by Joe Kelly
“how are you holding up” Steve asked suddenly, he turned to face Jared concern in his eyes.
“what brought this up?” Jared asked with a slight smile.
“I’m just asking, you are my best friend I’ve been concerned.” Steve replied.
“I’m fine, as fine as I can be at any rate” Jared said levelly meeting Steve’s gaze. He wasn’t going to bring it up, but he was referring to Billy, Jared knew. The pain was still there, and it always would be. It was getting easier to deal with the emotional ups and downs mainly because he had so many other things to deal with and worry about.
“okay,” Steve said after a moment. Jared was thankful that Steve was taking him at his word and letting the subject drop. He was dealing with it, and was in a better frame of mind but it still haunted him too.
“the bright side is no one is asking me to tell them how to live, who can date whom and trying to get me to establish a legal age any more. That seems to be working itself out.” Jared said. The truth was he wanted them to get used to making the hard decisions themselves not relying on someone else, who they thought was wiser and smarter. Usually Leaders were not, politicians even less so. “how’s the combat drills going?”
“Good so far. Though you need to finalize Team four.” Steve replied. It had been two days since their return from the distribution center and Jared had been fast off the mark on what needed to be done before they went back. The only real question was would the undead show up in mass at the camp before they were prepared to go back.
so far only a couple of small bands had wandered up to the camp. Those had been easily dealt with, but a horde would mean fleeing the camp and finding another place to set up and train. All we need is a week, just a week and we hopefully will have one or more Semi’s loaded with food and supplies.
“I’m going to keep team four with only two people, Ori and some one else to cover his back while he is sniping the dead. So no special training is going to be needed for four.” Jared said. “oh bit of good news, Linda told me that Pappy is doing better, she dropped a book on his leg and he cussed. Then wrote out a two page note to her with his opinion of ‘her competence, worth as a human being and her sexual predilections.’”
“that sounds like her, I bet Pappy’s note was not so polite or used words like predilection.” Steve said flashing Jared a smile.
“got it in one, She was blushing while she was telling me about it. I’d love to read that note. I need a good laugh.” Jared said then added “In another few days we will probably hear him going off on another tirade.”
“can’t wait” Steve said in a dust dry tone of voice.
✽ ✽ ✽
Cole walked into the Dorm room and wanted to hurl. Blood was everywhere, and the five bodies that were turning towards the doorway were eager to get at him. Shreds of duct tape still stuck to the wrists and ankles. That sick bastard had cut them free when he left the room, content to let zombies run amok on the grounds.
He shook his head, I should have listened to Reba he thought as Danica, a once pretty older woman, now a shredded mangled ruin of human flesh trotted towards the door, her teeth clicking as she reflexively opened and closer her mouth. The only thing that had saved the day had been Danny Morris dropping by to talk to Danica. The newly risen zombies hadn’t seen him, so he had quietly shut the door then blocked it, before running to find Oliver and tell him what he had found.
Cole lifted the one weapon he liked to use up close. His nail gun and pulled the trigger. 16 penny nails slammed into Danica's face and head. Sending her back into death. He shifted his aim and pulled the trigger again. Walking the nails up Monica’s breastbone, throat and finally to her eyes. He shut the door and calmly reloaded the nail gun, which had been his favorite before the zombies because it had a large air tank attached to it, so he didn’t have to drag a air hose across joists or roof tops and risk tripping on it or snagging the damn thing.
He opened the door and let the next zombie get two arm lengths away, he refused to even think of her name, it hurt too much, then pulled the trigger at point blank range and literally hammered her back on her heels before she fell to the ground dead. It only took a few moments to finish off the last of them.
As the last one fell he slung the air gun under his arm and looked at Oliver. “ Get Frank and the rest of my crew and search the grounds, start at the tunnel. Just in case he left that way and left the door open. If you find him kill him.” He said angrily. God, he should have listened to his own feelings, he had known that one eyed bastard was trouble. Reba had warned him too. But he had ignored it all. This was his fault.
“Danny come with me, we are going to search the basements, I’ll get Martin and Dean to go with us.” He said. Hoping that old one eye hadn’t gone down and messed with the boilers. That’s all they needed at this point.
Six hours later they had searched the entire facility and found no sign of one-eyed Michael. But oddly while searching Michaels old room, Cole had smelled something off for a few moments. Like one of the undead had been in here, but it had faded away leaving no trace.
✽ ✽ ✽
“Well aint that just interesting” Ronny said he walked around the modified deuce and half. Rob and Kelly had worked for four days on the thing. And now it looked more like something out of Mad Max. There was cowcatcher up front, no hydraulics so it could cause some problems later on. Something that looked like oversized, narrow, arrowheads on four legs jutted out from the outer tires. Rob called them Knee cappers, the legs where held in place by the tires lugs. Using part of a tripod, Rob had fashioned a pintle mount for a .50 in the bed of the Deuce.
