by Perrin Briar
“If I get you out of here, now, will you promise to leave the Flowers alone?” Jenny said.
Captain Shih’s eyes latched onto Jenny’s. She pieced together what was happening.
“Of course,” she said. “They are of no concern to me. All I want is what’s in your head.”
“And you’ll leave them alone, forever,” Jenny said. “Neither you nor any of your crew or anyone else you can hire can go near them. Forever.”
“You have my word,” Captain Shih said. “On the condition that you return all my weapons caches to me. And you’ll write detailed maps with directions on how to find each one.”
“No,” Jenny said. “Once you have it all, how can I trust you not to come back here and exact your revenge upon the Flowers?”
“Half then,” Captain Shih said. “Tell me where half are, and we’ll dig the rest up over a longer period of time. As we dig, we’ll be burying others. I can’t say fairer than that.”
Jenny didn’t like this situation at all, but she didn’t have time to iron out the details. Soon, Shih’s crew and the natives would arrive. She needed to be out of there before then, so she could cut the crew off and present their captain to them.
“Fine,” Jenny said. “But I need one more favor.”
“Name it,” Captain Shih said.
“Some natives have returned to this island and will engage with your crew or anyone else they come upon,” Jenny said. “Will you destroy them?”
“I will,” Captain Shih said. “What are a few bows and arrows against a fully-armed crew?”
“They have weapons now,” Jenny said. “The same as your crew.”
The captain’s eyes narrowed.
“And who armed them, I wonder?” she said.
“Can you do it or not?” Jenny said.
“We can,” Captain Shih said. “But it means we’ll need to get into position, ambush them before they get a chance to do the same to us. It will take time.”
“Fine,” Jenny said.
Captain Shih smiled.
“You made a good decision today,” she said. “Let’s try and reduce the bloodshed as much as we can.”
“No deal,” a voice from the door said.
It was Ernest, crossing the space toward the pen the captain and Jenny were standing in.
“I wondered when you were going to show up here,” Ernest said to Jenny.
“What are you doing here?” Jenny said.
“Preventing you from making a mistake,” Ernest said.
“You can’t stop me,” Jenny said. “I’m going to do this.”
“I don’t think you’ve thought this through,” Ernest said.
“I have,” Jenny said, gritting her teeth.
She hated it when people told her she was being stupid—especially when she was being stupid.
“No,” Ernest said. “You have thought about it, but now you’re making an impulsive emotional decision. Not a well thought-out logical decision. You are biased. You should be thinking about this from a third person perspective, an unemotional one. Like mine. I understand what you’re trying to do here, but you’re not thinking clearly. Do you honestly think Shih will do what she says to you? That she’ll keep her promises to you, to anyone?”
“I have to do something,” Jenny said. “I’ve brought the pirates down on you. And the natives. I’m sorry. I never wanted this.”
“Who does?” Ernest said. “But we’re here now. This is what we’re facing. What we have to do. We’ve been preparing for this.”
“We’re not ready,” Jenny said. “A thousand and one things could go wrong.”
“Or it could go right,” Ernest said. “But we have to try. You’re with us. Please. Come help us do what we need to do. We can’t do this without you.”
“You took me in,” Jenny said. “You gave me food, clothes, safety.”
“You can’t go back with her,” Ernest said. “We won’t let you.”
Jenny broke down into tears.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I escaped, and they’re after me. Now I’ve put you all in danger. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Ernest said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “You don’t have to go back to him. We’ll make sure of that, won’t we, Fritz?”
“Yes,” Fritz said, stepping into the stables. Jenny hadn’t even noticed him standing there. “Yes, we will.”
“I have to go back to them,” Jenny said. “There’s no other choice.”
“They know you’re a girl now,” Ernest said. “What do you think they’re going to do to you if you go back now?”
“Better that than the alternative,” Jenny said. “I don’t want any of you to die because of me.”
“We decided to take you in,” Ernest said. “No one forced us.”
“I can’t be responsible for more innocent deaths,” Jenny said.
“You’re assuming we’re going to lose,” Ernest said. “You’re mistaking us for a helpless middle-class family. We’re anything but. We stood against hundreds of zombies, using our wit and intelligence, we defeated them.”
“These aren’t zombies,” Jenny said. “They’re smart too. They won’t stop until they get what they want.”
“And we won’t stop until they’re gone,” Ernest said. “We have an advantage. We know this island better than anyone. We can defend ourselves.”
“I don’t want you to be harmed because of me,” Jenny said.
“We won’t,” Ernest said. “But if you go back with Shih we’ll have no choice but to come after you. That’ll be a lot more dangerous for us than staying and defending ourselves here.”
“I’m sorry I came to this island,” Jenny said.
“I’m not,” Ernest said. “None of us are. We’re glad to have you. You’re a part of our family now. And we protect each other.”
