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Zombie Civilization: Exodus (Zombie Civilization Saga Book 2)

Page 11

by Steven Ehrman


  “Oh my God,” he said in a whisper.

  “What is it?” asked Harley impatiently. “What in the world is Billy doing?”

  “Don’t you see? It’s Holland! Oh my God, it’s Holland!”

  Harley looked again at the shambling zombie and realized Jude was right. They hadn’t seen Holland since that awful day at the bait shop when Holland had been attacked and then turned.

  Holland was almost upon Billy. Harley was on the edge of his seat as he wondered if Billy was going to sacrifice himself in some sort of twisted act of redemption because of what he had done to Steve.

  “Billy!” he screamed, as the zombie reached out for his friend.

  At that moment Billy raised his revolver and put a bullet into Holland’s head. The point blank shot nearly tore his head off and his body crumpled to the ground. Billy kneeled next to the body as the others emptied out of the SUV. They gathered around the body, and around Billy in silence. Turk stood off a few feet from the others and looked around nervously for intruders. A shot in the open would surely bring more of the dead. Billy finally stood up at length. He embraced both Harley and Jude and began walking back to the truck. As they all resumed their seats, Billy put the engine in gear. He looked over at Harley, who was now in the front seat along side of him.

  “Now our business in this town is done,” he said with tears in his eyes. “I’m glad we found him. I didn’t want to leave him behind. I don’t want to leave anybody behind anymore.”

  “He’s at peace,” said Jude.

  “Well, anyway now the whole group is accounted for,” he said, as they began to tear down the town streets at a high rate of speed. “I hope no one has to take a leak. I want our next stop to be the home twenty.”

  “Damn,” muttered Turk.

  What is it buddy?” asked Jude.

  “I gotta take a leak.”

  “I’ll look for a nice clean gas station,” said Billy.

  ****************

  It was decided to stick to the highways as much as possible. Conversation died down as the miles sped past. Billy stopped to siphon gas often, as he wanted to keep the tank topped off in case they had to make a run for it. It wouldn’t do for an emergency to come up with the needle pushing empty.

  There were plenty of opportunities to siphon gas as abandoned cars and trucks were numerous. There were never any bodies in the vehicles. That seemed to confirm that the dead ate bones as well as flesh. There were sections of the highways that were jammed with cars, but nothing the SUV couldn’t handle.

  As they closed in on Dayton the crush of abandoned cars became worse to the point that they were making the road impassible. They finally came to a wall of crashed and abandoned vehicles and Billy brought the SUV to a halt.

  “We are never going to make it going straight through the city,” he said. “The infection must have happened slowly here for all this traffic to build up. Zombie weren’t driving these cars.”

  “It’s like I told you before,” said Turk from the back. “It hit in waves. Most of these people probably turned as they were trying to escape. It was horrible back at the base. I just hope it has burned itself out.”

  Each man glanced at the other and hoped the same thing.

  “Well, it’s useless to keep going this way,” said Billy. “We’ll have to backtrack and hit the back roads until we’re on the other side and then home…or what’s left of it.”

  “Something will be there, Billy. I can feel it,” said Jude.

  “The only people in that town I cared about came on this trip,” said Harley. “I’m just riding shotgun to keep you fellas out of trouble until we get there.”

  “And we’re glad for it, buddy,” Billy replied. “Keep up the good work. Now let’s try to navigate our way out of this mess. Man I miss GPS.”

  ****************

  They had driven for hours covering the short distance from Dayton to Springfield. It was difficult getting around Dayton, and it’s suburbs, and a trip that should have taken thirty minutes had taken hours instead. The roads approaching Springfield had turned into a familiar morass of deserted cars and trucks. They were finally forced to leave the SUV in order to make a final approach to the city. Billy pulled over on the interstate when they had gone as far as they could and turned the ignition off.

  “From here we’re hoofing it, guys. It’s only two or three miles up the business loop and we’ll be there. Are we all still cool with that plan?”

