About ten minutes goes by and Phil exits the training room.
“Come on down, Ryan!” shouts Kat from inside the training room.
I walk into the training room and see Kat sitting next to a medical table.
I was going to be an athletic trainer in college and have spent many days in a training room. The sights and smells of the training room take me back to my college days.
Kat is sitting in a four-wheeled stool.
“Come on over here Ryan. Take off your shirt,” says Kat.
I walk over to Kat and take off my red athletic shirt.
Kat looks at my bumps, scars, bruises, and says, “Man, you really took a beating. You feeling okay?”
I look at Kat and say, “I’m alive and that’s all that matters. My back is killing me. My left shoulder constantly hurts. My chest hurts still from where I got shot, and I’ve been hungry since we started dealing with these zombies.”
Kat takes my temperature, checks my lungs, checks my vitals, skin, eyes, and blood pressure.
Kat says, “Well, you look pretty good. All things considered. You need to rest Ryan. You need to take it easy for a while. The world needs another doctor and someone like yourself. You might be doing too much.”
I put my shirt back on, walk around the training room, and think about what Kat said.
I look at Kat and ask, “What do you know about the virus, the zombies, the infected, and what’s going on?”
Kat replies, “It’s definitely some sort of zombie virus outbreak situation. I don’t know much about the outbreak or where it started, but I do know that it’s not good. People are struggling around Tampa Bay and St. Pete is pretty rough. It’s a mess right outside of here. My boss Dr. Morris might know more about it though. I’ll see if she is around for you to meet with her.”
“That would be great. I would like to know more about the virus and how things are going around Tampa Bay and the rest of the world.”
Kat says, “I would like to know also, but you three are all good. Let’s get out of here, and I’ll show you guys around this place.”
I exit the training room with Kat and walk over to Lauren and Phil who are sitting in oversized leather recliner chairs.
Phil sees Kat and I walking towards him.
“How’d you get this place and all the stuff in here?” asks Phil.
Kat says, “I don’t know. It was like this when we took it over. I guess once the baseball team left this stadium and became a different team altogether, they just left everything here.”
“I’m definitely not complaining. I might have to come back here,” says Phil.
Kat says, “Okay everyone. I’m going to show you around and hopefully we can meet a couple of doctors and other workers.”
Kat picks up her radio and asks, “How’s the unloading of that truck coming?”
A man replies over the radio and says, “It’s going good. We are separating the goods to evenly distribute among the sections.”
Kat replies, “Okay, great. Keep me posted how it’s going.”
“I will Kat. Thank you,” says the man over the radio.
“Welcome, Leroy,” says Kat over the radio.
Kat takes us up a flight of stairs and says, “That’s Leroy. He’s a good guy. He was the head groundskeeper here and lost his job when the team left.”
I walk up the stairs with Kat, Phil, and Lauren.
I step up the last step and am shocked where we are.
Phil runs up the last step and shouts, “No way!”
Kat took us on to the baseball field.
I step onto the baseball field and look around the artificial turf field and then the stands.
Lauren and Phil look around as well.
Lauren looks at Kat and asks, “Kat, do you know where I could find any people that came from South Florida?”
Kat looks at Lauren and asks, “You want someone from the University of South Florida?”
Lauren says, “No. I mean the location in Florida. Specifically, Boca Raton. My parents are from there, and I’m hoping to find them here.”
Phil comes over to me and says, “This place is pretty awesome, but the lights are terrible. No sunlight gets in here and this artificial turf isn’t a good surface to grow anything on.”
Lauren comes running over to me and says, “Kat is taking me to a group of people from Boca. Come on.”
I walk with Phil, Lauren, and Kat.
Kat takes us around the baseball field and we see people in tents, cots, and sleeping bags.
A lot of people we see are in bad shape and look to be barely staying alive.
Lauren is looking at the people that we pass and is looking for her parents Fran and Keith.
