Pack Animals [An Undead Post-Apocalypse Thriller]

by Cain, Kenneth W.

  “That’s true.” She took his comment with all seriousness. “But he’s hurt me as much as he has anyone.”

  Isaac stepped forward. “Fighting about all this ain’t gonna do anyone any good. We gotta stick together. Allen ain’t goin’ anywhere, and we ain’t about to do anything until we’ve at least heard him out.” His eyes found Chris, then Dale. “Are we understood?”

  Bold.

  Chris waved Isaac off, trying to look bolder than he really was. Sydney knew he would conform though, because in truth, Chris was weak. Dale, on the other hand, didn’t even hint at such compliance. He kept staring at Allen with keen eyes, likely ignoring everything Isaac said.

  “I miss home.” Gavin said, suddenly.

  The pimply-faced boy had been pretty quiet through it all. She was thankful for his interruption now, though, because it changed the subject. “Me as well, Gavin.” She took his arm. “Come on, let’s bind his hands. We’ll decide what to do with him later.”

  Again, Isaac glanced at Dale. Neither Isaac’s size or cool demeanor did nothing to unnerve Dale. “Not until then, though. Got it?”

  Dale said nothing.

  She had to work to find Craig when he started talking. “We should probably get out of town soon.” He seemed to consider their options. “I fear if we overstay our welcome, we might just attract another pack.” He chuckled. “There’s a lot more of us now, so we’ll have to split up, keep an eye on our guests.” He thumbed to Dillon and Clyde, then to Allen. “And we wouldn’t want Captain Lead Foot here wrecking another car. That would be one hell of a trip back to the school on foot.”

  Chris sneered.

  Sydney thought about what Craig proposed. Taking Allen back to the school meant he would see Orson. She wasn’t sure she wanted to expose Orson to this man. Some part of her did, but she suppressed and scolded that part, reminding herself of what he’d done to them. How he left Orson to grow up fatherless.

  Todd had remained quiet through much of this. Lingering in the background, he observed everything, but didn’t participate in the conversation. Sydney wondered why. And he seemed so nervous now, as if he too were hiding something. For now, she kept this knowledge to herself. Everyone had a tendency of overreacting these days. She was no different. Whatever it was would come out in time, and she’d do what needed to be done then.

  After they secured Allen, he awoke. He observed his surroundings, showing no displeasure to the nature in which he was being held captive. He didn’t voice any complaints, and his expression, furrowed brow, indicated he had fully submitted to the captivity. Maybe even welcomed it.

  Oh my— Does he want to die?

  She’d seen that look before. Had it gotten that bad? She thought maybe so.

  Isaac knelt before Allen. Their eyes met. “How you doin’ there?”

  Allen shrugged, his shoulders rounding slowly. A light gasp of air escaped him in a slow hiss.

  “I brought you some food. If I untie you, will you eat?” Isaac asked.

  Allen shook his head, either not hungry or unwilling to waste the food. His eyes searched the others. Each of them stared back, condemning Allen’s presence. Except for one.

  Sydney watched Allen’s eyes circle to Todd. There, he paused, moved on, then came back to Todd.

  There’s more to this than meets the eye.

  She would watch them both closely.

  CHAPTER 28

  Todd recognized his Captain the instant they brought him back. The war was long over, but the bonds between certain men would always exist. The promises made over spilt blood. Soldiers aren’t told what to do; they’re bred into it. Because of that Todd felt compelled to help Forrester. He owed it to the man for saving Todd’s ass on more than one occasion, once by literally dragging him off the battlefield.

  It was sad things had come to this. If he had known then what he knew now, perhaps Todd would have chosen another profession. He was pretty handy at mixing drinks. Maybe he would have become a bartender. Those guys always got dates.

  While the others prepared to leave, Todd made his way to their captive. He knelt before the man and looked into his eyes.

  Allen stared back at him with a sad, stoic face.

  Todd said, “If I—”

  “Don’t say it, Private. Don’t even suggest it.” Allen turned away from the young man, his gaze falling to the other end of the warehouse. “Just…let it be.”

