Just then, a group of kids ran though the back room. They had been doing that frequently. I smiled watching them. All five to eight year olds. Such youth and energy. I pointed at them addressing the men one last time.
"They are what's important. They are our future. Don't promote failure. Protect. Conventional wisdom is gone. You see a threat you deal with it permanently now." They nodded again. Christ. Why this had to be explained to adults is totally beyond my understanding.
"How many trucks?" I directed the question at Miguel. He held up four fingers.
"Alrighty. Load up two and head to RAC. Michael knows where it is and what I intend, so he goes with you. Take a bunch of the women. Get the place cleaned up for us and figure out what we need to secure it, and then just do it. This isn't a discussion. I want half our group there by tonight. Anyone who doesn't want to go, boot their stupid ass out my gate. I'm done with stupid today." He nodded. The group all nodded. I frowned. I really hated stupid people. He was still standing there. I straightened up and looked at all of them.
"This isn't a democracy. If you want my leadership then you will do as I ask when I ask it. Not at your convenience. If you don't like it, form your own group, but from what I've seen of your decision-making skills you have maybe two days of life left if you do. Probably less. Miguel why are you still standing here? And, am I going to have to have this conversation with everyone every single time I tell someone to do something?" My hand actually edged to my side for my gun. Miguel took off running. What the fuck? Why do I even have to do that to get people to do things that will save their lives? I turned to Jason.
"Why?" It was a simple question. He knew what I meant and he took his time answering.
"I think because most people are not used to acting quickly. They are from a newer generation than ours or simply still in shock over this. Yes, I realize it's been a few days but a lot of people are like that," he shrugged, "They will either adapt quickly, or die as you pointed out. It's really that simple." I sighed and nodded.
"How's Main Street look downtown?"
"Full of hiding undead." I nodded again and turned to Wayne.
"Wayne. You take the other two trucks. Go to the post office first. Back entrance. Breach the door and take as many stacks of their two-foot mail tubs as you find back there. They’re perfect for carrying things. Then head over to Parsley's and pack up the entire store. All the ammunition, fishing supplies, archery equipment, clothing, everything. Hit Parsley's from the back entrance also and take everything to the RAC complex. You may have to make multiple trips. Obviously, take care of any zombies you come across. Be careful. You got all that?" He nodded and left taking Pete with him. I turned once again to Jason, the Lord's Reaper.
"Can you stay and help us?" he was already shaking his head reluctantly.
"I cannot. I am on the Lord's mission. I'll help here and there and try to keep them cleaned out in town but no promises."
Damn, I thought, but he was still talking.
"However, Jay. If it would be all right with you I will visit often and if you don't mind maybe spend a bit of time with ... your little Emma." He stopped and actually looked apprehensive like I would say no. I certainly couldn't have picked a better protector for her. I smiled and held out my hand. He met it with a firm clasp of his own. No words were needed. We both nodded at the other.
*****
Chapter 8
TWO DAYS AGO: 1700 ET
They had been trying to remain hidden. It was very hard for little Jack. He was their miracle child. A gift from God. They had never hoped they'd have a child. Abigail had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer at nineteen. The doctors said she would never conceive after three surgeries and even more chemotherapy. Yet, they had lived their lives happy with each other, only missing the one thing that would fulfill the void within them. A child of their own. A child Thomas, or Tommy as his friends called him, could pass his small woodworking business too when he retired. Abigail didn't care about passing a business on in retirement; she had grown up as a young girl dressing her stuffed animals in baby clothes waiting the day when she would have a child of her own to care for, to nurture, and to raise as her own.
That day had come when they least expected it. They'd married at eighteen, against both their parents' wishes. Now twenty-two years later, she had unexpectedly become sick. Throwing up, bloating and her breasts hurt. They were worried it was a new onset of cancer. They had expected the worse when they scheduled the Doctor’s appointment and she went in for a full checkup.
They couldn't begin to describe the feeling they experienced, nor the wonder in the doctor’s voice and eyes, when he informed them she was pregnant. It was against all hope. All medical science. A partial ovary and ravaged Fallopian tubes were all she had within her, but the miracle had still happened. A one in a million chance, but it did. She immediately quit her job, and did everything to keep the child within her healthy. Tommy put in fewer hours at his business, regardless of customer requests he received. This baby was more important than they were. He was her triumph. He was their legacy, their little miracle.
During the last two months of her pregnancy she rarely got out of bed, for little Jack would be arriving soon so she took no chances. Yes, they had known his name. Because of the rarity of a conception of this type, she was receiving ultrasounds every month from the third month on. They knew it would be a boy. In their youth, they had fantasized about one day having a child, even knowing such a thing would never happen. However, they had to have these fantasies to stay sane. Even so up until that moment of the revelation by an incredulous doctor they had still led fulfilling lives, very much in love and dedicated to each other like few other couples. They were the everything of each, and their love knew no boundaries.
