Surviving The Aftermath (Book 1): The Dead Linger

by Roberts, Liz

  “Stop what are you doing jackass?”

  “Signaling dinner, what else?” The man on the roof said as he looked down at Stevie’s petrified face. Stevie froze, the zombies had already started closing in. With no choice he started sprinting, knocking over the first few, managing to side swipe the others outstretched hands. He was like a football player, bobbing and weaving, juking back and forth. He saw the road, yes he was home free. Suddenly his feet went out from under him. A crawler, everyone forgets the crawlers, and this one was agile too. The others slowly came around him, but the crawler got first dibs, Stevie didn’t even have time to scream as it bit into his face. The others slowly grabbed limbs or his torso, anything that was edible, and they dug in.

  “Why did we get rid of him so early? We don’t even know what they want.” Kurt said.

  “I do. They want this place and everything and everyone in it. That’s what they were discussing when I escaped. They tortured me and killed Jeff for the location here. You can ask Brian, they asked him to help lead them to me, but he’s ok now.” Tom paused with everyone looking at him, waiting for more answers. “Their parasites. They kidnap survivors and treat them like slaves to do their bidding. We’ve got to figure out how to get our people and destroy that place at the same time, so they have nowhere to retreat too.” Tom told them all, as if there were no other options. “I’m deadly serious.” He was still looking at the shocked faces. “If they get in here, they will kill anyone who stands up to them, and turn everyone else out. They produce drugs made from any chemicals they can find. They run prostitution, guys and girls, they have gambling and make bath tub booze. We need to stop them.”

  Casey was tired and sore, but there was no way in hell he was letting these people take this place from them without a fight. “So what’s the plan people?”

  Jill woke to burning pain in her shoulder and hot, humid, stinky breath in her face. Gross. He opened her eyes and a grubby man face over hers. “She’s awake.” The face said.

  “Oh good, our newest member. Maybe she’ll have something to tell us.” Jill was being propped up against a wall, her hands still taped behind her back. Her shoulder was still sensitive and sore. She looked around and saw Joe, Kim, the other man whose name she thought was Scott, and Jack. She wanted to give him such a big hug, but she didn’t move a muscle. She held herself ridged to the men’s perusal.

  “So what’s your name pretty lady?” Luke asked her.

  “Betty.” Jill said sweet and southern as good be. Luke was quiet and squinted at her for a minute.

  “Ok Betty. Why don’t you tell us how to break into your fortress.”

  “What fortress?”

  “Don’t play stupid, your friends have already tried that and lost.”

  “What friends? You already killed my partner when your dumbass buddy ran our truck off the road.” Jill replied. She wasn’t totally sure what game was being played but she wanted to buy some time to get her bearings. She saw Joe’s face had been bloodied, Kim’s shirt was ripped off and she was bruised with a tear stained face. Jill had a good idea of what was happening here.

  “Yeah ok. You’re going to sit there and tell me you don’t know these people?” he pointed to them.

  “No, I don’t know them, and I don’t know you. So if that’s all can I go now?” And she tried to rise but was promptly shoved down by another.

  “I think you’ll stay with us and keep everyone company. I’m sure Kim here would love another girl around, you guys can gossip and girl talk. Oh what fun.” Luke said and clasped his hands together. Jill was unceremoniously shoved over by Kim. Luke and his men retreated to another room of the house leaving them all alone. Probably assumed no one could escape. Their mouths had all been uncovered with tape recently, Jill could see the red marks on their cheeks. Everyone started whispering questions at her all at once. “shhhhhhh! We don’t want them back in here. Yes Phil died the crash. Mike was able to escape, he either headed back home or he’s hanging around here.” She tried to say as quietly as possible. “I can see what’s going on here and have a feeling they want whatever we have. We might have been able to get out a May Day call, so I’m hoping Casey and them are working on a rescue.” They were quiet again listening to the men in the other discuss their own plans. Jill leaned her head on Jack’s shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re alright, I was so worried.”

