by Ono,Garth
They took back roads and circled the town. Kate didn't want zombies chasing them all of the way to the sheriff. She assumed he was in hiding. The school was a block southeast of downtown. Standing at the northwest corner of the roof might afford a reasonable view of the City Park area south of and up to downtown. He could probably see his office from that vantage point, too.
They stashed their vehicle well away from the school. It was a nice residential street that looked tranquil amid all of the chaos. A few of Kate's friends grew up on that street.
They were about two streets over from the school when Kate spotted her first zombie. He was just standing half-hidden between two homes. A sentry? She wondered if the drac was in one of those houses.
"Sentry over there," she said, pointing him out. "Look around for more."
If they could find more, they could use them to triangulate and determine where the vampire was hiding. Kate would like to take Alexander Cray out without the sheriff's help. Not that she minded anyone's help, but it would feel satisfying to do it without him. There was always the chance the sheriff or a deputy would be the one to kill the vampire. Kate was pretty sure that would mean no bounty for her.
"I've been through too much to lose that bounty," she muttered.
"What?" Shea asked.
"I said we can claim his head for the bounty," Kate said quickly.
There weren't any others in sight. He had to be an advanced sentry or something. Who knew how the vamp thought? But he did seem to be pretty paranoid and cautious.
"When this is over, you should come ride with us on the Glory Road," Haley said. "It's a helluva lot easier than this shit."
Kate led them down the street, out of the sentry's field of view. She crossed the street first, then Haley, Victoria, and Shea. They moved quickly, but stealthily between houses, over fences, and through hedges. The land around the school was open for a couple hundred feet with no cover.
They moved around, going over fences into one backyard after another, until they were opposite the school's main entrance. Three sheriff department squad cars were parked there. The sheriff and both deputies were huddled together with their backs to the women.
"Nothing to do but just run across that open area," Kate said. It must be safe, because any zombies would've already spotted the cops. "I'll go first."
Kate took off jogging. She was about halfway to the sheriff before she spotted Shea following. Victoria and Haley came across at the same time. They crossed over pretty quickly.
"Hey, Sheriff Coleman, long time, no see," Kate said, trying to keep the irritation out of her voice. "Why don't you answer my calls and texts?"
"I've been busy," he said, looking her over quickly. "Glad to see you're okay."
The three cops looked disheveled. Blood was splattered on their faces, necks, arms, and uniforms. Deputy Doge's left forearm and right hand were cut and abraded pretty badly. Rumpstead had a gash just inside his hairline that was still trickling blood. The sheriff looked the worse, having lost his cap and hair sticking on odd directions. He looked like he'd been through hell.
"I'm fine, too," Shea said as she joined them. "Thanks for asking."
When Haley and Victoria joined them, he looked around warily, and then turned to the city map spread out on the trunk of his squad car. Kate noticed downtown had a big red X on it, as did the Frasier Mansion. She remembered all of the cars parked there and wondered if they were overrun by the zombies. Kate couldn't imagine the next few months if most of the city's leadership was killed.
"I can't even begin to tell you how many zombies are running around downtown," the sheriff said, placing his finger atop the X.
"Where did the vamp get all of these zombies?" Kate asked.
"There's only one way," Haley said. "He crossed the river and Called them."
Kate's research indicated that wasn't a very effective way to assembling a horde. Zombies were pretty scattered. Of course, there were always areas with higher concentrations. Maybe the vampire just got lucky. She didn't particularly like the idea of a lucky vamp.
"Do you have any idea how many zombies and minions Alexander Cray has now?" Kate asked. "Is he in town? He can get a lot more minions if he's in town."
"Yeah, he's been inside Tennyson since last night," Deputy Rumpstead said. "We have no idea how many minions he has. Not all vamps like minions."
"Well, we know of at least two he has," Victoria said. "Make that one. We killed Simon."
"Simon Williams?" Sheriff Coleman asked. "How dead is he?"
The women shared looks. Kate grimaced. "Not completely dead."
