The Longest Road (Book 1)

by Thompson, A. S.

  “Good job, Corey. Hey, come back here, I think I found the rest,” Alex said quietly. He flashed his LED light back for Corey to follow him.

  Inside a locked cage near an emergency exit, the rest of the parts hung on a grated metal shelf. The gate wasn’t professionally installed by any standards. The owner had used normal construction fencing to enclose the equipment, but a huge key lock tethered the sections of fencing together.

  “This must be where they keep the expensive stuff,” Corey said, staring at the lock.

  Alex pinched the talk button on his radio. “Hey, Cully, found the parts, just need a little time to gather them. Be back in about ten minutes, maybe less.”

  “Sounds good. Hurry up. I have a bad feeling,” Collin called back.

  “You always have a bad feeling, but okay,” Alex joked.

  “Hey, Steve, what’s your SitRep?” Collin asked.

  Steve’s radio had been fixed since Danton, and his transmission came in clear. “Good. They have most of what we are looking for, and some extras. Haven’t spotted any walkers, but keeping our eyes peeled.”

  “Great. I just finished prepping our exit, so hurry up and get back here ASAP. Collin-out.”

  The radios went silent again as all three teams hurried.

  Corey searched a nearby office for a key, but Alex knew it would be next to impossible to find one. He had the idea of bending the fence enough to squeeze through. Part of him wanted redemption from the armory incident at Fort Kennedy. Since he was a smaller build than Corey, he opted to do it, not mentioning the fact that he didn’t want Corey to mess up and grab the wrong parts. Alex had forgiven him earlier, but he still thought Corey was an idiot.

  “Corey, pull this fence up while I squeeze under,” Alex said, setting his rifle against the cage. He unhooked his radio, but kept his newly-acquired Colt with him.

  With all his strength, Corey pulled and bent the cage, making a space for Alex to crawl through.

  ###

  Steve and Robert split up inside the Shop and Save and loaded their duffle bags with supplies. Much of the store’s products had either been purchased by smart survivalists during the initial outbreaks or had been stolen.

  Steve grabbed the last can of peas from the top shelf of the canned-foods section and tossed it into his three quarters full bag. He tightened the strap on the bag and lifted it over his shoulder. Robert found a few boxes of Twinkies and Ding Dongs, then stuffed in a few bottles of vodka into his sack. After he was satisfied, he stumbled upon the entertainment aisle.

  Robert knew he wouldn’t have much longer to execute his part of the plan. He set his bag down and aimed his rifle at Steve, who was browsing around the art section near the front of the store. Robert used the corner of an emptied shelf to steady his aim.

  “Goodbye, Steve,” he whispered as he squeezed the trigger of his hunting rifle. Before the shot rang off, a wandering rat sniffed its way to Robert’s pant leg and attempted to crawl up his leg. The rodent surprised Robert, knocking his aim off target. The bullet whizzed past Steve and blasted through the top of the storefront window.

  “What the fuck?” Steve yelled, ducking from the unknown threat. If the bullet had been two feet lower, it would have killed him instantly.

  “A rat fucking bit me!” Robert called back. “I didn’t mean to pull the trigger!”

  “Watch your fucking aim! You almost killed me!” Steve was livid. He composed himself as best he could, then looked out the damaged front window. “You just rang the dinner bell, you idiot!”

  All around them, the town came alive with undead. From everywhere, the not-so-alive residents of Paso Rio began shambling their way to the main street.

  Hearing the gunshot, Collin set down a water container, ran up the hill, and called out over the radio. “What the hell was that?”

  “Robert’s stupid ass. How’s it looking outside?”

  “Not good. They’re coming! Get out of there,” Collin called back, staring into the distant street.

  Rather than waste time by responding back, Steve turned to Robert. “We’re leaving! Now!” Steve tossed a blank sketchbook, colored pencils and pens for Sarah into his bag. “Let’s go out the back!”

  The first infected burst through the entrance door and broke through the front windows. Steve backpedaled, firing deadly headshots and dropping three infected. Robert, further in, led the way to the back. As he rounded the corner, an infected woman wearing a Shop and Save vest lunged at him. The woman grabbed his shirt and tried to pull herself onto him.

