Obevens cried out in surprise and pain.
“Get out of here!” she yelled at him.
“What?! But I’m…”
“C-c-come back tomorrow!”
“Tomorrow? What?! They were going to kill you!”
“O-o-bevens, No!” she shouted. Freddie walked up next to Ellie and looked at Obevens.
Obevens’ mouth was open, still stunned. He looked at Freddie and then back to Ellie. He understood. Tock lowered his pistol.
“Okay, I’ll leave.” He took one last dazed look at her, thinking what he could say. Nothing came.
“T-t-tomorrow. Come back.”
“No...I’m good. I don’t need to…” he didn’t finish the sentence, but turned to leave.
“T-t-then...Guards! Arrest him!” Ellie said. The guards looked at each other, and then Dave, who was gripping his arm and clenching his teeth in pain. He nodded. She had shown no fear, the ceremony was complete. Ellie was now Dav.
The guards moved to grab Obevens. He tensed like he was going to fight, but then put his hands down and ceded. Tock tossed his gun down, already coming up with some choice words for John when he saw him next – Beard being the reason Tock was here in the first place.
Both men were taken away.
Melissa walked up to Ellie and took her hand, raising it triumphantly. She also gently patted it with her other hand, trying to comfort the agitated Ellie.
“Are you sure you want to be a begetter, my little chick? This looks complicated.”
Despite the chaos and confusion, the ceremony went on after Obevens’ interruption. Ellie was deemed a suitable Dav and all authority and decision-making power given to her. She could change the rules, and give life or death to anyone within the Victoria tribe.
Despite Ellie’s protests, Melissa was determined to conduct her final walk. She agreed to wait until they returned to Victoria, though, as “There’s no point in taking a final walk so far from home.”
Dave also gave up the mantle, struggling through the end of the ceremony with his wrist. Freddie was pronounced Dave, and the old Dave (Joseph Thatcher) was taken to get medical attention. Ellie respectfully turned down the hallucinogenic cocktail offered her that Dav regularly imbibed.
As soon as Ellie had a free moment she went to check on Obevens. He was held in the old quarters on the southern part of the compound and guarded by ten men. Tock was also in the same cell and sulking with all his might.
“O-O-Obevens, you’re here!” Ellie exclaimed after she dismissed the guards. He was behind bars that Sal had put there.
“Yes. Here. Can I go?”
“G-g-go? Well, sure, but…”
“Then let me go.”
Ellie shrank back, looking at Obevens’ face. He wouldn’t make eye contact.
“O-o-okay, I’ll let you go.”
Ellie yelled for the guards to let Obevens and Tock go. She watched as they unlocked the cell, and followed as they led them through the facility to the edge of the compound. Freddie came to see what was going on. He thought there was something wrong with Ellie, but he couldn’t be sure. He hadn’t actually spent time with her in years.
“W-w-well, bye.” She wanted to ask him why he’d come all this way just to turn and leave. She wanted to explain that she’d slapped him to save him, and also a little because he’d hurt Dave, who was actually sort of Ellie’s friend. She didn’t say anything, though, because she had a feeling he didn’t really care. He’d just come all this way out of duty, not love. He was leaving without feeling anything because deep down it was a relief to be free of the bondage of caring for someone, needing to protect them. Deep down, despite his desire for change, she knew, he was more of a field guy than he realized. He needed the freedom, needed the solitude and mission to keep him satisfied with life. He didn’t want some stuttering, bumbling girl keeping him from that. Not that she was really bumbling, but she could see how he might think that of her. He’d seen her at her worst, and Ellie’s mind amplified her shortcomings in this context.
Obevens didn’t say anything in response, but threw a pack over his shoulder and waited for the main gate to open. Tock got his attention and cocked his head at Obevens, eyes wide. Obevens’ face glossed over and he shook his head. Tock tilted his head even more insistently. Obevens sighed.
“Congratulations,” Obevens said to Ellie.
“C-c-congratulations?”
