Emboldened by the realization that there was no longer any laws, no longer any cops, no longer anyone to tell him what to do, Zephram set out to make his own rules. In his mind within a week he would be running the show at this camp.
Joyce numb from the experience and fearing that she was directing a rapist to the camp struggled to think of a plan. As they drove Zephram kept hammering her with questions on the Colonel that gave her directions. She tried to give him misleading answers so those at the camp would see him as a liar.
Alice came up to Crystal, “Captain, the sentry post just radioed and we have a car coming our way.”
“Just a single car?”, queried Crystal.
“Yes just one.”, Alice confirmed.
Crystal nodded, “Radio the sentries not to engage we'll see if they turn this way. Bill, get a couple of rifles up in the gate towers. Make sure there are cool fingers on the trigger.”
Krista had become Crystals constant shadow ever since she and her grandmother had joined the group, “Krista, could you find Mr. McPherson and tell him that we have company and then find your Grandmother and Doc and ask them all to wait for us at the quarantine house.”
“Yes Captain”, Krista gave Crystal a sharp salute and skipped off pleased to have an important task.
Crystal took some deep breaths trying to calm her nerves and then turned to Bill, “Well any last words of advice”
Bill shrugged, “ We'll let them do most of the talking”
Crystal nodded, “Bill you take the lead on this. You've had more practice at this type of thing and I want to be able to watch how these folks react.”
The old Country Squire pulled up to the outer gate smoking and clanking as if it was on its last legs. The late morning sun was glaring off the windshield making it hard to see the occupants. After a few moments the motor was shut off, but no one stepped out. Whoever was in that car was studying them.
Bill in a rare flare of the dramatic mumbled to Crystal, “And so it begins.”
Seconds stretched into minutes and yet no one exited the vehicle. The tension was evident, yet Bill waited arms crossed. When Crystal thought she could no longer wait the driver side door opened. A nondescript man perhaps in his mid forties stepped out. He was a little unkempt, but that was not unusual these days.
“Hey there Chief. How ya doin?”, the man greeted.
“Is there something we can do for you?”, retorted Bill.
The man squinted trying to get a read on Bill, “We ran into Colonel Osbourne a couple of days ago and he said you were helping folks out.”
“Oz you say. How is the old war horse?”, Bill asked making up a false nickname for the Colonel.
“Well you know Oz always fighting the good fight.”, the man replied without skipping a beat.
“So what was it that Oz said we could do for you?”, Bill asked.
“We was kinda hoping you would take us in.”, the man answered.
“Just like that? We'll need to get to know a bit more about you first”, countered Bill
“Well of course and we got to get to know you too. I'm Zephram, Zephram Nordstrom. I have my daughter Jilly here and our friend Joyce Carter. We lost mt wife Sofie a few days ago to the chompers.”, Zephram stated.
“Have the others step out of the car and leave any weapons you have in the car.”, Bill commanded.
As the two women exited Crystal assumed the pretty black woman was Joyce and the teenaged girl was Jilly. Crystal also noticed that Joyce had a fresh cut on her neck and that she kept casting furtive glances towards Zephram. Zephram kept scanning their compound. Every time his gaze landed on Crystal he paused and let his eyes travel up and down her body.
“Raise your shirts and turn around slow”, directed Bill.
Once assured that none had a gun or knife tucked in their waistband Bill ordered them to place their hands behind their heads and had the gates opened so they could walk in. Once inside they were ordered to stop and spread their legs wide and pull out their pockets. While Bill kept the trio covered Crystal went over to frisk them. Zephram ended up closest to Crystal so she started with him. Kneeling behind him she first checked to make sure there was nothing tucked into his boots.
Zephram unable to restrain himself in the presence of the pretty girl commented, “Sweetheart I keep the good stuff a bit higher up.”
Crystal ignored him and checked his back pockets next, pulled his wallet and confirmed that at least he was truthful about his name. Once she finished with the two women she walked back over to Bill with Zephram's eyes following her all the way.
“We have a process you need to go through if you hope to join us. We are going to take you to quarantine. Our camp doctor will confirm that nobody has a bite or signs of illness. Then we need to get to know you to see if you fit our group”, Bill informed them.
As Bill and Jason escorted the three away, Crystal signaled to Bill that she would catch up. Once they were out of ear shot Crystal turned to Alice, “Send some guards over to the quarantine house and make sure everyone stays alert until we know there is not more to this group.”
As Crystal went to catch up with Bill she was glad for the changes they had made to their quarantine since they first brought in Mary Kay. The first floor of the building had originally been used as both office space and living space for the resorts on site manager. They had now converted most of the first floor into a handful of small, secure and sound proofed rooms. They had also installed cameras so that interviews could be recorded and guests monitored.
When Crystal arrived she could see tensions building again. Zephram was resisting the three of them being split up and had a firm grip on the arms of each of the women.
