Dead America The Second Week (Book 2): Dead America: Heartland Part 2

by Slaton, Derek

The Corporal yanked the knife from the zombie’s chin before shoving it face-first into the stairwell door. Regardless of the fact that it had no working limbs, it was still starving and latched on to one guard’s shoulder with gnawing teeth.

  He screamed in pain and fell backwards against the other shooter, who leapt out of the way and lunged towards Bretz, gun raising. The Corporal batted the barrel to the side and buried the knife into the guard’s bicep, causing him to drop his weapon and scream. Bretz drew it and then plunged it into the guard’s throat, kicking the gurgling man back onto his companion and the pile of rotting flesh still feasting away.

  Kowalski and Johnson hopped over the tangle of bodies into the stairwell, the former keeping post at the door frame to keep an eye on the hallway. Johnson fired three times, putting a bullet into each of the twitching bodies’ heads.

  “You two, secure the hall,” Bretz said, moving past Johnson to the stairs. “I’ll make sure nobody comes at us from above.”

  A loud beep echoed all around them as the Corporal headed up the stairs. There was a click and then the sound of Linda clearing her throat.

  “All right, everybody, listen up, it’s Linda,” she began. “You all know what’s going on here is wrong. My new friends and I are here to put a stop to it, and end Shawn’s reign of terror. If you lay down your guns and step out of the gym and classrooms with your hands up, you get to live. You’ll also have the opportunity to build this city back up. I’ve made a deal with the military and they’re going to be bringing in food and other vital supplies so we can thrive. All you have to do, is put down your weapons and come out. If you’re going to do it, do it now.”

  She released the intercom button and let out a deep breath.

  Kersey raised an eyebrow at her, half-smiling. “We made a deal with you?” he asked.

  “Not yet.” She cocked her head. “But it sounded more believable than saying I got you to promise them hookers and blow. Whatever gets them to surrender, right?”

  The Sergeant nodded. “Spot on, girl.” He headed over to Baker, still guarding the door. “How we looking?” he asked.

  “Clear on this end,” the Private reported. “Should be save to move up to the stairwell.”

  The trio moved quickly down the hall, Linda in the middle, and as they reached the stairs Kowalski and Johnson stepped out, aiming towards the gym. The doors to the gymnasium opened and a dozen men stepped out, unarmed with their hands raised. Their eyes were wide and fearful, with a hint of relief when they saw Linda surrounded by soldiers. Bretz emerged from the stairwell, having cleared the landing above.

  “I don’t see Shawn,” Kersey muttered.

  She shook her head. “Me either, but I didn’t expect to.”

  “Anybody else missing?” the Sergeant asked.

  She studied the group, lips pursed. “Two, maybe three more, not including Shawn.”

  “Bretz, help Johnson and Kowalski corral these assholes,” Kersey instructed. “Baker, you’re with me. Linda, can you come with us? You know this place better than I do.”

  She nodded. “Let’s go.”

  The three of them turned and headed up the stairs, pausing at the top landing. Kersey did a silent countdown before pushing on the door, and a hail of bullets immediately ripped through the wood. The trio flattened themselves against the concrete wall, staying stock still in hopes of playing possum.

  After several seconds of quiet, tentative footsteps sounded in the hallway, moving closer to them. Kersey ducked down, laying on his side so that he could aim out the door. He gave Baker a thumbs up and the Private gave the latch a shove.

  Gunfire ripped again, but it was at chest height, and Kersey fired from the floor, hitting his target in the face. As the body fell, the Sergeant caught a glimpse of Shawn and one of his lackeys diving back into a room. He remained on the floor, the door resting on his knee as he continued to aim at the room.

  “Baker, move up,” he whispered.

  His companion stepped over him, keeping his gun trained on the offending door down the hall. Once he was clear, Kersey got to his feet, and began to move up the hallway, Linda quietly following.

  “Give it up Shawn, it’s over,” the Sergeant called. “Your men downstairs have surrendered. You and your little friend there are all that’s left. So why don’t you be a good boy and come out with your hands up? Linda here might even let you live.”