  “Get her off me. Steve, help! Get her off me!” he yelled, desperately avoiding her attacks.

  Steve rushed back. He didn’t have a clear shot with all the commotion. In a full sprint, Steve body checked her as if he was a hockey player. Steve spun off the hit and crashed into the side wall. The impact knocked his bag and gun away and crushed his radio. His leg landed on a sliver of broken glass, and blood rushed to the surface in seconds. The Shop and Save associate released a deep, dry moan and moved toward Steve.

  More townspeople came through the store’s entrance. Robert took the opportunity to let his plan finish itself. He no longer had to shoot his nemesis. He grabbed his bag and left out the back, leaving Steve to fend for himself.

  “What the fuck, Robert? Help me!” Steve screamed, using one hand to keep the woman at bay, the other pressed against his wound.

  “Sorry, shit happens,” Robert said, scurrying through an emergency exit in the back.

  1309 hours

  “Okay, lift the gate and let me through,” Alex said once he had finished collecting the necessary electrical parts and had slid them underneath the fence to Corey. “Behind you!”

  Corey turned just in time and fired at the infected kid rushing in his direction. The lone shotgun round blasted open half of the kid’s head, spraying bits of bone and brain all over the wall. Even though Alex had most definitely saved his life, Corey knew this was his chance. Without saying a word, he picked up Alex’s rifle and tossed it aside. He grabbed the bag of supplies and radio and backed up toward the exit.

  Alex took a step forward. “Corey, what the hell? What are you waiting for? Get me out of here!”

  “Sorry man,” he said, laughing. “Oh, this is perfect.”

  “What are you talking about? Open the gate, damnit! Stop fucking around!” Alex yelled, shaking the fence.

  “Oh, this couldn’t have worked out any better, asshole,” Corey said. “We’ve been working on a plan to get rid of you guys, and this is our chance. Rob is taking care of Steve and Brian is back at the base planting some evidence. It will leave Mark no choice but to kick Collin and Billy out. And you are going to be left here to rot.”

  Alex stopped shaking the fence and attempted to push himself through by himself. “You fucking cocksucker!”

  Corey laughed at Alex’s feeble attempt. “Have my dad’s gun as a token of my apology,” he said in a mimicking tone.

  “You son of a bitch!” Alex cursed, reaching for his newly acquired pistol. Before Alex could touch a hand to it, Corey cocked his shotgun and aimed it at him. There was nothing Alex could do.

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I’m feeling kind of nice, so I’ll ask. Where do you want it? Head or chest?”

  “Go fuck yourself,” Alex said, then spat at Corey. Desperately, he searched for something, anything. On the wall to his left, an emergency ladder extended to a hatch on the roof.

  “Call me a shitty shot? How’s this for shitty?” Corey said, aiming at Alex’s chest.

  As he pulled trigger, Corey was suddenly distracted by an unexpected attack from an infected man. The shot missed Alex’s heart, but pellets pierced his arm, spinning him around. Corey quickly chambered another shell and fired, finishing the man in midair. Two more infected rushed into the back room, and Corey put those down with more rounds. The wave of attacks distracted Corey long enough. Alex climbed up, unlocked the hatch and squeezed out. Corey didn’t expect the escape.
He tried firing again, but missed, hitting the wall next to Alex’s feet.

  “Fuck!” he cursed under his breath. Unsure of what to do, he kicked open the back door, checked for threats, and hurried off toward the car.

  ###

  On his back, Steve kicked the Shop and Save employee in the stomach. The woman lunged again and took a second kick from Steve, this time to the face. She stumbled back and tripped over her own feet. Steve’s M16 was just out of reach, so he drew his Sig and fired in one swift motion. Two bullets blew through the front of her face, dropping the woman instantly.

  Steve cringed as he pressed his leg wound. The bleeding was still prevalent, but manageable. He holstered his handgun and limped to his feet. He bent down and grabbed his rifle and bag of supplies. At the sounds of breaking glass, Steve looked through the now-exposed front store window. Dozens of undead surged through the streets. A few had heard the gunshots and broke into the store. He put those down with two bursts from his M16, then hobbled out the back door.

