“There’s only one on the road behind the car.” Their faces turned straight as they didn’t know what to do. The zombie on the roof climbed down over the windshield and started banging on the glass.
“Stop the car stop the car!” Matt shouted, and Bobby slammed on the brakes. The zombie flew from the car and landed 40 feet up the road. Matt immediately jumped out of the car, and as soon as the zombie got up on his feet, a bullet through his forehead sent him back to the ground.
They arrived at the Rutgers campus around noon, seeing more and more zombies the closer they got. They began driving up to Jordyn’s dorm hall. It was as sunny a day as they’ve seen since it began. The campus was in pretty good shape overall, except for the rare blood stain on the sidewalks. They pulled up to Jordyn’s hall and stayed in the Humvee to discuss their plan.
“This is her hall,” Bobby said
“How do you know?” Matt asked.
“Because I’ve been here.”
“Oh have you?” Tommy said with a smirk. Bobby gave him a stern look. “Ok, sorry, time to get serious.”
“So the building will be locked because we don’t have student ID cards to swipe in, we’re going to have to break the glass to get in. But that’ll set off the alarm, which could attract some zombies over here. I was thinking Tommy and I will run upstairs to her room, Matt you wait down here and if any come start shooting and we’ll come down and help.”
“Is there any way in without setting off the alarm?” Matt asked.
“You know what room she is, Bobby? We can throw rocks at her window.”
“I know it’s fourth floor, not sure which room though there’s like twenty.”
“I mean it’ll only take five minutes to chuck ‘em at each window, want to try that first?” Tommy asked.
“Alright, and if it doesn’t work we’ll break in and set off the alarm, deal?”
“Deal.”
“Deal, just be quick,” Matt added.
“Always am,” Bobby smirked.
They stepped out of the Humvee in their bulletproof vests and sarcastic camo outfits that they even made Matt wear. The boys each pick up a handful of rocks, they were about the size of a Gatorade bottle cap, but they were pretty heavy for their size. Tommy looked up at the fourth floor, reared back and fired a rock at the first window. The glass shattered and the building alarm went off.
“Tommy let’s go! Matt wait by the door!”
Tommy and Bobby bolted towards the front door of the Hall, it has two glass panels with a wooden panel in between. Tommy fired a couple shots from his assault rifle at the top glass panel to soften it then smashed it with the butt of his gun. They climbed through the top panel and headed towards the stairs. They furiously raced their way up to the fourth floor. The piercing alarm was still ringing in their ears as they reached the floor, Tommy followed as Bobby lead him to Jordyn’s room. The door was open, and they burst inside to find a vacant room, with broken glass and Gatorade cap-sized rock on the floor.
“Dammit, let’s go!” Tommy yelled.
“Hold on!” Bobby started searching around the room, looking for a clue to her whereabouts, the bed had nothing, he went to her desk and opened her laptop, nothing. Then he looked down and saw the piece of notebook paper that read, “Head to the RAC”. Just as he saw, he heard gunshots from downstairs. They ran to the window to see a group of about 15 zombies sprinting towards Matt.
They tried to yell for him to come inside, but the alarm and gunshots made it impossible to hear. They began firing their assault rifles from the window, combined with Matt they took out five of them, but the majority was getting closer and closer to Matt, so they ran downstairs to help. They rushed down, skipping entire sections of stairs by jumping from top to bottom, hurling their bodies down by grabbing the railing and thrusting themselves down. When they finally reached downstairs, they saw Matt hop through the window and start bolting towards them, with a small pack behind him.
“Back upstairs! Jordyn’s room!” The three of them bolted back up the stairs, the zombies came closer and closer. They reached the fourth floor, Matt turned to see the zombies were half a floor behind them, and he fired down the flight, taking out the first three zombies of the horde. They ran into Jordyn’s room and locked the door. Seconds later, they could hear the banging and clawing above the sound of the alarm.
“Out the window!” Matt yelled.
“We’re on the fourth floor!” Bobby answered.
