Rise of the Undead (Book 4): Apocalypse Z

by Higgins, Baileigh

  Night had fallen.

  The car started with ease, and she switched on the parking lights. They would have to light the way forward since she couldn’t risk announcing her presence by putting the main lights on. With the map open on the seat beside her, Amy headed to the nearest Walmart. It was only a mile away, and if she were lucky, they’d have everything she needed.

  Amy hummed a tuneless song underneath her breath as she drove, happy to be on the road again. When she reached her destination, a satisfied grin played across her lips. Within those walls ahead lay food, drink, proper clothes, medicine for the cut on her head, and even weapons. This is it. A one-stop-shop!

  Driving with care, she eased the car into the parking lot and headed for the front entrance. She’d only gone a couple of yards, however, when she was forced to stop. The lot was clogged with parked cars, wrecks, abandoned carts, and corpses. There was no way she’d be able to drive through the mess.

  Disappointment settled onto her shoulders like a heavy weight, and she slammed her hands on the wheel. “Damn it!”

  Amy loathed having to abandon the wealth of goods inside the Walmart that loomed so temptingly close and hesitated. Should she try it on foot? It didn’t look like there was anyone there. The parking area seemed deserted. Still, it was a risky venture without any weapons or back-up.

  Her eyes fell on an overturned cart not far away from the car. It overflowed with canned goods, cold drinks, and bottled water. She even spotted a few chocolate bars, and her mouth watered. Her empty stomach convulsed at the thought of food, while the kid in her begged for candy. I’ll be quick. Just a few seconds, that’s all I need.

  She opened the door and slipped out of her seat while leaving the car running. On socked feet, she crossed the distance and knelt on the asphalt. She reached for the nearest items and stuffed them into her pockets: cans of cold drinks and chocolate bars. All the delicacies that her body craved. Once she had enough, she reached for a can of pickled fish and a box of fruit juice. As she leaned forward, a shadow flitted across her vision.

  Amy froze with her hand hovering in mid-air. The hair on the back of her neck rose in warning, and her frightened eyes searched for the source of the movement. Time slowed to a crawl, and her heart beat heavily in her chest.

  A low growl shivered through the air moments before her gaze landed on a menacing creature. It was crouched on top of a nearby truck’s roof, its hair a wild mane of matted hair. Its bared teeth gleamed in the moonlight, and slaver ran down its lips. Without warning, it pounced.

  Amy screamed and scrambled backward as the thing scuttled toward her on all fours. In the darkness, it resembled a grotesque spider. A demonic beast with crooked limbs. With the kind of speed she didn’t know she possessed, she sprang to her feet and ran to the car. Its warm interior and golden light beckoned to her with its promise of warmth and safety. All thoughts of food and sweets were forgotten as she fled from the horror that craved her sweet flesh.

  Her screams rose in pitch when a clawed hand grabbed her ankle and yanked her backward. Her tender skin scraped across the tar as the monster pulled her closer to its gaping maw. Bloody teeth clipped at the air. Clack, clack, clack.

  With a wild yell, she pulled a can of cold drink from her pocket and threw it at the creature. It hit the thing right between the eyes, and it snarled with rage. A swift kick to its jaw loosened the creature’s hold, and she pulled free from its grip.

  Sobbing with terror, Amy clambered to her feet. The open door of her car was mere yards away, though it felt like miles. Behind her, the monster regained its balance and reached for her again.

  Amy’s leg muscles bunched underneath her, and she shot forward like a cannonball. Headfirst, she dove into the car. At the same time, she twisted around as one hand reached for the door handle. She grasped it by the fingertips and pulled.

  The door hitched, its hinges old and rusted.

  Crying with terror, Amy pulled harder. It creaked every step of the way, fighting against her pull. Through the window, she spotted the infected creature. It ran toward her with inhuman speed. Before she could react, it sprang into the air with both arms outstretched.

  The infected smashed into the window with brutal force, and the door slammed shut. A lucky mistake that saved Amy’s life. The dumb creature hadn’t recognized the window for what it was: Clear glass.

