A clean getaway, who writes stuff like that?
The problem was, we had seconds at best to run before we were completely surrounded. Then we only had minutes before we were stuck inside the Costco.
Roz mumbled to herself, but I couldn’t make out the words. She dropped to all fours a couple of times, but then seemed to think better of the position and was back on her feet. Her eyes--a dull shade of green that wasn’t quite as strong as that of the shufflers we’d encountered--studied me, then slid away from my gaze.
We had two vehicles: one that would be recognized by the inhabitants of the Costco, and one that would be a stranger to the people inside. If we showed up in the Jeep, we’d probably be shot. Maybe they’d recognize Mateo and let us enter, or maybe they would just shoot us out of general principle.
“Joel, Anna, hop in the back of the truck.”
Anna shot a Z in the face, dropping him so he got tangled up with his brethren. Joel pushed a female Z back with his foot and then shot her in the chest twice before blowing the back of her head off.
Mateo made for the truck and dove behind the wheel. A pair of Zs got interested in him, so he shot one in the leg. The Z collapsed, and the female behind him went down as well, so he shot her.
Just another day in paradise, shooting men and women who used to be friends and neighbors.
“Why do we need to be in the truck?”
“They’ll recognize it and let us in. If we have to stand around all goddamn afternoon explaining who we are, it’s going to get ugly.”
Joel glanced at the Jeep and then back at us.
“I’ve got a better idea. You and Mateo get back to the Costco. We’ll wait at a rendezvous point. If we go in there, we can’t protect Roz.”
Shit, he was right. If we went in with a freaky half-shuffler they’d probably never let her go. It was going to be hard enough to grab Christy and make it out of the building. I didn’t know where Mateo’s loyalties lay, but I assumed it was with the so-called Reavers.
Roz stood stock still and pressed her hands to her temples like she was trying to hold her head together. Her body shook, and when she tried to stand straight, a couple of spasms rocked her back on her heels.
“You okay?” I asked, but before Roz could give some indication I had other problems, and didn’t hear what she mumbled after that.
A fresh pair of Zs staggered toward us, but the larger one had eyes for me and me only. He reached for me even though he was still at least a dozen feet away. I lifted the gun, but Roz motioned for me to lower it. She studied the pair and concentrated hard.
One of the Zs turned and stumbled around in a half-circle before picking a direction and wandering off. I shot the larger one for the hell of it.
A helicopter thundered across the sky. It passed a mile or so from us and came to a hovering stop. Whoever was inside surveyed what we couldn’t see, then turned. They flew a 180, then swept overhead and past us. They came back around and sat overhead for a minute. A hand reached out of the window and waved. Then the chopper swayed to the side and was gone.
“What were they trying to tell us?” I asked Joel.
“Probably something along the lines of 'kiss your ass goodbye.'”
“I thought those guys were your friends.”
“They probably don’t know me from Adam, brother. They just saw some hapless civilians milling around and were trying to warn us or something,” he said.
“I guess,” I said.
Even more questions for later. Right now we needed to work together to get away from this street, because it was rapidly filling with Zs.
“Get Christy and then meet us. We’ll be at the rear. As soon as I see your truck leave we’ll fall in behind.”
Mateo shot another Z. He closed the door and then put the truck in D.
Joel pointed at the map and motioned. I grabbed it and handed it to him. Joel flipped it around and then ran his finger along a road until he found what he was looking for.
“See this?” He pointed at a location. “Mark it. This is our last-chance rendezvous point. We’ll wait as long as we can. Shouldn’t take you more than twenty minutes to get inside, grab Christy and the mutt, and then reach our location. Be firm with…”
Joel paused, drew his sidearm, and shot an approaching Z in the face.
Behind me, Anna opened up with a few shots. Bodies dropped around us.
“Be what?” I asked.
“Be firm at the base. Tell them it’s imperative that we get Christy to safety. Don’t take any shit and get the hell out of there. We’ll wait for you at the airfield,” Joel said.
I grabbed his hand and tugged him in for a bro hug.
“Listen, if one of us doesn’t make it, it’s been a blast hanging out and killing zombies.”
“Shit, think I feel a tear in my eye,” Joel said, smiling. “Just get your sorry ass to the airfield. Look for the Jeep. If you don’t see it, look for a sign.”
“What the hell kind of sign?”
“Don’t know, but you’ll know it when you see it,” Joel said.
“This sign bullshit. You’re more likely to see Jesus on the side of a telephone pole,” Mateo said.
He dug around in the back of the truck and came up with his backpack.
“Three o’clock, Mateo,” I called.
He popped back up and lifted his gun. Joel was faster and shot the Z through the throat.
“Thanks, man,” Mateo said, and opened his pack. He dug out a box and handed it to me through the passenger window.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“It’s a radio. Have him tune to channel 221.12 and you’ll be able to communicate,” Mateo said.
I handed Joel the box.
“Thanks, Mateo,” Joel said.
“No problem, man. When you open the box just use the batteries. They’re in the bottom. Fire it up and remember 221.12. Stay on that channel and you’ll be able to communicate. We have relay stations set up all over the city,” Mateo said, smiling.
