Dead Reckoning_HZA, Vol. 3

by Marty Brockschmidt

  “God damn stinking piece of shit!” Andy turned, stabbing it thru the eye. Ria didn’t see her brother get bit, as she pulled away and began using her knife to take down the dead, in her way. Andy followed Ria, the two making a run for the jeep. “Quick get in!” Andy opened the passenger side door, letting Ria in first. Running around to the drivers side, Andy made quick work of two more of the dead, before jumping into the jeep. Starting it up, he backed over the corpses on the ground.

  “Andy wait.” Ria yelled, looking back to the camp she called home. “You think anyone else made it out?” Ria was pretty sure that was not the case, but she had to ask. It was all so surreal and hard to accept.

  “No.” Andy replied, rather coldly, before driving off toward the road. Ria kept looking out the back window, hoping she would see someone, anyone, come out of the woods alive...she watched in vain, until they reached the road.

  The siblings had been traveling for a while and Andy knew, he would have to check the bite on his shoulder soon. The blood was running down his arm and the pain was excruciating, but he wanted to hide it from Ria...for as long as possible. They were fairly lucky, not running into too many roadblocks, but gas was getting low and they’d have to stop to siphon some and soon.

  “We need gas.” Ria mentioned. She could see Andy was sweating, but it was warm and after what they’d just been thru, it wasn’t unusual.

  “Yes I know, looks like there's some cars up ahead.” Andy pulled over, next to the array of cars, by the side of road. It looked like they had been moved from blocking the road, at one point. The siblings both got out, grabbing the gas cans and the hose from the back seat. Andy started checking the tanks, most were empty, but a few still had gas to siphon.

  “Got your back little brother.” Ria volunteered, scanning around for threats, dead or alive. Andy started siphoning what little gas he could find, but the pain was getting worse and he started to feel dizzy. Ria ran to her brother, as he went down on his knees, holding his shoulder. “What's going on Andy?”

  “I’m fine, just tired.” Ria was certainly not buying that, especially when she noticed the blood, dripping off her brothers hand. Ria sat Andy up against the car and started taking off his jacket. Andy fought at first, but then just gave in. Pulling his shirt over his head, Ria put her hand over her mouth, so she wouldn’t scream, seeing the bite on her twin’s shoulder.

  “Andy ...oh Andy…” Ria had tears, streaming down her face. “...why didn’t you say anything?” Ria didn’t wait for an answer, running to the car to get the first aid kit. Andy sat there, trying to figure out what to say to his sister, knowing she would soon have to go on alone. Ria came back with the kit and started cleaning the wound.

  “Stop...just stop Ria!” Andy demanded. Ria pulled back, surprised by her brothers reaction. “This is pointless, you know I am not gonna make it, so save the bandages.” Andy was mad, he couldn’t believe he let himself get bit. He let his sister down and he knew it.

  “Don’t say that!” Ria yelled back, as she continued to wrap up the wound. Andy sighed and let her finish bandaging his shoulder. “Come on.” Ria helped Andy up and back over to the jeep. “I’ll finish siphoning, you just rest.” Andy sat in the car, thinking of when he and Ria were kids and how he should've expected, her reaction to his plea.

  “Come on, we don’t wanna be late, dad will kill us.” Andy tried to hurry his sister up, as they walked home from school. The twins were in the 6th grade and their home life was less than perfect. Their father was a violent , angry man and the twins tried their best, not to piss him off.

  “I’m walking as fast as I can Andy.” Ria replied, sarcastically. She was never in a hurry to get home, for obvious reasons. When the twins were 8 years old, they planned to run away from home, but their father caught them and beat them, with the strap. Neither of them cried, silently defiant, never letting their father have the pleasure of seeing them scared, or crying.

  “Oh great...trouble on the horizon.” Andy said. Ria looked up and noticed the three boys. blocking the sidewalk ahead. The Mason brothers, Tommy, David and Carl, the biggest bullies in school and the neighborhood. Tommy was in Andy’s class, David and Carl were in seventh and eighth grade respectively. They were always in trouble and hated by most kids, in the neighborhood. “Ria, cut thru the Johnson’s yard and get home quick.” Ria stopped dead in her tracks, staring at her brother.

  “When hell freezes over little brother.” Ria stated without hesitation. Andy couldn’t help but smile, Ria had to be the most stubbornest person in the world. Andy figured it was because Ria was born first. She arrived five minutes before him and never let him forget it.

  “Then we fight?” Andy asked, fairly matter of factly, considering the situation.

  “Always.” Ria replied. Andy knew she was talking about more than fighting a few bullies. The twins headed towards the three brothers, determined to make this the last time, they were threatened by them and that's just what they did...together.

  After siphoning the gas, Ria filled the tank. Andy was practically passed out in the passenger's seat and Ria took a minute, too just try and grasp what had happened. In the last few hours, they had lost a lot and Ria, even though petrified, was trying to find her inner strength. It was still dark out and she was concerned about where they would go and how long Andy could hang in there.

  “Ria..where are you?” Startled out of her thoughts, Ria got in the car, to comfort her brother.

