Dead Cold

by Roddy R. Cross, Jr.

  Making a prayer to the gods of bad planning Roland pulled hard on the fishing line watching with relief as both pins came free. His relief was cut short by the realization that a large explosion was about to happen very close to him and Roland took the opportunity to dive behind a concrete bench; holding Eve to his chest as he counted silently.

  “Five… Four… Three… Two…”

  BOOM! BOOM! The double explosion cut him off as the grenades blew in succession. Glass and debris fell all around his hiding spot and he could feel Eve quivering in his arms. Once he was certain there was no more shrapnel Roland popped his head up over the bench and his eyes grew wide.

  The doors had literally disintegrated from the explosion along with the faces of the ghouls closest to the doors and as the monsters poured in like football fans at the Superbowl; Roland found his body moving of its own accord releasing Eve and standing up before Roland’s horrified brain knew what happened.

  Roland relaxed as he watched the creatures come through the windowless frames with almost comical slowness. The creatures tripped over the edges of the doorframes and each other but what they lacked in speed and intelligence they made up for in numbers. Roland found his earlier estimate of one hundred monsters overly conservative as he watched at least twice that many begin their slow march towards him, their yellow eyes glued to their target like flesh seeking missiles.

  Roland knew the explosions had alerted the Reverend’s people and he could hear the sounds of an approaching mob over the moan of the undead. Putting phase two of his plan in to action Roland ran towards the direction of the furniture store turning occasionally to insure his undead fan club didn’t fall too far behind.

  The sounds of an angry mob from around the corner spurred Roland’s feet as he neared the furniture store, the horde hot on his heels. Diving through the double doors he spun and kicked both doors shut just as the Reverend’s congregation rounded the corner and came face to face with the sea of undead.

  “Holy shit!” Came the startled cry from the head of the mob.

  “Stand firm, brothers and sisters the lord will help us defeat these hellions.” The Reverend’s deep voice boomed over the hungry moans.

  The sound of rippling gunfire reached Roland’s ears as the living faced off against the dead. Taking that as his cue he took off towards the back of the store unleashing a short burst from the P90 and shattering one of the floor to ceiling windows as he went. Bursting through the hail of glass shards with Eve close behind him Roland got his bearings and headed for the music store where the others were being held.

  Coming around the corner Roland spotted his friends and one other person kneeling down with one person guarding them. The sound of his boots on the tile floor caught the attention of the guard and his prisoners causing them all to turn and look at Roland and the dog. Surprise crossed Roland’s face as he realized he recognized the fourth prisoner.

  “Roland!” she yelled a smile crossing her face.

  Before Roland could respond the guard grabbed the girl’s collar and aimed his pistol at her. “Stay where you are, don’t come any closer.” The guard’s voice trembled and his hand shook.

  Never pausing Roland raised the P90 and fired one bullet into the guard’s chest. “I’m through playing around.” Roland growled as a shocked look came over the guard and he stumbled backwards; his hand touching the wound in his chest.

  Caleb and Valerie wore horrified expressions as the guard collapsed, his last breathe used to utter, “Why?”

  Ignoring Caleb, Valerie, and Cory, Roland walked up to the short blond girl and knelt in front of her. Tears streamed down her face from her green eyes and past the smile that would not come off, letting go of the SMG Roland pulled out his boot knife and cuts the ropes of her wrists.

  “Hi Destiny, it’s been a long time.” Was all he was he managed to say before her small arms wrapped themselves tightly around his neck.

  Chapter 21: I make my own Destiny

  “Roland, I’m so happy to see you. I thought you might be dead like everyone else.” Destiny tightened her grip on his neck.

  “You know me sweet heart, I can’t die.” Roland gasped. “But, you might kill me now if you don’t let go.

  “Oh, sorry.” She pulled away and started wiping her tears.

  “If it’s not too much trouble I think we should get out of here, you know if you don’t mind.” Cory held out his bound wrists.

