The Zombie Awakening (Complete 6 Volume Series, plus prologue)

by Melton, Cynthia

  “Yes, there is.” Chalice loved that her mother realized that so soon after meeting him. “He’s the best.”

  “And look at my Mychal, so big. Hanna, so pretty.” She hugged them to her again. “You three have had to endure so much. More than any person should have to do.” She sighed and stood. “Will you introduce me to your friends? Tomorrow, you can tell me what to do. I want to pull my weight away here.”

  “Can’t you rest for a while?” Hanna slipped her arm through Mom’s. “Maybe help me watch the babies?”

  “Babies?” Mom’s eyes widened and brightened. “Hope for the future. I’d love to help you Hanna.”

  “Great. Alyssah and Faith also help. I’m older than them. Then, there’s Natalie. She used to run a daycare. Most of her little ones turned to zombies, but she saved a few.”

  “Oh.” Mom grimaced.

  “Grandma’s here.” Chalice wanted to cry along with Mom when she covered her face. “She has a boyfriend.”

  “A boyfriend.” Mom chuckled between sobs. “I want to see her. I want to see her right now.”

  “Let’s walk in front of you,” Mychal suggested. “Then when you step forward, it will be a total surprise.”

  Charity’s mood lifted. Things would be all right. Their family was together. Everyone was alive and well and capable of surviving. She led the way outside, trying to ignore the groans coming from the other side of the fence. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the sound.

  As they neared the main building, Chalice and Hanna walked on each side of Mychal with their mother behind them. They headed for the cafeteria where Grandma sat and drank coffee every night with the other adults. Said it was her way of winding down after a stressful day.

  “That stove is giving me fits.” Grandma set her cup down hard enough for coffee to splash over the top. “I think the valve is clogged or something. I can’t seem to get a clean flow of gas.”

  Mychal laughed. “I think I have someone who can help.” He stepped aside.

  Grandma’s eyes widened. She screamed, and fell over backward in her chair, hitting the floor with a crash.

  Mom rushed forward. “I’ve killed her!” She fell to her knees and patted Gandma’s cheeks.

  “I ain’t dead.” Grandma grabbed her hand. “But I sure thought you were.” She slowly got to her feet, then pulled Mom to her. “It’s good to see you, baby.” Tears glistened in her eyes as she ran her hands over Mom’s arms. “You’ve had a hard time, haven’t you?”

  “I’m okay.” Mom held her arms out. “The whole family is here, together, nothing can stop us now.”

  Chalice glanced over her shoulder, meeting Colton’s gaze. He smiled and nodded. Yes, things would be all right. Then why did Chalice feel as if an unpleasant surprise lurked around the corner?

  *

  If Colton had known the identity of the woman he’d picked up, he would’ve worked harder on returning faster. Instead, he’d taken his time, actually enjoying the short respite from being constantly surrounded by people. Then, once he’d crossed Marianne’s path, they’d concentrated on loading the Hummer, which thankfully, was now empty.

  He watched the tearful reunion as a man detached. The foster parents he’d lived with when the crap hit the fan didn’t count as family. Not with their disinterest in what he did. They’d only wanted the monthly paycheck they received. Colton’s parents had died when he was young. He didn’t know the type of love he now witnessed, other than the heat of emotion he felt when Chalice was near.

  At least Marianne seemed like a strong woman. One that could help defend the group. She looked like she could wield a sword or pull a trigger if she needed to.

  Their group now had eight fighters, ten if he counted Mychal and Eddy, and at least that many children. He almost felt as if they needed to start being picky about who they allowed in. Maybe only people of breeding age or those who possessed a skill they could use.

  He shook his head. Who was he to choose? What if he said no to someone and sent them away only to die? He glanced at the woman in nursing scrubs. She had value, Marianne was a survivor, the children were the future. No, he agreed with Chalice. They would save everyone they could and only send those with evil intentions away.

