Running Towards The Abyss

by David Spell

  Kevin leaned over and whispered something to Neil, who nodded.

  “You got some guns for us, Greg?” Neil demanded.

  Greg suddenly looked like a caged animal, searching for an exit. “The deal didn’t happen, Neil. This guy robbed me and killed Tonya.”

  “Which guy robbed you?” Mark Anderson asked, an edge to his voice.

  “The guy we’re going after tonight,” answered Joey. “Tell ‘em the story, Greg.”

  Davis sat on the edge of the couch and told them about his encounter with Chuck. Dodd and the Anderson brothers looked dubious.

  “So, this stranger robs you,” Neil said, “kills Tonya, and then guns down 5-0 and four of his guys? Who is this fella? Rambo or something? Joey, yesterday you told me how you found 5-0 and his guys dead. You saw the bodies at the truck stop and the safe house. What do you think happened, based on what y’all saw?”

  Lester took a deep breath. “The back door at the house was kicked in and Larry, Bobby, and Ronnie had all been shot. 5-0 had been shot, too, but the only bullet wound I saw was on his hand. Somebody beat him to death and then stabbed him in the back of the head. His face was destroyed. I mean his nose was smashed in and his right eye was just a mess. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Beaten to death?” Dodd exclaimed, shaking his head, and sitting forward in his seat. “I find that hard to swallow.”

  “You asked me to tell you what I saw,” Joey continued, looking Neil in the eye. “That was what it looked like. When we went over to the truck stop, Jerry and those three people from that vocational school had all been shot. No idea how all that happened. If I had to guess, I’d say that the campus cop killed Jerry. They were lying pretty close together.”

  “And you told me yesterday something about a girl that was with this mysterious man? Was there a girl with the guy who robbed you, Greg?”

  “No, he was by himself, but before he robbed us and killed Tonya, he said something about looking for his daughter.”

  “The girl me and Joey saw with him at the school was young enough to be his daughter!” Wesley exclaimed.

  Neal shook his head again. “There’s just a lot of stuff that isn’t adding up. Like the part where one guy and his young daughter take out Mike Carter and an entire cell of his gang.”

  They worked all afternoon developing a plan that they could agree on. Dodd had some great ideas which made Joey and Wesley both feel better about having him along. He was older and more experienced than all of their gang, and had been close to 5-0. Neil was invested in getting revenge for his friend’s death.

  Lester found out that Kevin and Mark had both been students at the technical college a couple of years before. They had been enrolled in the Pharmacy Technology program. Carter had recruited the brothers after pulling them over for a traffic violation and finding a large quantity of drugs in their car. They had taught themselves how to cook meth while going to school and 5-0 had brought them on as his main providers of the drug.

  In most of the urban areas, the Mexican gangs had moved in, taking over control of the drug trade. At the time of the zombie virus outbreak, however, Carter still held the reins of all criminal activity in his rural county. The Andersons had managed to stay off the radar, cooking up small batches of crystal meth at a time. In return, 5-0 had kept them out of prison and had paid them well. Now, they also wanted some revenge.

  Since they had been students there, the Andersons were able to draw a map of the campus. The main building that they were concerned about was the dormitory. Everyone agreed that had to be where all the residents were housed. The big challenge was going to be finding the mystery man and the girl in the big, two-level residence hall.

  The Northeast Georgia Technical College, Lavonia, Georgia, Sunday, 1500 hours

  The memorial service had been somber and moving. Friends tearfully recounted stories about Jason, Margo, and Lamar. The pastor preached a beautiful message from John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

  As the preacher delivered his message he had nodded at Chuck, sitting next to Elizabeth on the front row, and said, “In these difficult times, it is good to know that there are still men and woman of courage in the world who will do the right thing. People who will risk their lives to help others. People who will put the interests of the weak and helpless above their own. May we all aspire to be those people.”

  McCain had slipped away to the campus gym after the service. He found that he always seemed to do his best critical thinking as he exerted himself physically. Chuck ran scenario after scenario through his mind of what might happen after he left the relative safety of the campus.

  His straightest route to Hendersonville from Hartwell was right at a hundred miles. And that was only if Melanie had left him her address there. He had been very fortunate to survive this far in a world gone awry. How long would his luck hold out?

  While grateful to have a vehicle, he also understood that having it made him a bigger and more noticeable target. McCain had to get to Melanie. He had to know that she was OK. Now, however, he also felt responsible for Elizabeth. Sure, she would be safe here, but she was depending on him to survive and come back for her.

  Was this normal? he questioned himself once more. He had known this girl for less than a week and he was deeply in love. It wasn’t rational and he couldn’t explain it but he knew what he felt. And he was sure that she felt the same way. McCain had not been looking for love but it had surely found him.

  Later, Elizabeth sat with Chuck in his sitting room, where she watched him take apart his guns. He field-stripped both the rifle and the pistol, cleaning them thoroughly. The big man lubricated, reassembled, and dry-fired them several times to make sure they were functioning properly. He then meticulously checked and topped off each of his magazines in preparation for the next day’s trip.

