Apex Predator

by Glyn Gardner

  About an hour later, he could see the concrete abutments on each side of the road. The creek, he thought. He veered to the north, moving the group into the grass. Several minutes later he could see the corner of the trees that was their objective. He looked over his shoulder to SSgt Brown. When he made eye contact he waved his hand at the trees. SSgt Brown nodded his head.

  Once in the trees, Jackson slowed to a snail’s pace. Keep it quiet, he thought to himself. 20 minutes later, they reached the corner of the tree line. The creek was 25 yards in front of them, the back of the store a mere 50 yards past the creek. He looked at his watch 0200. The group tightened up around the trooper.

  “Alright, we wait here for a few hours,” announced SSgt Brown. Everyone grounded their gear and settled in for a few tense hours. They could all hear the moaning now.

  “Hey boss, you want me to go check it out? We’re here for a bit, might as well know what we’re walking into.”

  “Ok,” replied the NCO. “Grab Theresa, and go recon the area. Make sure she knows no shooting. One shot and this trip is all for nothing.”

  “No problem boss.” The young trooper walked over to the teenager. A couple of minutes later the duo exited the tree line and began moving towards the building. SSgt Brown cringed when he heard the two slid down the creek bank. Then he saw them climb up the other side.

  Theresa couldn’t remember ever being so scared. She was literally walking into the mouth of the beast. She struggled to climb the bank of the creek. Thank God the creek was dry. She would surely have made a splash the way she slid down the bank uncontrollably.

  On the other side she and Jackson ran to the back of the building. Once there they stood with their back on the wall, trying to catch their breath and breathe quietly at the same time. After several minutes, they moved to the southeast corner of the building. Jackson peered around the corner.

  He could see the south side of the parking lot. It appeared to be empty. In the distance he could see the rest of the buildings in the strip mall. No bad guys there either. He turned toward Theresa and smiled. Passing her, he moved to the northeast corner of the building. Peering around, the scene was the same. He waved at her to follow.

  He moved to the northwest corner. He could see the entire front of the building. Nothing was moving in the parking lot. There were several cars parked in the lot but they appeared empty. He looked at Theresa.

  “Looks clear so far, follow me.” He crouch-ran to the first car. It was empty, as were the other three in the parking lot. He realized that he could not see the main street leading into the shopping complex from the building.

  He turned and slowly walked back to the front doors of the store. He couldn’t believe what he saw. Someone had stacked all of the shopping carts in the atrium. Brilliant! It would take him and Theresa at least a half hour to clear these things out.

  “You seeing that,” he asked.

  “Yeah, looks like someone’s barricaded inside.”

  Jackson turned to the cars in the parking lot. “I bet there’s at least 3 people in there. We need to tell Sergeant Brown about this.” He turned and trotted back to the group, keeping quiet as he did.

  SSgt Brown saw the two running towards him. Not knowing what was going on, he put the rest of the group on line, ready to cover his recon team if needed. He saw them slide down the creek bank, and then climb up the other side. What are they running from?

  Jackson slowed as he neared the trees.

  “What’s wrong Jackson?” asked the NCO.

  “Nothing. Well something,” replied the trooper. “Parking lot’s clear. ‘You can’t even see Zed from the store.”

  “Good. What’s the problem?”

  “It looks like someone’s barricaded the front doors. Three cars are in the parking lot.”

  “Any idea who’s inside?”

  “Nope, soon as we hit that barricade, I figured you’d want to know about it.”

  “Ok,” he replied. Now what? He thought for a minute.

  “Alright, everyone, let’s go.” They followed him to the front of the store. SSgt Brown tried to peer through the pile of shopping carts to discern some signs of life. Nothing. He was about to turn around when he saw some movement inside. What was that? It was subtle and hard to see through all the plastic and metal.

  He pulled his flashlight off of his web gear. I really hope this works. He removed the red lens cover, pointed the light at the window and began flashing his light. After several times, a light flashed back at him. Ok, now they know we’re not dead.

  “Who’s out there?” a voice whispered loudly.