I see a family of four with a dog.
Phil sees an elderly couple sitting on a cot holding each other.
Kat calls over her radio, “Does anyone know where the new group of South Florida people are? I’m looking for a Fran and Keith.”
Lauren intently listens to the radio call by Kat and waits for the response.
I see the areas on the field are broken into sections and the stadium is broken into separate groups of sections.
Phil looks at the club box seats in the stands and the big enclosed area in the center field homerun section.
Still no word over the radio to Kat about Lauren’s parents.
Kat gets impatient and calls over her radio again.
Phil looks at me and says, “I wonder who is staying in the primo club box seats on the second level and in center field.”
I look at the club box seats and see people are in them.
I take a long look at the club box seats and can tell that the people in the club levels look to be in good shape and are better dressed.
Kat calls over her radio again and asks, “I’m looking for a Fran and Keith from Boca. Brian? Stan? Brittany? Anyone read me?”
“I hear ya. I don’t have anyone by that name in my section,” says a man to Kat over the radio.
A woman replies over the radio, “I hear ya Kat, but I don’t have anyone by those names in my section. I think Brian might though.”
Brian replies, “I’ll have to check. Come to my section though. We can look together.”
Kat takes Phil, Lauren, and I to section eleven.
Brian walks over to Kat and says, “Hey guys. How are ya?”
I introduce Phil to Brian and we walk around Brian’s section.
Kat looks at Brian and asks, “How are things today? Anyone causing any problems today?”
Brian replies, “Things are pretty good. Another day in paradise.”
Lauren walks down an aisle of people and sees a lone woman sitting on a cot. The woman is sitting by herself and reading a book.
Lauren looks at the petite woman and becomes very interested in talking with her.
Lauren walks directly to the woman and notices the woman’s black hair, red polo shirt, jeans, and short stature.
I see Lauren moving quickly towards the woman and I start walking towards her.
The woman senses Lauren walking towards her and looks at Lauren.
Lauren sees the woman’s face and starts crying.
“Mom?” asks Lauren.
The woman stands up and starts crying.
Lauren hugs the woman.
I see Lauren hug the woman and I smile.
Lauren looks at me and shouts, “It’s my mom! She’s alive!”
I walk over to Lauren’s mom Fran and give her a hug.
Fran is a short little Italian woman who stands a mere 4 feet 11 inches tall when she is wearing shoes.
Lauren looks at Fran and asks, “Where is dad?”
I fear that Lauren’s father is dead as we only see Fran.
Fran says, “Your father is somewhere around here. He was looking for a hot dog. He figured since we were in a ballpark, they should have hot dogs around here.”
CHAPTER 7
THAT SHOULD DO IT
“
That should do it! Fire it up Bo!” shouts Barrett as he secures the last screw on a solar panel.
Bo runs inside the supermarket entrance and flips on a light switch.
The supermarket lights turn on.
Nicky, Bo, Darby, and the rest of the Pride cheer at the sight of the lights and power turning on in the supermarket as they stand inside the front entrance of the supermarket.
Barrett comes down from the roof of the supermarket and walks over to Bo.
TJ and Janet look at each other and walk away from the group who is standing inside the supermarket still.
TJ says, “I don’t know about Bo and Barrett. I can’t get a feel for them. They just killed two men and they don’t seem to care about it.”
Janet looks at TJ and asks, “How are you holding up? How’s your head?”
TJ replies, “I’m okay. I really had no choice to take out Armstrong. After Bo and Barrett took out Roberts and Brimley. I had to do it.”
Janet says, “You made the right call. We couldn’t risk anyone of those three going back home to tell your dad about this place. The military wants this place and they will kill everyone in here to get it. I know how the people at MacDill operate.”
TJ says, “I have to talk with my father about everything. I want to leave here very soon and get back to MacDill.”
Janet says, “We will leave ASAP. Let’s see if Bo and Barrett are leaving also. We do need a ride home though.”
