Dead Horde: Necrose Series Book Two

by Tim Moon

  “Ben, it looks like Seattle and Portland are under martial law. All the big cities are like that,” Ty said.

  He looked…sad? Regretful? Ben wasn’t sure. He just nodded.

  “Hey, have you been able to get any cell service up here?” Ty suddenly asked.

  Ben checked his phone just to double check. No service. He shook his head. “Nothing.”

  “You could try the phone on the counter,” Chadwick said. “Last time I checked it wasn’t working though.”

  Ty grunted and shook his head.

  “So, what are we going to do now? If Hilo’s as bad as Kona, how do we get back home?” Ty asked as he leaned against the wall.

  “I suppose that we have to check the airport. You know, just to be sure.” Ben shrugged. “If it’s shit, then we’ll have to consider other options.”

  “Like what?” Charlotte asked.

  “I don’t know.” Ben shrugged again.

  They continued watching the news in silence.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  The morning sky was clear as they loaded into the Humvee. At that elevation, Ben was almost cold. Charlotte took a hoodie from the gift shop, but the rest of them managed. It would be warm soon enough.

  Night watch had been uneventful and everyone rested comfortably. Oliver was still tired and quickly fell back asleep as they drove away from the Visitor’s Center.

  Ben wondered what the day would hold for them. He was nervous about the challenges they would likely face. Then he remembered what Keanu had told him about focusing on small tasks. So, he focused on driving.

  Anuhea sat beside him in the passenger seat and everyone else was in the back. Ty was in the back again because of his leg. Chadwick decided that he’d rather go with them than hang out alone on the mountain, especially since there was a chance they could end up somewhere better. As always, Keanu manned the turret.

  The horde of infected that they encountered the day before was gone. Bloodstains and feces were evidence of their passing. The trail led west toward Kona. They had stuck to the main road, like Ben had hoped. Bodies, a few limbs, and smeared organic matter marked the area where they had plowed through the crowd.

  Charlotte pulled Oliver close and covered his eyes. They left the gore in the rearview by the time Oliver peeled her hand away from his face.

  As Ben drove closer to Hilo, he noticed the cloud cover growing. Rocky terrain gave way to rolling hills of lush green. The East side of the island received most of the rain. Kona enjoyed a position in the rain shadow, hiding behind Mauna Loa, the volcanic mountain known for macadamia nuts and coffee beans.

  “Take a right at the next intersection,” Keanu said.

  First priority that morning was fueling up the Humvee. After they topped off the tank, they would make a beeline for Kaholo’s house. Keanu was obviously concerned about his brother, since he hadn’t shown up at the Quarantine Center, despite trying not to act too nervous or stressed out about it.

  If Kaholo was as much of a badass as Keanu, Ben wouldn’t worry about him either.

  Ben was almost running on fumes by the time they came to the station. He was worried they wouldn’t be able to get any fuel because most pumps were electronic and required a credit card. His wallet was still in his cargo pocket, but he doubted the machine would be able to validate his card, even if it had power.

  “It’s so quiet here,” Charlotte said. Oliver had climbed in the back with Ty and laid below the slanted roof, playing with the action figure he picked up at the grocery store.

  “Feels creepy,” Anuhea added.

  “It is creepy. Nearly everyone is dead,” Ty said.

  No one responded.

  Ben pulled into the parking lot, eying the cars parked there. The lights inside the building were off. Darkness filled the store. Some nearby infected followed in their wake as they pulled in to the parking lot.

  Anuhea jumped out of the Humvee when it stopped. She ran over to the closest one and smashed it in the face with the butt-stock of the rifle. It fell down while a couple of other zombies closed in. Anuhea stomped hard on its head until it stopped moving.

  By this time, Keanu was out of the vehicle, smashing another one in the head. It stumbled but didn’t fall. The infected grasped the rifle while he fought to free it. After a few quick tugs, he changed tactics and kicked its knee. The leg buckled and the infected fell. He dragged it to the curb and stomped its head in.

  “Stay here,” Ben said to Charlotte.

