“Now if only we had something that went boom.” He said as he looked down at his empty shotgun disappointed that it was out of ammo.
“I know a lot about chemicals. I might be able to get you something on the way.” Sam smirked and together they walked between buildings, sticking to the back alleys, and heading toward Haven.
* * * * * * * *
The drive to ‘Haven’ was a long one for Destiny. The sun blinded her briefly as the car moved. Her mind wandered from thought to thought about what horrors would come to her if she didn’t escape.
“Am I going to be the next breeder?” Her thoughts spoke in her mind as if someone was right beside her asking her horrible questions. “Maybe they will kill me for ‘helping’ Sam?” Her lips quivered once again as her thoughts turned toward David. “Why did that fool come back outside?” She began sobbing as the driver of the car completely ignored her. “What was he thinking?” The thoughts wouldn’t let up. She believed her head was about to explode from everything she was feeling. Guilt, fear, pain and hatred filled her as they came to a populated area of the city covered by people walking around like they used to before the infestation began. “Does everybody know how bad it is here?” She continued to think to herself. “Is it really as bad as Sam said? It doesn’t look like it.”
She watched children playing in a small park while a group of people browsed through apples at a table set up near them. Eventually the car came to a stop in front of the theater Sam had mentioned to her earlier. A priest was standing outside with his hands clasped in front of his stomach patiently awaiting Destiny’s arrival. She knew it had to be Father Martin, someone Sam spoke of back at the gas station.
The backdoor beside Destiny was opened quickly. One of the men in a Kevlar suit reached in and forcibly dragged her out. He pulled her hair and grabbed her arm as she flailed around crying.
“Shut the fuck up.” The armored man said letting go of her for a moment so he could raise his hand to strike her.
“Don’t you dare son!” Father Martin said walking quickly up to him. Destiny paused her struggle in surprise - someone actually cared about her wellbeing.
“Sorry father.” The man said lowering his hand and grabbing her by both arms. “But she won’t calm down.”
“Would you?” Martin asked. “Taken by force after surviving horrors unimaginable … Would you be calm and peaceful?” He continued after pausing slightly. He waited for a response but didn’t receive one. “Well release her!” He commanded. The armored man released her pointing his finger at her face.
“Don’t do anything stupid!” He said before walking away angrily.
“Come with me child.” Martin spoke soothingly and gestured to go inside the Theater.
“Why? So you can shackle me to the wall? Fuck You.” Destiny responded holding her arms crossed in front of herself. Martin was surprised, most people would not dare talk to a priest in such a way, but he understood why she did.
“No,” he said, looking at the ground. He brought one hand up to his face and stroked his goatee slightly. “Just to talk. Things have changed since Sam joined us. Even more has changed since she left.” He once more motioned to the theater, “please?” He said pleasantly. Destiny nodded and walked slowly toward the door of the theater. She entered while Martin followed her. Inside was exactly as Sam had described. Men and women, including children, were cleaning fully automatic weapons on tables lining the lobby.
“Yeah looks like it.” Destiny said sarcastically while shaking her head.
“Unfortunately some discomfort is expected,” Destiny stared at Martin watching his face as he spoke. To her surprise his face turned to sorrow. “But I promise these children work short hours, and are required to do nothing else.” He attempted to justify the child labor. It made some sense to Destiny, especially with the way the world was going. Somehow it still seemed wrong to force children to work. One was even appearing to cry, slightly sniffing while cleaning a small pistol as his hands shook.
“Over here please.” Martin continued while walking past the tables and into the theater screen room. Destiny followed and again was not surprised to see everything just as Sam had described it. A pale yellow screen deteriorated with age, and uncomfortable clumpy cushioned seats.
“What are we supposed to talk about?” Destiny asked loudly. Martin stopped walking down the aisle and turned to face her.
“How you can contribute to the community.” he said slowly.
“No!” Destiny shouted backing away. Her eyes darted around the room looking for anywhere else to go.
“What’s wrong?” Martin asked confused.
“You fuckers won’t be doing that to me.” She said raising her fists prepared to hit anyone who came near her. She waited a few seconds ready for people to grab her. Nobody else was in the room. It was only her and Father Martin.
“I see.” Martin said nodding his head. “What Corporal Kelly did to Sam was unimaginable.” He spoke quickly and clearly as if he had said the same thing countless times. “Nobody in the community agreed with the decision to have breeder’s but-”
“You mean prostitute?” She said with disgust.
“Of course not!” Martin said offended. “It is for the continuity of our species only! Sam was only with one man and he-”
“What are you going on about freak?” Destiny shouted cutting him off. Martin looked at her even more confused than before. “Sam can’t have kids. She hasn’t been able to for years.” Father Martin’s eyes grew wide at this surprising fact. His face turned red with anger as he shouted,
“What?!” Martin then suddenly stormed past Destiny and out on to the street. Destiny hesitated at first but quickly followed. The priest rushed down the street toward the stadium at the end of it while muttering to himself with anger. Destiny followed him until she could see Corporal Kelly standing in front of the large net holding Gary. A crane hooked onto the chain net and began lifting it up. Corporal was planning to lower Gary into the stadium from above.
