Dead & Alive (Book 4): Terror

by Smith, I. J.

  “Bray, I’m very sorry,” He finally managed.

  It took Bray a moment, but he eventually looked at Ryan.

  “Sorry about your nose,” Bray added.

  Ryan smiled. “It’s okay. I remember when we first met; you punched me in the nose. Now I can’t feel a thing!” he joked.

  “Thanks for coming; you didn’t need to volunteer for this one,” Bray said quietly to him.

  Ryan looked in the rearview mirror to make sure Jack was still asleep.

  “You’re my family, the only family who ever cared about me. Even when I ran away, you never left me behind. I didn’t forget and never will. I couldn’t help Elle, but I can help you!” Ryan said sincerely.

  Bray looked at Ryan and thought about the difference in him now. He had scars from fights on his face; he was even starting to grow a small beard like Jack’s.

  “You respect him, don’t you?” Bray asked.

  Ryan glanced at Bray. “Yeah, he is everything I wish I was.”

  The sudden groaning of Jack waking up made them change their conversation.

  “Where the hell are we?” Jack asked looking out the windows.

  “Good timing! We are about a mile from the park,” Bray replied.

  Before anyone else could speak, the car came to a sudden stop. Ryan looked out, ahead of their car; three large 4x4’s sat blocking the road.

  “What do we do?” Ryan asked.

  A woman dressed in jeans, and a blue shirt stepped forward, she had short blonde hair and smiled at the men in the car.

  “I guess they want to talk!” Jack observed.

  Jack was about to exit the car, when Bray shouted out.

  “JACK! WAIT!” Bray pointed at the black vehicles, large red painted circled with the letter M marked the side of them.

  “MERCY!” Jack muttered.

  Jack continued to exit the car, Bray and Ryan quickly followed. Jack walked towards the blond woman, several men holding weapons appeared behind her. She raised her hand, warning them to stay back.

  “Hello!” she said.

  Jack walked towards her, as she smiled at him.

  “You should stay there, my men are very protective.”

  Jack laughed. “Yeah, they look very scary with their cricket bats and chains.”

  “I know you!” she replied.

  Jack frowned, thinking about his time here. Nope, he could not remember her.

  “When I say I know you, I mean that. Even in this world, a world with no social media, no newspapers and no reality television. That is something I am very grateful for by the way,” she laughed.

  “No, I know you. You’re famous, you are The Reaper!” she finished.

  “So I guess MacLeod sent you?” Bray said.

  The woman laughed aloud again. “Hell NO! My brother has no idea I am here.”

  Jacks face suddenly turned angry.

  “Hi, I’m Pauline. I am here to make a truce.” She said.

  Jack stepped forward.

  “Get back in your car and drive fast. Before I cut your fucking head off and use it to play football with!” Jack said, with an angry voice.

  “Is it wrong that I find that very sexy?” Pauline replied with a gleam in her eye.

  Gripping his machete, he was so close to pulling it clear when Pauline spoke again.

  “I don’t like what he does; I do not support it either. What he did was against my instructions. I promise you, he will be punished.”

  Jack moved forward again, his eyes glaring at her.

  “Punished? Punished? What are you going to do, slap his wrist?” Jack sneered.

  Surprisingly, Pauline stepped closer to Jack. “I have more people at my control, I have more weapons and I have eyes on you and every one of your people. So now is your chance to save all of them, just walk away and The Mercy will never confront you again. We can have a truce!” She said firmly.

  Jack felt Bray’s hand on his shoulder.

  “Say the word and we attack these fuckers!” Bray told Jack.

  Jack stood silent for a moment, he thought about Elle and his unborn child. He thought about Kat and Tommy. Then he thought about Ray, the man who saved him more than once. He knew what Ray would say.

  Jack looked at Bray and then turned back to Pauline.

  “You never go near my people again, if you see me or my people you turn and go the other way! Stay clear and so will we.” Jack told Pauline.

  Bray and Ryan looked shocked at Jack’s words.

  Pauline held her hand out.

