238
Kyle was already staring through his field glasses. The others could see the dark blob in front of them. They could not believe their eyes. A half mile ahead of them, were thousands of the dead. It looked like they were wandering around in circles. Will rolled his window down, then Kyle did the same. Will yelled over at them, “We need to go back. We go to Francessville. We need to fortify all of the weak spots in the walls, before we do anything else. In case they start to head our way. Then, we add onto the back. The only way we can get it done fast is to use the concrete truck. But we need some rebar and we need to get the cement mixers, then go back home. Aidan and Nina can look for supplies in town, while we get the mixers.” Kyle turned to Jimmy, and said, “He is right. With a cement mixer, we can get it finished faster. Now, we don't have time. A herd that size could get through the weak parts of the walls. If they start heading towards us, we only have a day or two.” Now, Nina and Aidan had gotten out of the truck and were standing between the two vehicles. Nina was on the verge of tears, with her hands over her mouth. Aidan sad, “We have to turn back.” Will said, “We need to go get a cement mixer, and rebar. We're going to Francesville.You and Nina get what supplies that you can. Then, we get back, and fix those weak spots.” Aidan agreed, “Okay.” He took Nina's arm and lead her back to their truck. They climbed into it and backed up, while the others followed them. They immediately, took to the radios. Scott asked Will, “Will, how far out are we?” Still in shock, Will said, “Um. About forty miles, or so. If that herd turns, and comes our way, I don't know how long it will take them to get to us. But, I don't think we have long. We have to get those weak spots reinforced.” Jimmy said, “He's right. We have to finish up on that. Now, there is no more time. We have a couple of spots at Renee's place. We can do that in a couple of hours. Then, we have to finish Will's place, where the treeline dips into the ditch. Rose's is already done, except for a gate. We can get that up in a a couple of hours.” Aidan cut in,“Alright. We call a meeting. Everyone has to help with this. We also need to scout around the area and watch for signs that the herd is coming. We need to do a last minute supply run, in case we are on lock down for a while. That herd could go the other way, or come for us. Either way, we have to be ready.” Scott said, “I know. You are right. Even if they break apart. There are so many of them that, we won't be able to fight them off if any of them get inside the walls.” They drove the duration of their trip in complete silence. About a mile away from the gate, Jimmy called out to the Pastor. “Pastor Dom, can you come and open the gate?” Pastor Dom could hear the dread in his voice. He answered back, “ Sure Jimmy. Give me a minute to get down there.” Renee cut in, “ I am already here. I'll open it up.” Renee had been doing inventory in the group closet. She had the radio on. She had heard the whole conversation Between Jimmy, Will, and the others. She grabbed a couple of magazines, a gun, and a knife. She was going to drive to where they were, and meet them. Upon making it to the gate, Aidan read the expression on Renee's face. He knew that she already knew that some thing was wrong. She had the gate open. She stood outside of her vehicle. She looked as if she could hardly wait to hear them tell her how bad the news was. As soon as they all stopped, and exited their vehicles, she blurted out, “How bad is it? How big is the herd? How close are they?” Aidan said, “Renee. They are an hour or two away, by car. But, we need to call a meeting with everyone. Can you get on the radio?” She continued, “Did it look like they were coming this way?” Will said, “They were wandering around, in circles.” We have just about everything we need to finish up. We just need a batch of rebar, we can get that at the brick yard. Then, we reinforce the weak spots and gates. We can have it all finished in a day.”
239
She said, “Let's get the meeting started. Will. Can you get you girls on the radio?” He said, “Yes. Already did.” Keith said, “I told Rose that we needed her up here, too.” Still worried, she nodded in approval. “Let's get this going, then.” She turned, and moved out of the way so that, the others could drive past her. Then, after they were all through the gate, she closed it, and locked it. She followed them back to the house. After everyone came together, Will started to speak. “We made it up the highway, around forty miles, and we ran into the dead. A lot of them. Hundreds of them, maybe more.” Everyone looked concerned, but listened. Rachel's eyes grew big. She knew what he meant. “How long?” she asked. Wide eyed, she waited for him to answer. Keith cut in, “Right now, they are far enough away for us to finish up the gates, and weak spots in the walls.” Kyle looked around at everyone. Will and Scott always knew what to say, and how to get everyone to listen. Pastor Dom asked,“Is it the herd that we ran from?” Scott said, “I don't know.” Kyle said, “I've seen this before. We can handle this a few different ways. We can finish the weaker areas of the walls, then reinforce the gates. We get one last supply run before they make it here. Get some winter supplies, in case we can't go outside the walls for a while. We keep watch, around the clock, and in groups. Then, hope they don't come this way.” Imogen cut him off, “And if they do? It will be like back at the cabin.” He looked at her. Then, continued, “If we hurry with the weak spots in the walls, and get extra supplies, we'll be okay. We park the trucks up against all closed gates. We have steel walls that, they cannot bust through. If they make it here, I go out, and try to lead them in another direction.” Everyone focused on Kyle, now. Jimmy and Aidan protested, “No.” Jimmy continued on, “ Bro, you can't go out in that. But, you are right, if we will finish this up here...” he pointed to the ridge, “we'll be safe inside the walls.” Kyle said, “We need to get on this.” Will said, “Okay, let's get on finishing up here. But, Kyle may be right. We could go lead them away from here, before they get too close. Maybe even barricade the highway. We can speed off, and circle on back here. We get the reinforcements done, first.” He looked at Kyle, “I'll help, while the others finish the weak spots up, back here. But, you are right, first the materials needed to fix the walls.” Scarlett and Stella, both protested. Stella said, “No Dad!” Scarlett cried, “Dad, we want you to stay here.” Imogen said, “Kyle, if you go, I am going, too.” He said, “No, you stay here. You can help with medical needs. Besides, it will take half a day. Then, we'll be back. We'll all stay on our radio's.” Charlie spoke up,” There is a place in the town, east of here. There are rows and rows of dump trucks, and building materials. It looks like there are stacks of bricks, behind a fence. We went through there a few weeks ago.” Will said, “Yes. That is the place I am talking about. It's huge. We can make one run, and have more than enough to finish reinforcing the weaker points.”