“Scale it, don’t fall.”
They went to the window to see there were stone edges outlining each window, about two inches thick. It wouldn’t be easy, but Matt went first. The gun was dangling off his chest held by the shoulder strap as he held the bottom of the window in Jordyn’s room, and toed the top stone edge of the window below him. He released his grip with his hands and feet simultaneously, and caught the edges of the third story window. He did the same to the second story, and then dropped to the ground from there. The bangs and claws and groans at the door seemed louder than ever. Tommy was next, and he flew down the side of the wall, only pausing for a half second at each ledge. Bobby began to climb out the window; he could hear the door was moments away from being broken so he knew he had to be fast. As he reached the third floor, the zombies broke into Jordyn’s room. They came to the window and began swan diving out of the window towards Tommy and Matt. One of them kicked Bobby in the right shoulder, causing him to lose his balance and fall from the third floor. He hit the ground hard on his legs. They shot the zombies who had landed so far, as Tommy ran back to help Bobby get on his feet. They began running towards the Humvee, questioning why they hadn’t parked right next to the door. The zombies landed and ran towards the boys without hesitation. Matt reached the Humvee first and started it up, he looked back to see the zombies gaining ground on the boys, God they were fast. He quickly reloaded his gun, got out of the car, raised his hands up in front of him and touched the knuckles, then pushed outwards towards his shoulders, signaling for them to separate, and raised his gun. The boys understood, and broke off to their respective sides. The second they did, Matt unloaded his gun on them. Aiming high, he took out all but one of them. Bobby looked over his shoulder to see one right on his tail. There wouldn’t be enough time to turn and raise the gun before the zombie was on him. He turned back towards the Humvee, bringing the zombie closer to Matt and Tommy. He got within 10 feet and broke off to the left, leaving a clear shot for the two. Matt and Tommy each aimed, and fired three bullets into its head.
They were in the clear.
“Bobby are you alright?” Tommy asked.
“Little sore but I’ve fallen from farther, let’s go.”
“Where to?” Matt asked.
“The RAC, basketball arena, we drove past it on the way here.”
Matt was astonished at the boys’ ability to shake off a near-death situation. It’s something he’s only seen from the craziest of the soldiers he’s fought with. Maybe it was just naivety? Did they even realize how close to death they were just a moment ago? But although they didn’t show it, the Nagels were a bit shaken up. But Bobby was not going to give up on finding Jordyn that easily, especially since they’re so close to where she could be. And Tommy couldn’t seem scared because Bobby didn’t seem scared.
They drove up to the RAC. The place seemed desolate but Bobby was sure she was in there. They went to the main gate, and it was locked. They went to the side gate, also locked. Then they started walking around the outside of the stadium looking for doors, all of which were locked. Finally Tommy started to lose his patience and started banging on one of the doors. A solid grey double-door, and it made a loud thumping sound when hit.
“Excuse me! Anybody in there?” Tommy yelled.
“I’m sorry we cannot take anybody else in.” a man behind the door yelled. The boys’ faces lit up at the sound of another voice.
“Please sir, we are looking for somebody.”
“We don’t have enough food and water
for more people I’m sorry.”
“We don’t want food or water!”
“Maybe not now, then three days later you’ll be begging for some and it would be inhumane not to give you some, right?”
“Three days? Sir, we are not staying!”
“Not staying?”
“No!”
“Hold on a second.” The man said, followed by a long silence behind the door. The footsteps of another man we’re heard.
“I’m Officer O’Brien, what can I do for you?” the man said. Matt gave the boys a look and raised his hand in an “I got this” sort of way.
“Hello Officer O’Brien my name is Sergeant Major Matthew Mickelson of the United States Marine Corps.” Tommy and Bobby smirked, and Bobby whispered playing the Marine card, “I’m here with my two cousins, and we are looking for somebody in this building. We do not plan on staying; you can escort us around and watch us leave when we’re done. Please sir, we’ve been through a lot trying to find this girl. And just so you are not alarmed, we do have guns, you can hold on to them while we’re in there if you wish.” Another long silence, as the Officer deliberated on what to do. Finally he opened the door, and two officers were pointing guns at them for preemptive measure. Tommy didn’t look pleased by the lack of trust.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Matt said, “Here you go.” He extended his gun out to the officer.