  “I promise to keep my brother away from you, I promise to keep everyone of my people away from you. You have my word!” Pauline replied.

  Jack looked at her, every part of his heart wanted to lash out and tear her apart, but he remembered promising Frank he would become the leader they needed. He struggled but he took her hand and shook it. Without saying a word, Jack, Bray, and Ryan turned and returned to their car, they watched the 4x4’s drive away.

  “That was amazing!” Ryan told Jack.

  Jack felt sick to his stomach as they drove back towards home.

  Back in the caravan park the children from the bus were being fed and fussed over by the others. Ray and Raven continued to talk.

  “So after everything, Elle died the day before Jack found her?” Raven asked Ray.

  Ray nodded. “Yeah, you should have seen him, it broke him. Now he is leading us on a mission.”

  Raven looked at him, confused. “Mission?”

  “I will let Jack tell you, it is something I am still confused about myself.”

  “THEY’RE BACK! THEY’RE BACK!” Voices screamed out.

  The gates were pulled open as the red car drove into the park; they parked the car up next to the bus.

  “Who the hell is that?” Bray asked.

  Jack was still quiet from the recent encounter; he walked towards Ray when suddenly Raven came into view. Jack could not believe his eyes; she walked over to him and gently placed her arms around him.

  “Hello again!” she whispered to him.

  He hugged her back; they held each other for what seemed like forever.

  Adam approached Bray and Ryan. “We have some guests; turns out they are friends of Jack!”

  Jack let Raven go and asked, “What are you doing here?”

  “We have a problem and we need your help,” Raven replied.

  Jack nodded. “Come on, and tell me all about it!”

  Ray joined Bray and the others, asking, “How did you get on?”

  Shaking his head Bray replied, “Dead! My wife is dead. My daughter, I can only guess. Then on our way back something…..”

  Bray was stopped by a screaming voice.

  “DADDY! DADDY! DADDY!”

  Bray looked around to see a young girl running for him, her dark hair, and her familiar smile.

  “JENNIFER!” He ran towards her, gathering her up in his arms. He kissed her so hard on the cheek.

  “My baby! My baby!” Bray said, over and over.

  Jack and Raven both stood watching, as did everyone in the park.

  Both father and daughter sobbed, refusing to let each other go.

  Raven smiled. “My God, what are the chances?”

  Jack gave his half smile and watched in joy.

  “Come on, let’s talk!” Jack told Raven.

  Jack and Raven disappeared into a caravan and sat down at a table.

  “So, what do you need my help with?” Jack asked.

  “A group of men took Sarah, they were looking for you!” Raven replied, sadly.

  Jack looked confused.

  “Me?”

  Raven rubbed her face, she was so tired.

  “We were on a food run, when we were chased by a group who called themselves The Mercy. This giant freak kept screaming for ‘The Reaper’! Sarah made the mistake of calling him an ugly, inbred, shithead and that her friend ‘The Reaper’ will kill him!”

  “MacLeod!” Jack muttered.

  “So
you do know him?” Raven asked.

  Jack nodded, “He killed Elle! He took the kids and left a wake of death behind him!”

  “Yeah, Ray told me about Elle. I am so sorry. How are you coping?” Raven asked, with a concerned look on her face.

  Jack looked at her through sad eyes.

  “She was pregnant with my child when he killed her. Then I ended up leading this lot and what I wanted no longer counted!” Jack replied.

  Raven reached out and took his hand in hers.

  “You will get a chance, I promise!” Raven answered with a sigh.

  “He has Sarah, anyone else?” Jack asked.

  “Only Randy, they killed a lot more. I’m sorry I didn’t know who else to turn to for help! Only one I know that can help is you!” Raven said truthfully.

  Jack held her hand.

  “Let’s go and get her.” Jack stated.

  As they smiled at each other, the door to the caravan opened. Bray rushed in, still keeping a tight hold of his daughter.

  “Sweetheart, this is Jack, my best-friend, and my brother. He kept me alive and gave me hope!” Bray said, with a huge smile on his face.

