Henry gulped down his food and she did the same, shoving it mechanically into her mouth.
“Let’s do this,” Henry spoke, interrupting her thoughts. He swallowed a mouthful of food. “Let’s head out tomorrow, securing the cabin as best we can. We’ll go resupply. That shouldn’t take us more than a few hours. Then we’ll come back and plan out route to Junction 5 and Heath Road. We can scout out the place and see what it’s all about.”
“That sounds good to me,” Raven responded, clearing their plates and running them under the tap. She dumped the last of the coffee down the drain. “Come on Rocky,” she said, drying her hands. “Let’s go outside.”
“I’ll come with you,” Henry added, unnecessarily.
They never went anywhere alone. It just wasn’t safe anymore; nothing was safe and they were about to head out into the world. Raven felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation, but it wasn’t like they had any other choice. They couldn’t stay here forever.
She grabbed a large tennis ball and checked the peephole. “It’s all clear,” she spoke, opening the door. Raven always carried her axe with her, holding it loosely in her right hand. It was a good thing she had it.
“Watch out!” Henry hollered, pulling out his large buck knife.
Rocky charged outside, knocking into Raven’s legs in his haste. She nearly went sprawling but kept her balance. Thank you yoga, she thought absently.
A woman stood a few feet away.
“Where the fuck did she come from?” Raven cried.
“I don’t fuckin’ know!” Henry exclaimed.
Her clothes were tattered and dirty. Red fabric stuck to her waist and shoulders, covering one breast. The vestiges of exercise pants clung to her hips. It looked like she had once been pretty, curvaceous body with muscular legs. Her skin was dark ebony that had not paled with her transformation, but turned a deep purple. She snarled and took a step toward them. Her ankle had been broken and her foot was pronated. Bare feet shuffled across the damp earth, dragging a trail behind her.
“Rocky,” Raven spoke in a heated whisper. “Get over here.”
The dog glanced from the zombie to her and back to the zombie. He sniffed the air and his hackles rose.
“Come, now!” she spoke again, more forcefully.
Rocky obeyed and Henry snagged his collar, shoving him inside and shutting the door.
“I don’t think she can run,” Henry said, “or she’d be on us by now.”
Raven nodded, keeping her eyes on the woman. “What’s the plan?” she asked.
“I’ll try to get behind her,” Henry spoke, shuffling slowly to the side, knife held at the ready.
“I’ll take the front then,” Raven said, standing loosely on the balls of her feet. She swung the axe a little, testing the weight and balance.
The zombie snapped her teeth, swinging her head back and forth wildly. Henry was making his way around the undead woman, creeping stealthily. Raven moved in. The zombie growled.
“Come on, Bitch!” she yelled.
The zombie stumbled more quickly, dragging her foot. It hissed across the dirt.
Raven ran toward the undead, pushing her fear aside just as her grandpa taught her. She held her axe arm out, gripping the handle tightly. Aim for her trunk, her grandfather’s voice whispered through her mind. A gut wound will take even a big man down, Raven then you can finish them. Her training ran deep and she reached the zombie, slashing the sharp blade across her abdomen. Guts spilled out in a rush of half congealed blood and shining intestine, but the zombie didn’t slow. Raven realized her mistake and cursed, backing up rapidly. Her heel caught on a divot in the dirt and she went down, gripping the axe tightly so it wouldn’t fly from her hand. She hit the ground hard and the air went out of her in a huff. The zombie moved rapidly, grabbing Raven’s arm. Her hands were cold and dead feeling. Panic flooded Raven’s system and she struggled to free herself.
Then Henry was there, pulling the zombie off. He had to use two hands to do it — the undead were strong — and his knife fell to the ground.
Grandpa wouldn’t approve of that, Raven thought.
Henry was losing the battle with the once-was-woman and the zombie almost had her teeth in Raven’s skin. The zombie’s breath was strangely hot. Her teeth glistened with sticky saliva.
“Raven, the axe!” Henry screamed. His voice was strained and a drop of sweat rolled down his face. “Hit her in the head!”
