are welcome.” Then, Renee invited them into her house. She suggested, “Why don't we all go inside? I have some coffee and sandwiches. I was not sure if everyone ate.” They all followed her into the house. Ben and Jose moved the furniture so that everyone could sit. They moved chairs around, then sat on the end tables so that they could hear what was being said. They all introduced themselves. Then,Will and Aida
n started talking. Aidan said, “I was thinking that we could map out all property lines. Keep in touch with each other, as a way to help each other keep a look out. If a mob of those things is on the perimeter of our place, and one of us see them, we get on the radio and let your two groups know about it. Then, at least you get a heads up. I am going to start supply runs, maybe we can all help each other and split what we can get a hold of.” Will shook his head up and down in approval. Stella cut in, “So, when are you starting the supply runs? How far will you venture out? Do you have a plan, in case a lot of those things surround you? Do you have guns?” Aidan said, “Some. And, you can't let those things get too close to you.” Keith stepped in, “We could start training together. You know? To work as a group, against them.” Frank added, “There will be strength for us, in numbers.” Jimmy added, “ That is true. We could do group supply runs.” He looked straight at Rose. Rose said, “ We should do some training before we try to tackle a group run. But it is a good idea.” Jose said, “Yeah! That's a good idea! Aidan, you could teach all of us.” Aidan said, “Well, yes. We should train together. But, not just against the dead. There are going to be dangerous people, too. Jimmy, Keith, and Frank make a good point. But, so does Rose. We practice working as a group. And, it will be better for all of us. I think that Jimmy there...” He pointed to Jimmy, “will do a far better job training everyone.” Granny said, “Yes. This is good.” Chloe said, “We need to be looking for people who might need help.” Naomi cut in, “Yes. We could go out in groups.” Until now Scott was silent. He said, “We should help as many as we can, Naomi. But, with caution.” Renee cut in,“Well, how do we start? We all live so far apart. We have a lot of land to watch.” Stella said, “We could team up and do mini-patrols. You know? Along the properties.” Aidan said, “Yes. That is a good idea. We are just getting started. Right now, we need to stock up on radios and batteries. We need to map out where we can find the supplies that we need. Clear each spot of the dead so that we can safely get in, get what we need, and get back safely.” Scott added, “ We'll need lookouts, too. On the runs, and here.” Nina said, “We could set up little shacks at the edge of each property. Use the radio's to interact, and warn each other if any of us see anything.” Rose said, “Yes. Good idea. But, if those things come in large groups, we need a plan to get away without leading them back to each home.” Pastor Dom said, “It sounds like we should each work on listing and determining the best way to tackle these things in teams.” Renee asked, “What do you mean, Pastor?” He responded, “Well. If a few of us get together and inspect the three properties, to determine how to set up lookouts, then get a plan together. That team starts on that plan. Then, a few of us can start on another plan, for another task. While a few others from our combined groups get together, and figure out another task. Now, mind you, us men will have a lot to do to get the place closed off. But, we need inventory of what we do have, and what we'll need in the future. A whole list of things. We could also think about growing extra food. Not just a garden, here or there. After a couple of us over see mapping out where to find supplies. And, some other things that we need to do to function as a community. I mean, I know we all have different living needs. But, if we work as neighbors, I think things will be better for all. I think that we could bring some order and safety that way. When this all started, I could not understand why God spared me?

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  Now, I wonder if, he still has a plan for me. For all of us. For the children.” He paused for a minute. He exhaled. Then, began to speak, again. “Chloe and Naomi, they make a good point about other people. There are going to be a lot of people who really need help out there. We need to work together to do what we can. And, I would like to invite all of you to Sunday morning worship. Even if, I am the only one there. I will hold service Sunday mornings, at nine- thirty. Renee, has been gracious enough to allow me to use one of the conference rooms in the school building. All of you are welcome to come. ” They all listened to the Pastor. Granny said, “I'll see you there, Pastor. It will be like old times, hearing God's word.” He nodded in approval. Renee said, “So, why don't we start with letting the men get together, and plan for security? Us women, we can start planning what is needed, in order to take care of the children, and maybe, plan some gardening. We need to grow as much food as we can. And,we'll need to list and add to the group closet. I was looking around, we have a whole orchard. It is a bit neglected, but we have a food source there. We are all going to need a winter stockpile of other foods. Maybe, we could trade ideas on that.” Nina said, “And, supply runs. We need to list what we will need for each run.” Will said, “Well, if you all want to meet me tomorrow, I could show you the perimeters of our properties. Then, we can put our heads together, and figure out a lookout plan. I think that we should get on it right away.” Major Scott agreed, “Yes, we should meet first thing in the morning. After we look around, we have to figure out how to protect the whole area. We need to close it all off... somehow. It's a lot of ground to cover, but we need to try to figure something out.” Will said, “Keith and I were talking about that very thing, recently.” Jimmy said, “Once we get it all mapped out, we'll know how to protect it all. I think that we should focus on the low points first, then work on higher ground after wards. If we cover the weak spots, first.... that is half of our battle. Figure out how to close those parts off. Then, the rest can come next.” Will said, “The problem will be, getting the materials to close off, even the weak spots. Keith and I were talking about one way. But, it will take some doing.” The others were interested. The men moved to the corner of the room. They started discussing what they should do. Ben and Jose listened. Renee and the women started to talk amongst themselves, too. Nicole said, “We can all pitch in.” Nina said, “We are going to be okay, if we all work together.” Renee asked, “So, ladies. Why don't we list what each group needs. Then, we figure out how to grow it, or make it?” Now, the women were talking to each other. Scarlett, Naomi, and Chloe started to talk about everything that they missed. “Chloe said, “I like this place, but I miss the way things were.” Scarlett said, “Yes. Me too. I have not heard from anyone. I wish I could find them. You know?”Naomi added, “ Me too. I walked home from school with Ashley the day before everything fell apart. I never heard from her again. She is my best friend. I hope she made it to safety.” Chloe said, “ I hope your friend is alive, somewhere. It's bad out there.” Scarlett said, “Yes. Stella said that, too.” Chloe asked, “You mean, you have not been out there, since it all fell apart?” She said, “No.” Chloe and Naomi exchanged a serious look. They didn't want to insult their new friend, so they stayed quiet. Chloe could not believe that this girl had not seen any zombies. Granny and Mrs. Sandoval, were getting to know each other over coffee and pie. Renee, and the other women were discussing how to grow enough food for all three groups. Stella said, “ It looks like you have a good size garden started. It's late in the season. But, I think you'll still get a good return. We have a good garden, too. So do the Neely's. Maybe, at the end of the season, we could trade.” Rose said, “We have to find more seeds. It is getting more and more dangerous to go out there. We'll have our own supply in the Fall.