TJ replies, “Yes, we do. Our helicopter ride here was a one-way trip.”
Bo and Barrett look at the supermarket and see that the power is on, but the store needs to be thoroughly cleaned.
Barrett looks at Bo and says, “I’m glad you are here brother. I was starting to worry about you. Without me around, how can you take care of our ranch?”
Bo says, “That’s a big part why I came looking for ya. I need help at the ranch.”
TJ and Janet walk over to Bo and Barrett.
“When are you coming back home?” asks Bo.
Barrett looks at Darby, who is standing and talking with Nicky and Aisha.
“I don’t know Bo. I feel like my place is here to protect Darby and her Pride,” says Barrett.
TJ looks at Bo and asks, “When do you think we can get out of here Bo?”
Bo looks at TJ and says, “Trying to figure that out now. I reckon it will be very soon.”
Janet says, “We need a new ride home is all.”
Barrett says, “You can take my truck if you like. Just don’t mess it up.”
Bo looks at Barrett and shouts, “Why aren’t you coming back home? Our animals need you! Betty misses you!”
Barrett smiles and says, “I miss Betty. How is my old girl doing?”
TJ looks at Janet and asks, “Who’s Betty?”
Janet asks, “How should I know? These two guys are weird.”
Nicky and Darby walk over to Bo and Barrett.
“Thank you, guys. The supermarket looks to be working great. The solar power will really help us,” says Darby.
Nicky looks at Bo and asks, “What’s your plan now Bo?”
Bo replies, “I’m trying to get back home. My ranch and animals need me. They need Barrett also, but he doesn’t want to leave here.”
Darby looks at Barrett.
“You should get back home with your brother. Take some time to tend to your animals and ranch. I’m not going anywhere honey bear. We will let you back in. We are secure now,” says Darby to Barrett.
Barrett is about to reply, but Darby interrupts him.
“I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. We are set here now. We have tons of stuff to do around here. With cleaning the supermarket and tending to our animals. You go home and bring back some supplies for us,” says Darby.
Barrett nods his head yes and says, “Yes, ma’am.”
Bo says to Nicky, “Where is my girl Chi Chi? I haven’t seen her or any of the other cheetahs.”
Nicky says, “She got out. When we were under attack by the hunters, zombies, and other people, some of the animals got out. Chi Chi was one of them.”
Barrett looks at Darby with a concerned look.
“That was before the wall went up. Plus, we have Isiah and his group looking out for us outside of the wall now. We are safe,” says Darby.
Bo asks, “So Chi Chi got out of her enclosure and could be anywhere in Florida right now?”
Nicky says, “Yeah. Her and her brothers got out. I hope they are okay."
Aisha comes over and gives TJ, Janet, Bo, and Barrett a bottle of water.
They all thank Aisha for the water.
Janet walks over to the lion outdoor exhibit and sees the lion cub Keanu playing with his mother Taraji while Zeus sleeps in the shade.
TJ walks over to Janet and says, “I hope Odin is doing okay. I miss my boy. He’s like my child. I have had him since he was a puppy.”
Janet looks at Keanu and says, “I’m sure he is okay. O is tough and smart.”
TJ and Janet watch the lions play in the lion exhibit and take in the nice moment with each other.
Keanu tries to pounce on Taraji but he’s too small and falls into the grass.
Janet sees a human arm in the lion exhibit and looks at TJ.
“What are you going to tell your father about Armstrong, Brimley, and Roberts?” asks Janet.
TJ looks at Zeus and says, “The truth. Armstrong, Brimley, and Roberts didn’t make it. They were taken out during this trip and this place isn’t safe for anyone to mess with.”
Janet says, “Good idea keeping it vague. I like the idea of keeping this place safe. The world needs a nice place like this.”
“How the hell do they feed all these animals?” asks TJ to Janet.
Nicky walks over to TJ and Janet.
