The Dark Trilogy

by Patrick D'orazio

  “Okay, everyone. Are you ready to make a break for it?” Ben said as they sat around the chiropractor’s waiting room. The words caught everyone off guard.

  “Break for it? What do you mean?”

  Ben tried to smile. It looked funny on his lips, like it didn’t belong there. He kept the grimace plastered on his face as he responded to Megan’s question.

  “You’re getting out of here. Out of this godforsaken town. Tonight.”

  Ben dug into one of the deep pockets that lined his overalls and held two car keys out for display. He then gestured beyond the door to where two cars sat out on the street, ready and waiting.

  “That old Corsica and Concorde ain’t much to look at, but they both have full tanks.”

  Jeff rushed past Ben to the door and peeked out the window. He realized where they were. There was a line of cars outside the door, stretching about a quarter of a mile down the road. This was where the minivan had been trapped the day before, and the two cars were the ones that had been rolled into place to prevent Jeff’s little contingent from escaping.

  Goosebumps rose up on his skin as he saw several shapes moving amongst the shadows. Taking an involuntary step back, Jeff resisted the urge to move away from the window. There were more of them out there, yet all was quiet for the moment. He could only guess that most of ghouls that had attacked the camp had followed the RV as it drove into town, so there were only a few remaining in this area.

  “But how are we supposed to drive out of here? There are too many wrecks and too many of those things out there.” Despite Megan’s doubt, it was apparent she was excited at the prospect of leaving Manchester and all the bad memories that dwelled there.

  “I drew a map. Put it in the glove box of the Concorde. It doesn’t have a huge amount of detail, but enough to give you a decent picture of things.” The smile that had been plastered on Ben’s lips faded. “It’ll steer you clear of all the wrecks and the barriers folks put up around town. Steer you clear of most of the stiffs too … at least enough that you should be able to drive on by them without any problems.”

  “Ben?” Jeff finally turned from the window. “It almost sounds as if you don’t plan on coming with us.” The words were hesitant, fearful.

  Jeff watched as Ben shifted uncomfortably. There was a look of profound sadness on his face.

  “You’re not serious, are you? You have to come with us! At least if you expect us to somehow make it out of this godforsaken mess.” Jeff grabbed Ben’s arm as he fought to keep from screaming. But Ben was still shaking his head, resignation creeping across his bearded face.

  “I … I can’t go with you.”

  “Why the hell not?” Megan shoved Jeff aside as she moved up, with George following. Ben raised a finger to his lips, urging her to lower her voice. Before she could recover from the stern warning, George chimed in.

  “Ben, you know we need you. I’m not sure how far we can make it without you leading the way.”

  “You’re not going with them either, George.”

  The words stopped them all cold. The argument forming on Jeff’s lips, the angry invectives Megan was ready to spew out … all came screeching to a halt.

  “Wha-? What do you mean I’m not going with them?”

  Jason jumped up. “What the hell are you talking about? George ain’t leaving us!” His anger boiled to the surface in an instant, and Megan turned to the boy, her own irritation with Ben pushed to the side as she tried to put her hands on Jason’s shoulders to calm the twelve year old down. He shrugged her off, the heat from his rage palpable.

  Ben frowned as Jason tried to stand toe to toe with him. Both of the kid’s fists were closed, though the effort was causing him a great deal of pain in his injured elbow.

  Ben knelt before the gangly kid, his eyes filled with regret.

  “George needs to get back to his family, Jason.”

  Jason hesitated. There hadn’t been enough time to figure out why Ben made his proclamation about George, but now it was sinking in. After a moment, the fire returned to Jason’s eyes.

  “We’re his family now, you stupid asshole!” Jason’s fist rocketed off of Ben’s chest. He hit him again, and Ben didn’t try to stop the angry boy. He could see the tears ready to break free, but Jason fought to hold them back.