“No it’s okay Sergeant Major, you guys can hold on to them.” Officer O’Brien said, and lowered the arms of his two gun wielding officers. “Why are you guys wearing camo?” Tommy and Bobby started snickering.
“Because they think they are funny.”
The officers let them in and escorted them around the building. There were people everywhere. It made sense they were hesitant to let more in. Students, faculty, and plenty of non-Rutgers affiliated people lined the hallway walls leading into the court area. They looked starved. Clearly there wasn’t that much food to go around for the incredible number of people in there. Finally they were led into the stadium. It looked like they were walking into a sold out game. Almost all of the seats were taken, and people were cramped sitting on the court. Officer O’Brien led them down the stairs toward the court. Tommy and Bobby gazed throughout the crowd, but it was like trying to find Waldo without the striped sweater. They wandered throughout the arena for an hour and a half. Suddenly, something caught Bobby’s eye, and he broke off from the group.
“Hey! Where is he going?” Officer O’Brien shouted.
“Relax let’s follow him.” Matt said as he took off after him.
Bobby made his way through the crowd on the court, some people standing, most sitting. He pushed his way to the far right corner and saw Jordyn lying on a blanket, her eyes closed. Bobby dropped to his knees next to her.
“Jordyn?” Bobby said, just loud enough for her to hear it. Her eyes slowly opened, and Bobby saw that big, beautiful smile that he feared he’d never see again. Jordyn sprang up to her knees with the little energy she had and threw her body into his, wrapping his arms around him. Bobby could hear a few soft sobs.
Tommy, Matt, Officer O’Brien, and his two lackeys came up to the scene.
“We’ll be over there when you guys are ready to be escorted out.” Officer O’Brien said and walked off.
“Tommy!” Jordyn yelled after finally looking up. Tommy got down to his knees to hug her too.
“Hi Jordyn, my name is Matt, their cousin.”
“Well hello there Matt!” She said with a big smile and shook his hands while still sitting.
Only Jordyn could still look gorgeous after not bathing and barely eating for days. She clearly needed more food than she was getting. Tommy and Bobby stayed crouched as they talked to her, Matt stayed standing.
“Where did you guys get these?” Jordyn said, fiddling with Bobby’s gun.
“Uh don’t worry about it for now,” Bobby said pushing her hand off his gun, “Listen Jordyn you have to come with us.”
“Where to?”
“To the Fortress!”
“Safest place around Jordyn!” Tommy chimed in.
“Let me guess, it’s just your house but you guys enjoy being idiots?”
“You know us well.” Bobby said as they all laughed.
“Umm excuse me? We’re not going anywhere.” Said a redhead a few feet away.
“We? And who the hell are you?” Tommy shot back.
“Tommy this is my friend Nick, I can’t leave him here by himself.” Jordyn said.
“Jordyn, you’re actually thinking of going with these kids?”
“These kids are my best friends, Nick.”
“There are zombies outside Jordyn why would you want to leave?”
“Maybe she’s a little hungry, Nick.” Tommy said in a sarcastic tone, “I don’t think they have McDonald’s in here but we can hit one on the way back if you’d like.”
“We’d be safer in here-“ Nick pleaded to Jordyn.
“Safer?” Tommy interrupted, “For how many more days will it safer before you have some cannibals in here instead of zombies?”
“That won’t happen!”
“Well then you’ll DEFINITELY starve.”
“The military will act soon and this will all be over.”
“We’ve tried, and failed. We’re on our own, kid.” Matt joined in.
“Jordyn you sure we can’t just leave this guy?” Tommy asked.
“He’s my friend, Tommy. I can’t leave him here all by himself. Nick, please!”
