MARZ | Book 1 | MARZ

by Davis, James

  “Rosie, man, get off me. I can't hardly breathe,” Johnny grunted as he tried to wiggle his way free. He could feel the Glock poking into his back as Roosevelt finally came to and rolled off of him.

  “You ok?” Roosevelt groaned, blood dripping off of the end of his nose.

  “I’m fine. Check on Tyler,” Johnny said, pushing himself up into a sitting position. The growls outside were getting closer and closer the longer they stayed inside the totaled SUV.

  “Tyler, wake up. We have to get the hell out of here,” Roosevelt said, giving Tyler a firm smack across the face. Tyler mumbled something unintelligible before his eyes shot open wide with horror.

  “You’re alright. Don’t freak out on me,” Roosevelt said, helping Tyler up into a sitting position. Roosevelt looked the man over for any life-threatening injuries, but found none. Tyler didn’t have a single mark on him other than the knot on his forehead where his head must have smacked off of the steering wheel.

  “You guys ok? I am so sorry.” Tyler started.

  “We don’t have time for that. Get up. We need to get the hell out of here before we get overrun with those damn zombies!” Roosevelt said, pulling himself up and out of the driver side window. He looked around the area and spotted at least twenty of the undead sprinting toward the truck.

  “We have to go now!” Roosevelt shouted as he reached to his waistband to grab his gun. The gun was gone and he looked back down to see Johnny grab it from the shattered window.

  “Rosie, here,” Johnny shouted as he grabbed the gun. He looked up and tossed the gun to his friend and watched as Roosevelt immediately brought the gun and started firing into the crowd of the undead.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  7:15 p.m. Christmas Eve 2048

  Houston, Texas

  “Give me your hand!” Johnny shouted down into the destroyed Tesla as Roosevelt continued to fire shot after shot dropping the closest zombies to them. Tyler reached up and grabbed Johnny’s hand in a vice-like grip. Johnny pulled him up on top of the truck and then stood up to help Roosevelt finish dropping the final three zombies.

  “I’m out!” Roosevelt shouted as the three men climbed down to the street. Johnny pulled out one of the Glock mags and started stripping all of the rounds from it. He handed the rounds to Roosevelt and stood guard as he refilled his own mag for the Beretta.

  “You didn’t see those boxes of ammo in there before you got out?” Roosevelt asked as he thumbed the rounds into the mag.

  “Didn’t have time to look. Tyler, how far are we from the airport?” Johnny said.

  “It’s right over there,” Tyler replied pointing a finger off to the side of the bridge. Johnny turned to look and spotted a plane lifting off from the runway.

  “Alright, you lead the way. Roosevelt and I will watch for those toothy bastards as we run,” Johnny said. Tyler nodded and then took off in a slow jog toward the upcoming cross street. The chaos seemed to have reached the section of the city they were currently running through faster than any of them thought was possible.

  “I bet the airport will be pure chaos by the time we get there,” Roosevelt said, turning his head to look behind them every few steps.

  “I bet you’re right as fast as this shit is spreading,” Johnny replied before raising his Glock and firing two shots at a growling figure. The shots punched through the undead skull dropping it instantly.

  “Nice shot!” Roosevelt said as the three rounded a corner and kept running.

  “We’re almost there!” Tyler said in between gasps of breath as he pointed to a sign that simply read airport with an arrow pointing straight forward. All around them people were screaming as the undead monsters attacked them left and right. Sirens blared as police officers pulled up all over the city to try and help the people being attacked but it was no use. The cops would get bit and then they too would turn and start attacking anything that moved. Johnny and Roosevelt continued firing on anything that even resembled one of the zombies as they ran, ducking behind cars and stopped busses when they came up to a large group of the dead.

  “Keep going!” Johnny said when he noticed Tyler starting to slow down from fatigue.

  “My legs are done,” Tyler whined.