  ###

  Back at the bridge, Collin loaded his last container of water while the colonel went back down to the river to fill up the last tank. Collin heard the distant popping sound of gunfire and called out over the radio.

  No response from anyone.

  What the hell is going on? Why is no one answering me? Collin thought, getting more nervous by the second.

  A few undead ran toward the bridge, but were met by a frenzy of bullets from Collin’s M4. “Hello? Hello? Is anybody there?” Collin called again, but silence filled the airwaves.

  Out of nowhere, Corey appeared from a side street and hustled over. He tossed the electronics in the back of the truck. Before Collin could ask him anything, Robert appeared in full sprint fifty feet away. He fired at three immediate threats and dodged a one-legged man before making it safely back to the truck.

  The townspeople of Paso Rio shifted their attention to the truck. They moved like a pack of hungry animals. The battle had begun.

  “Where are the other two?” Collin asked, panicked.

  Corey looked over to Robert, who answered concisely. “Steve and I got split up.”

  “Alex got attacked. I’m sorry. He didn’t make it,” Corey followed.

  Collin was seasoned enough not to let emotions in on the battlefield, but his hurt showed. His hands began to tremble and his shots were scattered and less frequent.Alex is gone? He thought, unable to process the information.

  The colonel wheeled up the last filled tank and, with the help of his son, lifted it into the back. The minutes of gunfire felt like hours. In front of them, the townspeople were relentless.

  “Dad! We can’t hold out much longer. We should go while we still can!” Robert yelled.

  “Give Steve a minute,” Collin said, ignoring Robert’s plea. “He’s coming, I know it!”

  “We’ll give it one more minute. After that, I’m sorry, Collin, but we have to go,” Mark declared over shots from his .30-06 rifle.

  Collin knew Mark’s decision was the right one, but personally, he couldn’t accept it. He couldn’t leave his family; he just couldn’t.

  Steve was limping his way back toward the rendezvous point. Around every corner, packs of infected tried to attack. He dropped them easily with steady, calculated fire. In an alleyway two blocks away from the bridge, he leaned against the back of a hair salon. He held his leg, trying to stop as much of the bleeding as he could. He gritted his teeth in pain as he tore off a piece of his shirt and used it as a tourniquet; most of the bleeding stopped. He pushed the magazine release button on his rifle and slammed in a new magazine.

  “Take a deep breath,” he said to himself under his breath. “This is going to get a little hairy.”

  On the ledge above him, Alex heard the three round bursts from his cousin’s rifle. Holding his shoulder, Alex crawled to the edge and yelled, desperately trying to signal Steve. “I’m up here, Steve! Steve!”

  Alex’s cries went unanswered and Steve rounded the corner out of view.

  1318 hours

  “Collin, I’m sorry, but we have to go, now!” Mark called out. “Let’s pack it up, boys!” Without another word, Corey and Robert jumped in the back.

  The words pierced more than any bullet could. Collin wrestled with his conscience, but knew staying behind would be foolish and no good could come from it. In his mind, Alex was gone, and for all he knew, so was Steve.

  “Collin, get in the front!” Mark yelled, slamming the rear hatch.

  Collin hated himself for what he was about to do, but followed the colonel’s order. He took one last look towardthe town.Come on, Steve! He prayed. Sadly, he turned heel and made his way back to the driver’s cab.

  “Dad, look out!” Robert screamed as an infected man lunged for the colonel.

  Mark pivoted to face the threat, and from the distance, a series of shots rang out, dropping the infected before it could reach him. Had it not been for those bullets, he wouldn’t have had time to react. Thirty yards away, Steve lowered his rifle and continued his limp toward the truck. Infected gained on him with each step, and he did his best to shoot down the closest threats.

  “Collin, he’s here! Steve! Help us cover him!” Mark shouted to the cab.

  Collin couldn’t believe his ears.Steve? He threw the door open and sprinted toward Steve, going full auto on the crowd.

  “What the hell, Robert? I thought you said you were taking care of him,” Corey whispered angrily.