  Still screaming with terror, Amy locked the door. She jammed the car into reverse and roared out of the parking lot at a terrific speed. The wheels spun on the asphalt as she swung the car around and shifted into drive. White smoke from the burning tires swirled around the windows, obscuring her vision. Her head swiveled from side to side as she searched. Where is it? Where is it?

  A loud bang above her head caused her to duck. The zombie was on top of the roof. Roaring with bloodthirsty hunger, it pummeled at the metal that separated it from its victim. There was only one thing left to do.

  Amy switched on the lights and sped down the street as fast as she dared. She swerved from side to side, but the infected hung on with dogged determination. Its clawed and bloodied fingers clung to the edges of the roof on either side.

  Suddenly, its monstrous face appeared in the windshield, right in front of her face. Wild and feral, the zombie no longer looked human. It shrieked at her with its mouth wide open, a bloody hole in the pale skin of its face.

  With a yell of defiance, Amy slammed both feet onto the brakes. “Get off the car!”

  The vehicle screeched to a shivering halt, and the infected went flying. It crashed onto the road and rolled for several yards, its bones snapping like kindling. When it came to a stop, she watched with bated breath. Please, be dead. Please, be dead.

  Illuminated in the bright glow of the headlights, the thing that used to be human once tried to regain its feet. Its head swung toward her. A bloody flap of flesh hung down the side of its face, exposing jagged teeth in a death-head’s grin. Broken legs pushed its torso upright, and its eyes flailed around in their sockets.

  Before she could lose her courage, Amy jammed her foot on the gas. The car shot forward with the zombie hunched in its sights. The weirdest round of chicken ever played, was about to unfurl.

  Time slowed to a crawl. Across the distance, Amy and the infected locked eyes. Their mouths opened as they roared at each other with hatred and defiance. Each one was determined to win. Human and zombie, pitted against each other in a battle for survival.

  At the last moment, Amy swerved to the left, and the right corner clipped the zombie’s head. Its skull exploded in a shower of blood, brains, and bone. The messy pink goo splattered across the windshield in a horrid display of rotten human remains.

  Amy swallowed hard as vomit rushed up her throat. With a flick of one hand, she switched on the wipers. Another button caused soapy water to mix with the gunk. Bit by bit, the worst of it washed away. Foam mixed with blood and brains drained off the side of the windshield.

  Amy stared ahead, her knuckles turning white as she clutched the wheel. Fear still coursed through her veins mixed with the heady rush of adrenaline. Ahead of her lay the unknown. A mixture of darkness and disease, but one fact remained.

  She was still alive.

  Zombies zero.

  Amy one.

  Chapter 16 - Saul

  Saul drew to a stop in front of the Reserve Center’s gates and swore. “Damn it all to hell. King got here first.”

  The gates hung open, and the thick chains that secured them lay on the ground. Cut. Beyond that, there was evidence of looting. Old tire tracks led away from the area while the warehouses stood with their doors open to the elements.

  Nick slammed his fist on the dashboard. “I should’ve known he’d come after this place when he first ran. He knew where it was. Shit, he probably even had the keys to the weapon lockers. I never did find them in the Major’s office.”

  “Yeah, well. Crying about it won’t help us now. We’d better see what’s left,” Saul said with a shake of his h
ead.

  Revving the engine, he drove the supply truck forward and nudged open the gates. With a wave of his hand, he signaled to the convoy behind them to follow. One by one, the trucks rolled onto the grounds.

  They parked in a row in front of the warehouses and waited while the sweeper teams did their job. It was an efficient system. Three groups of four people each deployed whenever they came to a new place and swept for zombies and baddies. Once they declared the area clear, the rest moved in.

  Due to the hazardous nature of their trade, sweepers got paid better than most, and they also got their pick of the best equipment. Gun vests, body armor, rifles, knives, and ammo…if they wanted it, they got it. They were also the first in line for the vaccine should Tara ever manage to produce one.

  Once the sweepers were done, Saul ordered a couple of soldiers to secure the gates and stand guard. Only then was he prepared to go in. “Ready, Nick?”