“A lot of the animals we have left are vegetarians. The tricky ones are our lions and leopard. We have to feed them zombie meat at times. We try to keep the zombie meat fresh but sometimes it’s from older zombies,” says Nicky.
“They don’t get sick eating zombie meat?” asks Janet.
“No, actually they are in good health. I was surprised by the animals not getting sick also,” says Darby as she walks over to Janet.
“The real problem is with our chimps, orangutans, and gorilla. They don’t eat meat and we are running low on a viable food source for them,” says Darby.
TJ looks at Darby and asks, “Why keep doing this? It seems like a losing battle?”
“Do you have kids?” asks Darby to TJ.
“No, but I have a dog. He’s like my child,” replies TJ.
“These animals are my kids. We can’t just let them die. I am their mother. Our keepers are there family. We can’t just let our animals die. What kind of a person does that?” asks Darby with a stern tone.
Janet replies, “We meant nothing by that. It’s just a lot of work is all. We are just wondering how you can keep this up?”
Barrett walks over and says, “With our help and all of us working together.”
Darby says, “It’s getting tougher every day. Food is getting harder to find. We do need some help with all this.”
TJ looks at Darby and says, “I meant no disrespect. I’m just amazed by how this place is holding up.”
Bo says, “Maybe we can help. At least a little bit. We have some crops growing at our ranch. We can plant some crops for you. Just tell us what you may need here for the animals. Barrett and I can help ya.”
Nicky says, “Thanks baby. That would be sweet of you. I’ll start up a list of what we need around here for the animals and this place.”
Nicky walks with Bo and Barrett into a zoo indoor snack bar.
TJ walks over to Darby and says, “This place is safe with me. I will tell my father who runs MacDill to avoid this place. You won’t have any more helicopters flying in here, but how do we get out of here?”
Darby says, “Thank you. It was a shocker to have a helicopter land here. We have three secret entrances buil
t into the walls that can only be opened from the inside.”
Darby, TJ, and Janet walk away from the lion exhibit and down a long walkway in the center of the zoo.
Janet says, “You have an awesome place. I’m glad you are maintaining this place. If we have any chance at rebuilding the world, it starts with places like this.”
Darby stops at an empty tiger exhibit.
“We have had our losses though. Luckily, the walls went up fast after the first couple of attacks on this place. I will keep fighting for this place, my Pride, and my animals. I feel my purpose is here," says Darby as she looks into the empty tiger exhibit.
A woman walks over to Darby, TJ, and Janet. The woman is carrying a large box of stuff.
“What should we do with the soldiers’ vests, weapons, and gear?” asks the woman.
Darby looks at the box and then at TJ.
TJ says, “Let me see that box.”
The woman hands TJ the box and TJ puts the box on the ground.
TJ goes through the box and says, “I will take the name tags of the soldiers and anything else you don’t want.”
Darby looks at the items in the box and says, “Okay. We can use the weapons though. The guns, the knives, and the grenades will help us protect this place.”
Janet says, “You got it. They are all yours.”
TJ takes the name tags off the military vests and the woman picks up the box from the ground.
“Put that box in my office Allie,” says Darby.
Allie walks away from Darby and towards the zoo offices.
Janet looks at Darby and says, “I’m sorry about Armstrong, Brimley, and Roberts. They weren’t with us. They were forced upon us for this trip.”
Darby looks at Janet and says, “Thank you. I’m sorry about them as well. I didn’t want them to die, but Bo and Barrett thought otherwise.”
“They killed them quickly and without hesitation,” says TJ.
Darby says, “I don’t like killing, but it’s part of this world. Bo and Barrett are good guys. They both have that animal instinct to protect their family and will do whatever it takes to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
A large group of birds comes flying into the zoo and towards the bird aviary part of the zoo.
Janet and TJ look up at the large amount of birds and are amazed at how they are all flying together.
Fight 4 Us (Book 6): Keeper Page 7
