Living Dead 2.0

by Radovick, Ronda

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  She stood up and rushed to get her clothes on. “Do you know how many there are?” she frantically asked. He peeked through a curtain that hung in front of the window. “Alot.” He looked outside. Zombies were all over the place. He looked at the truck. He had parked it, only ten feet from the edge of the front porch. When Imogen looked outside, a look of utter terror came over her face. “Oh no!” She looked like she would cry. “How are we going to get away?” He said, “We'll do it. We have to make it to the truck. We take what we can carry. We may have to wait them out. I'll see what I can do to draw them to the other side of the porch. Go gather only what we need. What we can carry. Get a few bottles of water and a few cans of food. A change of clothes. I'll get the rest.” He started to turn around, then turned back to her. “Imogen.... Don't make noise. That many of them, can push through windows and doors.” Imogen hurried through the house, collecting items that they could carry to take with them. Imogen grabbed the first aid kit, and a change of clothes for herself and Kyle. Kyle grabbed his weapons,and the cases. He looked out each window to assess which way would be clearer. He decided that they needed to wait them out. When the time was right, he would need to create a diversion. It would only give them seconds to get to the truck. But, it was the only way they would be able to get out. He hurried through the house, looking for anything that he could use to draw them away from the cabin. He looked through the drawers in the kitchen. He went into the bedroom. Imogen had a tote bag over her shoulder, and a duffel bag in one hand. In the other hand, she held a garbage bag with what looked like clothes inside. He said, “ I think that we should wait them out. If we are quiet, they could move away. Then,when the time is right, I'll need something that will make noise.” She asked, “Are you sure that we should wait?” He said, “If we are quiet, they may move away from the house. Then, we move. At dark, I'll shoot the flare gun towards the back of the house. When they follow it, we get going.” They sat in silence, all day. Quietly eating, quietly showering, quietly, moving around. Then, when nightfall came, they made their move. Some of the dead had moved along. But many, were still wandering around the yard. Kyle said, “ Okay, I'll shoot two flares into the air, out the back window. When they head that way, we run for the truck. Imogen agreed, “Okay.” Kyle took her face in his hands. He said, “ Don't freeze up. Get to that truck. Okay?” She shook her head up and down. “Yes.” He kissed her. She normally, protested against his advances. But now, she welcomed his kiss. She watched him walk into the back bedroom. He raised the window and shot one flare into the sky, pointing in the direction of the home behind Imogen's cabin. He waited a minute, then saw the last of the herd follow the night time sky burst. He shot another flare in the same direction. Now, the herd was heading that way. He made his way into the living-room. He went to the front door. He saw the herd on the side of the cabin. He said, “Come on!” He picked his things up, and whisked Imogen outside. She was running to the truck. Zombies came from every direction. Kyle stabbed the first in the eye. Then, another in the temple. He said, “ Get to the truck!” One of the dead grabbed Imogen. It lunged at her and snapped it's yellow teeth. She pushed back. She could hear Kyle yelling, “Imogen!” He tossed his things into the back of the truck. Then, he ran around to her side, kicking down zombies all the way. He grabbed the big zombie and stabbed it in the eye. Then, he pushed her inside the truck. “Stay inside!” She watched, as he fought zombies from all directions. He was right in front of her window. She pushed her hands up against the glass. She yelled, “Kyle! Kyle!” She could not see him any more. It looked like they swarmed him on the ground. She turned to the drivers side door, which was open. She slid over and closed it, just before a zombie climbed inside. She started to cry and scream his name, over and over. Then, she felt the truck move. She turned around, to see him in the bed, behind her.

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  “Kyle?” He knocked on the window. “Open the window!” She jerked the window open. The slide window on the back of the truck was a small opening. He handed her the keys, “Hurry! Get us out of here!” I'll hang on back here. Hurry!” He was kicking zombies away from him, from every direction. She took the keys and slid over. She started the truck and took off up the roadway. She yelled, “Hang on, Kyle!” When she made it a ways up the road, she stopped the truck. “Hurry, Kyle! Get in.” He jumped from the bed of the truck and climbed into the drivers side seat. She slid over. “Are you okay? Kyle, I thought that they had gotten you.” She started to cry, uncontrollably. He looked over at her, then took her head in his hand, he pulled her over to him. “That was a close one. Don't cry, now.” She buried her face into his shoulder, as he drove away. They made it to the Orchard. Jimmmy was on watch, he opened the gates. Renee met them outside. They told her what had happened. The men came to greet them. Will said, “If there is a large herd out there, we really need to focus on getting materials to close this land off. You are both welcome here, if you'd like to stay.” Imogen felt pure relief run through her. Keith said, “Yes. You two should stay.” Then he looked at Will. “I think that your original idea was a good one. We just have to get out there and get supplies, then get it done.” Aidan had been quiet, until now. He said, “Will is right. We already have some of the basic supplies. We go back to town, load up on what else that we need. There is a brickyard outside of town. We go there, check it out. If we can get in, we use the materials that we find to build a wall around as much of the property as we can. It will be hard work. If we work together, we can do it. Kyle, will you help us?” He pointed towards Wills property. “ That's Will's place. He welcomes you.” Then said, “This here, is Renee's place. She says that you are welcome to stay here. I welcome you, too. I know that the others will, also. And, Rose's place is there.” He pointed towards Rose and Granny's place.” I know that, they welcome you, too.” He pointed to the old school building. “That school over there, has enough room for everyone. We need eyes, ears, and hands. And, good people. Help us in closing the place off. Help us keep watch. We all pitch in here. No one is locked in. You do what you want. There is safety in larger groups.” Kyle looked over at Imogen. She said, “I agree with him, Kyle. Now, it's us against the dead.”