“Kelly!” Martin yelled a few feet away from the Corporal. For the first time since Destiny had seen him, the corporal looked afraid. The fear quickly subsided as Corporal lowered his head and closed his eyes.
“Yes father?” He responded kindly while raising his head and opening his eyes.
“Did you know about Sam!” Martin yelled angrily. “This is the last straw Kelly!” He continued.
“What do you mean? What about Samantha?” Corporal asked showing confusion.
“She hasn’t been able to bear child in years!” Martin yelled louder than before. “Did you know?” His voice lessened but the anger could still be heard easily.
“Of course not!” Corporal said, “She volunteered to be a breeder to me, practically begged for it. Said she always wanted a child.” His excuses were weak, Father Martin knew Sam already had a daughter, when she first arrived she wanted to go save her.
“Son you are disgusting,” Martin continued, “The others and I won’t stand for you anymore!” Martin raised his hand in the air, there was clearly more going on then Destiny had realized.
“Yes you will.” Corporal began speaking in a completely different tone. “You and your others need me. Some things might not be moral, or acceptable, but look around father!” Corporal began to yell while pointing around at the city, “The world is different and without me that world will crush you.”
“But forcing yourself onto her was-” Father Martin sincerely sounded disgusted by what the Corporal had done.
“It was wrong, I know that. That is why it never happened again; also why she was never given any other job. I screwed up father, am I forgiven?” Corporal smiled and laughed slightly which shocked father Martin.
“You truly are a monster.” Martin said turning his back and walking away.
“Yeah well, that is what this world needs to live!” Corporal continued yelling as Destiny turned to follow the priest. “A monster father! It takes becoming a monster!”
Corporal’s voice faded as they walked quickly back to the theater. Martin mumbled under his breath staring at the ground as he walked.
They walked quietly until once again they were outside the theater. Father Martin turned quickly toward Destiny while still looking at the ground.
“Go inside.” He said quickly. “The others will show you how to clean a gun.” He turned and started walking away.
“Wait a goddamn minute!” Destiny yelled in protest.
“Do not take the Lords name in vain around me young lady!” Martin exploded in anger swinging around and pointing toward her. He paused and breathed slowly realizing he was not truly angry with her. In a calm voice he continued. “Just go inside, I will return shortly.” He turned away and walked swiftly down the street, away from both the theater and the stadium and turned at the next corner. Destiny looked around herself wondering if she should do as he had asked. Once again her thoughts sounded like they were coming from another person.
“I could escape right now. Or I could stay” Her thoughts were everywhere “Find a way through the perimeter, it has to be possible. Martin could help. I should gain his trust first.” She then noticed the sun was setting slowly behind some buildings. She realized it would be too difficult for her to be outside at night all alone. She shook her head in disappointment and headed into the theater.
“What do you need?” A young man asked her as soon as she entered the room.
“Who are you?” she said looking him over cautiously. He was incredibly thin, had short brown hair with a crater speckled face.
“I’m George, I take care of-”
“I don’t need anything thank you.” Destiny said cutting George off and turning toward a small table with guns lying on top of it. One small chair sat next to it with nobody in it. She decided to try and help the others by reducing their work load. She was, after all, very good with cleaning guns.
Chapter 9 – Silent Night
“This should work,” Sam said proudly while handing Holiday a plastic bottle with a rag stuck into the opening at the top. The room grew very dark as the sun set. Holiday pulled out his lighter and attempted to see the room they were in. “It is pretty basic, almost like a Molotov.” She explained.
“So it is alcohol?” Holiday asked, his eyes searching the near pitch blackness of the pharmacy they were in.
“No,” Sam continued, “Trust me it is better.” She smiled. “Just be thankful Corporal hasn’t cleared this building yet.” She finished speaking with a tone of regret for taking Holiday toward Haven.
“How much farther?” Holiday asked creeping toward the door as his lighter flickered with a slight breeze that rushed in. “Can we make it at night?”
“Well in a few minutes the floodlights should light up the town.” Sam said placing her hands on her hips. “Security at the alley won’t change much but people will be more cautious of who is around them.” Holiday shook his head in agreement.
“Let’s go then.” He said commandingly.
“No,” Sam said loudly. Holiday turned to her watching her face as the light flickered off her face. “You stand out too much.” She continued. Holiday stuffed the bottle into the large pockets in his pants; the top stuck out half way. He looked himself over realizing exactly what she meant. A sheriff uniform with his cowboy-like sheriff hat wasn’t exactly the normal attire for Chicago.
“Doesn’t matter,” Holiday said scratching his chin with his one free hand. “I am still going to try.” Holiday turned away from Sam and headed outside. He looked around at the dark street before him. He could only see a few feet in front of him. A bright moon illuminated the town slightly but it was not enough to see anything helpful.
“Fine.” Sam said dropping her arms to her side. She walked up beside him and pointed down the street to a faint white glow behind a building. Slowly, the white glow became brighter as other buildings lit up. The street they were on was still dark; it wasn’t an inhabited area yet. “That’s the alley, it’s easy to get to but I really don’t think this is a good idea Holiday.” Sam continued. The concern in her voice for Holiday was shocking to him. He couldn’t quite figure her out. At times Sam was strong, independent, take charge: just like his recently deceased girlfriend Vivian. Other times, she was like a child; insecure, emotional, and confused. He smiled briefly before nodding his head again.
