There was a hunting supply section in the warehouse, but Kozz knew that all of the weapons would be magnetically locked, and without knowing the proper codes to unlock the weapons it would take him a long time to make use of them. The darkness made it difficult for him to know where he was going, but he opted to find the sporting goods section.
Locating the correct area of the store was easier than expected. Kozz knew he found the sporting section when he stumbled over the various sport balls that were scattered up and down one of the aisles. Most of the expensive equipment was locked, but on the next aisle Kozz found a sledgeaxe like the kind he and other H2O farmers used to chop away at large blocks of ice. It was encased in a plastic mold that prevented it from being used until after purchase, but Kozz slammed the blunt edge of the sledgeaxe into the concrete floor and shattered the molding. The noise it made was loud, but the nearby gunfire echoing against the walls drowned it out. This bitch is heavy, but those damn demons won't see me coming.
A pair of floating eyes appeared around a shelf of goods. Maybe smashing the sledgeaxe on the floor like a mallet on a gong wasn’t the brightest idea, thought Kozz, but it doesn't look like those damn demons see well in the dark either. The pair of floating eyes moved slowly, turning back and forth to examine the area and squinting to focus better in the darkness. Kozz heard the infected person step on a piece of the broken plastic molding. As the infected eyes looked down to see what it was, Kozz lifted the sledgeaxe behind his back and raised it above his head, aiming for the black emptiness right behind the creature’s eyes. The sledgeaxe fell and Kozz forced it down with all his strength, his hand sliding down the wooden handle as the metal raced towards the floor. He felt no resistance until the axe bounced up off the concrete floor. The eyes beamed as the creature’s head rolled down the aisle. A small voice gurgled as if trying to scream and then the eyes went dark forever.
Kozz stepped away from his kill, feeling liquid pool around his feet as he stepped. He hoped that none of the other demons saw the light show that had rolled across the floor, but part of him did not care if they did. Kozz's blood was pumping, and it felt good. The demon's dead head rolled to a stop as it hit an end-cap display of fine cigars. Kozz pocketed a box in his bag for safe keeping.
Outside, Daryll ran back into the alley he had been taking cover in earlier. He went to the rear of the building and leaned against the saloon wall, letting his body sink down into a sitting position. Of all the people he was trying to lead to safety, he could not even protect the person he had taken under his wing. Daryll shook off his sorrow and got to his feet. Freddy was foolish anyway, thought Daryll. He knew well enough that his wife was gone. That monster she had become tricked him and killed him. There were no worries of bringing people back from their infected state until Kozz and his friends showed up. Now everyone thinks they can save their lost loved ones. Well there was no saving Freddy's wife Emelia, there was no saving my father, and no saving anyone else. We've got to save ourselves. I've got to help everyone else in this camp before they lose their lives like poor Freddy.
Daryll moved to the entrance of the alley and tried to find a good position to launch an offensive attack, but the stream of opposing laser fire did not give him much to work with. He decided to search for somewhere else to attack from and backed down the alley again, finding the rear entrance to the saloon. The door was locked, so he punched through one of the small diamond-shaped windows next to the handle and unlocked it from the inside. On the coat rack he found an old, dusty cowboy hat. He grabbed it and tried it on. It was a perfect fit.
Luciele held her position in the other alley and continued to snipe off the infected one at a time while Richard provided cover fire. Luciele was not a very fast shot, but she had precision. Richard had taken down one of the infected and so had Daryll, and with Luciele's three that meant they had eliminated about a quarter of their attackers. She had not seen the men inside the saloon hit anything and rarely saw them so much as fire back. Luciele wondered where Kozz had been this entire time, but she trusted that he was in the least amount of danger of them all and probably had a plan in mind.