“It’s too dangerous to leave.”
“It’s more dangerous in here, you’re not going to last much longer without eating, guy. It looks like you haven’t eaten in weeks and it’s only been days since it started.” Bobby said.
“Well it’s still safer in here.”
“How so?” Tommy replied, “We’ve made it this far we’re obviously doing something right.”
“Yeah well it’s only a matter of time before your luck runs out!” They were all silent for a moment, processing that this Nick kid basically told them they were going to die, and soon. Finally Tommy replied, with harsh anger in his voice.
“Yeah, maybe. But I’d rather die out there fighting, risking my life for my friends and family then starve to death on a crowded basketball court because I was too scared to leave. You’re not the only one scared, Nick, shit I’m scared. But it was worth the risk and the fear that came with it to see Jordyn’s face the moment she saw Bobby. She’s coming with us whether you’re joining her or not. And how dare you say that she won’t be safe. You don’t know us. So, are you coming with us or are you going to sit here and rot away?”
Jordyn stood, and extended her arm out to help Nick up. After a few seconds Nick took her hand and stood. The five of them made their way home.
Chapter 10
Ryan and Ben, the Nagel’s cousins, and Aunt Julia were upstate for the high school football state semi-finals. Uncle Ned couldn’t go due to work. They were spending the night in a hotel when the outbreak started, leaving Uncle Ned home by himself. He had nothing to do except worry about the well-being of his family, so that’s what he did. He’d never regretted anything more in his life than not taking the days off of work to see his boys’ football game. What kind of father wouldn’t go to the biggest game of his kids’ life? The guilt and the worrying were starting to rattle his brain. But for now, he was still sane.
****
“Welcome to the Fortress!” Tommy exclaimed as they arrived home before nightfall. The addition of Jordyn to the Fortress gave Bobby an everlasting feeling of warmth. He gave off a positive aura that had not been seen since before the outbreak. Tommy noticed, and longed for that feeling, that warmth. He knew he wouldn’t feel that way until he saw Melanie again and could wrap his arms around her the way Bobby did when he woke Jordyn up. But Bobby was right; their chance of even making it to Pittsburgh was slim. They almost got killed going away from Philly to get Jordyn, going right through the heart of the outbre
ak would be suicide right? Especially since Matt was adamant about not going towards Philly, and who could blame him? Matt was like a safety net for Tommy and Bobby, going anywhere without him is risky. But none of those reasons helped Tommy’s longing for that everlasting feeling of warmth.
They gave Jordyn their parents’ bed to sleep on, Matt moved to the guest bed and Nick took one of the couches. Nick wasn’t thrilled about being the only one without a bed, but he didn’t say anything. How could he complain when he’d spent the last few days on a basketball court? They were also welcome have whatever food they wanted. They did lack electricity and running water, which was taking a long time to get used to. Tommy still flipped the light switch every time he walked into his room before remembering they were powerless. Jordyn slept for 14 hours that night, but Nick only slept 6. He didn’t feel as safe there as he did in the arena.
“I just don’t get why there aren’t any zombies around here. We’re closer to Philly than we were at Rutgers?” He said the following morning, as Tommy scrambled eggs and cooked sausages for the group.
“Maybe it’s the lack of people? Everybody around here fled it seems like.” Bobby said.
“They do seem to be drawn to large crowds.” Matt agreed.
“Large crowds...” Bobby repeated.
“What?” A few of them asked.
“They could be heading towards New York. Coming towards here would be out of the way, every now and then there’s a few stragglers who got lost. But they’re all drawn towards New York, and Rutgers is basically on the way.”
“That’s why there was so much panic there, because they were heading right for us.” Jordyn said.
“And that’s why we got attacked by a whole flock of them up there.” Tommy added.
“Horde.” Bobby corrected.
“You think the zombies are self-aware enough for that?” Tommy asked, “Like maybe deep down they still know where NYC is but, I’d be surprised if the things eating people were that… I don’t know… smart?”
The Fortress Page 5