“Looks clear.” Jess said looking over his shoulder at Rick and Tom.
“Passenger side to the front of the store, the truck stays on. Leave the passenger side doors open along with the tailgate. We make this quick. Tom, you have guard duty. You’re our eyes and ears. No shooting unless absolutely necessary. The sound will bring them to us.” Ty looked around the cab of the truck purposely making eye contact with each man.
“We clear on the plan?” Ty asked. Nods all around. Ty drove the Ford around the parking lot pulling in front of the entry doors.
The group piled out in unison moving with a purpose. Jess dropped the tailgate retrieving tools while Tom scanned the immediate area for zombies. He only spotted two over a block away moving slowly. He noted them in the back of his mind and continued scanning the area. Ty, Rick, and Jess walked to the front entrance of the 7-11. Ty knelt down opening a small duffle bag retrieving a set of steel punches and a small hammer. He placed a small punch on the main lock and lined up the hammer for the first strike.
“Hold up Ty.” Jess said quietly.
Ty looked confused as Jess pushed the front door open with ease.
“Open 24 hours a day. This place never locks down.” Jess said smiling.
Ty stepped in first with his shotgun raised. Rick and Jess followed fanning out through the aisles of the small store. They found no survivors or zombies. Rick moved cases of bottled water to the front door while Jess cleared the small personal hygiene and medication aisle. Ty filled plastic bags with food and other goodies stacking the bags near the front door. Tom kept watch in the parking lot looking for zombies.
Tom continued scanning the area. The two zombies a block away appeared content wandering in the rain failing to see him. He looked down the street both ways seeing no movement. He looked behind him and walked to the edge of the store with his shotgun at the ready. Nothing. He walked back to the center of the parking lot. Rainwater running down the gutters of the 7-11 gurgled loudly.
“Ain’t shit goin’ on around here.” Tom said as he removed the iPod from his pocket. He clipped it to the back of his belt and ran the ear buds up his back. He pushed the ear buds deep into his ear canals and reached back turning the iPod on. It clicked to life. He continued scanning the area in front of him seeing no movement spare the two slow moving zombies a block away. Tom watched them wishing they would move towards him. His trigger finger was becoming itchy while his favorite movie continued to play through his head.
Inside the 7-11 the haul was large. Bags full of food, cases of water, soda, and beer all sat by the front door. The group was ready to start loading the truck when a flash caught all three off guard.
“What the fuck was that?” Rick asked the rest of the group as they ran towards the door.
“Shit, TOM!” Ty yelled charging through the front door.
***
The runner, formerly a Jr. College football player, emerged from behind the store. He died during the first day of the event when his neighbor shot him in the chest with a snub nose .38. He returned recapturing most of his motor skills within a few hours. He walked to the 7-11 as he had done hundreds of times before, spotting Tom moving back and forth in the rain.
Tom swayed to the music blaring in his ears watching the zombies a block over. They started ambling in his direction. He concentrated solely on them forgetting his surroundings. Music bumped in his ears and he felt alive, cool, and worthy of remaining in this world. He thought about the night ahead with food, drink and new friends. He thought of Katie and her perky breasts and the way she smiled at him. He ached for her. The runner hit him from behind in full stride driving his face into the pavement breaking his nose and front teeth. His shotgun discharged drawing the attention of several other zombies within a three-block area.
Tom tried in vain to fight the zombie off screaming as it bit down on the back of his neck removing a large chunk of flesh. Tom twisted throwing the zombie off and squirmed to his feet.
Ty, followed by Jess and Rick rushed out the door stopping short of the runner. Ty placed a bullet from his .357 directly in the back of the zombie’s head exploding its face all over the pavement. Jess and Rick began searching the area for more Runners and Walkers. Ty looked down at the fallen teen grabbing at the back of his neck. Blood poured from the wound as well as his broken face. He was crying. Ty saw the ear buds lying on the ground.
“Fuck, Tom. Why?” Ty asked sullenly.
“What are we going to do with him?” Rick asked nervously.
“Shh. You hear that.” Jess said stepping closer to the street.
The sound flowed down the street like a cold wind blowing through a valley. The moans of the dead cut through the rain filling their ears. They were coming, and by the sounds of it, they were many.
“We have to move now.” Ty said.
“What about him?” Rick asked again.
Ty looked Tom in the eye. The teen remained on the ground trying to hold the back of his neck. Terror filled his eyes.
“You know you’re already dead don’t you?” Ty asked.
Tom shook his head “no” holding out one hand.
“Sorry buddy. There’s nothing we can do for you except end it now.”
Tom shook his head “no” attempting to talk. Blood gurgled from his mouth. Ty knelt grasping the teen’s hand.
“You’re going to a better place. You’ll see your brother and the rest of your family and with my luck, you’ll see me soon. Now we need to be going, so think of something that makes you happy, a place or a person. Happy thoughts dude.”
Tom squeezed Ty’s hand and closed his eyes knowing it was over for him. His mind drifted to thoughts of his family, his friends and the days spent at the lake. He thought of water skiing, the bright sun and the warm water. He felt a rush of water as his father’s ski boat pulled him. His skis leveled and glided across a glassy lake as wind…
***
Jess now stood watching as Rick tossed supplies to Ty from the front of the store. In less than a minute they began loading the Ford with urgency.