  “Staff Sergeant Brown, One-Hundred Eighth Cavalry, Louisiana National Guard,” he said as loud as he dared.

  “Come around the north side to the loading dock,” was the response. The group moved around the north side of the building.

  “You guys stay behind us. Jackson, Wilcox, Theresa stay close to me.” He figured the more uniforms in sight; the easier it would be to talk his way into the door.

  The door opened. A fat, white guy with a scraggly beard and AR-15 in his left hand opened the door. “Boy are we glad to see you,” he announced. He waved them inside.

  The group rushed inside, Mike closing the door once inside. The group walked through the darkened storeroom into the main floor of the store. They found four survivors. Two were fat white men in camouflaged overalls. A third was a skinny Asian kid in a blue collared shirt with the name Simon embroidered on the right chest. He had several bruises on his face, and his bottom lip was swollen with a thick line of dried blood on it. The last a red headed young woman with the name Kerry embroidered onto her torn navy shirt. SSgt Brown couldn’t help but notice the anger in her eyes. Nor could he miss the greenish bruise healing under her left eye. The two white men had AR-15’s and pistols. The others appeared to be unarmed.

  “I’m Jimmy Adams, this is my brother Steve,” announced the largest of the two white men. “The chink here is Simon. The split tail is Kerry. She works here and was nice enough to give us access to her gun case.” He looked over the newcomers. “Who the fuck are you guys? You don’t look much like a rescue to me.”

  “We’re not. Private Jackson and I were cut off from our unit last week. Jen, Mike and Theresa here found us a few days ago. Specialist Wilcox is from the 101st Airborne.”

  “So, who’s the spic and the nigger?” Steve asked with disdain in his voice.

  SSgt Brown could feel the anger well up inside. “Mr. White and Maria were holed up in his house with his mother. They were nice enough to take us in last night.”

  “So,” Jimmy began “If you ain’t here to rescue us, what the hell you here for?”

  “We’re running low on supplies. Just came here for food and ammo.” SSgt Brown could feel the tension building. He wasn’t the only one. Mike and Jen both took a couple of steps left. This put them more beside the two brothers.

  “So, sounds to me like you came here to steal from us. You hear that Steve? We got us a bunch of looters here. You know Sergeant Brown, everything you take from here is food outa my mouth and bullets outa my gun. I don’t believe you’re welcome here anymore.”

  SSgt Brown looked at the rest of the group. He could see the fear in the eyes of Kerry and Simon. This was getting out of his control. He took a casual step to his right, closer to the two, and causing the brothers to pivot towards him, exposing their backs to Mike and Jen.

  “I can understand where you’re coming from. I mean if I was responsible for my brother and these two folks, I’d be protective too. I mean now that the world’s falling apart and everyone’s lost family and friends; we have to take care of all we have left. I feel the same way about these guys,” he said pointing towards Jackson and Theresa who were even farther to his right.

  “I would do everything in power to keep them safe. I wouldn’t want to give up too much to a bunch of strangers. Not unless I thought I had enough to spare or unless they were part of my new family.” He looked
into the eyes of Kerry and Simon. They were hanging on every word he said.

  “Well, I’m glad you understand,” Jimmy replied. “So if you don’t mind, you guys can leave now.”

  SSgt Brown realized there was something more than meets the eye here. Jimmy Adams felt threatened by his presence and not just because they were going to take the fat guy’s food. SSgt Brown decided it was time to push a little more.

  “Ok, but just a couple of things before we go.”

  “No, you need to get the fuck out.”

  “Can we at least get some shoes and clothes? Surely you don’t need every shoe and bra in this store.” He pointed to Willie’s feet.

  “I’m not givin’ that nigger a fuckin’ thing. You want shoes, there’s a shoe store down the street.” Bingo! SSgt Brown continued moving between Kerry and Simon. Jimmy and Steve continued to pivot, keeping him in front of them.

  “C’mon, it’s just some shoes. He doesn’t even wear your size.” He let his rifle hang at his chest, putting his arms around the two sales people. “Wouldn’t you want us share with these two if we had it to share.”

