The Living Saga (Book 2): Enduring

by McFall, Jaron

  Cedric leaned over to get a look at the dog’s side. Sure enough, his ribs were clearly visible.

  “Fine, but he’s your responsibility,” Cedric told Stewart.

  “Not a dog person?” She asked.

  “I love them,” Cedric said. “I just don’t know about taking him on this mission.”

  “Incoming,” Steph said when she got back. “I think they heard Ross.”

  Steph pointed across the highway. Down the field a small group of infected were running, full speed at them.

  “Well, too late now,” Cedric said drawing his pipes. Then he shouted at Ross, “How many?”

  Ross held up six fingers, afraid at whatever threat Steph gave him not to shout again.

  Cedric said, “This should be easy enough.”

  He stood, waiting on them to approach. Blitzstark, at his side, began to growl once he noticed the infected. “You don’t like them either, huh boy?” Cedric asked.

  The moment the group broke into the parking lot, Cedric said, “Steph, on my six. You two stay with the dog.”

  Cedric began to run, full speed.

  Behind him, he heard Stewart shout, “Hey!” but he couldn’t turn to see what was wrong. He swung his pipe and knocked the first infected woman over. He was about to swing at another when it went down, out of nowhere. Cedric saw the dog had pounced it similar to how it had done to him minutes before.

  Cedric followed through the dog’s attack and planted a heel in the infected man’s head. Between Blitz, Steph, and Cedric, the entire group was wiped out in less than thirty seconds.

  As Cedric walked back to the truck he had been siphoning out, the dog stayed directly at Cedric’s seven o’clock.

  “Looks like he is your dog after all,” Stewart said.

  Cedric reached down and petted the dog behind the ears.

  It took the crew another ten minutes to gather enough good fuel to fill both of the Hummers. They had brought enough reserve fuel for one fill-up, but they were saving that for emergencies.

  Once the tanks were filled, Cedric said, “Get your last stretches out. We’ve got to get back on the road. Anyone need to use the bathroom before we get going?”

  Everyone in the group just shook their heads no, but a voice came from the back of Cedric’s Hummer—a voice from underneath the luggage—“I do!”

  Chapter Thirteen:

  THOSE WHO DESTROY

  “What the Hell was that?” Ben shouted as Bennet threw his spare sidearm to Gregg.

  “I told you the we needed to do whatever it takes,” Bennet said as he ran to the door. “C’mon. We have to secure the weapons if we expect to stay in charge.”

  Without question, Gregg, Wilson, and Frank followed Bennet the short distance to the armory. Ben hadn’t moved an inch since the first shot had rung out. But now, he could hear more shots from the hallway.

  “Ben…” Charlie said. “Ben, what are you doing?”

  Ben made a decision in that moment. He would do whatever it takes to make sure his family was always secure and safe.

  He walked from the room and straight to the armory. As soon as he was inside the room, he picked up a CB.

  Ben held the talk button down as he spoke, “Put the entire facility on lockdown. I repeat, put everyone on full lockdown. The situation is resolved. All members of the offense team and all off duty members of the defense team report to shop room one for a security report.”

  Ben turned to look at Gregg, “Go secure the council.”

  “On it,” he said as he rushed out.

  “Frank, Wilson, keep this room secured. Bennet, with me.” Ben turned and left the room.

  “Hey,” Bennet said to Ben. “Just a thought, add Megan Scott and Oliver Reid to report too.”

  Ben did as Bennet requested.

  It took a member of logistics just under a minute to repeat Ben’s message from the CB over the intercom system. The first two people to reach the vocational building were Squirrel and Anderson.

  Bennet stayed at the doorway to the shop as they approached. “I’m under orders from the council to collect all weapons as you enter the meeting.”

  Bennet was glad it was two inexperienced people who came first. He knew they would surrender their weapons easier than most. Now, they’d set the pattern.

  He kept up his work, checking weapons at the door until Scott and Warner approached. “Wait over there,” he told them.

  They watched as he continued his job until it seemed all of the members were present. The number was smaller than he’d expected, but Ben gave him a thumbs up from the other side of the room.