  “You better move your skinny ass right now before you get us all killed!” Johnny shouted, raising his pistol and firing a round past Tyler's head. The round struck a large fat man in the face, caving in the entire left cheekbone. Blood sprayed out of the side of the man's head leaving a crimson mist in the air as the three continued forward to the airport's entrance. An enormous parking lot lay between them and the airport so they darted into the closest row of cars being careful not to be seen. Johnny took the lead and sprinted down to the end of the first row of cars and stopped next to an old 2020’s model Chevy pickup.

  “Get down!” Johnny said as he glanced back at Roosevelt and Tyler. They hugged close to the truck’s bumper as several of the undead monsters ran past chasing an older man in a pinstripe suit. Johnny stuck his head out around the truck to see if there were any more threats coming. When he saw that the lanes were clear he shot to his feet and sprinted down to the next row of cars. Pained screams filled the air all around them as more and more of the zombies raced into the airport parking lot and started attacking people as they walked to their cars.

  “Do these dumb ass people not realize what the hell is going on?” Johnny asked, shaking his head.

  “They probably think it’s a joke and aren’t taking it seriously,” Roosevelt replied in between breaths. Tyler stood behind them, breathing heavily and gulping down air.

  “I need a break. I’m about to pass out,” he said, sucking down a lungful of air. Johnny surveyed the area and looked back at Tyler.

  “Two minutes, and then we’re moving. Move back in between these cars,” Johnny said pointing back to the space between the cars they were hiding behind. Tyler nodded and moved into the open space before taking a knee and focusing on his breathing. They were all out of breath and tired. The run from the wrecked truck had been more than a mile long and they had basically sprinted the entire way. Johnny glanced down at his watch and then back to Tyler.

  “One minute. The pilot still waiting on us?” he asked in between his own deep breaths. Tyler pulled out his phone and typed out a quick message and hit send. A few seconds later Tyler’s phone buzzed and he swiped a finger across the screen to unlock it. He quickly read the message and then looked up at Johnny with wide eyes.

  “We have to hurry. He said he said we have fifteen minutes to get there or he’s gone.”

  “Can we make it there in fifteen minutes?” Roosevelt asked.

  “We can if we haul ass and don’t stop anymore,” Johnny explained. Roosevelt nodded and patted Tyler on the shoulder.

  “Time to see what you're made of. Let’s move.” They all got to their feet and started to dart out from in between the cars when a panicked scream from Tyler stopped them. Johnny and Roosevelt spun around to see a man in jeans and a t-shirt on top of Tyler snapping its teeth in his face. The thing was missing most of its throat and stringy pieces of meat hung down in Tyler's face as he used all of his strength to hold the biting monster back.

  “Get this thing off of me!” Tyler squealed as the thing’s gnashing teeth moved closer and closer to his face.

  “Push it up!” Johnny shouted, his pistol aimed down at the thing’s head. Tyler arched his back and let out an archaic scream as he used his last bit of energy to push the zombie up a few inches. Johnny fired a single shot. The round struck the monster in the top of the head and blew out the bottom of its neck. Blood and bone fragments exploded out of the back of the creature's head, covering Tyler’s chest and legs with the gore. The zombie fell limp on top of Tyler and Roosevelt rushed in to roll the thing off of him.

  “We have to go now!” Johnny screamed, firing off several more shots at the advancing crowd of undead. Tyler got to his feet and wiped blood from his neck and chest before joining Johnny an
d Roosevelt in a mad dash across the parking lot. Johnny led them down another row of cars and spotted the fence that surrounded the runway.

  “We have to get to that fence!” He shouted over his shoulder as they ran. The crowd of runners were right on their asses as they continued down the row of cars. Johnny chanced a quick look back and saw one of the monsters reaching out to grab Roosevelt.

  “Up on the cars!” Johnny shouted as he leapt into the air and landed on the hood of a brand-new Camaro. Tyler and Roosevelt followed Johnny onto the hood of the car and they ran as fast as they could from car to car toward the fence. The zombies reached and grabbed at their legs as they ran causing them to stumble and almost trip.