  We’re with you, Billy,” replied Jude. “I just want to see my house again.”

  “What about you, Turk?” asked Billy. “Your home isn’t here. If you want to strike out on your own and head for Cleveland, nobody will fault you.”

  Turk was looking out of the window somewhat wistfully and he shook his head.

  “No, I’ll stay with you all. We all need someone to watch our back and I like being with a unit. But I do hope you guys will come with me up north if things don’t pan out here.”

  It was agreed and they began their trek towards home. As usual, Harley was in the lead with Billy and Jude walking together. Turk appointed himself the rear guard and they began to string out along the road. It was eerily quiet and they had not seen one of the creatures for hours. Without saying so Billy wondered if the creatures had starved themselves out in the metro areas. If they all turned what was there to eat? He thought about voicing that, but decided that it wouldn’t do any good to get the others hopes up only to be dashed later. Maybe they were all just massed in the cities waiting. But waiting for what?

  Harley was on the point roughly fifty yards ahead of the group and his eyes were peeled for trouble. They had come a long way and it wouldn’t be good if they walked into a trap this close to their destination. He thought the whole trip was folly anyway. They would have been better off staying in the back country and starting to build from there. That’s what the pioneers had done he thought. Of course, the others still had hopes of being united with loved ones. Jude especially was always bleating about home. Harley grimaced when he thought of how any reunion was likely to turn out.

  Turk trudged along with his empty rifle slung over his shoulder and his revolver tucked into his belt with its precious reserve of what ammunition they had left. Billy had doled it out in the truck before they began their journey on foot. Turk thought it strange that he had become so attached to strangers that he had just met, but they had risked their lives standing up for him and Jenks. Poor Jenks, he thought, and he wondered where Edwards was. Kerns may have pulled the trigger, but Turk blamed them both. He’d settle that score one day, but to do that he had to survive and survival was surely easier in a group. He was going to stick close to these men even if Harley scared him a little. He suddenly realized he had fallen far back and hurried to close the distance while looking into the dark woods on either side of the road. What was just beyond the trees, he wondered?

  Jude and Billy were walking in silence together. Jude glanced over at his friend occasionally and was not surprised to see Billy’s jaw clenched. That just meant he was determined. He knew Billy better than anyone and had not been surprised that Billy had gotten them this far. He felt a little ashamed that he had doubted Billy once or twice on the island, but Billy had been right and they had him to thank for the most part. Jude had prayed every day that he would find his family safe when they finally got back, but the traffic jams out of all the towns they had passed made him uneasy. If everyone was trying to get out of town then it only made sense that it was too dangerous to stay. Stay strong, he told himself. There will be somebody there. He stumbled on a rock, steadied himself, and continued at Billy’s side.

  Turk caught up to Jude and Billy. Harley was now even farther ahead than before. Billy thought about calling out for him to stay within view, but didn’t want to take the chance that a shout might be heard by any lurking dead.

  “Man, that Harley can walk a guy’s legs off,” said Turk, as he was gasping for breath. “He’s a regular foot cavalry.�
��

  It was true that even though Harley seemed to be a little stocky the guys had never seen him tire first, before or after the infection.

  “How much farther is it, guys?” Turk asked.

  “It’s just over that rise up ahead,” said Billy pointing towards the east. “There is a big bluff that looks over the city from this direction. I take it you’ve never been there.”

  “Heck, guys, I’ve never been anywhere before this,” grinned Turk. “I had just finished basic and been assigned to the base when the world went sideways and since then the only sights I’ve seen are ones I’d like to forget.”

  “Well it’s a beautiful little city,” said Jude with civic pride. “I’ll be your tour guide if we have the time.”

  “Jude, try and concentrate on why we’re here and spend less time giving imaginary tours,” growled Billy.