  “I’m good. I’m just worried what they will do to you and Kim.” He took a breath and continued. “If they try to … .”

  She cut him off. “Stop, you’ll do nothing, we have to watch out for each other but also take care of ourselves. If it happens it happens, but don’t think Kim and I won’t give them a fight. Right Kim?” Kim nodded in agreement. She wasn’t the strongest woman, but she agreed, there was no one she’d let them violate her without drawing some blood from them.

  A couple of hours must have passed, and Jill must have fallen asleep with the others. She noticed the shadows in the house had shifted, and it was warmer in here now. Using this opportunity to take in her surroundings, she scanned the room looking for anything to use to cut them loose with. Knowing there would be a risk of punishment, she quietly rose up and wandered from the living room to the kitchen. Dust and cobwebs prevailed here, busted windows, broken dishes, quietly tip toeing she started opening drawers looking for knives. Nothing, damn it. The butcher block was empty, nothing looked useful as she looked down again at the broken shards of glass and plates. Bingo! She bent down awkwardly trying to grab as many pieces as she good. Quietly getting back to the room she sat back down waking everyone up.

  “I found some pieces of broken glass, try and cut the tape on your hands.” She handed out pieces to each person with little finesse, but they started sawing at the tape as soon as they got it. The men were stirring in the other room, Jill worked faster, little cuts on her arms and hands making her bleed, cause the piece of glass to be sticky and slippery in her hands. All five of them were concentrating on vigorously getting free. Jill hoped at least one of them would get loose. “I’m free.” Joe whispered. “Me too.” Scott said.

  “Go, now, duck out the back, hurry.”

  “No we can’t leave you guys here.”

  “Trust me they need us, go, hide somewhere or try and find Mike but run.” Jill heard the men coming out, there was no time, every sat back down and pretended to be drained of energy.

  “Well ladies and gentlemen I’m sick of this place, why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable.” A couple other men grabbed Jill’s arm and Kim’s. She knew what was happening, her only choice was to cut through the tape or get her arms forward to stab these guys. She hoped Joe and Scott would free Jack and they’d take off. Jill hid her shard of glass as they all climbed the stairs, Kim started to weep softly, she knew what was going to happen. They both did, their only hope was help would arrive before it got to that part. They continued to walk down the hall into a bedroom, there in the middle of the room was a large dusty four post bad.

  “Who wants to go first?”

  Mike made it back in 30mins, he ran the whole way, as he gulped down water, and sucked in oxygen he relayed the happenings and how they got Jill and all the other ones too. It was decided then that they couldn’t wait, with a hopefully good, yet haphazard plan they decided to rescue the others while destroying the fort at the same time. Tom drew up a map, it should only take about an hour to get there if they didn’t hit any snags, he pointed out the weak spots in the fencing, where the zombies had attacked and it was decided all the standing structures were to be burned down. The people, that was tossup. Some wanted them all to be saved, Tom said there was no one worth saving, but it was Brian that assured everyone that there were people there who deserved another chance. He was going to help lead the raid.

  “Why aren’t you going with them?” Casey asked Tom.

  “Because Luke is out there, and he and I have shit we need to settle.”

  “I’m going to.” Vikki stated.

 
“No way.” Both Tom and Casey said.

  “Those are my friends out there too, and you need good drivers and that’s what I am.” Casey nodded and cupped her shoulder with reassurance and headed over to where vehicles were being loaded.

  “Please be careful out there. I know I haven’t been the best husband lately, but I am loving this whole new opportunity you are giving me. And chance to redeem myself, be a dad again.” He said as he stroked Vikki’s stomach when they were alone. She placed her hands on his chest, “I love you baby.” She reached up and kissed him, long and lovingly.

  Everyone was hustling to prepare, dressing, loading weapons, packing water and first aid supplies. Oscar was getting the cargo truck ready to ride again. Kurt was pouring more Molotov cocktails with Andy. They were trying to think of every aspect to be prepared for. They were leaving small contingency behind in case this was all some sort of fake out. The two Humvees rolled out equipped with a manned turret gunner in each, they were going to each place, they couldn’t take any chances they had to try and out number and out gun the opposition. Meghan, Beth and Jane all jumped into cars prepared for battle, rifles, handguns, boxes of ammo were distributed amongst all.