“Yeah, um, on your new ‘job.’”
“Th-th-thank you…”
The gate slowly opened and Obevens started to walk out of it. Tock stood still. When Obevens noticed that Tock hadn’t moved he turned around and asked “What?!”
“Man, for a smart dude you are kinda stupid,” Tock shot at Obevens.
Obevens closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. He opened them again and looked at Ellie. “And congratulations on finding someone. I’m...I’m happy for you.” His voice wavered.
“Oh! Uh, th-thank you…”
Obevens looked at Tock, indicating he’d done what Tock had asked, and motioned for them to go. Tock nodded. Obevens had done the chivalrous thing, and now they could go.
Ellie stood there, thinking it strange that Obevens would congratulate her for finding her brother. As if she was so lonely that she needed to just find someone to keep her company. Maybe they hadn’t understood each other as well as she’d thought. There’d been a lot of time since they’d actually seen each other. She’d heard that sometimes relationships built during stressful or unique circumstances were more about the season they occurred in than the actual person.
“D-d-did I tell you about my brother?” Ellie found the words just coming out of her mouth, she hadn’t planned on saying anything.
Obevens whirled around, ready to snap at her until he realized it was just a simple question.
“No. Well, I think you mentioned you had one at some point.” Obevens said.
Tock stood there, waiting for Obevens to at least be polite. It never came, so Tock couldn’t help himself and asked the respectful question. “Is he okay? Did something happen to him?” Tock said the words sharply, looking at Obevens with pursed lips. He couldn’t believe what a baby the Captain was being. So the girl met someone else, doesn’t mean you get to be a donkey, Obevens.
“N-n-no. He’s right here,” she gestured toward Freddie. Obevens stared for a second, his eyebrows tight, replaying in his mind what he’d just heard.
“He’s...your brother?”
“Y-y-yes. Well, I guess he’s also sort of Dave too. I’m not sure I really understand the whole thing. It’s kind of weird,” she explained apologetically.
“I…” Obevens took a step toward Ellie, then stopped. Tock looked at the brother, then Ellie, and finally Obevens.
“We thought you were marrying that guy,” Tock said.
“Eww, no,” Freddie said. Everyone stood silent for a moment until Freddie leaned over and whispered into Ellie’s ear. Her eyes searched the ground in front of her as Freddie explained the misunderstanding. Her face went red and Freddie stepped back away from his sister.
“C-c-can I talk to Obevens...alone?” As Dav she didn’t really need to ask. Everyone cleared out except for Obevens.
“I-I-I…”
Obevens walked to Ellie, coming face to face at the threshold between the inside and outside of the compound.
She didn’t finish the sentence. He slowly opened his hands and took hers.
“Hello,” he whispered.
“Hi,” she replied.
Chapter 32
Dalbec approached the door to L44. TM opened it and let Dalbec through. The four Martyrs and Hog stood up when they heard the door opening to see what was coming.
“Who are you?” Hog asked.
“I don’t know, that’s why I’m here. That’s what the robot told me.”
“Sure, the robot told you. Let me tell you something about that robot…”
“Quick, stop the door!” Cecil yelled as it closed. Nobody got there
in time, though.
“Dang it, now we’re trapped again!” Jamed said.
“We are not trapped. We’re waiting for a way through,” Hog said.
“You’re looking for a way through, we’re looking for a way out,” Carla corrected.
“Where are you trying to go?” Dalbec asked Hog. “I think that’s why I’m here.”
“Through there,” Hog pointed to the door, “To a room with a bunch of zombies.”
“I can’t get through that,” Dalbec said.
“Funny. None of us can, except that little robot, but he won’t.”
“Even though I can get through it wouldn’t do me any good,” TM said. “The weapons you’re trying to activate can only be turned on by a human. Despite my advanced ethical programming, my creators didn’t trust me with that.”
Hog didn’t know what ethical programming was, but he was sure it wasn’t in TM.
“Besides, you have the means to get across the horde. Its name is Dalbec,” TM said.