Raven did not hesitate. Balancing herself on her elbow, she swung the axe. It thunked into the zombie’s skull, easily slicing through bone and brain alike. The zombie’s eyes went blank and her body went limp. She fell on top of Raven and Henry rode her down, slow to let go. Raven was smashed beneath their combined weight. She lay there relearning how to breathe for a moment then met her brother’s gaze.
“That was close,” he said, chuckling.
Raven frowned. “No shit, get the fuck off of me,” she said. “You’re heavy and she’s gross.”
Henry laughed and got up, pulling the dead woman off of his sister. He dropped her on the dirt and picked up his discarded knife.
“Grandpa would’ve shit himself if he saw that,” Henry spoke. His voice shook a bit.
“What?” Raven asked, dusting her butt off. She stepped over the corpse without looking at it. “That we just killed our first zombie or that you dropped your damn knife?” She grinned while she said it.
“Both,” Henry responded, looking abashed. “I panicked,” he added. “I saw you lying there and lost it. All I could see was her biting you and I must’ve just flung it aside and dove on her.”
“Well,” Raven said. “Thanks for that.” She grinned, becoming aware of Rocky’s frantic barking form within the cabin.
Henry walked to the door and opened it. “We’re all right, buddy,” he spoke to the dog.
Rocky burst out and bolted into the clearing. He ran to Raven first and sniffed her all over, assuring himself that she was unhurt. Raven laughed and hugged him.
“I’ll get the shovels,” Henry spoke. “We need to bury her away from the cabin. Otherwise the smell of death will attract predators.”
“Okay,” Raven agreed, covered in Rocky’s kisses. She thought all in all they did pretty well. She would have to make a conscious effort to aim for the head every time and she would talk to Henry about keeping a hold of his weapon. They were alive though, and that was what counted. Her brother emerged with two shovels and an oversized plastic bag.
“Here,” he said, holding out a spade. “Let’s get this done.”
Chapter Four
The Mom and Pop
The Mom and Pop Grocery Store
Raven
It was just past noon and they drove through the hills, approaching the Mom and Pop. Raven and Henry had decided that their best chance would be at midday. Henry assured her that the zombies were less likely to emerge when the sun was high. At least, he said, most of the movies depicted it that way so they had an even shot of it being true. She didn’t point out that since it was raining again — had it ever stopped? — the noon sun was practically invisible through the clouds.
Raven remained alert, a state that she imagined she would feel for the rest of her life or at least the duration of the apocalypse.
“There it is,” Henry said, pointing.
They crested a small hill, covered in green foliage and delicate purple flowers. The landscape changed, dropping them into a dell and the road flattened out. Trees lined it on either side, leaves ranging in color from deep red to vibrant orange. A shingled roof was visible in the distance. Raven couldn’t tell how far away it was.
She nodded and stared out of the window at the passing trees. The racing trunks zoomed by in varying shades of brown and she let her eyes blur until everything was just splashes of color.
“You okay?” Henry asked after the silence had stretched on a while.
“Yeah,” Raven answered, pulling her gaze from the passing scenery. She looked at h
er brother. “Just thinking.”
Henry squinted at her. “Okay,” he said, drawing out the word skeptically. “Just put your game face on. We’re almost there.”
Raven glared at him. “I’m not the one who dropped the knife,” she ribbed.
Henry looked embarrassed. “That won’t happen again,” he assured, frowning.
“And I won’t aim for the stomach,” Raven said. “Head shot or nothing. I guess taking a leg or an arm would be helpful but I don’t want to have to do that with an axe as my only weapon.”
Henry chuckled, probably laughing at her babbling. “The front of the store is made of glass and there’s a door through the back that leads into a store room. I think it would be best to come at it from there. If anyone or anything is inside they won’t be able to see us coming.”
“They’ll hear us,” Raven added, for the first time thinking that this awesome truck was a little too loud.
Henry shrugged. “Some things can’t be helped,” he answered. “We can’t park too far away. Then we’d be carrying supplies and shit across open ground.”