"Oh Jesus. He's a vamp now?"
"Yeah. Sorry," Haley said. "It's hard enough to kill them once. Twice in one day…"
"In our defense, Simon had a lot of zombies with him," Shea said. "He captured us, but we escaped. We killed all of the zombies. We turned the heads in this morning to your deputy."
"Yeah, you owe us a thousand bucks just for them," Victoria said.
He shot her a dirty look. Kate thought it bad to bring up money at that moment, too.
"Were you bitten on the neck?" Haley asked, tensing up.
Kate froze. Her blood ran cold for a second. The sheriff was unfazed by the question. He touched the side of his neck and nodded.
"Stupid zombie bit a chunk out of me," he said. "I'd be a zombie now if this was a movie."
Kate relaxed. Haley watched him a moment longer before the tension bled away. Slayers got bit by the undead a lot more than they cared to admit. Some people still believed a zombie bite was a death sentence. Or worse.
"Neither here nor there," he said. His finger came away with fresh blood. He placed his finger atop the Frasier Mansion. "Alexander Cray is hiding in there. I'm pretty sure he has at least ten zombies for protection." He jabbed the spot angrily. "That's our target."
"What about the State Police? Or the National Guard?" Kate asked. "I'm pretty sure this is way past the threshold to call in the cavalry."
Sheriff Coleman stared at her a moment. He looked like he was trying to process something. Kate worried about how long it's been since he'd gotten any sleep.
"It's complicated, Kate. At the moment, the State and Feds are moving to contain the contamination," he said. "I'm afraid that means we're on our own for the immediate future."
Kate looked at Haley, who was cursing under her breath. Shea and Victoria just scowled. The deputies looked uncertain, especially Deputy Doge. She looked at the unhelpful heavens. Seven lightly armed, sleep-deprived people against a vampire, his minions, and no telling how many zombies.
"So it's all on us," Kate said. "Sometimes it just doesn't pay to get out of bed."
Chapter 25
Alex put on a pair of dark, dark sunglasses. He stepped into the old Victorian's turret and looked out the windows and upon Tennyson. To his left was downtown. From his vantage point it was impossible to see down Main Street. Directly in front of the house was City Park. It had the community pool, tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, and a grassy, lightly wooded area with scattered picnic tables. A lumberyard and school were beyond the park.
The Frasier Mansion sat upon the highest spot in the city, but that wasn't saying much. It was a low rise at best. Still, he enjoyed the view. Alex couldn't wait for the next full moon so he could truly enjoy looking out on his domain.
"Maybe I will declare a holiday and festival for the night of the first full moon," he muttered. "That would give my subjects a chance to express their loyalty and gratitude."
That made him smile. They'd more likely want to drive a stake through his heart. Most people still thought that would kill a vampire. The fools. He wasn't about to teach them any different. Their fear and ignorance would keep them obedient.
"And if I have to, I'll bite every damned one of them."
Movement on Main Street caught his attention. Felicity was leading five zombies into their hidden position. At the moment, he only allowed Nicole and her daughters to c
ommand up to five zombies each. The other minions were too new and unreliable. When the sheriff lured the slayers into their trap, the Gilbert girls would close off their escape. Mongrel was in the house, commanding most of his remaining horde. It wasn't much.
"Simon, if I ever get my hands on you I will kill you the rest of the way," he growled. "I should've never given you so many of my undead minions to squander."
The only one to lose more minions was Mongrel, but at least he showed some results. He just couldn't seem to capture his former friends. Alex wondered if something deep down made him let them escape his clutches. He seemed completely obedient, but did anyone truly know for sure minions were one hundred percent true to their masters?
"Master," Daphne softly said behind him.
"Speak."
"Master, we have received word that the four slayers are with my father."
He sighed. They'd posted sentries all through the town to catch them entering. He would've liked to have had advance notice, and maybe even capture them before they reached his home. Yet, the trap was designed by him. Alex was confident the slayers would be captured alive, and if not then killed. Either way, not a single one of them would escape alive.