  Anuhea was working on her second zombie, when Ben jumped out to help.

  Ignoring Ben, Charlotte climbed out and went over to back up her friend. He turned and saw Chadwick get out, with shock on his face. Ben wondered if he’d fought off infected before. Perhaps he’d been able to escape the triathlon without too much trouble?

  Ben swung his rifle like a bat, smacking one guy in the head. Another infected stepped toward him. This one Ben shoved back. The infected tripped over the curb and fell between two fuel pumps. Ben turned and hit the first guy again. The man’s black eye popped and dark fluid dribbled down his cheek. Ben kicked his leg the same way he’d seen Keanu do. The man toppled to the ground, flopping about like a fish as he tried to grasp onto Ben.

  Ben jumped back and turned to face the one that fell between the pumps, but Keanu was already stomping its head in. So, he stepped forward and punted the infected man in the forehead. But the guy’s flailing arms blocked him. He kicked at the man’s arms to move them, but he kept crawling toward Ben.

  Instead of continuing that pointless struggle, Ben jumped over his head and landed on his back. Bones snapped beneath him with audible cracks. Broken bones didn’t do much to the infected, a fact Ben had noticed long ago. It did cripple his movement though, which made it easier for Ben to fight back. He crouched down, used his knees to pin the guy’s shoulders in place, and brought the stock of his rifle down on the back of his head until it cracked open like a melon.

  Ben was breathing hard as he stood up and looked down at himself. Grime from the infected had rubbed off onto his legs. It felt slick and sticky. The smell was horrible and ruined the effort he’d made at the Visitor’s Center to clean off in the sink.

  “Goddamn gruesome business killing infected,” Ben said. He looked over at Keanu who was looking around for any stragglers. Ben gestured at the body between the pumps. “Thanks for backing me up with that one.”

  “No problem, man.” Keanu scraped his shoe on the curb leaving a pile of…something…clinging to the concrete. “We survive together.”

  “What do we do about these pumps though?” Ben asked, gesturing to the useless hulks between them. “Clearly there’s no power. So how do we get them to work?”

  “We can check inside for tubing or if we’re lucky, we might find a siphon pump. Some of these still carry them because the farmers around here use them.” Keanu motioned for them to go into the station.

  “Okay, you lead the way,” said Ben.

  “We’ll keep watch out here,” Anuhea said.

  “Sounds good.” Ben nodded at her and Charlotte.

  The two women walked out to the corner to watch for any infected that may come up on them.

  Ben followed Keanu across the parking lot to clear the gas station. They checked through the windows and didn’t see anyone so they tested the door. It was unlocked. They entered quietly, staying hunched down. Once inside, they began checking each aisle and behind the counter for any hidden threats.

  Both bathrooms were clear although the men’s room had blood splashed all over the sink and mirror.

  “Someone had a bad day,” said Keanu.

  Moving into the stock room the stench of spoiled milk filled their noses. Ben gagged a little.

  “Clear,” Ben said. “Cooler?”

  “What?”

  “Now we just have to check the cooler,” Ben said, leading the way.

  Keanu pulled open a door and Ben stepped into the space behind the racks of drinks. It was strange to s
ee the store from inside. Ben felt like he was spying, even though there was nothing to see. It was much darker than the already dimly lit store. Boxes were stacked up on wooden pallets against the back wall. There were dozens and dozens of drinks.

  “Clear.” Ben gave him a thumbs up.

  Before they exited the cooler, Ben grabbed a few energy drinks. There was nothing like a good dose of caffeine to help him through the day. He snatched a plastic bag from behind the counter for his drinks and took the loot with him. They’d taken a variety of drinks from the grocery store, but at the time he’d passed on the good stuff, choosing instead to pick responsible stuff like water, juice, and sports drinks.

  Keanu looked around for a pump, but he emerged from the station without one. Instead, he was carrying a few red gas cans. Ben was putting the bag in the front. Ty sat in the back, relaxing. Oliver stared out the window at one of the bodies.

  Ben stepped in front of the window to block his view. “He was a bad guy,” he said. “Now we’re safer.”

