by S A Ison
Ethan constantly scanned around him; he pulled out and moved around abandoned cars. He felt the trickle of sweat slide down his face and wiped at it, surprised. This shit was unnerving. He was used to bizarre situations, but this was some kind of alternate universe crap. Zombies. He just couldn’t wrap his head around it. When he’d watched the shows about zombies on TV, he had laughed his ass off at the insane possibility of it. Yet, here he was, driving down the street and watching as distorted beings moved between the shadows. He snorted with a combination of dark humor and the unsettled feelings that were growing in the pit of his stomach. He turned down several streets and saw the storage facility ahead.
He pulled in behind a truck and turned off the engine. He cracked his windows and caught the funk of death and rolled them back up again. He watched the gate to the storage garage; he was parked roughly thirty feet away and had a good view. He looked around and saw no one and so opened his door and stepped out, ignoring the stench around him. Looking up and down the street, he ran over to the gate. He pulled out his phone and tapped onto the app that the agency had given him. It was the locator beacon on Wilder’s car. He had the input number and climbed the fence quickly. He was glad there was no barbed wire. It was quiet around him and he no longer heard the moans of earlier. Hopefully that meant there were no zombies in the area.
He walked and the app began to beep and as he moved along the line of closed doors, the app began to beep more quickly. The beeping was now a steady hum as he stood in front of the door with Wilder’s vehicle. He nodded and turned off the phone and repocketed it. He ran back to the side of the building and found a place to hide. He didn’t know if or when Wilder would be back to claim his vehicle, but he would chill out for a while. If nothing happened, he’d find a hotel and leave a monitoring device on the door of the storage shed. Wilder had been gone for a while and it may well be days or weeks before the man came back. That was a big part of his job, waiting. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a candy bar and unpeeled the paper. At least it didn’t stink back here. He leaned his head back and settled himself for a long wait.
Ž
Bobby’s eyes slid to Avery Pendanski, who sat hunched against the passenger door of the Humvee. The man was chewing his nails and Bobby thought maybe the kid would chew his fingers off. The boy wasn’t the brightest bulb in the pack. His sale’s record was one of the lowest.
“Relax Avery, you’re safe in this beast. Ain’t none of them zombies gonna get through this. Here, watch,” Bobby Wheeler Dealer said as he swerved the large vehicle onto a side street between two large buildings. The entire area was in heavy shadow and there were three wavering creatures standing in the middle of the street.
“What the fuck?” Avery nearly screamed as his hands flew out in front of him. The heavy bumper of the Humvee hit the first zombie and there was a wet snap that could be heard inside the vehicle. Then the other two meandering zombies were hit and the Humvee rocked slightly as the wheels rolled over the bodies. Avery made a gagging noise and looked at Bobby in panic.
“Don’t you puke in my vehicle, damnit. Roll that window down if ya gotta,” Bobby said through clenched teeth. It had taken him most of the day just to round up Avery, his other employees either weren’t home or didn’t answer their doors. He was disgusted by their cowardice. Well, enough, they’d wish they would have joined up with him in the days to come. He and Avery had been hitting up stores in the area. He was trying to figure out where to go to set up his little kingdom. The dealership wasn’t it, since those large showroom windows could be shattered easy enough. He’d have to move farther out in town, maybe take a look at one of the corrections facilities. They were built to keep prisoners in, but now, maybe they could keep those zombies out? Would there be any police or corrections officers present? Would the prisoners still be housed there or let go because of the virus?
“I’m gonna head us on over to the medium security facility over on Northside. I want you to go in and see what’s what,” Bobby said as he moved the vehicle back to the main drag.
“What?” Avery squeaked, his face white as death, his dark eyes looking like pits in his face.
“You heard me. We need a secure place to hole up. You think this shit is gonna end soon? Son, we’re in the beginnings of a zombie apocalypse. If we don’t set up some kind of secure holdings, we’re gonna be screwed.”
“But…but, that’s the law there and them is prisoners in there.”
“So? Look, just walk in like you’re gonna visit someone. You know, play it cool. If there’s officers and such, just turn around an’ walk back out. Simple as that. Don’t make this harder than it has to be. Next, we’ll need to head over to Yooloo’s Gun Shop. I wanna pick up some hardware. Unless you’d like to fight these zombies with your bare hands?” Bobby laughed. He snorted with glee, he’d been waiting for the end of the world for years now and it was finally here. He hoped his ex-wife was walking around out there with her throat ripped out. She’d been bleeding him for years now and the thought of her being one of the infected tickled him on so many levels. Maybe he’d swing by her place and take a look.
Ž
Xander’s brain hurt, pure and simple. It was now becoming apparent that they were square in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. There was no other explanation for it. Zahara had tried to contact work with no joy. Once they were on the interstate, they found more and more abandoned cars. He weaved in and out of the stalled traffic and as he got to larger cities, the roadways were nearly impassable. They’d gotten off the interstate and took secondary roads which were little better. More and more of the zombies were becoming visible as the sun edged its way west.
“You think we should use your little car?” Zahara asked in a bored voice, her feet propped on the dash.