“You don’t understand,” Jenny said. “It’s my fault you’re all here. It’s my fault the fire started on the ferry. I was scared when one of those things came into my room. I threw everything we had at it—and as my Mom had packed everything except the kitchen sink, there was a lot of stuff. I started the fire. It was totally by accident, but it was my fault. I’m sorry. It’s my fault you’re all here.”
That gave Ernest pause for thought. Then he shook his head.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “It doesn’t make any difference. We are here now, and if you didn’t start the fire, someone else would have done, and we would still be here.”
“But all those people…” Jenny said. “I think about it sometimes, all the time, when I’m alone, and it’s my fault they all died like that.”
“The undead were on board already,” Ernest said. “They were going to murder us all anyway. Anyone with half a brain knows that. And no one would blame you. It wasn’t your fault. It was the virus that did this to us, not you, or anyone else. Understand?”
Jenny nodded, but said nothing.
“I don’t know if this will make any difference or not,” Ernest said. “But your father had already been bitten. He was going to turn anyway.”
“I know,” Jenny said. “I was there when it happened. My father’s clothes were rumpled, his shirt unbuttoned, long scratches where the latest woman he’d been with had torn at him. Even his flies were open. He had come home before, smelling like other women, but he always attempted to conceal what he’d done. My mother was never fooled. She always knew what kind of man he was. But he respected her enough to at least lie about it.
“He always had a big smile on his face. For a while he was bearable, the way a serial killer has to strike or he’ll explode. But that night, turning up the way he did, with a complete lack of care about how he looked, mother’s face twisted up in a mask of rage like I’ve never seen before. I suppose she thought father might change with us moving halfway round the world.
“She hit him! She just flew out and hit him with the kettle! There was a deep thud noise and a ting sound like tapping two ceramic
cups together. Father put his hand to his head and his fingertips came away red with blood. I admit I was shocked, surprised – in a good way – that she’d finally confronted him.
“Then he fell forward and didn’t move. Mother dropped the kettle and covered her mouth with her hands. She fell to her knees and crawled to him, into the pool of blood spreading out from his head. She begged for him to get up, that she was sorry. But he didn’t move.”
Ernest wrapped his arms around Jenny’s shoulders.
“It’s a tragedy,” he said. “And I’m sorry it happened to you, but you don’t need to worry about that now. None of it matters. Nothing from the old world does. This is the world we’re in now, and we’re lucky to have you. I say that for all of us.”
“Come on,” Fritz said. “We have to take Shih to the meeting point. We’ve got a plan, and we’re sticking to it.”
“A plan doomed to failure,” Captain Shih said. “Lead the way.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
THE TREEHOUSES were just ahead, on either side of the clearing. Flint Nose leaned against the wall and peered around it. Family members were wandering round, moving between the various outbuildings.
Flint Nose gripped his rifle to his chest. Dare he shoot? Doing so could potentially risk the captain’s safety. But doing well could get the respect of the captain… No. He couldn’t take the risk. She might blow even if he did manage to pull it off.
“Form up,” Flint Nose said.
The men formed a line on either side of Flint Nose, hidden behind the two erect walls.
There was a strange warbling sound, like a bird with something stuck in its throat. It was coming from the jungle. The men shared uneasy glances. Whatever it was, it was coming toward them.
And then they saw it.
An undead.
It moved unlike any undead they had ever seen before. It moved fast, spinning left to right. It had strange large pink pads on its hands, feet, and bony protrusions.
The men opened fire. But it did no good. Bullets slammed into its flailing body, but did not stop it, only knocking it slightly off course. And then, once it reached the pirates, and the limbs made contact with its victims, a thick cloud of purple-pink powder billowed.
After a couple of deep inhales, the pirates began to drop, falling unconscious. They were panicked, taking deep gulps. The pirates continued firing, their backs against the walls.
There was a squeaking noise, loud even over the sporadic firing. Flint Nose looked up to see a series of bowls perched on the walls. It was the last thing he ever did see, as the bowls tilted over and something hot and sticky burned into his eyeballs.
He screamed. He wasn’t the only one.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
THE REFUSAL to join forces from the scumbag Captain Shih did not sit well with the Overlord In Black.
Sure, he planned on turning on the captain the moment he was strong enough, but that didn’t mean he liked for his plans, obvious though they were, to be thrown in his face.
A skeleton crew had been left behind aboard The Red Flag, an opportunity begging to be exploited, should the situation arise.
Right now, the captain’s men were battling a Spinner behind a pair of walls. The Overlord In Black knew what was going to happen. He’d seen the plans for the walls. He smiled to himself, knowing how Captain Shih could have avoided this attack had she only heeded him.
The Overlord In Black kept his troops, what few he had left, on the fringes of the clearing that housed the Flowers’ home. Something was happening and they were up to something, but what? He wasn’t sure. He had been watching them for the past few hours, always keeping back, watching from a safe distance, and not attacking.
He needed to keep as many of his forces alive as possible. He needed them to infect the pirates and the natives, in order to rebuild his army and launch an effective attack against the Flowers. And finally, he would have his revenge.
