“You had my vote for checking it out.” I said.
“I knew you’d be up for it. You’se always up for anything fun.”
I smiled at the gorilla from up north and he smiled back at me.
“Thanks…I think.” I said.
The road was now climbing up a hill and I noticed a storage building setting off to our left. The fence around the building was still standing. It looked like it would be a good place for us lock ourselves down if we ended up having to barricade in somewhere on our way home. Would we be safe this close to the Head Hunters? Those murderers could come after us at any moment.
Murderers. That’s what the Head Hunters were, no doubt. But wasn’t that also what we were? I thought back to the King of Gray. The fight we were forced into on our first day of surviving this world. Did his death make us a pack of killers? I didn’t think so. We did everything we could to avoid that confrontation. We only fought, and killed, when they had us cornered between them and a horde of zombies who were hell bent on getting their pound of flesh.
As it turned out they did get their pound of flesh, we just didn’t know it at first. A few hours later, when Judy turned, their order was filled. Then we had to put her and Daniel down, were we murders for killing Daniel? Again, I thought that the answer should be no. He had punched his ticket and took a one-way flight to CooCoo land. He was endangering the group and trying to kill Amanda. She did what she had to do to protect the group from his insanity. I supported her actions one hundred percent. However, there were others who didn’t, others like Jim. Jim didn’t support the killing of Daniel. He freaked, he ran. His death was on my hands, I accept that. But did his death make us killers? I may have been responsible for what scared him, but I did not kill him. I would not take that burden onto my shoulders. I caused his death, I didn’t kill him. There is a difference. It’s not a big difference, but there is one.
“How about the bikers?” I could hear my mind asking. “How about Lindell Green? He was your friend, wasn’t he?” The bikers got what they deserved. Were we killers for doing to them what they were going to do to us? No. I would never see things that way. We were at war. It was us or them. That’s not murder, that’s home protection. Even the cops wouldn’t arrest you for protecting yourself. Then there was Lindell. Yes, he was my friend. I don’t know how he crept into this line of thought though because I still don’t know if Lindell is dead. He had disappeared. I didn’t know how or why. I woke up one morning and he was gone.
“You might not know the how, but you have a very good idea about the who.” My mind said. My mind was right. Lindell and Jericho were two different sides of the same coin. Jericho hated Lindell from the moment he first set eyes on him. Lindell was a large black man with a laugh like rolling thunder. He looked like he could have easily been related to everyone's favorite rapper, Sir Mix-A-Lot. He was also a thief and very proud of that fact. I remember the day Amanda and I convinced him to come live with us on the rooftop of Wal-Mart. We had spotted something flashing across State of Franklin. When we checked it out it was wind chimes. Dozens of wind chimes sparkling in the afternoon sun. This was Lindell’s zombie alarm system.
Lindell was a big picture kind of guy. He was looking not months down the road, but years. He had a warehouse full of electronics which he had stolen from all the neighboring stores. I asked him what the big deal was, nobody could use these anymore. He told me not yet, but we would eventually get the power back on and, when we did, everybody would be getting their toys from one man. “Lindell Green.” He said in a booming voice then added with a wink and smile, “Green, like cash money!”
Amanda had told him that he was crazy. Why would anyone buy a flat screen TV from him when they could just go take one off a shelf somewhere? Lindell gave her his wink and smile combo and said.
“It’s easy, young lady. People are lazy, and I have free delivery.”
I had to admit, it made sense to me. Lindell was a friend to the council almost immediately. Jericho loathed Lindell and when he disappeared I was very vocal in my belief that Jericho had a large part in his vanishing. Nothing could be proven, however and Jericho walked. To this day I know it was him.
“I bet the Head Hunters have good excuses for every person they have killed as well.” The voice in my head told me. I refused to respond to this thought. I didn’t like to think about it.
“There she is boys.” Amanda said.
As I had been going over the whole “are we as evil as the bad guys” line of thought we had topped the hill and began sloping back down to the left. As we rounded the curve we could see the Johnson City Medical Center jutting up into the sky like some dark tower in a Lord of the Rings movie.
“That’s our target. Seventh floor. If anyone has formulated some good ideas I would love to start hearing them about now.” I said.
“Let’s scout out our entrance before we start making plans.” Amanda said. Fred walked to the front and stood beside her. “I can show you where the elevator is.” Amanda swept her hand in front of her signaling him to lead the way. I still didn’t like following him. Even this close to our destination I felt he was going to do something to betray us.
Fred led us through the intersection at the bottom of the hill and into the med centers parking lot. He took us to a section of the building that led seven stories straight up and had been walled off with school buses keeping the zombies from intruding on the loading and unloading of passengers. This was comforting to me as well. We could hide inside this walled in area as we discussed our next move and be fairly safe from the dead. The window washer cart was hanging even with the roof of the building. As I studied the only ride up I saw a guard walk by and look down into the parking lot. We had slid into one of the buses, which kept us from being spotted, but once we made for the wall we would be nothing but in the open for anyone who looked out any of the windows on this side of the building.
“It’s as bad as I imagined.” Jane said.
