by Jeff Olah
“He’s fine,” Mason said. “That kid is more than capable of handling himself. I trust him with a weapon more than anyone.”
“That’s not really what I meant. We don’t even know who those people are. They may not even be the ones who ran us off the road and even if they were, I thought we decided against that kind of thing. We weren’t going to let this world do that to us again.”
“We’re not, although we do have the right to protect ourselves.”
Already out of breath after nothing more than light jog for the past ten minutes, Savannah stayed a few paces ahead of Mason and Lockwood. “Protect ourselves… at what cost?”
Mason stopped and answered her, almost before she finished asking. “At any cost; our lives and how we value them will be what saves us. We haven’t had to bury a single member of our group since we left Blackmore and I have no plans to anytime soon. We do what is right and then do what is necessary… always.”
Knowing what Mason would say before he spoke the words had become routine for Lockwood over the last few weeks. The two had become almost inseparable, with Mason never more than a few steps away. The phrase “You go, I go” had become almost cliché. Mason assured everyone he spoke to that Lockwood’s safety was the number one priority. He believed the doctor was going to fix this world, and Mason was going to make sure he had the chance, no matter the price.
Savannah turned to face the men and to give Mason a chance to help Lockwood catch up, although something much farther down the beach demanded her attention. She squinted into the darkness and stepped around the men. “Is that Jack?”
173
Progressing along the sheer rock face, his legs begged for mercy. Stopping momentarily, Jack placed his hands on his knees and took in two deep breaths. Turning back once again, he realized he’d been running for almost an hour and the two individuals perusing him had narrowed the gap. Staying near the shore, they were able to move much more quickly along the beach, although he was fairly certain he hadn’t yet been spotted. The two darkened figures were, instead, following the tracks laid down by Mason and the others.
Fire a warning shot, or attempt to keep pace with the two at the shore? He knew neither option would prove a favorable outcome. Firing his last round at the moving silhouettes or anywhere near the shoreline and he’d be left unprotected, even if he decided to eliminate one of the individuals.
There was also no way he’d be able keep pace with his pursuers and attempting to increase his speed in the soft sand near the cliffs, would be pointless. Within minutes he’d be forced to stop and his friends would be caught within the next mile.
Jack shook his head and stepped out of the shadows. His weapon held above his head, he called out to what appeared to be two middle-aged men running along the shore. His first attempt to get their attention proved fruitless as the sounds of crashing waves drowned him out.
“HEY… OVER HERE!” Jack shouted, as he waved his hands in the air.
The shorter and more severe looking of the two turned first. His eyes narrowed and shoulders hunched, he grabbed the second man by the collar and motioned toward Jack. The two men appeared to yell something that from his positon was inaudible and both raised their weapons.
Instinctively, Jack dropped the rifle and moved back two paces. They approached quickly, gathered up the weapon and stood staring at Jack. “Are you the idiot that shot up our car?”
He’d seen this look before, but had never been on this side of things. They were going to kill him no matter what he said. “Are you the terrible drivers that ran us off the road?”
The smaller man smiled. “Boy, you think being smart with us is going to help you? If you had any idea who we were, you’d be begging us to kill you right now.”
“So, what you’re saying is that I’m supposed to be afraid of what you two may or may not do to me… am I understanding that right?”
The larger man curled his nose and grunted as he tried holding back his involuntary laughter. “This guy’s just toying with us, shoot him in the head and let’s get back home.”
The smaller man again stepped forward; now less than two feet separated them. “Where are the others? We are going to kill you, that you can bet on, although if you tell us where they are, we won’t make you watch.”
How much longer would he be able to stall these two before they just killed him and kept moving? They had to know the tracks they were following were from his friends. They were purposely dragging this out. They were getting off on it, at least the smaller man was. Jack figured he’d see just how far he could push them. “You already tried to kill me and my friends once tonight. What makes you think you’ll be any more successful if we give you another chance?”
“Kill him,” the larger man said.
“I’m going to, but I’m going to make him watch us kill the others first.”
“You guys are serious, aren’t you?” Jack placed his hands together. “Oh please, scary little man, please don’t hurt me or my friends. We’ll do whatever you ask.”
“Last chance, where are your friends?”
Three houses were within fifty yards of the shore. Mason helped Lockwood to the rear deck as Savannah made her way to the sliding glass door. Rapping on the door three times brought four Feeders out into the darkened living room.
Checking the door, it was unlocked. Savannah moved into the house as the Feeders followed her into the kitchen. With no obvious weapons to use, she reached for the wok skillet still sitting on the stove. Taking two steps back, she swung hard and knocked the first Feeder to the floor. The others fell over the first and lay in a mangled mess on the cold kitchen tile.
Helping Lockwood to the couch, Mason ran to the kitchen in time for Savannah to find the drawer full of cooking utensils. As the beasts reached for a handhold along the countertop, the pair pushed them back to the floor. Savannah handed Mason a meat tenderizing mallet and kept the large carving knife for herself.
