Suddenly he saw a boot slam down on the Reaper’s neck. A moment later, a Glock appeared and fired once into the monster’s chest. The creature howled in pain and began to convulse. Its body spasmed uncontrollably several times and then went still.
Foster’s eyes followed the Glock returning back to Sams’s holster. “Nice shot. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Sams answered.
“Enhanced bullet?”
“Yup. Worked like a charm. Guess what I’m asking for Christmas?”
“Yeah, me too.”
Foster slowly stood up, grabbed his rifle, and brought it back up. He began to sweep the area for any additional hostiles. “Clear,” Foster said, panting heavily.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just a little scratch,” Foster answered.
“Good thing Reaper claws can’t turn somebody.”
“I guess. If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not get hurt.”
“Uh-huh. Dude, you really need to hit the gym,” Sams says. “You're way too out of breath for such a short workout.”
“I'll keep that in mind,” Foster replied. He bent over the dead Reaper where his dagger had gotten stuck in its flesh. He put one hand around the weapon’s handle, placed a foot on the side of the Reaper's neck, and pulled hard. There was a loud squelch as the dagger pulled free. Foster wiped the blade clean on the dead Reaper's clothing.
“Uh, gross,” Sams commented.
Foster studied the dead Reaper. The monster had once been a man. The creature was wearing a tattered pair of blue jeans and a collared shirt. Foster’s eyes fell on the shirt, and he immediately swore out loud.
“What’s wrong?”
“Remember the guy who warned Randy and me to get out of town?”
“Yeah,” Sams replied. “What about him?”
“That’s him,” Foster said as he pointed to the dead Reaper. “Those bastards turned Calvin into a Reaper.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
The nighttime mission had been a moderate success. The two men had managed to collect ten boxes of 9mm hollow-point bullets, three multi-tools, two containers of hockey stick wax, and a pair of combat knives. The extra backpacks had come in handy for collecting all of the bottles of water sitting in a point of purchase refrigerator next to the cash registers. He wasn’t sure if the wax would be the right type for the enhanced bullets, but Foster figured it was best to let Nick make that decision. With a little bit of luck, the former Ranger would be able to use it.
The return trip to the house went smoothly. Two hours after they returned back, Walker was up and moving about the living room.
“Does your wife know you’re up?” Foster asked.
“She’s asleep,” Walker said softly. “Best to let her. And before you ask, I’m fine.”
“Uh-huh,” Sams said. “It’s your ass if Lizzy wakes up and finds you missing.”
“We brought you back some bullets and wax,” Foster said. “I wasn’t sure if hockey stick wax would work or not.”
“No clue,” Walker said as he carefully peeked out a window. “I guess I’ll find out when I try it.”
“Still quiet out there?” Foster asked.
“No,” Walker said. “We've got a problem.”
“Only one?” Sams replied. “Things must be improving. About time we caught a break.”
“I’m not kidding,” Walker said. “We've got uninvited company.”
“How many?”
“Six, that I can see,” Walker said without moving from his window.
“There could be more out there,” Foster pointed out. “Everybody, keep the noise down.”
“I'm on it,” Sams said. He hustled to the other side of the ground floor and glanced out one of the windows.
A moment later, Foster heard the former Ranger swear under his breath. “How bad?” Foster asked. He saw Lauren, Randall, and Randy quietly enter the room from the basement.
“Ten maybe, twelve.”
“Thoughts, guys?” Foster asked.
“Time to split,” Sams said. “We should get out of here while we can.”
“But we're not ready,” Randy protested. “We've only got three quarters of the fuel for the boat.”
“Keep your voice down,” Lauren hissed.
“Your wife has a point,” Sams quipped. “It doesn’t help our cause to advertise there are humans in here.”
“We can forget about fuel if those things get in here and kill everybody,” Walker pointed out. He glanced over at Randy and saw the man’s face had lost nearly all of its color. “Just being honest,” Walker added.