Joel and I shook hands.
Zs had closed in on our location while we were discussing the radio.
I lifted the AK and ran through my mag with slow, measured shots, clearing the way for us to leave. Now that I had the hang of this rifle, it was easier to drop Zs. I hit empty and dug out my other magazine. I slammed it home and picked out a few more targets to kill.
This had seemed like a throwaway weapon. I didn’t have any more ammo for the Kalashnikov, but chances were I’d find some 7.62 in the near future. With its simple wooden stock and slightly-heavier-than-Joel’s-AR feel, I was starting to like this thing. Fact was we were back in the truck and had a few weapons we could rely on. I’d probably have to leave the Kalashnikov behind.
Joel ran to Anna’s side and together they dropped as many Zs as they could before sliding into the Jeep.
Roz moved like she was in a dream. She shuffled to the back door, but Joel took a second to open it for her. She got inside and they were backing up before the doors had shut. As they turned around, Anna slammed on the brakes and leaned out of the driver's side window. She smiled at me, then put her fingers to her lips and blew me a kiss.
I stood there like a dumbass and didn’t offer a return gesture. I didn’t know what to say, so I mouthed, “I love you.”
Anna’s eyes went wide. Then she shook her head slightly. She looked behind her as she backed around in a half-circle, then came to a halt.
“See you soon, big dummy” she said, and gave me a quick smile.
“See you soon, Anna,” I replied.
Then the Jeep spun tires and was heading down the road.
I didn’t need to be snapped out of some magical spell. I was already hopping inside the truck. I was slammed back into my seat, because the vehicle accelerated before I’d had a chance to settle in.
Some of the Zs broke off and followed Joel even though he was already halfway down the road.
We’d been out to find the horde, and instead the
y’d found us.
But it might all be over at any second. If it was true that this area was about to be nuked, we needed to get as far away as possible. We needed to find a place to hide, and then not come out for a long, long time. Of course, if it was a smaller tactical nuke, we might just be out of the way before the mushroom cloud dispersed.
I didn’t like our chances.
Mateo revved the truck, and I used that was my cue to get in. He pulled a U-turn in the middle of the street and roared off toward the Costco.
Behind me, the sea of Zs built and surged, led ever onward by the shufflers who directed them like demented generals from hell.
###
15:30 hours approximate
Location: The Warehouse
The Costco came into view a few minutes later.
We’d run the gamut of Zs: everything from slow shamblers to rotters and more than a few shufflers. The shufflers didn’t make any crazy moves. Were they hanging out back there, just waiting to make a move? Were they plotting to gather together for an attack?
I felt like there was a big fucking bullseye hanging over us, and the clock wasn’t helping. I kept glancing at it anyway, watching the seconds tick away.
The front of the building was completely changed. Trucks and cars of all sizes were parked outside in rows. A pair of semis sat along the west side of the store with a team of people set up in a long line moving supplies from the warehouse to the trucks.
Some of the paramilitary guys had taken up station around the operation. They stood with weapons at the ready. Some knelt and pointed their assault rifles at us as we arrived. Others covered the rear. A small group of them advanced on a mini-horde, and dispatched them with cold efficiency.
I couldn’t help but notice that a number of the civilians moving supplies flinched or ducked as the gunshots rang out.
We pulled around one of the large potholes, and then nearly ran into another one. Mateo slammed on the brakes, then crept around the obstacle.
Mateo’s anxiety had clearly peaked. He fidgeted in the seat, cracked his knuckles and kept sighing.
“At least no one’s fired on us. That’s a good sign,” I said.
“Shit yeah, bro. I half expected them to erase us the second we pulled in. Must be Douglas sent word that we were on the way.”
“Do you see him?” I strained to look around the assembly of people, keeping an eye out for Christy.
“Not yet,” Mateo said.
He found a parking spot that would allow us to be seen as we exited the vehicle and didn’t block the path of the convoy.
I slid out of the driver’s seat and made sure the wrench was securely at my side. I kept both hands in the air. Didn’t want anything to be misconstrued, here. The paramilitary looked like they were in the mood to shoot first and ask questions later.
A woman left the line of civilians and ran to Mateo’s side. It was Diane, and she looked harried. Her dark hair was tied up in a tight but hasty bun and strands hung around her face.
We’d been gone for less than eight hours, but in that time, everything at the Costco had changed. If nothing else, I had to give them points for being so well-organized.
I felt exhausted. I’d had the shit beaten out of me, been tossed into a fight I hadn’t anticipated, and then been reunited with my friends. It felt like we’d been gone for a week.
The lump under my eye where one of Queasy’s hench-assholes had decked me rang. I touched it gently and winced.
“I’m glad you’re both back,” Diane said between deep breaths.
“Glad we’re back too, and in one piece. That was one fucked-up mission,” I said as I moved toward her.
“We also have not had a good time. Thanks to you and the other scouts, we know the disposition of the horde. It is large, very large. It’s hard to make a clear estimate, but we guess over fifty thousand souls are heading this way.”
