He could be leading them all into a death trap. When he conveyed the idea to Lil and Irma they didn’t bat an eyelash. They trusted him.
Only a few undead walked at the back of the building. He gave instructions to Lil to drive quickly into the loading door after he opened it and should any dead be in that garage, he’d take them out. They moved slowly. Pull in the garage, shut the door, take out the dead.
Worry about the squad car later if they were overrun.
Garrick’s gut instinct was correct. He lifted the door to the garage behind the store and the headlights of the SUV showed an empty storage room. Void of dead, not of boxes.
Lil pulled the SUV all the way in and Garrick flew out to the squad car pulling that in as well.
Two male reanimated made their way in before Garrick could close the garage door. They came for him as he reached to lower the door. Closing that door was imperative, He couldn’t chance any more getting in.
A ‘slam’ of the door, Garrick spun and fired two shots, taking down the walking dead.
Using his flashlight he looked for some sort of light in the Rite Aid. There were still streetlights in town and that told Garrick the building had power.
Hollering, “Stay inside the truck,” Garrick found the lights.
He flicked them on illuminating the room. After deeming it clear and safe, he signaled for Lil and Irma.
As they stepped from the truck, Jerry tightly in Irma’s arms, the banging began.
The sliding of the garage door, revving of engines and gunshots was a calling bell. What could only be hands and bodies beat relentlessly against the heavy metal garage door, trying to get in.
“Garrick, are we safe?” Irma asked. “Are you sure they can’t get in?”
“They can’t break through that door, no.” Garrick walked to the door and shifted the latch. “But just in case they can lift it. It’s locked.”
“Why was it unlocked?” Lil asked. “It doesn’t look like anything has been taken.”
“Maybe whoever took things, just took what they needed,” Garrick replied. “Stay in here. It’s safe. I’m gonna go check the store. If that’s clear. We can move in there for the night.”
He walked across the storage bay to the large metal doors he could only figure led to the store. Quietly, he opened the door and took a single step. He felt it hit against his leg and knew instantaneously what it was.
“Get down!” Garrick yelled as he dove back, just as an ax swung like a pendulum over the width of the door.
His heart beat out of control and his breath left him. It was close, too close.
“Garrick?” Lil called.
“I’m okay, it was a trip wire. A trap.” He lowered his voice. “Someone is here.”
“Maybe they were and they’re dead.” Lil said.
“Shut the door.” Irma urged. “Just shut the door. It could have turned into one of those things.”
A tiny voice, young and male called out from the store. “I’m not.”
“It’s a kid.” Hurriedly, Garrick spun from looking at Irma to back in the store. “Hello? I can’t see you.”
“I can’t see you either. Are you hurt?” he asked. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t know if it worked.”
“I’m alright.” Garrick shined his flashlight. “It was close.”
The little boy’s voice grew closer. “Officer Neil made that trap. He brought me here, then left to get help. He’s not coming back, huh?”
“I don’t see you in there.” Garrick shined the light. “Follow the beam of light to me. We aren’t gonna hurt you.”
“I know. But I can’t see the beam of light.”
Lil walked to Garrick. “He must be on the other end of the store.”
“The breaker boxes.” Irma called. “Look.”
Garrick watched as Lil stepped back to where Irma pointed. Two breaker boxes where on the wall.
“Can I turn these on?” Lil asked.
“I don’t see why not. The riot gates keep most of the light out.”
“Okay …” Lil opened the cover and started flipping on switches.
“We’re putting on the lights. Just stay where you are.” Garrick instructed the boy. “Are you injured?”
“No.”
Garrick peered over his shoulder to the banging on the garage, and Little Jerry’s muffled cries of fear.
Two rows of light brightened in the store. “Lil, that’s good.” He held out his hand staring into the store. “I see him.”
Garrick tossed his rifle over his shoulder and walked to the boy who stood center of an aisle not twenty feet from him.
The boy was no older than eight and just stood there.
“I’m right here,” Garrick said. “Don’t be scared. I have two women with me and a baby. Also my brother.”