  “We’re almost there! Push it!” Johnny screamed one last time as they approached the fence, the undead crowd right on their asses. Johnny took two more leaping steps and then launched himself up toward the top of the fence. His thighs slammed into the fence sending him flipping head over heels to the ground on the other side. Tyler’s jump was just as unimpressive; only his bare leg caught the top of the fence, ripping a deep gash all the way down his calf. Roosevelt waited till the last minute to jump. When he did, he grabbed the top of the fence and used his arm strength to pull him up and over with ease. He landed on his feet facing the fence just as the crowd of biting bastards slammed into the fence. The chain-link bowed in toward them as more and more of the undead slammed into it.

  “That fence isn’t going to hold up very long. Tyler, take us to the jet before they knock the fence down,” Johnny said, backing away from the growing crowd of undead.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  9:01 p.m. Christmas Eve 2048

  Houston Airport

  “This way,” Tyler said, pushing past Johnny and Roosevelt toward a row of private hangars.

  “How far is it to the hangar?” Johnny asked, turning to follow the bleeding man.

  “We’re the second to last hangar down there,” Tyler replied, pointing a single finger at the far end of the airport as he limped forward.

  “We need to get your leg bandaged up pretty soon before it gets infected,” Roosevelt said, looking down at the bleeding wound on Tyler's leg.

  “It’ll be fine until we get to the jet. You can wrap it up there,” Tyler said as he moved forward, blood trickling down his leg and filling his shoe. Roosevelt didn’t argue the point. He just kept pace and watched their surroundings for plausible threats. Finally, after several hundred yards the three men made it to the first hangar. They eased up alongside of it and Johnny stuck his head out long enough to get a look at the area in front of the hangars. He spotted several small jets just sitting out in front of the hangars with no one around.

  “Alright, let’s move,” Johnny said in a low voice as he started around the front of the building. They made their way down to the fourth hangar and took cover between the fourth and fifth buildings. A single zombie raced out of one of the middle hangars and headed directly for the terminal where hundreds of people were in a panic to escape the crowded city. Once the undead monster was far enough away Johnny led the group back out in front. They advanced forward slowly making sure to watch every shadowy corner for any signs of a threat. Finally, after what seemed like hours, they made it to the A51 hangar. The small jet Johnny and Roosevelt had flown into Texas sat on the pavement quiet and still. Johnny and Roosevelt both raised their weapons and moved forward to clear the immediate area. When they found no signs of life, they stacked up on the hangar door like a precision military unit ready to breach an enemy compound. They moved in fast and hard sweeping their pistols left and right, covering the entire inside of the hangar in only seconds. When they finished, they headed back to the front door and found Tyler talking with the pilot in the glow of the floodlight mounted on the front of the hangar.

  “Ed, I really don’t give a damn if they did ground all flights we are getting on this jet and getting the hell out of here immediately!” Tyler all but shouted as he used his hands and arms to further emphasize his point.

  “I’m sorry, Tyler, but I’m not losing my license for you or A51,” Ed replied. Tyler glared at the man for a long second and then smiled as he looked back at Roosevelt.

  “You’re a pilot, right?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Roosevelt replied. Tyler nodded and then turned back to Ed.

  “I’m sorry to do this to you Ed, but you’re fired. Rosie, you're hired. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  “Let me get that leg cleaned up before we take off,” Roosevelt said as he followed Tyler into the jet.

  “Yeah, yeah, alright,” Tyler replied, plopping down in the first seat inside the cabin of the jet.

  “Where's the first aid kit?” Johnny asked, moving deeper into the jet.

  “On the wall next to the bathroom door,” Tyler replied. Johnny moved down the hall and found the kit right where Tyler had told him.

  “I don’t mind flying this bird to Florida, but I’d rather do it during the day so I can see. Let's get some rest here until the sun comes up and then we can haul ass,” Roosevelt said as he looked over the nasty wound on Tyler's leg. Johnny handed him the kit and Roosevelt opened it up and started opening alcohol pads to wipe off the mixture of blood and grime from his leg. He tossed the wipes in a trash can and opened several packets of anti-bacterial cream. After spreading the cream all over the wound, Roosevelt opened a few gauzes and a brown ACE bandage. He wrapped up Tyler's leg and then handed him two small packets of Tylenol to help with the pain.

