Dead Cold

by Roddy R. Cross, Jr.

  “Dear god.” Roland whispered in awe as he raised his submachine gun.

  He never got the chance to fire as the butt of Cory’s rifle slammed into his stomach; doubling him over and knocking him to the floor. “You’re not shooting her, you’ve shot enough people.”

  “Dude. She’s. A. Monster.” Was all Roland could manage as he gasped for air and wondered when and how Cory had retrieved the rifle.

  “I know that, I’m not stupid. I just don’t want you shooting my sister.” Tears had begun streaming down Cory’s face.

  Picking himself up off the floor Roland briefly considered shooting Cory instead but thought better of it. Roland began heading for the door when he heard the crack of Cory’s FAL and the clatter of the gun falling to the floor. Not bothering to turn around Roland stepped through the door and back out into the blizzard.

  Chapter 23: Where’s Waldo

  Getting back into the truck Roland stared at the Building waiting for Cory to come out. When he didn’t after five minutes Roland shifted the truck into drive.

  “Are you gonna leave him to?” Came Valerie’s harsh voice from the back seat.

  “I’ll come back for him, but in the meantime why don’t you go in and wait with him.” Roland was starting to dislike the dark haired girl.

  “Fine by me.” She was out of the truck and up the stairs before Roland could reply.

  “So, where we going lover?” Destiny said as she climbed into the front seat doing her best not to disturb the sleeping dog.

  “We are going to find the command building to see if we can find out where the Colonel that kidnapped my friend and Cory’s girlfriend went.” Roland was surprised the dog was still sleeping through everything.

  “Sounds good to me.” She smiled, not even the apocalypse able to stop her from being happy at seeing him again. Roland smiled too, he had missed her.

  It took five minutes to find the command building, it sat near the burned out motor pool. It was a one story concrete building with large glass windows and a set of double doors in the middle. Roland brought the Ram to a stop directly in front of the doors.

  “You sure this is the right door babe?” Destiny asked.

  “Well, it’s the only building besides the hospital with the power still on. So I would say it’s a pretty good bet.” Roland shut off the truck, the gas gauge reading just under half a tank.

  “Then let’s go find out.” Destiny opened the door and hopped out of the truck, her pistol out and in her hand.

  “She is something else.” Roland muttered to himself. “Come on Eve, let’s go.”

  Eve followed Roland out of the truck and the trio headed towards the front doors of what Roland hoped was the command building. Peering through the glass Roland saw a long hallway but not much else and seeing no better alternative he pulled the door open. A blast of warm air rushed out and over Roland and Destiny as Eve went through the door ahead of them.

  Letting Destiny through the door first Roland pulled the door shut behind him as soon as he was through. The warm air felt good and it immediately began melting the snow that had accumulated in Roland’s thick hair; the melting snow streaming down his face until he used his hand to push his hair back. Destiny’s blond hair clung to her neck and back as she tried her best to shake the water out.

  From the end of the hallway the trio heard a loud bang and suddenly Eve took off running towards the sound. Cursing again Roland followed the dog, his SMG ahead of him and Destiny immediately behind him. Roland whistled for the dog to come but she ignored him before she turned a corner and disappeared.

  “Shit! Eve, come back.” Roland hissed in a loud whisper.

  Rounding the corner Roland and Destiny came face to face with dozens of cubicles and no sign of the husky. Closing his eyes Roland tried his best to listen for the sound of the dog’s nails on the tile floor but the sound from the heating system was all he could make out.

  “Don’t worry lover, she can’t have gone too far we’ll find her.” Destiny’s hand was again on his shoulder and Roland found he liked the feeling.

  “I hope you’re right, that dog is all I have left.” Roland placed his hand on Destiny’s.

  “Not true, you got me now don’t you?” Destiny’s voice sounded hopeful.

  A smile crossed Roland face making the raw flesh around his eye hurt. “I guess you’re right darlin’.”

  “See it isn’t so bad, now let’s go find your pooch.” Destiny slid her hand down and across his back before stepping ahead of him.