  Jennifer smiled and threw her arms around Jack, saying, “Thank you! Thank you! For saving my dad!”

  Jack hugged her back, “My pleasure!”

  Bray looked at Raven. “Ray told me about you and about keeping my little girl safe!” Bray began to tear up. Raven stood up and hugged him.

  Bray and Jennifer began to leave.

  “Oh Jack! Hope!” Bray said as he left.

  “Well, let’s go and get our girl!” Jack told Raven.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  STAND

  “Who is going with you?” Ray asked.

  Jack stood packing his backpack, loading it with water and ammo.

  “Adam, Raven, and myself, it will be easier with small numbers.” Jack replied.

  Ray was angry. “Jack, you just met MacLeod’s sister, you know they are watching us. They’re gonna know you’re coming!”

  Jack picked up his bag; and walked over to Ray, placing his arm around him.

  “You saved me Ray; I’m not The Reaper anymore. I’m just going to get a friend and if I can avoid bloodshed, if I can find Pauline again, maybe we can make a deal.”

  Ray touched Jack’s face gently.

  “You’re a son to me, don’t die! Get Sarah and Randy and get back here!”

  Jack suddenly kissed Ray on the cheek.

  “GET OFF!!” Ray shouted.

  Jack smiled, “You’re in charge!”

  Leaving the caravan, Jack could see that Kat waited for him. “You’re leaving again?”

  “I have too, but not for long.” Jack replied.

  He moved in and kissed her on the forehead. He then walked towards Adam and Raven, when Jacob appeared beside him carrying a bag.

  “I thought I could smell something!” Jack laughed and said.

  “Yeah, your stinky feet!” Jacob smiled.

  “Good to see yer!” Jack replied.

  “You too, my friend!”

  Together they walked over to Raven and Adam.

  “Looks like this stupid bastard is joining us,” Jack joked.

  Jacob laughed. “Yeah, well, someone’s gotta save your ass!”

  They all climbed into the red car and drove through the open gates and disappeared down the road.

  Ryan walked with Ray.

  “We need to make a run, with all the extra people here we need more food, water and medical supplies,” Ryan told him.

  Looking around the now busy park, Ray could see Bray was making a fuss of Jennifer, never had Ray seen Bray smile so much. Zoe was helping Rain with the kids along with Zarina. Tony stood with a crowd still arguing about staying.

  “You know what, I’ll go. I need to get outta here for a while!” Ray replied.

  “I will come with you.” Ryan told Ray.

  “No, with Bray focusing all his attention on his daughter, I want you to stay here and be in charge while I’m gone.” Ray answered.

  “ME?” Ryan said in a shocked voice.

  “Yeah! Jack speaks highly of you. Maybe it’s time you start to believe in yourself!” Ray said firmly.

  “You can’t go alone,” Ryan replied with a concerned look on his face.

  At that moment Kat and Tommy appeared. “He won’t! We are going too!”

  Ray looked at his granddaughter. “I don’t think so!”

  “Come on, I need to get away from here.” Kat whined.

  Ray laughed and said, “OK, come on!”

  Ray, Tommy and Kat walked away towards a small white truck. Within moments they were gone, following after the red car. Ryan stood looking around, feeling out of his depth.

  “OK, you can do this!” he muttered to himself.

  He turned and walked back towards the others.

  A few miles away, in an abandoned church; a beautiful, tall, blonde woman was tied to a large heavy statue. Her head was bleeding; she struggled to open her eyes.

  “Sarah! Sarah!” a voice whispered.

  She managed to look around. Her sight was blurred, but managed to make out Randy next to her.

  “Randy!” she whispered back.

  He was badly beaten, his eye swollen shut, and his lips were spilt. His face was covered in dried blood, and he too was tied up. Sarah looked over at him, “What did they do to you?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Randy replied.

  The sounds of men talking echoed as the church doors opened. A large man walked in, wearing a large sword strapped to his back.

  “Our guests are awake!” he screamed.

  Five dirty-looking, leather-clad men all sat down in the pews, laughing at the prisoners tied up, in front of them.