  Strong, gentle hands gripped Jason’s shoulders and turned him around. He resisted at first, his eyes still ablaze with anger at Ben. But as the boy turned to George, his expression shifted.

  When he looked up at the man who had been his guardian for so long, there was fear in his eyes.

  “You’re not going to leave us, are you, George? Tell this idiot you want to stay with us!”

  George could do nothing but stare at Jason, his mouth clamped shut.

  “George? Tell him! Tell him there’s no way you would leave us now! No way, no how!”

  There were no more excuses … except for the needs of the boy standing in front of him. Except for the love of all these people who had fought side by side with him through their journey into hell. And what else were they going to have to face? How many more desperate crazies? How many more of the infected? All without him, if he left. George wondered about Jeff, wondered how the man would do at protecting Jason and Megan once George was gone. The man was beaten down; he was no longer the arrogant bastard willing to risk them all just so he could take out a few more ghouls. But as Jeff had changed, so had Megan. There were underpinnings of strength in her that weren’t readily apparent when they first met, yet had shone through in the past day. She could handle far more than he would have thought possible and had proven it time and again. Those two could handle things without him at their side. But could Jason?

  George tried to formulate something to say, words that would make Jason understand, but he couldn’t think of a single thing that would make the boy appreciate what he had to do. Because his mind was already made up. It was made up the instant Ben had said he wasn’t going with the others.

  “George?”

  Jason watched as George’s mouth opened and nothing came out. The twelve year old knew what the silence meant. He shook his head, the anger back. “No. You can’t go! NO!”

  George could think of nothing he could say to calm the boy, so instead, he grabbed Jason and pulled him close, wrapping his arms around him. The boy resisted, fighting against the strong arms, but George refused to let go, holding him closer, hushing him as Jason’s words began to blend together. George heard words like ‘hate’ and ‘die’ and ignored them. Jason kicked and tried to beat on him with his fist, but George kept him close until the kid calmed down.

  “I love you, Jason … and I’m sorry. If it could be any other way, I would do it, but I … I have to get back to them. I have to be with them. Because I love them too. Because they don’t have anyone watching out for them since I left. You still have Megan and Jeff. They’ll do everything they can to keep you safe. Because I know they love you too.”

  The words were whispered, hushed, shared only by the two of them. Jason was too tired to keep fighting, and his head was throbbing. He could hear his pulse inside his ears along with George’s heartbeat as he rested his head against his friend’s chest.

  “But I need you to stay, George. Please.”

  It was all he could get out before he began to cry. Jason held George tight with his good arm and drenched his shoulder with tears.

  Neither of them spoke for a time as George held Jason close. The heartache he was feeling nearly overwhelmed the excitement stirring inside. He almost felt compelled to change his mind, to tell Ben no, that he would stay. But the images of his wife and two daughters were coming in stronger than ever. He had to get home. It was where he belonged.

  When George thought the boy was okay, he gently pushed him back.

  “I have to do this. It’s my family. I can’t abandon them. I have to go to them while I still have the chance.”

  There was pleading in his words, a desperate cry for approv
al. But Jason wouldn’t give it, would not look up from the floor. As they separated, the sullen kid turned and slumped down next to Sadie, who had been watching everything stoically. She moved next to him and cuddled up. Jason immediately wrapped an arm around her and held her close.

  George sighed and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Megan was in front of him. Her anger at Ben’s announcement was gone, replaced by disapproval and regret, but mostly resignation. She rubbed her arms as she shivered.

  “Is this really what you want to do?” The words were barely audible. Not a whisper, like what he and Jason had shared. Her words were hoarse, worn so thin they were almost transparent.

  When he nodded, she moved closer. George thought he was prepared for anything, but when she stepped in front of him and leaned her head into his chest, he was surprised. “I know how much you miss your family. Go to them.” She looked up into his startled eyes and gave him a painful smile. “But don’t you dare forget us.”

