Dead Hunger VI_The Gathering Storm

by Eric A. Shelman

  I picked up my pace. When I reached it, the thing stopped and looked at my hand, holding the gun. One eye was gone, and the other was half out of the socket. His lips were entirely deteriorated, and his former comb over was now draped down to his shoulder on one side, almost non-existent on the other. His rotted teeth gnashed side to side as he emitted the low growl that sounded much like a reverberation of his vocal cords.

  As I raised my gun to fire, his one arm moved up, as though to block the bullet, and a piss-poor amount of pink mist sprayed from his tear ducts. He was too slow in movement and too malnourished to generate enough vapor. Besides all that, his hand, even if it had been quick enough, would have been a poor bullet shield anyway. My hollow-point round pierced his forehead and destroyed his brain, sending it out the back of his fragile skull and onto the foliage behind him.

  He slumped to the ground, more than a year after the infection that robbed him of everyone, everything and everyplace he knew, and was finally at peace.

  I’d move him to the pit later. For the moment, I went into the house to talk to our new friends and family.

  *****

  Hemp had initially remained quiet, but his eyes never left the little girl called Isis.

  Brett Gammon was indeed an older version of Dave, and I liked him right away. He was sort of wild-eyed and a pretty good storyteller, and we all quickly learned everything he’d told the rest of them back in his bunker in California.

  “How long after this all began was she exposed?” asked Hemp. “Your wife, I mean. What was her name? Angela?”

  “Yeah,” said Bug. “I called her Angie.”

  Hemp looked at us. “This is very interesting, because I was fairly certain that the red vapor was a result of some sort of evolution over time.”

  Serena spoke up. “We talked about that, Hemp. We thought that maybe the telepathy and other stuff came about over time. The ability to control the zombie masses. We might not have noticed the red vapor versus the pink, especially in groups of them.”

  “Yes,” said Hemp. “But the red eyes. I suppose they could have evolved, too. Doesn’t matter anyway. They have the abilities now, don’t they?”

  “Sure as hell do,” I said. “So she’s like what? A siren?”

  “I want to hear it!” shouted Trina, who had been standing next to Hemp and smiling at the baby, who seemed as taken with her.

  “Not that kind of siren,” said Bug, smiling and rubbing Trina’s hair. Trina pulled back and tried to straighten her blonde locks with her hand while she looked at Bug with curiosity, and I guessed a little uncertainty.

  Bug then reached into a pack and withdrew a bag of beef jerky. Isis watched him closely, and her red eyes grew wide, and she smiled, holding her hands.

  “Jerky!” she said. “I want a piece, daddy!”

  We all stared in amazement.

  “How old did you say she is?” asked Hemp.

  “Like I told these guys, she was born a bit over a week after this stuff happened,” said Bug.

  “She just put together a five-word sentence,” said Hemp. “That is what gifted children are capable of, and only on rare occasions. Uncanny.”

  Bug gave her reaching fingers the beef jerky, and she immediately snatched it, said, “Thank you,” and started devouring it.

  “We got used to this on the trip home,” said Dave. “Caught us off guard at first, too.”

  In mere moments, the jerky was gone and she was looking for the bag. Bug gave her another and she started work again.

  “Well, let’s show Lola where she’s sleeping,” said Charlie. “I know you don’t have much in the way of luggage, so that part should be easy.”

  Nelson said, “Dude, I’ll set Rachel up with me.” He hesitated and shot her a quick glance. “I mean, if that’s alright with you, Rach,” he added.

  “It’s fine, Nel,” she said, a slightly embarrassed smile on her face. “I’m comfortable with you.”

  Gem stood and went to Nelson. “Stand up,” she ordered.

  Nelson did, and opened his arms. He knew what was coming. She hugged him tightly, and he pulled her even tighter. “You gonna kick my ass now?” he asked, his voice muffled in her shoulder.

  “There’s plenty of time for that,” she said. “But I’ll need to brush up on my Subdudo if I want to take you down. Right now I’m just glad you’re home. We were worried, kid.”

  “I found Lola here,” he said. “She’s a siren, too.”

