The Reanimates (Book 1): The Complex

by J. Rudolph

  “I heard the kids talking during break time at school yesterday. Abigail is sure that Santa is a zombie too. Kyle and Drew think that Christmas is canceled forever now. It breaks my heart that they are growing up too quickly and they are losing hope in the happy stuff in life. We have to come up with something.”

  Tears sprung up in my eyes. Ten-year-old boys shouldn’t believe that Christmas will never happen again. Six-year-old girls shouldn't think that Santa is a zombie. They are supposed to believe that there will be a day of magic. I felt like crap that it took my son's teacher to spell out that Christmas was fast approaching. I had been so wrapped up in catching Alexus in the act of wrong doing that I was oblivious.

  Trent choked up as well. “Well, no kid under this complex is going to feel that way if I have anything to say about it.”

  Silence fell in the room while we all thought about what we could do to make this Christmas a good thing.

  Tyreese came up with an awesome idea. “A couple blocks away is that video game store. I always thought it was a weird place to put one because there are no other electronic stores or toy stores around. It looked empty all the time, like no one remembered it was even there. I am really wondering if it got hit in the initial looting. I bet it wasn't. About a mile more up the road is that organic grocery store. Now the food in that store is probably all bad by now since they didn't do preservatives, but they may have water there. If we set up a new water run, after all there is always a need for water, we could hit up that game store as well and the kids won't have a clue. We could get the portable systems like a Game Boy and PSP and a ton of games for them.”

  My eyes lit up. That was an awesome idea. “Know what we could do?” I asked, getting enthusiastic over the idea. “We could totally get the teens all one system, like a PSP for each of them and the 3DS or whatever for the preteens. We need to still get something for the young kids, but that could be really cool. The games could be exchanged among the age groups that way.”

  “I love it.” Jody's eyes were lit up with excitement. “If there are enough I'd like to throw Abigail in with the preteen grouping just because she would love the DS as well. What should we do though for the little ones? Daniel's girls definitely need to get something, I don't know why but I feel almost responsible for them. Alexus really isn't who I thought she was.” Jody seemed to drift off in thought, then back to the present. “Maybe I'm being neurotic. Everyone copes with the world different I guess.” The rest of us exchanged looks. Jody saw our glances and started to say something but changed her mind. “OK well, I'm going to let you guys get back to what you're working on. Recess time is about over anyway.” With that Jody got up and left.

  “Guys? I think we should put all this stuff on hold until after we get Christmas figured out. I think once we get this stuff started then it's going to take a life of its own and I don't want some crazy lady to derail the kids.” I said and everyone agreed.

  The Christmas Run

  All the parents were brought in to the school for a chat on what we decided to call Operation Christmas under the guise of a back to school night. Daniel and Anna were as excited as the rest of us. Alexus even looked happy over the idea of making Christmas happen. We set up the cover story that Tyreese and Trent were going on a water run so all the adults would be on the same page. Joey decided to stay behind to help keep an eye on everyone. It would have been too easy for the marauders to take over if they thought we were unprotected. Joey had offered to take watch to be incredibly visible to all. I thought that it looked like Alexus was a bit put off that there would be someone to take watch, but that easily could have been my imagination.

  We prepared a list of things we wanted to get from the game store. We needed to find three PSP systems for DaWayne, Trisha, and Erin. We needed four of the 3DS systems for Kyle, Liam, Drew, and Abigail. It still left needing to find something for Annali, Tomisha, and Dalynn. The little girls would be easy enough since they were so young. Dalynn had recently turned two and Tomisha and Annali were both three. A couple stuffed animals would work if all else failed.

  I kissed Trent goodbye and wished him luck. Tanya did the same to Tyreese. Our giddy hope overrode the worry that we all had every time someone had to leave the complex. I lowered the bridge and they drove off in the truck. When they were clear I raised the bridge again.

  A couple hours later there was the sound of the truck came rumbling up the road. I made sure it was them before I lowered the bridge by looking through the binoculars. My heart lifted as I saw their animated happy faces. Daniel was standing near by so I turned to him and said that it looked successful. He looked excited too. I lowered the bridge and they drove in. Trent unrolled the window to the truck and said that he was going to pull into the parking spot next to the unit we process run stuff. He told me to get the parents over to help. There were many bottles of water in the bed of the truck as well as a neat assortment of canned goods which made our cover story look fantastic.

  Daniel ran the bridge back up so I could find the parents. I ran into DaWayne on the way and asked him to relieve Joey and have him meet us. We all got there and started carrying in stuff. Trent and Tyreese slung back packs over their shoulders when they got out. They took those in nice and subtle like with arms loaded with canned stuff. Tyreese came back to the cab where he grabbed a large duffel bag and slid that inside.

  We were so excited to see what they got, it almost felt like Christmas was already here, a preview of coming attractions. Indeed there had been enough of the PSP and 3DS systems to be able to cover everyone. There were so many little game cartridges. There were a couple duplicates of the games that were really hot and many other games to trade among themselves. I was very curious what was in the duffel. As it turned out, there had been a dollar store next to the game store that had planned on doing the grand opening thing last June. They never got to open but they had gotten quite a bit of stock for their shelves. Trent and Tyreese had gotten most of the water and canned food from there, but the best thing they had found was a neat collection of dolls and doll accessories like strollers and bottles.

