Dead Cold

by Roddy R. Cross, Jr.

  He reached the truck and knew immediately that he was too late. Angela had her face pressed against Jack’s chest and was the source of the sobbing. Desire, Cory and Destiny had blood on their hands and arms, their faces ashen. The first aid kit fell from Roland’s arms when he saw the blanket covered form on the side of the road. Destiny came up to Roland and wrapped her arms around him.

  “I’m sorry, Roland, she didn’t make it.”

  Alma, Megan, Natasha and the baby came up behind Roland looking at the scene around them. Upon seeing the body Natasha pressed the baby face to her chest while Megan buried hers in Alma’s. The temperature was well below freezing but no one moved for a long time until Cory spoke up.

  “We need to get moving, something might come.”

  “He’s right, we’re gonna freeze to death out here and those things can’t be far away.” Roland found himself suddenly feeling the cold.

  “Where are we going to go?” Destiny pulled away from Roland, almost reluctantly.

  “There a garage near here where we can hide for a while.” Roland did his best to compose himself in front of the others.

  “Sounds good, so who are your new friends?” Cory looked at the family behind Roland.

  “Right, this is Alma, her daughters Natasha and Megan, and her grandson Seth.” He gestured to each of them in turn. “This ragtag bunch of misfits is Destiny, Cory, Desire, Angela, and Jack.”

  After everyone was introduced the group of what was now ten people squeezed into the Dodge and Roland started the truck. No one mentioned the blanket or what lay under it as the truck pulled away, a single tear escaped Roland’s green eye, no one noticing in the dark interior. It was a tight squeeze in the truck; Roland, Destiny, Desire and Cory filled the front seat while the others made use of the spacious back seat, Eve had found a spot on Cory’s lap.

  They arrived at the garage quickly and Roland brought the truck to a stop out front. The building appeared empty; nothing could be seen moving through the small windows on the big roll up doors or in the office area.

  “Okay, Cory and Destiny will come with me and we’ll see if we can find a way in. Once we’re inside we’ll open one of the vehicle doors and Desire will drive the truck in. any questions?” Roland grabbed the katana off the dash.

  “How come Desire get’s to drive the truck?” Jack whined from the back seat.

  “Because you annoy me. Now if we don’t open that door in fifteen minutes or you don’t hear from us you leave, don’t look back just take the truck and leave. Understood?” Everyone nodded to that. “Good, Cory, Destiny let’s go.”

  “Dude your dog wants to come.” Cory was attempting to keep Eve in the truck.

  “Fine, let her come, she might come in handy.” Roland had already exited the truck and was waiting for Destiny.

  The trio walked around the garage looking for the office, silently moving through the deep snow as Eve hopped along beside Roland. They found the office on the far side of the building, just a small addition to the big burgundy garage. There were two mid-sized windows and a central door leading into a waiting area with a counter that split the room.

  Walking up to the door Roland tried the handle but found it locked. He was just about to punch through the window when Destiny stopped him holding up something small and glittering. Pressing it to the glass she made a small circle near the handle and pushed in, a perfect circle feel to the floor inside.

  “Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend.” The blonde girl smiled as she reached her hand in and unlocked the door.

  “Very clever, where did you get that?” Roland stepped inside, his P90’s TAC light filling the small space with blue light.

  “I did a little shopping before that nut job captured me.” Destiny closed the door after Cory and Eve had entered.

  The office was completely silent, only the sound of the four breathing could be heard in the small space. Moving around the counter Roland lead the way as the others followed, Destiny taking up the rear. Coming up to the door leading into the garage Roland peered through the glass, the headlights from the truck providing some light in the massive garage. There were three cars scattered around an area that could hold at least twice that many, Roland guessed the garage had been built from a converted warehouse.

