“Veronica, please come in. Are you there? If you can’t speak just press the talk button a few times.” There was no response.
“Do you want the medicine from the hospital?” Nikki asked. Mason shook his head,
“I don’t think it’ll help. If I could get a hold of Veronica maybe she could tell us what to use.” A cry from the Chevy spun Mason around. He sprinted back towards the truck. Denise opened the driver’s door to ask about the situation. Before she could speak Nikki turned to her and shook her head slowly. Denise pulled the door closed and sat back down.
Tony poured the rest of the canteen on Gabe’s forehead. She heard Tony mention that his fever was high. Mason opened a large freezer near the front and brought over a bag of party ice. Tony motioned for Mason to hand it to him quickly. Before they could use it, Gabe began to convulse; his chest jumping high, throwing his head back into the tailgate. Billy held his right arm while Andy held his left. He thrashed and flailed while the men restrained him. It wasn’t until he cried out that Nikki realized she had tears in her eyes. She made no attempt to wipe them away instead allowing her vision to cloud. She looked away, blinking at her tears, quickly surveying the perimeter again and finding nothing of note. She saw the pale expression on Denise’s face within the Bronco. She saw the nurse rocking the infant back and fourth, speaking to the child. Another sad bellow from the young man trailed off shaking her soul. She couldn’t look, but the sounds had calmed down. Her jaw was tight; her lips pursed, and her breathing slow and heavy when she saw Tony approach. She looked up at him without wanting to speak, without wanting to ask that question, is he dead? Nikki didn’t need to speak, her tears asked for her.
“He passed out.” Tony said while turning to lean on the front bumper of the Bronco. “His fever’s really high so we put some ice on him. It might help.”
Nikki backed up a foot and joined him. He put his left arm around her lower back and she leaned into his shoulder still unwilling to speak. His hand was ice-cold on her hip but she didn’t care at all. She took a deep breath and tried to harden her countenance. Tony spoke.
“I don’t know if he’s out because he’s dying or if the antibiotics are working. I got some Morphine drops but don’t know if that would mess him up.” He whispered. Nikki remained silent. She only leaned into him a bit closer. They stood there in front of the Bronco watching Billy speaking to Gabe, reassuring his passed out friend. Suddenly Mason, his arms spread wide leaning on the tailgate, pushed away from the truck in an explosion of anger. He turned to Andy and thrust a finger towards him, causing the large man to take a step back.
“This wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t take off.” Jack Mason accused.
“What?” Andy said; his face slack and confused.
“You heard me! We had the exit blocked with the trucks; that’s why we parked that way, until you split!” Mason pointed an accusing finger.
Andy’s shoulders fell and his jaw dropped as he looked over to Gabe.
“Shit!” Tony whispered to Nikki, “Like this is helpful.”
Mason turned and walked to the small market of the gas station. He wrenched on the door but it was locked and wouldn’t open. Furious, Mason moved over to a roll up garage door next to the store and pulled upwards. The unlocked door rolled up allowing Mason entry to the workshop area. A loud crash was heard as Mason kicked open the inner door to the store. Andy walked a few paces and stopped, unsure of what to do. He then looked to the Bronco. Tony motioned to Andy to join them. Andy, his pace reluctant, made his way to the Bronco.
“Sorry about that man.” Tony said with a shrug, “he can be pretty harsh when he gets mad.”
The row of gasoline pumps next to the vehicles all made a pinging noise in unison. Nikki stood up from the bumper, startled by the sound. The pumps digital readouts all read “Begin Fueling.”
“Jack got the pumps working.” Tony said.
“How?” Nikki asked.
“He pumped gas for about four years after high school.” Tony said, “He must know how this system works.”
Mason unlocked the front door and exited the building with a hard look on his face. He walked directly to the nearest gas pump, took the nozzle and began fueling his Chevy. His actions were loud and curt and he avoided looking at the others. Tony sighed and took a step towards the Chevy. He paused and looked to Andy.
“Why don’t you guys check out the market? See if there’s anything in there that’s useful.” Andy didn’t move. He just stood in a daze with his spirit wounded.