  “Now, my beauty, you told me ‘The Reaper’ was your friend. Where is he?” MacLeod asked.

  “FUCK YOU!” Sarah screamed.

  MacLeod grabbed her blonde hair and punched her hard in the face; he wore a large gold ring that cut into her skin. Blood gushed out.

  “SHE WAS LYING!” Randy shouted. “She doesn’t know The Reaper.”

  Sarah’s vision was now obscured with blood from her wound.

  MacLeod walked slowly over to Randy.

  “She lied?” he asked.

  Randy nodded. “We heard about The Reaper from some other survivors we met. We don’t know him.”

  MacLeod stepped back.

  “Well, OK then! I guess we are finished. Sorry for the hassle, I guess we will be on our way!” He said, he then began to walk away.

  The five men sitting in the pews looked at their leader; all had smiles on their faces.

  “No!” Sarah struggled to speak.

  MacLeod swung round and rushed at Randy. “You think this is a fucking game?”

  He pulled a knuckleduster from his jacket pocket and placed it over his finger. With a mighty roar, he began punching Randy. Within moments Randy’s face collapsed, blood poured out, flesh and bone dropped to the ground. MacLeod punched so hard, for so long, that he began to punch straight through Randy’s skull and against the stone statue behind him.

  MacLeod stood back; his arm was covered in blood; looking at Sarah who had tears running down her face.

  “Next time, keep your mouth shut!” MacLeod told Sarah.

  Turning away he walked away, towards the church doors.

  “What about her?” one of his men asked.

  “Leave the doors open and let the fucking zombies have her!” MacLeod snarled.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  BLOOD FLOW

  The sun was setting over the caravan park; the place was active with life. Children played, people joked and laughed. Ryan had several people keeping guard around the perimeter.

  Ryan approached Eddie, over the last few weeks the pair had become close. He watched as Eddie played with Paige. She had a rough recovery after she was beaten in the school. Many people told Jack she would die, but he refused and made several runs for
medication. Ryan smiled thinking about Jack sleeping next to Paige all the time she was ill.

  Eddie laughed, he was happy. Jack made sure he was looked after too. For a disabled boy, he had so much life in him and Jack refused to have him treated differently by anyone. Ryan made it his purpose to keep an eye on him every time Jack was not around.

  “Eddie, over here!” Ryan called to him.

  With his usual happy smile and spring in his step, he rushed over to Ryan.

  “Hey Ryan! How are you today?”

  “I’m good. Look, Jack is away again and I thought you would like keep an eye on Paige for him, can you do that?”

  Eddie’s smile grew bigger. “YES!” Eddie shouted while pumping his fist in the air.

  Ryan stayed with Eddie a while longer.

  Zoe was walking around the perimeter, Zarina ran up behind her.

  “Want some company?”

  “Not really!” Zoe replied.

  “Oh, come on, you don’t seem yourself these days.” Zarina said with a concerned look.

  Zoe glared at Zarina. “I AM FINE!” She shouted.

  Almost immediately Zoe felt guilty for shouting at her.

  “I’m sorry; I just hate being stuck here like this. It’s like I have no other purpose.”

  Zarina moved in front of her, forcing Zoe to stop walking.

  “I miss Frank every day. I would have died too, if not for you and the others. You have a place, you have a meaning,” she said warmly to Zoe.

  Zoe gave a hint of a smile. “Just feels like I have been pushed to one side.”

  “Jack has his reasons; he knows how valuable you are. As much as I hate to admit it, he is a good leader.”

  Zoe shook her head.

  “Frank was a good leader too!” Zoe replied.

  Zarina smiled. “Come on, keep me company!”

  Together they walked away along the perimeter.

  With the night sky, above them, Tony had lit a large campfire. A young man played a guitar and everyone sang songs.

  Bray and Jennifer were still together, sitting on bench talking about what happened. He heard how Beth was bitten and told Jennifer to head for a local camp that was setup for survivors. He heard how Raven and Sarah found her and several others, saving them from the zombies.