  The only problem with that plan was renewable resources. He turned and left the cafeteria to head back outside. The school had no place to plant a garden except for the small patch of grass where someone had built a play area for the kids. Nor, did it have ample hunting so close to the city. Occasionally, he’d spot a rabbit, but it wasn’t enough. He sighed. Chalice might not be happy, but by springtime, they’d need to move on. Try to find a place where they could hunt and plant. A place far enough removed from the city so that wandering zombies were few.

  They needed somewhere to build their own fortified commune.

  7

  Time settled into a routine, each person focusing on their assigned tasks. Each day, Colton watched their supplies dwindle as winter peeked over the horizon. Soon, he’d need to bring up the subject of leaving to Chalice. For weeks he’d tried, but the look of contentment on her face stopped him each time.

  Marianne strolled past, a toddler’s hand in each of hers. Maybe, if Colton could convince her, then Chalice would be easier. “Marianne?” He jogged to her side. “Could I speak with you for a minute?”

  “Sure.” She greeted him with a smile and handed the children off to the older girls, giving Hanna’s cheek a gentle stroke. She turned to Colton. “What’s up?”

  He led her to the picnic table and sat, folding his hands on the table top. “I think we should leave here in the spring.”

  “What? Why?” Marianne glanced to where Chalice paced the fence. “Thanksgiving is next week.” She waved an arm around them. “We have food, safety, each other. We have a lot to be thankful for, Colton.”

  “We do.” He focused his gaze on her, searching her soul. “But our food will run out. The propane will run out.”

  “Then we get more.”

  “How, Marianne?” Frustration welled in him. “We have no room for a garden. There are few animals to hunt. Canned goods from nearby stores are already reaching their expiration dates.” How could he make her understand? Why did he seem to be the only one who realized the futility of staying?

  “What if we extend the perimeter and plant a garden?”

  He shook his head. “Who would you send among the non-breathers? While some built a fence, others would have to stand guard. Look beyond the fence.” He pointed to at least twenty zombies milling around. “Everyone out there would risk their lives…for what? We’d have to send our best out there. What if they were overcome? Then the children would be defenseless.”

  Marianne pulled the thin wool jacket she wore tighter around her. “You have a point, but convincing Chalice will require a miracle. But, that’s why you came to me, isn’t it?” She grinned.

  “I figured you could work on her while I talk to the others.”

  “After Thanksgiving.” She pointed her index finger at his nose. “Not a word until after then. That gives her a few months to adjust to the idea, and us time to scrounge nearby stores for seeds and garden tools. Promise?”

  “Promise.” At least he wouldn’t mention anything to Chalice, but it wouldn’t hurt to talk to Bill and Amos and see where they stood with his decision.

  The sound of a large engined truck brought Colton and Marianne to their feet. They grabbed their weapons, motioned for the children to get inside, and headed to the gate to join Chalice. Soon, the other adults, minus Kendra and Natalie, joined them.

  “They’re going to attract dead walkers if they don’t shut off that engine.” Bill shook his head. “I’ve half a mind to put a bullet through that truck’s grill.”

  “I’m not comfortable with this.” Colton stepped back. They should never have shown their force. Could they convince the people in the truck that there could be more than just the six standing at the gate? He glanced over his shoulder and
waved for Mychal and Eddy to stay hidden. “They know how many fighters we have.”

  “Not necessarily.” Amos faced the main building. “You and the others hold back, Chuck.” He winked at Colton. “Since our visitors don’t seem too eager to come make our acquaintance, they can’t know for sure how many of us there are.”

  “What do you think they want?” Chalice stepped closer to Colton.

  “Our supplies.”

  “Can they bust through the fence?”

  Colton shook his head, reaching down to put a hand on Buster’s head in an attempt to quiet the dog’s growls. “I don’t think so. Amos?”

  “Only thing that might get through would be a semi. But these folks are sure acting suspicious.”

  Seconds later, loud music burst from the truck.

  Colton glanced in alarm at the rising numbers of undead coming from the woods. “What the hell are they doing?”

  “Surrounding us.” Chalice shifted the rifle in her arms. “If they get enough zombies to come, we’re stuck and can’t leave. We’ll be at their mercy.”