  Jude was taken aback and looked over at Billy and was relieved to see a grin break out on his face. Jude smiled back, but thought Billy was probably right, even if he was just joking. There was still a task at hand. It wouldn’t do to fall short this close to the goal.

  “Harley is waving us forward,” observed Turk.

  The others looked towards Harley and saw that he was on top of the bluff and was waiting for them. They broke into a trot to join him. Each man carried both hope and dread in his heart.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “There it is,” said Billy softly. “We’re back and it doesn’t look that different.”

  They were all standing, looking down on what appeared to be an ordinary sleepy Midwestern town. From what was visible there was little trace of the zombie horror. The streets did have abandoned cars and trucks, but it was nothing like the impassable barriers on the outskirts of all the towns they had seen.

  “What’s our first move, coach?” asked Jude.

  Billy rubbed his chin and looked to the north.

  “I say we follow 68 up to 41 and slide into town from that direction. It’s on the way to my mom’s house and Jude’s folks live on the north side, too.”

  “Why not just go all the way up to 334 and drop in from there, Billy?” Jude asked. “That way we avoid going through a lot of the residential section. If the town is infested that’s probably where they’ll be.”

  “Well, that may be true, but there’s something I want to see on 41. Been thinking about it for a while and anyway, that route is shorter and faster. There’s another advantage to being in the town proper. Out here on the outskirts we can be seen from a long ways away, but in town there’s a lot more cover from house to house. Even if those things are there and they spot us, I think we can get out of trouble as fast as we can get into it. Does that sound like a plan?”

  Turk and Jude both nodded in the affirmative, but Harley looked pensive and then slowly shook his head no.

  “Guys, I want to look for some ammo for the weapons. I used to know a guy on the south side who had a whole boatload of stuff. If he turned early, then I’ll bet it’s still there. It was in a locker in his basement and we could use it if we’re going to stay breathing.”

  “If we do that first, Harley, then that means we are going to basically walk the whole town. Let’s do the north end first and then we can head down to the south side. Besides, if its ammo you want Jude’s dad has lots of guns and ammo.”

  “I think Billy’s right,” said Jude.

  “Of course, you do,” said Harley, with a slight smirk at Jude’s hero worship of Billy. “But this guy had some special stuff. He had 5.56 rounds.”

  Billy and Jude looked bewildered, but Turk was nodding.

  “5.56 mm cartridges are what my M16 fires,” he said, as he looked at the empty rifle he was still carrying. “I sure would feel better if the old girl had some juice.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about, Billy,” said Harley with growing eagerness. “If we can get that M16 back in service it is a super powerful weapon. We’ve been getting by with bolt and pump action, but that M16 could be the difference between living or being overwhelmed here in the city. I have to look and see if that stuff is still there.”

  Billy seemed to consider it. He wanted to look for his mother, but Harley was making sense. He looked at Jude and saw that his friend was as anxious as he to look for family members. How could he cut this baby in half?

  “Listen, Harley, we came this far to see our families and I think that is what we should do. In fact, that is what we are going to do.”

  Harley had a look on his face that was hard to read. He wasn’t angry, but it wasn’t a friendly look either.

  Billy, we been friends for a long time,” he began. “But you ain’t my boss and I’m going to do what I think is right and there’s no use in arguing with me because my mind is made up. I’ve been thinking about this since long before we got here. I’m going.”

  Billy could see that Harley’s mind was made, but the pull to find his own mother was overpowering. If Harley was going, he was going without him.

  “Dude, I have to do what I came here to do, but I understand what you want, too. How do you want to play it?”

  “I’ll go alone,” said Harley. “I’m better by myself. I can move faster and keep a lower profile by myself. We’ll meet at your mom’s place, Billy, this evening and if for some reason we can’t do that we’ll all meet back at the SUV. It’s a plan.”

  Billy glanced at Jude and saw that he silently assented to the idea.

  “I want to go too, Harley,” said Turk surprising everyone.

  “I go alone, man.”