  “I’m right here Andy.” Ria replied, handing her brother a jug of water. Andy drank quickly, pouring some of the water over his head. Sighing loudly, Andy turned to his sister. He had so much he wanted to say, so much he still needed to do and time was fading quickly. He knew if he survived another day, he’d be incredibly lucky...it just wasn't fair.

  “Sorry about your hair…” Andy said. “...I know how much you loved it.” In all the confusion, Ria hadn’t even thought about her hair. Cascading in red waves down over her shoulders, her hair had always turned heads and now, it barely covered the back of her neck.

  “Hair grows back.” Ria couldn’t help, running her fingers thru her hair, it had never been this short, but the alternative would have been far worse. Ria lifted Andy’s chin, smiling warmly at him. “I was lucky you were there little brother.” Andy managed to muster up, a small smile for his sister.

  “Where else would I be?” Andy replied, before reaching for the 45 in his holster. Ria watched him closely, not exactly sure what he was doing.

  “I want you to take this…” Andy tried to hand it to his sister, but she pushed his hand away, shaking her head no. “...and no arguments.” Andy was determined and was not taking no for an answer.

  “I’m not taking your gun, you’re gonna need it.” Ria replied. Andy took her hand and placed the gun in it, closing her fingers around the cold steel. Ria started to protest, but was immediately cut off.

  “I want you to carry it with you, all the time, I can’t use it anymore and you lost yours...it will make me feel better Ria, just please take it.” Andy’s tone had become less determined and more somber, causing Ria to sigh and take the gun. Andy always felt like he had to protect his sister and now was no different, she needed to accept the inevitable and Andy was going to help her do that with his last dying breath, if need be.

  “I don’t wanna do this without you, I just can’t Andy...I just can’t.” Ria began to cry, the sobs coming from deep within her soul. Andy put his good arm around his sister, pulling her close and holding her while she wept. After a while they both dozed off, exhaustion setting in.

  Ria awoke first, still feeling drowsy from lack of sleep. She got out of the jeep and looked around, by now, it was light out and time to move on. After grabbing some dried fruit from the load of supplies, she got back in the jeep and started it up. Andy woke up a short time later, realizing they were now on the move. His shoulder felt like it was on fire and his head was pounding. He could feel the infection enveloping his whole body and
he knew, he was soon going to become a real threat to his sister’s survival.

  “You hungry?” Ria asked, not taking her eyes off the road.

  “No...not at all.” Andy replied. “I feel like shit.” Ria looked over at her brother, he looked pale and feverish. Ria could feel her heart pounding in her chest, swallowing the panic and fear that threatened to take her over.

  “Hang in there little brother, I’m just trying to find a secluded spot, for us to camp.” Andy shook his head, before putting his hands over his face and sighing. “What's wrong?” Ria asked.

  “Just find a place to camp…” Andy did not want to have this conversation with his sister, not until she could give him her full attention. “...pull in up here.” Andy pointed to a rest area sign, further up the road. Ria pulled in, avoiding the abandoned cars, scattered around. Driving as far as she could into the wooded area, surrounding the rest stop, Ria brought the jeep to a stop. If anyone drove, or even walked by the rest stop, they would never notice the jeep. Hidden amongst the abandoned cars and overgrown brush, they had ample privacy.

  “I think we’ll be safe enough here.” Ria stated, smiling softly at her brother. She’d been holding in her fear and panic, not wanting to upset Andy. Ria was finding it harder and harder to keep calm, especially with her brother fading fast. Andy had been in and out of consciousness, as Ria drove thru the morning, constantly checking to make sure he was still breathing.

  “You have to kill me.” Ria looked at her brother, clearly shocked by his outburst. “Sis, I am a danger to you now, there is no other way.” Andy explained. It was taking all his strength, just to get the words out and he knew he didn’t have much time left. When everything went to hell, Andy’s only thought was finding his sister. He knew she was fragile and he needed to protect her. She had lost a lot in her life and Andy didn’t want to be another, in that string. He was determined, to keep being strong, for as long as he could.

  “Andy, I am not…” Ria was interrupted by one of the dead, banging on the driver's side window. She nearly jumped out of her skin, her hand shooting up to cover her mouth, successfully stifling herself from screaming. at the top of her lungs.

  “Stay calm ...just stay calm.” Andy said, reaching over and resting his hand on Ria’s arm. “You can deal with this, just stay focused.” Ria took a few deep breaths, doing her best to clear her mind. She could taste the fear, her heart beating a mile a minute. “Looks to be only one, use your knife.” Andy encouraged his sister, while the putrid corpse, of what used to be a middle aged woman, continued to bang and slobber on the window. “Do it now sis.” Ria unsheathed her knife, gripping the handle tightly.

  “Andy...I’m scared.” Even though Ria had killed a lot of the dead before, this was different, she wouldn’t have her brother as back up this time. It had been so hard for her, locked up in that Institution. She had nightmares, almost every night and the drugs she was on made her feel sick. She prayed Andy would find her, but had given up hope. When he finally came for her, she didn’t realize the actual nightmare, waiting for them outside the padded walls. Ria knew she and Andy would face it together, like they always did.