  Colton squared his shoulders. “If we can’t get out, they can’t get in. Let’s head back to the cafeteria and see if we can’t come up with a plan.”

  The air grew rank as the horde of zombies grew. They congregated around the truck, rocking it on its axis, and yet those inside still didn’t turn off the music. Colton could stand and stare all day and never get any closer to figuring out what the people inside the truck were trying to accomplish.

  Before Colton and the others could return to the building, the music stopped. He turned as the truck backed slowly from the throng. A few zombies made an attempt to follow, but the rest, smelling fresh meat, moved toward the fence.

  “Get inside!” Colton shoved Chalice ahead of him. If the zombies couldn’t smell them, they wouldn’t crowd the fence. Maybe. Hopefully. What he didn’t understand was why those in the truck would attract the zombies? Sure, if Colton and the others were overrun, it would leave their supplies unprotected, but whoever wanted the stuff would have to fight their way in.

  “What is it?” Mychal jumped back from the window when the others rushed inside. “What’s going on?”

  “The worst zombie invasion yet.” Colton closed the steel double doors and locked them. “Everyone in this room. Even the babies.”

  *

  Chalice raced to help herd the children in while the men dashed to gather all the weapons and ammo into the cafeteria. If the zombies got in, they were all doomed. Her heart felt like a block of ice. “Grandma! Gather some food. Kendra, medical.”

  “I’ve got the blankets,” Mom called as she ran by. She grinned over her shoulder. “I love how you take charge when things get tough. That’s my girl.”

  Her mother’s words washed over her like a blanket of love. The knots in her shoulders relaxed. Her breathing eased. Together, they’d survive, as always. But the loss of contentment and feeling of safety might haunt her for months.

  She spotted Bill and Amos outside and shoved open a side door. “What are you doing?”

  “Moving the trucks close to the building,” Bill said, jingling his keys. “If those things start pushing over the fence, we’ve got to make a run for it. The chicken transport and Hummer are our only chances to get out of here. We need them close for easy loading.”

  “I’ll unlock the cafeteria loading door.” Knowing Natalie and the older girls could handle the children, Chalice switched direction and lifted the heavy bar that barricaded the rolling door that was once used to deliver food supplies to the school. When she’d finished, she headed back to the cafeteria and sat to wait for a plan.

  Natalie had the children bedded down on pallets in a far corner. Grandma and George worked in the kitchen making coffee, while Rhonda opened a package of cookies. Hanna, Alyssah, and Faith sat against the wall, not speaking, and stared toward the barred windows. Chalice wanted to cry but held back the tears. Crying would do nothing except exhaust her and give her a headache.

  Within minutes, the others filed in, silent, grave looks on their faces. Colton sat next to her and gave her a shaky smile. She tried to return the gesture, and failed.

  “What now?” The question escaped in a rush of expelled breath. “We can’t stay.”

  “No, we can’t.” Colton laid his rifle on the table. “I was discussing this with your mother earlier and we’d planned on waiting to talk about things more after the holidays, but—”

  “The matter’s been decided for us.” Her throat clogged.

  “Yeah.”

  The moans of the undead had increased to such a point it sounded as if the closed windows were open. Chalice wanted to be a child and give into the temptation of putting her hands over her ears as Colton continued telling her of his conversation with Mom.

  Knowing he spoke the truth, didn’t lessen the sadness of leaving. Would they ever find a solid place to settle? One free of zombies and merciless survivors? If not, what was the point of going on? Why bother caring for children if life was only going to be one horror after another?

  After coffee, the men and older boys started loading everything they could into the trucks. Bill had managed to get his close enough to load the truck bed. Chalice stood guard, her rifle trained on the front gate. A dense blob of zombies milled, pushed, groaned, and shoved against the fence.

  “How long will it hold?” Hanna slipped her hand into Chalice’s.

  “I don’t know. We can only pray it’ll be long enough.”

  “I’m more scared than I’ve been in a long time. If those people wanted our supplies, why surround us with these flesh eaters? Didn’t they think that they might break through?”