“Like I said, I know the guy that runs the lift. I can get us in there.” Fred said, still looking up at the roof line. Jane gave me a look that asked, “What are we doing here?” I shook my head and thought about trying to force a smile, but decided against it. Instead I looked out into the area where the lift would touch down. I was putting a plan together in my head and it was becoming very clear to me what I needed to do to resolve this situation. It was risky, but just going up to the seventh floor was risky. My way had the added benefit of being fun at the same time.
“What time does your friend come on duty?” I asked.
“Not sure, it’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I think that’s him up there now.” Fred said.
“Why do you say that?” Amanda asked.
“He would know that they brought Samantha back today. He would know I would be coming. He would be watching for me. That guard up there keeps looking over the edge of the building every few minutes. It’s like he’s waiting for something, expecting something.” Fred said.
“He’s expecting you. That's what you’re saying?” I asked.
“It seems that way.” Fred said.
“It could also be this woman setting us up. She would know that you would be coming after your daughter. She could have put anyone up there to watch for you.” Amanda said.
“She’s got a point.” Jane said.
“Yes, she does, but that’s him. I just know it, that’s him.” Fred said as the man again leaned over the edge of the building and looked down into the safe area.
“Fine Fred, if that’s your friend, go signal him to drop that lift and let’s get this done.” I said. Fred looked at me for a moment before ducking out of the bus.
“Okay, while he’s gone, here’s what I want to happen. Amanda, Marky Mark, and I will go with Fred up into the hospital. Jane, you and Sass are going to stay here.”
“Charlie, I…” Was all Jane got out before I cut him off.
“This is nothing personal. This is strategy. I have a l
ist of items I need you two to get for me while we are up there. I’m not going to lie to you, we will most likely be moving like we just stole the giant's goose that lays the golden eggs when we get back down. I would prefer to have something in place to make sure we keep whatever type of lead we have on our pursuers.” I handed Jane a piece of paper. “What I need and what I need you to do with it.” I said.
Jane read the list and a smile started forming on his face. “It’s a damn shame you never joined the military my young Charles. You would have made a hell of a soldier.”
“Too out of shape to ever make it through boot camp.” I said.
Jane gave me an appraising look.
“Despite my earlier hiccups today, my mind is in perfect shape though. Trust me guys I have a plan to get us through this. We all just need to play our part.”
“You’re the boss, Boss.” Jane said and tucked the slip of paper into his pocket. He turned to look at Sass. “We’ll stay here and slip away once they have entered the building. I have a good idea where we can get these items and it isn’t very far from here.” Sass nodded at Jane but gave me a questioning look. I motioned for him to follow me as I walked towards the back of the bus.
“Sass, I’m sorry, but you can’t go up there with me.” He didn’t seem to like hearing this at all.
“Since day one Charlie, it’s been you and me. Others have entered the picture here and there, but when you broke it down, I always had your back and you have always had mine. Even in the council, it’s usually me and you versus the military people. Now you are going up into a building where, if things go south, we won’t be able to reach you. We won’t be able to help you. You’re going up there and you’re telling me that you don’t want the one man that’s been watching your back since day one to go with you. I deserve a better explanation than ‘I can’t let you go’. I’ve earned a better explanation.”
He was right. It wasn’t that I was scared he may get killed up there, even though it was a good bet that anyone who went up there was going to die. I wanted him and Jane both on the ground for a very specific reason and my own human emotions had nothing to do with it.
“Sass, I can’t let you go up there because everyone who goes up top to rescue this little girl has a very good chance of becoming very dead.” I said.
“And?” Sass asked crossing his hands over his chest.
“And, I’m going up there. I have a plan that I believe will work, but it may not. I may be killed up there. If I am killed, I need to know that the group back at Wal-Mart is taken care of. I need to make sure they will still have a strong leader no matter what outcome this little trip has.”
“What does that have to do with me?” Sass asked. I didn’t answer. I just stood, looking at him. He watched my gaze warily for a few seconds then I saw his eyes go wide.
“No. You don’t mean…”
“You are a better man than I am, Sass. Anyone that has ever met the two of us knows that. The only reason you aren’t leader is because you didn’t understand this world and had no clue what to do to keep us safe. Now you do understand this world and you know exactly how to keep everyone safe. You will also have Jane and Jack to help you. Both of whom are extremely smart.”
“Charlie, no. You don’t understand.”
“No Sass, you don’t understand. I could die in the next few hours. I need you to take my place if that happens. I need to know you will take my place.”
Sass looked at the ground. He didn’t like the thought of being in charge in this world. He resented me for putting this on him. I could read it all in his body language.
“I will not be your safety net Charlie.” Sass said. “I will not be the reason you decide it’s safe to take that one last risk which ends up getting you killed.”
“Sorry buddy, I really don’t see how you have a choice. Best man for the job and all.” I shot him a smile as I spoke, and he gave me an evil look.
“Best man for the job.” Sass said.
“Whether I’m alive or dead, that man is you. As long as I’m breathing I’ll do it, but if I die, you have to lead these people. You have to protect them from Jericho’s crazy and the J’s shoot first mentality.”
