Zombie Waltz (Book 2)

by Lynn E. Main

  “We can’t leave.” Faith says. She is standing across the lab table from me now. She has pushed open one of Kevin’s eyelids and looked in. She looks up into my eyes and her expression is of fear. “Kevin is going to have to stay here until he is on his feet. That could be weeks.”

  “We won’t be able to stay that long.” I say.

  “Well wearen’t leavingnow.” She says and thenturns to Gretchen, “I am sorry. I know you don’t want to have to deal with other people. But we aren’t leavinguntil wehave to…and when we do, you should as well.”

  “We aren’t going anywhere.” Phillip says, moving closer to his sister.

  “You don’t understand. When the waveof zombies comingup that road hits you, you won’t be able to stay. It doesn’t matter if the bikers come back after that. There won’t be anything left here.” With that, I turn back to Kevin and Faith, intent on ignoring any more argument. Faith takes the sheets back off Kevin’s belly and then starts to remove the bandages. I turn away instantly; knee jerk reaction.

  “Chris hasn’t eaten. I am going to take some of that peanut-butter and crackers to him.” I cross the room to the open jar of peanut butter which stands with a knife in it. Phillip follows me. As I gather the stuff and turn for the door he steps in my way. “Problem, Phillip?” I ask, as if I intend to go through him if necessary. He is huge. The exact opposite of his sister, his muscles have muscles. If it came down to it, he would tear me up. But hopefully my intimidation factor works against his youth…and fear.

  “Is it true that there is a wall of zombies coming at us? That they are going to be able to go straight through this school?” Phillip asks nervously.

  “I don’t know what it is.” I say as I walk past him, turning my shoulder just enough to avoid his. I stop at the door but don’t look back and add, “Yes, Phillip, a wall of zombies is coming. Or whatever you want to call it. It looks like a wall. Theyare going to destroy everything in their path.”

  RJ’s back

  Jill looks across the fire pit at the bagged men. “Why are they still tied up like that?”

  “I told you those men are dangerous…oh maybe not to me. But for you. I don’t want anything bad to happen to any of you girls.” Rodney says, smiling up from his pink lawn chair over the rim of his tin cup.

  Jill walks over to the men and before she can think, she snatches the hood off the first of them. He looks over at her immediately. He has dark, almost-raven hair with only wisps of white. His eyes are grey and piercing, “Thank you.” He says.

  Jill is somewhat shocked he was not gagged. A whole day here with them and Jill hasn’t heard a word out of either man. She reaches for the bag atop the other man’s head. She thinks better of it and looks back at Rodney, but he is still sporting the cat-ate-the-canary smile. So, she yanks his bag off as well.

  “Thank you, miss.” The bald man says as he looks up at her and winks. Jill is caught off guard by that and takes a step away, throwing the black sacks on the ground. “We are dangerous.” He says with a suddenly stern look deep into Jill’s eyes. Then he rolls his gaze towards Rodney, “But not to you, missy. I assure you a that.”

  “Patrick…that’s enough.” The other man says. He is staring at Rodney.

  Rodney looks over at him and then decides to return the stare. “You looking at something?” Rodney says, sitting his left hand lazily on his revolver.

  “I am just curious how long you intend to delay me?”

  “Delay you?” Rodney snorts.

  “Yes. I have a pressing engagement.”

  “The end of the world didn’t delay your engagement?”

  “Actually, these plans weren’t set until the current crisis descended.” Jillwatchesthe man ashe speaks. His voice is calm and even. His face shows no agitation.

  “What is so important that would require you to carry around illegal guns in an armored church van?”

  “Ido not reallyintend to discuss mybusiness with the likesof you. I will eventually be freed from here and I intend to carry out my plans. If you insist on delaying me…well then it may have to become violent.” He looks over at Jill and smiles, but it is an icy smile. “I don’t know if your people are equipped for that.”

  “Are you threatening me? I don’t think you are in any position to…” Rodneystarts and walks up to the man, pointing a finger in his face. He is just about to smack him to punctuate his thought when he hears that familiar thunder. He turns and momentarily the tied men are forgotten.

