by J. B. Havens
In their haste, the kids had left the French doors open behind them. I went back inside, securing the door and closing the drapes behind me. The beam of a flashlight the kids held wavered on the ceiling. They were crouched together in the corner near the sofa, clutching the flashlight like a life line.
“Guys, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” I took a few small steps forward, I didn’t want to scare them anymore than they already were.
The boy tipped the flashlight down, the beam shined directly into my eyes. I hissed, backing up and turning my head. My eyes were on fire, I was blinded. Blinking did nothing, white spots dancing in my vision. “God dammit. Don’t shine that fucking thing in my face!”
The cocking of the pistol kept me in place. “D-don’t m-move,” the boy stammered.
I turned around slowly, keeping my hands out to my sides. “List…”
The shot was deafening in the small space. A thud of the bullet slamming into me, more imagined than actually heard, followed by a burning pain in my shoulder. Looking down, I saw the blood running down my arm. He’d hit me just below my collar bone in my right shoulder.
“I’ll shoot again!” the boy yelled. The pistol wavered in his shaking grip. It looked very large, too big for his teenage hands.
I rushed him. My speed bringing me to his side in seconds. I stripped the pistol from him and pushed him backward. He fell onto the sofa, his eyes wide and shocked. “Listen kid, I don’t have time for this. Thanks for firing another goddamn shot. Now even more fucking zombies are going to be beating on the fucking doors.” Fury sharpened my tone. The little bastard shot me, I didn’t care about his feelings right now. “If you want to survive the next damn hour you need to shut this shit down and listen to me. Understand?”
He nodded as the girl moved to his side, pulling on his hand. He pulled her into him, shielding her body with his own.
I hissed in pain and the burning in my shoulder intensified. Pulling aside the tank top strap to see the wound better, I watched the bullet emerge and pop out of the hole. The bleeding stopped and the hole began to close.
The zombies were here. The smell reached us first, the thick stink of rotting flesh and blood filling the apartment. The stench of them was only this intense when they were in large groups. They pounded on the doors and windows, moaning and crying out in hunger.
The girl was crying, though I wasn’t sure if she’d ever stopped to begin with. “Let’s go,” I ordered. They needed to get away from these damn French doors. The things that sold me on renting this place were going to give at any moment. They weren’t designed to hold up to dozens of pairs of beating hands and pressing bodies.
Leading the kids down the hallway I pushed them into the bathroom. With its one window that was high up, they should be safe enough in here for the moment.
“Wait!” The girl grabbed my arm. Her eyes desperate and filled with absolute terror. “We’ll be trapped in here. Please. Help us.”
“I am helping. Stay here, you’ll be out of the way and I won’t need to worry about you.” I also didn’t want them to see what I was about to do. “Lock this door behind me. Don’t open it until I tell you.” I gave him back his pistol, I couldn’t leave them in there alone with no weapon. “Don’t fire unless you absolutely have to. The sound draws them in. Understand?” I didn’t wait for his reply of agreement, I shut the door and went back down the hallway.
Walking to the French doors, I kept a tight grip on the handle of the machete, tapping the blade softly against my thigh with every step I took. I let my rage envelop me, the intense anger I felt toward this world and these creatures was the added strength I needed to face what I had to do. I reveled in it, I bathed in its waters and let its hot energy envelop me. I accepted it and with that, the power I have over these godforsaken zombies surged.
Following the invisible strings that connected us, I felt them all, each and every one of these dead fuckers were in my head. Pain pierced my skull as I was overwhelmed by their numbers. Groaning in agony, my stomach revolted. Bile rose up the back of my throat in a burning, foul tasting rush. They squirmed around in my mind, disgusting and wet, slipping and sliding around in a slimy pile. The sensation inside my brain was stronger than I’d ever felt. All at once, each of them sought me in return. My knees threatened to buckle under their added weight. Locking my knees, I straightened my shoulders and stood directly in front of the patio door.
