BloodoftheDead[UndeadWorldTrilogyBookOne]

by A. P. Fuchs

"I meant the cereal part."

  "Oh."

  It was a few moments before he spoke. “My ... my mornings were quiet. Used to work all night."

  "Doing what?"

  "Writing comic books."

  She smiled. “Des would love you.” A pause. “You know what I mean."

  "In the mornings I'd stand on my balcony with a cup of coffee and just think, reflect, absorb the peace that was on the air before folks would come out and the day would get underway.” A pang stung his heart. “I really miss those days.” What was happening to him? He didn't mean to say that last part.

  Don't get carried away. Just ‘cause she's a girl doesn't mean you're supposed to get all sensitive again. It had always been his weakness: girls, but not in the way women were usually a man's weakness. Back in the day, he used to be the one who'd listen to a girl as she went on and on about how much she hated being with her boyfriend or how she so badly wished she could find somebody like Joe, one who actually cared about her. His classic internal response was always: Hey, I'm a guy like me. Choose me! He was drawn to them and they to him. And that sort of thing finally peaked with April.

  Now she was dead, and so was he, the guy who always fell into that sort of thing.

  "Sounds nice,” Billie said softly. She finished the can of peaches. “Where should I toss this?"

  Just then April padded into the kitchen.

  "Here,” Joe said and took the can from her. He set it on the counter behind him.

  Billie dumped her spoon in the sink. “This okay?"

  "Yeah. I'll take care of it later."

  April pawed at her dish in the corner. There was some water left, but no food. Joe dug out the small bag of dog food from beneath the sink, poured some in her dish, then put the bag back.

  Crunching filled the air as April went to town.

  "At least she's not complaining about the same old, same old,” Billie said.

  "Not her and I'm sure she wouldn't object to a lifetime of canned beans.” Why was he making a joke?

  Billie grinned and her smile, for a second, made him remember the joy he felt when he saw April smile for that first time, all squinty eyes and teeth.

  The explosive pop of glass shattering came from outside.

  Joe went to the window in the front room and peered out onto the street below.

  It was covered in the undead.

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  13: Gotta Go

  Des Nottingham stood at the bottom of the gold-plated railing, his hand resting on the large golden ball on top of a thick golden post. He'd never been in such an ornate ballroom before—never been in a ballroom at all—but this was the perfect place to be with Billie.

  She deserved it.

  He'd been waiting at the bottom of the long flight of red-carpeted stairs for several minutes, his heart beating anxiously. He ran a hand over his slicked-back hair then checked his black tux one more time for any lint. A small speck of white fuzz dotted his lapel. He pinched it and pulled it off. The leather of his highly-polished black dress shoes squeaked when he adjusted his stance. Just look casual. Don't want to make her think you're too excited. But he was excited. Who wouldn't be? A huge fancy room all to themselves, a romantic melody being played by the small quartet of musicians off in the corner, the stars sparkling in through the enormous window spanning the entire width of the second level at the top of the stairs. Though he only thought it kind of strange, he dismissed the fact he couldn't see where the second level led to on either side, the hallway just melting away into shadow.

  Then she appeared.

  Des straightened and took his hand off the post. He folded his hands in front of his thighs.

  Her eyes never left his as she passed along the baluster, her gentle smile conveying she was looking forward to this as much as he was. She paused a moment at the top of the stairs. A large smile beyond his control forced his cheeks into his eyes.

  Her hair was pulled up and back and sat like a rose on her head, a lily pinned up against the left side. He had never known her to wear makeup before, but the way her lips shone with juicy redness and the way the green mascara accented her blue eyes, he couldn't help himself but fall for her harder.

  Billie glided down the stairs like an angel floating down from above, her cream-colored dress seeming to glow even as the skirt swished from side to side. It didn't appear her bright white shoes even touched the steps as she descended. When she reached the bottom step, he held out his hand and led her down to the golden lacquered floor. She greeted him with a gentle smile and allowed him a moment to take in this little piece of heaven that had come down to him.