  Everyone turns to watch as three motorcycles roar up the highway and into the parking lot. After a quick ascent, RJ bursts onto the roof, visibly shaken. He cradles his right hand, which is wrapped in his bloodsoaked tee-shirt. Rodney immediately notices the red and grabs his gun, squeezing it in the holster.

  “Son, what happened? Were you bit?” He hopes more than anything RJ hasn’t been, but if he has, Rodney doesn’t intend to draw out his son’s suffering; he will do it now…his way, thank you verymuch. The end.

  “Ah…” RJ approaches the older biker, wincing. “Mother Fucker. I’m going to kill that son of a bitch. Nah Pop, that asshole shot me.”

  Rodney feels instant relief. “Who shot you?” He asks as he takes the hand and unwraps it from the dirty shirt, revealing three missing fingers. His trigger finger, middle, and ring fingers have all been shot off. It is already growing black. “That needs be doused in vodka and taped.” Rodney says, turning to Jackie who stands to the side looking on. The other nods and rushes into one of the large tents. “Thad, what the fuck happened?”

  “Got ambushed. We were checking the high school and ran into this real mouthy little bastard. He wouldn’t let us near his group. We promised we came in peace. We approached, and he fired. It was a lucky shot really. He wasn’t even aiming.” Thad had noticed that the kid’s eyes were closed; wild firing.

  “Were gonna go back there and kill that little fucker’s friends and drag him behind my bike.” RJ says. His words are muffled by the leather he has between his teeth while Jackie pours alcohol over his fingers and wraps them with duct tape.

  “Settle down, son. We aren’t going to let this shit stand. I assure you. How many were there?” Rodney says turning to Thad. He has completely forgotten about Jill and the un-bagged men.

  “Could have just been the two of them.” Thad replies. This peaks the older man’s curiosity. He turns to face the bikers.

  “Two? Are you fucking serious?” Rodney almost doubles over laughing.

  “I don’t think it was just the two of them. They were protecting someone. Theywere well armed. Anotherone took a pot shot at us outside. Hell, we know one was a girl. She talked to us before he shut her up.” RJ adds, finallyspittingout the leather. He grabs the vodka bottle from Jackie and tilts it into his mouth with his good hand.

  “I only saw two. One was the girl. A real looker, that one. He did say they were armed. If there were more of them, they only sent out the one watchdog. He was ugly and looked mean as hell.” Thad adds.

  “You saw him?” Rodney asks his brother.

  “Yeah just him and the girl for a second. We had a mind to rush the stairs and were pressing in real close, but then he got off that lucky shot.”

  “What do you mean ugly? Couldn’t be worse than fat assed Shaun Titus, could he?”

  “Oh, no this guy was worse. Probably Shaun and RJ’s age but all messed up. Face was all scarred up. Shit like that.”

  “Did you get a good look athis arm? Specifically, his right bicep?” Suddenly all the bikers become very aware of the stern looking man tied by the fire. Jill turns wide eyed to him as well.

  “This isn’t any of your concern, mister.” RJ says, balling his good hand in a fist and advancing on the man. He makes like he will swing.

  Quietly, the well-built bald man, Patrick says, “I wouldn’t.”

  The dark-haired man just stares up at him with a stone gaze as Jill looks on breathless. She was more than interested when she heard RJ mention another group.
Anyone would be better than these assholes. Then when Thad told Rodney that the guys face was all messed up with scars, she thought of Les and her heart hitched in her throat. His arm looked like ribbons of flesh as he laythere on the floor. She will never forgetthat arm.

  “RJ, knock it off.” Rodney says, dismissing the man completely.

  Thad has taken more than a little notice of the calm collected man they happened to luck out and ambush in an alley. He told Rodney that the guy should be cut loose. He seemed like a big risk. He is some type of ex-military or para-military. Thad would not be surprised at all if he were active CIA. There is something about him that seems to accept all the horror around him like it is a part of life; more than that, just a boring detail. He wonders what would have happened if they had come upon these men without the ever-so-helpful element of surprise…who would be hog-tied right now? “Why do you care?” He asks the man. “Did he have…a wound or maybe a scar on his arm?”

  Jill gasps and covers her mouth with her hands. She can feel the pressure of the heavy salty wetness already on her eyelids. The men look over at her. Rodneyrolls his eyes, onlythinking theyare grossing his little filly out. He mentally notes, she will need comfort later.