  Leaving Destiny to compose herself Roland freed the other three ignoring Caleb’s grumblings. Everyone free they stood around rubbing their wrists except for Destiny who had taken up the guard’s automatic. The sound of the fight between the congregation and the dead was getting nearer, and Roland looked at Cory.

  “Where are your weapons and gear?”

  “The religious nut job stole everything and rationed it out to his people.” The taller man said a look of disgust on his face.

  “Well nothing we can do about that now, I suggest we head for the truck everyone…” Roland never got to finish his sentence as the Reverend and several members of his congregation came around the corner.

  “You!” The annoying bastard shrieked. “Heathen, it was you who did this to us!”

  “Everyone, run now!” Roland shouted as weapons were raised towards him and his companions.

  Roland started running in the opposite direction of his friends, hoping the Reverend’s hatred of him would make him ignore the others. Sure enough the red haired man’s weapon followed Roland as bullets began to fill the air around him. Diving behind a section of the stage Roland realized the hail of bullets had ceased yet he could still hear the gunfire. Attempting to peek over the stage Roland came face to face with the Reverend’s gold Desert Eagle. “Stand up, sinner; it’s your judgment day.”

  Out of options Roland raised his arms and stood up as slowly as possible, he could see behind the Reverend that the creatures were making short work of the remainder of his followers. The big gun never wavered from the center of Roland’s face.

  “I will not make the same mistake again, you have killed all of us and now I shall kill you.” His knuckle whitened as he prepared to squeeze the trigger.

  A gunshot went off and Roland assumed that his life had come to an end. The surprised expression on Roland’s face matched the one on the Reverend’s as the red faced man started to fall backwards. Grabbing the Desert Eagle Roland turned to see Destiny holding the guard’s dropped pistol smoke coming from the barrel.

  “Nobody is gonna kill him while I’m alive.” She said her face set in stone.

  “Guess I owe you one.” Roland’s heart was still racing from his near death experience as he pocketed the Eagle. “Now, come on darlin’ we gotta get goin’.”

  Destiny nodded as the first of the creatures rounded the stage and headed for the trio. Roland took Destiny’s hand and the pair started running after the other three with Eve following close behind. A scream from the other side of the stage sounded the end of the Reverend’s sermon.

  “Burn in hell, asshole.” Roland spat as the screams died out.

  They caught up with Cory and the others at the entrance where the truck still sat, everyone was breathing hard and Caleb’s face had turned a deep shade of crimson. Nodding to each other silently Roland and Cory pushed through the doors the others following behind. “You’ve got the keys right?” Roland asked as they stepped out into the cold winter air.

  “I left them in the ignition, pretty sure there wasn’t anyone looking to take it.”

  “Good point, everyone in, I think it’s high time we relocate ourselves.” Roland opened the driver’s side door and let Eve in before climbing in himself.

  Once everyone was in Roland turned the key, breathing a sigh of relief as the big V10 rumbled to life. The creatures were starting to come out the doors they had just exited, and as Roland shifted the truck into drive he flipped the approaching creatures the bird. Safely out of the mall parking lot and headed back north Roland lit a cigaret
te, his first in a while. Sitting behind him Destiny reached forward and took the pack from him, lighting her own; savoring it, she hadn’t had one in a while.

  “Where we going Roland?” Cory asked his voice distant.

  “I have to make a stop, and then we’re heading back to the base to see where that Colonel might have gone.” Roland flicked his ash out the window as his thoughts trailed to Emily.

  “Why are we going after that Colonel we should be finding somewhere to hide, those girls are probably dead anyways.” Caleb’s voice felt like sandpaper to Roland’s ears.

  Drawing the Desert Eagle Roland pointed the big gun at Caleb’s face. “You listen to me you little shit, that is what I’m doing and if you don’t like it you are free to go. I couldn’t care less what happens to you, and to be honest I wouldn’t mind you being eaten.”

  “Roland, calm down.” Destiny’s voice was soft and calming.