  "They're playing our song,” he said.

  "I hoped they would,” she replied.

  Des took a step back, bowed; Billie curtsied.

  Their bodies magnetically drew to each other's and a shudder of electricity shot through him the moment her body fell into his. Gently, he took up her hand and placed his other on her waist. Not once did she try to adjust herself or take control. She was all his.

  "Ready?” he said softly.

  "Always."

  With a pull to his left, he spun them around and their feet left the floor, floating on the air that was this perfect moment between them.

  A moment made of dreams.

  Eyes locked on hers, he couldn't believe this was happening yet at the same time it all felt natural, as if they'd done this a thousand times before.

  The chandelier above twinkled and the light of its bulbs glowed brighter each time they passed under it.

  They moved to the music, Billie giggling every now and then, Des joining in her joy.

  When the music slowed then ended, they floated down to the ballroom floor, both slightly out of breath.

  "Thank you,” she said.

  "My pleasure."

  "I've always wanted you, you know that?"

  Hearing those words made his heart dance. “Maybe."

  "I should have acted sooner."

  He smiled. “Maybe.” He lowered her hand then placed both of his around her waist. She drew her arms up and wrapped them around his neck.

  "I've missed you,” she said.

  He wasn't really sure what she was referring to other than perhaps she was sorry for almost missing out on him.

  "I'm not going anywhere,” he said.

  "Better not."

  They smiled. He leaned in close and rubbed his nose up against hers.

  Then he kissed her.

  Her lips were soft, the perfume wafting up from her neck permeating his senses and making him lose himself in her.

  She pulled back ... then shoved him. “You jerk, get up!"

  "Wha—?"

  "Come on, you stupid idiot! Let's go!"

  His temperature dropped and he stood there wearing a green T-shirt and jeans.

  Billie, his angel, was gone. So were the musicians.

  "Hey, Freakboy, get a move on!"

  "Bill—?” His voice was quiet, a lot quieter than he meant it. He spoke louder. “Bill?"

  A sharp sting flared up on his cheek and the ballroom dissolved into the plain off-white of a ceiling.

  "I told you not to call me that!” Billie shouted at him. She stood by the side of the bed. Her small hand reached down and she dug it underneath his arm and gripped the muscle hard, her tiny fingers digging into his flesh, jolting him out of his sleepy haze.

  "The building's surrounded,” she said. “We move or we die. Let's go!"

  Des bounded out of bed.

  * * * *

  Joe had the utility closet door open and was arming himself with two leather straps lined with what Billie thought were packets of bullets when she and Des emerged from the bedroom.

  "Whoa...” Des said, stopping by Joe and eyeing the ammunition covering his torso.

  Joe didn't say anything but instead closed the closet door and went to the kitchen. He was back in the hallway a moment later, his long leather trench coat draped over him like a c
ape, his large gun in his right hand.

  Two quick thuds echoed from somewhere below.

  April barked at the disturbance.

  Joe opened one side of his coat and slid the gun in, presumably into a holster.

  "Can they get in?” Billie asked.

  "Probably,” Joe said. “The doors and windows are boarded up throughout this place, but with enough force, they'll hammer their way through.” He went for the front door and paused with his hand on the knob. He gave the kitchen and front room beyond a final glance before pressing his face up against the door and looking out the peep hole.

  A low rumble rose in April's throat.

  "She coming with us?” Des asked, putting on his shoes, Billie doing the same.

  Joe eyed him coolly. Billie gave him a shot in the ribs.

  "Sorry."

  When Joe turned to face him, Billie felt her insides go hollow. This wasn't the same guy she had talked with earlier. Here was a man who had seen death up close—more than she and Des put together ever had—a guy with dead, emerald eyes.

  "Ready?” Joe said.

  Billie and Des nodded.

  April barked when another two thuds boomed beneath them.

  "Let's go,” he said and opened the door.

