“We’re a ragtag bunch. Two guys served in the military, all the rest of us are, at best, civilians with guns. Not only do we need firepower, but skills as well.”
“How are the two military guys you have?”
Brad looked over at Hank and then back to Tom. “One is older...served in Vietnam. He knows his weapons and is a great shot...but not a tactician. Radichi is the other one...did a couple tours with the 10th Mountain. Everyone calls him Smoke. He’s like a magician in his ability to disappear. Great guy...very capable. He knows we need more guys if we are going to attempt a rescue.”
“Sounds like we need to make this a priority. I need to sit down with Radichi. We can formulate a plan and then pull together whoever you’ve got.”
“I’ll track him down and get you guys together. Call him Smoke, he prefers it.”
“Know anything about what is going on or why?”
“I know I went from head of Information Technology to CEO overnight.” Brad said with a laugh.
Tom grinned. “And I always thought you had bad karma.”
“Well I also went to no pay...so she still haunts me. Seriously though, I probably don’t know much more than you. Bits and pieces from those that saw the news before everything went offline. Seems to be the new flu vaccine stabilizer coupled with something else...virus maybe. We see choppers overhead occasionally, no help, just hover and fly by.”
Tom nodded and said, “We’ve seen those as well. Know anything about them?”
“I think they fly out of the training base up north. Military...they seem to know something. I just can’t get them to stop. We’ve tried to radio them, but no response.”
“Hmmm...I’ve been to that base. First thing first, Hank and I are going to check on Rachael. When you find Smoke, send him our way.”
“Will do...thanks guys.”
******
Eddie had never been so scared in his life. When the infection first hit, he was terrified, but not like this. At least on that first day actions were based on reactions. It was making decisions to survive. The rules were simple: Evade, fight, and survive. This was different. This was planned. He had been up all night thinking about it. Wading into those things...attacked...torn to pieces...eaten alive.
“Eddie, you coming or what?” Smoke said from next to Tom.
He stood in place, staring at the two men, debating turning and running, and then finally said, “I’m coming.”
The three men, in addition to four others, were up late the night before, finalizing plans and going over hand drawings of the school’s layout. None of them thought they had a great plan and they all knew everything could go really bad really fast, but it was all they had. There were only seven of them, four with real experience, and three that at least knew how to handle a weapon.
Tom and Smoke picked up a ladder and continued along the sidewalk, nearing the forested hillside that overlooked the school. Glancing to his right, Tom could see Hank and Dennis making their way up the side of the water tower. They looked tiny clinging to the ladder on the side of the giant cylinder. Both had high powered rifles slung over their shoulders.
Eddie was scared before and now that they had reached the edge of the hillside he was absolutely terrified. The three of them hunched down in the trees, gazing at the school and surrounding horde below. There were hundreds of infected. Agitated bodies swarmed the building, forming a wide wall of infected humans. All Eddie could think was we’re going down there. The thought seemed ludicrous.
Tom looked over at Smoke. “You ready for this?”
“Rock and roll baby, rock and roll.”
“Eddie, you ready?” Tom said.
Eddie nodded his head, worried his voice would crack if he tried to talk.
The three men all began to prepare for their assault. Smoke unslung his rifle and checked the chamber to make sure he had a round loaded. Eddie moved up to the front of the ladder, taking Smoke’s position. Tom removed a small mirror from his chest pocket and used it to signal Hank on top of the water tank.
Within a few seconds Hank signaled back, setting the plan in motion. In the distance a truck engine rumbled to life. The truck began quickly backing down the road that led directly to the school. Tom could just make out Jenny lying flat in the truck’s bed. Speeding in reverse it flew toward the surrounded school. He was just beginning to think they were getting too close to the horde, when the truck tires squealed, sending smoke rolling off the pavement. The truck came skidding to a stop.
Jenny sat up with her rifle and began firing rounds into the nearest infected. Their reaction was instantaneous. The pent up energy was released in a giant howl of rage. The unanimous scream was so loud Tom could feel it in his chest. With terrifying speed, the entire mass of infected surged toward the truck, like a tsunami lifted from the ocean depths.
