Undead Series (Book 1): Blight of the Dead

by Breckenridge, Erin E.

  Henry wasn’t there, but walked back in just as Raven was turning to look for him.

  “The truck is safe,” he spoke, wiping a light dew of sweat from his brow. It was warming in here from the fireplace downstairs. “I can see it from the windows in your room.”

  “It won’t be for long,” Raven sighed, sitting down on the bed. The comforter enveloped her with a soft sound. “As much as I don’t want to, I think we should leave tonight.” She paused to look through the glass. It was still raining. It seemed like it hadn’t stopped raining since this all began, like the clouds were crying for the human race. Raven snorted quietly. “Like they would care,” she spoke.

  “What?” Henry asked, tilting his head in question.

  “Nothing,” Raven responded, erasing her hands through the air. “Where’s Rocky?” she asked.

  “He’s lying on your bed,” Henry responded. “I tried to get him to come back in here with us but he wouldn’t budge.”

  “He’ll be fine in there,” Raven spoke. “My window has a better bolt and I know I locked it this morning.”

  “I think we’ll be fine to leave in the morning,” Henry said, responding to her earlier statement. “I’ll sleep in the truck tonight.”

  Raven opened her mouth to protest but Henry cut her off.

  “I know,” he said, “splitting up is bad. But we have to keep everyone safe and it wouldn’t make sense to leave tonight when it’s dark. We can’t see the roads as well and it’s been fucking raining for weeks!” He gesticulated into the air roughly.

  “Okay,” Raven responded, wanting to argue but his logic was sound. “I’m going to pack everything tonight and stow it in the truck. I’ve got a bad feeling.”

  Henry nodded. “I’ll get ready.”

  They stood silent for a moment regarding each other. The rain continued to fall outside, streaming down the window, making streaks in the glass. Raven walked to it and stared out. She couldn’t see very much, just dampness and greenery, but she felt a presence outside. Something or someone meant them harm and it weighed on her.

  “Don’t worry, sis,” Henry spoke, slapping her on the shoulder companionably and making her jump. “It’ll work out all right.” He sounded so sure.

  Raven scoffed and turned from the window. “I’ll go see if I have anything that might fit Liz better.”

  “Okay,” Henry responded. “I’ll pack up everything here and in the kitchen.”

  “Oh, no,” Raven responded, turning to face him. “You stay the hell out of my kitchen. I’ll pack it when I’m through.” She pointed at him. “You pack Rocky’s things and whatever medical supplies we have left.” She made a mental note to scour the kitchen for any more useful tools. There was no telling what they would need from here on out.

  Zach

  Zach raced through the trees, darting away from the runner that chased him. He sucked in a lungful of air and it wheezed on the way out. Zach was just about at his breaking point. Nearly hitting the wall as his gym coach used to say.

  He jumped over a fallen log, soft with moss and rain. His heel slipped in the damp and he nearly went down. Feeling the zombie’s breath on his neck, Zach surged forward in an adrenaline-fueled burst of speed. The undead followed snarling. He ducked beneath a low hanging branch and didn’t quite make it, hitting his head and falling to the ground. The zombie grabbed his leg and Zach screamed. He couldn’t help it. Scrambling backward and pushing with his free foot, Zach continued to shriek.

  The zombie peered at him with empty eyes, hungry eyes. It moaned and jerked Zach’s leg toward its open maw. Its face was covered in mud but Zach could make out red lines that ran across its skin, like angry avenues on a map. Its hair was matted down with mud but looked like it had once been blond. Leaning down, the undead struck with inhuman force, biting deeply into Zach’s calf. The blood was warm as it ran down his skin.

  “Wake up, fucker,” Riley spoke, jabbing Zach in the ribs.

  Zach woke with a start. He gasped and sat up, frantically feeling the skin on his leg. Once he assured himself that it had only been a dream, he turned to Riley.

  “What?” he asked irritably.

  Riley smirked and held his hands out. “You were dreamin’ man and it looked none too happy.” A smile played across his lips that made Zach want to punch him.