  As he worked, Chuck found himself telling Beth stories about the men he had worked with at the CDC. She felt herself being drawn into the circle of friends McCain was describing. She sensed the depth of the camaraderie of Chuck’s team.

  “I really hope I get to meet all of them one day,” she said.

  “You will, whenever this crazy world gets sorted out. But right now, it’s time for some pistol training.”

  Beth groaned and made a face. Chuck had her stand, draw her pistol, and remove the magazine. He walked her through pulling the slide to the rear and ejecting the chambered round. She handed him the loaded mag and the single bullet and he had her visually verify that the gun was unloaded.

  After they were positive that the gun was safe, McCain had Benton drawing and dry-firing, over and over again. Chuck knew that good, solid repetitions were the key to developing the correct muscle memory. That would ensure that, in a crisis, she would be able to respond without having to think about it. Beth drew, going to a two-handed stance and squeezing the Glock’s trigger. She would then pull back the pistol’s slide to the rear, resetting the trigger, and holstering the gun to do it again.

  Elizabeth saw in Chuck’s eyes that he was pleased with her progress. She had even been practicing some on her own, trying to implement all the things that he had taught her. He was right in insisting that she develop her weapon skills. These were dangerous days they were living in and she vowed to herself that she would never be a victim again.

  After drilling for almost an hour, Chuck handed Elizabeth her pistol magazine and talked her through chambering a round so the gun was ready to fire, then topping off the magazine with a single bullet so the mag was fully loaded. The Glock went into the holster, which Beth put on the coffee table. She motioned for Chuck to sit down, and crawled onto his lap. They both felt the coming separation and they sat for a long time just holding each other. Beth sensed Chuck had something to say.

  “There’s something you need to know,” McCain finally said. “Yesterday, when Jake and I were walking the perimeter, we found where people have been watching the school.
”

  Chuck heard a slight gasp. “Are you sure?” she asked. “We have patrols out there all the time.”

  “This was inside the woods about a hundred yards, over across from Admin. Jake told me that the patrols have stayed out of the forest and just walked the inner and outer rings of the campus. There’s no doubt there were people there. I counted two sets of footprints and they were fresh. If I had to guess, I’d say they were spying on the school sometime on Friday. We found where they’d been lying next to a downed tree where they had a good view of Admin and a few of the other buildings.”

  Beth was silent for a few minutes and Chuck stroked her hair. “Friday was the day you and I got here,” she observed. “We stopped at Admin. They could’ve been watching us.”

  “Yeah, they could’ve.” He sighed. “I don’t like it. Jake felt bad that his sentries hadn’t been more effective but it’s not his fault. Now that he knows, though, he’s added another patrol and his teams have been alerted to be more observant and to not make out while they are supposed to be patrolling.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “He told you about that? I think he’s found his people in compromising positions a couple of times.”

  “It happens. But now that they know, hopefully they’ll be more focused.”

  “I’ve always felt so secure here. We’ve had zombies show up twice but this has been such a safe haven. Now, I’m worried about what might happen.”

  “I’m sorry but I wanted you to know, especially since I’m leaving tomorrow,” Chuck said. “That’s why I always want you armed. Wear that pistol when you’re out of your room and have it close by when you’re in here.”

  Her head was still pressed against his chest. “Ok,” she answered quietly. “I will.”

  Outside of Lavonia, Georgia, Sunday, 2100 hours

  Joey, Wesley, Hoss, and Neil sat around Maddox’s kitchen table, smoking and talking quietly. Only a couple more hours. All the others were getting some sleep. They would wake everyone at 11:00pm, planning to be at the school by midnight.

  “What do you think, Neil?” asked Joey.

  The muscular man looked at him and shrugged, stubbing out his cigarette in a ashtray. “I think we’re walking into a hornet’s nest. There’s just so much we don’t know. We don’t know how many people are on the campus. We don’t know how good their defenses are. The biggest problem is that we don’t know where Chuck, if that’s his real name, and the girl are going to be.

  “But, we have the element of surprise and I doubt these little college kids want to stand up to us. I reckon they’ll turn tail and run when the shooting starts. We’ll be fine. Stick to the plan and get in and out. Let’s get some payback for 5-0 and then come back here and have a few cold ones.”

  Lester nodded. He had been thinking the exact same thing. Sometimes, though, the smartest thing to do was just walk away from the hornet’s nest.

  The Northeast Georgia Technical College, Lavonia, Georgia, Sunday, 2100 hours

  After dinner, Chuck, Elizabeth, and Karen walked back to the dorm and met in Beth’s room. Karen had copies of Google maps and hand-written directions, just as McCain had requested. She also had a letter to her parents identifying Chuck as a friend.

  Karen was right. Her parents lived less than ten miles off of Highway 25, the main route to Hendersonville, before it connected with Interstate 26. Their house was nestled in the forest near the North Saluda Reservoir. They had a great place to ride out a zombie apocalypse, McCain thought, looking at the satellite maps. They were surrounded by trees and their closest neighbors were at least a mile away.