“What’s a Dalbec?” Jamed asked.
“Him,” TM gestured with his optical sensor. “He can walk through the horde with no consequences. Well, there will be consequences in the grand scheme of things, but Dalbec will be unharmed.”
“This is it? This is my purpose?” Dalbec asked.
“Yes, my son. This is what you’ve been preparing for. Walk through the room, embrace your destiny. You’ve already been bitten, you’ve seen it does nothing. The timing is right, the herd is in the city. Now assert yourself over the herd and free it! Go Falcons!”
“Okay.” Dalbec stood in front of the door to L44X.
The door opened just as TM said and he slipped through the small gap. The door shut behind him. He went to the next door, the one that opened up to the room full of zombies. TM opened it and let Dalbec through. Immediately the hundreds of walkers in the room zeroed in on Dalbec and began approaching. TM whirred to a spot above Dalbec.
“They’re still coming!” Dalbec exclaimed.
“Stand up to them, show them you are in charge,” TM instructed.
“I’m not in charge!”
The walkers nearest Dalbec grabbed him and sank their teeth into whatever they could get a hold of.
“Fight back!”
Dalbec flailed at the attackers, but they ignored his defense, dragging him to the ground and piling on him. As soon as they had brought him down they stopped, though, and backed off, leaving him alone and walking away.
“Interesting. Computing. They’ve deemed you subservient to the herd. Interesting. That is good enough, I suppose.”
“I’m hurt! They bit me all over!”
“You’ll be fine. Now stand up and walk.”
Dalbec followed the instructions and TM led him across the room. A door across the large room was labeled L44A, with the words “Weapons Room.”
◆◆◆
John felt the tension. He was inside the city but not in control of it.
“Sophia, there are others, other men who want this city. They see this as an opportunity.”
His speech was interrupted by a bullet slamming into his shoulder. John fell back, hitting his head on the concrete, losing consciousness. The rope holding Sophia slipped out of his motionless hand. As he lay there, she wandered off into the surrounding chaos.
◆◆◆
Back in the mountain Dalbec stared at the zombie Guirguis in front of him. He looked deep in Guirguis’ eyes. He’d never been able to maintain eye contact for so long with the human Guirguis. Dalbec had always been too intimidated.
“You were a smart man. Can you tell me what to do now?” Dalbec asked Guirguis.
“Dalbec,” TM interrupted. “You must keep moving toward the weapons room.”
“Yes, I will.” Dalbec tore his eyes away from Guirguis and made his way, slowly, to the room TM indicated.
The door opened and Dalbec entered.
Old computers sat on desks. It was dimly lit with mice droppings everywhere. The computer cords had long since frayed from their use as material for nests.
“Over there, against the wall. The red handle,” TM said.
Dalbec saw it. It was labeled “Activate Dispersal.”
“Pull it?”
“No! Why would you think I wanted you to pull it?! No, you must come to L44B with me.”
“I will come with you to L44B.”
The two exited the room and went to the neighboring room – “L44B - Gas Agent Room.”
Once inside there were a number of stainless steel canisters the size of a water bottle on shelves lining the walls.
“We are looking for one in particular. It should be labelled ‘A12.’ In the years after the outbreak the 12th version of the antidote was sent to Cheyenne Mountain through the underground tram from an undisclosed location. Please move the canister marked A12 over to the attachment on the wall of L44A.”
Dalbec followed the instructions, lifting the canister marked A12 and carrying it back to L44A and over to the wall. TM talked Dalbec through removing the old canister and replacing it with the A12 canister.
“You are such a brave person, Dalbec. I’m proud of you. No one else could have accomplished this feat. History will remember you. I think they’ll remember me more. The ‘moral robot.’ The robot who cured humanity.”
Dalbec didn’t react, but contemplated the robot’s tendency to lie.
“Now, Dalbec, let’s try something. It’s time.”
◆◆◆
Down in the Springs, John regained consciousness. He jumped up, realizing Sophia was gone.
