Nobody said anything for a bit. Miles looked over at Hannah and Tom with a grin, and then back to the man. “So what do you think this means?” He asked.
“They think we have the killer.”
“What?” Hannah said. “Killer?”
Miles nodded his head slowly and held both hands up in front of his chest. “Now let us not get ahead of ourselves. Doctor Moraine just said it was possibly a homicide, I thought it prudent to pursue all possibilities. Since we have the pendant it will be up to the council to decide the charges and punishment if appropriate.”
Tom was trying to keep up with the conversation and wondered what all had happened here. He didn’t like the idea of staying close to so many people he didn’t know. While he was thinking of how to get back out of this little compound as fast as possible, Hannah asked the question Tom was surprised Miles never asked.
“So who is it?”
“Isaac.” The man said.
Hannah was visibly shaken and took the remaining steps to the top of the porch. “Can’t be.”
Miles put his hand to his mouth. “You are positive?”
The man nodded his head rapidly. “Oh yeah, I was in his pad when we found it.”
“There is no way.” Hannah’s face reddened with anger, at whom, Tom was not sure. “He’s one of our best providers. He would never. I’m…there’s no way.”
Tom rested a hand on Hannah’s shoulder and leaned in by her ear. “Not right now.” He whispered.
Miles stepped over as well and looked Hannah directly in the eyes. “I know this must be terribly difficult for you right now.” Grabbing one of her hands he said, “I promise you, we will look at all possibilities and evidence before any decisions are made.”
Hannah smiled and wrapped her arms around Miles in an embrace. Tom stood back and watched, wondering why an alarm was going off in the back of his mind. Something wasn’t right.
Chapter 4 - Trip
“Nice to see your ugly face.” Hank said as he walked down the small trailer’s front steps. He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “I don’t recommend this hotel.”
Tom wasn’t about to admit it, but he was really glad to see the old timer. “Someone finally put you in quarantine.”
“Yeah…guess they thought my cool was contagious.”
“We gotta get out of here.” He looked over at Hannah and added, “We’re headed for the military base. Hannah said you’re up to speed on this thing spreading…maybe we can find something there.”
“Sounds like a bloody good time, you know I’m in.”
******
The group stood around a large table piled with guns, MREs, ammo, and various other supplies.
“Just one crossbow?” Tom asked.
“We have more.” A giant man said. “Infected are almost always in clusters. We’ve had a lot of people die pack’n one. Looks nifty in the movies, but without being able to fire rapidly.” He shook his head. “Game over.”
Tom held out his bow. “Used this a couple times, but then we made it to the mountains…haven’t seen any since.”
“Well don’t rely on it, unless you got real firepower for backup. Otherwise you’ll be a meatstick in no time.”
Hannah started filling a pack in front of her. “Wish Isaac could go…he would be a huge help.”
The big man hesitated. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard. Seemed like a straight shooter…crazy.” He said, shaking his head.
“I know it Bear. I’m still in shock. I think there was a mistake.”
“Council will figure it out.” Bear said.
They all finished packing items into backpacks, double checking magazines, and looking over weapons. After going over maps and talking through options, they had all decided it was best to drive to within about a mile of the base. From there they would hike in the remaining distance to keep from drawing attention.
Tom was just talking them into strapping a couple extra crossbows to their packs when Miles came storming into the room.
“Hannah, you don’t need to go. Let these guys do the…the grunt work.” He said, almost spitting out the word “grunt,” like the word itself was vile.
“This is our chance…I’m in.” She said without hesitation.
A look of anger flashed across his face. “Isaac is in captivity. He will remain at this location until the truth is made apparent.”
“I know.”
He stood staring at her. After a few awkward moments he spun around and stormed out.
“That was strange.” Hank said.
“Miles is great…he’s just worried for me.” Hannah said.
******
“She’s going with them.” Miles said.
Logan was trying to pick up on what he was saying, but his head was cloudy and aching. He sat staring at Miles’s mouth as it opened and closed. Inside he knew words were coming out, but his mind would not focus enough to pick up on the words.
“Even with Isaac…she won’t…he’s in the…” Miles kept rambling. “Are you even listening?” Miles shouted. He strode over, right in front of Logan and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Focus, this is grave. It is essential that you go with them.”
The angry voice pulled Logan out of his stupor. “With them?”
“Yes, like I expressed, keep an eye on Hannah. Protect her.”
Logan felt like he was burning up, but hated the thought of spending the next week or two in quarantine. Tiny little trailer was creepy with all the plastic crap. I’m not sitting in a bubble. “Yeah, whatever ya need.”
“That’s right. Hurry and get yourself to the armory. Convey to Hannah that I directed you to join forces.”
With a nod, Logan stood and moved out the front door.
“Bring her back to me and I will reward you.” Miles shouted at the closing door. He had waited so patiently, almost teasing himself being so close to her. If she was to die at the hands of one of those monstrous creatures he would make a lot of people pay.
******
“Okay, who ripped one? Enough to gag a maggot.” Hank said while rolling down his window.