  “When you open the door, swing it hard enough to knock the thing back, as far as you can.” Ria nodded. “Throw it off balance, so you have the advantage.” Andy was not going to let her think about this, she had to react quickly. “Do it now!” Andy yelled. Ria didn’t even think, she swung the door open as hard as she could, knocking the corpse to the ground. Ria wasted no time stabbing it thru the head, a sigh of relief as she pulled the knife out. Getting back to her feet, Ria noticed more of the dead, coming out of the wooded area. There were three that she could see, but she knew there were more, there was always more.

  “We gotta get out of here.” Ria started up the jeep, backing up and pulling out onto the road.

  “You can’t keep running....their fucking everywhere.” Andy said. Ria pulled over, her fear and anger ready to explode.

  “What do you want me to do little brother...what should I do?” Ria practically screamed. “How long am I supposed to fight these things...damn it Andy, tell me what to do!” Ria could feel the hot tears running down her cheeks, but she refused to wipe them away. Andy smirked, even though the pain was excruciating. This was how Ria needed to be, mad and above all stubborn. She had to survive and find a safe haven, with or without him.

  “Take that anger…” Andy slumped over a bit, taking in deep breaths, trying to control the pain. “....and use it to your advantage, don’t you ever give up big sister...please don’t ever give up.”

  “I won’t, I promise.” Ria hugged her brother. She held him for a long time, even after he had passed out from the pain. She promised him she wouldn’t give up, but wasn’t sure how honest she was being with Andy, or herself. Not to mention the fact, he had asked her to kill him. Ria couldn’t even fathom doing that. She knew she was not that strong, she was barely keeping it together as it was.

  Ria had driven aimlessly for miles, finally finding a secure looking campground. After parking, Ria got out to check the tents off in the distance. Andy was still knocked out, his breathing shallow, his face pale and sweaty. After locking the doors, Ria made her way toward the campground. There were three tents surrounding a long, burned out fire pit. Ria pulled Andy’s gun out of the holster, before opening the first tent. She could smell the mildew, as she checked thru the abandoned supplies. Not much was usable, but she did grab a hatchet, that was laying on top of a sleeping bag. Ria checked the other tents, not finding anything else useful. It looked like whoever was here, left in a hurry. Ria walked over to check on Andy and was relieved, when she saw him still passed out in the jeep.

  “Who are you?” Ria turned quickly. to see a young couple standing behind her. The man stepped forward first, with hands in the air. He was tall and thin, with shoulder length black hair and a beard. The woman was nearly as emaciated, her blonde hair pulled back in a greasy ponytail.

  “I'm just passing through, I didn’t realize there was anyone here.” Though her gun was not raised, Ria still had her finger on the trigger. She scanned the area, not wanting to get caught up in a trap. Ria was extremely nervous, forcing herself to come off as strong and confident.

  “I’m Michael Roberts, this is my wife Hannah.”

  Ria nodded, standing her ground. “What happened here?”

  Michael looked at his wife, who hung her head. “We were um...we were attacked by a group of men, they came in the night and we managed to sneak off into the woods.” Hannah started to cry, her husband hugging her close. “There were six of us here, they killed the Holt's outright, they were a nice old couple. They tortured Bob, kept asking him if he'd seen an old couple, with a young girl. Eventually, they decided Bob had no answers for them and shot him in the back of the head. Nance tried to run, but they chased her down and took her off with them.” This sounded to much like the scene she had witnessed months ago, when Andy brought her to meet up with Paulie and Rita. “They took all of the supplies we had. It weren't much, but it was all we had.” Hannah finished.

  “I need to talk to my brother, stay here.” Ria turned back to the jeep. Andy was awake, but was having trouble breathing. Ria gave Andy some water. He looked so bad and Ria didn’t know what to do. “There’s people up there Andy, a young married couple…” Ria really needed her brother's advice right now. “...they were attacked by another group and they were the only survivors. It sounds like the same people, who killed our friends.”

  “Claudine?” Andy asked, trying to sit up a little.

  “I think so, what do I do?” Ria didn’t want to be an asshole, but she didn’t trust the strangers. They seemed ok, but she had her brother and their supplies to worry about and she didn’t want to take any chances. Andy took a deep breath and pushed himself up in the seat.

  “Get out of the car bitch.” Ria looked up. There stood Michael, a gun pointed at Ria and trying to act tough, but the shaking of his hand, holding the pis
tol, said otherwise. Andy looked at his sister.

  “You got this sis…” Andy said. “...don’t let him intimidate you.” Ria sighed, before rolling down the window.

  “Why are you doing this Michael?” She asked calmly. It was obvious this man was scared, hungry and tired. Ria pulled out the 45, Andy had given her, quietly releasing the safety.

  “Just get out of the car. Your man there looks to be almost done for, you ain’t going to last long on your own, no sense in all your stuff going to waste.” Michael stated, this time more pleadingly, than anything. He actually, couldn’t quite believe, he was in this position. He and Hannah had just celebrated their first wedding anniversary, about a month before the world went to hell. He was a master mechanic, with a good job and a newly purchased home. Hannah was an ICU nurse, working at the biggest hospital in the state and now, they weren't even scraping by.