Zombie Slayer Box Set, Vol. 1 [Books 1-3]

by Katz, Gayle

  “We may never know,” said Zan, dispatching the final one.

  Charlie smiled. “OK, let’s break out of this joint,” she said. She looked in the direction of the building. “What the?”

  Inside the building were dozens of zombies in various stages of mobility and decay. One guy couldn’t even make it up from the ground.

  “Nice,” said Zan. “So, I guess we can climb the walls and go out that way?”

  The three walked the length of the golf course to see what the walls were like.

  “Whoa, at least ten feet,” said Owen. “Anyone got their climbing gear?”

  Charlie shook her head. “I can’t pack everything in my bag all the time.”

  “I’ll run and check that all three walls are the same,” said Zan.

  “Hey, maybe we can climb up the building and hop over that way,” said Owen, taking off.

  “Great. I’ll just sit here, twiddling my fingers,” said Charlie.

  She got up, paced around, and then sat back down. She glanced back at the building. Was there someone on the other side? She ran over to the door.

  The zombies immediately noticed her and started banging on the window. But she did see Sergeant Bourne on the other side.

  Her phone rang. “Hello?”

  “Hello,” said his voice. “I heard you need some help.”

  She tried not to laugh. “What made you think that? We’re all alive here and having fun in the mini golf course.”

  “Where are the others?”

  She explained. “Zan is seeing if all the walls are ten feet high, while Owen is checking to see if we can climb over the building. We were going to break the glass but decided against that. Not sure why,” she joked.

  “I think climbing the trees and hopping over the building is your best bet. Try to stay put. I have backup coming that’ll take all these guys out.”

  “Hey, you OK? I see a bandage on your shoulder.”

  “The bullet just grazed me. I’ll be fine. Stay safe.” He hung up.

  Charlie heard running sounds coming up to her.

  “No go. All the walls are super high,” said Zan.

  “Well, the cops are here, so I’m sure we’ll be out real soon.”

  “Hey. I’m going to go help Owen.” Zan went to check the building. She walked behind some bushes. “Hey! There you are. Any luck?”

  “No,” he said. “All of these are bushes and flowers. I don’t see any trees that we can climb.”

  “Well, the cops are on the way and they’ll get us out,” said Zan.

  Owen turned to look at her. “That’s embarrassing. Usually we can handle our own problems.”

  “Yep.”

  “Say, I have something for you.” He removed his backpack and started fishing through it.

  “Really?” she said. “How can you outdo yourself after that last gift? It’s been a handy part of my tool kit.”

  “Here you go,” he said, handing her a sealed plastic bag, which appeared to have a bunch of blood in it.

  “Zombie parts?” She smiled. “You shouldn’t have.”

  “Well, I know you have been doing your experiments, so I thought I’d help out.”

  “This is great,” she said. “I assume it’s zombie strain number two?” She peered more closely at the bag.

  “Of course. Recent too. I grabbed it after we fought the zombies in the golf course.”

  “Smart! I was so riled up. I totally forgot what I needed!”

  Owen looked coy. “Anyway, it’s to apologize for being a goof this past week.”

  Zan looked up at him.

  “Yeah, I know. It’s none of my business what you do. Part of it was jealousy, part of it was out of friendly concern. By all means, date who you want.”

  Zan was about to explode, and then he laughed.

  “Hey, just kidding! I know you’re not going to date a cop. Ha-ha! Can you imagine?”

  Zan made sure the plastic bag was sealed tight, and then placed it securely in her purse. “Apology accepted. Anyway, what do I care what you think?” She laughed.

  Owen frowned, but he decided to let it go. It was just one of the stupid things that came out of her mouth, as usual.

  “Did you check the other side of the building?” asked Zan.

  “Just going to do that now,” he said, walking down to the end. “There’s this gutter coming down, but it’d be kind of hard to climb up that.”