  “I’m ready,” Nick affirmed, and together they walked toward the building that housed the weapons.

  As expected, King had gotten to the stores first. The gun lockers yawned wide open, and half the racks were empty. Saul whistled. “They didn’t joke around, did they?”

  “Nope, but at least, they didn’t take everything,” Nick replied.

  “Small consolation, but beggars can’t be choosers,” Saul agreed. “Let’s load up.”

  After they’d stripped the stores of all the available weapons, the teams moved on to the other supplies. Even after King’s men had taken what they wanted, there was still plenty left. Trucks, jeeps, guns, ammunition, cases of bottled water and MRE’s, tanks of fuel, medical supplies, uniforms, and blankets abounded. One soldier even found explosives packed into wooden crates of sawdust.

  With the supplies loaded up, the men proceeded to break down the remainder. Everything was stripped bare of appliances, furniture, wiring, wooden panels, and anything else of value. Even the light bulbs, plugs, and windows were removed until the buildings were nothing more than empty shells.

  “This is a good haul. The best we’ve had in weeks,” Saul remarked. “We won’t be able to get it all back to the fort in one trip.”

  “No, but I’ll oversee the rest of the operation. You should be able to get what you need out of the first batch,” Nick replied.

  “Thanks.”

  “Have you got bodies yet? Besides Dylan, I mean?” Nick asked.

  Saul nodded. “A couple of volunteers signed up this morning, and I’m expecting a few more to show up once I’ve got the needed equipment.”

  “When are you leaving?” Nick asked.

  “Tomorrow at dawn. I would’ve liked to go today, but I’ve lost too much time already,” Saul said with a bitter twist of the lips.

  “Yeah, I’m sorry. Questioning the guards took longer than I expected,” Nick said in an apologetic tone of voice.

  “It was a waste of time anyway. Since we can’t put any real pressure on them, the traitors walked away laughing behind our backs.”

  Nick shrugged. “There’s no way I can sanction torture, Saul. Not all of those men are with King.”

  “Some of them are,” Saul said with bared teeth. “And they know exactly where that bastard is holed up. If I could just make them talk.”

  “Don’t worry. They’re not in the clear yet. I’ve given orders for every single one of them to be watched twenty-four-seven,” Nick said. “If they so much as sneeze in King’s direction, I’ll know about it.”

  Saul glanced at the sky. It was mid-afternoon, and thick banks of clouds had rolled in from the east. “I just hope the weather holds. The last thing we need now is a blizzard. Even just a few inches of snow could derail the search.”

  “I know what you mean,” Nick said. “Things are hard enough as it is. On the plus side, a final cold snap before spring will buy us more time. We need to prepare for the return of the zombies, and we’re nowhere near ready.”

  “That’s why you can’t join Dylan and me on these trips. You need to get the Fort into shape,” Saul said with a faraway look in his eyes. “Something tells me that when they come, we’ll be in the fight for the fight of our lives.”

  “I think you’re right, and I could use your advice on the matter,” Nick said.

  “Tara’s the one you should ask for advice. She knows more about the infected than all of us combined,” Saul said.

  “Yeah, and now she’s gone,” Nick added. “I should’ve asked her when I had the chance.”

  “I’ll find her, don’t you worry,” Saul said. “I’ll find Amy too.”

  “I know you will.”

  “You just make sure that when I do, everything is in readiness,” Saul said, throwing Nick a sharp look.

  “We’ll be ready. I know what this means. When you find King, it’ll be war.”

  “Exactly, and I plan to win. This time, he won’t get away so easily,” Saul said. “As for Bannock, I’ve got something special planned for him.”

  Nick shuddered. “That sounds unpleasant.”

  Saul smiled. “It is.”

  Nick pointed at their truck. “She’s loaded up and ready to go. Why don’t you head back to base and sort out the rest of your stuff?”

  “You’re staying?”

  Nick nodded. “Yes, I’ll wrap up here. I don’t want King to get his hands on so much as one more bullet at our expense.”

  “Good,” Saul said. “I’ll see you later,”

  “Don’t forget to get some sleep. You’re going to need it tomorrow.”