  Kyle said, “Alright, then.” He looked at Renee, “We don't have supplies. We had to leave the cabin with what we could carry. But, we will pitch in however we can.” Renee said, “I understand. We may have some things that you can use in the group closet.” Imogen said, “Thank you, Renee.” You are welcome.” she answered. They could see the relief shining on Imogen's face. Then, Renee asked, “Have you two had any dinner, yet? Come on over here, and have something to eat.” They sat down with the group, and got to know each other. Pastor Dom said, “We are going to have a meeting tomorrow morning, at 9:00 A.M.” Renee cut in, “Yes. We want to start making plans on what to do to run the place. We need to put together a plan for keeping watch, supply runs, etc.”

  Imogen said, “That is a good idea. Do you have a clinic, or infirmary? I can help with medical issues. Although, I am not sure how well I will do with no technology. It will be a little harder to diagnose some things.” Major Scott asked, “What is your specialty?” She responded, “General Practitioner.” Jimmy cut in, “The Major here, is a Doctor, too.” He pointed to the Major with his thumb. Imogen responded, “Really? Military Doctor?” Major Scott shook his head up and down. Jimmy

  said, “Yep. Surgeon.” She said, “I am impressed.” Nicole said, “Nina, Renee, and I were talking about asking each member of the group to take on one thing to help us run the place.” Renee said, “For example, if one of us is knowledgeable in gardening, we can over see a community garden.

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  Or, if one of us is better at teaching, we can help instruct the group on group tasks, or teach the children. Just so that we can get things going to benefit the group on a whole.” Imogen said, “I like that.” Kyle said, “It is good to get things in order. There will more people. Some good, some bad. We need to ready for
either one. And, for large herd, like the one that we just escaped.” Jimmy said, “Yes. If we can get strong walls around the perimeter of the land mass, we can protect it.” Scott said, “But, the problem is, we have three, large properties that are joined. Will has already done some of his place.” Aidan said, “Yes, the problem is, being able to cover so much ground. Will has a plan. But, he says it will be tricky. We'll find out tomorrow what he is thinking. He has a lot of his land closed off, by using storage containers.” Scott added, “With the three land masses, I don't know how we can keep eyes on all of it. We have to to close it all off.” Jose cut in, “Why don't we use cars and four wheelers?” They all looked at him. Jimmy said, “Four wheelers are too noisy. It will draw those things from a mile away. Maybe, a couple of trucks in the area's with level ground. But, we have to keep them gassed up. The land has some rough terrain, in some parts. That is the tricky part.” Aidan said,” We'll have to do it by foot. Go out in teams. Just like when we were active, overseas.” He looked over at Jimmy. Ben said, “We could use the top of the school. Look at how high the roof is on the one side.” Scott said, “Good call, Ben. I was thinking just the same thing, yesterday.” Kyle asked, “Have any of you been training the group?” Jimmy said, “No. But, we need to start.” Ben said, “Jose and I keep saying that. Aidan could train us.” Aidan cut in, “No. I think that Jimmy is better for that.” Jimmy said, “We'll talk tomorrow. One thing at a time.” Mrs. Sandoval said to Chloe and Naomi, “Chloe. Naomi. I was thinking that we could make some breakfast for everyone tomorrow morning. Would you girls be able to help me?” Chloe said, “Sure, Mrs. S. What time do you want to start?” Naomi replied, “Sure, Mrs. S.” Mrs. S. replied, “I think that, we should start early. Maybe, 7:00 A.M. They will start arriving at 9.:00 A.M.” Chloe said, “Okay.” Naomi answered, “ Okay.”

