The Rabid Mind Two

by Bruce Buckshot Hemming

  “She just lost Jet so we should be there to support her.”

  “Nobody around, good time for some wild sex, don’t you think?”

  Matt grinned. “My kind of lady.”

  ***

  The next morning Debbie and Jim were driving to the Brannon house to ask to use the radio. Claire was left at the house in her grief. She had been withdrawn, quiet, uncaring, the pain was too much for her. After they buried Jet she cried for two days.

  Jim looked at Debbie as they drove. “You think she is going to snap out of it? I mean its been three days.”

  “Three days is nothing, it might take her three weeks or more.”

  They were coming up to a gas station. Jim pulled in. “Going to check for smokes, you wait in the car.”

  “I’ll stretch a little, don’t worry, I’ll stay close to the vehicle.”

  Jim entered through the open-door, flashlight in one hand, Glock 17 in his other. Never drop your guard. He checked behind the counter. As he expected it had been cleaned out of smokes. He headed toward the backroom where the extra would be stored. Opening the door, he shined the flashlight around looking for movement. Listening for any sound that would warn him of danger. Hearing nothing, he walked in. His senses were screaming at him something was wrong. But what? He shook it off. Just the chitters. He found a cabinet and open it up. Wow he hit the jackpot. Stocked with cigarettes. He grabbed four cartoons stuffing them in his pack. Grabbing another carton, he opened and shoved the packs in all his pockets. Opening one he pulled his Zippo lighter and lit up a smoke. Oh, my God the smell was like heaven, his nerves screamed, thank you. His hands steadied out.

  He walked out looking out the window, there was truck parked behind the CRV. Son of bitch. He dropped the cigarette and crushing it with his boot. What the hell is going on, where is Debbie? He hid behind the counter. Just his eyes above the edge. No movement what the hell was going on? Where is Debbie: who drove the truck up? How many are there?

  Staying low he walked up to the door and listened. He heard voices. A quick glance out the door. Debbie and Sandra were sitting on a bench talking. He walked out. “Jesus, you scared the hell out of me. I thought someone took Debbie.

  Debbie turned to look at him. “Don’t you think I would have been shooting? No one is going to take me that easy.”

  Sandra said. “Like my new ride. Brand spanking new.”

  “Where is Matt? Why are you alone?”

  “He should be here any minute, he is driving the other truck, we kind of overloaded it with rebar.”

  Jim pulled out a cigarette and lit up. “Maybe I can enjoy this one.”

  “Oh good, you found some. Now maybe you won’t be so grouchy.” Debbie said.

  “Five cartons that should be a month and half of me being clear headed. Plus, more to restock.”

  Just then they heard an engine coming up and a truck pulled in overloaded with rebar.

  Matt parked and walked over. Big smile. “What a great trip. Two full size brand new trucks and enough rebar to finish the fence.”

  “Great job, you two. Now get that back to the house. Oh, and Sandra, do you think you can talk to Claire. I think putting her to work helping on the fence might snap her out of it.”

  “Do you think that is good idea, maybe we should let her grieve for a few more days?”

  “In case you missed it, this is the end of the world and she doesn’t have the luxury to grieve this long. We need to get that place sealed up. A big enough hive could overrun us easily.”

  “You two heading to the Brannon’s to use the radio? When will you be back?” Sandra asked.

  “Don’t know, hopefully tomorrow. Either way, don’t wait for us. Get that fence up. Get the propane truck, get us ready for winter.”

  “No problem, slave driver.” Matt said. They all headed out.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Hunted.

  LAST WINTER; Months into the viral scourge.

  The voices were silent. He felt alone, abandoned, and rightly so, they had been with him throughout his life after all. In a far off distance, outside the church, he could hear a bird singing. It struck him as odd, but he pushed it aside. A few feet away, his devotees sat around the wood stove they had installed in the hall of the Church. The cold had finally emptied out the town, but they couldn’t leave. No. The voices had explicitly told him after a month of wandering around with his wife and daughter to settle here. His mission was to expand the faith and wait for further instructions. He had done as they’d asked. Their numbers had grown a bit, and they’d taken refuge in the town church.