"Excellent. Tell Mongrel to pull in his sentries and then inform the Gilbert girls to be alert and ready to move."
Daphne bowed and backed out of his presence. She was working out pretty well. Some minions took to it better than others. Maybe he would reward her after it was all over by allowing her to warm his bed again.
And perhaps he'd order the sheriff to watch his daughter's performance.
He spotted Daphne jogging away from the house, heading toward Felicity's position. A cruel smile spread across his face. All the players were in position. The trap was set. Now it was time to claim his prize.
"It has begun."
Chapter 26
"Let's not jump to conclusions," Haley said. "Have you actually seen Alexander Cray at this Frasier place?"
Sheriff Coleman gave her a dirty look. Kate tensed up. He might be a good man, and a real teddy bear underneath, but if he didn't like you then the sheriff had trouble being civil. And he'd never been one to take being challenged lightly.
"I don't need some stripper slut coming here and – "
"Sheriff!" Kate snapped. He turned angry eyes on her. "That's my sister. She's risked her life for you and this town, so show some respect."
He glared at Kate. She'd never known him to look at her so hostilely. True, they butted heads sometimes. He didn't always like how she operated. And he really didn't want her hunting down zombies, but they remained friendly for the most part. He probably tried a little harder since she grew up next door and was best friends with his daughter.
"Are you okay?" she asked more gently.
"I'm not having a particularly good day," he finally admitted. The sheriff glanced briefly at his deputies, and then gave Haley another sharp look. Her sister stiffened. "I have seen the vamp's minion, that biker Mongrel, coming and going. Also, there are a few other people coming and going that I'm pretty sure are his minions now."
"Like who?" Kate asked.
"Mayor Gilbert," he said. Then lower, "Daphne."
"Oh god no," Kate cried. "Are you sure?"
He closed his eyes, hung his head, and nodded. Chills rolled down Kate's back. The insurance agency was downtown. Now that Kate thought about it, Daphne very well could've been at work in her uncle's agency.
"At least she's not dead," Shea said. "Kill the vamp, free the girl."
She made it sound simple. Lots of things could go wrong, and there was one very bad thing that definitely would happen eventually. Daphne would defend her master with her last breath. Someone might have to kill or seriously injure her. Even if she survived it unscathed, Kate's friend would become a vampire the moment she died. That could be five days, or five decades, away, but there was no stopping it.
"And, if you think about it, an old Victorian would appeal to Goth vamp like Alexander Cray," Kate said. "Hell, who doesn't love old Victorians."
"I can see him haunting the creaky old hallways wearing all black velvet," Shea said.
The sheriff paused, gazing off into space a moment. "Yes."
"You saw him?" Kate said. "I thought you said you've only seen minions coming and going?"
He didn't answer right away. The sheriff stared down at the map. Kate didn't recall ever seeing him act like that.
"Yes, I saw him on Main Street very early this morning. It was very brief," he said. "There were lots of zombies around, so forgive me if I was a little distracted." He indicated the map. "Let's focus. I want to go in with a three prong attack."
Kate thought it odd the vamp was out in the daylight. It wasn't unheard of, but not very likely, either. Before she could question him further, the sheriff went into his plan of attack.
Sheriff Coleman sketched out a very simple plan. He would take his deputies and go in from the rear, since that was the vamp's most likely escape route. He wanted two of the slayers to come in through the front door, and from out of City Park. The other team would come up from the south since there was a side door. That would cover the three entry points. He let them decide how they divided up into two-person teams. Kate and Haley decided to go in the front door, while Victoria and Shea covered the side door.
"When do we attack?" Kate asked.
"Right now," he said. "It's bright and sunny. That ought to keep the vampire deep inside." He looked around. "We want to avoid killing any minions if possible. They are our friends and family. They'll be restored to normal once Alexander Cray is dead and in hell."
"I'm all onboard with that," Kate said.