“W-we have guns,” Randy said. “Couldn’t we make a stand here?”
“Maybe,” Foster said. “But there’s too many doors and windows for us to adequately cover all of them.”
“Don’t forget the shitty doors,” Sams added.
“Right, the doors won’t hold back much of a breaching attempt because they’re hollow,” Foster said. “As soon as we start shooting, it’s going to draw even more Reapers our way.”
“Right now they're just snooping around the neighborhood,” Walker said softly. “If we move quietly, we might be able to get everybody into the vehicles and get on the road before the Reapers notice.”
“Or if we sit tight, they might ignore us completely,” Lauren pointed out. “There has to be easier prey for them to hunt than a bunch of folks hiding in a boarded-up house.”
“My vote is we stay here and fight if we have to,” Randy said. “What do you think, Dad?”
“I think we should listen to the former soldiers,” Randall said. “These guys have managed to help their group survive more than one Reaper attack.”
“If we stay here, then we have to hope they don’t notice us and just move on,” Foster said. “Because if we have to start shooting, it’s going to be like ringing a damn dinner bell. We’ll have hundreds more of those things on our doorstep before we know it.”
“Ah, hell,” Randy said. “Not much of choice, huh?”
“Good news,” Walker said. “Looks like they’re leaving.”
“That is good,” Foster said. “Derrick, any changes on your end?”
“Same thing. It’s like they lost interest.”
“I don’t like it,” Foster said. “We saw them do a similar probe at Uncle Ray’s place before they attacked.”
“Good point,” Sams said. “Lay low or bug out?”
“Time to go,” Foster said. “We don’t have much time left on the Disciple deadline, too. I say we take only what we can carry in one trip to the vehicles. Nick, any suggestions on handling exfil?”
“Sams and I will stay on lookout,” Walker said. “You get everybody else to line their bags in the hallway leading to the back door. Like you said, take only what you can carry. Figure we’ll only get one trip to the vehicles before one of those things notices the activity.”
“That works,” Foster said. “We can always come back for anything left behind later. But right now, we need to make sure we’re clear of the imminent threat.”
“Exactly,” Walker said. “Keys for the vehicles are under the driver's side mat.”
“Except for the Suburban,” Foster added.
“Where'd you put the keys for the Suburban?” Walker asked.
“Driver's side sun visor.”
“Gotcha,” Walker said. “Exfil plan should be to get everybody into the Suburban and the Tucson. Leave the Land Cruiser for Derrick and me. We’ll bring up the rear and cover everybody’s exit to the SUVs.”
“That might work,” Foster said, “but who's going to cover for you guys as you try and make your way out of the house to the Land Cruiser?”
“Deputy Donuts does have a point,” Sams said. “Maybe we should try and leave as one group. It might be faster that way.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Walker said. “We might have to play it a bit by ear.”
“Sounds like the makings of a plan. Let’s get everyone else up quietly
and get everything ready to roll out.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
“Shit,” Walker muttered.
“What's wrong?” Foster asked.
“Three Reapers just showed up,” Walker said. “About a block away, but they’re slowly working their way toward us. Right now they seem to be more interested in something by that mailbox.”
“Maybe roadkill?” Sams suggested.
“Your guess is as good as any,” Walker replied. “It could be somebody’s week-old trash, for all I know.”
“Right now, they're just snooping around the neighborhood,” Walker said softly. “Keep the noise down. Maybe they'll pass.”
“Not likely,” Sam said from the far side of the living room. “I've got a dozen that just showed up. Shit, they're coming this way.”
“What do you think?” Foster said. “Any chance they'll pass by like they did last time?”
“Wishful thinking,” Sam said. “Five more just showed up. I really don't like the looks of this.”
“Do we need to evac?” Foster asked.
“Can’t hurt to get everybody ready just in case,” Sams answered.
“Copy that,” Foster said. “You heard Derrick. Get ready quietly, and assemble by the back door.”