  Just then, a devotee came in, a woman by the name Ethel. She’d been devastated by her son’s conversion. He told her son had been called to a higher purpose, and was now a herald of the end. One amongst many. That the scourge was much more than a mere virus spread. It was a tool in the hands of the creators to bring an end to a vile world. She had become one of his most devoted members.

  She told him she’d seen a herald. Just then, the voices had started up again. It was time to begin the second part of his mission. Assisting the creators in ending the world by helping people get converted to spread the word of God, so they could go forth and convert others.

  He had immediately gone out to find it. He found the herald collapsed in the snow, and had taken him back to the church. They had a made a cage out of fencing. That night, they made the first sacrifice, a young couple who had wandered into town. The voices were happy. He was happy too, to have them back.

  ***

  Matt woke up early and started on the fence. Sandra would call him when food was ready. He grabbed a new Dewalt 20v drill with four extra batteries. First, he drilled the hole in the wood. Pounding the rebar into place. Five rows up. Claire joined him and they worked without talking. She was different now, a quiet, hardworking, totally focused on the job. Measuring and marking the hole for Matt to drill. As he drilled the hole she hauled the one inch rebar over. Once the hole was finished she automatically picked up the rebar and they put it together.

  Sandra called for them to come in. She had breakfast waiting. Once they sat down. Claire said. “Thanks for making me work. It’s helping.”

  Matt said. “You work construction before? You have great instinct.”

  Sandra felted a pang of jealousy. “I can work beside you two.”

  Matt glared at her. “Of course you can, the three of us can get this done in no time. You can start putting the pikes in the ground as we put up the main support bars.”

  Sandra thought for a minute. She would have to stop being jealous and work together. There was no reason for her acting this way. But that lingering doubt was in the back of her mind. Claire was free to steal Matt from her now. Stop that. Jet had just died, the last thing she is thinking about is Matt. But that insecure doubt was in her head. She had large boobs and she had caught Matt more than once admiring them when he thought no one was looking.

  ***

  Debbie and Jim had spent a night in a cabin. Waiting for daybreak. At first light they drove to the Brannon. ‘ZJ1SS’. ‘147.255’. She memorized, not wanting to allow for anything that might lead to the loss of the info.

  They drove about twenty miles back in off the highway, and got to the Brannon’s place. At the first sight, she smiled, happy, the house looked just like she remembered.

  Something is wrong, the cattle panel warning system. It had been torn down.

  No. Not again.

  They drove up and parked. Approaching the house very slowly and cautiously. The smell was terrible. Rotting corpses littered the house, infected and people alike. None of them looked eaten, so it must have been a close fight.

  They stepped over some corpses, the smell almost making her gag, and putting on her flashlight, she entered the house. It looked like a hurricane had come through the house. The big dining table w
as upside down, and was missing a leg, the chairs were torn, and some dead bodies lay strewn over them. Bullet holes were in the door, and walls.

  When did all this happen? Not too long surely. The corpses have only started to rot.

  Remembering why she’d come, and putting aside her grief at the situation. Jim whispered. “I’ll check out back for survivors.”

  “Ok, I’ll look for the radio.”

  She had an idea how it worked. But hopefully it was battery powered and still hooked up.

  ***

  The three worked like a seasoned construction team. By noon the front was up and the first row of pikes sticking out. Matt was happy.

  “Great job ladies. You are the envy of construction workers everywhere.”

  Claire said. “I will go fix lunch. You two relax enjoy the sun.”

  Once she was inside, Sandra said. “I think this is a good idea to get her doing things. Life has to move on.”