  “Yeah she is, and she saved us all,” said Bug. “If it weren’t for her drawin’ all those bitches and their dummies away from my door, we’d still be trapped in there.”

  “When I tell you it was nothing,” said Lola, her face flushed red, “I mean it came naturally.”

  “It wore her out,” said Dave. “She kept it up for hours.”

  Hemp looked at Lola and she shrugged. “I won’t lie,” she said. “It did tire me out, but thinking about one thing for that long, no matter what the situation, would do the same thing.”

  Hemp’s eyes narrowed as he studied her, and I could see his mind working. “Lola,” he said, “can you tell me what’s involved in calling them? What exactly do you do?”

  Lola shook her head. “I don’t do anything more than think, come to me, come to me, come to me. Just over and over.”

  Hemp rubbed his chin. “It must be translated into some command they can understand,” he said. “More like a signal than actual words. If that’s not the case, then they may have some language skills that we were not aware of.”

  Lola shrugged. “The first time I did it, I didn’t know I was doing it. After I realized I could call them, the simplest command I could think of seemed to work.”

  “Can you consciously turn it off? The call?” asked Hemp, and the scientist was front and center. He snapped his fingers loudly and said, “Wait! Lola, can you repel them?” asked Hemp, staring at her.

  She smiled at Hemp’s excitement, and I shook my head. She addressed his question: “I think the normal state is off,” she said. “I mean, I don’t want them coming to me as a rule. As for repelling them, I tried once while we were out there,” she said. “When they got too close to me and Russell. Nothing happened. That’s when I fell. I was worried they were getting on top of us and I tried, but then I remember slipping off that rock. After that, I don’t remember anything until I woke up.”

  “I wonder if the words you’re thinking are translated into sort of an impression or a abstract command,” said Hemp, obviously thinking aloud. “If I believed in such things, it would be something like a person with telekinesis making an inanimate object move. The object doesn’t have to understand what you want it to do, it just moves by the will of the mind.”

  “You mean after the dead started walking you still have a hard time believing some things?” asked Gem, almost laughing. “Anyway, we’ve got time to work that stuff out later. For now, I know you guys had a long trip, so if you want to hit the hay for a while, we’re all good with that.”

  “That actually sounds really good,” said Rachel.

  Lola nodded, too. “I could use some sleep.”

  “I thought so. We’ve got extra clothes,” said Gem. “My stuff won’t fit you, Rachel. Don’t take this wrong, but I think Taylor’s clothes will.

  Rachel smiled. “Don’t worry about that,” she said. “I’m not offended in the slightest. It won’t be the first time I’ve worn girl’s sizes.”

  “I’ll share,” said Taylor. Her red hair had gotten long, and Charlie had trimmed it nicely a couple of days before, so she looked cute as a button, her perfect bangs hanging just to her eyebrows.

  “C’mon, Rachel,” Taylor said. “I’ll show you my closet.”

  “Mine or Charlie’s pre-maternity clothes should fit you, Lola.” Said Gem. “We’ll go on a raid and get you more after you get settled in. Follow them.”

  Rachel smiled at us and waved as Taylor took Rachel’s hand and led her away with Trina and Lola right behind. I fig
ured with Rachel’s under five-foot frame, kids took to her. She had a sweet smile, too, and I saw her give Nelson a wink as she left the room.

  “She your girl, Nel?” I asked, nudging him.

  Nelson returned a shy smirk. “I’m taking it sorta slow, dude,” he said. “She’s still grieving over her husband.”

  “Good call,” I said. “It’s good to have you back. Glad you’re okay.”

  “I was always coming back,” said Nelson. “This is home.” He pulled a baggie from his shirt pocket and said, “I’ll be right back.”

  He went onto the back porch and faced away from us. I knew he was settling in with a bowl of pot. Things had returned to normal. Plus a little extra.

  “Does Isis produce any of the mist?” asked Hemp.

  Bug shook his head. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and crow’s feet formed at his eyes when he squinted. “Nope. Not yet, anyway.”

  Bug held her on his knee and Hemp asked, “Do you mind if I hold her?”

  “Not at all,” said Bug. “She’s good with everyone. You heard what she put up with back home, right?”