  The following morning, while Jessie and Mary were having coffee, Matt came bursting into the room. He yelled, “They are coming!” Shocked, Mary and Jessie turned to Matt. Jessie asked, “Who?” Matt cried, “Those things! They are on the trail, right behind us!” Jessie ran to the back door. He looked outside. He could see several zombies walking towards the home, along the trial. They were heading right for the house. Around forty feet behind them, were hundreds more. He turned around, “Mary! Get in the RV! Matt grab what you can. There is not time to gather everything!” Mary was already looking out through a window. She had her hands over her mouth and she was crying. “Mary!” yelled Jessie. She was frozen with fear. “Mary! Get into the RV!” He grabbed some of Ray's guns and ammo. The zombies were in the back yard, now. Some of them were partially eaten. They were bloody, and leathery. Some had been dead for a long time. Their skin was gray-colored, bitten, and cut open. Some had eyes ripped out, with the socket showing. They staggered and growled, as they came closer to the home. He grabbed Mary by her arm and pulled her through the house, out to the RV. Matt followed. “Matt. Can you drive?” Matt, who looked terrified, said, “Yes.” He climbed into the drivers seat. He started the RV. He pulled a Glock and a magazine out of the bag of guns. He threw the duffel into the back of the RV. He pushed the clip into the gun that he held in his hand. Then, blurted out, “I am taking the truck. You go first. I'll distract them, and lead them into the field. Then, I'll meet you down on the road. If they get in the way, run them over. You get to that road!” Matt said, “Okay.” Mary was crying.

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  She argued, “Jessie! Stay here. You should drive with us!” He said, “I love you!” He closed the door. He yelled from outside, “Drive Matt!” He ran to the truck and jumped inside, just as the first dead one tried to grab him. He slammed the door shut. The zombie walked right into the truck window. He was clawing at the glass. His face had a bite taken out of it. He snarled and gargled as he stared at Jessie. The zombie-man was snapping it's teeth and attempting to bite him through the truck window. He watched the RV pull away. He started the truck, and laid on the horn. He drove around to the field. He looked into the rear-view-window. They followed him, like baby ducklings who follow their mother. The living dead were coming for him. He drove in circles around the field. He saw the house and yard become engulfed with a sea of dead. He drove through them, now. He made it back to the driveway, and headed towards the road. He saw the RV slowly, moving on the roadway. Matt and Mary were waiting for him. He drove up to the side of the RV. Matt and Mary looked his way, and the RV came to a stop. He rolled his window down. “We need to get to town. We'll find a building to get into, until we can figure out what to do. Lock the doors!” He drove up in front of them. Matt followed him with the RV. The first town that they came to, was over run with zombies. Matt followed behind Jessie, as he kept driving. They made it, two towns over. There were no dead there. One or two, here and there. But, the place looked clear. Jessie looked around for a building that looked secure. He saw a department store. He pulled the truck up in front. He parked, turned the truck off, and and stepped out. Matt parked the RV in back of the truck. Mary and Matt came out of the RV, and ran to Jessie. They hugged, for a long moment. Jessie studied Matt's facial expression. The boy looked terrified. Jessie said, “Any of these buildings will be sufficient. But, we have to make sure that, there are none of those things inside, first.” Matt said, “Why don't we look in there?” He pointed to an office that sat between the grocery store and a thrift store. Mary said, “We need to find a place, fast.” Jessie said, “Okay, then. You two, stay here. I'll take a look around. You should get inside the RV. We don't have the radios, anymore. After we find a safe place to stay, we'll look for supplies.” He walked to the doorway of the office. He tried the door. It was locked, then he went around the side, and to the back. He found a vent on the outer wall. He climbed on the dumpster, so that, he could reach the vent. He took out his knife and started to pry off the cover to the vent. He was able to loosen one side. He forced it partly open, and peeked inside. It was a heat duct. He could fit into it, if he could remove the vent cover. It had been screwed in tight. He used his knife to try to loosen the two remaining screws. He got one off, then other, he struggled with the last one. It was rusted. He pulled the vent down and left it hanging on the remaining, attached, screw. He climbed into the vent opening. Once inside, he crawled through the vent, until he could look through other vents inside the office rooms. Finally, he found another vent. He looked through it, to make sure that the room below was clear. He pushed the vent off. He jumped down into what looked like a medical examining room. He went to the door and cracked it open enough to peek into the hall. There was no one there. He stepped out into the hallway. He looked in each room, one by one. The office was clear. He went to the front door, and turned the dead bolt. He opened the door and walked out to the RV. He saw the look on Mary's face, as he approached her and Matt. She looked relieved. She hugged him, “I didn't think that you would be able to get away from all of them, back there. There were so many.” Matt said, “ We should get inside.” Jessie said, “Okay. We need to back the vehicles up to the side of the building.