“I think I want a tank. There are dozens of these things around, if not hundreds. Did you see down in that valley? I think there were thousands of them, just moving around.”
“You think they’ll turn us if they bite us?”
He looked over at her and she had a slight smile on her face. He snorted and shook his head.
“How the hell should I know? I’m no expert on a zombie apocalypse, I don’t even believe in this shit,” he said.
“Ready or not, believe it or not, it is fucking here. What dumbass, douchebag politician or government wanted this shit let loose?”
“You really think it was our country?” he asked, his eyes sliding back to her legs, she had spilled a drink on her pants earlier and had changed into a pair of shorts. He thought she might have done it on purpose since every time he looked over at her, she snickered when his eyes were drawn to her legs.
“I’ve only been off-grid a week or so. If there was something big going on globally, I’d have heard about it. This thing was too fast and I have no idea how far and wide it’s gone. I’ve been checking the international news outlets and nothing, they aren’t even putting anything out. Neither is our national news, CNN is quiet, just set on repeat, like they’ve looped the news. We’ve gone through three states now and have been driving for hours and it’s the same. People scuttling around, fear written all over them and cars and such abandoned. Dead laying around and man, I just don’t know. It could well have come from another country, but whoever set this virus loose, they got bitten in the ass as well,” she ended in a huff.
“We’re almost to the unit. I think we might want to see about trading up. We passed a dealership a few miles back and I saw a white Hummer. Maybe pick up a few five-gallon fuel cans to bring along. I have a really bad feeling shit is going to start shutting down,” he said.
“What? You mean like the power grids and that kind of shit? Internet?” she asked, sitting up straight on the bench seat. The interior of the 57 Chevy was a restored aqua color with the original dials and gauges. He had lovingly restored it in his down time. He hated the thought of giving the vehicle up.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Look around. There i
s no law enforcement anywhere to be seen. I’ve seen a few police vehicles, but those were abandoned. Huntsville is a good size city and these streets are devoid of people. I’m pretty sure Huntsville also had a National Guard, but there are no troops and I see nothing that would indicate that they’ve been activated. This thing hit fast and hard.” He scanned the streets around him and saw his destination ahead. They had also been hearing an increase in gunshots through the towns that they’d passed through. Even here, the echo of gunfire bounced around the taller buildings.
Xander pulled off the main drive and pulled up to a high fence. He reached back in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He dug out the credit card looking key card and leaned out the window and placed the key card into the slot. He punched four numbers and the gate to the storage facility began to open. He pulled ahead slowly and he pulled up to the door of the unit. He shut off the engine and got out, searching his pocket for the keys to the shed’s lock. He looked over when Zahara got out and stretched. He nearly dropped his keys as her shirt moved up her midriff and he saw the soft skin of her middle and a weapon tucked in front and in back. Then she froze and he did too.
“Hello Agent Vector,” she purred, not turning around.
“How in the hell did you know it was me?” Ethan asked, surprise in his voice. Xander turned slowly, seeing the weapon in Ethan’s hand. It was pointed at Zahara and he looked over at the woman.
“I could smell that cheap-ass cologne you wear. News flash, I could smell you a mile away, dumbass,” she said, a wide smile on her face. Ethan’s eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened.
“Why in the hell are you here?” Xander growled.
“Agent Zed’s name came up. Ding, ding, ding. Winner, winner, chicken dinner,” Ethan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“If my name did come up, then why am I still standing here?” she asked, her hands on her hips.
“Even though I’m a killer, I figured you deserved to see it coming. Not just some kind of shitty execution. Besides, I’m not even sure I would do it. Seems a cowardly way to deal with an agent,” Ethan Moreno said softly. Zahara laughed, it filled the air, tinkling music. Xander’s mouth twitched with humor.
“You think you can kill me with a little old bullet? That fast and that easy?” she asked, almost in a coy voice. Ethan’s face registered confusion and irritation. Xander understood those emotions well when it came to Zahara. He watched as Zahara sashayed forward, her slim hips swaying hypnotically. Xander had a hard time keeping his thoughts on Ethan and his presence here. Shit was starting to get out of hand here and he needed to put a stop to it fast.
“Ah, uh, guys? Look, I think we’ve got bigger problems than a retirement ceremony. It’s getting later in the day and the lights are starting to shift toward evening. You know what that means?” he asked and looked at the two. Ethan’s eyes shifted to him.
“Zombies.” Ethan placed the weapon under his shirt and into the hidden holster.
“You know anything about this?” Zahara asked.
“Nope. I’ve been trying all day to get instructions and no one is answering. I’ve got a shitty feeling we’re on our own. I think something really bad has happened and it’s widespread, as in global. As in beyond reining in and controlling it,” Ethan said and all three jerked when the chain link fence began to rattle. At the far end of the storage facility, there looked to be well over a hundred of the creatures pushing and shoving against the fence. The fence rocked loudly and some of the zombies in front were crushed against the chain link, bits of their flesh was forced through the small openings and pieces of flesh and gore fell to the ground. The fence rocked dangerously and Xander thought it wouldn’t take long before the whole thing fell over. He heard a snarl and looked over to Zahara. Oh shit, he thought.
