Clifton Falls

by L A Taylor

  TWENTY-FOUR (FRIDAY)

  Blake had been on the phone talking to Shane. Karen overheard the commotion from upstairs, so ventured down to find out what was happening. With her left hand rubbing against sleepy eyes, finally reached her husband.

  “What time is it?” she said, while yawning.

  “It’s early. There’s no need for you to get up yet.”

  “The stupid phone woke me. Who was it?”

  “It was that scientist again, the one who phoned me last night.” Karen wasn’t impressed by this news. She knew that if it wasn’t

  for him then her husband wouldn’t be in such a mess. Blake had lost a considerable amount of money over this and people wouldn’t be dead now if it wasn’t for the fertilizer.

  “What did that bastard want?” she said, while still acting annoyed.

  “Calm down, love.” Blake nearly choked on his tea after hearing her violent speech. “He’s on his way over. We have to go to the factory to shut it down until further notice.”

  “Why can’t you do that on your own?”

  “He feels guilty and knows that it’s partly his fault.”

  “No, not partly, it’s all fucking his fault. If it wasn’t for his stuff then you would be okay now and the whole town would still be normal.”

  “Look, I know you’re annoyed at the situation, but please don’t cause a fuss when he gets here.” Blake lifted his bottom lip over the top one. “Do it for me.”

  “I’ll try not to stick a stiletto heel into one of his eyes, but it’ll be difficult,” Karen replied, returning upstairs.

  Blake wasn’t to know if she was serious or kidding about the shoe bit, but wanted her out of the way all the same.

  Fifteen minutes later and a car pulled up outside the house. Blake shouted upstairs, telling Karen he was leaving. A nonswearing reply followed as he left.

  He entered the vehicle and sneered at the driver.

  “Sorry I took my time getting here. I’m still finding my way around this town, so you’ll have to guide me to your works,” said Shane.

  “Yeah, all right,” said Blake. There was certainly an atmosphere between them.

  Nothing was spoken during the journey, apart from the odd direction or two.

  As soon as the car pulled up outside the factory gates, Shane tried again to receive a response from the uptight man. He tried to express his version of events but Blake wasn’t interested. Then, without warning, Shane shouted the next sentence. “How was I to know that the ingredient would bring dead cell tissue back to life in the recently deceased?” The scientist had spent the latter part of last night talking to Mike and studying notes, so knew that the Moltovenium was probably the reason behind the zombies. “It seems to work on those who have died within a nine month period. After nine months the bodies are too far gone and therefore can’t react to this.” Now he had Blake’s full attention. “It seems to recharge dead and decayed tissue, thus enabling the owner of the body to awaken. Well, that seems to be the closest I can get to an explanation.” Shane took a well-deserved breather before saying. “So how could anybody have known that?”

  Blake’s face turned very pale. “No one told me that dead people were walking the earth.”

  He was full of shock and tried in vain to take this information in.

  “It took me by surprise when I found out. It’s frightening just to think about it.”

  Blake switched his mind back to recent events. He was a sucker for thinking of the unimaginable, but was right about the fertilizer and Shane verified that now.

  “If what you’re saying is true, then what would happen if this stuff made its way down to the cemetery?”

  Blake had listened to Shane’s story and now the tables were being turned. He explained about the crazy storm from a few days ago. This would fill their heads for the rest of the day unless something was done about it, but would they actually do anything about it?

  The factory gates were chained, padlocked, and a large sign was placed on it. This was enough information to explain the reason behind the closure. If Todd needed to contact his boss then he was only a phone call away.

  Mike and Chris sat in the chief’s office discussing possible ideas. There was a bond developing between them now, but last night would haunt them until they too met their maker. Mike needed the other man to calm a few nosey people. A television report was scheduled and the news station asked for Chris again. “I trust you to put their minds at rest. I’m going to see Jason’s parents because they need an explanation.”

  The chief produced a little giggle and Chris heard it.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “I can’t believe I said I trust you. It’s just a shame that it took another major catastrophe for us to see eye to eye.”

  “I know,” Chris replied. He didn’t want to feel like this, especially when he had to perform, so changed the direction of the conversation. “I’ll make sure the people are aware of the outbreak this time. I’ll drum it into them that they should remain indoors until this is over.”

  “Don’t release too much information. I don’t want the commissioner getting involved in all of this. We have the virus contained in this town at the moment so I don’t want any outsiders coming in and taking the virus back with them.”

  Chris patted Mike on the back before walking away.

  “You have my word. I don’t want this spreading either. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Chris arrived at the news station at 8.45am. He had just fifteen minutes to come up with a good and realistic portrayal of events. He knew he had to be prepared for a lot of questions to come from the people inside the building so he took a deep breath as he walked through the main doors.

  “Morning everyone,” he said, as he tried to produce a positive smile.

  The first person to speak to him was the man standing behind the information desk. “Chris, what’s been going on down there? There’s stories flying around that the whole town has been taken over by demons.”