The cattle catcher was strong enough not to rip free, and with the power of the Deuce behind it, it could shove most vehicles easily out of the way. Jared would prefer a dozer or a tank but they had neither.
“Wished caltrops would work,” he muttered.
“What about that chainsaw thing from that remake of an old zombie movie. The one where they were in the mall.” Warren asked. Jared looked at him in surprise; Warren had never come across as someone who watched horror movies.
“Do you happen to remember how well that whole chainsaw thing worked out for them” Jared asked. Warren’s brow furrowed as he tried to recall then nodded “ I see your point” He answered with a slight smile.
Rob leaned against the wall of the riding arena crossing his arms over his chest. “We got the cleats installed in both Deuces, we didn’t have enough scrap metal to make a second cattle catcher but that doesn’t matter really, Beast number one can clear them, beast two can run over what’s left. I’d like to have one empty semi trailer and truck to modify. We really need something bigger and better outfitted for the kids.”
Jared shook his head slowly. “No for now the school bus is fine for them to travel in. I just can’t figure out what we could use that’s large enough and safe enough for twenty five orphaned kids. Outside of what we have already.”
They talked for a while longer discussing how best to use the Deuces in the upcoming assault trying to see if there were any tricks they might have missed. No one assumed this job was going to be easy. Jared was trying to consider every angle hoping to keep any one from getting killed. But he knew that it was impossible to hit all the angles, and there were always surprises. And surprise by its very nature was unpredictable.
Finally, he returned to his RV ignoring Logan and Tatiana who were doing the dirty in the forward fold down bed. At least the lights were off, not that he minded one way or another. He entered the master bedroom and stripped down before climbing into bed. He was asleep before he is head hit the pillow.
✽ ✽ ✽
The sun was warm on his bare chest as he stood on the summit looking down over the river valley. Trees swayed in a gentle breeze, and the sunlight sparkled on the river below. Just behind the bend he could see the mist rise above the trees were the calm river entered the rapids. A nasty set of breakers and troughs that he had shot many t
imes.
“Always loved this place Hoss,” a deep voice said behind him, a voice he recognized. He turned slowly to see Brendan Coolidge standing there, wearing only his favorite pair of black cargo pants, the same ones he had died in, and hiking boots. He was just like Jared remembered. They had climbed up here to catch the view, and ended up pulling off their sweat soaked shirts to enjoy the breeze. Brendan had been dead three hours later.
“You’re dead” Jared said.
“And your quick on the uptake like usual” Brendan replied with a lazy grin. His teeth a startling white in contrast to his tanned face.
“This is a dream,” Jared said turning back to the view. Soaking in the beauty to calm himself.
“Again, you’re right on the money.” Brendan said walking to his side. “I wish I could stand here and just take it in like we used to do. Remember, we could just look for hours lost in the view.”
Jared nodded slowly those were the days. “Cant do that now, got things to say. And you have things to do.” Jared looked towards the distant rapids before turning to face Brendan. They had been like brothers back then and even shared some of the same blood, after Jared had been wounded and Brendan had supplied the blood he needed.
But the guilt he still felt after all these years came welling back to the surface. “I’m sorry Bren, I tried, I really did. But I couldn’t save you.” Brendan smiled sadly as he looked into Jared’s eyes as if reading the soul behind them.
“I know, I knew then too. I never blamed you bud, not even at the very end. I saw your hand, but I couldn’t quite reach it. And then I hit the rock. Not a thing you could do without dying yourself. Besides, it kept me from having to deploy to that hell hole again.” He said, and the grin was back.
“Always looking at the bright side,” Jared said laughing despite himself, at least one millstone about his neck had been lifted.
“Always even now. But times short, and as beautiful as that view is and how great it is to see you my brother from another mother, we need to get down to brass tacks. First things have changed, there’s someone gunning for you and those kids, which you know.
What you didn’t know was that you’ve managed by luck to avoid a couple of the traps he set for you and that’s pissed him off. He never expected you to take the route you did. But he has changed his plans and is heading this way. He has inside information you might say. He might not get here before you leave, but he will be hot on your ass like a hooker looking to get paid.” Brendan told him.
“Then I’ll wait for him. Got a score to settle for some one,” Jared said ice in his voice.
“I know you do, but you can’t wait around for him, got to keep moving. But when you do meet up with the prick and his buddies, do it for the right reasons Jared, not for some mystical war or the fate of humanity, or some other high-sounding shit, do it right for yourself.” Brendan said. His smile almost sad then he spoke again “look things are going to get real interesting soon, more players on the board, some good, some bad. Be careful and keep you head on straight. That’s what’s important. And there will come a point where you need to remember, when it seems darkest, the strength of the wolf is the pack and the strength of the pack is the wolf. Remember Kipling”
“That is cryptic as hell,” Jared said laughing.