“Chief you just can't treat us like this. Jilly looks all growed up, but she's just like a child. She is going to be scared something dreadful if you take her away from me. These past few weeks it has just been us three and we've been through some terrible stuff. Now you come along and tell us we gots to do this and that. What gives you the right to order us around like this.”, Zephram whined.
Crystal put on a big smile, “Mr. Nordstrom we are just looking out for the safety of everyone. You can understand that we need to make sure no one is sick or bit. You all deserve a little privacy while the doc checks you out. Hazel here is very nice and she will make sure nothing happens to your daughter. If she does get scared you will be right next door.”
Nordstrom smiled back at Crystal, “Sweetheart I'm a trustin you with my baby girl”
Crystal ignored the veiled threat and still smiling took Joyce's other arm, “The Doc hasn't arrived yet Mr. Nordstrom. Let me get Miss Carter settled and Jason can show you where you can get cleaned up a bit.”
“Call me Zephram sweetheart, once you and I get acquainted you will learn that I'm easy to get along with.”, Zephram flirted.
Before releasing Joyce's arm his grip tightened a bit, “Now Joyce honey don't you worry, I'm going to be right nearby.”
Crystal lead Joyce into the room adjoining Jillian's. As soon as Crystal closed the door Joyce began shaking uncontrollably. Crystal put her arm around the other woman's shoulders and Joyce immediately wrapped her arms around Crystal and began sobbing. After a bit, Joyce's sobs turned to anger and as she wiped away the tears she told Crystal of her ordeal.
“That cracker son a bitch raped me this morning in front of his own daughter. What kind of man does things like that. There were chompers bangin on the windows the whole time he was pawin at me and I didn't know if he was going to toss me out to them when he was done or what. I'm also pretty sure he's been doin his own daughter to. He told me if I told you folks any of this that he would kill me. So whats you gonna do.”, Joyce said in an angry burst.
Crystal held the other woman's hands, “I do have some say as to what happens here and I can promise you we are not going to tolerate a man like that. I am going to have to let the doctor know the more evidence we have against Nordstrom the better. One question I noticed that
Nordstrom kept calling the Colonel, Colonel Osbourne?”
Joyce gave Crystal a wry smile, “I just met up with those two, a day ago. I met Colonel Osgood a day before that and the Colonel gave me directions here. Nordstrom wanted it to look like we have been traveling together all along. I wanted you folks to see that he was a liar and changed some things.”
“Colonel Osgood means a lot to us, how was he holding out when you saw him”, Crystal pressed.
“To be honest, he looked like he was all played out. You could tell he hadn't slept much. He said that every time he and his men moved the monsters would find them again. He was worried about leading them here and said he and his men were going to make a stand where he met me.”
“I need to share this with folks here. Do you mind if I have Bill, the man that greeted you this morning, sit with you until the doctor gets here. Trust me Bill is one of the good ones.”, Crystal said.
Joyce nodded, “I don't really want to be alone right now. I would appreciate him being here, but I can't promise that I would be much company.”
Crystal left the room and quickly whispered to Bill what she learned. Seeing that Mac and Doc Linderman had arrived she shuffled them into another room to fill them in. By the time she was finished Zephram was out of the shower and Jason had him back in the room. Doc started the physicals with Zephram. Crystal excused herself so she could speak to Matt, Amy and Blade about Colonel Osgood and to send Cynthia back to assist doc with Joyce and Jillian's physicals.
As Crystal took off across the compound her mind went back to the promise she had made Joyce. In this world the options available were slim Crystal wasn't sure she could look herself in the mirror if she took care of Nordstrom the way he felt he needed to be treated. On the other hand she was committed to protecting these people.
Doc Linderman finished his examination of Zephram quickly. He had seen his type many times before and always found them to cocky and to full of themselves for his taste.
“So Doc do I get a clean bill of health. You sure you wouldn't be happier stickin your finger up my backside”, Zephram said with a callous laugh.
“No that's not necessary and yes you seem in fine health”, Doc Linderman replied in a flat tone. “Get yourself dressed Mac will be in a minute to talk with you.”
The Doc moved next door to find Jilly and Hazel engaged in an intense conversation on Jilly's baby doll and the special care it needed.
“Sorry to interrupt ladies but can I ask Jilly some questions?”, Doc asked.
“Go right ahead Doc we can pick this up later. Would like me to stick around?”, queried Hazel.
Doc smiled, “Please do I'll want help with the physical exam. First thing Miss, is it okay if I call you Jilly?”
“My Mommy always said you can call me anything you want just don't call me late for dinner.”, Jilly beamed a smile at Doc pleased that she had remembered the joke. “Mommy called me Jillian I like that best. Daddy is the only one that calls me Jilly I don't like that name so much.”
Doc nodded, “Jillian it is then. Jillian how did you get here?”
Jillian laughed delightedly, “Well that is easy we came in that car out there.”
Doc laughed, “Lets back up a little do you know where your home was?”
“Yes, our farm in Gilmore”, Jillian replied.
“Jillian how come you left your farm to come here?”, Doc asked.