  Nothing moved in the garage and the light from the truck cast eerie shadows onto the high wall. Deciding it was safe Roland pushed the door open and stepped in the empty space beyond the door, the scent of oil and lubricants filling his nostrils. Listening for any of the creatures Roland closed his eyes and turned his head slowly. Satisfied there was nothing there Roland made his way to roll up door in front of the truck and pulled down on the chain.

  As soon as the door was lifted high enough Desire drove the truck into the garage and shut the truck off. Peering out into the snowy darkness Roland wondered and worried as he watched the heavy flakes fall to the ground. Letting the door fall Roland grabbed the chain just before it hit the ground and lowered it as slowly as he could; the making barely a whisper as it came to a stop.

  The other six climbed out of the vehicle, Jack acting as if he had been in the truck for hours. Leaving the others to stretch Roland headed up the metal stairs and looked around; the second floor was a combination of break room and tire storage. About the size of a large living room with plywood floors, a couple of couches, a fridge, a low table, and racks of tires along two walls. Roland figured this would be a good place for everyone to catch some rest while he tried to figure out a plan. Jack interrupted his thoughts.

  “Hey! Fearless leader, you know we didn’t grab any food right?” Sarcasm poured from his lips.

  “Shit!” Roland cursed, he knew he’d forgotten something but what he’d seen in Wal-Mart had distracted him.

  “Well, what are we gonna do about it lover?” Destiny had come up the stairs behind Jack.

  “Bring everyone up here and we’ll figure something out.” Roland set his P90 down onto the coffee table and fell into the couch his hands covering his face.

  “Everything all right, lover?” Destiny sat down on the couch next to Roland while Jack turned back downstairs.

  “He’s right, I’m not a leader. I don’t even know what I’m doing; I couldn’t even remember to get food. Those people need a hero, not me.” He was speaking fast, his words almost blending together.

  “You are a hero babe; you’ve saved everyone here at least once. Including me and I can never thank you enough for that.” She put her arms around him and kissed his cheek.

  Roland was about to say something when the others trudged up the stairs. They were all tired, hungry, and scared and they were all looking directly at Roland. Seth was curled up asleep in his mother’s lap while his mother and aunt rested their heads on Alma’s shoulder.

  “Well dumbass what are we going to do?” Her attitude didn’t surprise Roland and he was certain he would not be able to spend a long amount of time with her.

  “I’m thinking some of us should go look for food while the others stay here, so we don’t put everyone at risk.” Roland could see by their faces that no one wanted to go anywhere.

  “Who would be crazy enough to go back out into that blizzard?” Desire appeared to be on the verge of tears.

  “Well, I’m going even if I have to go by myself.” Roland stood and collected his SMG.

  “I’ll go with you lover.” Destiny stood up before Roland could stop her.

  “Might as well count me in.” Jack stood up as well; looking around at everyone’s shocked faces. “What I haven’t had much of an opportunity to shoot those bastards and this seems like a good one.”

  Wiping a look of shock off his face Roland nodded. “You scare me, you know that? But it will be good to have you along. As for the rest of you, stay here and if were not back in one day I want you to leave. Cory you’re in charge, keep them safe.”

  Cory nodded to Roland while Jack and Angela hugged, tears rolled down her cheeks as she whispered something i
n his ear. Roland became distinctly aware of Destiny’s hand in his and he looked down a smile crossing his face to find her smiling back. Once the good byes were said and the trio had gathered up their gear Cory let them out one of the bay doors, the sound of the door slamming shut and the click of the lock gave Roland shivers.

  They began walking through the snow and Jack began complaining almost immediately. “Remind me again why we left the truck, I’m gonna freeze to death out here.”

  “One I don’t want to draw anymore attention to ourselves than your voice already does. Two in case something happens to us I wanted them to have away to escape.” Roland wondered what had made Jack’s attitude so bad, but figured it would be best not to ask.

  “So I’m guessing you just made us expendable; no escape, no hope of a rescue, and they leave if we take more than a day.” The wind was still blowing enough to cover Jack’s voice but Roland knew that wouldn’t last.