“I’m not scared anymore.”
“Garrick?” Irma called for him.
“I’m fine. Come on in. I found him.” Garrick stepped to the boy. The child didn’t take a step. On the floor were jugs of water, boxes of cookies and other food items. He held out his arm and Garrick grabbed his hand. “I’m right here.” Garrick spoke soothing. “It’s okay now.”
The boy felt his way to grab hold of Garrick, his hands making their way up to Garrick’s elbow, and then he threw himself into Garrick’s hold. Immediately he started to cry. Garrick was at a loss, shocked. He barely embraced him when Irma rushed into the store.
“Oh you poor thing. You poor little thing. Honey come here.” She laid her hand on the boys head. “Let me check you.” Still holding Jerry, she crouched down.
The boy slowly stepped from Garrick and turned. Irma didn’t give him a second; she brought him into her chest with her free arm.
“It’ll be alright, honey.” Irma whispered. “You don’t have to be alone anymore.”
Garrick stood and walked over to Lil, giving Irma her time to comfort the boy.
“Garrick, that kid had to be so scared. He was alone. It breaks my heart.”
“Tell me about it.” Garrick said. “I’m shocked. I don’t know how he managed to survive.”
“Grace of God perhaps?” Lil suggested.
“If there was something more than the Grace of God, I’d say it was that.”
“What do you mean?”
“That boy …” Garrick dropped his voice to a whisper. “He’s blind.”
<><><><>
Both Irma and Lil commented on how much they were finding in the store. Using a jug of water and soap, along with baby wipes, Irma cleaned both of the boys. Jerry was in need of ointment for his bottom, and Irma was so grateful for the supply of diapers.
She took little Timmy into the ladies room and bathed him as best as she could at the sink. His hair needed combed and more than that it needed washed. What Timmy didn’t know was how much blood was dried in his hair.
Since there was power, Irma heated soup for the boys and Steve. Garrick and Lil opted for oodles of noodles instead.
They’d rest for a bit, eat, gather what they wanted to take from the store and put it in the SUV for when they left in the morning. Then they’d sleep or try to.
Steve told them what antibiotics to find and pain medication. He had taken his dose but didn’t look well at all. His hands, neck and face were swollen.
In the pharmacy waiting area, Steve lay upon two blow up rafts. He didn’t look comfortable but claimed he was fine and just wanted to sleep. The blankets with sleeves, an “As seen on TV” fad, which looked more like a backwards robe were used as covers. There was so much that could be utilized in the store.
“It’ll stop,” Timmy said.
“What will?” Irma asked, then instructed. “And eat.”
“The banging, the moaning, the trying to get in. It comes and goes. They try real hard to get in, like now. But then they stop for a while.”
“Oh, good.” Irma grabbed her chest. “I don’t know how you dealt with this all alone.”
“It was scary.”
“I bet,” Garrick said. “Do you live around here? Is your home close?”
“I don’t know where we are,” Timmy replied. “But I am from Huntersville. That’s where I was when Officer Neil grabbed me. We were waiting for the other kids. I couldn’t go on the field trip. Not because I don’t see but because my mom kept saying, something is going on and I want you near me. But we went to the school because my cousin was on the missing bus. All I remember is my mom holding my hand. I smelt this bad smell. I asked my mom what it was and she didn’t know what I was talking about. Then … then people were screaming. They were screaming loud and it scared me. She picked me up. Officer Neil was telling us to come with him. She was running with me and fell. She started screaming and screaming in pain. I called her name. I was crying and Officer Neil grabbed me. He put me in the car. He kept saying, “Oh God and how I needed to hold tight. That was the first time I heard them banging to get us. They kept banging on the car.”
“So he drove here?” Garrick asked. “Is this where you stopped?”