  Destiny began looking in each cubicle and moving on to the next one as Roland followed behind. Roland couldn’t help but notice how attractive Destiny was, she was dressed in faded form fitting blue jeans and a white down filled parka but he could still make out her toned body. Her blonde hair had started to dry and her face was gorgeous, perfectly symmetrical with full lips and big eyes.

  “So, it’s been a long time Roland, what you been up to?” Her voice was low and sultry.

  “Oh, you know, just working same as always. At least ‘till this happened. What about you?” Roland found all he could think of was her and their history.

  “Going to school, working, the same things I was doing when you left. You have a girlfriend?” She continued looking in each cubicle as she spoke.

  “No, I haven’t had any time for anything other than work. You have a boyfriend?”

  “Had one, he cheated on me, then he tried to eat me, I killed him with a golf club.” Her voice became hard but maintained its appeal.

  “Sorry, to hear that.” Roland knew that was only slightly true.

  “It’s alright, I’ll survive; plus I’ve got you again.” She turned to smile at him and for the first time in a while Roland actually felt good.

  A bark came from around the corner and the moment ended as the pair took off running. Weapons leading the way Roland and Destiny rounded a corner and found Eve staring down one of the creatures that at the time seemed to fill the hallway. He stood at least three inches taller than Roland and out weighed him by at least forty pounds, his fatigues bursting at the seams from the muscles bulging underneath.

  “Oh my god!” Destiny gasped as she backed into Roland.

  Spotting her companion Eve turned tail and hid behind Roland. The monster began advancing on the trio as Roland pulled Destiny in behind him while making a slow retreat. The monster’s face was almost completely normal except for the yellow eyes and blood dripping from his mouth. Raising the Desert Eagle Roland drew a bead on the monstrous head that seemed to just rest on the creature’s shoulders. Squeezing the trigger Roland’s expression turned to shock as a massive muscled arm smacked his arm; sending the shot wide, and knocking the pistol out his hand.

  “Oh, shit.” Was all Roland could say.

  Out of options Roland launched himself at the tank’s midsection and found he was only able to knock it back a few feet. A heavy hand slammed into his back knocking him to the floor and shoving the air from his lungs. “Eve, Destiny go.” He wheezed as a size sixteen boot stepped over him towards the girl.

  Reaching out with both hands Roland grabbed the beast’s right leg and kicked the other away from himself causing the titan to fall. Unfortunately for Roland a quarter ton of undead soldier landed right on top of him once again knocking the wind out of him. Careful not to put his arm near the monster’s mouth Roland wrapped his arm around the thing’s thick neck and held on for dear life as it struggled in his grip. Praying that Destiny and Eve were far away Roland felt his grip slipping as the brute raged in his arm.

  The close proximity gunshot left Roland’s ears ringing and he felt the thing go limp on top of him as a red mist spattered the wall to his right. Unable to push the dead weight off of himself Roland rested his head on the floor and attempted to catch his breath. Destiny rolled the former soldier off Roland’s prone form and his lungs free Roland breathed deeply.

  “You alright babe?” Destiny had a very concerned look on her face as she lea
ned down to check on him.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Guess that’s two I owe you.” Roland attempted a chuckle but his bruised ribs turned it into a pained hiss.

  “You’ve sounded better sweety.” Destiny put her hand out for Roland.

  “I’ve definitely felt better.” He took her hand and pulled himself to a sitting position, his ribs screaming in protest.

  Standing up despite Destiny’s protests Roland glanced around for his Desert Eagle finding it against the wall. The Eagle safely back in his pocket Roland looked down the hallway to see what the creature had been doing there. About halfway down the long hallway Roland saw a door that had been battered and stained in blood, clearly the giant had wanted something on the other side.

  Putting his finger to his lips Roland motioned towards the door. Moving quietly as they could the pair moved towards the door, Eve following close behind. Pressing an ear to the door Roland could make out the sound of several people breathing, one seemed to be directly on the other side of the door. Taking a step back Roland knocked on the door and waited. The door slid silently inwards and Roland found himself face to face with a large shotgun barrel.