Making short work of the four Feeders, Mason checked his weapon, asked Savannah and Lockwood to stay put, and ran through the rear door. He hit the beach, already in a full sprint and only slowed due to the arduous task of moving through the deep sand.
Staying in the shadows provided by the monumental beach homes in the area, Mason drew to within fifty feet of Jack before the full picture came clear. Jack now on his knees, Mason moved from the cover of the homes to the low lying foliage, near where the beachside bluffs came to an end.
Just out of earshot, he was only able to comprehend every third or fourth word. The men’s voices being filtered through the crashing waves began to escalate. Mason readied his weapon, slid it into his waistband and stepped out. “I’m right here. I’m the one you want. That kid is a nobody, let him go.”
The smaller man stepped forward. “Now, why on earth would I do that? He admitted to shooting up our car… and was caught red handed with the rifle. The fact that you’re here trying to protect him tells me everything I need to know.”
Mason took another step forward. “Trust me son, the fact that you haven’t run off yet, tells me that you have no idea who we are. Although if you don’t put that weapon away and leave this beach, you’re gonna find out.”
“Gavin, wait…” The larger man said. “Could he be the doctor?”
The smaller man smiled and responded to his friend while still staring at Mason. “No, you idiot, this is not the doctor. Now keep your mouth shut, I’m not gonna tell you again.”
“This is your last chance,” Mason said. “Put your weapons in the sand and walk away, before you’re unable to.”
“This is gonna be hard for you to understand right now,” the smaller man said. “But, you’re already dead.” Pointing to Jack he continued. “Your friend here, he’s dead as well and everyone back in your little community, well, let’s just say I hope you had time to say goodbye.”
Before the smaller man had time to react, Mason reached into his waistband, pulled out the nine millimeter and shot
him.
174
Her head pounded as she laid back into the sofa and closed her eyes. Before the accident, Savannah had already been driving for well over eight hours and with less than five minutes before they arrived home, she’d felt safe. Safe for the first time since leaving the beach over twenty five days earlier and with the disaster that was Oregon, Savannah needed to be back.
The trip she’d set out on almost a month before wasn’t supposed to be easy. They knew just getting to the hospital would be a monumental task. They were prepared, although they were nowhere near ready. The first twenty hours of their journey saw a flat tire and a radiator leak, although with the amount of vehicles still littering the highways, spare parts were never an issue.
Nineteen days later, they pulled into Portland, just shy of midnight. Hungry, tired, and out of patience, they waited at the gates for over an hour, flashing their lights as instructed. No one came.
Feeders began to quickly grow in numbers near the weakening exterior fences as Mason slammed the SUV into reverse and backed down the loading ramp. He circled the building until dawn, although he apparently wasn’t able to get the attention of the people they were there to meet.
Sitting in the underground parking structure the following morning, they attempted to create a plan for entering the hospital, sight unseen. Mason and Jack would take the bolt cutters and as much protection as they could carry. Two handguns and two rifles between the pair should prove sufficient to reach their target on the sixth floor.
The stairwells were for the most part free from danger. They made short work of the few Feeders that remained, although opening the doors that led to the sixth floor quickly escalated the threat. Pushing through the doors and into the hallway, Mason spent every round in his rifle and handgun within thirty seconds.
The plan was to get to the lab without the use of their guns and expend rounds only when all other options were exhausted. As they moved through the hall and reached the lab, two things became abundantly clear.
One, the likelihood of Mason and Jack making it out of the building alive was dwindling with every passing second. And two, the team of scientist lying dead ten feet away hadn’t been overrun by Feeders. They were executed in their lab. Shot in the back of the head while still at their workstations. Every last piece of equipment damaged beyond repair.
As they paused at the floor to ceiling Plexiglas wall enclosing the lab, Mason didn’t say a word. Having battled over fifty Feeders just to get to this point, the hall was clear, although they were out of ammunition and still needed to descend the six floors.
Reaching the door to the stairs, Jack slowly pulled it open as the first round tore past his ear and into the wall. Both he and Mason dove into the stairwell and started toward the ground floor, two steps at a time. As they reached the third floor, Mason lost his footing and fell into Jack. Both men tumbled the remaining ten steps to the landing below.
The door to the sixth floor above opened as they slowly made it to their feet. Blood poured from the fresh gouge above Mason’s eyebrow and Jack winced with every jarring step. “We have to run, we don’t have a choice,” Mason said as he continued down ahead of Jack.
Gunfire rained from above as they reached the parking garage door. Mason and Jack ran the short distance to the SUV. Hearing the commotion, Savannah had already started the SUV and was in motion as the men raced over and leapt in.
As the SUV sped up the opposite side of the garage, their faceless attackers plowed through the doorway and emptied their weapons, six rounds striking the SUV as it tore out onto the downtown street.
“They’re dead, They’re all dead,” Jack said. “They were executed right there in the lab. Their equipment was completely destroyed… everything was gone.”