  “Fine, but he better keep his mouth shut or I will leave him on the side of the road.” Roland put the Eagle back in his pocket and took another draw of his smoke.

  They rode the rest of the way to their destination in silence; the only sounds coming from the truck’s motor and an occasional whimper from Eve. Driving slowly Roland turned down a side street and brought the truck to a stop in front of a large brown apartment building. Putting the truck in park Roland leaned back in his seat and looked up the brown building.

  “What are we doing here man?” Cory asked looking at the darkened monstrosity.

  “I just need to check something.” The door opened and Roland stepped out into the bitter darkness.

  Telling Eve to stay Roland shut the door and headed around the truck towards the entrance to the building, the darkness making it appear threatening. Rounding the front of the cherry red pickup Roland found Cory standing outside the truck just closing. “Where the hell do you think you’re going? Stay in the truck with the girls.” Roland shouted over the wind, now almost a maelstrom.

  “I’m going with you, whether you like it or not.” The taller man shouted back, the wind making him squint rather like Clint Eastwood.

  “Fine! What are we going to do about them?” Roland gesture to the truck with his right hand, his left occupied with attempting to keep the wind out of his eyes.

  “Destiny seems like she can handle herself, and if they run into any trouble they can just drive away in the truck.” Almost as pale as Roland the other man’s face seemed to glow in the dim light.

  “Whatever, let’s get going.” He turned into the wind his duster flaring out behind him like a superhero’s cape.

  The pair made their way up to the glass door at the front of the building and Roland tugged the handle finding the door locked. Looking at Cory and back at the door Roland took a step back and attempted to kick the door as hard as he could. His boot coming to a dead stop on the shatter proof glass, Roland reeled backwards in pain cursing. Hopping on one foot he pulled the Desert Eagle out of his pocket and steadying himself, aimed for the glass closest to the latch.

  Shutting one eye Roland squeezed the trigger just as Cory took a step back and turned away. Even in the heavy wind the sounds of the gunshot and resulting shattered glass was deafening. The big .44 slug had torn through both the outer and inner doors shattering both before disappearing into the building; possibly out the other side of it Roland mused. Shaking his head all Cory could think to say was.

  “Holy shit.”

  “You’re telling me, come on let’s get a move on something must have heard that.” Roland stepped over through the void where the glass had been and into the empty building.

  Chapter 22: Family Ties

  The building was deathly silent and Roland listened for anything moving as the two made their way up the stairs as quietly as possible. Their heavy boots echoed through the empty stairwell but other than that not a single thing in the building moved. Stopping at the top of the stairwell Roland pressed his ear against the door and held his breath. Nothing moved on the other side, only the sound of Cory’s breathing broke the silence.

  Turning the knob Roland opened the door and stepped through into pitch darkness, the emergency lights long since flickering and dying. Clicking on the P90’s taclight he blinked in the light as Cory turned on his flashlight and the hall filled with light. Heading for a door on the right Roland kept his ears alert for any sound while Cory followed behind his flashlight scanning the hall behind them. Reaching out Roland tried to handle and found the door unlocked, giving it a push he stepped through the entrance as the door swung silently inwards.

  Nothing stirred in the apartment as Roland and Cory entered looking up and down the hallway and around the living room and kitchen. Heading down the hallway Roland checked each room as he went, finding them all empty. Cory searched around the living room and kitchen; he hadn’t found anything but something on one of the walls caused him to call out.

  “Roland, I think you need to see this.”

  “What is it?” Roland walked around the corner and into the kitchen.

  “That.” Cory gestured to the wall next to the fridge.

  Scrawled onto the wall in several different colours was a note to Roland from his sister. Rolly don’t know if you’ll see this but just in case, me and Mitch are leaving with Trevor. Things are really bad, a crazy lady tried to bite Mitch, and I tried calling you but it went straight to voicemail. We’re heading south to Mitch’s mom’s, its out past Red Deer, there’s a map in the drawer if you want to come. Hope to see you there. Love, Dassy.