Nina said, “ Okay, then. We take a small team up to town to get some supplies. Just in case we get trapped inside, for awhile. Then, another group can get the supplies for the walls.” Scott said, “Good idea. One of us needs to go close to the area that we saw the herd, so we can get an idea of whether or not they are coming this way. And, from now on, we have to have someone watching the gates, around the clock.” They all agreed. Nina said, “Who will go with me for supplies? And, I need everyone to give a me a generalized list of what you need. I can't promise that I can find everything. But, I will do my best.” Aidan said, “I think that we should all leave together, then spread out for each groups' task, once we get there.” Kyle said, “Good idea. Will, you should lead us to the warehouse. Who is going with myself and Will? We will need drivers for a truck, and muscle. Also, maybe, we can grab a forklift, while we are there. It will make life easier, here.”
240
Will said, “There is all kinds of equipment that we can use there, if we can get it all loaded up today.” Frank said, “If we work in teams, it will work out better.” Scott cut in, “Okay, Myself, Jimmy, Will, Kyle, Frank, and Charlie will go get the big stuff, remember, we still need the electronics. I think that we should keep our eyes out for wood burners. We stay on the radios at all times. And, no matter what, stay together. Aidan, Nina, and who else wil
l help with general supplies?” Chloe said, “I will.” Renee said, “No. You stay here.” Chloe said, “Mom, the more hands they have, the more we can get done.” Ben cut in, “I'll go, too. The four of us should be able to get a lot done.” Naomi said, “I'll help, too.” Scott continued, “Okay, then. Ben and Chloe will go with Aidan and Nina.” Stella, you need to keep watch at your place, and check in with Renee.... every hour. Renee, you do the same. Someone needs to be on that school top. And, report to you, or Stella.... every hour.” Rose said, “We should go, too.”
Scott said, “Rose, You and Keith should stay at your place, with your Grandmother and the kids. Two of you are better than Clea being alone. Your place is crucial to keep watch from. It sits two miles from where the two major highways cross. That is where we need eyes the most. If there are other survivors, between here and where that herd is, they could be moving this way to get away from it. And, they may not all be good. Go on your gut. Remember, stay on your radio.” Rose said, “ I'll stay, then.” Keith asked, “Major, do you think that people will be a threat to us? I'll go and help with supplies, if someone will help Rose watch the walls.” Matt said, “I'll help her. Unless, you want me to go help with supplies.” Scott answered, “ That would be a good idea, Matt.” He looked at Keith, “It's a possibility. We have to be ready for the herd. But, if any one is running from that herd, we have to assume that they may come this way. And, we need to be cautious. Your place is the most susceptible to a raid. That's why we stacked the containers two high, and placed an upper barrier, to protect from gunshots. Until, we can reinforce the gate, you should be extra careful. Even after that, we'll need extra eyes there.” Rose, normally, would insist on going. She knew it would not be safe for Granny and the children to be out there alone, now. She said, “Alright, we should get positioned on the walls, then.” Everyone, got ready to play their part. Renee decided that she would go with Aidan, Nina, and the others. She called Imogen, Nicole, Rose, Jose, and the Pastor aside. “I am going with Chloe and Ben. I want to ask you all to take turns on the school, at Roses, and Will's places until we get back?” Pastor Dom said, “Renee, I think that they will be alright.” She responded, “I am going. Please?” Pastor Dom, reluctantly, agreed. “Yes, Renee. Some of the others are going to help, too. You can count on us.” As everyone was getting into their vehicles Pastor Dom called everyone to where he was. He said, “I want to ask all of you to join in with me. I am going to pray for this situation. I will also pray that everyone is safe. Please, even if you don't believe, join me.” Awkwardly, they bowed their heads, while he prayed, “Father, we ask that you protect everyone who is going out today. Help them get their tasks done safely. Give them guidance. Protect us, Lord. And show us the way. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.” Everyone put their things into the vehicles. Then, drove off, one by one. Scott spoke into the radio, “Okay, People. Let's get this done. Remember, everyone stay on your radio's. We need to keep our eyes open on the road, for anything that we need, or anything that looks off.” Nina said, “You got it.” Aidan drove in silence. When the convoy made it to town, they saw a few dead wandering around, a few at a time. Nina had noticed, that now, her stomach was not feeling sick. Every other time that, she had encountered the living dead, her stomach felt nauseous. She still felt the feeling of overwhelming dread, though. She glanced over at Aidan. He was angry with her.