“No worries guys, but they’re almost here.” Jess said as he fired on two Runners that emerged from the crowd. The shots missed their mark connecting with Walkers. Jess fired and missed again. He switched to the shotgun he had grabbed from Tom. The shots boomed.
“We need to go.” Jess said loudly.
Ty and Rick succeeded in loading almost three quarters of the booty before slamming the tailgate shut. Ty ran for the driver’s side door firing on two Walkers near the front of the truck. Rick and Jess jumped in locking their doors.
“We’re in, let’s roll!” Jess yelled.
Ty slid in behind the wheel slamming the Ford into gear driving through the crowd in front of the truck. The zombies bounced aside with ease. Ty watched a group of zombies hover around Tom’s still warm body. “Stupid fucking kid!”
Fifty
“You know, I once considered becoming a chef.”
The sentry, formerly a security guard at a local high school, listened intently as Gates spoke.
“No shit. I always wanted to be a cop, but two DUI’s stood in my way.” The sentry chuckled nervously and continued filling out the make shift log Gates developed.
Gates stood in his office looking out the window over the Convention Center grounds. Zombies roamed everywhere. Several small groups had formed and just stood looking up at the building. Gates swore some were watching him and only him.
“I do like to cook though. My wife and I have taken several cooking classes all over the world. All thanks to the United States Marine Corp.” Gates remained at the window.
The sentry completed his log and asked to be excused from the office. Gates bid him farewell for the day and continued watching the groups outside. He watched for a good long while. It was all strangely hypnotic. He snapped himself out of it and began formulating new strategies for keeping the survivors safe until help arrived. He returned to his desk and jotted down notes. In the off
ice next door, several men gathered readying for the second supply run briefing.
Downstairs, Reverend Littleton delivered his daily message of hope and worship to his followers. The group was growing daily as more and more people felt like prisoners. They were desperate and in need of guidance. Their world was devastated with no end in sight. Littleton looked over his flock knowing the time was near for all to travel to God’s kingdom with him leading the way to salvation. The group bowed their heads listening to his words. Littleton peered out at all the bowed heads. The time is indeed near.
***
The sentry who was relieved a short time earlier stopped and watched the large crowd of survivors gather around a preaching man. The man wasn’t yelling he spoke with passion and fervor though something felt off, almost strange. The group was large and they were hanging on every word the man was saying. The sentry listened to the words of inspiration shaking his head. He was not religious, never was, never would be even if recent events suggested otherwise. The preacher lifted his head and excused the crowd. People flocked around him asking questions. The sentry could have sworn he heard a woman ask when they were going to leave the center. The sentry carefully made his way back to the main office finding Gates was already in with the supply detail. He waited patiently outside the door.
Gates wrapped up the briefing and exited the office noticing the sentry sitting patiently.
“Greg right?” Gates asked as he approached.
“Yeah, Greg. I need to talk to you if you have a moment.” Greg stated.
“Did something happen between when we last spoke and now?”
“Uh, yeah. I overheard something you should know about.”
“Well, come on in. Door open or closed?” Gates asked gesturing to the office door.
“Best if it’s closed.”
Gates sat at his desk quietly listening as Greg expressed concerns about what he witnessed. He didn’t know if he should consider Greg a man consumed with paranoia or a loyal soldier in his new army.
“How many people would you estimate?” Gates asked.
“50, at least 50.” Greg answered.
“I want you to start attending these so called religious gatherings. Report back to me in secret after each gathering.” Gates ordered, hoping to keep Greg out of his hair.
Gates decided Greg was paranoid knowing there was no way survivors were planning on leaving the Center. He considered the idea ludicrous knowing it would be suicide for any persons wishing to leave. The Center was a safe haven and help would be along any day. The people of the Convention Center were reliant upon his leadership skills and when the event was over, he would be hailed as a hero. He sat back in his chair smiling.
Fifty-One
Katie burst through the parking garage doors leading from the elevator lobby running to the side of the Ford. She watched three men step out slowly.
“Where’s Tom?” Her eyes began to well.
“Katie goddamn it, we haven’t cleared the garage yet. I told you…” Ty was cut off.
“Where the fuck is Tom?” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“He didn’t make it. Now let us clear the garage.” Ty replied coldly. He pointed to the lobby doors. “Get out of here.”
Katie walked slowly to the doors, holding her hands to her face. The thought of losing any of them was overwhelming and now she would never see Tom again. For all she knew he was one of those things walking outside the building just waiting to get in. She stopped at the doors. The three men were busy searching the dark recesses of the garage for any zombies that may have slipped in when the gate was open.
“Is he one of them?” Katie asked tearfully.
“Katie, get inside now.” Ty shot back angrily.
Katie turned forcing the doors open as hard as she could. Sugar sat inside the lobby wagging her tail.
“Your dad’s an asshole!” Katie said walking by. Sugar followed closely nudging her hand.