Timmy shook his head. “Not at this store. No. He was on the radio and they were telling him where not to go. We stopped for gas. He said it looked safe and to stay in the car. The window was down so I could hear him. I smelled that smell again. I tried to tell him. But he didn’t answer. So I opened the door. That was when something hurt me. It felt like teeth. I couldn’t even scream it hurt so bad. But I heard the shots. Officer Neil put me back in the car. We came here. He cleaned my leg, said I was bleeding. Gave me medicine. Told me where he set everything and he was going to get me help. He even made the trap to protect me. But he never came back.” Timmy lowered his head.
“Oh my God, you were bit?” Garrick asked.
“It’s pretty deep,” Irma said. “Healing but deep, in the left calf. It’s not showing signs of infection. I saw it when I washed him.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Garrick questioned.
“Because he’s been alone for a while. He healed. How was I to know what bit him? The poor child has been through so much.” With Jerry in her arms, she scooted Timmy closer. “Don’t you worry sweetheart, I am here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“You feel like my grandmother when you hold me,” Timmy said.
“That’s because I am a grandmother. It’s a gift you know. We have this softness about us. You just feel free to snuggle anytime you need it.”
“Snuggle. Smother,” Garrick shrugged. “Same difference.”
“Garrick Long,” Irma scolded. “You be nice. I can’t help I have this proactive mother instinct. Ask Lil how I am with her?”
Lil looked up. “I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way. Timmy must be immune.”
Garrick gave a soft nudge to Steve. “Are you listening? Is that possible?”
Steve grunted and struggled to sit. “Yeah,” he said weakly. “I haven’t determined if it is immunity or just that the virus didn’t take hold. Some people will have immunity. Look at Jack.”
This caught Lil’s attention. “Jack?”
“Yeah, he was scratched or bit. I think a tooth scratch him. Not sure. He’s fine. Never even got an infection. He said he wasn’t bit and all tests showed no infection. But we found saliva around the small wound that contained the strain. So Jack has immunity qualities. We never told him; because we didn’t want it out that Jack resisted the strain. Who knows what they would have done or where they would have sent him?” Steve paused to cough. “And it could have been a fluke that the virus didn’t settle in.”
Garrick reached out; laying his hand on Steve’s back. “Lay back down, man. You aren’t well.”
“I’m fine. I want to be part of the conversation. I like listening to Irma.”
“Thank you sweetheart,” Irma tapped Steve. “I like listening to you. You’re my hero.”
“Oh, God.” Garrick groaned. “One small act of bravery.” He stopped talking when Irma gave a frightful mother scold to him. “I’ll stop.” He mimicked zipping his mouth. “Speaking of heroes. So, I didn’t tell you Lil. Not only did Jack go back for Saul, he went back for something else. He got you something. Dodds was holding it and Jack wants to hand deliver it to you.”
Irma gushed out. “Oh, isn’t that wonderful? The middle of the apocalypse and Jack is getting you a gift. Never doubt that man’s love. Is there an anniversary coming up?”
“Actually yeah. Next month.”
“Oh, Lil. I’m getting misty eyed. With all that was going on, he was thinking of you and your anniversary. Love transcends even the walking dead.”
Garrick laughed.
“Do not laugh at me, Garrick Long.” Irma pointed. “I’m being serious.”
“Jack got me a gift?” Lil smiled. “Really?”
Garrick nodded. “A little something he picked up in Pittsburgh.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“Because, you know, he’s running here and there. Fighting the undead. Saving Jewish doctors and eccentric weapons creators. If he told, and something happened to it on the way, then you’d be really upset. So I think he wants it to be a surprise. Act surprised if it makes it.”
“Why did you tell me?” Lil asked.
Garrick paused. He motioned his lips and took a drink. “For the same reason Jack didn’t. He’s running here and there. I guess … I guess I just wanted you to know, like Irma said, he was thinking of you. In case, God forbid something happens, Jack was thinking of you. He always does.”
Lil produced a peaceful smile. “That is comforting.”
“You know,” Irma reached over to Lil and touched her. “You really should take some time. Maybe find something here in the Rite Aid. I’m sure you can find a gift here. Let him know that you thought of him, too.”
“You should find something for Saul as well. We can make sure we wrap it too.”