  Chapter 24: Betrayal and Love

  Taking a step back Roland was about reach into his pocket for the Eagle but though better of it. His eyes adjusting to the darker lighting in the room Roland could make out that the person on the other end of the shotgun was about the same height and build as himself; if a little thinner. Raising his hands Roland noticed that there were two others in the room hiding behind a desk.

  “Now, now friend I’m not looking for a fight; just wanted to see what that thing was after.” Roland kept his voice calm and flat.

  “Are you saying that thing’s dead?” The man’s voice was wavering and Roland could see something in his face. “I shot it twice with the shotgun and all that did was piss it off.”

  “You have to shoot them in the head, nothing else works.” Roland mimed a gun to his head and took another step back.

  “Hey! Stop moving!” The other man stepped out the room and into the hallway.

  “I would appreciate it if you stopped pointing a gun at him.” Came Destiny’s calm and sexy voice as her handgun, Roland now saw it was a Glock, pressed up against the new man’s skull.

  “What the…” He started as Roland grabbed the barrel of the shotgun with his left and drew the Eagle with his right; pointing it between the other man’s eyes.

  “Please don’t point guns at me; I am having a very bad day.” Roland’s voice was hard and low as he pulled the shotgun from the other man’s grip. “Now my name is Roland, and this is Destiny.”

  “Jack Towers, that’s Desire and Angela.” He gestured to the two women who had now stood up from behind the desk.

  Roland removed his handgun from the man’s face but kept the shotgun in his other hand. Jack was as tall as Roland with brown hair that look like it had never been combed and glasses over brown eyes. He was wearing tight, dark blue jeans, a black and white checkered parka, and red Converse All Stars. Angela was about the same height as Destiny with long, dark brown hair and blue eyes. She wore black yoga pants and a white parka over her slight frame, with white ski boots.

  Desire was a few inches shorter than Roland with shoulder length dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. She was dressed in military fatigues with a red cross on each shoulder and a black combat boots. All three had dark rings under their eyes and Roland guess that they had been locked in this office since the base fell almost two days ago. “What’re you guys doing here?” Desire asked in a Newfoundland accent.

  “We are trying to figure out where Colonel Stone went with some friends of ours.” Roland extended the shotgun but kept the Eagle in his hand, Destiny took a step back.

  “I can help with that.” The girl went over to the desk and Roland finally saw the name plate on the desk “Colonel C. Stone”.

  “Desire, don’t help them they could be the lunatics that started all this.” Jack looked longingly at the shotgun in Roland’s hand.

  “Are you stupid, we didn’t start this. No one did, it just happened.” Destiny’s gun was still in her hand and she raised it slightly.

  “Jack, calm down I don’t think they want to hurt us.” Angela’s voice was smooth as glass and calmed the spectacled man instantly.

  “Here it is, in case of catastrophic outbreak: evacuate all essential personnel to the Blue Mountain Command Bunker.” The blonde woman was pointing to a spot on the map circled in red.

  “That’s in Ontario.” Roland had come into the room and was looking at the map. “Near Niagara Falls, hell of a drive in a crapsack world.”

  “Whoa, I ain’t going to Ontario to some top secret military base.” Jack had his hands up, clearly distressed at the idea.

  “I’m not asking you to go, but I’m going. Far as I’m concerned you can do what ever you want.” Roland folded the map and placed it in his inside jacket pocket.

  “Jack, we don’t really have anywhere else to go and we might last longer with others.” Angela was standing next to Jack her hand on his arm.

  “I guess you’re right, hope you guys got a big vehicle.” Jack apparently relaxed at Angela’s touch.

  “Come on we’ll show you.” Destiny gestured for the others to follow as she started down the hallway.

  Stepping around the body that almost filled the hallway the quintet made their way back out to the Dodge where Jack gave a nod of approval. Roland and Destiny got in the front while the other three climbed into the back along with Eve who took a spot at Desire’s feet. Once they were all inside Destiny lit two cigarettes and handed one to Roland who took a drag enjoying the taste.

