He was starting to get a little bit woozy from the bite. Shelter, I have to find shelter he thought. He saw the house to his left and the garage door was open. He returned to the bike and kicked up the stand and pushed it into the garage. He proceeded to press the garage door opener button on the wall closing the garage door and hopefully to safety. He unslung his rifle and laid it against the door. He removed his pack and sat down back against the door that led into the house. He opened his pack and removed both his war trophies and sat them down. Right on top was his IFAK. He opened it up and pulled out the gauze, bandages and a small bottle of peroxide. He poured the peroxide on the wound and watched it fizz up. He gritted his teeth from the pain. He placed the gauze on the wound and bandaged it up. He placed two fingers under the bandage checking to make sure it was not too tight. Then he checked his pulse below the bandage. He was good.
He proceeded pulling out the contents of the pack looking for the antibiotics. “Fuck where the hell is it?” It was at the very bottom. He popped off the top and took three. It was azithromycin. Then opened his canteen and washed the pills down his dry throat. He was not sure if it would help if it was a virus but he was not sure that is what it was. It did not take long before the fever set in. He took out the bottle of acetaminophen and washed them down. Pain shot up his arm in regular intervals. The pain was starting to be too much as he banged his head against the door.
It took a while before the pain killers finally kicked in. His face was pouring with sweat and his shirt was soaked. He had to get something to eat since it was hours before he had eaten anything. He pulled out the MRE and struggled to open it. When the plastic gave way he fished through for something small to eat. He found the crackers and opened the brown pouch. After each bite he washed it down with water. It did not take long before they came back up and he vomited all over himself.
He counted the number of zombies he had killed over the course of time. He figured he gained twenty points of experience which he would level up at one hundred experience points. Just like in a video game. “I am dying and I am thinking of a stupid ass video game.” Then his sight became hazy and his eye lids drooped down as he passed out.
Chapter 8 – The Rest of the World
They made it to the bunker. “Stop,” came the command from the two guards. The soldier on the left was glaring at Jerry. “Who is he?” the guard said with a low harsh tone. “He is with us,” responded Hobbs, matching the tone of the guard. “I remember only two of you going out so I say again who is he?” “We met him along the way and we are bringing him back.” The solider on the left pressed against the radio that was sitting on his vest and moved his mouth towards the mouth piece. “We have an extra person that is trying to enter the compound.” The radio squawked but Hobbs could not make out what was said. The soldier again looked towards Jerry. “Why should we let him in?” Hobbs took a step forward tightening the grip on his rifle. “The scientists will find a use for him it was our mission.” The two soldiers quickly backed away and drew up their weapons aiming at Jerry and Hobbs. “Look you fuck sticks you better get back on that radio and let them know we are here and that we have the package before both of you get hurt!” “Step back,” said the two guards in unison, as their fingers found the trigger. “I said back the fuck up,” said the soldier on the right as he inched his way towards the men trying to show dominance. “I will not tell you again. So radio back and talk to First Sergeant Rojas he knows we are coming. If you don’t well I am not sure if you have any family left to send a letter to once I kill both of you!” Hobbs stared into both of the soldier’s eyes waiting for them to make a move. A move that Hobbs knew they would not be able to regret because they would not live. Then as if fate were to have it Hobbs heard the command from the voice to let them in.
The guard on the left turned his face towards the radio and said “Ok will do.” “Thank you,” said Hobbs rather sarcastically. Hobbs started walking in and the soldier on the left put his hand up against Hobbs shoulder stopping him. The soldier whispered, “You’re lucky this time.” Hobbs turned grabbed the soldiers vest and slammed him against the wall with a loud thud as the helmet met the concrete. Hobbs got real close pressing harder on soldier’s helmet. “You fucking do that again and I will fucking mutilate your body and let you rot!” The soldier just gave Hobbs an evil grin that seemed to go from ear to ear. “That is if there will be a next time…” Then Hobbs let the soldier go and continued to walk into the bunker.