  Zan peered at it. “Maybe we’ll just wait for the cops to come. We’re fine here as long as the zombies don’t break through the glass.” She had barely spoken the last word when the sound of breaking glass was heard. “So the cops have broken through.”

  “Zombieessssss!” cried out Charlie.

  “Let’s get ready,” Zan said to Owen, as they pulled out their backup daggers and ran to join Charlie.

  “Any luck?” asked Charlie.

  “Nope. They’ve built this place like a fortress, on purpose, I think,” said Owen.

  “Hey, guys. Did you see that there’s a shed down here?” said Zan, running toward it.

  The teens ran down to join her.

  “Maybe we could hole up inside,” said Owen. “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a bit tired.”

  “Me too,” said Charlie. She walked up. “Padlocked, but that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Hurry!” said Owen. “I think they’re just around the bend.”

  Charlie quickly picked the lock. She removed it and pushed the door open. Zan and Owen pushed her inside, quickly closing the door behind them.

  Zan pulled out her phone and clicked it on. On the inside of the shed was a small latch, so she secured it.

  “OK, so, if we’re quiet, they won’t find us,” said Charlie.

  Outside they heard stomping feet and moaning sounds. The three teens sat on the ground. They heard gunshots fired. After they settled down, there was silence.

  “Hey. What’s that sound?” asked Zan, looking around. She shined her smartphone around the small shed, but the light didn’t show anything out of the ordinary.

  “It sounds like something is scratching from under the floor,” said Charlie. She quickly jumped up.

  “I don’t see anything outside,” said Owen. “There are zombies, but they’re not coming over to the shed. I think it’s good that it’s off the path a bit. The boulders and bushes are keeping them away.”

  “Yeah, great,” said Charlie. “Tell that to my butt.”

  “I think there’s something under here,” said Owen. “Look! It’s a door and there’s the latch.” He pointed down to the ground.

  “You mean there’s something under there?” said Charlie. “Like a secret room?”

  “Looks like it,” he replied. “Have your weapons at the ready. Oh, and we need some light here.”

  Zan lifted up her phone and shined the light in that direction.

  “Here goes nothing,” said Owen, pulling up the latch.

  Chapter 15

  ________________________________________

  Sergeant Bourne was told by his commanding officer in no uncertain terms that he had to head to the ambulance.

  “But I’m fine,” he said.

  “Go,” said the captain. “We’ll get rid of these guys.”

  The front door had already been broken down. Some of the cops had shot the ones milling around the ticket booth, while others had been herded down the corridor to the bathrooms. A couple of the cops headed into the golf course.

  “I heard there are three teens in danger here, one of them injured,” said one policewoman to the other.

  “OK, I see about five here. Let’s go.” The two women raced down the brick path to take on any zombies.

  zzz

  Owen let the trap door fall against the wall. Inside was a set of steps.

  “Looks familiar. Am I right?” asked Charlie.

  “Yeah. Anyway, what’s with the steps and underground stuff? Can’t they just build the cities on top?” comp
lained Zan.

  Owen started down the steps. “I’ll go first.”

  The two girls followed him down. In the vast darkness ahead, it smelled a bit damp and mildewy. Underneath it was like a root cellar, with old bricks propping up the structure of the shed.

  “This looks older than the business itself,” said Charlie, shining her own smartphone light around the lot.

  “Hey, guys. Down here,” called out Owen, running down a long tunnel. He had to hunch down a bit, otherwise he’d hit his head.

  It was the only way to go, so Charlie and Zan followed after him.

  “Oh, be careful,” said Charlie. Ahead of them was a man. It appeared he’d been chained to the wall.

  “Hey, man. You alive?” asked Owen.

  The figure was still alive or, perhaps, he was a zombie. He opened his eyes.

  “Water,” the man said.

  Charlie pulled out a thermos that was stuck to the webbing of her backpack. “Here,” she said, handing it to Owen. Owen held it out to him while the man gratefully swallowed the contents.