“Look man, I know you and Denise haven’t had any food for a while, just go look around and see what you can find for her. I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”
Andy nodded. Nikki followed him towards the store. She found it interesting how Tony had motivated Andy into action. He had appealed to Andy’s gallantry; to go get something for Denise to eat. Tony tapped her on the shoulder.
“See if they have any beer. I think I could use a drink later.” Nikki nodded with a smirk, feeling the same.
Tony hated dealing with Jack Mason when he was in one of his moods. If anyone could mollify Mason, it was Tony but that didn’t mean that Tony enjoyed any part of dealing with him. During their high school years Mason could get into a fight at a party in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, the fight would usually be over just as fast. But it would always be Tony who had to be the voice of reason, trying to contain Mason’s temper. High school was over twelve years ago and the stakes were a lot higher now; it was time to find another way to behave. As he approached to try and smooth things over, Mason spoke first.
“Lets hurry up and drop off that prescription.” He said without looking at Tony, “I can’t get Veronica on the radio. She might have an idea about what to use on Gabe.”
“Sure, sounds good.” Tony said. He didn’t dare ask for Mason’s help reuniting Nikki with her parents. With Gabe’s injury, Tony knew that Mason was already a short fuse. Nikki seemed to understand so; perhaps they could wait until tomorrow. The idea of having her around another night brought him some comfort for he was in no hurry to say goodbye. Jack finished pumping gas and removed the nozzle. He lifted the hose high and walked around the Chevy to fill the left side saddle tank. Tony smelled the gasoline. It seemed stronger then usual. Three days without a cigarette may have done his sense of smell some good. He knew there were probably cigarettes in the market, but now that he had come this far, didn’t want to break his streak. He needed to shape up fast though he still felt the yearning for a smoke; a yearning increased by the stress of dealing with Mason’s anger. Andy exited the store with two bags full of items. Mason saw him and looked away. Tony decided to have a go.
“Cut him some slack man. He and that chick were trapped in like total darkness for a couple of days.” Tony said. Mason flashed him a look that he wasn’t in the mood to talk. Tony moved to the rear to check on Gabe, leaving Mason with a thought.
“Dude! Not everyone grew up training for the apocalypse.” Tony said.
Gabe’s respiration was slow and labored. His chest quivered with each breath but his body had relaxed. Small ice cubes were packed around his armpits, on his chest and his head rested on the remainder still in a plastic bag. Billy sat on his knees next to Gabe in the truck bed.
“How’s he doing?” Tony asked. Billy, his face tired and pale for his dark complexion, shook his head.
“I don’t know? Travis changed really fast. He’s still breathing, that’s gotta mean something.” Billy said.
Tony removed his hand radio and turned it on.
“Veronica are you there? Come in.” He heard his voice echo from the radio clipped to Mason’s belt. Mason scowled and turned his volume down.
“Try again when we get closer” Mason said removing the gas nozzle from the Chevy. Nikki exited the store with a large bag and smiled as she passed Tony. He couldn’t help but smile back. The moment faded fast as Tony felt something was wrong.
Gabe’s body went silent. The wet
sounds of his breathing ceased.
“Gabe?” Billy said frantic. Tony reached for his neck and couldn’t find a pulse, not that he ever looked for one before; it just seemed like the thing to do.
“Do you know C.P.R.?” Billy almost pleaded.
Mason approached with his shotgun. “Get clear of him.” Mason said.
Tony put his hands together on Gabe’s chest like he had seen actors do on Television. He pumped Gabe’s chest area three times but most of the energy was translated to the Chevy’s suspension, causing the bed to rise and fall a few inches.
“Get clear of him!” Mason said again, his voice strong and clear. Tony lifted his hand in a gesture of frustration and backed away. “You too man,” Jack said looking up to Billy in the bed of the truck. Billy stood and picked up one of the twenty-twos then jumped down from the truck. The three men stood about four feet away from the tailgate, watching Gabe’s body; a minute passed, then another, then five. Mason took a step forward with his shotgun extended. He poked Gabe’s legs twice to which the body did not respond.
“I don’t remember it taking this long?” Mason said.