  He glanced over his shoulder at her, and she shook her head. He offered her a smile and a wink, and then turned back to the door. His smile dropped immediately at the sound of a woman whimpering, and Linda realized what room they’d approached.

  “That’s the room where they kept us,” she breathed.

  Baker shook his head. “Fuck, they have hostages.”

  “Shawn, you may want to rethink the whole hostage taking,” Kersey bellowed. “Didn’t work out too well for you the last time.”

  The door suddenly flung open, and Shawn emerged, dragging a naked woman out by the throat. He held her in front of him, using her terrified form as a human shield.

  “Put ‘em down, boys, or else the whore gets it in the head,” he demanded.

  Baker scoffed. “Yeah, we’re not doing that.”

  “Shawn,” Kersey cut in, “you gotta understand something here. This ain’t the good ole days where they’d lock you up in county for a few weeks until your lawyer could get you probation. There is a zero percent chance we’re going to let you walk out of this. Too many other things to deal with than assholes like you.”

  The girl let out a ragged sob as Shawn pressed the barrel of his gun harder into her temple. Linda locked eyes with the lackey from the doorway, an overweight fellow that she recognized.

  “Conner, it’s Linda, you remember me?” she asked gently.

  Shawn growled. “Don’t listen to that bitch, it’s you and me, buddy, stand fast.”

  “Conner,” Linda continued, ignoring the blonde. “Shawn isn’t going to be able to help you anymore. I’m going to be in charge. I know you’re a great door guard, and I’m going to have people for you to guard.”

  The frightened man nodded.

  “Goddammit Conner!” Shawn roared. “Don’t listen to her, I’m the only one you need! Shoot that bitch now!”

  “Conner,” Linda said again, voice gentle and smooth, “I’ll be forever grateful if you’ll help us disarm Shawn.” She licked her lips and batted her lashes. “And I show my gratitude.”

  The lackey’s eyes widened with realization and he immediately stepped out from the doorway, aiming his handgun at the back of Shawn’s head.

  “You stupid motherfucker,” the blonde growled.

  Conner shook his head. “I’m sorry Shawn, but I’m with her now,” he said, voice shaking.

  The blonde let out a grunt of frustration, realizing wholly that he was defeated. He raised his arms, stepping back, and Baker quickly moved to him, snatching the gun and bringing Shawn to his knees. The girl staggered away, grabbing Kersey’s vest, and he gingerly put an arm around her as she sobbed into his chest, shielding her body with his own.

  Linda approached Conner. “You did good,” she said.

  He turned nervous eyes on her. “I did?”

  “You did amazing,” she assured him, and gently took the gun from his hand. He grinned at her, and she smiled back before smashing the weapon against the bridge of his nose.

  He collapsed in shock, and she kicked him completely over, kneeling on his chest to continue raining blows down on his face. Kersey gaped at the scene, watching as she spit on the broken and blubbering man’s face.

  “Fuck you, you rapist piece of shit!” she screamed. “You’re gonna get what’s coming to you.” She moved out of the way as Baker shoved a bound Shawn down onto the floor next to Conner. He produced another zip tie to secure the bloodied man’s wrists, and Linda stepped over to join Kersey.

  The Sergeant shook his head in awe. “That was one hell of a bluff.”

  “He’s always looked at
me like that,” she said bitterly. “Even before this shit went down. Figured I could use it to my advantage for once.”

  “Good call,” Kersey said. “Any idea on what you want to do with Shawn?”

  Linda’s eyes darkened, and she grinned deviously. “Oh yeah, I have one.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Shawn gripped the chain link fence in the gym, eyes wide with panic. He knew there was no point in trying to escape the fence hallway. He built it, after all.

  “Please,” he turned to Linda, injecting as much pain into his voice as he possibly could. “Please, I’ll do anything you want.”

  She raised her chin and stared him down. “I want you to climb.”

  He clenched his jaw, shaking his head, knowing she wasn’t going to back down. This was it.

  “Johnson, if you wouldn’t mind,” Linda said, and the Private wandered over to the door and pulled the chain to release the zombies into the fence hallway. They locked on Shawn and staggered towards him, moaning and stumbling.