  Roland looked away from the wall his face ashen. “Maybe she made it bro.” Cory put a hand on his shoulder.

  “Yeah, maybe.” Roland’s shoulders felt heavy and his voice was low.

  “We can go…” Cory was cut off by a deafening scream from outside.

  “Oh shit.” Was all Roland said as he took off leaving the empty apartment behind.

  Running as fast as he could; Cory close on his heels Roland took the stairs quickly making it down the four stories of the building in under thirty seconds. Outside Roland’s adrenaline surged when he saw two forms outside of the truck wrestling, a flash and the echoing crack of a gunshot preceded one of the forms falling to the ground.

  “What happened?!” Roland shouted as he came up to the truck.

  “I just got out to piss.” Caleb was holding a red stain on his left arm.

  “You were bitten weren’t you?” Roland’s voice had become colder than the wind that tore between the surrounding buildings.

  “No, of course not, I just fell when that thing came at me.” Caleb took a step back from Roland his face a mask of fear.

  “Don’t lie to me, I hate liars.” Roland reached into his pocket and pulled out the golden gun.

  “Fine I was bitten, all right? That don’t mean you can kill me.” Caleb began crying as he continued to back away.

  “You’re bitten, you’re going to die anyways and become one of those things.” Roland used his hand cannon to gesture to the dark lump in the snow.

  “Maybe it won’t happen to me, come on dude you can’t shoot me.” Caleb stumbled over something and landed hard in the snow.

  “You’re right Caleb; I don’t have to shoot you. I don’t have to take you with us either.” Roland kept the Eagle trained on the smaller man as he stood up.

  “Dude we can’t just leave him to die.” Cory was standing behind Roland now looking away.

  “You’re right, we can’t” Roland thumbed back the hammer on the gold plated pistol.

  “What are you doing?!” Valerie shrieked from the back seat, Destiny was staring out the driver side window.

  “Only what I have to.” Roland voice was completely flat as he squeezed the trigger and fire spat from the front of the big hand gun.

  “Dude no!” The wind and gun blast drowned out Cory’s scream.

  “You monster!” Valerie had begun crying as Caleb’s body fell back into the snow a large portion of his head missing.

 
“Let’s go.” Roland pocketed the Desert Eagle and walked around to the driver’s side of the truck.

  Cory was already in the truck by the time Roland made it around the truck and climbed in. The only sound in the truck was Valerie’s cries, now reduced to soft whimpers. Looking straight ahead Roland allowed a single tear to roll down his cheek before wiping it away and shifting the truck into drive. The snow began falling heavily as Roland maneuvered the truck back onto the highway and began heading back towards to base.

  “You did what you had to.” Destiny’s hand touched his shoulder as she leaned forward.

  “Doesn’t make it any easier.” Roland whispered back putting his free hand on hers.

  “It’ll be okay.”

  The Army Base was deserted by the time Roland drove the Dodge through the gates. Driving around looking for the command building Roland jumped in his seat when Cory suddenly shouted.

  “Stop!”

  “What the hell…” Roland started as he slammed on the breaks but Cory had already jumped out of the truck. “Dumb son of a bitch.”

  Jumping out of the truck Roland looked at the building Cory had asked him to stop in front of. A sign above the door read “Quarantine” and had been written in black marker. Cory had already gone through the door as Roland came around the front of the truck. Going up the stairs Roland held the P90 ahead of him as he pushed open the door to what must have been the hospital before the world went crazy.

  There were gurneys lining each wall of the building with curtains in between, Cory was standing at the foot of one staring. Roland came up beside him and looked in; the sight nearly causing him to vomit. It was Crystal, her hands and feet were tied to the railings and she was wearing a muzzle.

  Her eyes were completely yellow and the muzzle barely muffled the hungry snarls she made as she strained to get at the two men staring at her. Her bonds had worn through the skin in some places revealing with bone and her left hand appeared to be coming off.