“Maybe he’s not gonna come back?” said Billy with a tone of relief.
“I wonder if the antibiotics did something.” Said Tony. Mason backed away wondering, “How long’s it been?”
“A while; longer then any of the others.” Tony answered.
“I don’t like timed explosives; let’s…” Mason was interrupted.
“Oh god!” Billy said lifting his rifle. Gabe’s body twitched, at first just the head; a single spasm that could have been just a random nerve firing. Gabe’s corpse was reintroduced to the world by opening his jaw slowly and then closing it. He seemed to take no notice of the three men. The corpse just stared upward from the tailgate. It opened its mouth again and inhaled, dragging air over its drying mouth. The three men, silent with shock, stepped back further, guns raised. The corpse raised its head towards its chest and exhaled then closed its mouth mechanically once again. The ghoul craned its neck to the side towards the men, finally noticing them. Its yellowed eyes opened wide upon recognition of their shape yet it didn’t rage into action. Its mouth opened again and a trickle of greenish drool fell to the cement floor. It turned its entire body and reached out with its bound hands, melting ice cubes slid off and shattered on the floor. The corpse moved past its balance point and rolled off the tailgate, quickly spinning and smashing to the cement.
Billy’s face was awash with anguish. He turned for a moment unable to witness his former friend’s body in such a painful position. The corpse braced its left hand on the cement, its right was twisted with the back of the hand pressed into the floor; its thumb dislocated and bulged at the joint. It pulled a knee up into its chest and began to stand like an exhausted boxer standing before the ten-count.
Mason stepped to Billy and reached for his rifle. Billy tugged it back.
“I should do it. He’s my friend.” Billy whispered.
“That’s why you shouldn’t.” Mason said and slipped the twenty-two out of Billy’s hands. “Don’t look. Just get in the truck.”
Mason turned and pressed in the safety on the little rifle. The corpse of Gabe Duffy shuffled to its feet with an unsteady teetering. It wobbled and looked around, settling on Mason.
“Andy, you should probably see this.” Mason said, his gun trained on Gabe’s undead body. Gabe sniffed at the air but made no move to attack. Green drool slowly crept from its mouth and stretched into a long string. Andy turned away. Mason fired. The twenty-two popped a relatively small blast but everyone in the gas station jumped with its report. Mason spat and looked to Tony.
“Help me put him in the back.” He said. Tony nodded and pulled a plastic trash lining out of a garbage can between the pumps. He dumped what little trash there was out and moved to help.
“We’re outta here.” Mason said.
Jack Mason drove the Chevy up the steep grade out of town. His whole body felt heavy; burdened by the thought that Travis and Gabe would still be alive if he hadn’t asked them to come to Whisper for the paintball tournament. He couldn’t bear to look at Billy in the passenger’s seat next to him. Bill was all that was left of the trio from Healdsburg. Jack couldn’t imagine what he was going through having lost both his friends.
“When we leave; I’ll drive you back to Healdsburg myself.” Jack said. When he heard no answer, he took his eyes off the road long enough to look to his right. Billy nodded affirmation while obviously holding back his anguish; or was it anger? Jack wasn’t sure. The hand radio at his belt squawked and he heard Veronica’s quiet voice.
“Hello? Are you there?” She asked.
“We’re headed back now, we had some trouble.” Mason said into the radio.
“So did I…”Veronica said. The radio crackled and hissed. Mason held it higher and pointed the small antenna forward. Veronica’s voice became clear.
“Mrs. McCormack… She didn’t make it.”
Mason brought the Chevy to the side of the road, stunned by the news. The Bronco followed and parked a few car lengths behind.
“She died?” Mason asked. They had spent too much time messing around; Tony’s mission to save the kid and then at the gas station. The nice lady is dead because of stupid distractions.
“How long ago?” He asked.
“An hour and a half. I… I forgot about the radio.”
“An hour and a half.” He said and did some quick math in his head. At that time, they were still in the pharmacy. It was almost pointless after the fact but Mason wanted to know if their delays had cost the nice old lady her life. He wanted to yell at someone but quickly realized that they couldn’t have made it no matter their course. Still, he felt like yelling.