  Zach cleared his throat. “What did you see?” he asked. Riley had gone to scout the cabin. He wanted to see where the weak points were so they could take it more easily.

  “Nothin’, man,” Riley responded. A strange expression washed across his face then he controlled it. “Just a couple of windows and the front door.” He paused and that look flashed across his face again. Riley had always been a bad liar but luckily for him Zach was not what you would call a perceptive man. “I think our best chance so to take them at night. They’ll all be asleep and you can crawl in one of the windows and let me in the front door.”

  “Why do I have to climb in through the fucking window?” Zach asked, incredulous.

  “You’re in better shape than me, dude. It’ll be faster if you do it,” Riley responded, grinning in an uncharacteristic display of friendship. While the two men had grown up together there was usually nothing between them but sharp tongues and gibes.

  Zach was taken aback by Riley’s sudden kindness and thought nothing past the surface of the comment. He flexed his muscles discreetly beneath his camouflage rain parka. “All right,” he responded nodding.

  Zach stood up and walked into the trees to piss, making sure to sling his sporting rifle across his shoulder. The dream was still fresh in his mind and he looked around carefully for any of the lurking undead. He unzipped his pants and kept one hand on the hilt of his knife.

  Raven

  “This should do,” she said, beckoning for Liz to come closer. Raven had dressed again in jeans and heavy socks with a layer of silk leggings beneath. She held out a pair of leggings that were lined with faux fur. They were a one size fits all kind of thing and Raven wasn’t a large woman. She thought they would fit Liz all right.

  “O-okay,” Liz said, taking the proffered tights.

  Raven turned back to rummage in her clothing bag. “I’m sorry I don’t have any jeans for you. We’ll get some as soon as we can. Henry thinks that the Mom and Pop had a kids' section.” She flung clothing aside and her voice was muffled. “I can’t remember if it did or not but we’ll see soon enough.” She stood and conked her head on the closet rod. “Ouch,” she said, rubbing her skull. Raven kneeled again and pulled out a couple of items.

  Liz chuckled, a light tinkling of bells.

  Raven smiled. That was the first time she’d heard the girl laugh. She was glad about that and hoped it wouldn’t be the last. She sat back on her heels, holding two long sleeved shirts and a thick forest green sweater. “These should fit as well. They’re a bit tight on me.” A shiver tickled down her spine and she frowned, wishing it were warmer in the cabin.

  They’d decided to leave the fire out tonight as to not attract any undue attention from the chimney smoke. Someone obviously knew they were in here but they didn’t have to emphasize the fact.

  Liz looked cold too and Raven shoved the clothing into her arms. “Oh,” she said. “One more thing.” She turned back and rummaged again, pulling out a pair of regular tights and heavy slippers with hard bottoms. “We’ll have to find you some shoes too but these’ll work. They might be a little big.” She turned to Liz and winked. “I’ve got some big ass feet.”

  Liz laughed again and smiled shyly. Her curls fell over her eyes and she blew them away. The girl was quite pretty, defined jaw and upturned nose. Her eyes were the color of spun amber. She’ll give the boys trouble when she gets a little older, Raven thought and immediately felt sadness engulf her. She wondered how many humans would be left in the years to come. Raven pushed the thought away.

  “I’ll go get changed then,” Liz spoke, heading into Raven’s bathroom.

  “You should take a shower too,�
�� Raven called after her. “I don’t know when we’ll have the opportunity again.”

  “Okay,” Liz called back and Raven heard her turn on the water.

  Raven stuffed everything into her rucksack and sat on the bed. She sighed and lay back, feeling the comfort of the mattress. “I will miss this bed,” she spoke aloud.

  It was quiet in here without Rocky and Henry. They had packed everything they could and were settled in the cab of the truck. Rocky hadn’t wanted to stay in the cabin and Raven thought her brother could use the company. Raven closed her eyes and listened to the pattering of rain outside. It had slowed to a light drizzle but the temperature had dropped again, sinking into the high thirties at night. She missed her home and its heater. Raven sighed again and drifted, dozing lightly.