  They walked briskly to the stairwell at the other end of the hallway, Joe leading the way. He was already down the first set of steps, April at his heels, when Des asked, “Is there anyone else here? In this building?"

  "There used to be,” Joe said, taking the next flight. “He's dead."

  "Come on, move,” Billie said and gave Des a nudge forward.

  They followed Joe and April down the stairs, the thudding at the front of the building growing louder with each step down. By the time they reached the bottom, the banging on the boarded-up front door made Billie blink with each thwump!

  The back door, gray and made of steel, was chained shut. The small window beside it was boarded over with something resembling pressboard though she wasn't sure what it was really called.

  Thwump, thwump, THOOM! Thwump, thwump, THOOM!

  Some of the bangs sounded like they were coming from inside the suites at the far end of the first floor, but if they were from the undead banging on the boarded-up windows or if they had already broken through and were banging on the doors from inside the suites, she didn't know.

  "Think we should take that board down and look outside?” Des asked, pointing to the one over the window.

  Joe put his head to the door, listening before moving to the wood over the window.

  "Think we should—” Des said again but was cut off when Joe raised his hand, hushing him.

  Thwump, thwump, thwump! Thwump, thwump, thwump!

  THOOM!

  Joe unchained the door and held the long handle that stretched across it with both hands.

  "April?” he said. The dog came up beside him. “Someone there?"

  April stared at the door long and hard then shifted her gaze toward him.

  "Anyone?"

  She didn't give any sign someone was waiting for them on the other side.

  Thwump, thwump, thwump, THWACK!

  All turned their eyes toward the boards covering the front door on the other end of the hallway. A black crack zigzagged up its flank.

  "Okay, that's good. Let's go!” Des said.

  "Billie,” Joe said, his voice dark, commanding. She couldn't help but step up to him. “Open the door when I say, then hold it open for Des, April and I to come out. Then when I say, come out and join us. Good?"

  "Yeah."

  "Okay,” he said and pulled out his gun. He cocked the hammer. “Des, I want you right behind me, keeping an eye looking back this way.” To April: “Wanna go outside?"

  April's tail wagged side to side in a blur.

  Joe kept his eyes fixed on the door. “Okay, Billie. Now."

  She opened the door.

  THWACK! THWACK! CRACCCKKK!

  The droning growls and grunts of the dead filled the air as several of them tried to pile through the hole in the board at the front all at once. One got through but was shoved over by its comrades and fell face forward so its body was half-in-half-out of the building.

  Their mouths were wide open and it sounded as if they were barking, like rabid dogs eager to take a chunk out of a person.

  Joe quickly stepped out ... into an empty parking lot. April padded a few feet past him. The look on Des's face told Billie the coast was clear.

  "Billie?” Joe said.

  She came out and closed the door behind her, muffling the shrieks and growls of the undead coming into the building. “They'll be here any second!"

  The three ran the length of the parking lot to the back alley. April stopped where the lot met the road and the hairs on the back of her neck shot upward. Barking, she turned to face Joe then turned her head side to side, as if she didn't know what to do. Joe was beside her in no time. Billie tugged on the back of Des's shirt as he ran past her.

  "Hey!” he said.

  "Hang on a sec,” she said.

  Joe turned around. “We're in big trouble."

  * * * *

  Zombies coated the alley, both up and down. Legions of them, filling the alley like blood in an artery.

  Joe never expected so many to come to the Haven. He, like everyone, thought they either didn't know about it or were satisfied with what they had everywhere else in the city.

  April barked and barked, but soon the groans from the undead horde forced her snapping to a whimper.

  "It's okay, April,” he said. But it wasn't okay, at least, not in the way he would like. Before, it was just himself he had to look after. April always stayed home and only went out to do her business. Now it was him, April and two others. Billie and Des had done all right holding their own against the creatures, but eventually they needed him to save them. April had never fought off a zombie before. He didn't know if they'd infect her or not, but judging by the news of altered rats, odds were April would become one of them if she got bit or tore out a chunk of them for herself. And for a dog, its teeth and mouth were its main defense.

