by Joe Kelly
“You let them do what they thought was right” Jared said. “some of them might even still be alive out there.”
Lloyd wasn’t buying it. “Maybe, maybe not,” Lloyd said. Then shrugged there was no point in discussing it, what had happened, was in the past and there was no changing it now. “To be honest it wasn’t that bad here. especially after hearing your story and what John Graham told us about what happened down in Cherokee. Here it started with Alerts on the radio, and a call from the office. Roger, you remember Roger, right?” Lloyd told him
Jared nodded remembering the zombie that had once been Roger. “After that call he headed on over towards Gatlinburg and calls back and tells me that its true, people that die are getting back up and killing people. and that any one bitten by one of them turns into one. Last thing he told me was he couldn’t send the ambulance down here, for our heart attack victim because the paramedics had been bitten.” Lloyd paused and took a deep breath. “that’s when it got bad here. I got off the phone and went outside to do what I could to keep people calm and get the word out, just in time to see the heart attack victim, lord forgive me I don’t even remember his damn name, die. His daughter was crying and hugging his body.
I saw him twitch a few times, like someone had stuck him with an electric line. Then those dead, cloudy eyes opened,” He shuddered at the memory then continued. “He ripped his own daughters throat out. I have to say Jared I just stood there shocked for a moment as he gnawed on her, blood spraying and then he just stopped and tried to get up. She had died by then and that’s when I saw her body start twitching.
People were screaming and running for their cars.” Lloyd said looking miserable at the memory. “Some poor old lady got run over and then she got up, but I didn’t know about that at the time. I was just standing there watching the impossible happen as two dead people got up off the ground and started towards me and Rachel here.
I shot the guy three times, before I thought about shooting him in the head and down he went. Did his daughter next then had to reload. By then, the old lady had killed five people out there. Luckily, Jim had his old Henry rifle handy the one he used for demonstrations. He put her and the other five down.” Lloyd paused pain flickered in his eyes. “we had maybe two hundred people here to see the farm when it happened. Ten more had been bitten, but Jim and I got them into the visitor center and as each one died we put them down as soon as they started jerking. Shitty way to go too” he was quiet for a minute than said.
“Most of our volunteers stayed after listening to the news on the radio. They had planned on going home once things were under control but that never happened. Sixty-one of the people still left alive, stayed here too. A few tourists even showed up after, they had been driving the parkway or exploring the park and were to terrified to go home.
So, we got the crops harvested, and started moving vehicles out of the parking lot, cleared trees to build cabins for the new folks, improved the fence, and made due as best we could.”
Lloyd glanced at Rachael who appeared calm, maybe the coffee was working its almost forgotten magic, he thought then shrugged it was time to move on to other things instead of dwelling on the day the world died.
“Let’s get down to brass tacks as they used to say” Lloyd said as he toyed with his coffee cup.
Jared took a drink of coffee and something like bliss filled his eyes, “Damn that’s good.” He said. “First we don’t have to stay so this won’t kill a chance to work together for a short period and I know that your people are or will be worried about supporting us if we do stay. You don’t have to, we have plenty of supplies we can share with you and I can give you a map that shows where there are more supplies just waiting to be picked up.”
“What exactly do you have to offer,” Lloyd asked.
“Coffee for starters” Jill said as Jared leaned back in his chair propping his feet up on the fireplace hearth enjoying the warmth, more than willing to let her wage war on this front. She brushed a loose lock of hair back behind her ear and gave Lloyd a dazzling smile. “I think I saw some pigs out there so…”
✽ ✽ ✽
“…you should have seen him squirm when she got around to haggling over chickens” Steve said as the others around the table in the RV laughed. “she wrangled a damn good deal and I don’t think he still realizes what truck ran him over.”
“I wished I could have seen it” Chris said once he had stopped laughing. “Where did you learn to haggle.” He asked Jill who looked sensuously comfortable leaning against Jared’s side, his arm around her shoulders.
“My grandmother,” Jill said with smiling at some memory. “My dad never stood a chance when I wanted something.”
“well tomorrow, we get work setting up the visitor center for our stay.” Jared said.
Steve leaned forward, “I have to ask Jared, why stop here, we could reach the coast in another month maybe a month and a half.”
“you want to say no to pork chops and fried chicken,” Jared said his mouth watering at the idea. “Honestly, it will give us time to go over every vehicle, repair and replace whatever needs it, and they have a doctor, who is willing to pass on knowledge and that will take some time to learn if it’s going to be of any use. And more importantly did I mention fried chicken.” He said smiling at the last. Ori snorted in amusement. Oh god he is about to tell a joke, Jared thought. cut him off before he can get started. “So, let’s eat some dinner, then get some shut eye. I want to be up by 0500hrs, so we can get breakfast then get started early.”
“0500hrs, you’re a sadist” Chris muttered. “do you have any idea how cold it will be at 0500hrs.”