“Yeah,” Raven agreed. “I don’t want to be caught with my hands full.”
The night before she and Henry had compiled a list of the most important things to get. Food, medicine, toiletries, and other amenities like soap and dog food were at the top of her list. Raven was sure there would be other items that they could use but as long as they got those main staples they’d do for a while.
“I hope Rocky’s all right,” she murmured, picturing him sitting by the door as they left. She’d told him they’d be back and he stared at her sadly. Raven had filled a bowl with the rest of his dog kibble and one with water just in case they were overlong.
“It would’ve been more dangerous to bring him,” Henry reassured, turning onto a small access road. The pavement gave way to gravel and they bounced across it.
They’d talked it out last night. Raven had been hesitant to leave her dog behind but Henry pointed out that he would be in a lot more danger from the dead than sitting in the cabin alone. Not to mention that her attention would be divided between fighting for her life and protecting her dog. That could get them both killed. She’d agreed but couldn’t shake the thought that if something happened to them he’d slowly starve to death. She shivered.
“I know,” Raven said and told her brother about her fears.
Henry smiled. “I left the upper window over the balcony open. It’s kind of high up but I bet rocky could jump from there if he had to.”
“Oh, good,” Raven answered, relieved. “Thanks,” she returned her brother’s grin.
They turned a corner and the back of the store was before them. It was wooden and looked like it had been built in the early 1900’s. Big, boxy and painted blue, the store was two stories of well-maintained building. It would’ve been really cute under different circumstances. It had windows trimmed with white and Raven could see roses in a glass vase sitting on a table upstairs. A figure shambled within, casting a shadow across the flowers.
“Uh-oh,” Henry said. “You ready?” he asked, turning to Raven.
“As ever,” she answered, pulling the cover off her axe and adjusting the fit of her long leather coat.
Henry nodded, unsheathing his knife.
They got out of the truck.
Rain pattered on the ground, wetting the asphalt in the parking lot. Raven loved the scent of rain; it smelled fresh and clean; innocent. Though right now the happiness it usually brought was taking a backseat to the unease that churned in her stomach. She’d hoped that the store was going to be deserted, but that passing shadow said otherwise. They approached a back door of darkly stained wood and all was quiet. Henry pressed his ear against it and listened. Raven turned so her back was to the wall and she kept her eyes peeled for movement in the woods. The rain fell harder and she buttoned her coat. It was made of lambskin and though it fit her snugly the leather was supple and she could move in it easily. That hadn’t seemed as important when she bought it but now she was thankful.
“I don’t hear anything,” Henry spoke. “Maybe it’s still upstairs.” His voice sounded eager and wary.
Raven shifted fractionally, looking at her brother from the corner of her vision. “Is the door locked?” she asked, still watching the trees.
The dell they’d driven into was heavily wooded. She could see maples, alders, birch, and myriad variations of fir trees. Some of the trunks were covered in soft green moss, thick at the base then it thinned out as it traveled upward. Raindrops collected on the moss, causing it to shimmer with refracted light.
She heard Henry twist the knob.
“No,” he answered.
“Well, that’s good at least.” Her voice was breathy with fear. Raven knew how to harness that fear and turn it into focus. Grandfather had taught them that early on.
You fear is your enemy’s best friend, he would say in his gravelly voice. You must take hold of your fear and focus it. Only then will you conquer your opponent.
Raven did that now. Things took on a sharper focus and colors were brighter. The falling rain turned to a cacophonous din. Raven turned to her brother. “You ready?” she asked. Her voice was stronger.
Henry nodded and took a deep breath, gripping the knob. He turned it and opened the door.
Raven’s heartbeat spiked, pounding rapidly, and she took a deep breath to calm it. Focus your fear, Jasper’s voice whispered through her mind.
Nothing charged out of the door and Henry peeked cautiously in. “I can’t see much,” he said. “There’s little light.”
Raven looked in and saw outlines of stacked boxes and slatted crates. “This must be the storage room,” she said. “Did you bring a flashlight?” Raven mentally kicked herself for not thinking of it.