  “Listen, guys,” Bennet said walking out into the hallway. “This place just went south in a bad way. Three council members are dead. I don’t know who all is joining in on the coup.”

  “What do we need to do?” Scott asked.

  “We’ve got a couple of guys looking after the armory. Guys on our side,” Bennet said pointing down the hall. “Calmly go down there and check in on them. Station outside the room if you have to.”

  “Got it,” Warner said turning his back on Bennet. Scott followed suit.

  When they were both turned, Bennet drew his pistol from his hip and fired three quick shots into Scott’s back. Warner whipped around trying to pull his rifle from his back, but before he could, Bennet fired three more shots.

  Warner hit the ground less than a second after Scott did.

  Bennet quickly ran back into the shop and held his pistol up at the small crowd. “Mr. Camp needs your full and undivided attention,” he shouted.

  Ben walked briskly to Bennet’s side and grabbed a semiautomatic rifle from the weapons table. “The old regime is out,” he said loudly. “We can’t change what’s happened, all we can do is move forward.”

  The crowd began to murmur. Ben silenced them with a single shot from the rifle into the wall.

  “How many of you are with us?” Ben shouted.

  Nobody moved at first. After a few seconds, a man from defense named Gerard asked, “Who’s in charge now? I mean, who has what departments?”

  “We’re not doing that,” Ben said. “They all answer to me.”

  Gerard nodded and stepped forward, “I’m with you.”

  Ben nodded in return.

  After Gerard, more than half of the gathered people voiced their agreement. Not a single Nighthawk joined in.

  Anderson turned to see the only men from the defense crew who did not join were Hank, Cedric’s father, and Garcia’s twin brother, Michael.

  “That’s what I figured would happen,” Ben muttered. Then he spoke louder and said, “Gather up all of the Nighthawks and anyone else who opposes those in charge. Shop four is enclosed, no windows. One door. Lock them in there and put a guard up.”

  Gerard led the corralling efforts.

  “It took less than a half hour,” Ben said. “Less than a half hour and the threat of the council is gone.”

  Bennet laughed. “Whatever it takes, man. Whatever it takes.”

  Ben pulled his CB from his belt as Bennet began arming the men and women left. “I need all patrols of the perimeter and all security points cleared. Replacements are being sent. Meet at the front parking lot for replacement details.”

  By the time Gregg reached the council room, Dr. Moore was kneeling by Eric’s side. He’d just finished checking on Garcia.

  “What are you doing, doc?” Gregg asked.

  “I’m checking vitals,” he said not looking up.

  “Don’t matter,” Gregg said. “With those injuries, they’re gonna die.”

  “Probably,” Dr. Moore said. He continued to work anyway.

  After a few minutes, three shots rang out from the hallway. Gregg spun to the door and held his gun up waiting.

  Three more shots rang out. Dr. Moore took a quick glance at Gregg. Seeing he was turned away; the doctor pulled a syringe from his pocket. It was half filled with blue liquid. He quickly injected it into Eric’s arm, not bothering to see if
it hit a vein or not.

  By the time Gregg turned back around, the syringe had disappeared into the doctor’s lab coat.

  “You gonna check their pulses too?” Gregg asked indicating Jack and Sue.

  “No,” Dr. Moore said heaving a breath in. He sat down next to Garcia on the floor. “There’s entirely no need to do that.”

  Dr. Moore checked Garcia’s pulse again and found it had picked back up significantly. He began feeling along her ribcage and found it to be sturdier; as if the bones were mending. He quickly counted back on Steph’s timeline.

  Dr. Moore got back up and went to sit next to Charlie. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Charlie didn’t respond.

  He tried again, “Charlie, can you hear me?”

  Again, no response.

  “Ron,” Dr. Moore said turning in his chair, “you with us?”

  Ron just waved timidly.

  “It’s Gregg, isn’t it?” Dr. Moore asked Gregg.

  Gregg just stared.

  “I believe Charlie is in shock. He needs some water, maybe even a Valium after that.”