  Shawn dove into the rope pen as soon as they raised the gate, grasping for the rope. He climbed frantically, screaming in fear as the zombies reached for him, barely scraping the bottom of his shoes.

  “Looks like I owe you five bucks, Sarge,” Kowalski declared.

  Kersey grinned. “Told you he was gonna get above them.”

  “Yeah, but come on, they’re touching his feet,” the Private replied, motioning to the rotting fingers brushing the screaming man’s shoes. “Can I get a judge’s ruling on that? Because I feel like that counts.”

  Linda raised a hand. “Sorry, if they ain’t eating him, it doesn’t count.”

  “Well, fuck,” Kowalski replied, but he didn’t sound all that put out.

  Kersey inclined his head to the cage at the far end of the gym, where they’d corralled the other undesirables. “What’s your plan for them?” he asked.

  “I figure we’ll let them stew in their own shit for a day or two,” Linda replied, not even sparing them a glance. “Then I’ll take ‘em out back and put a bullet in the back of their heads. Or the front, I haven’t decided yet.

  Kersey’s brow furrowed. “Linda. You’re not a killer.”

  Bretz snorted and shook his head. “Oh hell yes she is.”

  “Oh, well, I suppose the Corporal thinks otherwise,” the Sergeant said. “Regardless, I can’t let you kill them.”

  “With all due respect, Sergeant,” Linda said firmly, “you guys are leaving. I have to do what I can to ensure my people’s safety.”

  Kersey put up a hand. “I understand that. I’d like to make a deal with you.”

  “I’m listening.” Linda crossed her arms, though she was still watching Shawn struggle to stay on the rope.

  “The bulk of the surviving U.S. military is currently stationed in Kansas, and we’re on a mission to clear a path to the Northwest,” Kersey explained. “There’s going to be a major offensive, and soon. Now, my General has given me orders to find a stopover point for troops being transported to the front lines, and I think your little town would be perfect.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “You want to flood my town with troops?”

  “Being a troop hub will have its benefits,” the Sergeant insisted. “Steady supply of food, medicine, doctors. Not to mention you’ll never have to worry about someone like Shawn ever again.”

  She pursed her lips and thought for a moment. “Okay. I accept your offer. However, I don’t see what that has to do with offing these assholes.”

  “We’re about to go on a full war footing in this country,” Kersey said, “and even though we’ve never fought a war like this in our nation’s history, one thing remains the same.”

  Linda raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

  “We always have a use for warm bodies,” the Sergeant explained.

  She smiled as she imagined what would be in store for the abusive assholes if they became fodder for the military. “Okay. I’ll spare the ones in the cage,” she agreed. “But surely you can grant me a lone exception.”

  Kersey smiled, knowing what she wanted, and nodded.

  “Hey Kowalski, you any good with that thing?” Linda asked, motioning to the sniper rifle on his shoulder.

  He puffed out his chest. “I’m pretty good, actually.”

  “Fantastic.” She clapped her hands together. “Now that I’m in charge, I’ve decided to make some decorating decisions. First of which, is that I don’t think we’re going to need a rope in the gym anymore. I don’t know where the ladder is, would you mind taking it down for me?”

  Kowalski grinned. “Not at all, ma’am.” He tipped an invisible hat at her and unslung his rifle from his shoulder, aiming at the top of the rope.

  “No!” Shawn screamed, clambering up another knot, white knuckled. “No, please no!”

  The Private fired a well-placed shot, severing the rope and sending the shrieking blonde ex-leader down to his death. The group watched as the zombies descended on him, reaping the benefits of his own rigged game and tearing into his unwilling flesh.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “Yo, Mason!” Johnson barked as the soldiers approached the waiting train. “You enjoy slacking off while the rest of us were getting shot at?”

  Mason scoffed. “Slacking off? You have any idea how cranky Bill gets when he doesn’t get enough sleep?”

  “Fair enough bubba,” Johnson replied, clapping him on the shoulder. “Fair enough.”

  “Where is Bill, anyway?” Kersey asked, stretching his arms above his head.