  “He had scars all over…I guess, one was tore up more than the rest. Why?” Thad asks, rounding on and now standing right over the man and Patrick.

  “He is the one I am looking for.” “Why do you want him?”

  “Let’s say…a score to settle. Anyway, I would be willing to trade guns and supplies for him. I need him alive.”

  “We already have your guns.” RJ breaks in.

  “Shut up, boy!” Rodney says as he backhands RJ in the neck and pushes past him. “How many guns?”

  “More than you can ever need…but you would probably be more interested in bullets, wouldn’t you?”

  “And those?” Thad continues for his brother.

  “Piles. You can have whatever else you want. You can have the girls. There are at least 2 beddable aged ones. I only need the boy. Dead Boy, he calls himself.” With this sentiment, the stern man nodsknowingly at Rodney. Rodney looks over at Jill. He grins. What can she do anyway? Where will she go? She just stands there like a dog backed into a corner, shivering.

  “RJ, did you see any other guns?” Rodney asks.

  “They have a shotgun for sure and a rifle…maybe more upstairs.” RJ says still rubbing his neck with a stubborn grimace.

  “So, do we have a deal? I get the boy. You untie me and my man and we will help you assault the school and…”

  “Nah. Nope. I don’t think so. We will handle the assaulting. You are going to stay right here. When I deliver this boy, you deliver me the guns and bullets. Got it?” Rodney looks over at Jill again, still grinning, “I’ll take whatever else I want.”

  “Fair exchange.” The man says. He waits silently, watching the others as Thad and Rodney whisper to each other. “This boy, Les…it is imperative that he is unharmed. He looks bad but I need him intact. It is my only demand.”

  “Fair exchange my ass. You aren’t in much of a position to be calling the shots. Tell me where these guns of yours are? Or I’ll kill you and your man and let RJ drag his ass all the way to Tampa.” Rodneysays, advancing on the man again.

  “They’re close. Safe. You will have all the guns and bullets you need when we have the boy.” Patrick says.

  “Where?” Thad asks, bending down and picking up the black sacks.

  “St. Petersburg. They will wait there for our arrival. But if me or the boy are harmed, then the deal is off. You might not like how the guns…or bullets are presented at that point.” The stern man says, not flinching as both men lean in on him.

  “You are a brave bastard, aren’t you?” Rodneysays scratching his beard. “But I suppose we have a deal.” He looks like he is trying hard; pushing past years of drugs and grease and alcohol trying to get the old motor firing up again. “What’s your name mister?”

  “Petrova. I will be glad to take you to the guns.” Mr. Petrova smiles at them. Thad approaches him with an open sack. Mr. Petrova looks right over at Jill and his gaze locks on her. Right before his face is shrouded again, he winks.

  Jill had been inside herself. How could it possibly be him? The strange tied man had said he wants Les. She had heard it. His name. Her heart begins racing and she can feel cold sweat form on her forehead and her underarms growing warm. She turns around and marches back toward the tent she shares with Lynne and Rose.

  The Roof

  I climb up onto the roof and look around for a while before I find Chris. He is crouched by the ledge of the south wall, looking through his scope. I walk up behind him and kick a pebble as I approach and he turns suddenly. The look that had been on his face was full of rage but it melts away into a blank stare. “How does it look?”

  “It’s quiet.”

  I scan the edge of the parking lots and down the street as far as I can see. Then I look down at the box with the smiling golden bear on it. “I brought you some food.”

  “It’s okay. Save it. I’m not really that hungry.”

  “Eat, Chris.” I say, offering him the box and the jar of peanut butter.

  “You should save it. We don’t know when we will find more.” He turns back to his scope.

  I sit the food down by the wall and then lean on it, looking back the other way. “They have a stash of food here. We should stay. We could have weeks…maybe they are moving slower than we thought.”

  “Or faster. We don’t have weeks and you know it. What are we going to do about Kevin?”

  “We should move him. Maybe we can make room for him on their bus.”

  “Do you really think they are going to let us do that? I doubt that girl and her brother would even let us stay if they had a choice. She hates you, Dead Boy.”