Thirty minutes later Ty and the group sat in the large boardroom of the Bixter Building enjoying warm beers. They’d made quick work clearing the garage and moving the supplies to the top floor. They were quiet in their victory.
“Where’s Katie at?” Rick asked.
The three men looked around the room realizing Katie hadn’t popped in.
“You were a little hard on her, Ty, she was just worried about Tom and for good cause.” Jess stated the obvious.
“I’ll go find her.” Rick said jumping to his feet.
“No. I’ll get her. I need to apologize and explain what happened out there.” Ty finally said something Rick didn’t want to hear.
Rick continued for the door.
“Rick, let me make this right. I’m the one who yelled at her, besides, she has my dog.” Ty stood near the door staring at the back of Rick’s head.
“No problem. Just let her know we’re all sorry.” Rick relinquished.
Ty walked down the hall, knowing Katie had taken up residence in a corner office. The lights were off like every night to keep from drawing unwanted attention to the building. Ty slowly pushed the door open and heard Sugar walking over to him.
“Hey girl, where’ve you been?” Ty knelt to pet her. He looked across the room seeing Katie’s head silhouetted in the moonlit clouds floating by. She sat slumped in a large couch pulled near the window. Ty walked up behind her and stood for a moment not knowing what to do or say. He knew he had been an asshole earlier but the idea of Katie being any where near danger made him cringe. He placed a hand on her shoulder without saying a word and looked out the window marveling at how beautiful the clouds looked dancing in the light of the full moon. He squeezed her shoulder and to his surprise felt her hand slowly touch his.
She held his hand tightly, trying to hold back the tears. The memories of the event flooded her mind and she squeezed Ty’s hand tighter. She thought about Tom and his boyish innocence. She thought about Rick and Jess and their ability to make her laugh. Then she thought of Ty. She felt safe with him and couldn’t mask her growing feelings any longer. She pushed the memories of the past two weeks from her mind and thought only of Ty. She pulled his hand down causing him to bend over the couch. She turned quickly placing her hands on his face. There was no place to hide. There was no reason to be sacred. The outside world melted away in the dancing clouds. She could feel his breath pushing against her cheeks. It was warm and inviting. She pulled him closer. Their lips met for a long kiss.
Ty played the gentleman, not forcing the issue. He let Katie lead. She let go of him for a second and their eyes met. He could see the moonlight reflecting in her eyes. She pulled his face in close again and they kissed. They kissed as lovers do. They kissed and intertwined their bodies on the couch. Articles of clothing fell to the floor. Ty ran his hands up and down Katie’s body feeling every curve. He found her nipples with his mouth and continued to explore her body.
Katie moaned with a pleasure she had never felt before. She felt love, lust and complete longing for this man and she wanted nothing more than to have him inside her. Her legs wrapped around Ty’s waist pulling him closer. She could feel his body tense and his member harden.
They made love throughout the night as the outside world disappeared for them. The only thing that mattered was this moment and they made it last as long as they could. Night passed into day and the rains returned. Their feelings for each other were now front and center. Their will to live had taken on a new emphasis. Ty held her tight as they watched the new day arrive from the large office window. Outside the office, Rick sat slumped in a chair holding a small revolver in his right hand staring at the floor.
Fifty-Two
The city of Anderson fell to the undead hordes in little over two days. Kilo Company cleared the city in five days, two days longer than first anticipated. Hutto stood with several soldiers in the middle of the Anderson High School football field. The men had earned a little R&R before moving on Redding, even with the delays. Some of the men, those that weren’t
on guard duty, chose to play a friendly game of football. They found a storage locker filled with pads and other equipment. Teams were chosen and pads were donned. The game was about to begin.
The caravan sat near the field. Hutto made sure he was never far from it. Roving patrols in the area were in constant radio contact with the communications trailer. Anderson had been cleared of every human, dead or alive. Every business, every building and every possible hiding place was searched. Anderson produced 403 survivors, all executed under orders of the United States Government. When possible their names, ages and physical addresses were recorded. Some of the soldiers called the ledger Poe’s notepad after Edgar Allen Poe. The naming of the ledger was a minor defense mechanism masking the atrocities being carried out in the name of the government and the hope for a new world.
The caravan was ready to roll. All maintenance had been performed, all repairs to the vehicles complete and supplies replenished. During the mission Kilo Company gathered more arms, ammunition, tools, and other essentials from the homes, grocery, sporting goods, and guns stores. Kilo Company was nearly unstoppable.
Hutto stood in the middle of the field with the captains of each team. “Listen up. I want a clean game. In other words, if you get hurt I’ll have to treat you like a horse from my ranch and put you down.” Hutto stood between the captains who gave nervous laughs. Hutto shook their hands. “Have fun, boys.”
The game began. Hutto stood on the sidelines for the first few minutes. The sight brought him back to a time when he watched his own sons playing football in high school. The first half was nearly over when Hutto walked away. He walked to the edge of the track looking over a small field and listened to the sounds of the game behind him. During the last three days Hutto felt a growing sense of calm and stability. The final city, the Renaissance city, lay a mere 11 miles to the north. The fight would be difficult and Redding would take time to clear, but Hutto knew it could be done and he would finally be able to relax and do a little fishing.
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