by catt dahman
George nodded: rank, service area, Unity with God, if desired. He liked it so far. They came to him with the plan, saying they all needed to have something to show the pride they have and to get a pat on the back with new symbols. Hannah, who was Beth’s adopted daughter, a brilliant girl, found a way to make the stamps, use dye, and then make them for each person to sew onto work BDUs or shirts. So at a glance, they could see who was who. “Then below that...the merit badges?” he laughed.
Alex rolled his eyes. “Well, they say it will mean a lot to some people. Hannah found symbols for bravery, valor, and more.”
“All from the book on West African symbols? It is Adrinkra; each symbol has a parable, Hannah told me, so each sleeve would essentially tell a story about the person wearing it. I like that, Alex.”
“I want one for gay pride.”
“What?”
Alex laughed. “I’m joking; you need to smile more; it’s all good.”
“I like the patches.”
“It is kind of interesting,” Alex said, “for now; Hannah will soon be on to another project.”
“I think it will say something about people we have to bury.”
“That’s depressing of you. Okay, dorm cleaned and back to normal, and Julia is drawing up better security plans for emergencies.”
“How is Len emotionally?”
“Awe, George, I dunno. He’s pretty crazed, losing his girlfriend and adopted daughter; it was a new relationship, but we all loved Maryanne. I think everyone is upset,” Alex said. “This mission helped him have some revenge, I’m sure he sounded like a smart ass, again.”
“I admit it hit me mighty hard,” George said, “Beth?”
“She’s livid, still vowing revenge.”
George laughed. “I can imagine that from her. One day I won’t be governor, and you need to help me groom the next one. I think Mark should be in my place one day; he’s young enough to stay a while, and Matt is right for head of security when Len retires. He needs grooming. I want you and the kid, Jet, training for advisors.”
“I hope it isn’t soon, but I’m humbled, wow, and you know that would so make me the oldest there with them; I need an old age stamp.”
George laughed loudly now. “Now, that is a stamp Hannah can make for me.”
It was getting late, so he followed Alex to the dining hall. The mood was quieter than usual, but people were hungry and shared ideas all around. George saw Hannah and called her over. “Let’s see that sleeve.”
She grinned and turned. “Rank is none. I mean I don’t have a rank. Then you see defense? That’s symbolic of the King’s gun: governor’s gun; team leaders have stripes underneath. Mom, come here….”
Beth came over and greeted George. As Hannah asked, she showed her sleeve where she put the rank of advisor, then the defense symbol with two lines under it, then her unity symbol with the symbol for God underneath.
Hannah pointed back to her own sleeve. “I have the symbol for creativity since I came up with this. Mom doesn’t.”
“I see. So you earned that one? I’m proud of you, Hannah. Creativity is just as important as anything, and it can mean life or death in some cases. Pak and Julia got out of some trouble by using creativity.”
“Knowing how to escape.”
“Yes. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, George. Right. Julia gave it to me. Mom has the bravery one: the extraordinary feat one that is a snake, see? It’s a snake trying to climb a tree, which is very difficult. So you can see what all Mom has done by looking, and it tells a story.” Hannah was proud of her mother.
(Beth’s symbols)
“Makes sense to me,” George said, “and everyone has a symbol, huh?”
“Everyone likes it and wants to get more with some work; some competition is good for us.”
“You like it, Beth?”
“Yes, George,” she faltered, “I’m worried about Kim and Juan both being out there; I don’t want either to get hurt.”
“Stop worrying; it’s not helpful and makes frown lines…. ”He put his arm around her, and they went to dinner.
Often there was a stew because it fed many and was something they could make from the vegetables they grew and the meat from animals they raised. Stew was being served this time, along with bread and butter that some of the women had churned, a squash dish, fruit salad, pecan and pumpkin pies, and apple-pear cobbler for dessert.
Beth looked calmer after they had eaten well.
They were to be treated to a night of some entertainment as the children put on a little show, and Jilly Montaine sang disco tunes that made everyone smile, remembering when those were popular. As the children put on their show, several couldn’t help but notice that Toni, the little girl who died, was missing from the stage.