Kozz crept down the aisles and was a little disheartened to find that none of the other demons were alarmed by the bright lights of their fallen comrade. He was looking for trouble and marched up the grated staircase that led to the catwalk where a couple of the demons were using the upper walkways to shoot from the second-story windows. Kozz pulled himself up the railing with one hand and held the sledgeaxe low to the ground with his other. Stealth came naturally after living a life such as his, but the darkness and noise made the effort unnecessary.
Kozz slithered up to a hefty man whose head was hanging out a window as he fired down at the street below. Kozz lifted the heavy hunk of metal and swung it sidearm, slamming the blade with all of its momentum into the man's back, splitting his spine in two. The man's body spasmed and launched itself out of the window with the sledgeaxe still in its back. Damn, thought Kozz, I was just starting to have fun with that. Another pair of glowing eyes on the catwalk surprised Kozz and ran towards him, but Red slid out as soon as Kozz lost his axe and she fired a canon blast that shook the walls of the warehouse.
KABLAM!
The flash of explosive gunpowder lit up the building like a firework. At a window further down the catwalk the woman firing the automatic rifle turned towards Kozz and pulled her weapon away from the window. Red swung over to the infected woman, but before Kozz could pull the trigger he heard the distinct BAM! of Luciele's rifle and saw the woman's head explode like a water balloon full of bloody chunks.
Through the window Kozz witnessed a scene straight out of one of Caleb's stories. The swinging saloon doors burst open and several men hustled out, all armed with rifles and pistols that blasted away at the infected varmints across the way. Last of all to emerge from the bullet-laden saloon was Daryll in his ten-gallon hat, shiny boots, and bold GAUCHO belt buckle. The men took cover using the columns on the deck of the saloon. The columns blistered away as fire rained down upon them, but the men launched an offensive and ravaged the enemy's defenses. Daryll dropped to a knee just outside the swinging doors and fired his rifle at the enemy lines. Luciele and Richard held their position and continued to fire, enlivened by the sudden support.
Kozz saw several of the demons run back inside of the warehouse for cover at the sudden onslaught. He fired through the steel grating he was standing on, the bullets bursting through the metal frame and ripping through the bodies of the demons below. Blood spilled in pools, and soon the street once again was silent. When all the shooting had finally ceased, Kozz exited the building and joined the others as everyone gathered in the street. They formed a circle around Freddy, the only one of their group who had fallen in the fight.
"Poor soul," said one man.
"Poor fool," Daryll corrected. "Was a good man, even if a stupid one. Who's goin' to take care of yer boy now, Fred?"
"He was kind," said Luciele. "A good father, too. We should take his body back to camp and hold a proper burial."
"Sure," said Daryll. "His boy will need it."
"Let's get a move on," commanded Kozz. "There's shooting coming from the camp."
"Oh no." Luciele put a hand over her heart. "We have to hurry."
Richard ran back to the rear of the saloon and unhitched the mules. They were shaken, but hidden enough from all the carnage and were not overly frightened. Everyone heard the crackle of distant gunfire coming from the camp-side of town, and they knew they had to be quick. Inside the warehouse Kozz found a bulk pack of everlights to help the group see in the darkness. He cracked some open and threw them about the warehouse, creating small patches of light in the aisles. Luciele grabbed the remainder of the pack from him and handed out one everlight to every person so they could guide themselves through the store and find what they were searching for. Daryll laid out a list of items that the entire camp needed, everything from food to heavy coats to medical supplies. He orde
red everyone to search out specific items from the list and bring back what they found and pile it near the front entrance. Kozz and Luciele were in charge of strapping the supplies securely on top of the mules. Daryll announced that anyone could bring back anything they felt like their loved ones would need for the journey so long as they could carry it on their back.
Faint sounds of gunfire continued to pop in the distance.
“We need to go now, Kozz,” said Luciele. Her nerves made her voice shake. “The camp can't hold out for long, they need our help!”
“They really do,” said Kozz. “Let's run off, you and me. These guys have enough guns to protect themselves, and enough muscle to carry back a heavy load of supplies. They've only got kids and geezers defending the camp.”