  “I did,” said Hemp, reaching for her. “A little acrobat, this one.”

  We’d all heard the Cliff’s Notes version. It was the first thing Dave told us when they got in touch via a portable Ham radio that Bug had in his vast array of supplies. They were still on their return trip then.

  Hemp lifted Isis and I smiled as he put her on his knee. She stared at him, swallowing her last chunk of beef jerky.

  “Little preview of what kind of daddy you’re going to make,” said Gem.

  “I can’t wait,” said Hemp. “Right, Isis?”

  “Right,” she said.

  Hemp shook his head and smiled as he leaned down to look into her eyes. She did not break the contact, and it almost seemed as though she were analyzing him right back.

  Suddenly, she leaned forward and kissed him, a little peck on the lips. Hemp laughed.

  “You are a friendly one, aren’t you?’ he said, and the smile wouldn’t leave his lips.

  After another second or two of close inspection, he said, “It does appear to be a layer of mist, just like with the more mature red-eyes … uh, females.” He looked at the baby’s father. “Sorry about that.”

  Bug waved his hand in the air. “It is what it is,” he said. “She is a little red-eye … only a hell of a lot cuter and a shitload friendlier.”

  “Aside from her high intelligence and her unique idiosyncrasies, she appears perfectly normal,” said Hemp, putting the palm of his hand on her forehead. He then felt her pulse. He looked briefly troubled.

  “What’s wrong, partner?” asked Bug, obviously catching Hemp’s look.

  “She’s almost cool to the touch, and that’s just for starters,” he said. “And her pulse seems off.”

  “What about it?” asked Bug.

  “Does she tire easily?” asked Hemp.

  Bug shook his head. “No way. She’s like a fuckin’ Energizer Bunny. Why?”

  Hemp took her wrist again and looked at his watch for a long time. “Twenty-one beats in thirty seconds,” he said. “Forty two.”

  “That’s really low, right?” I said. “Is that dangerous for a baby?”

  Hemp’s eyes showed concern, and he again looked into Isis’ red ones. “Are you alright, little one?” he asked.

  “Perfect,” said Isis.

  Hemp laughed. “She’s cocky, I’ll give her that,” he said. “Normal heart rate for a 1-2 year old is between 80 and 130. She’s at a third of the maximum. It’s very low.”

  “Her color looks fine,” said Gem. “I might be on my first kid, but I’ve seen lots of babies. Flex, you were around Trina and Jesse when they were babies. About the same?”

  I shrugged. “I defer to Hemp, but she looks fine to me.”

  “Yes,” said Hemp, biting his lower lip. “She seems to be a healthy little girl, but I’ll be looking forward to taking her temperature.”

  Bug shifted in his seat and seemed uncomfortable for a moment. I saw Dave look at him, and I immediately knew why. Bug didn’t make us wait to hear what was on his mind.

  “I was worried about comin’ here,” he said. “After I figured out what was drawin’ all the deadheads to my place. I think she’s bound to do it wherever she goes. Is that gonna be a problem for you guys?”

  Hemp shook his head and looked at me, and I said, “Hell no. You, Gem?”

  “Are you kidding?” asked Gem. “She can no more control her abilities than we can control how those things out there react to them.”

  Nelson came back in and everyone turned. He stopped. “What?”

  “I was just saying that we don’t have a problem with Isis or her abilities. We’ll make do and use all of it to make us stronger.”

  “Right on, dude,” said Nelson. “I never thought anything different.”

  “Have you got a place I can catch some sleep?” asked Bug, standing as he hoisted Isis on one arm.

  “Catch a nap here, Unk,” said Dave. “I guess Serena and I weren’t too convinced we’d find you and talk you into coming back with us. But, it was always our plan to set you up in the guest house at our place. Or in the main house if you want. Anyway, it’s a decent place. Might have been for workers, but it just needs a little sweeping and some bedding. We’ll head home and it’ll be ready for you by the time you nod out for a while.”

  Bug nodded. “Thanks, kid, and no rush. I’m good here for a while. You take Serena and head over and don’t worry about cleanin’ that place up for me just yet. You need some shuteye, too.”