Bernie waved at Beth and Julia.
“What’s up?” Julia asked, as Mark and Misty joined them outside where they could hear Jilly singing about ‘I feel love’.
Bernie spoke in low tones, making motions and explaining as the four stood with shocked looks on their faces and open mouths. He said that Conner needed them at the gate and to keep it quiet.
Mark gave Beth and Julia squeezes on their arms as they walked.
They walked down to the gate, whispering a little as they went, wondering what to think; Beth’s mind already whirled.
Outside the gate, Carla stood with little Robbie who was injured and bleeding. His little face was pale, and he was in a little pain, but it was mostly fear that they saw etched on his face. Hybrids might not feel as much pain, but they could be scared and could die.
Conner did not open the gate, just called and waited for the others. “I left them out there; I didn’t know what to do.”
“You did the right thing,” Mark said. “They would have been lynched.”
“Puts,” Julia said.
“Told you that no one would welcome you back,” Conner told Carla.
“I know you hate me. I know what I did. I am here to beg for mercy.”
“We have eight people out there headed to Colonel Davis to find you and execute you for what you did. You ate a person; what kind of freak are you, Carla? Wait, we know; the worst kind there is,” Mark said coldly, “and you want mercy?”
“I didn’t know; I figured someone would come looking. Look, Robbie was injured, and we got away, but then we backtracked here. He’s just a little boy, and he’s hurt. Whatever you do to me is okay; I’m just asking for mercy for him. I did it; blame me, not him. Please.”
“Why would we show any mercy? You sure as hell didn’t show any when you bit, ate, and let the infection loose in here.”
“I’m sorry. It…the hunger gets uncontrollable; Dr. Diamond lied. We have to have the raw meat…it…it takes over...the need does. We didn’t know it would do this to us; we had no idea what the vaccine did.”
“You didn’t know what that vaccine would turn you into, but there’s no going back: same as if you were infected from Red or a bite. If you’re infected, you get put down, no matter what because you are dangerous; it’s the same thing,” Conner said.
“No….”
“Yes. A vaccine changed you. Some have been changed by a bite; you regret it, you hate, and fear it, but you are contagious, same thing,” Mark said. “But unlike the Zs, you knew what you would cause.”
“My husband had the vaccine first; you know about him, Hendricks? I’m Carla Hendricks. I was number seven to get the vaccine.”
“I see,” Beth said. “Dr. Diamond shouldn’t have been playing Dr. Frankenstein. These false cures…I was there at the National Guard Armory, and I saw what a false cure could do. It killed a bunch of uninfected people when they were bitten and torn to shreds.”
“I didn’t make the vaccine,” Carla said, “I’m a victim. Robbie is a victim.”
Beth glared. “You hid the contagion, and you cut two people’s throats to eat them.”
“I didn’t know I would be this; we weren’t told, but they called us Ang
els, and we aren’t, are we? We’re monsters. Yes, I did that. I did. But please show Robbie some mercy, just him, please. I know everyone of you has compassion and mercy deep within yourselves. I am here begging for him, not for myself.”
“You cut that man’s throat and ate part of him, infected his wife, caused others to be infected and die, caused Len’s girlfriend and adopted daughter to be infected and killed and cut Andie’s throat and almost killed her. So why in the hell are you here?” Mark roared. “You have now put eight more people in harm’s way, trying to find you and execute you for your crimes. No mercy or compassion is left.”
Carla cried, holding Robbie so they could see he was cut. She and the child did look pitiful.
“How was he hurt?” Misty asked. She was pregnant, and like everyone, to see a child in misery was difficult. No one was cruel or cold to that.
“The people we ran away with…we fought over a knife, and he was injured, but it was me who did the bad things, not him; he’s a child.”
Conner groaned out loud. “No different from any other infected zombies, except you knew better and you can use a knife, unreal.”