  George’s lip quivered as he tried to return the smile. After failing, he slipped his arms around her and kissed her on top of her head. He had not realized how much tension there was in his body, how stressed he was over her possible reaction to his decision. Knowing that he had her blessing, even though she hated the idea of losing him, came with a profound sense of relief.

  “I won’t. I swear to God I’ll never forget any of you.”

  “So what reason do you have for not coming with us?” Jeff’s question sent all eyes toward Ben. Back in the spotlight, the big man looked uncomfortable with the attention. The sweat continued to pour down his forehead. Jeff inched forward. “You know we need you, Ben. I don’t know if we can make it that far without you.”

  Ben stooped over the smaller man, and Jeff looked hesitant, but unafraid. When Ben moved his arm forward, Jeff flinched. Grabbing his hand, Ben pressed one of the keys into them.

  “That’s for the Concorde. It’s already pointing east, which is the direction you want to head. The map is in the glove box. It’s the bigger car, so it should be comfortable for the four of you. I put some things in the trunk that you guys will be able to use. Just pay attention to the map and you’ll be fine.” He leaned in close, his clammy fingers gripping Jeff’s to make sure he had his full attention. “Don’t panic, whatever you do. That’s how a lot of folks died. They shit their pants at the first sign of trouble and were royally screwed.”

  Jeff’s jaw was slack as Ben straightened his back and held his gaze steady.

  “Can you do that, Jeff? Can you keep your cool?”

  Jeff’s mouth slammed shut, and he nodded. Whatever he planned on saying fled his mind as he looked up at Ben and realized how enormous the man truly was. But it was his eyes, his sad and terribly tired eyes, that told him arguing was pointless. Ben wasn’t coming with them.

  Ben handed George the other set of keys. “The Corsica is all the way down at the opposite end of the line of cars. I made sure it was gassed up and good to go, but I didn’t bother putting any supplies in it. You’ll just have to wing it. No map either, but I’m guessing you know where you’re going.”

  George gave a quick nod, his gaze intense as he listened carefully. He looked at the key with the Chevy logo embossed on the fob. As he wrapped his fingers possessively around it, he looked nervous but ready.

  Ben looked at George as if he were trying to convince himself that this was the right thing to do. After a moment, he returned the nod and addressed the rest of the group.

  “Okay. Time’s up. You folks have to get the hell out of here. We spend any more time jawin’ and we’re going to have company.”

  Ben shot a glance out the window and then turned back to the group. Everyone waited, breathless, for his next command. They were about as ready as they ever would be.

  “I’ll go out first. Just wait by the door and don’t stick your head out until you’re sure I’ve got their attention.” He paused, eyeing the two other men. “You’ll know when that happens. Wait about thirty seconds after that, then haul ass to the cars. The doors are unlocked.”

  Jeff and George nodded. Ben appeared satisfied that they understood his simple instructions. He turned back to the door. That was when he felt a little hand tugging on his fingers. It was Sadie, looking up at him with her bright eyes. Without giving it any thought, he reached down and picked her up.

  “Don’t you want to come with us, Ben?”

  The little voice and the needy look in Sadie’s eyes tugged at Ben’s heart. He felt almost dizzy as he held the little girl in his arms. He could handle the protests the adults might throw at him and even the bitter resentment that Jason felt, but he had to fight back the pain and guilt as he looked at the child he’d saved several weeks ago when she had been hiding out in a drainage ditch. He had never promised her that she would always be safe, but vowed to always do what he could to protect her. She was all that was left of the group he’d come to Manchester with, and now he was giving her to these people. For all they had been through together, he barely knew them. And yet, he knew in his heart that they would die doing everything they could to protect her, just as he would have done. He rubbed his cheek against the downy fluff of her hair as he closed his eyes.

  “I can’t come with you, baby. I wish I could; I really do.” Sadie continued regarding him with those wide, haunting eyes, and he swallowed hard. “But Megan and Jeff are going to take good care of you. So is Jason. Aren’t you?”