But for now, he would watch. He would wait to see what happened, for the best moment to attack.
Screams from the crew. The Overlord In Black, present via his undead, shut his eyes and wallowed in the most beautiful sound in the world.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
THE REMAINS of Captain Shih’s crew stood on the fringes of the jungle, armed with their assault rifles. The Spinner had done its duty and tore through their ranks. They had managed to subdue it, and there was still an intimidating pirate crew remaining. But it pleased Bill to see that some of them sported injuries, no doubt from the traps they’d set up.
One man stepped from their number and approached Bill. He kept checking over his shoulders as if expecting there to be a sniper waiting to take him out at any moment. He was a big man and sported severe burns on his shoulders.
Bill extended his hand to the man. The pirate looked at the proffered hand but did not shake it.
“Bill Flower,” he said.
“Skull Smasher,” the other man said.
“Colorful name,” Bill said.
“I would say why we’re here and what our purpose is, but judging by our welcome, I’d say you already know our purpose,” Skull Smasher said.
“Yes,” Bill said. “She’s being brought to us now.”
“It was stupid of you to attempt to take her prisoner,” Skull Smasher said.
“Less smart not to attempt anything, I fear,” Bill said.
Skull Smasher glared at Bill, who felt calm with having a gun in his possession. Had anything in the history of the human race ever done more to offset the natural pecking order than the humble pistol? Bill thought not.
The other Flowers stood on the opposite side of the clearing, within easy jumping distance of cover. They were spread out, ready for action should it rear its ugly head. An uneasy silence passed between the two factions.
Captain Shih was brought over to Bill and Skull Smasher by Ernest and Jenny. They removed her restraints.
Skull Smasher opened his mouth to speak and begin negotiations.
“That won’t be necessary,” Captain Shih said. “No one but me will negotiate for my life.”
Skull Smasher nodded, let out an obvious relieved sigh, and stepped back into the crew’s ranks.
“Well, this is a pretty pickle, isn’t it?” Captain Shih said. “Here we are, trapped, in a war, with little for us to do but stare at each other.”
“We can negotiate,” Bill said.
“Negotiate about what?” Captain Shih said. “So far as I can tell, there’s little you can do to stop me if I wanted to take anything I wanted from you.”
“We’re armed,” Bill said.
“We have greater numbers,” Captain Shih said.
“I have a bomb strapped to my chest,” Bill said. “How does that fit into your calculations?”
Captain Shih looked him up and down.
“My interest is piqued,” she said. “But are you really ready to die?”
“If it means going back with you to your ship without rules and protection?” Bill said. “You bet.”
Captain Shih’s eyes were fiery pits, boring into Bill’s soul.
“I believe you,” she said.
She clapped her hands.
“So, where shall we go negotiate?” she said. “Any suggestions?”
Bill knew full well that any place he suggested would be turned down, and so he ought to pick one he actually didn’t want.
“Robin’s Nest,” Bill said. “It was the least damaged in the recent attack.”
“And entirely too small,” Captain Shih said.
“Too small?” Bill said. “For what?”
“You don’t honestly expect me to go in there by myself with you?” Captain Shih said.
Bill made what he hoped was a nervous expression.
“Then where would you like to go?” he said.
Captain Shih turned to survey the area, before affixing her eyes on Falcon’s Nest.
“There,” she said.
“All right,” Bill
said.
Bill led the way to Falcon’s Nest. The rest of the Flower family stood watching from a safe distance. Captain Shih began to scale the ladder, a dozen men following her up.
“Why are you bringing so many men?” Bill said.
“They’re my personal bodyguard,” Captain Shih said. “You wouldn’t want me to come to any harm, would you?”
Bill didn’t answer.
They ascended the steps to Falcon’s Nest. The wind howled and the wood creaked, under strain.
“You actually live in this place?” Captain Shih said. “What a dump.”
“It didn’t always look like this,” Bill said. “It was a wonderful home once.”
“It must have been,” Captain Shih said. “I wouldn’t let a dog live in conditions like this. But I suppose we’re each of us different.”
Bill steeled himself against the biting remarks. He picked up an overturned seat and stood it upright. He sat down.
“No, no, no, no, no,” Captain Shih said. “I think I’ll be sitting on that side of the table, thank you.”
Bill got up and Captain Shih took his seat.
“You’re very suspicious,” Bill said.
“It’s how you learn to survive on board The Red Flag,” Captain Shih said.
She looked very comfortable with herself.
Bill picked up another seat and sat on it. Captain Shih leaned forward and rested her elbows on the island. She leaned forward, her men standing around her. Bill was on his own. Liz had wanted to be with him, but he had warned her it wasn’t a good idea, and only served to double their chances of one of them getting hurt. She had acquiesced, not that she had been very happy about it.
“Now,” Captain Shih said, “we both know why we’re here. We have a vested interest in Jim, now known as Jenny. As far as I see it, you owe nothing to Jim, or Jenny, or whatever his, her, name is. You ought to be taking better care of you and your own.”