“I’m dead we are supposed to be cryptic.” Brendan said with a smile.
“Dead and still a smart ass” Jared replied Brendan just smiled and wrapped an arm around Jared’s shoulders.
“Got to say brother you’ve done well and come a long way. She is a good woman and smart. You’ve saved a lot of lives. I’m proud of you and I wish I could be there at your side like old times.” Brendan said as Jared smiled his emotions running away for a moment as tears came to his eyes before he got a handle on it. “Its beautiful down there isn’t it” Brendan said softly. Jared woke to Jill snuggling up against him in the predawn light tears sliding noiselessly down his cheeks.
Chapter 19
“Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieve it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Spring had finally arrived and with it came the storms that old timers would have said were worse than any they remembered in these mountains. Towering black and sullen gray clouds that swept across the mountains at a moments notice bringing lashing, blinding rain and high winds.
Dark clouds piled up on the horizon, slithering across ridges and down into valleys as if to cut off any retreat from its embrace. Jared stood outside, watching a wall of rain sweep towards the camp on legs of lightening. Under the icy lash of wind that swept down the mountain trees rippled like waves rolling to shore.
Jared stood on the porch of the cabin they were using as a chow hall, feeling the steadily rising wind, remembering a time when he had enjoyed storms. Now a storm offered a chance for the undead to catch up to a man without his knowing it. He frowned slightly as he considered that then realized it was a two-way street.
A door, caught by the wind slammed closed behind him. Looking over his shoulder he saw Ori, wearing a military issue poncho walking towards him.
“So, I take it the raid is called off for today.” Ori said watching the storm approach.
“No, it might actually help us out” Jared replied thoughtfully.
“Exactly how would it help us out” Ori asked, as he pulled out a pocket knife. Flipping the blade open he began to clean under his fingernails. Glancing up and at the sky as thunder rumbled.
“Zombies seem to only use sight and sound to locate us. The storm should mask both. I think we can hit the RV Lot first like we planned, take what we need, and get it back here by noon no later than two. Might even be able to take longer if this storm holds.” Jared replied, not mentioning he was considering hitting the distribution center as well, hoping the storm would even their odds.
“Makes sense, but it would kill our ability to see them and smell them to.” Ori pointed out.
“it will,” Jared admitted. “but this storm is an advantage we can not waste.”
Using his knife blade Ori pointed towards the RV camp where three very naked six year olds were fleeing at top speed from Beth, who chased along behind them carrying towels and Lye soap.
“Bath time is not popular.” Ori said, as the kids ran across the airstrip straight into the arms of Steve and Jason who were laughing heavily and snatched them off the ground. Little feet pumping air for a moment then stilled as the kids realized they were trapped.
Jared watched silently as Steve passed one of the kids to Beth and the three of them carried the squirming children away to be bathed. “aren’t those the same three that made an escape last night” Jared asked a slight grin flashing across his face.
“Yeah, she warned them they were going to get a bath first thing in the morning.” Ori said smiling.
“You really love her and those kids don’t you” Jared asked, completely out of the blue taking Ori by surprise.
“hell yes, best thing that ever happened to me” Ori replied, then glanced at Jared who looked thoughtful but didn’t reply.
“Your wanting kids, aren’t you?” Ori asked, thinking he had figured out Jared’s thoughts.
“not now, maybe not ever.” Jared answered. He almost said not after Billy, but he didn’t go there it was still too painful for him to discuss. “but got to say Jill would look great pregnant.”
“as Innocent as I am, I still don’t understand how I ended up with low life pervs as Friends” Ori said with a smile. He folded the knife closed and placed it back in his pocket. The storm was closer now, and would probably sweep over the camp in the next twenty minutes Ori noted.
“You’re just lucky. Besides who was it that dated nothing but strippers and brain dead b
imbos before the zombies showed up.” Jared asked.
“I was led astray by my friends, and couldn’t see the low caliber of women I was dating.” Ori said archly, and then grinned. Jared grinned back shaking off whatever mood he had been in.
“Well its almost time, lets get geared up” Jared said as he headed for his RV. Ori stood there watching his friend walk away sure that something important was on Jareds mind but he couldn’t figure out what it might be.
The storm rolled over Hendersonville as they hit the highway. Rain pounded on the canvas covering of the cargo bed of the Deuce and half where Team one sat.
Jared felt odd, uncomfortable really at not being behind the wheel, and not being able to see what was coming up. Not that Jeff who was driving Beast one could see much himself.
The two Deuces and the Package truck they had scrounged from a Delivery service wove thru the streets, occasionally running down the undead that appeared out of the rain. Traffic lights swung wildly at the intersections, causing the drivers to wince in anticipation of falling lights as they drove under them.