  Mason motioned to the engine car behind him. “He’s been sound asleep on the floor of the cab since we got here.”

  “He’s been asleep on a metal floor this whole time?” Bretz laughed. “Did you at least get him a pillow?”

  “Nope,” Mason replied with a shrug. “He just rolled up a jacket and was out like a baby on NyQuil.”

  Bretz shook his head. “Son of a bitch, guess he wasn’t lying when he said he could sleep on the train.”

  “Lesson learned,” Baker declared. “I’d be quite content not making another stop like this one.”

  “Hey, Mason, why don’t you head on back?” Kersey said. “Kowalski and I will take the first watch with Bill.”

  The Private in question gawked at his superior. “What the fuck, Sarge? I got the last kill, that means I get the first nap!”

  “Technically Linda got the last kill, since it was her idea,” Johnson cut in. “Plus, she gave you the order. It’s like giving credit to the hammer instead of the carpenter.”

  Kowalski shook his head and climbed up into the cab. “Maybe Bill will loan me that jacket,” he muttered.

  The trio of remaining Privates headed off to the makeshift sleeping car, leaving just the Corporal and his Sergeant.

  “That was a close one,” Bretz said, tone serious. “Hit us pretty good on the ammo as well.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Kersey replied, exhaustion finally seeping into his muscles. He leaned against the side of the train, scrubbing a hand down his face. “How bad is it?”

  “Linda was able to spare us a few boxes of rifle ammo, so Kowalski is sitting pretty,” the Corporal said. “Rest of us are really low. Like maybe eight full mags between us on the assault rifles, and about six shots each on the handguns.”

  “Well, we can’t wait on a resupply,” the Sergeant explained. “So we’re just gonna have to hope we can find a gun shop along the route.” He scratched the back of his head.

  Bretz yawned. “And hope we don’t run into much resistance.”

  Kersey waved his hands back and forth in front of his companion’s face.

  “What… what are you doing?” Bretz asked, brow furrowing.

  “Wondering how you are keeping up a conversation while being asleep on your feet,” the Sergeant said, “because what you just said is a pure dream.” They shared a chuckle and he patted his friend on the shoulder. “You go get some sleep. I’m gonna call the town in to the Gene
ral.”

  Bretz raised his hand. “Be sure to tell him about my field promotion.”

  “Sure thing.” Kersey laughed. He watched the Corporal amble off to the sleeping car, and then hauled himself up the ladder into the cab.

  Bill sat at the console, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he checked the gauges. Kowalski’s form shuffled around in the corner, attempting to get comfortable with the jacket pillow.

  “How are we looking, Bill?” Kersey asked.

  The engineer made a circle with his thumb and forefinger. “Looking all right, Sergeant. Everybody tucked into their beds?”

  “They’re about as comfortable as they’re gonna get,” Kersey said.

  Bill nodded and cracked his knuckles. “Well, let’s get this show on the road, then.”

  “Hey Bill,” Kowalski grunted from the back, rolling over to face them. “Anyplace else we need to start worrying about? Please tell me that this place was the worst we’re gonna see before Seattle.”

  “Well,” the engineer drew out the word, rubbing his chin, “we still have to go through Helena, Montana, but the real ass-clenching run is going to be through Missoula.”

  Kowalski’s brow furrowed.

  “You know he has nightmares, right?” Kersey said.

  “Well, he’d better, because it’s gonna be a bitch and a half getting through it,” Bill replied. “There’s a huge train yard and it’s the biggest city between here and Washington.”

  The Sergeant sobered. “Any chance we can go around it?”

  “Nope.” The engineer shook his head, popping the p as he said it. “It’s the only viable path through the Coeur d’Alene National Forest. Unless you want to take a huge detour down to Idaho. In which case, we’d have to go through Boise which would be a hell of a lot worse.”

  Kersey sighed. “Well, we don’t have to do that today, do we?”

  “Nah, we’re a few days out,” Bill assured him.

  The Sergeant stretched his arms above his head. “Good,” he said. “At least I can get one more mediocre night’s sleep before I die.” He patted Bill on the back, and the engineer gave him a salute and hit the throttle.