by Matt Ryan
Samantha rushed to her window and looked down to find a small group of men dressed in black, moving across the parking lot with a large armored vehicle as cover. Each of the men carried a rifle and marched toward the front doors. She looked for markings on their clothes but there weren’t any. If it wasn’t the police or the military, who could be attacking them?
Zach pushed a button on the wall and spoke into a speaker. “Land us behind them.”
“Yes, sir.”
He took on the dangerous vibe Samantha had seen before. She split her attention to the men rushing for the front door of their headquarters and Zach’s fiery looks. He noticed her staring.
“Don’t worry, this helicopter is bullet resistant.”
Her heart pounded in her chest. “Resistant?”
“There’s only a dozen of them. I won’t let them hurt you or anyone else.” He kept his eyes on his targets as they descended. “Stay in the copter, okay?”
“Yeah.” She had no intention of getting into a shoot-out with those thugs. Zach knew there would be people willing to kill for what they had and he’d set up many security measures to deal with them over the last few weeks. It didn’t make her afraid of the situation any less though. She winced when the helicopter touched the ground.
Zach tossed his jacket to the floor and stuffed his large tie clip on his belt before tossing his tie to the floor. He lifted the bench seat, revealing a cache of weapons. He glanced at her and raised an eyebrow. A dozen men were trying to take down ZRB and Zach looked amused. He pulled out a couple handguns and a machine gun from the compartment. With the guns around him, he opened the door. Dust and bits of grass stirred up as he jumped out and slammed the door behind him.
Samantha pressed her face against the glass, watching as he ran to the parking lot full of armed men. It was either nuts or guts. Maybe a bit of both. The armed men watched Zach’s approach. It wasn’t as if he was trying to be stealthy . . . landing in a helicopter and all.
The men fired at him, bullets shattering the windows of the car he now stood behind. Samantha put a hand on the window and called his name, thinking Zach had been shot. He never even ducked behind the car for protection. Raising his gun, he then fired into the group advancing. They fell with each of his shots. She gasped at the brutality. Zach had just killed half a dozen men before the remaining few dropped for cover next to their armored vehicle.
She drew in a breath as the sounds of bullets ceased. At any second, one of those men could get a shot off on him. If Samantha had known he was going to be so reckless, she’d have forced him to stay in the helicopter and let the building security team deal with it. Who did he think he was, Rambo?
Zach moved forward, weaving in and around cars, flanking their position. He fired his handgun periodically, pinning them down. She squinted as he moved too far away from her to see clearly. She heard more gunshots and saw Zach standing on a car, firing down.
Samantha covered her mouth, terrified and thrilled at the same time. She’d seen Joey kill for her. She’d also seen Lucas kill those foul grinner things many times, even Poly had killed a fair share of them. But she’d never seen such efficiency, such fearlessness in any person. Where had he learned all this? The man knew everything, had everything.
He even has eyes for me. She put a hand on her chest and felt her heart pounding against her flesh. Her stomach felt warm and for some reason, she flushed—feeling stupid and excited at the same time.
Zach climbed onto the hood of the moving armored vehicle and shot into the windshield. It was so brutal, so exciting. His machine gun showered bullets into the protected windshield as it drove forward and crashed into another car. Zach fell backward onto the hood of the car it crashed into. He jumped to his feet like a lion and pointed his gun at various targets around the vehicle. He lowered the gun and then faced the building, motioning for people to come out. Giving a thumbs up, it must have been over already.
Many faces appeared in the windows of the building. Had they all been watching? He jumped off the car and made his way toward the helicopter. Samantha didn’t blink, watching him cross the grass, strutting toward her. In the midst of the fire fight, his shirt had ripped open and she gawked at his chiseled body. She’d felt his fit form in a few lingering hugs, but it was better than she’d fantasized about. She wanted him, all of him.
Pushing open the door, she hopped out and jogged to Zach, keeping a hand on her swirling hair. Her heels stuck into the grass and she stepped out of them, not wanting anything to impede her progress. His smile took her in and she didn’t need any words. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him.