  “Grab me a water out of the fridge, would you?” Tyler asked. Johnny retrieved drinks for them all and took a seat next to Tyler. The day's events dawned on them all as they sat there in silence. How did any of this even happen. Zombies are not real but that's damn sure what we saw out there today. They each thought as they zoned in and out. A buzzing in Johnny’s pocket caused them all to jump and he quickly pulled the phone out to stop the annoying sound. A picture of Tracy filled the screen as it continued to ring several more times. Finally, Johnny slid his thumb across the screen to answer and then held the phone up to his ear.

  “Johnny, please tell me you’re ok? The news said Houston has turned into a war zone,” Tracy's concerned voice sounded through the speaker.

  “I’m fine, babe. Rosie and I just made it to the jet. We’re going to get some rest and then fly back in the morning,” Johnny replied.

  “What the hell is going on over there Johnny? The news is saying the dead are coming back to life and eating people,” Tracy said. Johnny let out a long breath.

  “It’s true. I don’t know how or what happened though,” Johnny replied in an exhausted tone.

  “This has to be some sort of joke Johnny. Zombies are not real for god sake!” Tracy said, with a nervous chuckle.

  “Trace, it’s real. I don’t know how it happened or why, but I promise you it is real. I already asked you once to go home now I am telling you to go home and lock all the doors and wait for me to get there ok?” Johnny said, his voice firm and serious.

  “You’re not joking, are you?” she asked, the nervous chuckle now turned to the icy tone of fear.

  “No, I am not joking, babe. Why do you think I yelled at you earlier when you wouldn’t listen to me?” Johnny asked.

  “Alright, Johnny. I’m going to the house, but Ruby is coming with me. I don’t want to be there alone,” Tracy said.

  “That's fine. Rosie and I would prefer if you girls stuck together anyway,” Johnny said.

  “We will. I love you, Johnny. Be careful coming home. I can’t lose you,” she said as he could hear tears clogging her voice.

  “I love you too, babe. Put Ruby on so Rosie can talk to her for a minute.” The phone shuffled around and he could hear his wife’s muffled sobs as she handed the phone to Ruby. He stuck the phone out to Roosevelt, who grabbed it and stood to walk away from Johnny and Tyler.

  “Do you have a wife or kids?” Johnny asked as he sank back into the chair.

  “Unfortuna
tely, no. My work has always been my companion,” Tyler replied, a hint of sadness in his voice.

  “You better change that while you still can. A man shouldn’t go through life without a good woman by his side. A good woman can turn a good man into a great man,” Johnny explained.

  “I’ll keep that in mind if we ever get out of this shit show,” Tyler replied gesturing toward the city draped in chaos. Johnny turned to stare out of the window. His thoughts wandered to Tracy and his home. He would give anything to wake up right now with his wife in his arms and realize the last day had just been a nightmare.

  “Here you go,” Roosevelt said, holding his phone out to him. Johnny tore his gaze free from the window and looked up at his friend.

  “Everything alright?”

  “Yeah, she's just taking the whole zombie idea pretty hard. She's scared to death,” Roosevelt said.

  “Tracy did too. They should be fine as long as they stick together until we get there,” Johnny explained. Roosevelt sat back and rested his hands on the back of his head. He closed his eyes and started thinking about something other than zombies. Johnny watched his friend as he sank down into the soft chair and fell asleep almost immediately. Johnny wasn’t far behind him. The stress of the day had taken every bit of energy he had. He scooted back into the chair and stretched his legs out in front of him before laying his hands across his stomach. A few minutes later Johnny’s eyes closed as he drifted off to sleep. Tyler was the only one still awake now. He sat there listening to the light snores coming from the two sleeping men. The day's events ran through his mind over and over as he stared blankly out of the window. After a while, Tyler's eyes became heavy and soon he was snoring right along with Johnny and Roosevelt.