Carla ignored that. “Beth, you have children, please show mercy to this child and let him come in. Help my child. Just let him in? Please? He needs a doctor.” The boy was covered in blood from a stomach wound. Tape and pads were soaked. Any regular person would be on the ground from pain alone, and he looked as if he might pass out at any point, but it was obviously not a quick, fatal wound.
“You’re asking for my mercy?” Beth asked.
“Please, they’ll do as you ask; I beg of you.”
“Of me?”
Carla nodded. “Won’t you show Robbie mercy if Beth asks you?” she asked the people who stared at her with hatred.
Mark glared, and then shrugged. “Okay, I’ll do as Beth asks.” He founds it hard to learn to be like George taught: to see all sides and be strong and protective, but also merciful, to listen to others’ opinions, and lead by example.
Misty looked at Carla and Robbie, some sympathy for the child in her eyes; then, she looked at Beth and nodded, “Whatever you feel, Beth.” Then, she looked away. It was a hard life lesson she was also trying to learn well.
Julia, Beth’s best friend on earth, sighed. She wouldn’t debate the issue with Beth, but she also knew her friend still had the look of a thousand-yard stare, a need for vengeance, and penchant for pure rage, despite her calm exterior.
Julia knew she, like Len and Kim, crossed over to an emotional place that was crazed with fury. Julia understood this psychological side, and she knew how her friend could be softhearted and sweet, but also, that she was now pushed to the brink of sanity with so much emotional turmoil.
Beth looked at Julia, asking for her understanding.
Julia nodded without saying anything. She supported Beth unconditionally but wasn’t sure what her friend would decide. This was a hard choice.
“By your actions, you have put my friends at risk and my baby and me at risk. You are a filthy, disgusting hybrid, half zombie, and I once swore I would not hesitate to kill one if given the chance.”
“Please, Beth.”
Beth walked closer to the fence and looked tenderly at Robbie, who was eight. “They lied to you, saying the vaccine was a good thing. You’re a monster.” She drew her Sig Sauer and placed a shot into his head. He slumped against Carla as she wailed.
Beth turned to her and saw Carla’s big eyes pleading, pained with losing her child, not understanding the hatred and rage that was Beth; Beth cocked her head to one side and shot Carla between the eyes.
7
All My Children
It was the first day of February that Beth went into labor. She knew how the baby would be born, practiced breathing with Julia, her coach and best friend, but still wasn’t prepared. She didn’t really realize the difference between hospital births before Z Day and after.
All of the injuries people complained about, all of the wounds; everything in the past that she thought was painful paled as she suffered in labor. Doc and Steve said this was normal, but they were men, and Beth was pretty sure she was dying since no pain could feel this way and be normal. They told her the screaming was scaring Misty, who was due in days, but she threatened to scream louder until they stopped shushing her.
Steve, her brother, frequently glared at Beth which, more than anything, told her she must be doing okay if he could still be angry.
“I’d sterilize myself if I could decide how to use the blow torch on my fallopian tubes,” Julia said as Beth gripped her hand. “Hand me one, and I’ll start for you….” “You are about ready to start pushing, Beth; then, in a few hours….”“Hours? Oh, hell no, I’m pushing this kid out, now,” she responded. Her stomach was huge, she was in pain, and she was exhausted. Hours to finish this wasn’t an option she liked, and from the looks of Julia’s hand, she wouldn’t make it much longer before all of her hand bones would be crushed, yet she didn’t complain, only gritted her teeth as Beth clamped down on her poor hand, again.
“Juan is beside himself out there, and Kim is scared to death; both are driving me about insane,” Doc complained.Rolling her eyes, Beth wondered why he had a reason to complain. If the men were being big worry-babies, then let the doctor deal with it. Both were being pests. Kim was growling under his breath and snapping at people needlessly. Juan was out in the waiting room, pacing, muttering concerns but always pacing, his boots scuffing the floor as he turned in the room to walk back the other way.
In addition, Len was there, cursing and demanding that this process hurry while George tried to sooth all of them and tried to stay strong and calm. Alex made jokes with Hannah while Jet was teasing Katie; she was pulling at her braids, a nervous habit she had taken up.