“My little b-b-boy,” stuttered Luciele, “I can't stay here knowing he's being shot at. We need to g-g-go now.”
“I'll tell Daryll and the others,” said Kozz. He jogged from the mules over to Daryll who was standing over the growing pile of supplies resting outside the warehouse entrance. “Luciele and I are gonna make a run for the camp.”
Daryll spit out a piece of grass he had pulled from a patch beside the warehouse and had been chewing on. “We need you both here to help carry back supplies.” Kozz went to speak, but Daryll continued on before he had the chance. “I hear the gunfire. If they're still shootin' that means they're still livin'. They can hold, Tim's a great shooter and has seen combat before.”
“Tim's only one man,” said Kozz, “the rest are next to useless. We took the best gunners with us and left them with barely anything to protect themselves with.
“If we don't carry back enough supplies none of us'll be surviving the trip we have to make. If we all run back we're bound to get separated and could get picked off one by one. Some of these guys can't even run. It's too dangerous! I'm in charge here and I command you to keep packing them mules. This is what's best for everyone!”
“My boy is going to die if we don't help them soon,” said Luciele. She stomped over and shouted louder than Daryll, forcing him to stop and listen. “Kozz and I will go ourselves. You'll have to find someone else to pack those mules. If we don't leave now it might be too late, if it isn't already.”
“I want to go too,” demanded Richard as he exited the building. “Kelly's in danger, and every gunshot I hear rips into my heart. I have to make sure she's ok.”
“I can't be having everyone leave on me like this,” shouted Daryll. “There's goin' to be no one to carry back the supplies we need, so what was the point of comin' out here if we're all just gonna go back and die anyway?”
“He's right,” said Kozz. Everyone looked at him, shocked by his agreement. Even Daryll looked surprised. “You should stay here, Richard. Luciele and I know how to shoot, and you're not much good in a gunfight. I'll make sure Kelly is just fine for when you return with the others. They need you here more then we will.” Richard wanted to protest, but he kept silent and nodded. “Luciele and I are going. We'll see the rest of you there later on.”
Kozz opened his box of fine cigars and pulled one out, sliding it under his nose as he took in its earthly perfumes. He put the one cigar in his jacket pocket and placed the remainder of box in the growing pile of supplies, making a mental note to look for it later.
“Pack those mules heavy,” said Luciele. “They can take it. You boys will be fine.” Kozz and Luciele backed away and ran down the road. Luciele took one last glance at Freddy as they ran past his body, and the cool steel of Harold's shotgun, her husband's death, caught her eye. She never wanted to see it again.
They both took long strides and hustled as fast as they could. Luciele's hunting dress gave enough room for her gait, and Kozz's large body had no trouble in keeping up. All of the traveling they had done had built up their endurance and they were both able to run for long stretches without a break. They knew that they needed to hurry and so put in every ounce of energy they had.
Only a handful of warriors remained at the front lines. Many had fallen back to the protection of the rocks along the shore, but Caleb, Kelly, Tim, and a few others burrowed into their fortifications and volleyed their attacks whenever the opportunity rose. They had taken down some of the infected, but the opposing torrent of gunfire only seemed to grow stronger. As time went on they found themselves having fewer chances to fire back. How many infected they were facing was unknown, and their defenses were collapsing around them. They crawled as deep as they could under their barricades, but time was not on their side.
The infected attackers had become more bold, moving towards the barricades and entering through the weakened portions, launching their barrage from various angles. The daring infected which attempted to hurdle over the wall of furniture were easy to pick off, but more were trying in rapid succession and soon the camp would be overrun. Caleb had moments where he felt a pain in his heart for not trying to help bring the infected back to sanity, but he knew now that it was impossible to help them all.
The defenders were outmatched. Some infected started to run straight for the beach and Tim took down as many as he could. As time ticked by the pockets of safety shrank as the walls burned away. Soon the last defenders were crammed together in a tight bubble of protection, but that too was being blasted apart.