  Christmas was going to be awesome. Jody, Anna, and I divided up the 3DS games based on the kid's personality and interests. Daniel picked out the dolls that he knew the girls would like and Anna was more than happy with the ones that were left for Annali. Jody said to Tyreese and Tanya that they should take whatever games they wanted for their kids and that Erin would be more than happy with the rest and that she trusted them to be fair. Alexus was notably absent after the gifts were shown off from the run. We did not care that she wasn’t there. The flow of separating the gifts went so nicely. We were so excited that we were going to be able to do anything. Things felt good. We stashed the toys into backpacks to sneak them into our own homes.

  We realized that if we were getting that close to Christmas we were really close to Thanksgiving. I went over to Mercedes' place after I hid the backpack in the apartment. As always, Mercedes was a few steps ahead of me. She had been planning a special dinner and shooed me out of the food unit with a laugh. I said that there were more cans of food to give the unit and she said to leave it in the processing unit, we'd get to that in two days. I gave her a quizzical look. I hadn't connected that Thanksgiving was on the next day until that moment.

  Thanksgiving dinner was amazing. It wasn’t so much what we had to eat as it was being together. We all ate in the common area picnic style. There was a moment of silent reflection on what we had to be thankful for. We had all survived together and we were making it work. We had all formed a special bond. There were definitely times that we argued but we were family now.

  With all the feeling of being thankful part of me felt a bit guilty that we had survived like this when so many didn't. I thought about all the people who lost someone to the zombies. I felt bad for Martha who lost her son. I felt bad for Anna who had no clue how her husband had met his end, even if she didn't believe that he had been attacked. I felt bad for Steven's
family, if they were even still alive. They didn't know he met his end trying to make sure we had our best shot. I felt bad that Alexus was under scrutiny over the marauder situation. In the middle of all those feelings I looked over at Trent and Drew, sitting together laughing at something and I realized I didn’t really care about feeling bad over Alexus. Today was a celebration of life and honoring those that were gone. I would not spare even one more thought today on her.

  Christmas Is Coming

  The next day we set up cameras around the complex. We decided that we needed to get several instances of her interacting with the marauders. We watched the rock camera to keep an eye on the activity on the other side of the wall. On a small screen we saw that indeed it was that group hanging out there. They set up a mini camp on the ledge between us and the trench, totally taking advantage of the work that Trent did.

  We saw Alexus give them food. We saw her give them water. We had set up cameras to record if anyone entered where food and water were stored. We saw her go into both of them.

  We gathered data and decided that a month of this would be enough to take to everyone. We decided we would call a council meeting on the 26th of December. If things stayed the way they were with no one getting hurt then waiting seemed to be the best way. If it looked like things were going to change for the worse then of course we would call the meeting sooner.

  In the mean time, it was time to get ready for the holidays. Those of us that had an artificial tree put those up and we searched through the patio closets of the units that were left for more trees. Including ours, there were a total of five of those artificial trees. Mercedes volunteered her house to be treeless but did request to have a nativity if one could be found. All of her Christmas stuff was in an off site storage unit. Martha too decided that she would be fine to be without a tree. She grumbled that they were a pain anyway and if she couldn’t have a real tree that she didn’t want one at all. I laughed inwardly over her protest of the trees. I think she was putting on a gripe face to convince everyone that she was actually better off than those with a tree but I would have put money on her wanting to make sure that the homes with kids had the trees. I think Martha was actually a good, kind person in that shell, she just refused to let the good side show.

  It looked like any apartment complex would at Christmas with the exception of Christmas lights. No one wanted to waste power on lights since the shorter days of winter meant less charged batteries on the solar array. We ran the gas generator in food more often whenever we got a rabbit that came through the complex if we didn’t eat it right away, but leaving fresh meat for long was just about unheard of.

  The week before Christmas seemed to have an air of sadness. Drew wouldn’t say a word but he looked rather down. He did show a spark of happiness though after school let out on December 23rd. Jody had devoted the day to making a Christmas present for the parents. After he made the present his spirits seemed to lift. He had finally confided to me on Christmas Eve day that the idea that he couldn’t give us a present was really hurting him. I said to him that he is the gift. He rolled his eyes at me in the usual kid way.

  Trent had made him a truck in build that we wrapped up to put under the tree. I made Trent a clock for his workspace in build. There was a wrapped present for me that Trent had made with Drew's help. We all went to bed and I swear that Drew was crying for a little bit though he denied that he was sad. He fell asleep wrapped in my arms. I sent Trent to set up the major gift.

  That morning when he got up he had no hope of Santa having dropped something off. He had gotten up to give us his gift but when he saw that 3DS and the games he was thrown. He started to cry big happy tears. He held the 3DS close.

  “Mom? You said I wasn't going to be allowed to have one of these last year.”

  “I did.”

  “I can have this? Even with the 3D? Cause you said no because it could mess with my eyes.”