  He looked around the room and his expression turned melancholy. “I’m real glad you found me, Davey. It’s good to be with family and friends for a change. Talk about goin’ stir crazy.”

  Gem walked up and hugged the elder Gammon as he held the baby. She nuzzled Isis’s nose with hers before pulling away, then kissed Bug on the cheek. “God, she’s cute,” she said, smiling. “And you look like some fuckin’ Berkley professor.”

  “Far from it,” said Bug. “I was plannin’ to vote for Romney when all this shit hit the fan. Absentee ballot, of course.”

  Gem winked at him. He winked back, but I’m certain that whatever message was sent back and forth was lost to both of them. I was guessing that Gem didn’t believe him, and that he didn’t believe she didn’t believe him.

  “Did I tell you she’s cute as hell?” asked Gem.

  “You’re cute!” said Isis, smiling big.

  Gem’s eyes went wide and her smile disappeared. “She’s got … like adult teeth.”

  “Part of her charm,” said Bug. “She seems to let people fall in love with her before she shows them. I think it’s her intuition.”

  “Wow,” said Gem, shaking her head. “Anyway, there are lots of couches and lots of bedding. It looks like everyone else nodded out, so you might as well, too. Go down that hallway and turn into the second door on the right. Our room. Nice 7’ couch in there. Close the door and we’ll leave you for a few hours.”

  Bug ran his fingers through his hair. “I see why Dave likes you guys so much,” he said. “This one here will just hang out with me. I think it recharges her to be around people who are sleeping, even if she doesn’t.”

  “I still can’t believe that,” said Hemp. “I’m going to want to spend quite a bit of time with her if you don’t mind,” he added.

  “If you can learn from her, go for it,” said Bug. “She’ll let you know when she’s done with you.”

  Flex Jr. slept soundly in his crib. Gem got up and leaned over him, touching her finger to his lips. He gave a tiny snort and stayed out cold.

  “Love this kid,” she said. “It’s like he has strings attached directly to my heart.”

  “I’m gonna head down the street and get some sleep,” said Nelson. “Feels good to be home. I’ll have the radio on if you guys need anything.”

  “Sounds good, Nel,” I said. “Any ideas where we can set these
folks up?”

  Nelson shrugged. “There’s still those two places just off Shelton,” he said. “Remember? We cleared them when we got here.”

  I did remember. “Yeah, tin roof on one of them, right? Maybe Rachel and Lola wouldn’t mind sharing.”

  “Dude, remember?” Nelson said. “Rach is coming with me.”

  “Your memory sucks,” said Gem, teasing me.

  “That’s cool,” I said. “I’ve got you, and you’re always right. I’ve come to rely on you.”

  “Smart ass,” said Gem. “But we’ve got Dave’s uncle and Isis, too. Maybe they can settle in the other. Be good to have him close to Lola.”

  “Lola’s about as close to a red-eye as you can get without being a zombie,” said Nelson. “I’m thinking she doesn’t need anyone for protection, but they do know one another. Plus, he has a shitload of guns he brought from his bunker.”

  “You’ll have to tell me about that place one of these days,” I said.

  “Over a joint, brother,” said Nelson. “Photographic memory. I won’t leave anything out.”

  Nelson left

  There was a knock on the door.

  No. Allow me to correct that statement. There was a sudden pounding on the door, followed by the sound of a woman’s screams.

  We jumped up and ran to see what the hell was going on.

  *****

  Chapter Two

  By the time we opened the door, the woman who had pounded on it had begun to run away, pulling what appeared to be a young girl behind her. She was screaming, and looking behind her, so we followed her terrified stares.

  Three creatures now angled toward her, staggering determinedly after them, but still thirty yards away.

  I leaned down to grab my Daewoo, which was in its standard location by the door, and hurried onto the porch and down the steps.

  “Stop!” I called after the pair, but Gem had already passed me, saying, “You get the rotters, babe. I’ll go after them.”

  I chambered a round and raised the weapon, walking briskly toward the oncoming mini-horde. I stopped. I didn’t want to fire the gun and awaken everyone in the house, but it couldn’t be helped. It’s not my instinct to grab urushiol or a baseball bat.