Jerry fell to the ground. Hobbs and Cowan stopped. “He must have passed out from the pain and sickness,” said Hobbs. Then Cowan knelt down and grabbed Jerry under the arms in a bracing motion and picked him up. Hobbs moved to the right side and placed Jerry’s arm over his shoulders. The dead weight was hard for the two to carry. Even though Jerry was a thin man and probably did not weigh more than 150 it was still hard because of the dead weight. They carried Jerry to the laboratory.
The lead scientist with the name Heizenburg embroidered on his lab coat in blue lettering. “Come here and take him to this room,” as he pointed to one of the containment doors. “Can you get him?” asked Hobbs. “Yeah sure.” Cowan then braced himself to carry the added weight. Heizenburg opened the door with his access card. “This is a clean room and we will hold him there for now.” The two men placed Jerry on the hospital bed in the white room. “How did he get bit?” inquired the scientist. “We were in the forest just a few miles away from here. We were on our way back when a zombie pulled him down and took a bite,” said Hobbs, as he pointed to the bite mark. “Ok so when did he get bit?” “About two and a half hours ago.” Heizenburg noticed the second wound on the leg. “Did he get bit in two different areas?” “No just the shoulder. His leg was cut and it looks real infected,” said Hobbs. “Ok good thank you two.” “Wait,” said Hobbs. “We have something else as well. It is something that we have never encountered before.” Heizenburg raised his bushy eyebrows with excitement. Hobbs dropped his pack and took out the green wet bag. He untied the knot and proceeded to open the bag. Then he brought it over to the scientist. “Do you have any gloves?” “Well of course we do what kind of non-sense question is that?” Heizenburg walked over to the wall where there were three different boxed of gloves each for one size, small, medium, and large that sat in a clear plastic container.
Heizenburg took out a pair of gloves from the middle box put them on. He headed towards the opened bag. “Be careful.” Heizenburg looked at him with distain and reached in carefully as if he was handling something that could break if it was not held properly. The ugly head kept gnashing and moving its eyes around as it was pulled out of the sack. Heizenburg almost dropped the head on the floor. He carried the bag underneath the head as to not allow the fluids to drop on the floor. He placed the bag and the head on top of a silver table. He stood back studying the severed head. He turned the head around and methodically and inspected every part of the head. “Ok guys thank you again.” The two soldiers walked out and headed to Rojas’ office. They both walked up to the door and knocked waiting patiently to be invited in. “Come on in,” came the reply. “Take a seat you two. Well let me know how things went.” “Well Top, it went smooth we saw something interesting on the way. It seemed like it was a zombie but different. It was able to run and had great strength and it gave us a hell of a fight out there.” “Were either of you bit at all?” The two men shook their heads. “Well good I knew that you two would be able to get the job done.” Hobbs continued on briefing Rojas of the events that transpired. “Then we ran into a civilian and he ended up getting bit so that should satisfy the scientists down below. I do have a question though Top,” said Hobbs. “What the fuck is going on? I mean shit fucking zombies and now that thing. What the fuck?” Rojas sat back in his chair and folded his arms. “I wish I could tell you that but frankly I have no idea either. I am just as much out of the loop as you are. I’ve been trying to snoop around and eaves drop to see if I can get any answers but I have g
ot nothing except what I have seen on the television. So bottom line up front we have been having some disturbing news that has been coming over on the television. The virus has been spreading at a disturbing rate. They have taken over most of the east. The west is fairing a little bit better but they are starting to succumb to the virus as well. We have been torching cities all along the line in order to try and slow it down. It has helped a little bit but it is not enough. We are facing a dilemma. I gather you two have been successful on your mission and I thank you for that. However, they are asking anybody for help. I know you two will be able to lend them a hand. You two rest for two days while I get with logistics in order to get you two where they need you. Now again I know you are only two soldiers but they can use anyone they can. Now I know just two seems like you won’t be of much help at all. However, when you take two from here three from there it can really add up quickly. Take two days and get cleaned up and rest. I will take care of the logistics of how to get you two out there. Dismissed,” came the command.