  “Whew, thanks!” he said.

  “Hey. Aren’t you Ray Orzola?” asked Charlie.

  “Yep, the one and only,” he said.

  Owen looked him over. “I think he’s clear,” said Owen. “No signs of infection.”

  “How’d you get down here?” asked Zan.

  “The mayor clobbered me over the head during the opening, then I guess she dragged me in here. I woke up and found myself shackled.”

  Charlie looked puzzled. “Wait, how would you know that it was the mayor?” she asked.

  “Because she was here when I came around.”

  “Oh yeah? Why would she do that?” asked Zan.

  “She was mad at me for my scheme. It was drawing attention to her as people were figuring out we had a relationship.” The teens peered curiously at him. “You know, to make more money. I had Mars helping me out. But then, you guys got nosy, and soon it was all over.”

  Zan paced back and forth shaking her head.

  “But why didn’t the mayor just call the police? Why lock you up?” asked Charlie.

  He laughed. “Because, she’s pretty smart. She has her own scam going, I think.”

  “Really?” asked Owen. “But you guys were a couple. Couldn’t you negotiate your little scams together?”

  He shook his head. “Nah. She was angry that I had turned her city council member, Mars, into a zombie. She said it was drawing too much attention to her, and that she’d had enough.”

  Charlie started picking the locks on his handcuffs to release him.

  “Is that such a good idea?” Owen asked.

  “Relax. Look at the guy. He won’t give us any trouble, right?” she said to him.

  “Yeah, I’m ready for a nice comfy prison cot, let me tell you. And some food. I can’t believe I got wrapped up in all this crap. This has shut down my factory and ruined my life.”

  Soon Charlie had him released from the chains. She helped him stand up. He was wobbly, so she helped him over to the wall so he could lean against it. She handed him a granola bar.

  “Hey, thanks.”

  “So you turned Mars then?” Owen asked.

  “Yep. I wasn’t going to, but he got annoying.”

  “OK,” said Charlie. “So, if you help us, we can get several years knocked off your prison sentence.”

  “Well,” said Ray. “Right now sewing jackets and jeans in a prison has a certain appeal to it. But yes, I’ll help you out. What do you want to know?”

  zzz

  Sergeant Bourne filled Stewart in on what was happening at Tranquil Miniature Golf Garden. He assured Stewart he’d check on the teens before heading home, but he just needed his wound treated first. Bourne knew the captain would flip out, but he had to be certain that his friends were OK. Friends, huh? He hadn’t had any friends since before he graduated from the police academy.

  zzz

  The cops finally had all the zombies taken down.

  “Good job, Captain,” said one of the rookies to him.

  “Thanks,” he replied. “Remember, if you speak to the press, it was another Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.”

  They nodded and smiled.

  “So, where are the teens?” he asked, looking around.

  “There is absolutely nobody left alive in there,” said the rookie, looking sad.

  “What? Are you certain? I was told these kids have martial arts black belts, or something. A few zombies wouldn’t faze them.” He pulled his phone from his pocket.

  zzz

  “What do you mean they’re dead?” yelled Bourne. “No way those kids are dead! They’re too smart! You get back in there and look!” He put his phone away and walked out of the hospital. “I have to do everything myself!”

  zzz

  By now, the teens had helped Ray up the steps and were back out on the golf course. They stood on the brick path. It was silent around them.

  “Well, for one, is there a zleader?” asked Charlie.

  “What the heck is a zleader?” asked Ray.

  “That’s the leader of the zombies or someone who has created the zombies,” explained Charlie.

  “Oh, wouldn’t that be me?” he said. “I injected all the workers with the virus.”

  “You did?” said Zan, ready to punch him in the face. “You’re going to get the death penalty!”

  “Hey! Calm down, Zan,” said Owen, pulling her away.

  “We already knew that,” said Charlie. “I mean, who is your superior? Where did you get the virus? Was it prepackaged as an injectable?”