Initially, the force of her body knocked him back, and then he firmed up like a piece of marble, holding her steady. His lips moved on hers and she felt his experience take over, kissing her deep and passionate. She felt weak as his hands moved down her back and his tongue parted her lips. The entire building had to be looking on from the windows.
They pulled away for a breath and Zach gazed into her eyes. “Took you long enough.”
Samantha leaned her head back and laughed. She couldn’t believe it was possible to find another man who made her feel the way Joey had. Best of all, it wasn’t with some wishy-washy child of a man. He was a real man, who wanted her and no one else.
JOEY AWOKE WITH A STIFF neck. Rubbing his eyes, he yawned. The car clock read 1:32am. Turning to look at the backseat, he found Julie and Lucas sleeping, leaning on one another. Facing forward, his eyes met Poly’s and she gave him a quick smile before turning her eyes back on the road. He loved waking up next to her and if she wasn’t driving a car, he’d lean over and give her a few diversions. For now, he settled on grabbing her hand and resting them on the center console.
Taking advantage of her distraction, Joey let his eyes travel down her body at a leisurely pace. She wore a tight pink sweater that was formed to her figure, giving him a better view than what was outside the car. And for those few seconds, he didn’t think about the Cough.
At least in the dark night he couldn’t see the abandoned cars on the road, the closed up businesses, and worst of all, the walking Coughers. They staggered down the road, terrifying anyone nearby, like dark-aged lepers. It sickened him to see his world turning into a Ryjack. He’d do everything in his power to stop Marcus from killing off Earth. He’d also kill Marcus for taking Samantha once again.
Poly turned her head and smiled, but it didn’t meet her eyes as she gripped the steering wheel and took quick glances out her window. “What does this place remind you of?” The headlights shone on a family walking down the road. One of the children raised a hand as if trying to answer a question in class. Poly glanced at the kid but didn’t slow down.
“You think this is what Ryjack was like at the start?” Joey asked.
“If these people turn into grinners, I’m running them all over.” She smiled and this time it felt genuine.
“There are worse things than grinners.”
“Yeah,” Poly said. “You actually think this Zach Baker guy is Marcus? I mean, how could Samantha be fooled?”
“I don’t know, Julie seems confident, but Travis wasn’t quite sold on the idea.”
“I’m scared of what we’re getting into.”
“The great and mighty Poly is scared? Say it ain’t so,” Joey teased.
She rolled her eyes and glared at him with some humor in her expression. “I’m scared for different reasons than you think.” She rubbed her thumb over the back of his hand. “You remember on the roof, right before Max took you?”
That moment on the roof was one of the best and worst times of his life. “Not something I could ever forget. Did I ever tell you I slowed time just to spend a little longer with you?”
She felt her cheek and shook her head. “You didn’t have to, I already knew. Did you know that was when . . .?”
“What?”
“That was when I knew I could never live without you,” she rushed the words out. “In less ti
me than it took to blink my eyes, your lips touched my cheek and my world was forever changed.” She faced him for longer than might have been safe, tears welling in her eyes. “I can’t lose you again, Joey. I will die.”
His heart fell and he rubbed the back of her neck, leaning across to kiss her on the cheek. “I won’t let them take me or anyone else again. I promise.” Even as he said it, he pictured Samantha. They had her.
“We’re getting low on gas. There’s a station up here.” Her voice seemed shaky and he wanted nothing more than to show her how much she meant to him.
The gas station was selling gas for the reasonable price of twenty dollars a gallon, with a large handwritten sign that said Cash Only.
Joey waited for the car to come to a complete stop, then jumped over the center console to straddle Poly. She welcomed him, sliding her hands under his shirt, scratching light circles up and down his back. He tangled his hands into her hair and pulled her into a deep kiss. Adjusting his position, he angled his body so that her chest rubbed against his. Pulling the collar of her sweater to the side, he dipped his head down and ran his tongue along her collarbone.