  “I think we’re ready.” Casey said to Kurt.

  Oscar walked over and shook Casey and Tom’s hands “Let’s make it back in one piece, right guys.”

  “Absolutely.” Tom added. Kurt and Oscar were leading the embattled group to rescue the people from the proclaimed Hell Hole with Brian at their side. Tom and Casey were leading a smaller group to hopefully track down and kill the people that held Jill, Jack and the others.

  “How are you ribs?” Tom asked.

  “Fine, Beth wrapped them for me and I’m wearing this stupid vest.” He lifted his shirt to show him the QB protective vest they had found in a sporting goods store, that Beth made him wear.

  “It’s a bit awkward but not a lot of pain.” They hopped in the back of the car following the Humvee. Their plan was to put the Humvee at the end of the block, another armored type of vehicle at the other end and have to two speed cars hidden on the sides and ready in case if the guys tried to run. After the last set of “ready’s” were called out the troops moved out.

  Oscar rumbled up the road following Brian and Andy in the lead car. Brian was guiding them there, filling them in over the radio on the weak parts in the fences that hadn’t been rebuilt after the last horde attacked them. There were 30 people, mixed ages, races and genders in the back, they didn’t have time to be nit-picky, and needed numbers and able bodies. Oscar had no idea how this would go down, it’s not like they’d be able to sneak up, or make a fast get away so they had to make sure they had the situation in control before trying anything.

  The plan was basic, fire bomb the house and offer shelter to those who wanted it. Kurt was not sure if that was a good idea. Taking in strangers always worried him. Did they want to share what they had, or take what you got. Everyone called him paranoid, but after the Jeff and Tyler debacle he was extra leery, but Brain reassured him he would be able to point out the good and the bad. Kurt had to put his faith in this boy.

  “ETA is 5mins out.” Andy announced over the radio.

  “You still think this is a bad idea?” Oscar asked without turning to look at Kurt. Kurt whipped his head to look at him quick with his mouth agape. “How did you know … .” He trailed off.

  “Because I know you. Plus I can tell when you are thinking about something really intently. You make that beat box noise with your throat, like you’re at a rave or something.” Kurt thought about it for a moment a realized he was right, he had been making some imaginary song up, but he thought it was soft enough that only he could hear it. He just smiled “Yeah I guess I’m worried, will we have room, supplies, will one of them try and pull a Jeff? I mean if this place is really as bad as Tom said, what if we get bum rushed.”

  “Well figure it out somehow. We’ve made it work this long.” Oscar reached over to touch Kurt’s hand, a bit of reassurance and comfort helped both of them. Especially when they saw the house surrounded by the aluminum fencing, just like Tom and Brian said.

  “Well this will get interesting.” Kurt rechecked his weapon, turned the safety off and un-slung the shoulder strap. He wasn’t sure what would happen but he wanted to be ready to shoot at the first signs of trouble.

  Everyone rushed out of their vehicles, the cargo truck’s back door was put down and everyone jumped down to get ready. Their arrival hadn’t been unnoticed, they could hear raised voices, shouts and actual gun fire. Everyone ran to the pre-determined spots on the fencing and started pushing, it was amazing the speed at which the walls went down, catching both sides in a shocked like state. One crew was charged with emptying the house and torching it. The goal was to get the drop on them, but when machine gun fire was heard from inside, Oscar abandoned his job and rushed to help. Getting to the porch he saw two of his crew down and out, not good. He gathered the remaining and they would clear the house his way. Set it on fire and wait for the ones with guns to come running out.

  Chaos had ensued. Total anarchy was taking place. With the fences down some people just took off running for the trees, others tried to hide, people were in a mass state of panic and chaos. The rescue crews were trying quickly to explain the situation and why they were here. Everything was happening way too fast, there were just too many people.