“Maybe longer. I’m not sure.” Veronica’s voice was tired.
“We’ll be right there.” Jack said.
“Wait, there’s a problem.” She said.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes… We had a visitor. It was Lance’s father. He came in a helicopter with soldiers; heavily armed soldiers. They questioned me and then went to the lake… to look for his son. They were pretty scary.”
“Okay, we’re coming to get you outta there. Wait by the gate.” Mason said and dropped the radio.
Tony was shocked at the news that the nice old lady had died. They had all heard the conversation over the radio. If Lance’s father was looking for him, with soldiers, then they needed to get the hell away from the estate. The last thing they needed was to become Goldilocks to Richardson’s Bear. Tony looked to Nikki. She sat next to him, between he and Andy. Her gaze affixed downwards, her face a heavy mask of sadness. We failed, he thought. He cranked the steering wheel to the left. He eased the Bronco forward and started a U-turn.
“What are you doing?” Nikki asked urgently.
“I’m taking you to your parents.” He said.
Tony picked up his radio but before he could press down on the send button, it barked Mason’s voice.
“Sanchez!, Where the hell are you going?”
“I’m taking these people to the high school. Go get Veronica and meet us there.” He said.
“Bullshit! We stick together.” Mason shouted. Tony almost thought that he could hear him from the Chevy.
“Dude, I’m in Homeboy’s Bronco. Not a good idea to be caught at the scene of the crime. Just meet us there.” Tony said and handed the radio to Nikki.
“Nothing’s gone right today; but I’m damn sure gonna get you to the school.” Tony said. He nodded towards the radio in her hands and said, “Set it to channel two. Tell your Pops, we’re coming.”
Mason was still yelling when Nikki switched channels.
Thirty-Nine
Veronica set the radio down on the nightstand and steadied herself to take one last look at Margaret’s sheet-covered form. It didn’t feel right to just leave her here all alone. Maybe Richardson would have his men give her a proper burial. He seemed to hold her
in some regard. She didn’t think that he had sent his medic in just for show. Veronica would like to do it herself but knew she couldn’t risk being around when the helicopter returned. Who knows what they found and what mood they’d be in. She was running out of time but still felt she should do something. She got on her knees next to the bed and folded her hands in prayer.
Veronica searched her heart for something to say but prayer wasn’t something she did often. She wished she had the words; the lady deserved some kind of send-off. The effort brought tears to her eyes. Veronica dropped her hands and looked at the sheet covered face. She smoothed her hands over the cold stiff fabric. Frustrated, she simply said,
“Goodbye Ma’am, it was an honor to know you.”
Veronica noticed a tiny bit of moisture on the white cotton sheet above Margaret’s nose. The area slowly grew as absorbed liquid proliferated into the fabric becoming a small round spot. At first it was just a darkening of the material, as all cotton does when it gets wet, but as the spot grew, Veronica noticed a greenish color.
Veronica’s heart began to race, began to pound in her chest as her eyes widened. The urge to stand built up in her like a rising tide. She felt disconnected from the world as if everything that had happened over the past few days were not real. Margaret’s body twitched, her arm moved, and she coughed; splashing more infected fluid on the inside of the white sheets. Veronica suddenly found the strength to communicate once again with her body, found reason to see the reality of the situation. She sprung up to her feet just as the corpse pushed the sheet off, revealing Margaret’s death mask, pale and slack, with a dark green discharge from her nose. The dead eyes opened and saw Veronica. The corpse’s arms lifted towards the frightened young lady and a dry hollow inhale reverberated in the quiet room.
Veronica backed away from the corpse as it sat up stiffly from the bed. She saw mottled red and brown bruises on the backs of the corpse’s tiny legs as they slid out from under the sheets. The ghoul’s paper thin skin now revealed more of the creature’s vascular system than when she was alive. All warmth had been drained from this now hungry visage. Veronica backed into the doorjamb unaware of its proximity. Startled by the abrupt stop, she turned and ran down the hall. The corpse let out a weak squeal and followed.
Rise & Walk (Book 2): Pathogen Page 26