  “You’re gonna need back up. I think two two-man teams are the way to go. Besides, it’s my weapon and I know best how to use it. I won’t slow you down and remember, I have combat training. I can help you.”

  Harley considered it. He hadn’t thought about taking anyone with him, least of all Turk, but he could see that the young soldier was serious.

  “Okay, you’re with me, private, but we’re gonna move and move fast. Is that clear?”

  “Crystal.”

  Alright then,” said Billy gruffly. “We all have our assignments, so let’s move like we got a purpose people.”

  With that they had a quick round of handshakes and hugs and the two teams went off in opposite directions. After a couple of minutes Jude threw a look over his shoulder and saw that Harley and Turk were already out of view.

  “I have a bad feeling about this, Billy,” he said. “Do you think we will ever see those guys again?”

  “Of course, we will, buddy. Haven’t you learned yet that Harley is a tough dude to kill? He just has to follow his own path. He’ll be back.”

  They walked another mile or so when Jude remembered something.

  “Billy, you said you wanted to see something on Route 41. What is it you want to see?”

  “Ferncliff Cemetery,” said Billy flatly. “Its got around a hundred acres of dead people buried there and I want to see if they are still there.”

  ****************

  “Oh my God!”

  It had taken over half an hour of walking to get to the cemetery. The guys had been careful, or at least as careful as they could, to stay out of sight. They were not in the residential section of town until they crossed from 68 onto 41. The area had once been a thriving commercial center with hordes of people frequenting the many stores and restaurants, but those hordes were gone now and there was a ghostly silence that unnerved them even in broad daylight.

  Billy had thought he had seen creatures several times, but a quick look with the binoculars he carried proved his concerns false. He was beginning to wonder if perhaps the dead had abandoned his hometown. Of course, if they had, that meant that their prey was all used up. If our families are gone when we get home how will we ever find them, he thought? Just stay positive, he scolded himself. We’ve come too close to fail now.

  Jude was shoulder to shoulder with Billy. He felt like he drew strength from his friend. If it hadn’t been for Billy, Jude secretly wondered if he would
have ended it all months ago. He couldn’t stand the idea of being alone and with Billy he never felt alone. Billy usually made all the decisions and Jude took comfort in that. Well anyway, Billy’s cemetery is just down the road now, he thought. Could the story the soldiers told really be true? Jude shrugged and let Billy worry about it. Billy suddenly stiffened and motioned for Jude to follow him.

  They quickly crossed the street, went north one block, and then east again. They silently cut through several backyards until they were directly across from the cemetery. Billy was looking for something, but Jude couldn’t figure out what it was. Finally, next to a shed Billy found an aluminum ladder and leaned it against the back of a two-story house facing the graveyard. He went up first without a word to Jude, who quickly followed. They crept up to the crown of the roof and looked over. It was then that Jude had exclaimed: “Oh my God!”

  “Maybe this is why we haven’t seen any of the creatures until now. They’ve been busy,” whispered Billy.

  The scene before them was unreal. A small army of zombies was digging up coffins and prying them open and they were doing all of it with their bare hands and even, in some cases, with rocks. The two men watched in horror. From their vantage point a huge swath of the cemetery was visible and many graves had obviously already been disturbed, but a great many were still untouched. The army of the dead was at work on those graves that still contained reinforcements. As Billy watched through his binoculars he saw a coffin hauled to the surface by a gang of the creatures. As they tore the lid off he saw a figure rise out of it. He could clearly see that it was a man in a dark suit. The ghostly figure fell out of the coffin and slowly rose to his feet. Billy wondered just how long this man had been dead and if he had been awakened months ago and trapped in his tomb or if he was animated when the creatures opened the coffin. Billy thought the latter was more likely, but it didn’t really matter. He and Jude watched as the newly freed creature then joined his comrades and began digging. Billy and Jude both then slid several feet back down the roof so that they were no longer in sight of the zombies.

 

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