With the five of them packed into the SUV it was a tight fit, and the odors coming out of one of them was brutal. Despite the cold outside they now had all the windows rolled down, letting the chilly air whip through the cab. Bear rested one hand on the steering wheel and the other draped out the window. Tom sat across from him, watching the snowy forest roll by. God’s blanket covered the death and destruction that dotted the landscape just months before. In the distance above the trees, small trails of smoke swirled in the breeze, signs that there were other survivors out there trying to eke out an existence.
“See many others?” He asked Bear.
“In the fall. Some would come looking for handouts…or to steal. We persuaded them otherwise.”
“What about when you were out of the compound?”
“Hannah was the first to leave in a long time. Stocked up. Hunkered down with what we had.”
“What did you do all these months?”
Bear let out a little laugh. “Girls, thought about girls, wished there were more girls. Same old, same old.”
Hank looked over at Hannah to see how she reacted to this, but she was stone faced, peering out her window. He glanced at Logan. A bit surprised by the distant look on his face, Hank said, “You okay?”
Logan just nodded his head in response.
“You look like— “Hank started to say.
“Girl!” Hannah shouted.
Bear eased off the accelerator.
In the center of the snow covered road was a girl, likely in her teens, wearing only a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. She waved her hands over her head, signaling not only for help, but also to let them know that she was not an infected. Her clothes were in tatters. Her emaciated body barely held the baggy clothes on.
“Gun it.” Tom said while pulling his pistol. He quickly started scanning the trees across from the girl.
&n
bsp; Bear stomped on the gas, accelerating directly at her. She glanced to the side of the road, fear and indecision crossing her face. She lowered her hands partway, and then fear took over. A diving lunge to the side rolled her across the snow and into the ditch. The SUV barreled past, washing the girl in an icy white cloud.
Tom eyed his mirror and watched as a pair of people raced out from behind a large fir tree. One of them raised a rifle toward the SUV, while the other ran over to the fallen girl. “Get down.” Tom shouted while ducking low in his seat.
They all flattened down, but the shots never came. Opportunists that knew when their prey was gone.
Tom felt for the girl. She was likely being held against her will and used in who knows how many different ways. If he had learned anything in the first days, it was that no lives were as critical as those in your group. With all the time he had to sit and think over those initial weeks, he mulled over the decisions he had made and the lives that had been lost. It was a burden he would carry till he died.
“Should we go back for her?” Bear asked.
Tom shook his head. “Nope, let’s stick to the plan.”
“Until we start shooting anyway.” Hank pitched in with a grin.
They all sat in silence as Bear weaved through the snaking mountain road. As they rose in elevation the snow piled up, covering the road in rolling drifts. The SUV was beginning to struggle to keep moving forward, deep snow taking its toll.
“Keep on it.” Hank said.
“Lose momentum we’re done.” Tom added.
“Car full of drivers.” Bear grumbled.
The SUV slid around a sharp corner and onto a narrow straightaway. Directly in front of them were a pair of deuce and halfs parked nose to nose, blocking the road. The SUV’s tires spun as the snow deepened, hitting the bumper and beginning to high center the vehicle.
“She doesn’t have much left.” Bear said.
“Good enough.” Tom said.
Before they even came fully to a stop, Hannah was out of her door, rifle at the ready. She surveyed the tree line, scanning for threats.
Hank piled out a moment later with a crossbow. “Stupid stick shooter.” He grumbled half to himself. Despite the attitude he moved toward the back of the SUV checking the trees and the road behind them.
Once all of them were out on the road and had decided the immediate area was clear, they began to load up their gear. Each of them carried a backpack filled with extra ammo, some MREs, water, and various items Tom had insisted upon. They had spread out weapons as best as possible to not only get a variety of options, but fit their individual preferences as well. Bear, Logan, and Hank each had a crossbow. Tom had his compound bow hooked on a pair of belt clips, allowing it to rest on his rear end for easy access. All of them had a holstered sidearm for final backup.
Tom couldn’t find a good way to shoulder his AR15 in addition to having his bow across the small of his back and a quiver of arrows over a shoulder. A few tries at slinging it in different configurations and then trying to draw either the rifle or the bow proved that they would not work together. He glanced at the last crossbow lying in the back of the SUV. He knew he was much more comfortable with his bow and confident that he could reload it much faster.
Hank stepped over to him and said, “Got your panties all in a knot?”
“I can’t seem to— “Tom said while messing with the rifle.
“Ditch your Glock and rifle…use these.” Bear said while holding out a pair of MAC-9s.
Tom took the pair of Uzi looking guns and strapped the holsters to his thighs. He was surprised how comfortable the large weapons were on his legs. “I like it, thanks.”
Hannah felt much more comfortable with her high capacity rifle and the group felt it would be good to have at least one person with immediate access to a weapon with some serious stopping power. Hank shouldered his hunting rifle. Both Bear and Logan were happy to have short barrel AR15s strapped across their chests for quick access.