Several infected broke through the barricade at once and those remaining on the front line scrambled to take them down. One man was hit in the shoulder and fell to the ground in pain. Tim quickly took down two of the infected, but then his weapon jammed. Caleb fired his pistol and hit another square in the chest. The blast knocked the infected man backwards, but he recovered and fired back at Caleb and the others. Caleb closed his eyes and fired blindly, and when he opened his eyes again the man was thrashing on the ground as the white glow in his eyes beamed towards the sky.
KABLAM!
BAM!
Caleb recognized the canon crash of Kozz's gun. More infected broke through the barricade, but they quickly turned and fired back into town. Tim took another man's pistol and fired at the infected while they were distracted. Caleb and Kelly crawled out of their cubby holes and saw that the infected were all firing at the bank rooftop where Kozz and Luciele were peppering the infected with bullets. They hunkered low and held the barrels of their guns along the roof's ledge like guards in a watch tower, firing repeatedly at the glowing eyes below.
The camp's defenders erupted from their hiding spots and fired everything they had at the remaining infected on the street in front of them. There was nowhere to run and the residual twenty or thirty infected fell like flies in a poison mist.
When not a glowing eyeball remained Luciele hustled down the roof’s fire escape. She ran to her son and dropped her rifle to the ground, picking up Caleb and squeezing him as hard as she could. Kozz sat down on the roof ledge and took in slow breaths. He loved the excitement of it all, it made him feel young again, but the extended running and adrenaline-fueled fighting required his heart to pump excessively at an accelerated pace. The ache in his chest reminded him of his age and brought him back to reality. His pills were keeping him alive, but they could not do enough to stop the pain. Once his heart reached its breaking point every pump felt like a punch to his insides. He let the pain run its course as he watched mother and son bask in each other’s presence in the heart-warming scene below. He pulled the cigar from his jacket pocket and lit it up. The stogie tasted moist and mossy, different than his usual brand, but it still relieved the fire in his chest. The smoke swirled in his lungs as it flowed with his breath, and it let him rest.
A couple of hours passed before the remainder of the surplus team arrived at the camp. It may have taken them longer to gather supplies without Luciele and Kozz around to help, but no one would have arrived in time to save the camp had Kozz and Luciele not split off when they did. The mules were fully packed with bags piled high and hanging off every side. They also dragged a makeshift sled that several of the men helped push from behind. The sled was s
tacked with crates of munitions and packaged foods of all sorts. All of the men walked in with as much as they could carry on their backs and looked completely exhausted. They were lucky enough to have no trouble on the return trip, other than having to walk through the eerie, corpse-filled streets once again. Richard stayed with a couple of the older men who lagged behind the main group. He was one of the last to return and when he and Kelly saw each other they ran into each other's arms.
Most of the people on the shore did not come out of hiding until the surplus team arrived with its bundle of supplies. Samuel ran from the rocks and searched for his father. He looked all around for him, asking the others where he was. The men of the surplus team were all speechless and could not give Samuel the answer he needed to hear. He asked one after another until Luciele heard the boy's questions. She grabbed his shaking hands and knelt down beside him. Luciele spoke softly and told Samuel that his father had passed on, his death in sacrifice to the protection of all the people in the camp and to protect his son. Luciele mentioned nothing about his mother Emelia and instead left the boy to remember his parents as the loving mother and father that they were.
Samuel started crying as soon as Luciele began to speak, but his wails turned into cries of denial. Luciele held him close, trying to calm the boy, but he refused to believe that his father was gone. Daryll walked over and told Samuel that it was true. Samuel was silent as Daryll spoke. His sobs sank deep inside until all that could be seen was the pain on his face. Kelly came over to help Luciele comfort the boy, but he was as emotionless as a stone and had gone mute.
Frostarc Page 16