The two stood up and walked out the door. “Would it make sense just to go through all that trouble of sending us two out there?” said Cowan. Hobbs shot him a look. “Common sense is so rare it is a damn super power!” The two just laughed. They both grabbed their gear and got cleaned up.
The water was hot and inviting. The water turned a dark brown color as the mud and grime washed down the drain. Hobbs hands shook violently as he thought about the voice he heard the night before. Hobbs as he recalled the voice again. It sent shivers down his spine as he shook. The image of the little girl came back into his mind as he tried to push it out but was replaced with the thought of the new creature they had come across. Zombies were one thing. They were dumb and attracted to sound. They were deadly in large groups but what if they were evolving into something else? Something more deadly which can run and think. Hobbs turned off the water and stood there with his shoulders hunched over. Maybe it was just stress. Battle fatigue is what they used to call it but was it really just stress and fatigue? The whole world has gone to shit real quick. The big question is would civilization survive and pick up where they left off or would they fall like all civilizations of the past. If it did would there ever be anyone left to remember them and this war against the walking dead.
Hobbs woke up the next morning and put on his clothes and headed towards the workout room. Then a person came up to him. “Are you Hobbs?” “Yeah.” “First Sergeant Rojas needs you to go see him in the office. Do you know where Cowan is?” Yeah he should be in the chow hall.” “Thanks!” and the man hurried along towards the dining facility. “What the hell can this be? Are we going to be sent out early?” Typical he thought to himself they give you two days and take both of them away. “You can love the army but don’t expect that whore to love you back,” he said out loud to himself. He went back to his cot and changed into his uniform and headed to see Rojas. When he got there Cowan was already there sitting waiting on him. “Well I know you two were supposed to get a couple days of rest but I have to send you two out there now.” “Figures,” Hobbs mumbled under his breath. If Rojas heard it he did not address it. “I will need you to rendezvous here,” as he pointed to a spot the map. “It is not too far away from here. There you will be taken to Mississippi. There you will fall into the 841st and they will give you more orders. You will need to get there by 1300. So go grab your gear and you will need to head on out.” Cowan and Hobbs walked out and headed to the armory. They drew their weapons, grabbed their gear and headed towards the exit. “Oh great,” Hobbs said, as he noticed it was the same two soldiers from the day before. Hobbs was not in the mood to be dealing with these assholes. As they were walking out the guard from the day just opened the door. When they were out the door when one of the soldiers shouted, “Stop.” Great Hobbs thought what now. The same soldier he slammed into the wall just gave him the finger and said, “Don’t let what happened yesterday happen again or I might mistake you for a zombie.” The soldier had the same smirk which went from ear to ear which he had yesterday.
When Cowan and Hobbs were close to their destination, they stopped for a moment to scout out the area to make sure it was clear and there were no surprises. Hobbs looked down at his watch it was 1202 hours. Meanwhile Cowan was looking through his scope. “I see maybe two or three zombies around the place. It should not be an issue. How are we on time?” “It is 1202 so we still have plenty of time. So let’s get this done.” The compound had a fence that was littered with holes and a main gate that was shut. The two walked up to the closest gate. As they moved through it the zombies had turned towards them shuffling along. Hobbs unsheathed his knife and grabbed the first one by the hair and shoved the knife through skull. The next one he plunged the knife through the eye. Cowan butt stroked his victim causing the zombie to fall to the ground and kept pounding the skull until there was a pile of broken pieces of the skull, gray matter with blood speckled around the area.
“What the hell is wrong with you Cowan? Why are you doing that?” “Simply, I hate them. They are taking over our world. Should I just gingerly walk over to them and ask them to lay down? They are dead anyways what does it matter?” Hobbs didn’t have any answer for him. They cleared the area to make sure there were no other zombies around. Being satisfied they decided to sit out in front of the first hanger. They sat back to back so all areas were covered and nothing would sneak up on them. Hobbs looked at his watch it was 1348. “Where the hell are they? Hopefully they will be here soon. I hate having to wait,” said Cowan. “You hate waiting? Why the hell did you join the army that is all we do is wait. Hurry up and wait is the army life.” Just then Cowan spotted something flying in the distance.