Sass said nothing but nodded his head. I slapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t look like you’re already burying me. I’m going up in a tower to match wits with a drug addict. I really can’t see how this is going to be much of a challenge.”
“Charlie.” Amanda called from the front of the bus. “Time to go, Fred’s waving us over.”
I looked at Jane; he nodded and said, “We’ll be ready. Just make it back.”
As I left the bus I said over my shoulder, “Keep an eye on my dog for me.” I smiled as I heard Jane say to Sass, “Easier said than done. Have you even seen him since the fight at Old Navy?”
FOUR
Riding the window washer up into the sky was much more unnerving than I imagined it would be. For starters it hung right beside the building. You could reach out and let your hand skim the surface of the walls and windows as you ascended. This was a bad thing because the dead that now lived in the hospital were standing at these windows looking out at us. I expected them to try breaking out the glass as we went by, but they stood as still as statues. The only part of their body that did move was the eyes. It was the same as at the shopping center. The eyes would follow us until we left the zombies sight.
“Hey, why aren’t dey yelling and beat’n on da glass?” Marky Mark asked.
“Every time I have used the lift this is all they have ever done.” Fred said.
“Maybe they’ve grown used to people going by and have just given up hope of eating them.” I said.
“It is very possible that, if these creatures go long enough without stimuli or prey, the hunger abates, and they become like this.” Amanda said.
“Lethargic zombies. My favorite kind.” I said with a smile.
I watched two more floors of these non-movers before we slowed to a stop. We were looking at a man wearing a Redskins baseball cap and a very stained Nascar shirt.
“Fred. I thought I might be seeing you.” The man said.
“Dewey.”
“They made it back about an hour ago. Took Sam right to her mom. I know what you’re going to say, but we need to be careful, they’re expecting you. I was told to keep a watch for anyone setting up an ambush at the lift.” Dewey said.
“Can you sneak us in?” Fred asked.
“All of you will be a trick. Maybe I can hide you in the stair well until I can get Sam out of her room.” Dewey said looking at us. “Why’d you bring so damn many?”
“They wanted to help. I wasn’t going to turn them down.”
Dewey nodded. “Yeah, doubt I would have either, being in your situation. Follow me and stay quiet or this will all end before we get started.”
We followed Dewey through a heavy metal door and into a stairwell that led down to the floor that death forgot. He planned to hide us in the stair well that led down to the sixth floor. This was the one they had plugged up on day one of the infection. Dewey swore on his mother that it was safe, but it didn’t matter. I had no plans of hiding in a stairwell while Dewey, the super spy, stole Fred’s kid and brought her to us. I had no plans to grab the girl and run away like the gingerbread man. I was going to handle this situation like I thought they should have handled it. I was going to speak to this woman, face to face.
We reached the bottom of the stairs and Dewey peaked out before turning to address us. “Its supper time so most likely there won’t be anyone in the halls. Just follow me and do not stray. Any questions?”
“Yeah. Where would we be most likely to run into the kid’s mom?” I asked.
Dewey seemed to think about it before answering. “Right now, I would say she is in her office. It’s down the hall from the stairwell we are headed for. She could come out at any time, so I need all of you moving as fast as you can.” Dewey opened the door and took another look. He must have li
ked what he saw because he said, “come on” and then disappeared into the hall. I was the last to leave the safety of the stairs and follow the jumbled conga line of burglars. When the others stopped at the door to the sixth floor, I stepped around and kept moving down the hall. I was standing at an office looking through the glass at a very pretty, pale, red head before anyone knew I was no longer with the group. This was not the woman that Fred had described to us. The woman wore a dress that must have been inspired by a power suite. It was built to intimidate. I couldn’t help but notice how long it made her legs look. Her hair didn’t look unwashed or as uncombed as I had imagined it to be as Fred told his story. Her hair was cleaner than ours and was put up into a bun. If there is such a thing as a power bun, that is what I’d call her hair, but I’m suspecting people would call it “professional”, not “power”. Everything about her said efficient, rational, and smart. Where was the drunk, child beating, drug addict that I was told I would find running this place? I raised my hand to knock on the door.
“Charlie, what are you doing?” Amanda asked in a whisper.
“Whoa man, don’t do it.” Dewey said.
I looked away from the woman sitting at the desk and back to my group. I didn’t whisper or try to conceal myself. I simply spoke to the others. “I am going to treat these people how I feel we should have been treated. I am going to show her some respect.”
“Not the best idea.” Dewey said, but it was too late. I was already knocking on the door. The woman looked up at me with a half curious, half alarmed, look on her face. She motioned for me to come in. I opened the door and gave Amanda one last smile. She looked like she was almost ready to start laughing at this turn of events. Then I stepped inside.
“Hello.” The woman said.
“Howdy mam.” I said. This made her smile and shake her head.
“Oh my, do I have a real cowboy in my office?” She asked.
“SO not a cowboy.” I said. She kept the smile on her face, but her eyes told another story altogether. She was getting through the pleasantries, but what she was interested in was the meat still clinging to the bone.
A Good Distance From Dying_Book 2_Samantha's Song Page 23