“Oh, good idea. Our anniversary is in September. Won’t that be nice to surprise him?” Irma planted a kiss to Timmy and stood, handing Jerry to Garrick. “Can you watch him?”
“You trust me with the golden child?”
“You fed him and watched him while I rested. It was bacon, but you still took care of him. I would trust the Long Brothers with my life. Jerry is my life. Even though you annoy me. I trust you always.”
“I’m honored.” Garrick took Jerry who was close to falling asleep. He watched as the two women walked off together chatting. It was an odd thing to do, think of gifts and shopping when death was all around them. It also was a good thing to do, because with all the death and dark, that bit of normalcy, was a well needed bit of light.
Chapter Fifteen
Cleveland, Ohio
The overwhelming aroma of soap entered the room a split second before Jack walked in asking, “Where is my baby?”
“He’s clean, you can hand him over.” Powers nodded once at Dodds.
“He’s young, Jack.” Dodds handed the child to Jack. “Maybe four months old. But healthy and fine. By the way, thank you for sending help for my students.”
“Not a problem. I told you I would, even if I had to get there myself. They … took them to Erie. Its infection status is low and there are boats on the lake waiting to take people out.” Jack awkwardly cradled the baby. “Oh my God, this is the first real moment I had to look at him.”
“I told the story to Saul and Powers,” Dodd said.
Saul sealed the last of his boxes and dusted off his hands. “Remarkable. An undead had it and didn’t kill it.”
“The only chance this child had of dying was by being dropped. He was very much like Juan,” Jack said. “He spoke, Saul.”
Saul’s eyes met Jack’s. “Spoke. A reanimated spoke?”
“Spoke. Said ‘kill me’.”
“And?”
Jack shrugged. “I did.”
“Then he robbed him.” Dodds added.
Jack scoffed. “I didn’t rob him. I took his phone for pictures and wallet so I could tell this child who saved him.
It was a man. Not an undead a man who reanimated and still held his humanity. George McWilliams was his name.” he kept a stare on the baby.
“This closest I was able to get to him,” Saul reached over to the baby. “Dodds was very protective. He’s beautiful.” Saul let out a wistful chuckle when the baby wrapped his tiny fingers around Saul’s. “Oh, wait until Irma sees him.”
“Wait until Lil sees him. I know it’s weird, but we tried for years. Then we had that problem and …It’s silly.” Jack shook his head.
“No.” Saul said. “It isn’t. This is very fitting Jack. You will make it work with your wife. You are through the problems and this is symbolic of a new beginning.”
Dodds laughed. “Understatement. Everyone is having a new beginning or an new end if you aren’t an optimist.”
“What’s his name?” Saul asked. “I think you should be the one who names him.”
“Oh, I know exactly what his name is.”
Dodds took a guess. “George. After the guy who saved him. You’re naming him George.”
Jack looked up. “Are you fucking nuts? I’m not having my kid grow up being called George. No. His name is Jack.”
Dodds whistled. “We’re not narcissistic or anything.”
“Ignore him.” Saul said. “I like it. Your kid?”
“My kid.” Jack gingerly pressed his lips to the infant’s forehead. “I’ve been thinking about this child since I left him. With everything the way it is, it isn’t right to bring a new life into this world. But this child doesn’t have a choice. He’s here. He was saved for a reason.”
Saul stroked the baby’s head. “A family is the greatest inspiration. I think of my wife, my grandson. My daughter.” After a shivering breath, Saul composed himself. “It’s worth more than anything in this world.”
“But the world is so screwed up. I’m worried. He’s so tiny, so helpless. What if I can’t protect him? What if something happens to him?” Jack’s face cringed.
“Jack, I have no doubt in you. Tomorrow we leave. We finally meet up with our families. We start the waiting game, but we start a new life. If anyone in this world can keep this baby safe and make sure he grows up, it’s you.” Saul have Jack a fatherly smile. “Of that, I am very sure.”
Zombie Battle (Book 5): Survive Page 5