“no and neither do you, so suck it up pretty boy. Besides it’s got to be warmer than Korea.” Jared said grinning at his friend. Thankfully Ori let the joke drop unspoken, another catastrophe averted.
✽ ✽ ✽
It stirred in the darkness, rousing itself as it felt something impinge on its thoughts. It was older than humanity, older than time itself. Darkness rippled sinuously as it stretched itself out, senses questing for what had drawn its attention. It swept across the world, where its shadow fell the living felt a vague undefined fear and nightmares for those who slept.
There it thought, drawing closer to the source. A glow, pale and golden in the mountains of a place called Tennessee. it was the glow, Aura as some humans called it of Hope, love and something else, something of the light that had drawn its attention. It probed gently unsure, and not willing to rouse the light against it at least not yet. it still did not recognize that elusive touch of light that clung to the group of humans led by the one who had escaped it two other times, the one who protected the children.
If it had lips, it would have smiled as it sensed its favorite servant close by and the human tool it had recruited. Come, it said into the ether, the dead for a hundred miles responded. Heads turned, dead cloudy eyes fixed on the mountains and as one they began to stream towards the farm on the edge of the Smoky mountains. Soon the blood would flow.
✽ ✽ ✽
“you know I have to ask. Why haven’t you folks used this place” Jared asked Lloyd as they walked over to where Steve and Ori were setting up the large generator to help power the visitor center. They had already installed some of the solar panels they had recovered. “Let’s face it, Geothermal systems to heat the water, rain catchment system that provides water for the toilets and showers and a whole lot of other green systems that keep this place running.”
“Safety, for one” Lloyd said. “it’s outside the fence, we didn’t want to post people on guard out in the open, so every time we used the place we had to send extra people to sweep the interior then stand guard while people did their business. And with no power, we had to use extra candles and oil to light it.
We set up some outhouses and we rigged up some showers down by the barn. It’s a little more labor intensive than turning a handle, and it’s not as nice. But it works and makes security easier.”
“and now that winters set in?” Jared asked. I bet half the people here were upset at the idea of using outhouses but more scared about the undead outside the fence catching them on a working toilet.
“We heat water in the fire places, then bathe in large tubs right in front of the fireplace, no privacy but a lot safer than running over to the visitor center or showering outside, and a whole lot warmer.” Lloyd said. “needless to say, we have all gotten to know each other far better than we would have before all this.”
Jared chuckled softly, “we’ve had to deal with that too. Living in Rv’s and traveling around like nomads has pretty much killed any thoughts of privacy.”
Lloyd chuckled with him. “Rachael says it helped her decide to date me, she got to see the whole package and once she as sure I didn’t squeeze the toothpaste, or put the toilet paper on the wrong way she picked me, though I’m not sure dating is the right word. Another thing we have to rethink.”
They laughed for a moment then grew serious once more. “how many of the undead showed up here before winter?” Jared asked.
“not many, I send out patrols, especially on the trails. We occasionally find some that fell in holes, or with broken legs from a fall, even found a few trapped in tree falls, but never to many. I’d guess that they have trouble with rough terrain and as long as they don’t hear or see us they have no reason to come looking.” He said, “The largest group I remember was about thirty that came down from the Gap and that was early on.”
“I wouldn’t count on rough terrain” Jared said then told him about the mob that had hit the camp on Halloween. He didn’t mention the fact that he had somehow known the dead were coming and when they would be there, he didn’t want to believe it himself.
“we don’t?” Lloyd said, “we lost a few folks in the beginning because we thought we were fairly safe.” He said quietly. “good men too. Not a mistake I’m going to make again.” He gazed at Jared for a moment seeing the same loss and self-recrimination in those Emerald Green eyes from his own losses just as Lloyd did. “Anyway, from what you’ve said we have it great here compared to anywhere else and If you can do what you said then this place will be even safer.”
“well let’s go over and you can show me the trail heads, I might have a few ideas that would make it a little safer.” Jared said. Lloyd nodded and gathered a few others to go with them, there was security in numbers.
As they walked across the farm, Billy who had been over by the chicken coop came running to join them. A large stick in his hands. “Mister Jared, they have chickens like my granny’s,” Billy said breathlessly as he slowed to match Jared’s pace.
“Billy, you need to stay with the other kids.” Jared said as the whole group came to a stop. “you can tell me all about the chickens and your Granny when I get back.”
Billy, crestfallen, clutched the dog tags he wore and silently pleaded with Jared to be allowed to go with him. that kid has him wrapped around his finger, Lloyd thought half amused, though none of his amusement touched his face. He felt sorry for those kids, but from what little he had seen of the kids from Jared’s group, and what he had seen with kids here at the farm. The Kids were coping a lot better than many adults.
“when I get back, we will do something together. But I need you to stay back here where its safe.” Safer, Jared silently amended.