  “So where we going love?” Destiny was keeping pace on Roland’s left, opposite Jack.

  “I was hoping you would tell me, I don’t live here anymore and I don’t think we can ask someone.”

  “Well I think there is a Sobey’s about fourteen blocks from here that might still have food.” She checked a nearby street sign to be sure.

  “Fourteen blocks! In a damn blizzard, I better get to kill something.” Jack pulled back the slide on his MP5 ejecting an unused cartridge into the snow.

  “Please don’t do that, we really don’t want to run out of ammo now do we?” Roland’s shook his head wondering why he had brought Jack.

  “Sorry, I seen people do it in movies and thought it would be cool.” He looked rather sheepish, like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar.

  “Don’t worry about it; I’ve made more than a few movie mistakes.” Roland was really starting wonder about Jack’s story but a sound from around the corner distracted him.

  A blood curdling scream came from around the corner of a nearby gated property and the trio ran around to see what was happening. They came around the corner to find a young girl who was being swarmed by two dozen of the ghouls. Her screams died as one of the creatures tore out her throat, crimson coating the snow while another tore one of her legs mostly off. Jack moved to help but Roland stopped him, it was too late for the girl and even worse several of the creatures had noticed the new arrivals.

  With an unearthly howl several of them began moving in their stilted walk, almost as though their knees were disconnected. The three companions turned to run only to find a horde of the creatures behind them blocking their escape. Jack cut loose with his MP5 one handed, the recoil sending the barrel high into the air.

  At the same time opened fire with her own MP5 in short three round bursts scoring a head shot with each. Bracing his duel P90s Roland fired from side to side with both in short bursts, felling several of the monsters but there were too many.

  “We have to get out of here!” Roland yelled over the moans and gunfire.

  “Brilliant plan, where do you propose we go?’ Jack’s sarcasm had returned full force.

  Looking around Roland spotted a short brick building with double doors out front. “That brick building, let’s go!”

  Jack didn’t argue, he had reloaded his MP5 and was already moving with Destiny close behind. Roland’s P90s clicked dry and he let them fall to his side as he reached back to pull the katana from its scabbard. Holding the sword underhanded Roland started after the other two, as the number of creatures behind him kept increasing. Jack was almost to the door and running as hard as his legs could handle, Destiny followed not too far behind letting off sporadic fire from her SMG whenever one got too close.

  Roland was quickly catching up to Destiny, his sword slashing through the necks of any ghouls that came within range. Jack had reached the door which was thankfully unlocked and was motioning for the others to hurry up. Destiny reached the door only steps ahead of Roland and Jack pulled the door shut with a bang just as Roland’s jacket cleared the frame. Taking a moment to catch their breath while the dead pounded on the door Jack read something on the wall nearby.

  “This way to relief shelter. You don’t think…” He never got a chance to finish.

  The sound of creatures coming down the hallway made Roland’s heart race as he looked around. There was a door between the turn in the hallway and the trio. “There, that door, let’s go!” Roland drew his Desert Eagle as he gestured.

  “Don’t gotta tell me twice.” Jack was already moving, Destiny once again hot on his heels.

  Jack and Destiny had just run through the door as the creatures rounded the corner. There were dozens of all ages; most were dressed in their pajamas and Roland imagined the terror they must have felt and might still be feeling as he raised the Eagle and fired into the crowd. The ghouls were just about at the door as Roland leapt through, Destiny slamming the door behind him. Once the door was shut Jack and Roland slid a heavy metal filing cabinet up against it.

  “Well what are we going to do now?” The panic in Jack’s voice was unmistakable.

  “We are going to stay calm and try to figure a way out of here.” Roland was doing his best to control his voice.

  “That might be difficult babe.” Destiny gestured to the two large windows in the room.