He watched as the rest of the group immediately went into action, collecting their things. Two minutes later, the civilians had all gathered near the back door.
“Nick, we're ready to evac if needed,” Foster said.
“Hold for now,” Walker answered. “Right now, they’re just gathering outside. Until they make a move, I can’t say for sure they’re going to stage an assault.”
“Okay, we’ll wait, then,” Foster said. He turned toward the rest of the group waiting by the rear door and added, “Hang tight, everybody. Let’s hope they go away and we don’t have to leave right now.” Foster looked over the civilians. Everyone looked ready, but most of them looked like they were scared shitless. He shared their fear, but right now wasn't the right time to let his true feelings show.
“Here we go. Incoming,” Walker said.
“Multiple contacts,” Sams yelled. Foster saw Sams pull his rifle up and begin firing.
“Foster, I need you,” Walker said. “I got two dozen more that just showed up.”
“On it,” Foster said, rushing to the open embrasure between Walker and Sams. He looked through the opening, and his heart dropped in his chest. There were dozens of Reapers flooding into the neighborhood, and all of them appeared to be heading toward their location. Foster focused on the closest target and fired once. He saw the monster's head snap back. Gunfire increased around him. He saw a swarm of Reapers come charging toward them. He was firing as fast as he could.
“Reloading,” he heard Walker shout.
“Changing,” Sams said. There was a loud bang against the front door, and the structure vibrated from something impacting it. There was another bang, and the wood vibrated once more. The impacts started coming faster and faster.
“I can't see the front door,” Foster said. “Anybody got a shot at the Reapers trying to breach there?”
“Negative,” Sams said. “Totally wrong angle for me. Got my hands full here.”
“Dammit. More of them showing up,” Sams said. “Lizzy, Nick, anybody?”
“Negative on the front door,” Walker said. “Maybe someone can hit them from upstairs.”
The front door began to buckle.
“No time. Front door is about to be breached,” Foster said. “We need to get the hell out of here.”
“That settles it. Time to leave everyone,” Walker yelled. “Foster, fall back and lead them out. Sams and I will cover your exfil.”
“I'm on it,” Foster said. “I'll take the Suburban. Lizzy and Amanda with me. Gregory, Emily, and Henry, you're with Charles in the Tucson. Lauren, Randall, and Randy. You're in the Land Cruiser with Nick and Sams.”
“You’re not separating me from my kid,” Lauren protested.
“We don’t have time for this,” Foster answered. “We’re all heading to the same place. Move your ass, or stay here and die. Your choice.”
“Lauren, it’s just a short drive,” Randy pleaded. “We need to get out of here before it’s too late.”
There was a loud crash as the inside panel of the front door gave way. A new hole appeared, and a Reaper head popped through it. Foster fired once and struck the Reaper in the head. It went limp in the opening, buying them a few precious seconds of time.
“Foster, get those people out of here,” Sams yelled. The door began to buckle, and Foster saw the former Ranger fire twice through it.
Foster began to backpedal, and as he did, he saw the rest of the front door literally disintegrate in front of them as six Reapers slammed into it and stumbled into the new opening. He picked one of the Reapers and fired once, striking the creature in the nose and dropping it immediately. He heard gunfire to his right and knew Sams was actively firing his weapon. Foster saw another monster's head snap sideways, and it crumpled to the ground, and then the third one had disappeared in a cloud of bloody mist.
“Move, move, move,” Sams shouted, hustling sideways, aiming and firing at the now open breach in the front of the building.
“Nick, fall back!” Foster yelled. “Breach! We got to go!” He took a deep breath, exhaled, slid the bar away from the rear door, pushed the rear door open, stepped out, and brought his rifle up into a ready position, actively scanning for any targets.