  Robert looked as shocked as Corey. “He should have been a goner. I don’t get it.”

  “Well, looks like you under-fucking-estimated him, didn’t you? What are we going to do now?”

  “I don’t know! I’ll think of something. Calm down!”

  “Come on, boys, raise those guns and fire!” Mark shouted.

  At the risk of being discovered, Corey and Robert had no other option than to assist in Steve’s dramatic escape. Four guns mowed down the approaching undead, but still they gained on Steve. With the combination of an injured leg, exhaustion, and the weight of his bag, Steve’s pace slowed to a brisk shuffle.

  “Steve! You’re alive! Your leg! What happened?” Collin yelled, coming to a skidding halt in front of his cousin. Before he grabbed the bag from Steve, Collin emptied his full magazine at the crowd of infected. “Can you walk?”

  “Yeah, it’s not as bad as it looks. I’ll be fine, let’s just get the hell out of here, and quick!” Steve said, limping alongside Collin. Residual blood trickled through the cloth and between Steve’s fingers as he pressed his leg. Together, they headed back to the truck as a flurry of bullets whizzed past their heads.

  “Get in first. I’ll be right back!” Collin ordered, ushering Steve into the front cab while he retreated to the back momentarily.

  Steve grimaced as he contorted his leg to fit inside. Collin quickly returned with one of the first aid kits he found earlier and Mark squeezed in on either side of Steve. Mark turned the keys, and the massive engine roared to life, vibrating the cab. After an aggressive shift, Mark slammed on the gas and the truck took off. Corey and Robert easily picked off the few undead in their wake.

  No one noticed Alex screaming and waving from the top of Eric’s Hardware and Electronics.

  “Now!” Mark yelled as they left the bridge.

  Collin scrambled for the detonator. He armed the small, black device and raised the antenna.

  “Hold on everyone!” he yelled, sinking into the seat and covering his ears.

  The infected chasing the truck were blown fifty feet into the air. All around them, fragments of wood and metal filled the sky. In the back of the truck, Robert and Corey dropped to the floor of the truck bed and used the rear hatch as partial cover as the effects of the blast reached the fleeing vehicle. The blast successfully deterred the infected from following. Those who tried to pass the river only made it halfway before the power of the water washed them downriver.

  On the rooftop back in town, Alex witnessed the explos
ion. He climbed back down and slumped against the brick wall.

  Mark peeled out on the main highway, using his predetermined route to get back. Robert and Corey sat alone in the back, drowned in their thoughts. In the front, the colonel drove quietly, constantly scanning his surroundings. Collin focused his efforts on taking care of Steve’s injury. He popped open the metal first aid box and sifted through the contents.

  “All right, Steve-O, I can patch you up temporarily, but when we get back, you need to get this properly stitched up.”

  Steve understood, but didn’t speak. He didn’t even wince during Collin’s procedure. Instead, he gave Collin a look, silently telling him, “I need to talk to you.”

  1432 hours

  Jeff Platz was on guard duty and saw the truck coming up the hill, so he had the gate lifted by the time it arrived. Mark pulled through and followed the circular driveway around to the Inner Eye. He stopped in front of the dining hall to facilitate the unloading process.

  The men in the cab piled out first, then Mark opened the tailgate. Robert jumped out first, but was instantly taken down. Using a football tackle, Steve lifted Robert up by his legs and carried him five feet before slamming Robert on the gravel path. The patchwork Collin did on Steve’s leg came undone, and blood began to trickle once again, but Steve didn’t care. He was out for blood.

  “You fucking coward!” Steve screamed.

  Steve had Robert in full mount and began wailing on him. The first blow was so fierce that it knocked Robert’s head back into the hard rocks, but Steve didn’t stop there. He landed one more right to Robert’s left eye, nearly knocking him out. Robert wasn’t even trying to fight back. His arms were like deadweights as they flailed aimlessly, trying to shield his face. Both knuckles were bloody and the blood loss from his leg had increased, but Steve fought through the pain. He used his left hand to hold Robert’s throat as his right drew his Sig. He pressed the barrel so hard against Robert’s forehead that the skin separated.