Misty was wide-eyed scared since she was only sixteen and due any day. She wasn’t as big as Beth, so Beth took a little delight in her fear but only a tiny bit. Outside of the room, more friends were concerned and waiting for news. With determination, Beth began the worst part, ready to get this finished. In half an hour, the doctors were astounded as she began the delivery of the baby.“One more, Beth,” Doc grinned happily, “let’s get it out; push hard.”
“Do you think I’ve been only working half-heartedly?” Beth was irritated with him. There was a giant pressure, and then Steve stepped back with a big smile on his face as he held a baby in a blanket, wiping and working with it.
“I’m an uncle,” he said as if he had accomplished something. He went on Beth’s shit list, as well. A sound like a mewling baby kitten sounded, making everyone smile, but Beth’s stomach still cramped terribly; she squealed. Julia gasped with the pressure on her hand.
Doc leaned forward with raised eyebrows and told her to push again. Beth assumed it was the after birth, but Doc was laughing like a loon. “Beth, we have two.”“Two what?” She pushed and then lay down as he gathered a second baby in a blanket. “Two babies?” It was more than a shock. She didn’t know what to do with one, much less two, but it was good news, anyway. Beth waited for Julia to confirm that there were really two babies.
Julia washed off Beth’s forehead with a damp cloth. “Twins, no wonder you were so big, Beth.”
“You just went to my growing list of people I’m mad at,” Beth snarled.
Ann and Velma helped the doctors, and in a few minutes, they settled two babies into Beth’s arms, two healthy, beautiful girls, not identical, but perfect. Julia couldn’t stop smiling as she looked at them as if she had borne them herself.
She had a gooey look on her face. People always say mothers forget the labor, and that’s why they can have more babies, but Beth swore she’d never forget. Julia already had the sappy look that told everyone she would want to have babies.
Poor, silly girl, Beth thought.
In a while, they allowed Kim, Juan, George, Len, Hannah, Alex, and Misty to come in. They all edged around the wall, almost afraid to go near the bed and the babies. Stev
e warned them, and the screams worried them.
Beth giggled. Julia gave up her place so Kim could see his daughters.“You had two?” Kim stared. “I guess I did,” she admitted. Where else would she have gotten the second one? Men could be so damned stupid at times. “Imagine that. You want to hold one?”
He looked as if he had been offered some dynamite to hold with the fuse lit. He looked at his hands where he still had scars from the metal spikes, wondering how on earth to hold a baby in those big, hard-working hands of his. Kim didn’t know what to do with two babies.
Kim looked fully unready and lost as Doc helped him with one baby. Looking down into her face, Kim eyed her as if she were an alien being, which made the rest chuckle.
“She’s…well…a pretty baby. Does she look like me?”
“No, thank God,” Len quipped. But Kim looked so stricken that Len amended what he said.
“She looks like her own person…and pretty as Beth…but a little like you: the reddish brown hair is all you.”
“Ahhh,” he said, “does she have a name yet?”
“This is Georgie Julianna. After George, Jules, and Misty’s middle name,” Beth said, almost challenging him to disagree. George almost swooned, hearing the first girl’s name; he was very pleased with it. Misty grinned, and Julia again looked as if she had done all the work.
“And this is Stevie Kimberlen. I didn’t use your name, Alex; Misty won it when we played cards for names. This baby is named for her uncle, her daddy, and you, Len.” I swear all three men looked all weepy to hear that. Len began complaining about his allergies all at once so no one would catch that he was touched.
Misty patted her belly, “Lex Michael or Lexie Beth.”
“Beth, you and Misty…those are some strange names,” Alex said. “Big names for such little babies.” Everyone laughed.
“They are excellent names,” Len said. He backed away when Kim offered the baby to him; he wasn’t ready for that yet.” I like the names a lot. They sound strong.”
Kim held Georgie as he sat in one chair, and Juan, still sitting, held Stevie.