  That afternoon they finished working before dark. Another side done with the first row of pikes sticking out. Matt was happy. Another couple of days we will have this place in good shape. He walked back and checked the propane tank. Just under thirty percent. We’ll need another tank for sure. Gasoline supply for the generator. Food, medical supplies, firewood, more ammo, crow bows, a wood lathe, a couple of elk for the freezer, escape hatch on the roof, shooting platforms and whatever else the slave driver can think of.

  Sandra and Claire walked inside to cook up dinner. He sat on the front porch. Looking out admiring their work. Movement down the street caught his eye. Three infected were working their way in the shadows toward him. He had his hammer handy; just take them out quickly. he thought. There may be more, don’t want to bring hive down on them before the fence is build. Kill them quick and quietly.

  He stood up, took a step toward them, and froze. Better tell Sandra what is going on.

  Slowly worked his way around to the back door he raced inside. “Hey, we got three infected coming this way. I’m going to take them out with the hammer. Keep the noise factor down.”

  Claire said. “Ok, I will be your back up. She grabbed the Glock 17. Strapped on the holster. It was Jet’s main battle belt with a seven-inch hunting blade, two extra magazines, the holster. It felt heavy at first.”

  Sandra said. “Ok, I will cover you from the porch.”

  “Listen, if it’s a hive we’re not ready to take them on so don’t be shooting and run back inside here. This place can’t take a heavy assault right now. Better to stay out of sight and let them walk by.” Matt said.

  With that, they headed out behind a few houses and came out on the other side of the three. Matt whispered. “I will come behind them and take them out one at time. If I get in trouble shoot but try not to.”

  They ran across the street but the three heard them and immediately charged. Matt took the lead one out with a blow to the head and saw blood shoot from its ears. He pulled back to swing again when the second one knocked him to the ground and kept running straight for Claire.

  Claire already drew the Glock and shot him from three feet away straight to the head. He dropped like someone pole axed him. Matt was struggling on the ground with the third one. She couldn’t shoot for fear of hitting Matt.

  Claire screamed. “Don’t let him bite you.”

  She heard Sandra screaming and she looked over to her, she was pointing behind them. Spinning around, a hive was coming down the street, at least fifty strong. Running up to Matt she kicked the thing in the guts. This gave Matt the chance to push it off and smash its head with the hammer.

  They heard the screeching of the hive as they ran for them. Matt grabbed her hand and yelled. “Come on, we have to lure them away from the house. As they ran by the house he yelled to Sandra. “Get out of sight, we will lure them away.”

  ***

  What was that sound, she looked up. There stood a man. His eyes barely sane, was Scott Brannon, and her hands felt cold.

  “Who are you?” He asked, in a low, deliberate voice, like he was trying hard to control whatever urges threatened to take over him.

  “I was a friend of Jim’s. We came by a few months ago, to drop off some supplies for you guys. I just came back to find out if I could use your ham radio to contact the man who has my children.” Debbie explained quickly, playing the mother-in-distress as early as possible. It didn’t seem to work, as he just regarded her with a malevolent air, and she took a step backwards.

  Oh God. What is going on? What was his name again? Scott, right? Scott?

  “Scott?” She said trying to steady her voice. “Your name is Scott, right?”

  He didn’t answer, just stood, looking at her, that same belligerent gaze in his eyes. His head was pounding. What was happening to him?

  “W…What happened to your family?” She asked.

  Family. The word seemed to register somewhere. Family.

  “We…we were attacked by infected. They, they killed all of them. Everybody. Dead.” He spoke haltingly as if trying to piece together the sentences was proving a bit hard for him. His breathing was fast, and his chest heaved with each breath he took.

  “I survived. My brother, saved me. Would have died too. See?” He pointed at his hand. Very visible for her to see, was what looked like the wound from a bite.

  Oh, my God. He’s been bitten. Her stomach turned over. Her breathing increased.

  The single realization, pushed her a few steps backwards again. Her gun. Shit! She’d set it down. She inched a backwards.

  “Okay. I’m…I’m sorry about your family Scott. And I’m glad you made it.” She said, inching back more. Must get some distance between us.