The truck tires squealed again, this time in the opposite direction, shooting gravel and chunks of pavement at the enraged demented. For a time the tires just spun, the truck sitting in place as the demented rushed at it. Jenny continued to rapidly fire into the oncoming mass, her shots coming quicker and quicker, panic taking over. Finally the tires grabbed pavement, shooting the truck forward, away from the swarm.
“Hold.” Tom said while continuing to watch the truck.
Quickly speeding away, the truck slowed a bit, allowing the demented to catch up. Jenny’s rifle continued to fire into them, brass shell casings clattering to the metal truck bed. Her weapon ran dry. Dropping the empty magazine out, she quickly slammed a fresh one into the well and charged the rifle. Barely skipping a beat, she began firing again. The giant horde continued their pursuit, enticed by the sight of fresh meat.
Seeing that most of the infected had left the building to chase after the truck, Tom said, “Let’s move.”
Tom and Eddie lifted the ladder and began jogging down the hill. Smoke held his rifle tight to his shoulder and ran along beside them. All three men felt better to be executing the plan rather than worrying about the plan.
Before they even made it halfway across the flat that ran to the school, their worst fears were realized. A couple of the trailing infected noticed their movements and spun toward them. They issued loud huffing noises before charging toward the trio. Their huffs were heard by those near them and a whole section of the horde peeled off and raced back their way.
The crack of Smoke’s rifle sounded.
One of the nearest demented pitched over backwards. The sound of his rifle fire drew even more infected.
From the top of the water tower Hank watched in horror as nearly half of the giant horde split off and began their pursuit of the ladder crew. They’re not going to make it Hank thought to himself. “Make it rain.” He shouted. Both men began rapidly firing on the infected. Their guns rapidly boomed as they continually pulled their triggers, chambered another round, and fired again.
Tom breathed hard as his legs pumped rapidly. He looked over and saw a huge wall of demented sprinting at them. Their angry, hate filled eyes glared at him. He watched as several of their heads exploded from gunfire. Even on the run, Smoke continued to fire shots into the group. “Come on kid, we gotta make it!” Tom shouted at Eddie. He could hear Eddie’s labored breathing behind him.
Several demented were nearly to them, almost within reach when their lives were snuffed out by gunfire from Hank and Dennis on the tower.
As they neared the edge of the building, Tom shouted, “Planting!” The two men flipped the ladder horizontal and Tom dropped the front until it stuck into the soft ground. He hunched down holding the base firmly in place.
Smoke came to a stop and began rapidly firing into the oncoming horde, trying to keep them at bay. For every one he, Hank, and Dennis killed, they were immediately replaced by two more.
Eddie lifted his end of the ladder over his head and began rapidly working his way down the ladder rungs, pivoting the ladder up toward the top of the wall. As it reached the midway point, standing straight up, he
gave it one final push and then began speed climbing it as it toppled over toward the wall. The procedure went perfectly. Their late night practice in the dark had paid off.
As the ladder slammed into the wall, Tom spun around and began rapidly climbing. He looked up to see Eddie disappearing over the top of the wall. Below him he continued to hear the crack of Smoke’s rifle. Just as Tom reached the top of the ladder he saw Eddie leaning over the buttress and yelling down to Smoke.
Climbing up over the top, Tom immediately unslung his rifle and spun around to see where Smoke was at. Looking down, he saw Smoke had dropped his empty rifle and was just beginning to climb up the ladder. Several demented were right behind him. The nearest ones grabbed at his legs. Tom began taking shots, trying to knock them loose. More demented kept coming. Several had a hold of Smoke, trying to pull him from the ladder. He began howling in pain as they ripped into the flesh of his legs.
Eddie had unslung his rifle and joined Tom in firing down at Smoke’s attackers.