She moaned and grabbed the back of his head. Joey pulled more of her sweater down and adjusted it to give himself better access, when his butt bumped the horn. Freezing, he looked up to a smiling Lucas.
“Please, by all means proceed. I love waking up to a live porno.”
Poly yanked her sweater up and Joey retreated back to his side of the car. He took a deep breath and looked at the store. Clearing his throat, he wiped his mouth. “How much money we got left?”
“About five hundred,” Poly said, looking into her small purse.
“Give me a couple hundred.”
Poly handed him a stack of twenties. “I’m coming in.”
“No, just get,” Joey looked out the window at the pump number, “pump seven going. I don’t want to spend any more time here than needed.” He left the car and crossed the parking lot.
A few cars were parked at the pumps, but he didn’t see anyone in them. In the darkness next to the station, he spotted a few more vehicles. They were all crooked, like someone skidded out as they parked. Or maybe they were shoved there, three deep.
Through the glass windows, Joey spotted a man standing behind the counter. He pushed open the glass door and a bell dinged. The man behind the counter looked sweaty and gave Joey a wave with a smile.
“Hey, just looking to get a couple hundred on seven,” Joey said as he approached the counter. The entire place had been cleaned out, every shelf and every fridge. It sent chills down his back, thinking how similar it felt to the little mart Ferrell ran.
The man behind the counter wore a large green jacket with dark stains scattered on his undershirt. He rubbed his hand over his greasy hair and gave a nervous nod. Joey didn’t feel right, something was missing from this puzzle. Where was everyone?
Joey placed the stack of twenties on the counter, freezing for a split second in shock. He didn’t think the man caught his reaction so he kept his body language as casual as he could; trying not to look at the dead man who lay in his own pool of blood behind the counter.
“Got any supplies?” The man blurted out.
“Nah, we barely made it here.”
The man twitched and glanced out at the car. His eyes lingered on Poly standing next to the pump. “Pump seven?”
“Yeah.”
The man took the money and stuffed it in his pocket. “I’ll kick it on for ya.” He kept his eyes on Poly as he spoke. The man kept one of his hands under the counter the entire time.
Joey took a step back, keeping his attention on the man and his hidden hand. He felt the two guns under his jacket with his arms. His hands were shaky, but still fast if needed. He didn’t want to kill the man though. He didn’t want to ever kill another person.
Joey stepped back again and opened his jacket up, revealing his guns. The man began taking his hand out from under the counter and turned his attention back to him. “Listen, I just want to leave with my friends,” Joey said.
The words stopped the man’s hand from moving. “I can’t let you do that.”
“You don’t have a choice.” Joey slowed his breathing and felt the situation escalating. He readied himself to do something he’d promised he’d never do again. “Don’t do this, you won’t win.”
“Please. Like some little piss-ant punk...”
Joey spotted the movement he was hoping wouldn’t happen. In a split second, the quiet gas station at the end of the world ignited in a crack of a gun. The man fell, disappearing behind the counter. With two dead, Joey breathed out and looked at the end of his gun, questioning what he’d done. There had to have been a better way. Anger flooded him at how stupid the man was for making him do that. Why did he have to pull a gun on him?
A crashing noise from the back of the store sounded and a door busted open, revealing a man struggling to get his pants on. He dripped in sweat and had a stupid smile on his face as he wiped his hands with a wet cloth. “You get another? I’m finished with the last one.” The man’s smile ended once his gaze landed on the end of a gun. He dropped the bloody cloth.
Joey felt rage explode as he thought of the putrid words spewing from the fat, disgusting man’s mouth. What was he finished with back there with his pants off? Joey’s mouth twitched and his hand shook. He tapped his finger on the trigger. The man wasn’t armed, but how could he leave such a person alive?
“Please, kid. Don’t kill me.” The fat man fell to his knees, pants around his thighs, his white briefs clinging to his frame.
“What’d you do back there?”