Pulling the curtains aside, I saw the rotting, pale faces of the dead. Their hands had left bloody smears all over the glass. I couldn’t see how many were out there. It was a seething mass of bodies, pressed tightly together against the glass of the doors. How they hadn’t broken in yet, I didn’t understand. Their screeches and moaning cries were immensely loud. A man in the front was trapped against the glass, his open mouth smashed against the smooth surface. I could see his black tongue working against the glass, leaving a trail of black slime across it like a diseased snail.
“Stop!” I shouted, both verbally and mentally. Blood trickled from my nose from the effort. My head was going to split like an overripe fruit at any second. The pressure behind my eyes was increasing and the blood from my nose flowed faster. It dripped steadily down onto my shirt, soaking the material so it stuck against my skin.
The zombies slowed and the near constant pounding lessened by small degrees. “Go away!” I screamed, putting the force of my whole body behind the command. I could no longer see, my vision gone to flashing white spots. My heart was thundering in my chest, my lungs struggling to breathe. The pounding ceased.
The silence was so complete it was if I’d thrown a switch.
I dropped to my knees and vomited. Blood and mucus ran from my nose in a disgusting mess. The pressure in my chest was slowly easing, the pain slipping away gradually. My arms shook with the effort of holding myself upright and if I was attacked right now I couldn’t even lift my head, let alone defend myself.
“Are you okay?” a small voice from above me asked shyly. Rolling my eyes upward, because lifting my head was too difficult right now, I saw the girl standing there. Her too big jacket was falling off one shoulder, her dark blonde hair half way out of its pony tail. She looked so innocent and scared, but I could read the hope in her eyes.
Forcing myself up off my hands, I leaned back on my knees. I knew standing wasn’t possible yet. “Yeah kid, I’m okay. What’s your name?” I asked, wiping the blood from my face with the bottom of my shirt.
“Dalia.” Her voice was just above a whisper. “My brother’s name is Tristen.”
“That’s a beautiful name, Dalia. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Molly.”
Tristen came up behind her, placing his hand protectively on her shoulder. He looked at me suspiciously, and with good reason.
“I’m not going to hurt you or your sister, Tristen. You don’t have to be afraid of me. Yeah, I’m a zombie but I’m not like the others.” Even as I said it, I knew it was a lie. Besides my strange appearance, I’d just exhibited abilities that shouldn’t be possible. Add in the fact that I was hungry and they smelled wonderful, they should be afraid. Their instincts were telling them there was something wrong with me—which of course there was.
“Look, lady, we just want to leave. Thanks for getting rid of those things, or whatever you did, but we aren’t staying.” Grabbing his sister by the hand, he led her to the front door. She pulled against him, wanting to stay.
“Tristen, no! I don’t want to go out there! It’s dark and they come out at night. Please, Tristen!” Her little body was pulling with all her strength, but he wouldn’t budge.
“Come on, we’re not staying here with her. Don’t listen to what she’s saying. It’s not safe here.”
I don’t know how she had more tears in her, but they flowed down her face. Her terror was palatable. The taste stuck in the back of my throat, thick and sweet. I needed to feed and my mouth watered as I listened to their pulses race.
My display of power had come
with a price.
“Wait a second.” I choked out past the lump in my throat. “I’m fine out there. The dead ones won’t bother me. Why don’t you two stay here tonight and I’ll stay outside and keep watch. I won’t let anything get in here. Plus, I won’t be in here scaring you both half to death.”
“Tristen, please listen. I know she looks scary, but she isn’t going to hurt us. I know it.” Her eyes slid to the side, taking in the appearance of my skin, over developed muscles, and red-rimmed eyes. “Please,” she pleaded, “She said she’d stay outside. We can lock the doors. We’ll be safe. Tristen, we haven’t slept inside in so long.”
Glancing back and forth between me and his sister, Tristen looked torn. He was a little older, maybe fourteen or so. Old enough to take care of his sister at least, but still young enough that he needed an adult for guidance. No doubt he was just as scared as his sister was, but he had to put on a brave face for her.