  Gregg just continued to stare.

  From the corner of his eyes, Dr. Moore could see Garcia’s leg begin to twitch. He stood up and said, “The infirmary is right across the hall. You can watch me the entire time.”

  Still, Gregg didn’t answer.

  “It’s Ben’s son-in-law, remember?”

  Finally, Gregg said, “One misstep, Doc, and I’ll plug you.”

  “Thank you,” Dr. Moore said as he walked out of the council room.

  The moment he walked out he saw two bodies lying on the ground just outside of the shop entrance. He recognized them as the soldiers. He quickly looked back in front of him and continued to the infirmary.

  Dr. Moore expected to see Reid lying on the ground full of holes too. As he walked in, he heard muffled music, like it was coming through the walls.

  “Thank God,” Dr. Moore said as he saw Reid sitting at the work desk peering through a microscope.

  Reid didn’t hear him. Reid couldn’t hear anything over the blaring headphones he was wearing.

  Dr. Moore tapped him on the shoulder and held a finger to his lips.

  Reid slowly turned in his chair, bobbing his head and shoulders to the beat of the rap music playing.

  The moment he saw the blood on Dr. Moore’s lab coat, he yanked his headphones from his ears and whispered, “What’s going on?”

  “You didn’t hear any of that?” Dr. Moore asked.

  “Headphones,” Reid said as if that explained everything.

  “They block out gunshots?”

  “It’s rap music,” he explained. “Half of this is gunshots. Who’s been shot?”

  “Too many,” Dr. Moore said. “Wait here and be ready. When I cough, I need you to run after me and take out the guy with the gun.”

  Dr. Moore didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he grabbed a bottle of boiled water and started back for the council room.

  He noticed that Gregg wasn’t standing in the doorway anymore. Dr. Moore slowly opened it, expecting to see a gun pointed at him. Instead, Gregg’s gun was on the ground, next to a dead Gregg.

  Garcia, still somewhat bloody and bruised, was standing over him with a chair.

  “What the Hell is going on?” she asked.

  “What do you remember?” Dr. Moore responded trying to get a timeline of her memories. He knew amnesia was common with head trauma like she’d just experienced.

  “Jack and Sue getting shot. Where’s the punk that did this?” she spat out.

  “Wait here,” Dr. Moore said.

  “You going to rat me out?” she asked grabbing his arm.

  “I’m getting help,” Dr. Moore said. “Let me go so I can make sure you get to safety.”

  She obeyed and he went back across the hall. “Change of plans,” he said dropping the water on the empty bed. Dr. Moore grabbed the nearest box and dumped the contents out into the floor. He unlocked the serum cabinet and emptied all of the vials into the box.

  “Come on,” he told Reid.

  Reid knew the no-nonsense tone as one that should be obeyed. He didn’t have the whole story yet, but he knew something was up.

  When he entered the hallway, he said, “No, no.”

  “We can’t help them,” Dr. Moore said knowing that Reid had just seen his comrades down.

  Reid followed Dr. Moore into the council room and said, “What is going on?”

  “Bennet,” Garcia said. “He shot Sue and Jack. Had me and Eric beaten.” She then turned to the doctor. “Ron said you gave me some of that blue serum. Thanks.”

  “Yeah,” Dr. Moore said. “Take this box,” he added pushing it into her arms. “Reid, go grab Eric. You may have to carry him. Hurry.”

  Reid obeyed understanding that they were retreating. He followed Dr. Moore to the rear door of the room. At one time, the door had been welded shut. Only the council members knew it wasn’t now. He opened the door and waved Garcia and Reid out.

  “Ron, go with them. You’re not safe here,” he added. “You’re a threat.”

  “So are you,” Garcia said.

  “No,” Dr. Moore said shutting the door behind them. “I’m safe. I’m the doctor.”

  Chapter Fourteen:

  STOWAWAY

  Cedric knew the voice that had just made the bathroom request. He would know that voice anywhere. He was hoping he was imagining it.

  “Did your luggage just talk?” Stewart asked looking into the Hummer.