“Don’t Zahara. Don’t do it. Those things will tear you apart. There’s just too many,” Xander warned as he moved quickly to the storage door. He unlocked it and shoved the metal door up while looking over his shoulder. Zahara was moving toward the fence, her body in a crouch.
“Help me get my shit out of the car, Moreno. Now,” Xander barked. Ethan was jolted out of his daze and moved toward Xander. Unlocking the trunk, Agent Echo took out several long cases and handed them to Agent Vector, jutting his chin toward the truck bed. They would secure all gear in the storage boxes in the truck’s bed.
“Damnit, Zahara, now. Come on, those things will be through that fence and we gotta get the hell out of here.”
“I can take ‘em,” she snarled and Ethan stopped and stared at the diminutive woman. Shit.
“Not now, damnit. Not now. Get in the fucking truck. Don’t you do it,” Xander shouted and looked to Ethan, who stood with his mouth gaping open in shock.
Zahara stood erect, looking over her shoulder. Her eyes glowed a shimmering gold now and her face was elongated and her canine teeth growing. She was growling low and she was shifting and changing into something otherworldly. Her fingers and joints were popping and her legs lengthening, muscles bulging and straining against a hide. Before too long, she would bust out of the clothing and she’d be naked. Xander walked over quickly and grabbed her arm and yanked her to him.
“You can’t be a werewolf now damnit. I mean it! Not now. We gotta go and you don’t know if those things will turn you into a damned zombie werewolf,” he snarled. He could feel his own body responding to hers. He’d known she was a werewolf the first time they’d met. You couldn’t miss that smell and he was torn between frustration and desire at the sight of her. His own inner wolf was responding to the female wolf. He couldn’t let this happen and now Ethan was seeing it, stunned shock painted on his dark features. They’d have to do some explaining but not here and not now. He yanked again, his own nails beginning to grow and she looked at him.
Her eyes were beautiful and her face was stunning, the long fangs gleaming. Then her face began to shrink and her muzzle pulled back into her human skull. He let out a breath and punched Ethan who was clutching a box of ammo to his chest.
“Get moving Ethan unless you wanna end up as dinner for those things,” Xander yelled. Ethan nodded absently, his eyes wide and he set the box of ammo into the bed of the truck. Xander grabbed Ethan and shoved him into the passenger’s side and nudged Zahara and she looked at him and grinned sheepishly and shrugged.
“Sorry,” she said in a small voice.
“No, you’re not,” he said and laughed and closed the shed door and set the lock. Just as he jumped in the truck the fence crashed and dozens of zombies surged forward and trampled those in front of them. Their mouths were open and chomping and for a moment, Xander watched them as the creatures moved toward his truck.
“What in the hell are you waiting for, Wilder?” Ethan said, nearly crawling up the seat.
THREE
“How in the hell did you find me?” Xander asked, turning toward Agent Vector in the confined space, his eyes narrowed.
“Can we talk about this later, man?” Ethan urged as the zombies moved closer.
“Fine. I think we’re gonna need a place to hole up and figure this shit out. I don’t think this is a temporary situation,” Xander said, surprised at the calm in his voice.
“Well, move the fucking truck before they block us off and swarm us,” Ethan urged, looking out the back window. Xander could feel the man vibrate with tension, but whether it was because of Zahara’s near change or the zombies, he didn’t know. He put the truck in gear and pulled away just as the first body tried to grasp onto the back of the truck.
“Ah crap, look,” Zahara said as they headed toward the gate of the facility. There were more zombies and they were milling in front of the gate and their exit.
“Seatbelts,” Xander said and he began to move through the bodies. He wasn’t going fast and the zombies bounced off the front of his truck. He slowed, getting a closer look at them. Some were fresh dead and others had a bit of rot and they all had angry and aggressive expressions. One of the zombies smacke
d his window and Xander was afraid that the damned thing would shatter the window. He sped up and hit another zombie and the truck bounced over the body. He gritted his teeth when he heard the bones snap and crack.
He pulled out onto the street and saw that there were more zombies wandering around aimlessly. He sped up a bit.
“Geez, I think we need a cow catcher on the front of the truck,” Zahara said.
“We need a better vehicle,” Ethan said.
“Yeah, got that. Let’s head to that dealership,” Xander said and began to maneuver around the bodies. He hated the thought of leaving his beloved truck, but he needed something a bit more substantial. He jerked when there was a thump from the back and turned to see a zombie standing in the bed of the truck. He jerked the steering wheel and the zombie toppled out.
“So, what in the hell are you?” Ethan asked Zahara. Xander leaned his head over and looked at the woman and she winked at him.
“I’m a werewolf, naturally.”
“You knew about this, Wilder? Does the agency?” Ethan asked, his voice rising.
“He’s a wolf boy too,” Zahara said and laughed. Xander shot her a filthy look. Ethan looked between the two and shook his head.
“Oh, this is some straight up supernatural horseshit; it ain’t fucking real. I’ve had an aneurism and I’m in a fucking coma.”
Zahara was laughing now, her cheeks were bright pink and Xander thought perhaps she was enjoying Agent Vector’s discomfort too much. He took pity on Ethan and explained.