  “Say, umm, when…when did this attack happen?” She asked. She forced a smile.

  “Yesterday. The day before…umm two days ago. Arrgh. I don’t know. My head hurts. Don’t you hear that sound? That ringing?” He held his head and fell to his knees screaming, then he saw her inching towards the door, faster now.

  The anger that overtook him was like molten lava soiling out of a tight crater. His eyes were red, and he frothed at the mouth as he banged on the floor repeatedly as the anger completely overtook him. Debbie couldn’t bother to inch back anymore, she turned and took off in a full out run towards the front door.

  “You bitch. Where do you think, you’re going?” He yelled, running after her.

  Debbie was almost at the door when a strong hand clasped around the collar of her shirt and pulled her back. He flung her towards into the living room. She landed on one of the corpses and rolled off quickly, screaming in disgust and pain. Looking up, she saw him walking towards her, the look in his eyes, now looking every bit as menacing as that of the full-blown locos. She sprung to her feet and try to placate him, attempting to use his family to buy herself time.

  “Scott. Scott. Please don’t do this, you don’t have to do this. Your brother wouldn’t want you to do this, he saved you so you would keep on living. Not so you’d become a monster.” Not that she believed any of that, but she needed to keep him distracted enough for her to reach her gun. Why in God’s name had she forgotten it? Was she so into the idea of getting her children that her own sense of self-preservation was eroded? Of what use was she to them dead? How would she get them back if she was dead? Did she never want to see Jim again? What exactly was wrong with her?

  “But…but I’m so angry.” His speech was way too slurred for her to hear anything he said. “I’m so angry, I can’t think of anything else.” He was just making growling sounds now, and scaring her immensely. He started towards her, but caught sight of a picture of his brother and his family, and his step faltered.

  She took advantage.

  Running quickly, she dove forward, rolling a little, and evading his attack, reached for her gun, turned and shot. Too late, he got to her and knocked her hand aside, sending the
shot wide. She kicked him in the balls. His scream would forever haunt her nightmares in days to come. The look that he levelled at her when he finished screaming. His transformation was finished. There was no reasoning with him now. If she gave him the chance, he would kill her, and feel not even a bit of remorse. She knew this, and she levelled her rifle again, aiming for his head, he moved quicker than she expected. He knocked her back, slamming her back into a wall, she lost hold of the rifle and collapsed in a heap on the floor, barely able to move. He came and stood over her, and raised his foot, ready to stomp her head. Mustering all the energy she had, she rolled away. She struggled to her feet. He was looking at her now. His chest heaving with exertion and fury.

  Desperate now, and not seeing any other option, she turned and made for the door, tripping over overturned furniture and corpses in her haste, but she was weak, he was still faster than her. He was soon on top of her and held her by the hair, yanking her backwards to him. He held her by the neck and pressed her to the wall, strangling her with as little effort as one would use to break an egg, she was already seeing white blotches when the room exploded in a loud sound. She barely heard the shotgun blast. Suddenly the pressure was off her throat. She gasped for breath. Looking up, glance at her savior.

  ***

  Matt ran passed the last house on the block and took a hard-left circle around on the back side of the other houses across the street. They stopped behind a tool shed. Catching their breath. “We need to find water, something so they can’t track us by smell.”

  Claire looking around. “There a swimming pool.” An above ground pool. They ran for it. The hive had run past the house out into the woods. Too excited that prey was close at hand. But one held back smelling the ground like bloodhound on a trail.

  Claire and Matt reached the pool climbing on the deck that surrounded the pool. They slipped in swimming to the opposite side. Matt grab an air mattress placing it on the edge giving them a place to breath. They both moved underneath it.

  They heard the screeching, the damn things were back on their trail. Matt positioned Claire against the back of the wall. He was facing her. They heard the hive running around them. One climbed on the deck. Not moving a muscle, they stayed still. The heard the footsteps walking toward them, it stopped. Shit can it see us? Matt thought. He used his right hand to feel down Claire side.