“Oh, we can hold our own. We’ve been doing that for almost a year now,” Liz reassured him. “Cat saved those two kids over there and found this place on her own. Likewise with Jonathan, Ryan, and Kerry, not to mention five-year-old Lucy who survived a whole night in a shop with two zombies. One of them was her own mother.”
“Then it’s settled,” Logan said to the sound of Nadia and Cat’s cheers.
After lunch, they all trooped over to the bus where Jonathan had just finished installing the new battery. With their collective breath held, Liz got in and started the ignition. It roared to life.
“Yes, it works,” she cried.
“I told you it would,” Jonathan crowed.
“When do you want to leave?” Logan asked.
“Tomorrow morning?” Liz asked.
“I guess we could wait until then,” Logan replied, but he was interrupted by the sound of a motorbike revving its engine into the red. “What’s that?”
“That’s Ryan,” Dee replied before running toward the gate. She opened it, and the bike spun inside with a spray of dirt and rocks.
A boy jumped off, tearing the helmet off his head. “Liz, they’re coming.”
“What? So soon?” Liz grew pale underneath her ruddy tan.
“They’ll be here within the hour. Something must have drawn them back,” Ryan said.
“Damn, that changes everything.”
“Who are they?” Logan asked.
“Zombies. We lured them away yesterday to give us breathing room. Usually, it takes them a few days to circle back. Even this morning we made sure to draw off any stragglers in the area.”
“And now they’re back?” Logan asked.
“Yeah, after Cat and I drew off the remnants, I decided to do a last patrol. That’s when I spotted the horde coming back this way,” Ryan said, his face pale.
“How many?”
“Dozens, maybe hundreds,” he said. “Too many to fight.”
“Well, I guess you have no choice,” Logan said.
“Choice?” Liz asked.
“You’ll have to leave now. Follow me back to my place,” he said.
Liz hesitated. “Are you sure your people will take us in? That we’ll be safe?”
“I’m sure, besides, what other option do you have?” Logan asked.
“He’s got a point, guys. Are you in? What do you say?” Liz asked the assembled kids and teens. One by one their hands raised in the air, and an agreement was reached.
“We’ll go.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s give it a shot.”
“Might as well.”
“Do they have cookies?” Lucy asked.
The rest laughed, the tension was broken, and Logan helped them load up the last of their things before leading the way back to the camp. Just in time too. As they drove away, the first undead figure shambled across the horizon in a slow march of death, followed by more and more.
Chapter 11 - Breytenbach
For Breytenbach, it was turning out to be an eventful day. Or rather, a trying one. Not only had Michelle woken him up before dawn with a real murder mystery regarding a bunch of dead chickens, but that afternoon, Julianne came running to him in a panic.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, taking in her flustered appearance.
“Logan just showed up. He went out on a raid with Nadia,” she said.
“Did something happen?” Breytenbach asked, worry filling his breast.
“You could say that. He brought back a school bus filled with kids.” Julianne put one hand to her forehead and paced up and down with restless energy. “Kids, Christo!”
“Really?” Breytenbach repeated. “As in, a whole bus load of children?”
“The bus wasn’t full, and technically, it’s a mixture of kids and teens. There’s a woman with them too.”
“A woman,” Breytenbach said. “Just the one?”
Julianne glared at him. “Focus, Christo.”
He shook his head. “I’m trying, but you’re not making a whole lot of sense.”
She tossed her hands in the air and resumed her pacing. “The upshot of it is, I’ve now got a dozen extra mouths to feed, clothe, and house.” Julianne stared at him, and when he didn’t respond, cried, “What am I going to do?”
“You’ll figure it out, my love. You always do.”
“Really?” She blinked a few times. “That’s all you’ve got?”
He sighed and closed the distance between them, cupping the sides of her face with gentle hands. “Look, I’m sorry, but I’ve got faith in you. You’re strong and capable. I’m sure you’ll sort it out.”
Julianne let loose something between a snort and a laugh. “If that isn’t the most manipulative move I’ve ever seen, then I don’t know.”
Breytenbach’s lips twisted in a rueful grin. “Sorry.”
She sighed. “Stop apologizing. Besides, you’re right. I can handle this.”
“I’m right?” he said, arching an eyebrow. “Really?”
She flashed him a look. “Don’t push your luck.”
He raised his hands. “Don’t worry. I’m not about to poke the slumbering bear.”
“Good.” She turned to leave. “I’ll see you later.”
He watched her leave before turning his attention back to the task at hand: Questioning people. He’d already spoken to Michelle, Nombali, Hannah, and most of the kids. No one had anything new to add to the dead chicken saga. Next up, Ruby.
He found her in the vegetable plots, weeding the plants, and called her aside. “Can I talk to you for a second, please?”