Then little Jack was born and he was so perfect. So beautiful. So right in their lives. No expense they or their parents could afford was spared. He was after all their miracle. He grew and boy did he grow. All boy, and as anxious parents they dreaded his daily rough activities. Afraid he would be hurt or worse. It took all her willpower to allow him to grow up somewhat normally. Yet now, growing up had suddenly become a live and death issue.
When their neighbors first started turning strange, they didn't know what to think. Everything was strange. You couldn't turn on the TV, or listen to the radio without hearing the warnings cycling over and over. Something having to do with the flu shot, they had not received theirs yet. Oh, they'd meant to. But little Jack was just getting over a bad cold, and they wanted to give him an extra day or two before they loaded his system down with more immunizations, and they would do it together as a family.
But people started walking across their lawn. When Tommy went out to talk to them, to find out what was going on. They had actually attacked him. Tommy and Abigail had immediately locked all of the doors, and it was only then that the TV news was warning to avoid strangers. So, they had hidden within their home. From behind closed blinds and drapery, they had watched the savagery occur within their neighborhood. They were beyond scared, not for themselves, but for their little Jack.
Now it was over. The creatures, their deranged neighbors, had finally broken in. Abigail and Tommy had nothing to fight them with, nothing to defend themselves from the horrors intruding their home. As devout New Testament Christians, they firmly believed in turning the other cheek. However, this day they had to do more than just turn their cheeks, they could only use the weight of their bodies against the doors trying to keep them out. It had worked for that day. Now the day had ended.
"Baby, I will try holding them back. But you have to hide him." Tommy was frantic. They had slid the dining room hutch across the floor to block the hallway to the kitchen but it would not hold them long. They knew their time was short, already they could hear boards splintering. He held her hands tenderly, his tears splashing their joined wrists. "We have no time left. I love you baby with all my heart." His voice was breaking. He reached down and caressed his small
son's face with the palm of his hand. The last touch he would have in this life. He cherished it and turned to meet their invaders as his beloved Abigail solemnly nodded with her own tears streaming down her cheeks then turning away taking little Jack with her. He watched them retreat, a sad smile on his face as his back pressed tightly against the Cherry wood hutch he had handcrafted from a few boards. He felt the creatures slamming against it. Felt it breaking. There was no more time. No time for more kisses. No time for more of hugs. His only regret that there were not a dozen of him to protect his family.
His face clouded up and determination settled in. He turned in place. He braced his wide strong hands against the lovingly created masterpiece he had built for his family. Only moments now were all he had left. His mind went back to their earliest days together. He and Abigail, fantasizing about having a child when they knew they couldn't. But that child had been born. A precious gift from God. The remaining boards splintered around him as he fell back half a step. He lifted his face to the Lord and a firm look countenanced his features as his head tilted downwards directed at the approaching invaders.
"You will not have my SON." He roared. He stretched his arms out sideways in the narrow hallway. His fingers digging into the painted sheet rock. He didn't even feel the pain when three bones snapped. With almost superhuman strength, he tensed, pulling his arms forward as his hands dug through the plaster, grasping the two by fours within the walls and held on, his face turned to meet them with a snarl. It was the only defiance he had left. His body was the barrier. He would hold them back as long as possible. He would hold them back long enough.
"Go Abby." He whispered as he started the Lord's Prayer, images of his wife and son filling his mind, a kaleidoscope of memories he cherished. He felt the creatures slam into him. He held. They were biting him now. Still he held. He heard their growls, and he growled back staring their expressionless faces in the eye. They were clawing at his waist and legs now, and the pain was unimaginable. But little Jack filled his mind. And he clung, and held on.
Abigail pulled little Jack to the kitchen. They had discussed this; she had no idea what to do. She could only think to open the cupboard little Jack was always hiding in when he played hide and seek with her. He went and willingly. He was scared and he knew something was wrong, but he was trusting mommy and daddy to make it right. That this was only a game. He looked up as mommy placed him in his favorite hiding spot and saw her smile down at him. She leaned in and kissed him tenderly, as she always did. A mommy’s kiss, only longer. He could see wetness on her face, he didn't understand. Then she played the game. She told him to pretend he was asleep so she could hide. Pretend for five minutes. Then lay there until she came for him. Do not make a sound. Just like at bedtime. He felt bottles being pressed against him. She was laying bottles of water on top of him. Why was she doing that? A bag of Oreos followed by chips, and then his favorite blanket. The door closed. He remembered her last kiss. Then he heard her last whisper. "Pretend to sleep for five minutes. Then stay quiet until I come back, like always. Be a good boy Jack. We love you. Never forget baby." He was confused but it was a game. It was okay.