Blood was beginning to spill to the ground as they tore into Smoke. Tom’s eyes met his. Terrified, anguished eyes stared back at him. It was a look that could never be forgotten. His fingers slipped off the ladder rungs and he was pulled down into a churning mass of infected.
“No!” Tom shouted. Unable to do anything else, he fired several rapid shots into the place he last saw Smoke, finally ending his agonizing screams. He slung his rifle and shouted to Eddie, “Help me!”
The two men grabbed the top of the ladder and pulled it up onto the roof while the demented were busy down below. They both flopped down onto their backs, gasping for air. Over the shrieks and growls of the demented, they could hear the gut wrenching sounds of Smoke being torn apart and devoured. It was the worst sound either of them had ever heard.
Eddie rolled over onto his side, heaved, and threw up his breakfast.
Chapter 4: Nightmare
It had been days since Lincoln and his men returned to their school turned fortress, only to find that it had been overrun by infected. They spent an entire day and countless bullets clearing the entire compound room by room. With every shot fired his hatred of Thomas Pike increased tenfold. He had returned to find his new play thing gone...freed by the self-righteous dirtbag. His only solace was the idiots that allowed Tom to escape had met their demise...and a couple of them in the worst of ways, eaten alive.
After getting the school back they gathered weapons and went out hunting for Tom and his companions. Starting with his home, they only found an empty house and bodies dotting the yard, none of which were Tom or those that followed him. Mike ordered his men to track them, track them to the end of the world if they had to. “Find them...don’t kill him or his family...I want them.” Were the last words he gave them.
Two days later, Lincoln sat in his office chair staring out the window. He watched as the old orange truck Tom had used in his escape pulled in through the gate. Peering carefully into the windows, he made sure it was his men that returned. Satisfied he spun in his chair and waited.
Boots echoed down the hall that led to his office. Moments later Big Mike and his youngest son rushed into his office. Both were breathing hard and had excited looks on their faces.
“What have you got for me?” Lincoln growled.
“We found them.” Mike said. Stepping closer to the desk, he went on, “Tracked them to the north. They made it to the old Cranley place.”
Angered excitement filled Lincoln’s face as he stood. “Still there?”
Mike shook his head. “No. Grabbed a truck and took off.”
“Then why do you have that stupid grin on your face? You piece of crap, I told you...”
“Relax...I know where they went.” With a smirk he added, “Where all of them went, including his wife and kid.”
“Now I like the sound of that, go on.”
“One of them, the blonde, was hurt. They had to pack her out. Took off north on highway 2, headed for Newport. I am sure they are looking for medical supplies at the hospital there.”
Lincoln rubbed his shaved head, looking down at the desk. Turning back to the window, he said, “Brad and his men still there.”
“Last I heard.”
Lincoln nodded his head thinking.
Little Mikey stepped toward the desk. “They’re weak...we’ve thought about taking everything they had weeks ago. I’ve been up there. All the infected surrounded the school...it’s the only reason they’ve survived this long.”
Lincoln thought for a bit. “Brad is smart, but you’re right, they don’t have fighters. Trips and all the others are out gathering. Let’s pull together weapons and ammo. When they return, we all head north.”
******
“Should we move?” Eddie said.
“I don’t want to.” Tom replied. Groaning, he sat up. “But I guess we should. You did good Eddie.”
Looking back toward the wall surrounding the roof, Eddie shook his head.
“There is nothing we could do for him. He knew as well as us what the risks were.”
“It’s just...it’s just seeing it...hearing it.” Eddie said with a shaking voice.
Tom patted Eddie’s shoulder. “Let’s just make it worth it.”
Eddie gave a nod of his head.
The two of them grabbed their rifles and stood. Tom gave an overhead wave to Hank and Dennis, letting them know they were okay. From this distance it was tough to make out, but he thought one of them waved back. The growls and moans of the surrounding infected made Tom want to get inside the school as soon as possible.
“Let’s do this...rock and roll.” Eddie said, trying to sound tougher than he felt.