The small plane came down on the run way. The tires screeched as the pilot put on the breaks. The man that came out of the plane was wearing one of those stupid horrible Hawaiian shirts. He had a straw hat and blue jeans that had the legs cut off. “Good day to ya folks,” the man said. “Beauty of a day won’t ya say?” “Yeah another beautiful day in Zumunda,” Hobbs said sarcastically. “Well let’s get this here bird up there. I am Ruckus,” the man said. They loaded the plane and took off. They flew over several cities that still were smoldering with big grey clouds that ascended from the ashes. “Yep them see them there. They be plenty of them around. They torched several of them cities right to the ground. All them left is those ashes and parts of buildings. And see they yonder.” Hobbs looked out the window that was on his left. “They be walking all around like nutting happened. There were hordes of zombies that were moving like a herd in one direction west like cattle. “I donna know but I tell ya what they give me the hibbi geebies if you know what I mean.” The guy’s accent and the way he talked was starting to get on Hobbs’ nerves. “Ya those uh herds there are all over da place. I see em when I fly. I been taking yawl over da place you know what I mean.” Hobbs finally spoke up. “Hey man.” “Ruckus,” the man interjected. “Ruckus, I am tired and need some rest.” “Alrighty then I’ll leave ya alone.”
A few moments later Ruckus spoke up again. “Ya’ll hear about those people talking about saving every like and all. Yeah they be serious too. They have been trying to uh stop those that are fighting off the zoms. Ya real stupid ya know what I mean.” Hobbs did not reply and Cowan was asleep. “Ya dem idiots trying to uh save everything. Something about they be living people and all. Yeah it is a real mess. They be doing whatcha call it when they stand outside marching and stuff shouting with those signs?” “Protesting,” said Hobbs coldly. “Ya that’s it protesting. Well anyways they been a hassle for those of your friends. They be saying that they alive and all.” “You said that already,” Hobbs said irritated. “Well anyways they be chaining themselves up to those fences and all. Real stupid if ya ask me. There was one group that did that and uh they all got ate. Aint no one went to helping them too. They couldn’t get away since they just chained themselves up and threw away da key. I bet ya if da military was there they would
have saved them but I don’t know they must’ve been at lunch or something. And they’d gotten eaten. It is sort uh sad to see that but they’d done it to themselves ya know.” Hobbs just ignored him and eventually fell asleep.
“Hey man,” said Ruckus as he shoved Hobbs. “We almost here. Just a little ways yonder. You might wanta let your solider pal there know. I’m gonna make a pass here or there to make sure it is uh clear and all.” The plane altitude dropped a little and circled around the small landing strip. There were two small hangars and two Humvees. “I’m gonna go on in.” The landing was smooth. They all got out of the plane. Ruckus put his hand out to shake Hobbs’ hand. Hobbs hesitated but retuned the gesture and shook the man’s hand. “I hope ya be safe out yonder ya hear.” “Yeah you too.”
They proceeded to the two vehicles that were awaiting them. Both Humvees had fifty cals propped up on top and each had a soldier behind it. A man walked up to them. Hobbs instinctly looked at the center of the uniform to identify the rank. It had three chevrons pointing upwards and one rocker underneath indicating he was a staff sergeant. Next he looked at the name tag on the right side of the uniform. It read Halton. “Good to meet you sergeant Halton,” as he shook the man’s hand. “Good to see you guys. We have been coming here back and forth almost every day. You guys have been coming in for a few days now. We can sure use your help. Here, we will get in this Humvee,” said the sergeant as he walked towards the first one. They took off their packs and put them in the back of the Humvee and got in.
Alpha of the Omega Page 9