They stood in a circle at the back of the SUV. “From the maps we are a little over a half mile out. We move in silent…only fling sticks unless there are too many.” When all of them nodded in agreement he went on, “There may be nobody here, but we play it safe. We’ll use the road. Just before the base is a final turn, once there we’ll move into the woods to scope it out.” More head nods.
As they moved off toward the large trucks blocking the road, Hannah’s heart pounded in her chest. She was finally doing something, finally making a difference. When she joined the force in Seattle she knew she would make a difference and get some action doing it. It was disappointing. Lots of tickets, paperwork, and sitting. This was different…thrilling was the best she could describe it.
The group eased up to the monstrous trucks, sweeping around the back to check for any unwanted guests.
“Clear.” Bear shouted from the back of one.
“Clear here as well.” Hank responded from the other side.
The two trucks were connected with several massive chains wound around bumpers, axels, and the frames. Whoever put these here didn’t want anyone moving them.
“Made a C.F. of this.” Bear said.
“Yip, let’s move on.” Tom said.
The landscape was eerily quiet, like the blanket of snow absorbed every sound. The only audible noise was the shuffling of feet through the deep powder, and the pounding of each individual’s heart in their own head. On the military base grounds they all had a heightened sense of foreboding, like the silence was truly the calm before the storm.
Chapter 5 - The Base
The hike along the road turned out to be uneventful. All but Hannah hoped the base itself would be more of the same. She didn’t voice it, but she was both shocked and disappointed that there had not been a confrontation yet.
All of them agreed beforehand that they would only split up if necessary as it would be too easy to get overwhelmed in fewer numbers. Bear lead the way between giant Ponderosa’s, powering through the deep snow, breaking a trail for the others. Even with much of the snow cleared it was tough going for the others. Through the trees they cut at an angle toward the base and quickly came to a tall fence topped with concertina wire. Running along the fence, about ten yards off, was a massive mound that circled the base to keep it out of prying eyes.
Tom was ready for the fence. Once they got up next to it he began digging through Hannah’s backpack and pulled a compact pair of bolt cutters. He took his time, keeping the fence from rattling as he snipped his way up the chain links. After cutting a large opening he debated chucking the cutters to save weight, but decided against it and stuffed them back into Hannah’s pack.
Bear held the fence back while everyone slithered through the opening.
They silently stalked up the low hillside, watching ahead as the top of the base slowly came into view. A tattered American flag flapped in the light breeze at the top of a tall pole.
Hank whispered to Tom, “Flag like that…no military here.”
Tom nodded in agreement.
At the top of the rise they all hunched low and peered down at the base before them. A four story drab gray building sat in the center of several smaller buildings. In front of the buildings was a cluster of OD green military vehicles and at least a dozen choppers. The spray apparatuses still hung off the sides. Aside from the breeze lifting snow particles and sending them swirling across the white landscape there was no movement amongst the buildings. The snow between buildings and vehicles was flat and untouched.
Hank had his rifle out, eye to the scope. “Ghost town.”
“Let’s hope ghosts are the worst of what’s inside.” Bear grumbled.
“Check the windows for movement. Take our time.” Tom said. He looked around at the group and added, “Hannah and Bear, why don’t the two of you circle back a ways…make sure we haven’t drawn any. I don’t want any surprises.”
Hannah rapidly nodded her head and took off down the hill, following the trail
they had made. Bear didn’t seem as excited, but followed in her wake. Tom watched the pair make their way back through the fence and disappear into the forest. He hesitated momentarily, staring at the snowy trees, and then hunched back down with Hank and Logan to get more eyes on the buildings.
Time ticked away with the three of them sitting in silence. The breeze continued to send white tendrils of snow flowing between buildings and force the tattered flag to flutter and jump like it was controlled by strings from above. One of the side building’s doors hung open, allowing a pile of snow to build inside.
“I think I see movement.” Hank whispered. He never lifted his head from his scope. “Third building on the north side…windows.”
Tom squinted at the dark windows.
Logan shifted over, peering through his binoculars. “I got nothin’.” He said.
“It’s faint. Almost a shadow in the dark.” Hank said.
Tom was about to either dig for his binoculars or grab Logan’s, when he heard something behind them. Hannah and Bear were making their way back through the trees, and based on their slow shuffle he guessed everything was good.
As the pair walked up, Tom said, “Good?’
“Affirmative.” Bear said while they were both nodding their heads.
“Possible movement in one building…too dark to I.D.”
“Anything else?” Hannah asked.
Tom shook his head, “Not a lot of windows and most are shrouded in darkness, but nothing visible. Let’s circle around using the hill and move in on Hank’s building from the north.”
They all nodded in agreement and swept back down the hillside, using it for cover as they circled around to the back side of the base. Tom eyed the tree line as they made their way around, the worry of an infected shambling around keeping him on edge. Despite his worry and the mental visions of hordes racing out of the forest, there was nothing but silence and stoic trees.
“We go in quiet.” Tom said. He looked at Hannah. “Keep your rifle ready in case, but don’t fire unless there is no other choice.”
The Demented Z (Book 3): Contagion Page 3