  “Yeah, I did. I got over it. You can have definitely have it.” My eyes filled up with tears a little. Things that I thought mattered like some study that linked using devices with 3D and vision deterioration just didn’t anymore. Living mattered. Finding joy wherever we can mattered. In the pre-zombie world we believed that tomorrow was right there. Now we didn't. We tried to set up for a tomorrow and we did what we could but we knew that tomorrow might change everything, that it might not even be there.

  “Mom? Dad? You guys have to open what I made.” Jody had the kids make a wooden box with a lidded top that held a plaster hand print to hold pocket fodder at night. I adored it. I kept a couple little things on me all the time so it was certain to see a lot of use. Trent was the same way. I loved it.

  Drew loved the truck that Trent built and Trent thought that clock I made for his workspace was fantastic. Trent had carved me a wooden turtle which I adored. I put it in the box that Drew made.

  That Christmas was probably the best one that I ever had. I never wanted it to end. Best I could do is wrap up my memories and try to keep it in the box Drew made.

  The Revelation

  We all dreaded the day after Christmas. It was time to reveal what we learned to the council and come up with a plan on how to manage it. Tyreese had set up a presentation that showed Alexus stealing supplies and giving them to the marauders. We had clips set up of her on watch and waving the people through the blind spots. We had video of the marauders hanging out on our wall.

  Trent called all the council people together and started the meeting.

  “There were a couple of us who noticed some things going on that you all need to be aware of.” He began softly. “There are a lot of things on this presentation that you all need to be aware of. We decided that we needed to get a lot of proof that this was being done purposefully and not a misconceived mission of mercy to them. You know? I'm going to shut up and just play the thing.”

  Projected on the wall were the clips of Alexus. Random gasps that it really was her taking everything spilled out. The biggest thing though that we had captured, that no one knew about, was a clip of her taking down one of the boards and kissing the speaker of the group.

  It was clear that her loyalties were to them. She had been taking care of them with supplies meant to sustain the complex.

  “She has to go. Now.” Said Martha with clenched teeth. There were many murmurs in total agreement.

  Mercedes added “Poor Daniel. He thought that his girl was on the up and up. Here she is kissing on this other guy and helping them. What are we going to say to him?”

  “I don't know how to do this guys.” I swallowed hard around the lump in my throat. Everything was going to change right here and now and I just wanted to leave it alone. “We need to bring him in to decide what to do with her.”

  Martha exclaimed loudly, “He's the reason we brought her in. I say we kick her out and he can stay or go!”

  “Oh she is going, Martha. That’s not even debatable.” I said. “What we need to talk about is cluing Daniel in before we do this. You wouldn't want someone you know to be thrown out without a heads up, so we are going to at least warn him. It's fair and right and most of all its human. Ty? Will you go get him please?”

  “No problem. I saw him go into build so I'll be right back.” Tyreese answered. He took off and came back in just minutes with Daniel.

  Daniel looked like he was terrified, like he was going in front of the school board. We gave him a brief run down of the problem with Alexus. Tyreese had thought ahead and prepared an abbreviated version of the presentation for him. He got the point quickly.

  “So Daniel? We are going to ask her to leave.” Trent said gently.

  “Oh no you're not!” He said emphatically. “I'm going to kick her ass out of here. Screw her. She is not gonna steal food out of my baby's mouth to give a bunch of assholes. He wants to be with them so bad? Forget her. She can go.”

  It was about the reaction I expected. “Daniel, I think we all need to do a united front on this. We need to call her in and
tell her as a group.”

  “Well, let's go get her then!” Daniel said. “I'll be right back.”

  “Daniel, if you're going to get her you need to calm down, a lot. She needs to come in here like this is just a calm normal thing. And we want to do this in a calm logical manner. Otherwise I'm worried that something bad, well worse than this, will happen.” I said gently.

  Daniel took a deep breath and said he can do this like it needs to be done. He left, shaking his hands out on the way over. He came back with her and closed the door. “Lex? You need to explain something to us, and like that line from the movie, you need to explain this like I'm a four year old.” He nodded to Tyreese who started the clips.

  She started screeching. “You all been spying on me? Who the hell do you think you all are? Fucking spying? Got a bunch of hidden cameras on everyone? Fuck you all!”

  “Alexus?” Tyreese stood up from the projector. “Your complex privileges have been revoked. You are not welcome here anymore. You may collect your things and leave. Now.”

  Trent and I had gotten some of the extra things we had picked up in the camping store we hit when this all started and put it in a backpack. He pulled out the pack and handed it to her. “Here are some outdoor supplies for you. We hope that you do well.”

  Alexus took the bag and screamed a stream of profanities.

  “We will now escort you to your former unit and you may collect your clothing. You will not be taking any resources other than that was given in the backpack.” Joey added.

  “Bitch? You have truly screwed the pooch on this. You are no longer a part of my family.” Daniel added.

  Joey and Tyreese went with Daniel to take Alexus to get clothes. She grabbed a couple things and put it in a messenger bag. They walked her to the bridge as Jody lowered it from the car. She stomped across it as zombies that hadn't yet been burned tried to reach for her. When she was across the guys walked back over, motioned to Jody to raise the bridge and they locked the gate.