  Oscar signaled to Kurt and the others. “Hit it!” Lit cocktails hit the side and roof of the house, the place caught on fire quick.

  “Everyone on me!” They all came rushing and assumed the kneeling firing position as Oscar had, they were lined up on either side of the stairs by the front door. “Anyone with a gun emerges, kill ’em.” They weren’t taking any chances, they couldn’t afford too. Groups of men came running out seconds later, three or four at a time, the first few all were armed and taken out quick, but it soon became hectic as there were a few in between with no weapons and were shot anyway. “Hold your fire!” Oscar was calling out. They needed to regroup as the pile of bodies was building up and they were losing sight of their objective. More men came running out without weapons, they stepped over the bodies and saw the people kneeling and put their hands up. Oscar just signaled for them to move on. Smoke was starting to billow out and he could see flames on the ceiling as a few women came out coughing and each had several children with them. Oscar lowered his rifle and was stunned. He wasn’t sure what to do or say.

  “How could you do this?” One woman asked. Oscar had no reply and just signaled for a couple of guys to take them to the truck and get them water. He turned and could see the place being demolished, he couldn’t tell if it was his people or there’s. Bodies were lying on the ground, a mixed group of them and us, some people were kneeling with their hands on their head looking up at the gun men. This is not the way this should have gone down. He had to get control and fast. Oscar looked for higher ground, and found a collapsed pile of rubble. “Stop! Stop! Cease fire!” He voice boomed and soon others were helping calling a halt to the gunfire. He didn’t know what to say, eyes were upon him from both groups.

  “We’re here to help. If anyone here wishes to come back with us, you’re welcome too. Otherwise you are welcome to leave, and be free from the monsters that kept you here.” A few people stood and sprinted away, others slowly stood, and started collecting what appeared to be their belongings and they slowly departed as well. Oscar had no idea how many were here when this started, maybe 100, now it seemed 30 were left. After about 20mins of organizing and getting people on the cargo truck to transport, they were attracting lots of attention from their undead friends, the time to move was now. Oscar was by the back of the truck as the last couple families were being helped up.

  “Why did you guys come here?” A man asked with his family behind him.

  “We wanted to save you guys.”

  “From what? This was our home you destroyed.” The man was becoming venomous.

  “Hey! You
r guys attacked us and kidnapped our people first!” Someone shouted from behind Oscar.

  “I thought most of you had been kidnapped as well or forced into some sort of slave labor? That’s how it was explained to us.” Oscar was confused by this man’s reaction and trying to calm the tension obviously rising between each group.

  “They kept us alive. We had nowhere else to go.” This conversation was getting worse.

  “Hey!” Brian came up from behind Oscar. “They raped and beat your wife. They killed one of your daughters and as soon as she got old enough, they’d treat her just like the rest.” Brian was pointing at the 9 yr. old girl hiding behind her father. The man looked between the two. “Just don’t act like you did us any favors.” And he helped his daughter into the truck. Oscar turned slowly to get back up into the truck.

  “Don’t listen to them Oscar.”

  “But he’s right. We just came in here, killed a lot of people and blew away and burnt the only protection they’ve known.” He shook his head trying to fight the overwhelming emotions in his brain. “How are we any better than the guys that dragged them off in the first place?”

  “Because they will see, they will learn what it is again to be free.” Brian walked closer and still had to look up at Oscar. “You guys are better than them, because you give these people choices. And hope.” He walked back towards the lead car with Andy. Oscar hopped up into the truck , Kurt was riding shot gun again, he had a bandage wrapped around his arm and holding a bandage up on his forehead.

  “Oh my god what happened?”

  “These guys got the drop on me, one had a knife and the other had a sledge hammer for a fist. I’ll be fine.” He turned to look at Oscar so he could see his blackening eye and cut on his brow. “Maybe not so pretty for a while though.”

  “You’re still pretty to me. We gotta call Tom and Casey, see how things are going with them. Let them know our part of the mission is done.” Kurt grabbed the hand held. “Casey come in, this is storm troopers over.”