“Yes, Captain.” She ducked her head and waited for his next question, as shy as ever. A hank of reddish brown hair hung across her face, obscuring her eyes.
“Do you know anything about this morning’s event?” he asked.
“You mean the chickens?”
“Yes, I assume you’ve heard about it.”
“I did. It’s terrible. Who’d do something like that?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” He stared at her, but couldn’t meet her gaze. “So you don’t know anything? You didn’t see or hear something, perhaps?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. I wish I could.”
“Okay, thank you, Ruby. One last thing, where were you last night? I’m just checking, understand? I’m not accusing you of anything.”
“I was sleeping.”
“The whole night? You didn’t take a walk or anything?”
“No, I went to bed around eight and slept through until this morning.” She scuffed a toe in the dirt, still refusing to look him in the eyes.
“You share a room with Nadia and Donya, right?”
She nodded.
“So I can ask them if I wanted to confirm that?”
She nodded again, and for the first time, raised her gaze to meet his. “Am I in trouble, Captain?”
“No, you’re not. This is all routine,” he said, though he found her expression strangely guarded.
“Okay,” she said. Again, she dropped her head, adopting her previous demeanor while plucking at the bandage on her thumb.
“All right, thanks for answering, Ruby.”
“Goodbye, Captain.”
Breytenbach walked away with a thoughtful frown which smoothed away as soon as he found the next person he wanted. “Hi, Lonny. I’d like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind?”
“Sure, Captain,” Lonny replied, turning away from the bushes he was trimming with a pair of hedge clippers. “Have you spoken to my sister yet?”
Breytenbach shook his head. “Not yet. I’ll catch her around supper time. Why?”
“Just asking,” Lonny replied with a disarming grin.
Breytenbach eyed the smiling boy before going through his list of questions again. Did he know anything about the chickens? Did he see or hear anything? Anything at all? The answers were all negative.
“Were you in bed a
ll of last night?” Breytenbach asked toward the end.
“Yes,” Lonny said.
“Can I ask Peter and Thembiso to confirm that?”
Lonny hesitated.
“Lonny?”
“I…actually, I snuck out around eleven, but it wasn’t for the chickens, I swear!” Lonny said.
“Why did you then?” Breytenbach asked with his friendliest manner. “Remember, I’m not here to catch you out, I just want the truth.”
“I went out to meet my sister.”
“Ruby?”
“Yeah, she has trouble sleeping sometimes, so I keep her company until she gets tired.”
“And that’s what you did last night?”
Lonny nodded vigorously. “Yes, we sat and spoke for a while. When she was ready to go to bed, I walked back to her room with her.”
“Then what did you do?”
“I went back to my own place and slept.”
“You’re a hundred percent sure? No more secrets?”
Lonny shook his head. “No more secrets, Captain.”
“What about the key to the chicken coop?” he asked, remembering what Michelle had mentioned.
“Key? I don’t have the key, Sir.”
“And you didn’t take it from Miss Michelle?”
Lonny shook his face, cheeks reddening. “Of course not! I’d never do that!”
“Okay, thanks. I appreciate your help,” Breytenbach said, giving the boy a reassuring smile.
As he walked away, he considered Lonny and Ruby’s conflicting stories. He was certain Lonny would tell his sister to echo his version of events, not realizing that Breytenbach had already spoken to her. What would they do once they realized he knew one of them was lying?
The real question was, why lie? What were they hiding? Something was up with those two, but killing chickens? Would they go that far? Either of them? He shook his head. Guess, I’ll have to wait and see.
Done for the moment with his investigation, he went off in search of Max. He wanted to tell him about the chickens and also touch base regarding their current situation.
He found Max standing next to a hole in the ground holding an overexcited Buzz and Princess at bay with the help of Peter and Thembiso. He looked up as Breytenbach approached, and relief filled his face. “I’m glad you’re here, Captain.”
“What’s going on?” Breytenbach asked though he had the sneaking suspicion he already knew the answer.
“Peter and Thembiso just called me, telling me that the dogs had found something weird buried in the yard. I was afraid it might be harmful, so I came running.”
“And what was it?” Breytenbach asked.
“Chicken heads. A whole bag full of chicken heads.” Max shook his head. “Why would there be chicken heads buried in our camp, Captain?”
“Well…I might have the answer to that,” Breytenbach said.
“Do tell. I’m all ears,” Max said.
“Come with me, and I’ll fill you in.”
They left Peter and Thembiso with strict instructions to burn the rotting heads and fill up the hole. As they walked away, Breytenbach told Max everything he’d learned so far, including Lonny and Ruby’s lies.
“Do you think one of them is the killer?” Max asked.
“I don’t know. I can’t imagine why they’d want to get rid of the chickens. Why anyone would.”