  “But, sir—”

  “It’s better this way.”

  Allen didn’t meet his eyes, although Todd wanted him to. He wanted Allen to find the strength Todd had glimpsed in the man’s eyes more than once during the war. But the will seemed to have been sucked right out of Allen, leaving him a vacant man.

  “I deserve this,” Allen whispered.

  “No, you don’t!” His words came out crisp but hushed, struggling to contain himself, to keep his voice low enough the others didn’t hear. “You’re a better man than this.”

  “Todd?” Allen met his eyes again. “I’m far from a good man.”

  “Sir, I’ve seen it. You’ve saved men. You’ve done great things.”

  Fury found Allen’s face. “I am not a good man!” His words echoed throughout the building, his voice damning Todd. “I’m not!”

  Todd stuck his head out around the corner of a vast wall of boxes. He waited for the others to show themselves, and they didn’t disappoint, coming fast. Worried he would be found out, Todd hid on the other side of the boxes, trying to control his breathing.

  Todd recognized Isaac’s voice. “What is it?”

  “Nothing.” At least Allen didn’t give Todd up.

  “Allen,” Sydney said, “Tell me.”

  “Syd, just let me be. Either that or do what you will.” Allen slinked down the pole they’d tied him to.

  Sydney let out a long breath, hinting at her disappointment. She was clearly frustrated by Allen giving up. They shared this sentiment.

  “I’m not worth your time anymore. No amount of explaining anything is going to make any of this better.”

  “We can let you go,” Isaac said.

  Todd’s eyes widened at this thought. Would they let him go?

  I doubt it.

  “Don’t bother.” Allen said.

  “Allen, please?”

  “Why Sydney? Are you ever going to love me again? Is it going to bring back all of those people? Make things right?” Allen’s words stung. The man had been broken. “I told you, they forced me to do it. But in the end what difference does any of that make? I still did it!”

  “How did they force you?” Isaac asked.

  “They beat me within an inch of my life, left me for dead. Does that change anything?”

  Sydney’s voice offered promise. “It might.”

  “It doesn’t, and you know it.” Allen’s spirit sounded crushed. “I shouldn’t have been there. I should never have joined the party to begin with. Now look at me.” He paused. His voice grew louder. “Look at me, damn it!”

  A moment passed where she might have looked at Allen. Todd wasn’t sure, unwilling to give his position away.

  “I’m done, Syd. I’ve lost everything. I’m ready to be punished for my sins. It’s time.”

  Todd struggled with these words pouring from this man. He had seen this man do honorable things. Allen had made great sacrifices. His determination had won many battles, and saved many lives. He led with a tough hand. This wasn’t the man Todd remembered.

  “Allen—”

  “No, Syd. That’s all I have to say.”

  A strange thought occurred to Todd right then. They weren’t keeping Allen tied up to prevent his escape or hold him until they determined what to do with him. Sydney wanted to protect Allen from himself.

  Sad as it was, war had a habit of changing a man. War had transformed a great man into something Todd had difficulty respecting. This disappointed Todd most of all.

  CHAPTER 29

  It wasn’t until they had finished preparing
for the hike back to the school that Sydney noticed something she should have long before.

  The ground is shaking.

  It felt like thunder rolling beneath them, as if lightning had struck somewhere deep below the surface. The rumble was subtle at first, but grew in intensity.

  She turned to Isaac. He seemed oblivious to the reverberation. When she pointed to the ground, though, he caught on fast.

  “What is that?” Isaac asked. He searched her face, looking for answers.

  Others did the same. Except for Allen. Allen remained tied to the post, unwilling or unable to show any concern.

  Sydney listened. “I’m not sure. A tank maybe?”

  “That’s no tank.” Dale said.

  How would he know that? She didn’t think him a vet, but it was possible. Even if he wasn’t, her gut feeling was that he was correct.

  She tried to zero in on the noise and could feel it in the soles of her feet.

  With this warehouse in shambles, will it hold under whatever force this is?

  She didn’t know.

  “Then what is it?” Sydney asked.

  “It’s a pack.” Allen said.