  "April, stay,” he said. She remained by his feet.

  "Joe?” Billie said from behind.

  The house across the way was bordered by a fence. They'd run across the alley, hop the fence and, hopefully, make it clear to safety on the other side.

  "One sec,” he said and shot across the alley. He peeked over the fence. Four undead were drifting into the yard with a couple others following behind.

  Still, six was better than the ninety or so coming toward them from either side.

  "Over the fence, the both of you. April!” April bounded toward him. He picked her up and tossed her over the fence before hopping over himself.

  Des and Billie were right behind. Billie shrieked.

  "No!” Des shouted and disappeared back into the alley. “Get off her!"

  Joe blasted the heads off two of the zombies in the yard, cocked the hammer again, then took the heads off two more. He reloaded a third time and took out the remaining two.

  Wood creaked and groaned; the old fence wasn't holding from the weight of the bodies pressing against it from the other side.

  "Billie!” Joe shouted. I'm calling her first! “Des!"

  More groaning, at first a singular voice then a choir. The undead began pouring into the yard.

  A girl shrieked and Joe turned to see Billie's body dumped over the top of the fence. April ran over to her and began sniffing. Joe ran over to her, too. Before he could check her over, the whole fence began leaning toward him. He grabbed her by the hand and dragged her away just as the fence fell inward.

  The undead lined the street beyond.

  Des was nowhere to be seen.

  Coughing. Someone was cough—Billie!

  She spat up a spurt of blood and forced herself into a sitting position. Joe fired off a couple of shots into the faces of two undead that had almost snuck up on them.

  "
You need to get up,” Joe told her.

  April growled.

  Billie nodded and he helped her to her feet.

  She was shaky on her legs once she stood, but Joe thought she'd manage just fine if she had another second or two to collect herself.

  "Somethin’ chipped a tooth,” she said and spat a wad of blood down beside her feet.

  BANG! BANG! Joe took out two more.

  They were surrounded, the undead coming in from the front and back. Maybe the side yards would.... A zombie fell over the top of the fence from the yard to the right.

  "That way,” Joe said, pointing toward the fence on the left.

  They ran toward it, reaching it just as the fence that separated the yard from the alley fell in and a horde of the dead came in like a tidal wave. The others that came from the front end of the house were upon them.

  Joe socked one in the face with his gun and kicked another in the head. He reached down, picked up April, and when he straightened, an old and fat man of a zombie stood beside him, hunger in his eyes. He eyed the dog like a fatted calf and ripped April from his arms faster than Joe thought any zombie could ever move. As Joe reached for the dog, the porker of a man plowed his face into April's gut and jerked his head back, taking a huge hunk of fur-covered flesh with it.

  "APRRIIIILLLL!” Joe screamed and sent two bullets into the fat man's face.

  The dude dropped the dog then fell to his knees. Joe sent a steel-toed boot into the side of the man's head and kicked off the top portion of his already bullet-cracked skull, sending bone and brain matter flying into the air.

  April's body lay there, her chest rising slowly up and down, her dark eyes staring forward, her gaze wet and lost.

  "Joe!” Billie shouted.

  Heart breaking, tears pricking the corners of his eyes, Joe cocked the hammer and fired off as many shots as he could until the X-09 clicked and clicked, and there was nothing left.

  Growling, he turned to Billie. “What!"

  But Billie was gone.

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  14: And the Dead Keep on Coming

  "Oh no,” Joe breathed. He scanned the sea of dead heads and couldn't see Billie anywhere.

  An undead lady with auburn hair took a swipe at him. The blow connected with his cheekbone and sent him staggering to the side. She thrust both arms toward his shoulders, presumably to take a chunk out of his neck, but Joe dropped, rolled, got to his feet and reloaded the X-09. With a quick cock of the hammer and pull of the trigger, he sent her on a permanent dirt nap.