“I got him Jared” Kyle said jogging up. “Beth asked me to help keep an eye on the kids.” Kyle jogging was more like watching a slow-motion avalanche, Jared thought. “I want to go with you|” Billy protested as Kyle took his arm.
“when I get back” Jared said sternly. Billy started to protest then stopped rock still, his mouth opened slightly exposing even white teeth, and the life flowed out of his eyes. Then suddenly he was himself again, he nodded slowly “K, I’ll go gather eggs.” He said obviously not happy.
Kyle scooped Billy up and sat him on his shoulders then headed back to the gaggle of kids at the chicken coop.
“Now that was weird” Lloyd said once Billy was out of ear shot.
“nothing wrong with him” Jared said a bit more defensively than he intended.
“Didn’t say there was, what I meant was four kids here do the same thing, Its like…”
“they aren’t really here, when it happens” Jared finished for him. “what ever it is, it happens to Billy a lot more often than the other kids.” Jared said, casting a worried look at Billy.
“this just gets weirder by the week.” Lloyd said.
“doesn’t it though” Jared replied thinking about the dreams and hunches. I might actually want to sit down and talk with Lloyd about that.
Chapter 6
A week passed with something like normalcy setting in, the two groups were getting along better than expected and working together getting the place set for real winter. The temperature plummeted once more, and fat flakes of snow began to fall from the sky.
The Center, as it was being called, had been made as cozy and safe as possible against the undead, who had been absent for long enough that Jared’s group was beginning to relax. Jared had claimed the largest office as a bedroom, taking shameless advantage of being the leader so he and Jill could have some privacy. Though Billy tended to interrupt at every inconvenient moment possible. Jared half suspected the kid timed his interruptions for maximum effect. Jill didn’t seem to mind, so he was willing to give the kid some slack.
“Mr. Jared can we go sledding, Mr. Lloyd said they had sled and there might even be reindeer.” Billy shouted as he raced up to Jared who stood on the covered porch of Lloyds cabin, watching the snow fall.
“reindeer.” Jared asked cocking an eyebrow in question.
“well maybe he said deer” Billy admitted then grinned. The kid had a way of lifting Jared’s spirits and he had even thought about taking the boy in as his own. He hadn’t discussed it with Jill yet and had not mentioned it to Billy either.
“Its fine, Jared I did ask him, and five adults will be with them.” Lloyd said as he caught up with Billy. He stepped up onto the porch wiping the snow off his boots on a rough mat they had found. While he didn’t mind snow, he had no desire to get soaking wet with the temperature as low as it was.
“Okay, But be carefully kiddo” Jared said with a smile. Billy whooped and raced back to the other kids, trailed by Suzy who was wearing enough winter clothing to look like the stay puff Marsh mellow man, she couldn’t even lower her arms and her best speed was more waddling rapidly than running. God help her if she fell down he thought with a laugh she would have to be helped back to her feet. “and don’t be gone real long, Thanksgiving dinner is going to be ready in three hours or so” Jared called after the kids.
“when you suggested having a thanksgiving dinner, I thought you were nuts.” Lloyd said as he dropped into a seat. “but my people are so damned excited at the idea they have been working for two days to get things ready for the party. Honestly, I thought they wouldn’t have cared. Considering---” he waved a hand at the horizon.
“they need a break; my people need a break and in a way, it’s like spitting in the universes face and saying screw the dead and kiss my ass for just one damn day” Jared stated. “one thing I learned in the Army is people need a break from the constant stress, sometimes it’s hard to get that break, but when you can grab a moment take it.”
Lloyd took a deep breath and smiled at the smell of roasting meat that filled the air, two of the turkeys that Jared had kept stashed in a freezer had been pulled out and added to the menu. Jared smiled as he watched the children running around the farmyard screaming happily. He really hoped that no zombies showed up today.
“Be right back” Lloyd said as he rose and headed inside. Jared turned back to watch the slow silent snow fall. He could almost forget that the undead were out there.
They deserved this break by god, he knew he did. He looked up and saw Sharon, who was now starting to show, leave the main farmhouse carrying a covered tray heading for the
visitor center. He smiled to himself, picturing Mark nervously following Sharon around trying to make sure she was okay. Don’t worry Mark I will do what I can to keep her safe, he silently vowed. He hoped he could keep that promise but there were no guarantees in the new world. I just wish that he and Deacon had lived to be here, and Mark would have loved this place.
He was starting to get used to the old-fashioned clothing mixed with new. He grinned as he remembered the excitement as Jill and the other women from his group, produced pants, blouses and Tampons, for the farms women and then broke open the stores of makeup. Most of them had been over joyed to get out of the bustles, and bodices that had become a part of their lives and into T-shirts and pants again.
Over the last week Lloyd had shared with Jared the plans he had for producing things the farm would need like toilet paper, but to get started he needed to get the turbine in the old mill up on the mountain running before he could even start on the basic stuff.