As he moved toward the Suburban, which was the front most vehicle, he saw a Reaper sniffing near the right front tire. Foster's movement caused the Reaper to look up. It let out a low growl, and Foster immediately fired, striking the monster between the eyes. The bullet caused the Reaper's head to snap back, and it fell onto its back dead. A series of other growls and roars sounded out throughout the neighborhood, and Foster said, “They know we're here. Double time, everybody.”
He immediately rushed to the Suburban, opened the driver's side door, and took up a shooting position, continuing to seek any incoming hostiles. Foster saw two Reapers come tearing around the corner. One saw him and dropped to all fours right as Foster fired. He realized his mistake that he was shooting at them, over the hood of the Suburban. He couldn't risk hitting the engine block with his shots. He took a step forward to give himself a clearer shooting lane. He heard the side doors of the Suburban open and Amanda yell, “Malcolm, let's go!”
Foster unleashed a barrage of bullets, stitching them across the pair of Reapers still charging toward him. He saw the bullet strike home, and the monsters' bodies staggered. The hostiles were temporarily delayed, and Foster immediately retreated to the driver's side seat of the Suburban and climbed in. He pulled the door shut with a loud bang and immediately engaged the door locks. Another monster came flying up, smashed into the side of the Suburban, and bounced off it. The creature growled, stood up, and charged again.
Foster lifted up the visor, and the keys dropped out into his expecting hand. He hurried to put the key in the ignition. He heard a vehicle start up behind him, glanced in the rear mirror, and saw that Charles had managed to get his family into their vehicle. The elderly man flashed the headlights, signaling he was ready to go. He glanced up, saw that Sams and Walker were still firing, and that more Reapers were coming from the rear. At least a dozen were now bearing down the two men, as they worked their way toward the Land Cruiser. He saw both men work in tandem, opening their doors and jumping in the Land Cruiser in time, pulling the doors shut.
Foster stuck the key in the Suburban’s ignition, turned it, and the vehicle roared to life. He threw it in gear and stomped on the accelerator. The armored vehicle lurched forward, slamming a Reaper that was in front of it, knocking it out of the way. Foster watched as the creature's body pinballed off the front of the vehicle, spinning, and landing off to the side. The monster appeared to be dazed, picked itself up slowly, and began chasing after their vehicles.
Foster swerved on throu
gh the driveway, over the sidewalk, and onto the roadway, with a loud bang as the tail end of the Suburban hit. He winced at the sound, knowing that he had likely scraped the underside of the vehicle. He swung the wheel hard to the left and began driving toward the marina. A quick glance in his rearview mirror saw that everybody else had managed to make it out alive.
Lizzy let out a loud whoop of appreciation. “Yeah! We did it!”
Amanda started laughing. “You get excited about the smallest of things,” she said.
“Try it some time. You might like it.” Lizzy laughed.
“Next stop, marina,” Foster said. “Then we blow this pop stand and head to Hope Island.” He couldn't help but get excited by that idea. A secure remote location where they’d never see another damn Reaper again.
Chapter Forty-Nine
The lone Reaper looked carefully up the street. It felt somewhat nervous being alone from its packmates, but then it wasn't here to hunt. The monster found an intersection and began to carefully sniff the air. There are others in the area like him, but they were not part of his pack. He reached out to his master to confirm that this was indeed the scent he was looking for.
The Reaper couldn’t feel his master’s answer fill his mind, and it made him nervous. Of course, his master was very busy and was known to not always answer questions from foot soldiers like him. It was probably best if he did exactly what his pack leader had told him. He turned his attention back to the area around him, stood as tall as he could, and let out a loud roar. He beat his chest twice, paused for a moment, and then roared once more.
Another Reaper emerged from the shadows, and the two monsters studied each other carefully. They looked similar but somehow different because they were not packmates.
Three more creatures stepped out of the shadows, and the Reaper felt a small spike of a feeling he wasn’t familiar with. A small voice somewhere in his mind said it was called fear. A louder voice spoke and said he had nothing to be afraid of. He wasn’t here to fight. He was here for a completely different purpose.
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