  Oliver nodded and sat down. He fiddled with his action figure.

  “Figured we could fill these up and keep them for an emergency,” he said. “Or we can burn some shit.”

  Keanu shot him an evil grin.

  Ben laughed. “I like where you’re going with that.”

  Ben jogged over to Anuhea with the news.

  “There’s no siphon pump, but Keanu grabbed a pair of gas cans.”

  “That’s nice, but it won’t be helpful unless we can get the fuel out,” she said. “I’ll go have a look for something we can use to siphon the fuel.”

  “Sure.” Ben stayed on the corner to keep lookout. He knelt next to the waist high sign that sat on the corner to lure drivers in, drivers that might never come back. Ben frowned as he thought about how long recovery might take.

  Ben looked around. Not much was happening. He could see in four directions, and all he saw were a lot of empty looking businesses, houses, and some abandoned cars. Looking back the way they’d driven, he thought he saw faint movement, but it was a long way off.

  A noise behind him made him whip around, ready for infected, but it was Chadwick.

  “Don’t sneak up like that,” said Ben with a nervous laugh, relieved that it was just the newest member of their ragtag group.

  “Sorry, mate,” he said. “I just had to get out and stretch my legs.”

  “No problem. It’s not very comfortable back there is it?”

  “Not at all, but the options are limited.”

  “Just watch the hot brass when Keanu starts shooting,” Ben said with a smirk.

  Chadwick chuckled softly.

  “Are you still planning to try the airport?” said Chadwick.

  Ben thought for a moment.

  “Right now, I’m just focusing on getting to Kaholo’s house,” he said.

  “Have you ever siphoned gas before?”

  Ben looked up at him. “No. You?”

  “Once. I took a gap year before university and went to Australia with some friends,” said Chadwick. “We were doing a tour of the country, so we all pitched in and bought a cheap van. Anyway, we were low on gas and these pricks were parked near us at the beach just being real bastards. When they went down to the water, we left the beach, siphoned off a few liters of gas and took off.”

  They both laughed.

  “Maybe Keanu could use your expertise then. I’m not sure he’s done this before.”

  “I’ll go see,” said Chadwick. He turned to go, then paused and looked at Ben. “Thanks for inviting me along.”

  It looked like he wanted to say something else, but he left it at that.

  Ben nodded. “Sure thing, man.”

  It was about ten minutes before Keanu and Anuhea found something to siphon the gas. Charlotte took over watching the corner. Ben and Oliver went to use the bathroom.

  Chadwick helped Keanu with a green tube, which looked to Ben like a piece of hose from someone’s house. Such a big hose might be difficult to make work. He was glad he didn’t have to do it.

  When Ben was done in the bathroom, he escorted Oliver back to the Humvee and then resumed his spot on the corner. Lookout duty was boring and it gave him too much time to think about things that he didn’t want to think about, like the deaths he’d witnessed and fear about his mother.

  With his mind running free, his stomach filled with a sense of dread.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Kaholo’s house turned out to be much larger than Ben expected.

  It was set back behind tall bushes. A two-tiered retainer wall ran around the front of the yard, and like all the lawns in the area, it was lush green and manicured. The driveway was shorter than he would have liked, but it led to a large covered area and a two-door garage. The house itself was single-story, painted tan, with a pair of big windows facing the street. The curtains were drawn.

  Anuhea pulled forward, staying in the road. Keanu jumped out to direct them into the covered area.

  “Will it fit?” Ben asked.

  “It’ll be tight, but I think it’ll fit just fine.” Anuhea pulled forward, just beyond the driveway.

  “Hold on, let me get out.” Ben ran out to the street, keeping an eye out for the vigilantes in case they wanted to make a showing.

  Anuhea shifted the Humvee into reverse and backed into the driveway just in case they needed a quick getaway. After she had moved back into the covered breezeway, Keanu walked to the side door and pulled out his rifle. He motioned for Ben to get out of the street. Everyone else climbed out of their ride and stood around, waiting to be led into the house by Keanu. They were eager to meet his brother.