  “Who told you that shit, Johnny boy? It seems to me that you’ve been smoking the weed again. That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”

  “No, seriously, something’s gone on in Clifton Falls and it isn’t good news.”

  This wasn’t a good sign for Chris because if Johnny had heard something then others would’ve heard the same.

  “Hey, I’m going to be late for this newsflash. I’ll speak to you soon.”

  Chris gave Johnny a wave before rushing off to the newsroom. He could still hear the other man’s voice shouting out more facts toward him as he walked along the hallway.

  He dodged a few troubling stares as he moved toward the famous room. He felt the eyes from every person in that enclosure sticking to his skin like leeches. Chris knew he had to ignore the attention and remain calm until he’d done his job. He could hear his boss’ voice booming out of the wall speakers in the studio newsroom. “Are you ready, Chris?”

  The reporter looked beyond the thick glass and noticed the big, bearded man. He then stuck up his thumb, indicating he was all set to go.

  Thousands of households from across the area now sat, watching television as Chris gave his update on the past events. It was lucky for him that it wasn’t a questions and answers day, as he wouldn’t be able to cope with that. So far it was routine and the pressure of the news report was handled well, but he worried that some prick from the company would stop him at some point and ask a complete fucked up question about the zombies. There had to be one person in the city who’d leaked out the near truth story? If those questions came then he would be off like a rocket flying to the moon. Luckily, nobody interrupted him, and he was able to move on to the next story. It was about ‘Tammy’ the cat.

  “The pet had been stuck up a tree for four days. The cat’s owner was delighted to be reunited with the feline after she’d given up hope on ever finding the animal,” said Chris.

  During the same time as Chris
was updating the news, Mike was explaining the dreadful events to Donald and Dawn. There was no mention of Jason returning to life as a zombie and feeding off Wayne’s neck. No zombie come back and no Wayne. All Mike said was that Jason didn’t make it through the night and died peacefully in his sleep.

  All three sat watching the newsflash and the parents of the deceased linked arms. Mike watched them closely, expecting an outbreak of tears. They never arrived, as the grieving couple followed the news report. They’d done their crying earlier and just by being Jason’s parents sensed his death long before the dreadful news. Mike used the ending of the report as an excuse to leave the married, sonless couple. There was nothing more he could do there; this was their emotional fight and he was needed elsewhere.

  “I’m going now,” he said, speaking with pure sadness in his tone. “If you need anything, just call me.”

  The time was now 9.30am. Shane and Blake sat in the local café, thinking about their recent discussion. It’d been a good two hours since the closure of the factory and Blake had spoken to Todd on the phone. He knew he should be back at home with Karen but his mind felt troubled, so he needed to make a decision. “We can’t keep this to ourselves, man. What if my theory’s right?”

  “I know you’re worried but I don’t see the point in alarming the police over this. If the fertilizer was washed down to the cemetery then don’t you think there would’ve been some news of this by now?”

  Blake knew that Shane’s question had purpose, but also knew that the holiday village was in grave danger if something did eventually happen. “Why don’t we go to the cemetery? The police don’t even have to know about it. We can do our own investigating. It’ll put my mind at ease.”

  Shane gave in, agreeing with him. He didn’t want to upset the other man anymore, even though he wasn’t keen on following Blake’s suggestion.

  After they’d finished their drinks they made their way to the car. Blake offered to drive. Shane had no problems with being the passenger for a change, so handed over the keys. A minute into ‘operation graveyard’ and the car came to a sudden halt. “Why are we stopping?” Shane asked.

  “I need to phone Karen. I don’t want her worrying over where I am and what I’m doing.”

  Shane knew that the recent deaths had affected Karen. He could tell that Blake was a good husband and worried about her constantly, so never questioned his decision.

  Blake pulled out his mobile and had a short conversation with his wife. He told her that he was going to the city to help Shane. He heard her sharp intake of breath after hearing the scientist’s name. “Tell that prick you’re with, if he gives you a hard time then I’m going to punch his lights out.”

  “Okay baby, I’ll speak to you soon,” said Blake, grinning at Shane.

  The phone was replaced.

  “Is everything okay?” asked the scientist.

  “Yeah, everything’s great,” Blake replied, as the grin remained firm. “She told me to say hello to you.”

  They soon arrived at the main gates of the cemetery, but to their dismay they were locked.

  “What time do they open?” Shane asked.

  Blake scrunched up his face as he looked closely at his watch. He was so lost in other thoughts that he’d totally forgotten about the opening hours. “Not for another hour.”

  “So, what happens now?” Shane paused slightly, deep down wanting no part in this grave searching. “Do we go back?”

  “No way, we’ve just got here.” Blake scanned the area and soon spotted another gate. “There’s another way in.”

  He followed the direction of the metal fortress as it surrounded the cemetery then turned, calling to Shane. “Follow me, there’s another entrance around the corner.”

  Shane didn’t need to be told twice and both men headed toward an unlocked, smaller gate. This one was never padlocked, as there was no need to. The other gate was locked to prevent vehicles from entering at all hours of the day and night. Blake should’ve known that but as he hadn’t used it before, maybe could be forgiven for not noticing.