“No!” He shouted. He couldn’t lose her. Aaron had to see there was a reason for all this. If he lost Sophia, he would never win Aaron’s heart back. Using the herd, he found her near a parking garage attracting the zombies. A group of soldiers had holed up in an old parking garage and were dropping walkers by the dozens. Among those soldiers, trying to shoot a rifle to best of his ability, was Sal. Sal
John reclaimed Sophia and kept her protected behind the corner of a building. He saw the difficulty the snipers were creating. The walkers couldn’t get to the shooters and stop them. The problem was in the barricade they’d created at the entrance to the parking structure. It was a tall pile of concrete rubble that nearly reached the ceiling. The walkers were ripping their hands to shreds trying futilely to get through it. The humans got into the structure using ropes, which were now withdrawn.
John might be able to climb the crumbling concrete on the eastern side of the building, but would probably get picked off by a shooter. The walkers would just have to keep getting shot until the men ran out of ammunition. It made John sick he was making these decisions with people’s lives. There was no other choice, though.
Outside his field of view, a manhole near John emitted a ribbon of smoke. It twisted in the air, enjoying the windless day. It grew in size at a steady pace, until the main force of the gas shot from the hole in a hissing sound. That smoke was coming straight from Cheyenne Mountain.
John heard the hissing and turned to watch the gas with interest. He wondered if this was it. Was this what he’d been waiting for?
The same gas was now pouring from other manholes, and soon the streets filled with the foul smelling fog. It hung in the air – thankfully it was a calm day – and provided some concealment from the snipers. The smoke reached John and on his first breath he felt a slight easing of the tension inside his stomach, a release of the hunger.
Sal, who had ran to the roof with the other men to avoid the strange gas, saw entire portions of the city now enveloped in it. The smoke rippled around the figures walking through it. The zombies wandered about, blind. Sal wasn’t sure if shooting was a waste of time – this smoke might do the job for him. He looked up the mountain highway the zombies had travelled to reach the city. There were still thousands of zombies working their way down the mountain. John’s herd had been so large that still more reinforcements came.
John knew this, and a pang of
sadness washed over him. He hadn’t arrived soon enough. The detour to acquire Sophia meant that thousands of walkers still coming down the hill wouldn’t get the gas. They wouldn’t receive the antidote.
As soon as it began, the smoke stopped. In its wake zombies now stood completely still, as if suddenly having lost their train of thought. The shooting continued as humans took this opportunity to dispatch the helpless walkers. Every few seconds a gun shot, and a body fell to the ground.
Then is started.
First, just a handful of zombies. Then more. Soon all of them were acting strangely. Something like a shudder came over their bodies. Then their eyes lost the telltale cloudiness of the infection. They looked around. They involuntarily moved their arms, as if testing them. Then their heads would turn, suddenly realizing they were awake, as if from a dream. From a nightmare.
The streets filled with various and disparate sounds. Crying, laughter, shouting. Screams of pain came from those whose serious wounds received as zombies overcame them – only receiving consciousness and freedom from an undead state for a single moment before they succumbed to the final death. Others, with only minor injuries or diseases, were completely fine – the healing aspects of the virus having done their work. Voices speaking many languages, but mostly Spanish and English, punctuated the air. Anger, relief, shame. Every memory of who they were as a living human came back. Every memory as a hunting, killing, hungry, flesh-eater was there, as well.
John held Sophia’s hands as she gradually returned. She almost lost her balance and he caught her. She looked up at him, confused, then began to tremble and cry as her terrible most recent memories returned.
“Where’s Aaron!” she screamed as John tried to ease her to the ground to sit.
“We’ll find him,” John replied soothingly.
“Is the baby okay?!” She searched around her, as if looking for the answer.
She felt a kick, and then another. She clutched her stomach and sobbed.
“It’s okay...It’s okay…”
Epilogue
8 Months Later - October 102 A.Z.
100 A.Z. (Book 3): The Mountain Page 24