The man’s face went white and he jerked his attention from the open door to Joey. A new fear spread over his face. “I didn’t do nothin’. It was Nate! He forced ‘em back there. I just wanted to keep ‘em safe.”
The door dinged and Joey pulled his second gun out while keeping the first one trained on the fat man. Poly had a handful of knives as she scanned the room.
“I think it’s just him,” Joey said. “Don’t you dare look at her!” He yelled as the fat man turned his attention to Poly.
“I wasn’t looking, kid.” The man slumped and looked at the white linoleum floor.
“What’s going on?” Poly whispered.
“The guy behind the counter pulled a gun on me.”
The fat man’s face perked up and looked at Joey’s chest. “Nate ain’t got no gun. That guy behind the counter was dead when we got here. Someone shot him.”
“Keep an eye on him.” Joey walked to the counter and leaned over it, looking at the man he shot. He held a bottle of Jack Daniels in his dead right hand, some of the liquid had spilled out next to him.
He staggered back from the counter. That had been the familiar smell. Same stuff Trip drank. He felt like he was going to pass out. He’d done it again—killed a defenseless person. Unitas’s laugh echoed in his head . . . he’d killed her as well, cold and heartless. The greasy man behind the counter was reaching for a drink, the sweats and weird way about him was because he was drunk. He had spent a year convincing himself he wasn’t a monster, he convinced himself that he was worthy of someone like Poly. He wasn’t righteous, he was stupid and reckless.
“You okay?” Poly asked.
“I shot him.” He felt the blood draining from his face and he struggled to keep his hands on his guns.
“You ain’t got to shoot another, kid. I’ll go on and be out of here in two seconds, if that’s what you want.”
The words seemed distant as Joey struggled to walk toward the man. He needed to see what was hidden by the door, in the darkness behind. With each staggering step the fat man became more frantic in his motions, switching between Joey and the door.
“You don’t need to look back there, kid. You don’t want to do that,” the man pleaded. He sucked in snot and held his hands together like in prayer. “Just get in that car and move on. You don’t need to see what Nate did.”
Joey did. He had to see it. He needed a justification for what he did or he’d never be able to move on from it. “Move away,” he said with force.
The fat man scuttled back on his knees, belt buckle dragging on the ground. “I’ve got a few supplies in my car, you’re welcome to whatever. Please, I don’t want to die,” the man’s blubbering face squealed and it made Joey sick.
He stepped into the dark doorway, the back room, probably used as a storage room before the Cough. His hand slid on the wall and flipped the switch up, turning the light onto an utter nightmare.
His mouth opened in horror as his eyes popped. A woman’s naked body, half covered in discarded clothes, lay on the floor. Another young girl’s carcass lay nearby. Several more women of various ages were scattered around the room, without clothes, without dignity, and without a breath left in their battered and bloodied bodies.
There were a few more horrendous things within sight, but he refused to allow them to enter his conscious mind. Joey stumbled back from the doorway. His feet shifted in shock and he fell to his back on the white flooring. The fat man saw an opportunity and lunged for him.
Paralyzed from what he’d seen, Joey only had time to brace himself for the impact of the large man’s body. Then he heard a thump. The man squealed out one last breath before collapsing on top of Joey’s legs, a knife stuck into the side of his head.
He pushed the body off and scurried backward on his hands and heels. Sufficiently far away from the room and the fat man, he stopped. Still sitting on his butt, he pulled his knees up and buried his face into them.
Poly’s hand rubbed his back.
The doorbell dinged. “What the hell?”
Joey didn’t need to look up to recognize Lucas’s voice.
“What was in the room?” Poly asked gently.
New fear washed over him and he sprung to his feet and ran to the door. He glimpsed the woman’s dead foot and slammed the door closed. None of his friends needed to see what was in there. He no longer felt bad about shooting Nate. Now, he just wanted to shock his body back to life so he could kill him again. These nasty men needed to suffer for what they’d done. Joey paced in front of the door, feeling as if he might explode with anger.