Abigail rose with her shoulders in a set position. There were so many things she wanted to tell her son. No time. She hoped, if their Jack survived, that he would at least remember her last warm embrace and their love for him. She turned slightly to the muted sounds her husband, her love, was making as he held them back for a few more moments. She could do no less to try to save their son. She reached over and pulled her two largest butchers knives out of the hardwood butcher’s block Tommy had made her, sticking them behind her belt. Then looking up and reaching overhead, pulled two pans from the rack suspended there. She backed to the mudroom door waiting. Oh they came. She did not doubt they would. She saw them look around and immediately started banging the pots together over her head.
"Hey! Look at me! I'm what you want!" Abigail shouted. Her mind was crystal clear with the knowledge her Tommy was gone but determined to save their son. Instantly, they turned towards her and started forward. She saw what looked like fresh blood on some of their faces. She didn't bother to wonder whose it was; she knew it was Tommy's. She backed through the door leading them. Oh my, they followed her. She opened the back door, dodging the creatures waiting there and continued to lead the others away from the house banging the pans continuously. They soon had her hemmed in with no longer any room to dodge or run, so she dropped the pans and pulled the butcher knives out as they descended on her. What she felt then was transcended by her love for her son. She was giving him the only legacy she had left to give. The legacy of life. She clenched her teeth tightly and started slashing silently.
*****
Little Jack had pretended to be asleep for the five minutes, then five minutes more. Now it had been too long. Mommy was coming back. She was just taking a long time. He had heard the loud noises but sometimes mommy did that in their game at bedtime. She made noises to try to fool him. However, he was a smart boy. Then he heard many other sounds, feet shuffling on the floor and growls. He got scared. After a while, there was silence. Then Tolly came to him. She pushed her nose against the cupboard door crack and forced her way in laying down next to him. He hugged her tight. Now he was really scared but exhausted. He fell asleep.
The next morning when he woke he was thirsty. He drank from a bottle of water momma had left. She had loosened the tops so he could open them himself. He was afraid to go out. Mommy had not come back yet. Daddy didn't come for him either. Where are mommy and daddy? He thought as he ate Oreo cookies. Tolly was here, he shared his cookies with her. He didn't know what Border Collie meant but he heard collie so she was Tolly. It was simple. It was also cold, and Tolly kept him warm. It was before his naptime but he fell asleep anyways holding her. Where were mommy and daddy?
He finished the Oreo cookies. He still had two bottles of water. He could count to three after all. Tolly ate the chips. He only got to eat two or three so he shoved her out the cupboard door, he was really mad. But he didn't leave the cupboard. Mommy didn't say to leave. He was getting hungry, really hungry.
Later that day, Tolly dragged her dog food bag to the cupboard door. That was her food, not meant for him. But it didn't taste that bad. It was crunchy and actually tasted pretty good. He hoped mommy and daddy did not see him eating Tolly's food. They would be mean and yell at him but he was hungry so it was okay. He waited. Mommy did not come back. He continued to wait. He had to go to the bathroom but by now, he was scared. He was afraid to leave the kitchen. He peeked out Tolly's dog door into the back yard and saw a lot of strangers. He didn't see mommy or daddy so he did his business in the corner over by the stove. He didn't know where else to go. The refrigerator was still cold inside and he drank some milk, spilling it all over the floor in the process. Mommy would be mad! But he was too small to get a Sippy cup down. He cried a lot. Where were Mommy and Daddy? He called softly for them but they didn't answer and mommy never said he could leave so he hid back in his favorite cupboard with his blanket and Tolly and waited. He slept a lot.
When he woke this time, it was getting dark again. He was hungry and ate more dog food, then drank some water sharing it with Tolly. Tolly didn't drink too much. She probably had her own water bottle wherever she went too. He saw her push the cupboard door open again and leave the house through her doggie door. He didn't know where she went but she always came back. He played with some Styrofoam cups he found in the back of the cupboard. They could be stacked like his building blocks. He was learning to do it in the dark because there was nothing else to do. After awhile he fell asleep again. Tolly had returned but left again. Maybe next time he would follow her. Where did she go? Did she go to Mommy and Daddy? If so, why didn't mommy come get him? He missed her and daddy so much. Where were they? Then Tolly was back. Jumping up and down but not making a sound. He noticed that Tolly hadn't barked in days. He had his blankie wrapped around him for warmth and Tolly grabbed this with her tee
th and started tugging it and him through the cupboard door. Where did she want him to go?
The first thing he saw crawling out of the cupboard was the back door was open. The second thing he saw was the large figure silhouetted in the entrance.
*****
"Sir! Fifty-third Army Infantry Battalion reports contact near the location of the coordinates we sent. That contact being an Amish or farming community. They are requesting confirmation of orders and a visual ID of the subject of interest. They are also reporting heavy forces of the contaminated in the vicinity." Corporal Rider looked up from her screen relaying the message that had just flashed across it to Richards.
"How many of the contaminated?"
"They can't tell exactly but in the thousands."
"What do the satellites show?"
"Sir, those things are cold blooded now. They don't show up on infrared and I can't image down close enough with the ones currently overhead."
Blood, Brains and Bullets Page 17