For a second, she wondered what Tennyson would be like after it was over. Provided they killed the vampire, and didn't just chase him away, his minions would be restored to normal upon his death. But the long term effects of being bitten hadn't been studied. Kate was afraid the small town would never completely recover.
"When you hear me fire my service weapon, then charge in," Sheriff Coleman said, and interrupting Kate's reverie. "My deputies and I will be knee deep in them by that time, so don't be lollygagging. We'll be the distraction that draws all of his defenders away from their defensive positions inside."
"And we go in for the kill," Victoria said, nodding and smiling. "I like it."
"Lollygagging?" Shea muttered. Then louder, "Sounds like a plan to me."
The sheriff and deputies left without further ado. Rather abruptly, actually. Kate thought it odd, but figured the situation had them on edge. She was feeling more than a little stressed, too. But before they split up, the women checked once more to ensure everyone had plenty of ammo and their phones worked.
"Make sure your phone ringers are off," Kate said.
"Your sister is awful bossy," Shea said to Haley. Then she winked at Kate. "Let's go kill a vampire."
Shea led Victoria around the south side of the school. Kate and Haley headed the opposite way. Tennyson was small, so it didn't take long to reach City Park. Heck, they could see the Frasier Mansion from there. The public pool was usually full of laughing, shouting, and joyful men, women, and mostly children that time of day during the summer. It was deathly quiet. Bad news traveled fast, so Kate was sure everyone in town knew about the threat. A lucky few probably left town until the crisis was over. The rest were hunkered down in their homes.
There were lots of shrubs and structures to hide behind as they worked their way closer and closer. Haley looked over the street in front of the Frasier place. All of the cars were gone.
Does that mean his minions are all out causing evil? Kate wondered. Or looking for us?
Kate glanced over her shoulder warily. She didn't like not knowing where the minions were located. Just because the cars were gone didn't mean the minions were gone, too.
There could be a hundred zombies in that huge old Victorian. Or a hundred minions. Facing the vampire and his zombies didn't frighten her as much as
coming face to face with Daphne or another friend. The minions wouldn't hesitate killing her and her friends. Kate wasn't sure she could do the same.
Sometimes I think too much, she thought.
"I can see Shea and Victoria," Haley said, pointing. "I don't see the cops anywhere."
"We won't," Kate said. "I have a pretty good idea the path they'll take approaching the house's back door, and the house will block our view."
Kate and Haley leap-frogged from tree to tree up to the edge of the park and to within twenty feet of the street. From that position they could charge to the front door in a matter of seconds. They double-checked their weapons. Kate loosened the machete in the sheath across her back. Her pistol had a round chambered, safety off.
Her eyes darted from window to window. Looking for movement. Looking for any threats. Zombies were too stupid to use weapons, but the drac's minions could be armed for bear. Kate wasn't used to fighting against armed adversaries.
"This is the worst part," Haley said. "Those minutes, sometimes hours, before an attack. Once the balloons go up, it's all glory."
"What balloons? No one said anything about balloons," Kate replied.
Haley slanted a curious look at her, a question on the tip of her tongue. Kate winked at her, and then her sister sighed as she shook her head.
"Okay, you got me on that one," she said.
"Serves you right for thinking there is going to be any glory to come out of this fight," Kate said. "I'll be happy if the vamp is killed and all of my friends survive."
A curtain moved aside. For the briefest of seconds Kate could see into a well lit room. Her heart skipped a beat. Across the room she was certain she'd seen a fleeting glimpse of Sheriff Coleman speaking to a black clad man.
"Did you see that?"
"See what?" Haley asked.
"I swear, I just saw the sheriff inside speaking to the drac."
That would mean he was a minion. Alexander Cray and his minions knew they were coming. It was all planned.
"It's a trap!"
A gunshot went off behind the house. Kate gasped, eyes darting to the south. Shea and Victoria were racing across an empty lot. They'd reach the house before she and Haley could stop them.