“Don’t think you can keep them out of the store? Seems like your best bet is to batten down and wait them out,” I probed.
“That is a large number. Even if we managed to keep all of the doors secure, we'd still have Bright Star to contend with,” Diane said.
“Have they threatened you?”
“Jackson…” Mateo warned.
“What? I really want to know what the fuck is going on. I’ve been lied to since the start, and don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the square meals, the new clothes, the safety. Be nice if things had stayed that way,” I said, because I was about halfway to being pissed off.
“You have not been told everything, but I wouldn’t say you’ve been lied to. Besides, Jackson, we don’t owe you anything. You’re just another lost soul out there. If you are so unhappy, leave. I suggest to the east, since the west will soon be flooded with the dead,” Diane said.
“That’s actually why I’m here. I need Christy. We’re going to follow a different path,” I said.
Diane took a step back and looked me in the eye. She didn’t speak for a few seconds.
“I have a plan," I said, "and I need to make sure she goes with me. Her and my dog. That cool with you all?”
“I’m going too,” Mateo said. “I love the safety of the Costco, don’t get me wrong, but it’s all blown now.”
“So you’ll just desert us?” Diane said.
“Like you said. We can leave at any time,” Mateo said. “Well, it’s time.”
Some of the paramilitary guys moved toward the entrance to the Costco and dropped next to vehicles. Another pair took up station near a pile of lumber and pointed their long guns at the road.
Diane snatched a radio out of her pocket and took a step away from us. She spoke for a few minutes, then walked away.
“Diane, I know what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“The goddamn shuffler or ghoul whatever you want to call it. I know Douglas took him and is headed for Bright Star’s post. So what then? What will you do with a horde hitting both locations? This is idiocy at it’s finest.”
“Just go, Jackson. Do whatever the hell you want,” she said.
She actually looked pissed, and probably because I’d called her out. She also now understood why Mateo was really leaving.
But considering how many civilians were standing around, I guessed that would have been a bad idea. It was important that they keep these folks in line. They needed this group of survivors, and the survivors needed the protection.
Diane nodded at us and then strode away, back stiff, head high.
“Let’s make this quick, Jackson." Mateo nodded at the group of people working the entrance and sides of the store. “Find her, get the dog, get back here. We’re going to roll out of here like we’re supposed to be on a mission. Hopefully no one will ask why we’re taking off with the truck. I’ll gather a few supplies and meet you back here as soon as fucking possible.”
“Mateo, thanks for your help. I don’t understand why you’re leaving this, but I won’t deny your help.”
“I’ll tell you why: We’re the good guys, no we’re fighting Bright Star, no we’re establishing a haven and the whole goddamn time we’re supposed to follow and not ask questions.”
“That’s called being in the military,” I chuckled.
“Yeah but you had a goal, right? In the time I’ve been here, no one’s bothered to tell me why we’re doing half the shit we’re doing, so I’m going to try something different,” he said. “Plus, I don’t like the odds here. They won’t get all of the food out, and there’s a lot of hungry mouths to feed. What happens when the remainder of the supplies is gone? I’ll take my chances with you guys, you know what you’re doing.”
“I only look like I know what I’m doing. Joel’s the brains of this operation,” I said.
“Give yourself a little credit, man. You know how to handle yourself out there. I’ll learn and keep up, I promise.”
I nodded and shook his hand.
“I’ll be back, man.”
“If
you don’t see me and it’s too late, I stashed the keys under the passenger side floor mat,” Mateo said.
He took out the radio he’d been communicating with and handed it to me.
“You want me to take this?”
“Yeah, man. Just in case. It’s an FRS/GMRS radio. You’ll be able to reach Joel, but you need to be close. These only have a range of about 35 miles, and the more buildings and shit that get in the way, the more it cuts down on communication.
"If you get lost or can’t reach him, just try for a higher location. Don’t worry, we have boxes of these, and I’ve got one more stashed in my bag. Remember the channel. 221.12. Just tune it and we’ll stay in touch. Remember, if you can’t hear from me, I’ll catch you on the other side, bro.”
“Thanks, but we’re both getting out of here,” I said with confidence.
We nodded at each other, then both moved away.
I took a breath as a wave of dizziness hit. I’d been amped up for too long and needed rest but there was no time.
Gunshots from near the entrance. I spun and half-lifted my AK, but then thought better of it. I had a mission, and running off to investigate whatever was happening wouldn’t get me any closer to finding Christy.
###
15:40 hours approximate
Location: The Warehouse
The line of people moving supplies stretched for about a quarter of a mile. With all of them in one place, it was easy to see that Christy wasn’t among them.
I walked it and kept my head down, refusing to acknowledge what I looked like: a lameass unwilling to do his part, like I was trying to avoid the work. I didn’t make eye contact while I looked for Christy.
Hell, the majority of these people didn’t even know me, and they’d never see me again. I’d be just something to talk about when they were safe. “Remember the asshole who walked around looking for someone?”
I made it inside the building from the front entrance, then immediately next to a doorframe, because shot after shot were coming from out front.
Reavers (Z-Risen Series Book 4) Page 16