  Chapter Six

  Exodus

  Zach

  The moon was high and for once the rain had stopped, clouds parting here and there to let the moonlight through. It was late, past midnight and Zach and Riley approached the cabin as quietly as they could.

  “You ready?” Riley whispered.

  “Yup,” Zach responded, settling his rifle on his back and tilting the hilt of his knife for easier reach.

  They stood at the edge of the trees, looking at the cabin. No smoke drifted from the chimney and the upstairs windows were dark.

  “Are you sure they’re still in there?” Zach asked, glancing at Riley. The hood of his green parka was pulled low over his face. Zach couldn’t make out his expression; it was lost in shadow.

  “Yup,” Riley responded. “They’re in there all right.” He turned to Zach. “Let’s go, man.”

  They walked out into the clearing. The ground was still damp from the heavy rain. Zach stepped through puddles, boots squelching in the mud. He glanced at Riley again and the other man pointed to the west side of the cabin. Zach nodded and headed that direction. He reached the wall and saw there was a pile of wood just beneath a balcony with a large glass window. He smiled minutely. Riley was always thinking ahead. Zach stepped atop the pile and reached the bottom of the balcony. It had a metal frame set with smoothly polished boards. Zach pulled himself up, using the massive upper body strength that he’d maintained since his days in the army. Twisting his body and vaulting onto the balcony proper, Zach hunkered down and peered into the window, wiping condensation from the glass.

  Raven

  Raven woke suddenly, aware that someone was standing outside the window. She quickly slid fully-dressed from bed and slipped on her long leather coat. Unsheathing her axe, she stood out of the window’s view.

  A man peered in. His eyes were shining blue and his skin was pale, covered in freckles. A shock of red hair stuck out of his hat. He pulled the hood of his parka over his face, covering his menacing expression.

  Liz shifted in her hiding place beneath the bed and Raven shushed her with a wave of her hand. She held her palm out. Stay put, she mouthed.

  Liz nodded. All Raven could see of the girl was a wisp of brown curls that bobbed up and down. Liz scooted further beneath the bed. Raven nodded minutely and turned back to the window.

  The man stood and in one swift movement shattered the glass with the butt of a rifle. Raven was ready for the noise but it still made her jump. He pushed open the wooden shudders that Raven had left unlocked in anticipation. She unsheathed her axe, swinging it loosely in her hand. The man stepped through the glass and Raven knew she had one chance to take him by surprise. She screamed as loud as she could and brought the axe down on his thigh. It buried deeply in the tissue, thunking on bone. The man screamed. He teetered on his good leg, still halfway outside. Raven jerked the axe out and blood erupted from his meaty thigh. He shrieked and fell back onto the balcony. Raven advanced, watching shock warring with pain in the man’s eyes. He was trying to staunch the bleeding with his hands. The rifle had fallen from his shoulder and lay useless on the porch.

  “You fucking bitch!” he cried, gaze switching between her and his gun.

  He reached for it and Raven moved quickly, bringing the axe down on his hand. She’d aimed for his wrist — any man will bleed out quickly from there — but got his fingers instead. The hatchet completely severed everything but his thumb, which hung by a thin strip of gristle. Blood squirted erratically, covering the balcony.

  The man shrieked and scooted away from her. He cradled his wounded hand to his chest. Blood still oozed from his thigh but his hand spurted in a hot red spray.

  The rifle lay forgotten and Raven stepped over him to grab it. He didn’t move to attack her just stared with wide eyes that showed too much white. She picked up the gun and, pausing only briefly, flung it over the railing. Raven had never seen much use for guns and the sound would just draw the undead.

  The man’s face was pallid and his bottom lip trembled. Raven planted her left foot and kicked him straight in the nose. He wasn’t expecting that and took the full force of her boot.

  There was a gap in the railing and he wriggled toward it unknowingly. Raven kicked him again, aiming for his chest this time. She nicked his wounded hand and he shrieked loudly. His body convulsed in pain and he dropped suddenly away, having slipped through the gap.