  Megan came forward and smiled at the little girl as she caressed her chubby little arm. “We sure are, Sadie. Don’t you worry about a thing.”

  Sadie’s eyes moved back and forth between Ben and Megan, and then to Jason, who was still feeling betrayed by George’s decision, but forced a faint smile to his lips for the little girl.

  Sadie gripped Ben tight, kissing him on the cheek as she spoke into his ear. “Will I ever see you again?”

  Ben squeezed his eyes shut and fought back the anguish that was a giant knot in his gut. He took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before setting the little girl back down. He knelt before her and forced himself to look into her eyes as he spoke. “I tell ya what, honey. All you need to know is that you won’t see me, but I’ll always be around, watching out for you.” He put on a brave smile for her. “You understand that, don’t you?”

  Sadie bobbed her head. The answer appeared to satisfy her and Ben began to stand back up. Before he could, she tugged on his sleeve again. “I’ll miss you.”

  He smiled down at her again before turning back toward the door, where the smile crumbled. “Me too, baby. Me too.”

  Clearing his throat, Ben addressed the group. “Okay, everyone. It’s time. No more screwing around. I’m going outside. Watch the window and wait about thirty seconds after I give you the signal. That’ll give me enough time to stir these fuckers up.”

  Ben looked back one last time. They were fearful, but prepared for what they were about to face. He glanced at Sadie and saw that she fit perfectly in the crook of Megan’s arm. Jason had moved next to them, his hand on Sadie’s back. The kid still looked sullen and angry, but Ben knew he would get over it. Finally, he looked at Jeff and George. He nodded at them both as he opened the door.

  There was no hesitation as Ben glided through the shadows, darting in between buildings and away from the cars. He was engulfed in darkness as the sounds of the night muffled his passing.

  Chapter 23

  Ben ached to his very bones, and his vision was blurry. His weary eyes felt like two raw eggs floating inside his skull. His breathing was ragged, and he could feel himself wearing down as he slid around a corner and stepped out onto the sidewalk. He licked his lips, knowing he didn’t have much time.

  He surveyed the street as he tugged on the zipper on the front of his coverall. When it was halfway down his chest, he reached inside to a pocket and grabbed the object he had tucked away earlier that day.

  Smiling, he surveyed the street. It was not jam-packed, but there were en
ough ghouls to get things started. Ben glanced back toward the building where the last of the survivors waited for him to lead the monsters away from their doorstep. He had gone far enough to give them the room they needed. It was time to start making some noise.

  He looked down at the .357 Magnum, and his grin widened. “Sorry, Megan. I know it’s yours, but I needed to borrow it. Hope you don’t mind.” He inched out into the middle of the street and noticed that the sound of his voice had aroused some interest. Shadows shifted, and a face emerged into the moonlight. It moaned at him, curious.

  “Well step out into the light and let me get a good look at you, son. Don’t be shy.”

  Ben laughed as the greasy-looking man complied, excited to see him. As the shadowy figure moaned again, others responded, and there was more movement. A rainbow of gruesome colors was on display as more and more of the infected advanced on him. He swung around and looked them over, examining each in turn. The elements had not been kind to them. Even the ones that had not been torn to pieces were starting to look rather juicy.

  Satisfied, Ben looked back toward the first rotter he’d seen. He waved him closer with the gun. “Come on, Lumpy, I ain’t got all night.”

  The ghoul attempted to shuffle forward faster, but his right leg was twisted like a pretzel. “Well shit, pal. It must suck to be you. That gimpy leg must make it hard for you to catch dinner, huh?”

  As the crippled stiff got closer, Ben could see that he was wearing the uniform of an auto mechanic or some other type of repairman. “Don” was stenciled on the jacket. Ben raised the gun and aimed carefully, unmoved by the sewn-in name. The man’s name, like the rest of his life, had been destroyed once he was bitten and the virus took over.