  Jimmy had finally lost his patience. “I don’t give a shit about these two. Get the fuck outa my store mother fucker!” SSgt Brown saw the big man start to raise his rifle, his brother moved just a little slower. He pulled the two kids down and to the right. Two shots rang out in unison as the trio hit the ground.

  The lifeless bodies of both brothers crumpled to the ground. SSgt Brown looked up at Mike and Jen. Jen’s 9mm and Mike’s rifle still smoking. Simon and Kerry sat up, tears flowing down both their cheeks.

  “You can have anything you want. We weren’t really with them,” announced the redhead. Willie and Jackson helped the two to their feet. “We know,” Jackson answered.

  “Jackson go check the front door,” ordered the NCO. “Everyone else, don’t move and keep quiet.” Jackson did as he was told. After five minute he returned.

  “Nothing moving outside boss,” he reported.

  “Ok, let’s get what we need and get out of here. You guys are welcome to come along with us if you want,” SSgt Brown told Simon and Kerry. “In the mean time, we’re going to need some ammo food and maybe a few more weapons.”

  Kerry stepped forward and pulled a set of keys out of the pocket of the corpse of Jimmy. As she stood back up, she kicked the lifeless body several time, breaking down into tears as she did. Everyone present knew why. No one would ever ask. She wiped the tears from her face as she walked to the gun counter.

  “Ok, who wants a free gun?” she asked with a grin. The group began picking through the gun counter. Everyone except Mike grabbed at least one knew weapon. Mr. White handed Mike his Glock. “I think this is yours. Don’t think I’ll need this anymore.” Mike holstered the big pistol.

  Theresa kept her shotgun, but did retrieve a small framed 9mm pistol. She held it in her hand, admiring the shiny framed weapon. She walked to the next aisle and found a holster that would hold her new acquisition.

  Maria found an assault rifle with a collapsible stock. She held it to her shoulder. It seemed to fit her well. Jackson found a 9mm pistol and holster to hold it. Jen took an assault rifle, as did Willie. SSgt Brown took two .45 caliber 1911 copies. SPC Wilcox kept his Berretta and retrieved an assault rifle from Jimmy Adams. Kerry and Simon both relieved the bodies of their former companions of pistols and ammo. Kerry found a 20 gauge shotgun and Simon picked up a 12 gauge shotgun.

  “I can’t shoot worth a shit,” he said to Jackson. “My friend Jerry took me to the range once. We shot all day. He advised me to buy I shotgun. He said something about a side of a barn.”

  Jackson just laughed and shook his head. The kid was about his age, but that was about all they had in common. Jackson grew up in the country. This kid obviously was a city boy. Jackson never had much growing up. He could just see the stereotypical Asian family that produced Simon: All homework and study, math club, and science fairs. Jackson grew up having to fight for what he had. Judging from the bruises and busted lip, Simon never had to fight for anything except maybe an A+ instead of an A-.

  “Ok, guys. Get backpacks, batteries, radios, flashlights, any replacement clothes, food, and water purification stuff we can find. Bring it back here and we’ll divvy it up.” SSgt Brown walked straight to the men’s clothes, and grabbed a package of socks. Oh his feet were so going to love a fresh pair of socks.

  The group split up, searching for anything they could find useful. They would return with arms full of stuff, and then go back for more. It was Theresa and Mr. White who struck gold. Theresa brought back an arm full of machetes, knives, softball bats and camp axes.

  “This way we won’t have to shoot every Zed we come by,” bragged the teenager.

  “Great idea Theresa,” SSgt Brown said. He picked up a machete and wielded it around a little. He liked the way it felt in his hand. He snapped the scabbard to the left side of his webbed gear. The rest of the group picked through the pile finding the weapon they liked for close quarters. They continued colleting supplies.

  Shortly afterwards, Mr. White walked over, pushing a bicycle. “I thought we might want to do something besides walk. We might make better time until we can get some real wheels.”

  “Good idea,” SSgt Brown said. “Everyone go find a bike. We’re riding outa here.”