“I did,” Henry responded and she could hear the smile in his voice. “I brought two as a matter of fact.” He reached into the pocket of his jacket and handed her a thin silver flashlight.
“Thanks,” Raven said, taking the proffered light. Clicking the button, she shone it inside. “Yup,” she spoke. “It’s a storage room.”
A loud crash and a distant moan sounded from upstairs. She could hear it though the ceiling. A shiver ran down her spine.
“I think it knows we’re here,” Henry said. “Let’s get this done.” He walked inside, switching on his light. The beam illuminated boxes and crates with gentle light.
Raven followed and shut the door behind her, twisting the knob to make sure it remained unlocked. If they had to get out fast, she didn’t want to fumble with a locked doorknob.
Their flashlights swept the room, sending it into alternating swatches of color and darkness. The beams revealed crates full of slightly wilting vegetables; the leaves of carrots and beets could be seen through the wooden slats. Raven shone her light across the veggie crates and onto a large stack of boxes. “Powdered milk,” she whispered, making a mental note to grab a few of those on the way out.
Henry had reached a wooden door that led, presumably, into the store proper. He put his ear up to the boards and listened, gesturing for Raven to be quiet.
She held still and waited. After a few minutes her brother’s shoulders relaxed and he let out a long breath.
“I don’t hear anything,” he said, glancing at Raven. “I think we should check it out.”
“Do you want to load any of these now?” she asked, gesturing to the boxes and crates.
Henry pursed his lips. “No,” he said. “Let’s look through the rest of the store first.”
“Okay,” Raven agreed. She guessed it didn’t matter either way. If there were undead lurking in the store they would dispatch them quickly and take what they needed. The handle of her axe was smooth against her palm and she squeezed her fingers around it.
Raven shifted to stand by the side of the door, just like when they entered the cabin. Henry mirrored her. She nodded and he pushed the door inward, holding his knife ready.
It swung open with a squeal that made them both cringe. Light streamed in from the windowed front and Raven shut off her flashlight, stowing it in her coat pocket. She peeked around the corner of the door jamb. Henry did the same on the other side, exhaling audibly. She could see shelves of goods, Band-Aids, toiletries, light bulbs, and many other desirable staples.
“It looks clear,” Henry spoke. “Let’s spread out. Not separate.” He added when Raven drew breath to speak. “You take those aisles and I’ll take this side.”
The store wasn’t large. She could see six aisles in front of her and five that ran parallel to them on the other side. It looked like the cash registers were by the front windows on the left.
“Okay, fine,” she answered, not happy. It would be faster though. She squeezed her brother’s hand and headed down the first aisle. Peeking through the shelves, she didn’t see anyone on the other side and that was good. Passing rows of cleanser, she turned down the next aisle. She saw stacks of jeans, sweatpants, underwear, shirts, and shoes. Most of them looked like kids clothing but there were a few adult sizes. Raven touched the hem of a black thermal top. Feeling impulsive, she grabbed it from the rack and folded it, shoving it into another coat pocket. She kept moving.
It only took then a few minutes to ascertain that the store was clear and they met at the front. Raven glanced out of the window and saw, to her relief, that there was not a soul outside, just the ever-present rain falling through the trees.
“Well that was easy,” Henry sighed, leaning against the wooden table where the cash registers sat.
There were two and they looked old fashioned, large buttons and non-electric screen, almost like odd typewriters.
Raven opened her mouth to respond but didn’t get a chance. A large man jumped up from beneath the table and wrapped his arm around Henry’s throat. Her brother made a croaking noise and grabbed at the man’s beefy forearms ineffectively. The man’s arms were covered in blood and there was a large bite wound on his neck. His eyes were filled with ichor, some leaked out of the corners. Those angry red lines traced across his skin in erratic patterns. He growled, staring sightlessly into the room. Leaning down slowly, he snarled and opened his mouth. His teeth were covered in blood and dirt and they were aiming right for Henry’s neck.
Undead Series (Book 1): Blight of the Dead Page 6