  “Oh, the person who helped me out? It was some guy, a friend of Dr. Arora’s. I’m sorry, but I don’t know his name.”

  “So, there is someone up above,” said Charlie.

  He nodded. “I only met him once. Mars handled most of it. You’ll have to talk to him.”

  “I guess,” said Charlie, “if we can get to him before he fully decomposes into a zombie.” She looked at her watch. A few hours had passed since they’d last seen him.

  “So, where did you hold the meetings?” asked Owen.

  “In this restaurant a few blocks away. We met Mars one time at the mayor’s house, but that was strictly business.”

  “OK, so, how is the mayor wrapped up in this mess?” asked Charlie.

  Ray was silent.

  “Oh, come on, you might as well tell us. It might make you feel better to come clean, and then we may not kill you,” said Charlie.

  “Um, there is no death penalty in Oregon,” said Ray. “At least, not right now.”

  Zan stood tall and walked up to him. “There is if you’re a zombie,” she said. “On sight.”

  He relaxed. “I’m not a zombie.”

  “I can change that,” threatened Zan.

  “OK, let’s go over here. Hey look! Cops!” said Owen. He could see a few coming down the path.

  “OK, we’re running out of time,” said Zan. “What is the mayor involved in?”

  Ray put his hands up. “OK. OK. It’s entirely separate from my zombie slave labor factory business. I heard from Mars that they were involved in cooking the books.”

  “Cooking the books?” asked Charlie.

  “You know, for the city. Two hundred thousand was supposed to go to the police force last year. Instead, it went somewhere else.”

  “You mean, a drug, alcohol, and women sort of thing?” asked Owen.

  He shrugged.

  “So the mayor’s scheme has nothing to do with zombies?” asked Charlie, puzzled.

  He shrugged again. “I heard it was financial dealings. Nothing to do with zombies, I’m afraid.”

  Then the cops came in and took him away.

  “Well, that’s done,” Charlie said to the others. “I guess we head for home.”

  “Oh my god,” said Sergeant Bourne, running up to them. Zan was closest, so he gave her a hug. “Some idiot told me you guys were dead, but I didn’t believe it for a mi
nute!”

  “Hey. We’re fine. We can look after ourselves,” said Zan, smiling.

  Owen started to look annoyed, and then controlled himself. “Say, can I have a hug too?”

  “Sure thing!”

  So everyone had a good group hug.

  “Hey, I’m driving you to urgent care, kid,” Bourne said, when he saw the bandage on Charlie’s butt.

  “Sure, but I’ll be fine,” Charlie replied.

  zzz

  “Congratulations,” said Stewart. “You’ve succeeded in stopping further zombie chaos. At least one gang has been taken down.”

  Charlie didn’t look happy. “Yep, but there is some guy out there, giving injectables to people, probably telling them they’re vaccines, or drugs, or something. It’s unfortunate that Mars deteriorated before he could be questioned. So, there could potentially be more zombies created.”

  “Well, I’ll talk to Bourne once he’s recovered from his bullet wound,” said Stewart.

  “I hate that Ray guy. How can someone just kill people that way?” Zan grumbled.

  “And what about the mayor?” asked Owen. “It’s sounds like she’s up to no good.”

  “OK, team,” said Stewart, handing around bottles of pineapple and mango soda. “We’ll focus on the zombies. Whatever the mayor is up to has nothing to do with us. That’s for the police to worry about. We don’t have the time or resources to become crime detectives too.”

  “Well, that’s all fine and good,” said Zan, “but it sounds like she’s taking away from the police force, which is part of what keeps Portland safe.”

  Stewart shrugged.

  “Say,” said Owen, pulling out a slip of paper from his pocket. I found this at the clothing factory, and we found the same symbols at the golf course.”

  Charlie also chimed in. “I also saw those symbols in the Seattle Underground.”

  Stewart took the slip of paper from him.