  “I know, and the same goes for Dylan. Enjoy your last night together,” Saul said.

  “If I can pry her away from Ethan’s side, that is,” Nick said.

  “Ethan? Don’t you mean Alex?” Saul asked.

  “Not really. She’s always singing the doctor’s praises and making excuses to visit the infirmary. Plus, she still hasn’t moved in with me even though she’s there almost every night. “What’s stopping her?”

  Saul hesitated. “Look, it’s none of my business, but you don’t have to worry about Ethan. There’s nothing going on there.”

  “Nothing? I’m not so sure about that. I know he’s still in love with her.”

  “Yeah, but she chose you, remember? That’s all that matters,” Saul added.

  “Maybe.”

  Saul heaved a sigh of exasperation. “Let me give you some advice.”

  “The kind that doesn’t involve zombies?” Nick asked with a teasing grin.

  “Exactly. Don’t look for something that isn’t there, and don’t mistake Dylan’s kindness for love. She probably feels shit for breaking the guy’s heart. I mean, they were friends at one stage, and he left his home for her. Wouldn’t you feel bad if you were in her shoes?”

  “I suppose.”

  “As for the part about moving in with you, have you ever asked?” Saul said, eyeing Nick with raised eyebrows.

  “Asked? What do you mean asked? She knows, doesn’t she? I mean, she stays over all the time. Half of her stuff is there already,” Nick said with a look of confusion. “Even her toothbrush and other um, feminine stuff.”

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’re a real dumb-ass, you know that?” Saul said with a deep laugh. “First of all, you have to ask. Women like being asked. It doesn’t matter if she already lives there; she still wants you to ask. It makes them feel wanted.”

  “Wanted?” Ethan repeated.

  “Yes, wanted. And in the second place, you live in the barracks, right? That’s no place for a woman. It’s time for an upgrade.”

  “What’s wrong with my place? I’ve got it all to myself. Nobody else stays there, and it’s private,” Ethan protested.

  “Trust me, Ethan. To a woman, a barracks is a dorm room for overgrown boys. It’s not a home, nor the kind of place she wants to settle down in,” Saul said. “If you want to keep her happy, get a real house.”

  “A house?”

  Saul threw his hands in the air. “Yes, a house. Ther
e’s plenty on the base. Just get yourself a proper home and ask her to move in with you. Better yet, ask her to pick.”

  Nick nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Thanks for the advice.”

  “No problem. Now, I’ve got to go. There are still a million things I need to do before we can begin the search in the morning,” Saul said. “Just make sure Dylan is ready to go at dawn.”

  “I’ll tell her,” Nick answered. “Take care of yourself.”

  “Will do,” Saul said as he climbed behind the wheel of the truck.

  For a moment, he stared at his reflection in the rearview mirror. It wasn’t a pretty sight. His skin was drawn, and his eyes drooped at the corners. I’m beyond tired.

  That was nothing compared to how he felt, though. The absence of Tara had created a hole in his heart. A deep dark void that he couldn’t fill no matter how hard he tried. I have to find her. If I don’t…

  With a twist of the ignition, he started the truck and rumbled through the gates back to base. As he passed by Nick, he leaned out of the window. “Oh, and one last thing.”

  “Yeah? What is it?”

  “Don’t waste time about it. You never know when it’ll be the last time you get to see her,” Saul cried. “Trust me. I know.”

  Chapter 17 - Amy

  Amy followed the dots on her map in sequence. After Walmart, she tried a convenience store. It looked much like Walmart had: desolate, dark, and dangerous. Without a weapon, she didn’t dare leave the safety of the car.

  As she cruised past, it was clear a scene of great horror had unfolded there. Her wheels rolled over hundreds of empty shell casings, and bullet holes marred the walls. The rotting corpses of men, women, and children littered the parking lot. Cars were parked haphazardly, blood smeared on the windows. A few had their trunks open, the back filled with food and water. Once, her eyes fell on an overturned baby stroller. It was empty, but the sight was enough to make her want to cry. I hate this. I hate what the world has become. So much pain and suffering. Why?