“Chompers they came to our house and they … they ate Mommy. Gulp, Gulp, Gulp” Jillian trailed off into tears and Hazel slipped her arm around Jillian's shoulders.
Hazel reassured the young woman, “Take your time honey we know this is hard, but we have to learn these things about you.”
Doc handed her a tissue and after a moment Jillian continued. “Daddy told me to run and Daddy and me made it to the Reyes house next door. The Reyes had their car all packed and so Daddy... Well Daddy says I can't tell, but we borrowed the Reyes car. Daddy said they didn't need it no more.”
Doc and Hazel exchanged looks filling in the blanks concerning the fate of the Reyes family. “Jillian what did you and your father do after you left with the Reyes' car?”
“We just camped out staying away from the chompers. Daddy said we made a good team. When our food started running low and there were no reports on the radio Daddy said we would go visit Mommy's cousin Stacy in Kansas. Daddy said even if Aunt Stacy was a stuck up bitch and Uncle Al was a dumb ass they had a big spread and should take in family.”, Jillian recounted.
“Jillian when did Joyce join you and your father?”, asked Doc.
“Yesterday. She is real nice. I'm mad at Daddy for being mean to her this morning.”, Jillian said scornfully.
Doc pushed, “How exactly was he mean to her?”
Jillian lowered her voice to mimic her fathers, “Cash, gas or ass nobody rides for free.” Jillian continued to give a near verbatim repeat of Joyce's ordeal.
Doc did his best to hide his disgust of this young woman's father, “Thank you for sharing your story with us Jillian. You did a very good job. Have you ever been examined by a doctor before?”
Jillian nodded, “Mommy took me to lots of doctors to find out why I'm not smart like other kids.”
Doc smiled as he slipped on a pair of gloves, “Well I think your plenty smart. I'll try to make this quick and easy.”
Mac went in to talk to Zephram Nordstrom after Doc finished his exam. Mac extended his hand to greet the man in the long standing tradition of one man testing another, “Ivan McPherson”.
Zephram shook the extended hand and when Mac made eye contact Zephram long used to avoiding scrutiny looked away, “Whoa there Hoss how many of you do I have to get through today. When do I get back with my daughter and our friend.”
“Mr. Nordstrom this is a quarantine we need to make sure you aren't bringing any illness into our camp. In the mean time I'd like to get to know you. You're the one asking for sanctuary, but it is going to be on our terms.”, Mac stated.
Zephram whined, “The Colonel said you was takin folks in. There weren't nothin said about no quarantine.”
“The Colonel is not here to make the rules. It is our responsibility to keep our people safe. I'm sure you want that for your daughter and Miss Carter.”, Mac replied.
“Alright then Hoss, what can I do you for.”, Zephram conceded.
“To start with clue me in on what you've been doing the past few weeks and how you happened to come to our camp?”, Mac queried.
Zephram paused he had given Joyce instructions as to what to say and had to hope her story matched his, “Not much to tell there Hoss. Out of the blue these chompers come up to my farm. They attacked and ate my Sofie. I told Jilly to run and we headed to the neighbors. We joined up with Joyce. We been campin out the last few weeks hopin this thing would blow over. When we started to run low on food I remembered Sofie's cousin over in Kansas. Their place is a big spread in the middle of nowhere. On the way we ran into Colonel Osbourne and he told us to come here.”
Mac nodded seeming to accept what Zephram said, “The Colonel, he was doing well when you met him?”
Zephram again chose to remain vague, “Yea sure he was just fine. You know he was lookin for other folks to help. We are in a tough spot. You can see that can't cha? Jilly misses her mom somethin fierce. It ain't right to keep her from me.”
“We've all had losses, but you've been out there for several weeks. We have no idea what causes the fever that killed so many. We have to be sure your not bringing it here. Your daughter is being well cared for and you will be with her soon enough.” Mac replied dodging the pity ploy. “So what do you bring to the table. How is adding you to our group going to help us?”
“Like I said I'm a farmer. I'm also a passable mechanic.” Zephram who had been looking around the room taking inventory of its contents suddenly leveled his gaze at Mac. “Hoss I have no idea who you got runnin the show here, but I learned some things the past few weeks. I can make hard choices. I'm a good man
to have on your side. I'm the wrong man to go up against.”
Crystal caught up with Blade, Amy and Matt, “I'm sure you heard by now that we had some people show up today. We are still sorting out their stories, but I believe the one woman is being straight with us.”
“I'm assuming this has something to do with Bryan, uh Colonel Osgood”, remarked Matt.
“Yes it does. It sounds like he and his men are being dogged by a herd of the dead. His fear is if he comes here he will lead the herd to us. He's chosen to make a stand outside of Lincoln.”, Crystal replied.
“He doesn't know we have the attractant. He doesn't know we can lead the herd off. I'll get a team together and leave as quick as I can.”, Blade announced.
Matt stood up, “Count me in too.”
Dead States | Year Zero | Nebraska Page 16