  Cedric pulled the back hatch open and began to remove bags. After a few bags, he saw a hand protruding from the pile. He recognized the lime green nail polish as the one he’d found a few weeks ago on a mission.

  “Karli?” Cedric asked.

  Karli pushed the heavy duffel bag off her face and smiled sheepishly at Cedric. “Hey, so, funny story. I just wanted to let you know I volunteered for the mission. You know, without telling anyone.”

  Cedric left her partially buried in the cargo storage and walked to the group. “We’ve got to turn around,” he said.

  “Negative,” Pearson said. “This convoy needs to continue. We can’t lose any more time.”

  “She’s a civilian,” Cedric said. “She’s no soldier.”

  “Yes, that is the definition of civilian,” Pearson said. “But you heard her, she volunteers.”

  “I’m taking her back,” Cedric said.

  “Ced,” Steph interjected, “Pearson’s right. We’ve got to keep moving. We will lose an entire day if we turn around.”

  Cedric was about to argue when he saw it was a losing battle. He turned and walked to the rear of the Hummer just as Karli was extricating herself.

  Cedric grabbed Karli’s hand and began to lead her away from the group.

  “You need another fighter with you,” Steph said taking a step forward.

  Cedric whistled and Blitzstark immediately ran to catch up. Steph stopped realizing Cedric wanted to talk to Karli alone.

  “What are you doing?” Cedric said once they were out of earshot of the group.

  “I…” Karli started but then began to cry. “I’m sorry. This is stupid.”

  “Your mom and dad aren’t going to know what happened to you,” Cedric said.

  “I left a note,” Karli mumbled through her tears.

  Cedric put his hands-on Karli’s shoulder. “Why did you do this?” he asked.

  Karli wiped her tears away and sobbed, “I didn’t know if you’d come back.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Cedric asked.

  Karli just stared at the ground crying.

  “Karli, if you thought I was going to die, why did you put yourself in this situation?” Cedric asked.

  “I didn’t think you were going to die,” Karli said drying up her tears and trying to get control of herself.

  “You just said…”

  “That I thought you wouldn’t come back,” Karli finished.

  Cedric
stared at her confused.

  “I thought you would realize you liked her and would stay gone forever with her. Or, that you would come back and dump me for her,” Karli choked out.

  Cedric looked over Karli’s shoulder at the group. Then he asked, “Who, Stewart? She’s like six years older than me.”

  “Stephanie!” Karli shouted. Cedric could see the tears trying to start again as Karli flapped her hands on her sides. “You know she has a thing for you. I know she has a thing for you. But you always thought I was making a big deal out of it. You never would talk about it.”

  “Steph?” Cedric asked laughing. “There is nothing romantic about mine and Steph’s relationship. She does not have a thing for me.”

  “You’ve said it yourself,” Karli said. “I didn’t dream that or make that up.”

  “When?” Cedric asked confused.

  “You always say she can’t help who she likes.”

  Cedric shook his head. “And you think… I mean… I always thought you were being prejudiced.”

  “What do you mean?” Karli asked.

  “So many people from East Tennessee are. I just thought you were being prejudiced about it too. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you thought that,” Cedric explained. “Yeah, I know who she has a thing for. Garcia.”

  “You thought I was being prejudiced about her liking someone who was Hispanic? The whole race thing?” Karli laughed realizing the situation. She felt a burden being lifted from her. “She really likes Michael Garcia?” Karli began to smile now that she knew she wasn’t competing for Cedric.

  “Karli…” Cedric put his hand on his head in a clear facepalm gesture. “Everyone calls him Michael. But…” Cedric paused for a moment. “Everyone calls his twin sister, Michelle, by her last name… Garcia.”

  “Yeah, I know. She hates the name Michelle.”

  Cedric couldn’t decide if Karli was being willfully ignorant or if this was normal for a teenage girl. He spoke very slowly as he explained to try to make it sink it. “Hon, let me put it this way. If Steph did have a crush on someone standing right here,” Cedric paused and said each of the next words individually, “It. Would. Be. You.”