  Keanu stepped up to the door and knocked a strange pattern: three quick knocks, a pause, and two slow knocks.

  A deep voice inside the house said, “Come in.”

  “Let me go first,” Keanu said, as if they were eager to rush in.

  “Kaholo, it’s me,” he said as he slowly opened the door. He raised his hands and stepped across the threshold, letting the door swung open on its hinges.

  “Everything good?” said the voice.

  “Yeah, they’re with me,” said Keanu, grinning.

  “Great. Then get in here and shut the door.”

  Everyone filed into the house. The door opened to a big laundry room that was connected to the kitchen. Inside the kitchen, was a big Hawaiian holding a nasty looking shotgun with a pistol grip. He looked like a super-sized version of Keanu, but with shorter hair that suggested military service.

  They hugged and spoke in a language Ben didn’t understand. The group stood in the kitchen, watching respectfully.

  After the two brother’s bear hugged each other, Keanu turned and faced them. His eyes were shiny with joyful tears.

  “This is my big brother, Kaholo,” he said, pointing to each of them as he introduced them.

  “Nice to meet you guys,” Kaholo said. He looked a little embarrassed about the shotgun.

  Ben wasn’t a small man, but he felt small next to Kaholo.

  “Don’t worry man. That’s the way things are now.” Ben wished he didn’t have to say it, but it was true. Between the infected and the guys at the fake roadblock, it paid to be cautious.

  “Come on in. Let’s go sit in the living room,” Kaholo said. “You guys want anything to drink?”

  Chadwick raised his hand. “I’d love a glass of water if it’s not too much trouble.”

  “No trouble at all. There’s a pitcher in the fridge,” Kaholo said with a grin. “Help yourself.”

  Anuhea shook Kaholo’s hand and they also spoke in their native tongue.

  Such a beautiful language, Ben thought.

  The living room was in the front portion of the house. It faced the cross street to the one they’d driven up on. Ben walked over to the front door and looked out the peephole. He could see about half of the front yard over to the intersection, while tall bushes blocked his view in the other direction.

  Ben heard
Keanu and Kaholo talking about why he didn’t make it to the Quarantine Center. Keanu was telling the story of how they’d helped him escape. Kaholo stood up and shook Ben’s hand.

  “Thank you for helping my brother,” he said. He had a serious, yet friendly look.

  “My pleasure,” said Ben, shaking his bear sized hand.

  Recounting the last few days took some time. Once they filled in Kaholo, he launched into his own story.

  “We got an alert and thought we’d be going to sea, but then they told us to stand down,” said Kaholo. “It was strange because we can’t be of much use here on land and at least out at sea we would be safer.” He shrugged. “But orders are orders.”

  Ben sat down on the couch and laid his rifle across his lap.

  “I wanted to meet you at the Quarantine Center, but I had a duty to find out what was happening to the unit,” Kaholo said. His face was drawn, his brow furrowed. It was clear the decision hadn’t been easy for him. “When I got down there, I saw that the phone call I received must have been the last thing the lieutenant did. He was one of…them.”

  Keanu put a hand on his big brother’s shoulder.

  “I was worried about what happened to you too.” Kaholo looked at his brother.

  “I know,” Keanu said.

  “We call them infected, if that helps,” said Charlotte.

  “Thanks, it does.” Kaholo sighed. “At first, I didn’t understand what was going on. After what I’ve seen, what I’ve done…” His voice trailed off and he rubbed his hands together nervously. “Man, it’s a fucking nightmare out there.” Then he remembered Oliver. “Pardon my language.”

  “It’s okay, my dad used to swear too,” said Oliver. “He was a soldier.”

  “I bet he was a good man,” said Kaholo. He put his hand up for a high-five.

  Oliver wound up and swung his tiny hand.

  Kaholo feigned pain. “You’re so strong.”

  Oliver giggled.

  “At that point, I just prayed you’d already been airlifted to Molokai. Then I came back home, planned to wait a few days to see if you showed up before I went looking and what do you know…here you are.”