  Blake stared through the holes in the gateway. The view gave him the big picture of the vast area of lost ones. However, all he could see were dirt piles and headstones, each with written memories of the person beneath them. They appeared to go on forever.

  “Are you all right, Blake?”

  “I will be once we get this over with.” The thought of having to walk into the graveyard wasn’t as appealing as two minutes ago. Blake felt a breeze beneath his clothing. A gust of wind raced up his back, causing him to shiver. “I’m just thinking, what if the dead woke up again from here?” He was still transfixed at this time. Shane might as well not be there for all the attention Blake gave him. After a while Blake shook his head, ridding himself of nightmare scenes of what could happen. He then pointed toward the burial site. “Look how many graves there are.”

  That was that, the trance had gone and he was living in the real world again.

  Shane quickly attracted Blake’s attention again, marching past him to enter the graveyard. “Right, shall we get this done now?” Shane really didn’t want to be there, but was, and for this short period took control of the situation. “You check down that way and I’ll go this.”

  They discussed what was needed to do. Blake wanted to know if there were any disturbed graves and they were to concentrate on the burial sites that didn’t exceed nine months in date.

  After around half an hour of constant staring at earth piles, nothing seemed out of the ordinary and everything looked fine. Shane turned around. “I told you that there was nothing to worry about,” he shouted.

  Blake shouted back in reply. “Okay, so you’re right so far, but we should make sure that all is secure before we depart.”

  Shane nodded and they carried on with the daunting, but needed task.

  It took them a full hour to complete this crazy mission and meet back up. There was nothing, not even a trace of disturbed earth was out of place, but they did read a great deal of engraved messages while searching for clues. As far as they could gather there seemed to be a dozen deaths within the last nine months. This meant a lot of stinking flesh if these bodies decided to return to the land of the living. Blake backed down with his theory of crazed, killer mutants jumping out of the ground.

  The fertilizer probably never reached this far anyway, so I don’t need to worry, he thought. “It’s time we headed back. I want to make sure my wife’s okay.”

  “I’m fine with that decision. I’m bored now after doing all that looking. I’ll drop you off. I think I know the way. I’ll then see if I’m needed by Mike again.”

  Blake asked again if the other man would keep this adventure to himself. Shane had no need to say anything because there was nothing to say.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  Within a few hours of Blake’s sweep of the cemetery a few new visitors arrived. The bank robbers had emerged from their hiding place after news spread that the police were investigating deaths in Clifton Falls. Norman became very uptight, knowing the grounds could soon be overrun by snooping police, so told his crew that this was the only and best time for them to dig up the stolen cash. It was either today or wait a very, very long time.

  Cheyanne and Norman weren’t stupid and didn’t disappear on the day of the robbery. Instead they had done their jobs. Norman had dug the grave and Cheyanne decorated the face of the late Mrs Austin. Both seemed callous toward the lady in the coffin. In their eyes it wasn’t them who’d killed her, so why feel guilty as if they had?

  A few days after the funeral they announced to the community that they were going on holiday. That’d been nearly three months ago. The tragedy this town encountered had everyone devastated so no one assumed that the couple was behind the robbery. They thought they were just getting away from it all.

  The killers had been hiding for nearly two weeks before Norman took them away from the town.

  These men were now busy attacking a pile o
f earth with spades. Norman watched nearby, and Cheyanne stood by the car. She was to honk the horn if they received any unwanted guests.

  “Hey guys. Are you nearly done?” asked Norman.

  The men stopped working and stared at him. It wasn’t a look that Norman was used to, so he left them to it. They knew what needed to be done so returned to the task in hand, spade in, spade out, throw off dirt and repeat. Norman had to move away from the busy humans because somehow, whatever was tossed off the spades, ended up very close to his head. He knew why, but wasn’t prepared to slow the process down anymore than needed to. He looked over at his girlfriend, but she just laughed at him.

  The rhythm of the spades altered after another few minutes. Rotting wood had been hit. After reaching their destination the two, silent men searched for the lid of the coffin. Norman was too intrigued to stand back now. He wanted to see the moneybags again and to feel them in the palm of his hands.

  One of the men bent over, reached for the lid and lifted it up. There they were, six perfect in appearance moneybags, each full with notes and coins.

  “Now doesn’t that look good?” Norman said to the gravediggers.

  “Chabba, Chabba,” one of the men shouted, picking up a bag.

  Norman hadn’t a clue what he was saying, as the men had been shipped into the country by his computer junkie girlfriend. She’d logged onto one of those foreign websites and bought the men by mistake. Norman told her time and time again that if she kept on using the ‘Bid4me.com/abroad,’ she would end up buying something completely different. Cheyanne thought she was getting a cheap mobile, so had asked for two. After all this time the couple still didn’t know where they originally came from. The spoken words used didn’t match anything that either he or Cheyanne had ever heard before.

  “Good one, pass me the bags,” said Norman, while trying to figure out a sign, meaning he wanted the loot.