241
She said, “We are here.” He didn't say anything. She said, “Aidan. We need things for the group. We have the new families. They have children that need beds, and clothes. Plus, we all need stuff for winter. Renee, and I, are trying to keep the group stocked up.” He said, “Stay close.” Then, he opened the door and jumped out of the truck. She sighed, and stepped outside the truck, herself. Renee, Chloe, and Ben were already standing there. Suddenly, two zombies came around the back of the truck. Both of them were reaching forward. Renee turned and stabbed one in the eye. It fell. The other lunged for Aidan, who grabbed it and stabbed him up through his chin, and into the brain. It went limp. Aidan turned and said, “Okay, now. Heads up. These things can come up on you alone or in a mob. We stay together. If one of them pins you, don't get bit. Do whatever you have to do to keep their teeth away.” Ben asked, “What should we look for first?” Renee said, “Chloe and I, will start loading up as much as we can. Why don't one of you watch our backs. When we get to the heavy stuff, we'll watch, and you two can load.” Aidan said, “Sounds like a plan. Before we leave here. I want to check something out.” “Okay.” Renee said. “Let's start in there.” She pointed to the E-mart. A large warehouse type place, that had a little bit of everything. They walked right up to the door. Aidan started to knock on the window. Sure enough, several dead faces popped into view. Chloe and Ben, jumped backwards. Chloe looked nervous. Renee said, “We're going to have to clear them out.” Aidan said, “There may be more in the back. I have to figure out a way to draw them all out through one exit. Then, we can lead them away.
He looked around. He was looking for something specific. Chloe said, “We need big guns.” Nina said, “No. Gun fire will only draw more to us.” Aidan said, “ Your Mom is right. Stay in the truck. I need to go down the street, and look at something. They all exchanged a glance. Ben asked, “What are you looking for?” Aidan walked away, “Stay here, for a minute.” Chloe said, “We need to get inside there. We need supplies.” Naomi agreed, “ We'll get them. Don't worry.” Nina said, “He'll be right back.” After a few minutes, more grisly zombie mugs showed up on the other side of the window. Chloe was staring at the faces. She felt sick to her stomach. Ben, and Naomi tried to comfort her. “Don't stare at them, Chloe. It will gross you out, and break your focus.” Naomi said, “It will get easier for you, after a while, Chloe.” Chloe turned away. Renee, and Nina were still watching Aidan walk down the street, while looking for the dead. They thought that, they heard a motor of some kind. Nina, on alert, asked, “ Did you guys hear that?” Then, the sound died out. Renee said, “Maybe, we need to look around here a little more.” After a while, Aidan came back down the street, pushing a four wheeler. All of them felt a surge of relief, when they saw the four wheeler. He approached them, and said, “I found a place.” Renee said, “Aidan. We thought we were going to be ambushed, for a minute.” Nina said, “We heard you start that thing up.” Ben asked, “You found a place for what?” He said, “You guys are going to hide in the truck, and I am going to tease them a little, then lead them down to a storage yard. Complete, with a tall, chain-link fence. A fence that...” He paused, and held up a chain, and two locks. Then, he continued, “I am going to lock them behind.” Ben was skeptical. “Hm. What if there are too many of them?” Aidan replied, “You are going to stay inside the truck. I am going to open the door, and drive this thing around the street for a minute. Then, I will lead them to one end of the storage yard, and take off, when I see that they are all far enough from the gate.Then, lock em in. I come back here, do a sweep. Just to make sure that, there aren't any more hiding in a corner, somewhere. Then, we all get inside, and stock up on supplies. Then, we go down to the hardware store and see what I can collect there for us.” Chloe said, “There is a hardware section in here.” She pointed to the building that they were trying to get into. Aidan looked over at the big warehouse store. “I better get to it, then.” he said.
Living Dead 2.0 Page 52