  Chalice shrugged. “I guess they figured they’d come back and clean them out after we were gone. They probably didn’t think we’d fight to leave, but would lock ourselves inside instead.” She squeezed her sister’s hand. “We’re fighters, Hanna. We aren’t the type to sit back and let someone take what is ours. I want you, Alyssah, Faith, and even Caleb to carry a big knife with you at all times. Even Trinity can shove a knife through a zombie’s eye if she needs to.”

  “There’re knives in the kitchen. I’ll tell Grandma what you said.” She slipped free and moved back inside as the fence started to squeak.

  A sense of urgency overtook the survivors. Natalie and Kendra packed up the blankets and children and rushed them inside the transport, installing them into hammocks so they wouldn’t be tossed around in the back. Chalice wished someone would have taken the time to fill in the holes in the trailer’s sides. Then the monsters couldn’t smell them, couldn’t rush the sides of the truck in their eagerness for a meal.

  She called to the dogs and crowded them in the backseat of the Hummer where Mychal and Eddy would ride. Bill would drive the transport. Sarah and Rhonda would ride in Bill’s truck with Grandma, George and Amos settling into one of the school buses. They’d make a regular convoy as they left, the transport leading the way and the school bus taking up the rear.

  A shriek split the night as the fence bowed, pulling against its bolts. Chalice’s blood ran cold. It had only taken the massive horde outside three hours to break in. “They’re breaking through!” She dashed inside the building to make sure everyone was out. “To the trucks!”

  Kendra dashed past, an infant cradled in her arms. “Got the last one, Chalice. We’re all clear.”

  Chalice rushed outside. Colton stood on the hood of the Hummer. “Drive slow and steady everyone. Once that fence is completely down, that’s our only way out. Watch the sharp points on the end. Your vehicle stalls or gets a flat, you’re a goner. Drive on the rim if you have to. Run over the undead, just keep the line moving.” He waved at Chalice and jumped to the ground, sliding behind the vehicle’s steering wheel.

  She was the last one still not in a vehicle. She didn’t know what compelled her to watch the non-breathers continue their relentless push forward. Soon all the survivors would have a very close look at th
e walking dead. But, she couldn’t look away.

  The fence ripped from the concrete and fell with a bang. A relentless surge of undead shuffled forward, arms outstretched in her direction. She could swear she saw awareness in their expressionless eyes. But that was impossible. They moved on instinct and sense of smell. To them, she was food, nothing more, yet once the fence fell, no longer providing a barrier between her and them, they seemed to increase their pace. Growls mixed with the groans.

  “Chalice, come on!” Colton yelled his window. “Do you want to be bitten?”

  She shook her head, eyes still glued to the approaching horror. George pulled the air horn on the transport, shaking her from her daze. Launching herself over the hood of the Hummer, Chalice ducked into the truck and slammed the door, moments before the first zombie bashed into the side of the car.

  8

  Chalice screamed. Zombies clawed at the windows, leaving streaks of bloody ooze on the glass. “Go, Colton!”

  The chicken transport inched forward. The children’s shrieks rose above the growls of the zombies.

  Colton followed at a snail’s pace. The Hummer and Bill’s truck were the smallest vehicles and shook from the onslaught of undead. Bringing up the rear, the school bus rocked. Please, God, don’t let it tip. Chalice gripped the back of the seat, peering between Mychal’s and Eddy’s shoulders.

  Sarah drove Bill’s truck, the fender so close to the back of the Hummer, Chalice thought she’d hit them. The whites of Sarah’s and Rhonda’s eyes shined in the light of a full moon.

  Chalice prayed for safety. Any false move could stall one of the vehicles and leave the occupants stranded. They’d become nothing more than a zombie buffet.

  Slowly, they bumped their way over the iron fence. Grotesque bodies of the undead fell away on each side of the vehicles, some just another bump under the tires. Others scraped jagged fingernails down the sides and windows. As each vehicle moved from their grasp, they would turn their attention to the next one in line.