Standing, I left them in the living room and headed back to my bedroom. Shutting the door, I leaned back against it, breathing a sigh of deep exhaustion. Stripping yet again, I pulled out a pair of stretchy yoga pants and a t-shirt. I couldn’t wear most of my clothes, they wouldn’t fit over my bigger frame. Adding a baggy sweatshirt on top, I pulled on a thick pair of socks and headed out to get my boots.
“I’m going out. Stay or don’t, that’s up to you.” Grabbing the machete from where I’d dropped it on the carpet, I slid it into my belt and stepped into my boots. I grabbed a few bags from the hall closet that I’d used for grocery shopping back when that was a thing and left the apartment. Pausing near the door, I heard the lock click into place.
Once again, I stood outside my apartment with no idea where to go. What I did know, was that I could be out here in relative safety while those kids in there couldn’t be. I wanted to do more for them, to help. Then I realized there was no food or water inside. Now that was something I could fix.
Chapter Ten
Kelle and Erik made good time. They only stopped when the sunlight forced them to, but the sun had set and they were on the move again. Kelle felt energized, hopeful. Molly was close, she could feel it with a certainty that was hard to describe.
When I find her, she’s going to pay for leading me on this wild fucking goose chase. She’s going to wish she’d killed me back at the lab.
Yes, my queen.
Erik’s glee was apparent. He gripped her hand tightly as she led him along, rubbing his thumb along hers.
He would do anything for her. Unlike the zombies in her horde, Erik wanted to be with her. The average meat sack had no feelings one way or the other. They were like a chair, it made no difference to them where they were. Their purpose was being the chair, the person who sat on them didn’t affect them in any way.
Erik’s connection to her was so deep that being apart would be like losing an arm. Unimaginable. They’d never be the same without each other. She was deep in his mind, there were no thoughts of how she’d killed and turned him. His few thoughts were peaceful and calm as long as she remained near.
They’d arrived on the outskirts of town, the trail stronger than ever. It was fresh. They were very close. Multiple gunshots rang out, breaking the silence of the night.
“That’s her,” Kelle spoke aloud. She could feel it in her bones, Molly was here. Leading the way, Kelle and Erik advanced as another shot rang out. Running now, Kelle followed the scent trail and her instincts deeper into the town. Not thinking anymore, she turned at an intersection, Molly’s proximity was like a homing beacon, drawing her ever closer.
Sprinting down the middle of the road, Molly’s scent grew stronger still. They crossed the street, coming upon a block of row house style apartment buildings, each with an attached one car garage. The cookie cutter buildings were mostly untouched. A few had doors knocked off the hinges or broken windows, but most were spared the ravages of this new world. They stood there for a few minutes, waiting.
“She’ll show herself, I know she will,” Kelle spoke to Erik quietly. “We just need to be patient a little longer.” She was excited. After all those weeks of chasing Molly, her prey was finally near at hand.
Kelle saw Molly exiting the last apartment in the row, a bag gripped in each hand. Stepping closer, she made her presence known. Erik stood next to her, keeping a tight hold on her hand.
Molly stopped, lifting her head and looking around. Spotting her, Molly turned toward her and dropped the bags. Walking to the edge of the yard, Molly remained there, waiting. Her face was like stone, cold and hard. Unforgiving.
“Kelle,” she said calmly. “I was waiting for you to show up. I’ve felt you for a while now.” Stepping off the curb toward her, Molly brushed her hair out of her eyes while drawing her blade with the other.
“Molly-girl. Here I am. I found the mess you left back in that cabin. Very horror flick of you.” Releasing Erik’s hand, Kelle took a few steps across the road. Not quite within striking distance of Molly, though. Her machete looked well used.
“Who’s your friend?” Indicating Erik with a lift of her chin, Molly’s eyes stayed glued to hers. The red-circled irises were startling in the moonlight.
“His name is Erik. I turned him,” she stated matter-of-factly. “He’s like us, only not quite as strong. I’m the queen, he’s my knight. Have you turned anyone?” Titling her head to the side, Kelle couldn’t help but notice a few things about Molly. Her hands trembled slightly, her skin was drawn too tight on her face.
She was hungry.
“Are you not feeding?” Kelle asked.