  Sydney looked at him, but he didn’t return the favor. He was staring off at the other end of the building, the direction from which she now understood the pack approached.

  “They likely smell us.” The bitterness in Allen’s voice was clear. Not for her or his other captives, but for himself. He wanted to be punished. To him, this was just another part of that retribution. He looked more than ready for it.

  “How many?” When Allen didn’t answer him, Isaac knelt before him. “Allen? How many?”

  Allen looked up at him, then at Sydney. “Big fucking pack. I saw them off in the distance. I was hoping they would stay out of town.”

  Gavin paced, his oily hair actually showing some life in his frantic nature. “Shit! What do we do?”

  “Relax, Gavin.” Although Craig spoke the words, he looked just as frazzled. “Sydney? What do you think?”

  She froze, caught between fear and Allen’s gaze. This meant they were going to have to run. She wanted to say as much, but couldn’t find the words, still caught up in Allen’s depression.

  “We gotta go.” Isaac walked to the back of the warehouse. “We have to find a way out now. No more hesitation. Everyone grab a backpack. We’ll need whatever supplies we can carry. Guns and drinks above all else!”

  Sydney felt her heart strain. “But, Allen?”

  “Leave me.” His eyes filled with sorrow. Part of her wanted to do just that, to punish him. She even felt he somewhat deserved it. “Go, Syd. Save yourselves.”

  She looked to the one person who understood what she was going through. “Isaac?”

  He was busy herding the others toward the opposite side of the warehouse. “Bring him.”

  Sydney didn’t need anything more. She withdrew her sword and with one quick swipe, freed Allen. But he just sat there.

  “Allen? Get up.”

  He lowered his head to the ground as if praying.

  He’s sacrificing himself.

  “Allen, please. We have to go.”

  “Syd, hurry.” Isaac tailed the others. “We gotta go. If he won’t come, leave him.”

  Though she saw Isaac’s angst, she remained where she was.

  That’s it. I’ve finally lost it.

  She couldn’t give up on Allen. Not yet. But why?

  “I...I can’t.” Sydney said.

  Allen’s eyes found her. She wanted to see determination in his eyes, but Allen had lost all hope. What she saw was a man defeated, one who had seen too much death. All he wanted now was the end they had promised him. He wanted to die.

  “Allen, get the hell up!” She said.

  Isaac looked flustered. “For Christ’s sake, Syd!”

  “I can’t leave him! I can’t!”

  “Go Syd. My time has come. And, if it doesn’t come at their hands—” He motioned to the direction of the horde. “Then, it will come at theirs.”

  “No! I won’t leave you.”

  “Why?” Allen asked. “What have I ever done but bring you grief?”

  Has he though? Was it grief?

  Or was it that he hadn’t conformed to her thinking? Was it possible that all he had been guilty of was doing what he thought was right? And he had been fighting for her, fighting for all of them? Maybe it was what he had stood for that bothered her.

  What was it that made things so sour between us?

  Did she even know? Was it because he was willing to choose sides while she wasn’t? If so, why had it been him that left her?

  “We gotta go now!” Isaac said.

  Sydney remained, staring off at Isaac, then to Allen.

  As if realizing her indecision would not give, Isaac rushed to her side. When he got there, he huffed, and she fully expected him to pick her up and carry her off. Instead, he bent down yanked Allen up by his collar. Once he was on his feet, Isaac nudged Allen’s backside until he stumbled forward. “I’m only gonna tell you this once, white boy. Move your fucking ass. Now!”

  To make sure Allen did what he was told, Sydney took his hand and pulled him along. Allen followed but not without resistance. After all these years, it came with this touch. She loved him, even now when he was at his weakest.

  Has he always been like this? So weak?

  Had it been her, the bold wife that he needed to pull him along. Perhaps, more of this was her fault then she liked to admit. Flustered with doubt, she felt Isaac at her back, pushing both her and Allen toward the rest of the group.

  Behind them, the metal walls of the warehouse sounded almost like corn kernels on the verge of popping. Only it wasn’t any kind of treat. Death was knocking down the door, or rather flinging their dead physiques at the sides of the warehouse. And they did so until it gave.