  “It’s going to be a tight fit once we get Cory and Valerie back” Roland looked around the truck.

  “Perhaps we should appropriate another vehicle.” Jack spoke from the back seat a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

  “Good idea Jack, I think I know just the place.” Roland shifted the truck into drive.

  Turning the truck around Roland drove through the snow towards the base hospital hoping Valerie had brought Cory out of his stupor. Driving slowly so as not to hit anything Roland let his mind drift back to Emily, he had to get her back. He wasn’t sure what the Colonel intended to do with the two women he’d taken but Roland was certain it couldn’t be good. Bringing his thoughts back to the present Roland came to a stop in front of the hospital and pressed the horn.

  Cory and Valerie came outside almost immediately as Destiny lifted the center seat and slid over close to Roland. Cory and Valerie both got in the front seat making Destiny press close to Roland, who found he didn’t mind at all. Pulling away from the hospital Roland headed towards the armoury.

  “All right everyone here’s the deal. We’re going to make a quick stop at the armoury then were going to head to the nearby Ford Dealership. Once there everyone can go their separate ways in their own vehicle or we can stick together in two vehicles, its up to each person to decide.”

  “I’m with you Roland.” Destiny chimed from beside him.

  “I’ll stick with you.” Cory’s voice was somber.

  “I got no where else to go, guess I’ll go with you.” Desire’s accent faded in and out as she spoke.

  “We’re coming Roland.” Angela spoke for herself and Jack.

  “What about you Valerie?” Roland tossed his cigarette out the window.

  “I have to go west and find my family.” Was all she said.

  “If that’s what you have to do I won’t stop you, guess it’s decided. Here’s the armoury, Cory, Jack would you mind giving me a hand?” Roland parked the truck just outside the front doors.

  Both men nodded, exited the vehicle along with Roland and all three headed up the stairs. Once inside Jack’s eyes lit up at the selection of weapons in front of him running down one of the rows towards a section of black SMGs. While Jack was distracted Roland motioned for Cory to grab the other end of the .50 caliber machine gun sitting by
the door. Once the MG was loaded into the box Roland and Cory each grabbed two M60 light machine guns and loaded them in the box.

  Several boxes of .50 and 7.62 ammunition were loaded into the truck before Roland and Cory started grabbing small arms, filling a duffle bag with Browning Hi-Powers and 9mm ammo. Roland and Cory had just finished filling two duffel bags with shotguns, rifles, and ammo for the second P90 he’d found when Jack came around the corner looking rather like a skinny Rambo. He had a Browning on either hip, two shotguns crisscrossing his back and an M16 in either hand.

  “Tell me how are you planning to sit down?” Cory asked stifling a laugh.

  “Guess I hadn’t thought of that.” Came the rather sheepish reply.

  “Apparently now stop playing around and start loading grenades into a bag.” Roland voice was firm but not harsh.

  “You got it.” Jack put one of his shotguns and one of his rifles in the nearby duffle bag keeping one of each along with both pistols before loading a backpack up.

  Once everything was packed and loaded and each girl had been given either an MP5 or a Browning, Destiny taking one of each, Roland placed his two P90s on the dashboard and climbed in next to Destiny. Cory and Jack all got in the truck and pulled the doors shut behind them the warm air from the vents washing over them after the extended periods outside loading everything into the box.

  “Anyone else notice we don’t have any food.” Angela chimed.

  “You know she’s right.” Cory said in a matter of fact voice.

  “Yeah I guess you’re right, all right I guess well stop at a food store on our way.” Roland felt a little sheepish at forgetting food.

  “He’s supposed to be our fearless leader? We’re all gonna die.” Jack sung out from the back seat.

  Roland didn’t have the heart to tell him to shut up as he put the truck in drive and started for the highway; snow was beginning to fall again. Thinking back Roland realized he had barely eaten in the last week and none of them had eaten since before the mall. As if in answer to his unspoken question Roland’s stomach gave a loud growl and he pressed the gas a little harder, hoping they would be able to find food at one of the nearby stores.