  McCain sat between the two girls on the small sofa, carefully studying the maps and comparing them with the directions that Karen had written out. The papers were spread out on Elizabeth’s small coffee table, illuminated by several candles. Chuck had not said anything for several minutes and he realized that Elizabeth and Karen had stopped talking and were staring at him, waiting for an answer. He saw the expectancy and hope in Karen’s eyes. Beth’s eyes shone with love and with something else. Confidence? She gave him a smile and a slight nod.

  McCain closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He hated it when beautiful women asked him for something. He opened his eyes and looked at Karen.

  “Ok. I’ll do it.”

  The nurse threw her arms around him and Elizabeth hugged him from the other side. Life doesn’t get much better than this, Chuck thought, enjoying the embrace of the two lovely ladies. Until I’m out there by myself trying not to get eaten by zombies or killed by robbers, that is.

  “Thanks, Chuck,” the nurse said, still holding onto him. “My mom and dad will be so relieved and they’ll take good care of you, I promise.”

  “I’m sure, but let me give you my disclaimer. I’m planning on going to see them but there’s no way I can predict how my trip is going to play out. I don’t know if Highway 25 is passable or if I’ll have to find a longer, more round-a-bout route to Hendersonville.”

  “I know,” Karen said, “and I understand. Don’t force it and please don’t get hurt. I appreciate you being willing to try.”

  She leaned over and kissed Chuck on the cheek, then stood, and stepped over to Elizabeth, giving her a hug.

  “I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about,” Karen said with a smile, putting air quotes around ‘talk.’ “I’ll see you in the morning. I’m going to ask Jake to have the next team of foragers bring me back a man, too.”

  There wasn’t much talking between Chuck and Beth. They lay together on the couch, kissing and holding each other tightly.

  Finally, Beth whispered into his ear, “Spend the night with me.”

  “I’d love to,” he answered, “but let’s wait. Let’s give ourselves something to look forward to.”

  “You’re a strange man, Chuck McCain,” she said, softly. “But I love you so much.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Revenge

  The Northeast Georgia Technical College, Lavonia, Georgia, Monday, 0025 hours

  Bradley Thomas fumed. He had no business sitting at this security barrier in the middle of the night. This was a job much better suited for his partner, Todd, and others like him. Todd Stevens normally worked with his best friend, Jermaine Brown, or Robert Clayton, the faculty member. Brown had been sick for the last several days with the flu, however, and Mr. Nicholson had ordered Bradley to take a shift at the roadblock. Clayton was on perimeter sentry duty, out there patrolling with his team in the dark. Bradley shuddered at the idea of walking around the unlit campus, not knowing what might be lurking in the shadows.

  Thomas shook his head as he sat on top of the tall trailer, his feet dangling over the side, staring into the darkness. Stevens, Brown, and Clayton were all gun nuts with Todd and Jermaine talking about joining the army together before the world fell apart. Todd had already told Bradley more about firearms in the last hour than he had ever wanted to know. It was going to be a long night, the former student body president sighed.

  The two young men couldn’t have been more different. Todd worked out regularly at the campus gym while Bradley avoided physical exercise. Stevens was a student in the EMT program, Thomas had been studying Cosmetology. Even though he had a crush on Elizabeth, Bradley hoped that a career as a hair stylist would allow him to meet a lot of women. Especially if Elizabeth never came around to liking him.

  “Yeah, during the day,” Todd explained, “I carry my scoped hunting rifle so I can scan the woods with the scope and make sure no one is trying to sneak through the forest. When I pull a night shift, though, I always carry an AR-15. If something or someone slips up on us in the dark, we need to be able to throw a lot of rounds at them.”

  The idea of a zombie getting close to them in the middle of the night made Thomas pull his legs up under himself, sitting cross-legged. Mr. Nicholson had handed Bradley a black rifle and given him an hour’s instruction on how to use the AR-15. Nicholson also gave the young man three thirty-round magazines of ammunition and sho
wed him how to load the gun.

  Jake offered ongoing weapons familiarization classes to everyone on campus but Bradley had always been too busy to attend. He didn’t like guns and hoped he wouldn’t have to use this one tonight. As Todd continued to drone on, sounding like an advertisement for the NRA, Bradley thought about Elizabeth.

  He was relieved that her big savior, Chuck, was leaving. Maybe with him out of the way, Elizabeth will finally want to spend some time with me, he hoped. What could that big knuckle-dragger possibly offer a sophisticated girl like Elizabeth? Plus, he was so much older than her.

  So Chuck saves her life, and the young, impressionable woman develops a crush on him. That’s probably a normal reaction, Bradley thought. Ok, fine. But now he’s leaving, hopefully never to return, and I can go back to trying to woo her. Eventually, she’ll realize how much I love her and how great we would be together.

  A distant noise made Todd stop talking. The uncommon sound of car engines carried across the silence of the night. Stevens couldn’t remember the last time they had heard any vehicles driving on Adams Farm Road, a half-mile away. After a few minutes, the night was quiet again.

  “What does that mean?” Bradley asked softly, the nervousness evident in his voice. “Is there someone out there?”

  “We both heard the cars,” Todd whispered. “We’re down in a dip here and the surrounding woods play tricks with sounds. They may’ve just been passing through or…maybe they stopped. Let me call the CP and let them know we heard something.”