  The room had only one door and the two floor to ceiling windows and Roland could make out shapes moving on the other side of the glass and pressing against it. He could already make out stress fractures in the glass and knew it wouldn’t last long. He checked his ammo; he had two spare clips for the P90s, two magazines for the Desert Eagle, eight shotgun shells, and the katana. He knew the others didn’t have much ammo and he could see the worry in their faces.

  “We’re gonna die aren’t we?” Jack’s voice was low and pitiful.

  “Most likely, but there’s something I always swore I would before I died.” Without warning Roland grabbed Destiny and kissed her; when her shock wore off she began kissing him back.

  “Great, why does this always happen to me.” Jack complained as the other two continued kissing, the glass shattering behind them.

  Chapter 28: Lost Friends

  Cory closed the door after the trio was gone, a feeling of dread in his stomach. Turning back towards the garage he used his flashlight to scan the area. The others were all congregating upstairs so he decided to poke around downstairs for a bit, see if there was anything interesting. He started in the office; checking drawers and cupboards. The log book on the counter indicated that the garage hadn’t been worked in since a week before the great panic that drove people out of the city.

  “Guess they knew it was coming.” He whispered to no one.

  There was nothing else interesting in the office, so Cory returned to the garage area. Including the survivors truck there were three other vehicles; a red Chrysler 300 with all four wheels off, a newer turquoise Toyota Rav4 with the hood up, and an early seventies Dodge Charger with the engine removed. Curious Cory went over to the Toyota and looked under the hood, it didn’t look like anything was wrong but he knew Toyota’s were tricky to service. Shrugging his shoulders he climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key.

  The engine purred to life, the now lit gauges showing a full tank of gas. Quickly turning the engine off Cory smiled to himself; at least they wouldn’t need to find another vehicle now. The hood closed Cory’s smile grew when he saw the pair of vending machines hidden in the far corner of the garage. One was filled with snack and the other had bottles of pop; both had glass fronts.

  Using the butt of his rifle Cory smashed the glass of both. Desire came running downstairs her SMG in hand as she looked for the source of the racket.

  “Cory? What the hell is going on?”

  “Come help me.” He called back as he filled his arms with junk food.

  The pair loaded their arms with as much as they could carry and headed back to the break area. The group pigged out on junk food and talked about their lives before the wo
rld fell apart. Alma and her family were from Fort McMurray but had been at their cabin near Lac La Biche when everything had happened. They hadn’t even known anything was wrong until several of the creatures had come out of the woods and attacked Alma’s and Megan’s boyfriends.

  Alma and her daughters had fought off the creatures and escaped to Edmonton where they were captured by the rednecks at the Wal-Mart. They had been there a week before they were rescued Roland. Now they were trying to make their way back to Newfoundland to see if any more of their family had survived.

  Desire was a field medic in the Canadian Armed Forces, one of many called back from leave when everything happened. She had left her family and boyfriend and hadn’t heard anything from them since cellular service had died. Her friends Jack and Angela had come to visit her on the base when the dead overran it, leaving them trapped in the office where Roland had found them.

  Angel and Jack had been driving to Fort McMurray from Newfoundland when the dead had began rising. They had decided to head for the base where they knew Desire was posted; figuring it was the safest option. Angel was worried about her family in Fort McMurray and Newfoundland.

  Cory’s heart fell and tears formed at the corners of his eyes as he told them his story. Cory and his girlfriend had been hiding at his parent’s house when his sister had burst through the door with a bite on her hand. Not long after Roland had showed up with the red haired girl and began pointing the gun at Cory’s sister. After Roland and the girl had left Cory, his girlfriend, and his sister had climbed into the Hummer and started off towards the south, hoping to find a way to Prince Edward Island.

  They had never reached Edmonton; the military personnel had arrested them and impounded the Hummer. Cory had been thrown in a cell with Roland while his sister was placed in quarantine and his girlfriend was held elsewhere. When the base was attacked the Colonel had taken Cory’s girlfriend and the red haired girl while leaving Roland and Cory to die.