Savannah turned out onto the main highway and followed it for the next ten minutes. The others continued to discuss the events that led the group here, although she stared out the windshield and refused to acknowledge them or their conversation.
Two miles out of the city limits, Savannah stomped on the brakes, the SUV sliding sideways on the wet pavement and coming to a stop. Turning around, now focused on Lockwood, her obvious pent up anger boiled over. “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?”
He began to speak, although she didn’t give him the opportunity. “You must be joking. This was your idea, and when we all tried to talk you out of it, you said this trip was something that must happen, that you were going to save the entire world. How are you going to save the world when you’re dead? What were the odds of this actually working? You’re a scientist; you could have figured out that there was almost no chance of the four of us surviving this trip. We’ve been on the road for nearly a month and for what? This trip was a complete waste.”
Savannah had run herself out of breath, although she now wanted him to speak, she wanted him to explain himself.
His face had changed, his calm demeanor now gone, he was angry. The realization of their failed trip weighed heavy as he began to speak. “You’re right… you shouldn’t be here. Mason shouldn’t have come, hell Jack should be back at the beach protecting our community.”
He paused for a moment, running over his thoughts. “You have every right to be upset; none of you should be here. I brought the wrong people for the job and I should have known better. Your concern is for yourself and those remaining back at the beach, although that is not what I am here for. I have survived solely to bring an end to what has crippled our world. People will die, yes… and some will suffer. But there are things we will have to do to reclaim this planet and not all of them can be accomplished from the comfort of the sandy shores outside my home. I will not ask for your assistance again. Let’s go home.”
The gunshot reverberated off the double paned storm windows and Savannah jumped from the couch. She hurried to the door and out onto the deck. There was activity back down the beach, although with the morning fog beginning to roll in, she was unable to make out who it was or what was happening.
Lockwood hobbled through the home, searching for anything they may need or that may be useful back at their home. He avoided the kitchen and after searching the bedrooms, realized that they were closer to their community than anyone knew. This home had been picked clean and tagged. The circular symbol painted on the interior doors told him that his people had already been through the area.
Savannah moved back through and found him near the stairs. “You okay to get going again? We need to keep moving. We’ll meet them at the fences.”
“Was that another gunshot,” Lockwood said. “Are you sure you want to head back out there before they return? We may do better just to wait here.”
“Mason made me promise that I’d give him five minutes and then go.”
Lockwood grinned “He’s trying to protect both of us, I understand it now. Mason’s not just fighting this battle to save me… he’s also doing this to save you.”
They both looked to the rear of the home as the second shot in less than thirty seconds killed the silence.
175
Mason stood over the larger man and watched as the second round fired from his nine millimeter buried itself in the sand. As the projectile nicked the man’s ear, he instinctively dropped his weapon and grabbed his head. Jack quickly rushed in and kicked it aside. “Mason, I think we’re good here. Let’s go. These guys aren’t worth the time or the effort.”
The first hints of the new morning filtered up through the horizon as the offshore winds grew stronger. Not yet dawn, although with the night fading, he moved to the smaller man who continued to shout obscenities from his knees. “The next one is going in your head.”
No response, the smaller man simply spat the contents of his mouth at Mason.
“You mentioned a doctor, why?”
No answer.
The smaller man clutched his lower leg and twisted in the sand. The entry wound just below his left knee slowly pushed blood out onto his lower leg and into his shoe. His attempt to stand left h
im facedown on the beach, writhing in pain. Pulling himself forward through the sand, he moved toward Mason. “Just kill me.”
“You’re gonna be fine. The bullet went right through. You’ll bleed a bit, but you’ll be fine. Now answer my question or I’ll shoot you in the other leg.”
The smaller man shook his head. “You’re already dead, and so am I. Do what you want to me, to him, it doesn’t matter.”
Mason moved back to the larger man and placed the barrel against his forehead. “Ok, how about you, why are you asking about a doctor—”
“Mason,” Jack said. “Let’s go, we don’t have time for this”
“Time? That’s all we’ve got is time. These guys know something and I think we ought to find out what it is.”
“They’re not going to tell you anything” Jack said. “These guys are just like every other piece of trash we’ve run across. They only survive to destroy those they come into contact with. Before the infection, these idiots were probably in prison. Just leave them here, they’re not going anywhere.”
Still standing over him, Mason reached back and smashed the larger man in the temple with the butt of his gun. The man fell face-first into the sand and rolled to his side. “Jack, take their weapons.”
He moved back to the smaller man and squatted down. “I don’t know who you are or what you want, and I’m not sure where you came from, but I don’t care. This is where it ends. Right here, right now. When your friend wakes up, he’s gonna have a knot on his head and a pretty good sized headache. Tie something around that leg of yours and take him home. If I ever see either one of you again, I’ll kill you both.”
“Yeah, I don’t believe you, man. You haven’t got the stomach for it. It takes a special kind of person to take another man’s life. It’s one thing to misfire and shoot someone in the leg, but to actually kill a human being… you don’t have it in you, I can tell.”