  Within minutes, everyone had: a bike, backpack loaded with gear, and were armed to the teeth. Besides personal gear food, and water; there were several emergency radios, rope, a couple of solar power chargers, handheld two way radios, and lots of ammo.

  They left the same way they had come. Instead of crossing the creek with all of their gear, they decided to hit the road before they got to the creek. They pushed their bikes across 100 yards of open field.

  As they reached the road, a lone zombie approached them from the road. SSgt Brown and Maria both dropped their bikes and charged the zombie. Maria reached it first. She was wielding a black softball bat with red and green writing on it. As she closed with the ghoul, she coiled her upper body like s snake preparing to strike. When close enough, she delivered a blow to the zombie’s head that would have made Babe Ruth proud. The zombie’s head snapped back with a crunching sound. Her second blow knocked it to the ground. Her third blow crushed the dead man’s skull. He wouldn’t move again.

  The two walked back to the bicycles, blood smeared on Maria’s bat. Jackson couldn’t help himself. “Damn girl, where’d you learn to do that?”

  “The bar I worked at had a softball team. I played for the past five years.”

  Jackson just shook his head and continued pushing his bike to the road. Once there, they mounted their new rides and began pedaling. Jackson kept them in the center of the road. The group made good time. SSgt Brown figured they were making about 5 miles per hour.

  As they approached an overpass about three miles down the road, it began to rain. By the time they got underneath it, the rain had turned into a torrential downpour. Jackson stopped his bike out of the rain. The others followed suit.

  Jackson began climbing the concrete embankment.

  “Where you going?” asked Theresa. Jackson stopped and pointed to the area at the top of the embankment. Theresa wasn’t sure what he was pointing at. She shrugged.

  “The top, there’s lots of room underneath the bridge at the top. Should be flat and dry. Plus, I bet Zed can’t climb this. So, it should be pretty safe.”

  The others agreed. They pulled their bikes to the edge of the road under the overpass and climbed up the steep concrete embankment.

  Jen found a nice flat, relatively clean area to call home. Her and Mike set their backpacks down, and leaned against the concrete. Jen looked around at the small group of survivors. SSgt Brown and Jackson were sitting next to each other, talking in whispers. SSgt Brown was pointing in the direction that they were traveling, Jackson pointing at the group and then at the bikes.

  She couldn’t help but think how lucky they were to find th
e two troopers. SSgt Brown was a good leader in her opinion. He exuded confidence and she felt herself wanting to follow him. Jackson, she thought, was a good soldier. His quick decision making from the front of the pack had kept them alive on more than one occasion.

  She found herself wondering where they had come from. She knew they were not from the Shreveport area. They had come from somewhere farther south. She wondered about their families. Did SSgt Brown say he was married? How about kids? She couldn’t remember. What about Jackson? She knew that he had lost his best friend. She didn’t know anything else about his family situation. She felt sorry for them. Not only were they away from home. But, it was a good bet that their families were suffering this without them. That had to be tough on the two troopers.

  She looked at Mr. White and Maria. Her heart sank as she did. These two knew what had happened to their loved ones. Maria had seen her boyfriend attacked while he was trying to save her and the rest from the monsters. Mr. White had watched helplessly as his mother shot herself in the head. She could still see the blood dripping from the old lady’s face and the tears running down Mr. White’s cheeks.

  Her gaze drifted to Theresa. Upon seeing the girl, in her liberated Air Force uniform, Jen could feel the tears welling up in her own eyes. The girl had been through so much. She had literally seen her entire family die. Her mother and father both turned into zombies and her brother killed himself after being bitten. She had been through more than anyone should.

  Then Jen thought about the uniform. She couldn’t help but think about how Theresa had changed since the day she and Davy ran through the door of her house. How she was such a timid young teen aged girl, scared and panicky. Jen couldn’t see the scared little girl anymore. Jen thought she truly looked and acted like a soldier.

  She and Jackson made a pretty good team up front. The girl has gone from a timid, scared kitten to a full-fledged Zombie eating tiger. Jen felt sad at that thought. Theresa’s childhood is over from here on out she is going to have to be a soldier. Jen hung her head. The tears flowed freely down her cheeks.