  Only a few found the doorway, seemingly by luck. As the dents in the siding grew, the far wall finally collapsed. The largest pack Sydney had ever seen poured in through the opening.

  CHAPTER 30

  By the time they caught up to the group, Allen saw a very sober Dale readying to lead the charge, with Allen’s horse tied in with the others, set to pull the carriage that contained what was left of the man’s family.

  He won’t be able to outrun this pack for long.

  Allen looked at Sydney. He still loved her, more so for wanting to save his life.

  Does that go both ways?

  He suspected it didn’t. How could she ever love such a monster?

  Right now, they were in a tough spot. If Allen did nothing, not only would he get his wish to die, but they would all die alongside him. Not only that, but he owed it to Todd to try. The boy had been a good soldier, and he’d seen more in Allen than most people had. More so, Allen owed his wife. He needed to make sure she remained safe and made it back to Orson alive, no matter what the cost. He supposed he owed them all, a notion that brought clarity to the moment. He couldn’t do anything for any of them without some help.

  I need Dale.

  Allen let go of Sydney’s hand and burst forward. She groped at his arm, trying to stop him, and even called for him. He ignored it all and pushed on.

  When he passed Isaac, he worried the man would think he was trying to escape and might try to restrain him. For whatever reason, Isaac let him go. Disappointment flashed across Isaac’s face, then was gone.

  He passed the rest of the group, running as hard as he could and came up beside the tail end of the carriage. Dale was about to get the carriage moving in an effort to save his family. Allen couldn’t understand why; they were already gone. But Dale could help save the rest of them.

  “Dale?” Allen said.

  The brother’s eyes stabbed Allen. “What the fuck are you doin’ here? I thought we left you for dead.”

  “Dale, remember when we first met?” Dale’s gaze went plastic. Yes, he remembered. “Remember how you handled that pack?”

  “What of
it?” His voice was bitter.

  “We need something like that right now. We need a miracle.” Allen chose his words carefully. “I dare you, Dale.” Seeing this didn’t work he tried again. “I’ll bet you the finest bottle of liquor.”

  Dale glanced back and forth between Allen and the road ahead. Allen could see he had struck a nerve. That had been Allen’s intention, to shake whatever anger had built up inside the man loose. Dale’s bothered expression showed his amusement. “You don’t even have a bottle to bet with.”

  “I’ll get one.” Allen’s voice sounded high-pitched. “I promise Dale. I’ll get one. Whatever I need to do, but we’ll never make it out of here on foot, not all of us. You know that as well as I do.”

  With that, the carriage jolted forward, leaving Allen behind. A rush of disappointment washed over Allen. Then, the carriage slowed twenty yards away.

  Dale leaned off to one side and glanced back at him. He wasn’t smiling. There was no laughter. “Get their candy asses up here. Fast! We goin’ for a ride.”

  Dale reached over and pressed a button. The music started low, as the batteries struggled to play the cassette tape. But then AC-DC’s “Highway to Hell” began to blare from the speakers. After a long hiatus, Dale did smile.

  How fitting, Allen thought.

  CHAPTER 31

  Chris mounted the carriage first. When he did, Sydney saw Dillon snatch at him. It was going to be hard for everyone to mount the carriage without someone getting bitten. Still, they did what they were told. Isaac helped Allison up. Gavin wasn’t far behind. The top of the carriage filled up fast and soon there was little room left.

  “Craig, get on up.” Isaac motioned for the man to climb aboard.

  He did, but with some effort.

  Clyde clung to the bars of the carriage cell, staring back at the ensuing pack, unresponsive to the imminent threat. As if puzzled by Clyde’s lack of enthusiasm, Dillon jumped from side to side, groping and grasping for them, apparently overcome by hunger.

  Allen sat up front with Dale. Although Sydney wanted to go to him, she couldn’t. Both her and Isaac took hold on the back of the carriage, clinging to it with uncertainty. She was somewhat surprised the carriage didn’t pop a wheelie when Isaac boarded. Those on top had somehow redistributed enough weight to keep it from doing so.