  “She doesn’t hate me. She is just mad. She lost her dad and…we came in and upset her nest.” Isee some commotion in the trees to the east. Tapping Chris on the shoulder, I point it out.

  He turns his scope in that direction and leans forward a bit. Perfectly still for some time, he sits. Iwonder if he is even breathing. “It’s nothing. But it won’t be clear forever.”

  “We need to be ready. We need to get them on our team. There is not going to be any warning. We need to pack up our supplies and food on that bus. Maybe we should leave the caddy if there is room for everyone on it. One vehicle would probably be better.” I lean there for a moment when I finish speaking and then stand and dust off my pants. “I am going to go back down. Are you okay up here?”

  Chris nods. He doesn’t look to see if Isaw him nod. He continually moves the gun slowly from one side of the horizon to the other as I turn and walk away.

  Infection

  In the science hall, it’s getting dark again. I can’t believe another whole day is gone. It seems like we have done very little. I don’t even remember going to the bathroom today.

  I can smell her cigarette smoke as I walk up. Faith is leaning up against the wall with her arm around her knees. Her elbow is propped up and a cigarette hangs from her hand. In front of her, a pack of Camel’s lies open with a little clear lighter lying near them. She looks over at me and smiles up weakly. “You want one?”

  “No. Thank you. What’s wrong?”

  “Kevin…he is not doing well. He has an infection and I know that will slow us down.”

  “We will figure it out. Chris didn’tseeanything yet. What’s wrong exactly?”

  “Fever…and it doesn’t want to come down. I don’t know…” She starts to cry. I sit down beside her and stretch my arm around. “I was only an internist you know. I’m not even a real doctor.”

  “You are a doctor.”

  “Then why do I keep fucking everything up?”

  “Everyone makes mistakes…you are doing the best you can. Maybe he is rejecting my blood or something like that.”

  She chuckles and it sounds like a frog, “You needed a blood transfusion, but I
couldn’t give you one.” She looks over at me, places the cigarette between her lips, let’s go with her fingers, and drags deeply. She holds it for a moment and then breathes it out. Some of the smoke comes trickling out of her nostrils as she exhales. “It’s like everything I did with you was wrong. Unsanitary and practically the opposite of what I did for Kevin. I used clean –new- instruments. I had help. And he is just slipping away. It is just like Casey. He has a fever and he shouldn’t.”

  “Maybe the bullet was dirty.”

  “It wasn’t a bullet. It was a fragment of metal; aluminum. The bullet must have ricocheted off something that splintered, and shot out a piece.”

  “That makes it more likelythatit wasdirty. But even all that aside, we are going to have to leave soon. We are going to need to move him.”

  The look on her face changes from sorrow to fear almost instantly. “We can’t do that.”

  “We may not have a choice, Faith.”

  “No, Les, you don’t understand. We can’t do that. If we move him and those stitches inside of him tear loose, he will bleed internally. He will die.”

  Iknow the look on myfaceis one of fear, but maybe the scarshide it. “You didn’t see it straight on. It…”

  “I understand that. If that wave gets here before he starts to make a recovery, then…” She softly trails off.

  “What? I don’t know what to do. What should we do?”

  She shrugs and starts to cry again, “Leave him.”

  “Faith…” I lean my head on her shoulder and close my eyes. I reopen them a moment later when I hear the classroom door open. Nick walks out into the hallway.

  “Sorry to bother you guys. Dead Boy, Gretchen wants to talk to you.” He says.

  “I’ll go in with you.” Faith says.

  “No, it’s okay. Finish your smoke. This won’t take long. Then we can find a nice spot to sleep.” I stand and walk across the hall and into the classroom. Kim and Jason are sitting up against the picture windows and Nick walks over and rejoins them. Gretchen is behind the teacher’s desk again and both of her boys are back there with her.

  I walk over to them and stop by Kevin. I sit my hand on his face. It is so calm and serene. If Faith is right and we do have to leave him behind, Ihope he never wakes up. His face is hot. It’s troubling. Iimagine him jumping off the table the way Caseydid. I don’t know if I could have done what I did if I had known it was a 13-year-old boy sprinting at me…and this one is 8.