“I’m not an evil bitch like you. I don’t want to eat people. So I don’t.” Shrugging, as if it was the most obvious answer, Molly stepped closer.
“You should have stayed at the lab with me for a bit. I’ve learned so many wonderful things about us. Don’t you ever think about it? Why did we change into this? I mean, we both should be a pile of bones in that fucking store. Yet, here we are.” Throwing her arms out to the side, at the same moment she reached out with her mind. Touching first Erik, then Molly, going even further until she found what she was looking for. The dead. Each one she found perked up and answered her call. They formed a group, blocks away, their ranks swelling as more joined with each street they passed.
Her children marched toward their Queen.
“Of course I wonder,” Molly scoffed. She was tense, no doubt sensing what Kelle was doing, but she didn’t know how to stop it.
“I found some files,” Kelle said, stalling Molly until her horde arrived. They were slow, stumbling around each other and into cars. Some fell and stayed down, the others walking over top of them, crushing them into the pavement. It was a challenge to have her attention split so evenly between Molly and the horde. “You know they tested our blood, right? We both have a marker on our DNA that makes us Alphas, Queens, whatever you wanna call it. Apparently, I also have a genetic predisposition to violence and mental illness.” Lifting her shoulders in a dramatic shrug, she laughed. “Who knew?”
Kelle was starting to enjoy this.
****
“Yes, Kelle, it’s obvious you’re insane,” I deadpanned, hoping to distract her. “I don’t need a fucking blood test to tell me that.” Rolling my eyes, I was waiting for the perfect moment to kill her and end this psychotic game. I gripped the handle of the machete tightly, its weight was solid and almost comforting.
Just as I was preparing to run toward her, my head began to pound. Zombies, a lot of them. The shuffling of their feet was loud in the otherwise quiet neighborhood. Moaning and screeching, they made the turn at the corner, coming into view.
“Surprise! Took you long enough to notice them. Jeez, you suck at this.” Kelle waved cheerfully, giggling like mad.
I flung my hand out, throwing the part of me that can connect with the zombies with it. Their minds were locked, as if Kelle had put them all in cages. I ordered them to stop. A few stumbled or froze mid-step, falling over in the process. Most continued to
ward me.
“It’s useless, Molly. You’re weak. I can feel it. You haven’t been feeding and now you’re paying the price for your morals.”
She was right and I hated it. Healing my wounds and dealing with those zombies earlier had sapped my already depleted strength. Grunting from the effort, I pushed harder. Blood again leaked from my nose while the pressure in my head increased. If I couldn’t stop them, maybe I could divert them. I just needed to buy some time. They flowed around Kelle like water around a rock. She stood there smiling, waiting to witness my demise.
“Enough of this shit,” I grunted. Slashing my way forward, I stabbed and pushed through the crowd. Some turned, trying to bite me but stopped just inches from my skin, earning a mouthful of steel in return. The blade of my machete sank into and ripped apart bodies, clearing a path to Kelle. My weak mental command was just enough to keep them from killing me. Or maybe it was because I was an Alpha. Either way, I didn’t care.
“No!” Kelle screamed, frustration and rage distorting her face, revealing the evil under the child-like mask.
Only three more zombies stood between us, grabbing the nearest one by the shirt, I thrust the blade into his face. My strength broke bones and cartilage in his nose, sinking the blade into his skull. Kicking him away, I jerked the weapon free and turned to Kelle. She cocked her head to the side, listening to something. She grinned, revealing teeth stained brown and black from blood and gore. Waving her fingers at me, she turned and ran to my apartment. My blood went cold with fear.
She kicked in the front door and I was right on her heels. With a final burst of speed, I tackled her in the living room. She was flat on her stomach, as I grabbed her hair and smashed her face into the floor. It wasn’t elegant, but it worked well enough.
Rough hands pulled me off, throwing me into the wall behind the couch with a crack of breaking drywall. I fell to the carpet. Looking up, I saw Erik helping Kelle to her feet. My machete had fallen from my hand in my fall, I couldn’t see it near me. I didn’t bother looking for it, instead going after Erik and Kelle.