Partway across the roof they found the door they looked for. Tom listened intently for any signs of infected on the other side. Not hearing anything, he opened the door, rifle raised, and peered into the dark stairwell.
Hank watched through his rifle scope as the two men entered the stairway door. “Now we wait.”
Dennis let out a soft reply. “That didn’t go as planned.”
Standing at the top of the stairwell, Tom thought back to Kelly and Sam. He had finally found them...had her back in his arms, and now he risked it all. She had been angry when he told her. Unable to blame her for being upset, he could only offer apologies that she did not want to hear. Understanding his reasons, she agreed with the need, but did not okay him being on the mission. He just had to make sure the trip was worth it, and that he returned to her.
Eddie whispered, “What’s up...you okay?”
“Yeah...yeah, I’m fine.” Tom stood thinking for a bit and then said, “This is a high school...there will be kids.” In the near darkness he grabbed Eddie’s shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “You can’t hesitate. They’re not human anymore, remember that.”
Eddie nodded his head in acknowledgement. Even while he nodded his head, he wondered if he would hesitate. He hoped not.
At the bottom of the stairs stood a door with a sliver of light shining underneath. Using the thin light as a guide, the two men slowly worked their way down the stairs. The cold cement walls offered no clues to the horrors that lay beyond.
Reaching the door, Tom held his ear to it, listening. From the other side of the thick steel he could not make out anything. He wondered if there were infected inside the building, but then quickly realized that the trapped survivors would have at least made their way to the roof rather than shove a makeshift flag up an exhaust tube.
“Grab the door.” Tom said while stepping back with his rifle raised. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, and the beating of his heart thumped in his chest. It was go time and his body knew it.
Eddie’s hand trembled as he reached for the handle. He had never felt such fear in his life. With a quick twist he opened the door and side stepped out of the way. Dim light spilled in from the open doorway.
Tom looked out at the empty hallway, stacked lockers staring back at him. He knew from the hand drawn maps that to the r
ight was the direction they needed to go. “Stay tight.” He whispered as he stepped through the open door.
The sound made the hairs on his arms stand on edge. It happened before he even made it all the way into the hallway. Multiple terrifying shrieks, sharp and hungry echoed down the hallway.
Turning toward the noise, Tom saw nearly a dozen infected. As he expected they were students, dressed in leatherman jackets and skinny jeans. Tom sidestepped further into the hallway to make room for Eddie to get out and then he began firing. The shots were loud in the narrow hallway, echoing off the cement walls. The clang of brass shell casings hitting the hard floor was drowned out by the howls of the demented. Unable to acquire targets and pull the trigger fast enough, the demented continued to charge.
Eddie stepped out next to him. Rifle raised, he immediately began firing into the oncoming horde.
Only the sounds of rapid gunfire could be heard. The screaming mouths of the demented hung open, but their shrieks were no match for the combined rifle booms. Blood and gore flew through the air as the bullets ripped into them. Within seconds all that remained was a pile of bloody bodies and the thick stench of cordite.
With the rifles quiet, they were surrounded by howls, banging, and the thumps of pounding footsteps. The hornet’s nest was stirred up and they had just dug right into the middle of it. Panic welled up inside both of them.
Tom looked to the stairwell door and debated retreating. From behind him came the sound of footfalls on the tile floor. Spinning around, he saw a tall, lanky kid in shorts rushing toward them. Directly behind him was another boy, nearly naked, dried blood caking his chest and legs. With a boom his first shot slammed into the tall kid’s shoulder, spinning him sideways. He slowed, stumbled, and fell to the floor, his face skidding on the tile. The next demented nearly tripped over his fallen companion.
Eddie’s rifle boomed several times, hitting the demented in the neck and face. It crumpled to the floor.
Tom fired another round into Tall Kid before he could regain his feet.
Rounding the far corner were several staggering undead, moaning and reaching with outstretched arms. Between them raced a couple more demented. They growled and shoved the slow moving undead out of the way.
The Demented Z (Book 2): Desolation Page 5