“Won’t the zombies be attracted to the light?” Holiday asked Sam.
“No, Corporal says it doesn’t work that way, only thing that seems to attract them are loud sounds or seeing living people.” Sam said shrugging. “I sure hope we can do this.” She said as she started walking toward the alley.
“This will work.” Holiday said quietly, “This has too.” He snapped his lighter shut and began walking toward the lit up section of the city.
* * * * * * * *
Back in the theater, Destiny was hard at work, cleaning weapon after weapon faster than anyone had seen. She stripped each gun to pieces, wiped it, sprayed it, and then reassembled it before anyone had even started to strip theirs. George looked at her impressed and nodded at her joyfully. Destiny ignored him and within an hour, the table she was at had every gun sorted, cleaned, and was waiting to be reloaded.
Destiny stood up and stretched. She then turned around looking at the other tables. She walked up to the closest one and began to help the older woman sitting there.
“No,” the older woman said. “Don’t.” She sounded afraid.
“It’s O.K. I don’t mind.” Destiny said soothingly while smiling.
“No, But I do.” The Corporal’s voice boomed as he stood in the door to the street. “Everyone does their part.” He continued while walking up to them.
“She is new,” the old woman said, “she didn’t know, please.” She was begging the Corporal. Destiny looked at them both confused.
“But you did,” he replied quietly taking out his revolver and pointing it at the old lady. She covered her face with both of her hands and started sobbing uncontrollably. Everyone in the room ignored what was happening but Destiny could see on their faces that they were afraid. She jumped in front of the Corporal’s gun.
“What are you doing?” she asked him outraged. “I offered help, how is that a reason to shoot someone?” Just then Father Martin emerged from outside and approached the Corporal with four other men walking beside him.
“It doesn’t.” Martin spoke softly and stood behind the Corporal. “Corporal Kelly,” Martin continued, “The council has had a session and we believe it is time for you to stand aside as our leader.” The Corporal raised his eyebrows and lowered his gun. He turned around to face Martin and the others. They all carried melee weapons. One held a baseball bat; another had a crowbar, and the other two held knives.
“Is that so?” Corporal said shocked. “I was opposed to having a council for this very reason.” He sneered. “We are in the middle of an emergency situation here!” His voice grew louder as he finished the sentence. He holstered his revolver and took a deep breath before continuing. “What is the reason for me ‘standing aside’ May I ask?” he said making quotation marks in the air with his fingers.
“You are reckless,” Martin said causing the Corporal to laugh slightly. “Also you are untrusting of others, selfish, and a tyrant of this community.” He finished his statement, ignoring the Corporals laugh.
“I made this community, it’s the goddamn apocalypse preach!” The Corporal snapped pointing at Father Martin. “Fine!” He yelled loudly, “We will ask Central what we should do. K?” He asked, stretching out his arms.
“Once they are informed of your actions I am sure they will agree with us.” Martin said lifting his head up high.
“What is Central?” Destiny asked. Martin walked up to her as the other men followed the Corporal into a small room to the side of the theater; there they proceeded up some stairs.
“Central is the United States Government, or at least what is left of it.” Martin said attempting to expla
in to Destiny what was happening. She looked at him more confused than before. “Come with me,” he said, motioning for her to follow him. She did and they began to walk past the old lady who was still sobbing. Martin placed his hand on her shoulder briefly before heading to the stairs.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Destiny saw the Corporal sitting in a large reclining chair smoking a large cigar. In front of him was a T.V. with a camera of some sort on top. A woman was on the T.V. wearing a dark grey suit with stripes on the cuffs and four stars on the shoulder. Her left breast bore dozens of shiny pins of valor. Behind the woman on the T.V. in the distance, Destiny could see a swarm of people, all wearing blue dress pants and white dress shirts, walking around in a large room filled with computers in front of a wall covered in display screens.
“Here he is now General.” The Corporal spoke to the woman on the T.V.
“Hello Father.” The woman addressed Martin and placed her arms behind her back. “I understand we have a problem?” she continued. Her face showed only one emotion while she spoke, indignant anger.
“Yes ma’am.” Martin spoke loudly approaching the chair of the Corporal. “Corporal Kelly has, on several occasions, demonstrated-”
“Let me stop you right there father.” The general spoke, quickly dismissing Martin. “We are well aware of Kelly’s activities. We do, after all, have others from central command at your camp.” She spoke without hesitation, showing an attitude expected of a general. Destiny didn’t believe Kelly was an actual Corporal, but she did know for certain that this woman was in fact a general. “We are dealing with a situation which has reached the edges of our world Father Martin.” The general continued lowering her head forward and looking up at Martin. “Corporal Kelly will remain in charge. Is that clear?” She spoke firmly.
“But ma’am?” Martin attempted to object.
“Is that clear!” she shouted.
Infestation Chicago: A Zombie Survival Series (Volume 2) Page 7