  “Take that fucker,” Raven spat. She went back inside. It was past time for them to leave. She stepped over the shards of glass and into her room. Not mine for much longer, she thought sadly. They’d been nice and safe in the cabin for more than a month and it was time to go out into the world.

  Liz poked her head out from under the bed, expression fearful. “I-is he gone?” she asked with a tremor.

  Raven smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. “Yes, honey. He’s gone.” She still saw blood spurting from his mangled hand when she blinked but the danger was past. She thought she would see the man’s anguished face for a long time at night but it was worth it. I hope you’re proud, Grandfather, she thought.

  “Come on, Liz,” she spoke, holding out her hand.

  Liz looked at Raven’s hand with growing horror. She swallowed audibly and her face paled.

  “What’s wrong?” Raven asked then looked down. Her hand was covered in blood so completely that she couldn’t see her skin. “Oh,” she spoke, shocked that she hadn’t noticed. “I’ll just go wash up.” She looked at Liz. “Get ready to go, Liz. I don’t know if that man was alone or not.”

  Liz crawled out from beneath the bed and stood in front of Raven. The leggings had fit her fairly well as had the sweater, but the slippers were obviously too big and Raven doubted she’d be able to run in them. We’ll have to get her some proper fitting shoes first thing, Raven thought.

  “It wasn’t the same man,” Liz said in a small voice. Her eyes were wide. “This one had lighter eyes and his jacket was a different color.” She paused to think, closing her eyes. “The other man had a bigger nose and his skin looked different, rougher somehow and darker.” She opened her eyes and regarded Raven.

  Forgetting her blood-covered hand for the moment, Raven asked. “Are you sure? You only saw the other man for a second and you were very afraid.”

  “I’m sure,” Liz said, nodding. “I have a good memory. Daddy said it was idic or something like that.”

  “An eidetic memory?” Raven asked. “You can recall thing in detail if you only see them for a second?” This was interesting. Raven had never met anyone with an eidetic memory.

  “Yes,” Liz responded, nodding again. “Dad had me tested in a big white building with lots of rooms when I was little.”

  “That’s cool,” Raven responded. She moved her fingers and the drying blood cracked. “Let me wash up and we’ll go to the truck.”

  Liz looked fearful. She nodded rapidly and swallowed. “O-okay,” she answered. “I hope Henry and Rocky are all right.” Her voice was gentle but had an unmistakable affection to it.

  “I’m sure they’re fine,” Raven responded, smiling. She looked around the orange room, taking in its various shades and hues, thinking that she would miss every one. T
railing her hand across the dresser — painted a burnt umber with tangerine highlights — Raven walked into the bathroom. She didn’t want to leave Liz alone for long but needed a moment to clean the blood from her skin and compose her thoughts. Raven shut the door behind her and closed the toilet lid, sitting on the seat. She put her elbows on her knees and hung her head for a moment, closing her eyes. A fine tremor ran through her body like she was connected to a live wire.

  “Get a hold of yourself,” Raven spoke aloud.

  Opening her eyes, she noticed that her hands shook. She took a deep breath and let it out noisily. Rising, she turned on the tap and rolled back her sleeves. Raven cleaned the blood from her skin, scrubbing with a green nailbrush. She wondered absently why the brush wasn’t orange because the color theme continued in here, pale melon tiled floor and burnt sienna painted walls. Raven scoured the ichor from beneath her nails. The warm water ran out and she heard a loud thud from the water heater. Its constant hum vanished.

  “There goes the gas,” she thought. “I guess we’re leaving at a good time.”

  Sadness and trepidation washed through her in turn. She finished scrubbing and dried her hand on the bathroom towel — peach with black stripes — and opened the cabinet. Raven grabbed a tube of toothpaste that was mostly full and an unopened bar of soap. She’d already packed their supplies but must’ve forgotten these. There was no reason to leave anything the intruders could use.

  “Raven?” Liz’s nervous voice reached her ears. There was a gentle knock on the door.