“Mm, it’s a mystery,” Max agreed. “But it also puts us in a spot. Those chickens were all we had. Getting a new flock will be next to impossible. Whoever did this screwed us over badly.”
“I know,” Breytenbach nodded.
“And now with all these kids showing up, we’ve got even more mouths to feed. Not that I’m sorry Logan found them, it just creates a bigger problem for us,” Max continued.
“I hear you. Talking of which, there’s the man now,” Breytenbach said, spotting Logan in conversation with Martin. He waved them over, and the four converged in a secluded spot.
“Fill them in on the chicken thing, please, Captain,” Max asked, waving a hand. He looked as tired as they all felt.
Breytenbach obliged, ending off with the Lonny and Ruby mystery.
“Well, at least we know for sure none of the new arrivals are the chicken killers,” Logan said.
“Yes, I can rule them out, at least,” Breytenbach said.
“It’s a setback, though,” Martin said. “Losing your flock. Plus you might have a possible psycho on your hands.”
“Yes, and the new arrivals will put added pressure on us all,” Max said. “No offense, Logan.”
“None taken,” Logan replied with a shrug. “I realized that when I brought them here, but their position was untenable.”
“How so?” Max asked.
“What Dr. Lange said. The undead are becoming both tougher and more active. Droves of the things were stumbling upon their hideout almost daily, and they were running out of the means to defend the place.”
“Can they fight?” Breytenbach asked.
“Most of them, yes. The rest are too young. How they survived for this long, I don’t know. It’s a testament to their will to live, I guess.”
“We could use more fighters,” Max said.
“You’ll need them if what Dr. Lange says is true,” Martin said. “Max…I’ve been thinking. Wouldn’t it be better if you all joined me at my base? It’s far more secure than yours.”
“I don’t know, Martin. A move of such a magnitude will be dangerous. Is it worth the risk? Will the people even agree to it?”
“That’s up to you and yours, Max. The offer stands.”
“Thanks, Martin. You’re a real friend.”
“Don’t think about it too long, though. I can’t stay here forever,” Martin said as he took his leave. “Talk it over, and let me know.”
“Will do,” Max replied.
Once Martin was gone, Breytenbach said, “It’s a good offer, Max. If his place is as safe as he says, we should consider it.”
“I know, but the risk of moving so many people through unfamiliar territory could well outweigh the benefits.” Max ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I just don’t know what’s the right decision.”
“Put it on the table and hear what people say,” Logan said. “You heard Dr. Lange, Lisa, all of them. We’re in real trouble here.”
“Maybe you’re right, but let’s give it a day or two and see how Joseph fares with the reinforcements. Ronnie should be back with supplies any moment too.”
“Your call, Max,” Breytenbach said.
“God, I wish it wasn’t,” Max muttered as he walked away.
Breytenbach turned to Logan. “I feel for him. Command is never easy, and on his shoulders lies the responsibility for all our safety.”
“I know. That’s why I never wanted the job.” Logan shook his head. “Try to convince him, Captain. He’ll listen to you.”
“I’ll give it a shot.”
With that said, they parted ways, and Breytenbach continued on his rounds, helping out wherever he was needed. The repairs were coming along but still looked paltry to his eyes. Especially considering what was out there, waiting to devour them. Martin and Logan are right. We need to move.
That night, he sat down to supper in a corner where he could watch Ruby and Lonny eating at their table. They both avoided his gaze, ducking their heads whenever they glimpsed him. Their complexions were pale and worried, affording him a certain grim amusement. One of them will spill the beans soon enough. I just need to keep the pressure on.
True to her word, Julianne had managed to house all the new arrivals, and they were now clustered around a big table, eating their dinner. They all wore uniform expressions, watchful and guarded. He didn’t blame them. He’d felt the same way when he first arrived.
There was only one grown-up among them. A woman named Liz. She looked tough, and the way she carried her gun spoke of years of experience. She guarded her charges with a fierce expression, and he got the feeling she
was more dangerous than a herd of elephants.
Julianne joined him at that moment, and he filled her in on the day’s events. As he spoke, he felt exhaustion seeping into his joints, and soon, the only dreams he harbored were those of a hot bath and warm bed.
“Please tell me it’s my turn to bath today,” he asked in tones close to begging.
Julianne eyed him with sympathy. “No, it’s not, but I can do a rub down with a warm cloth, and if you ask nicely, a shoulder massage.”
“I’m asking nicely,” he said, fluttering his eyelashes in a ridiculous manner.
She laughed. “Okay, massage granted.”
He sighed. “Thanks.”
“You really had a tough day, didn’t you?” she asked. “Chasing a chicken killer, crazy kids, and everything else on top.”
“Yeah, it was rough, but nothing compared to yours, I’d bet.” He nodded at the new arrivals. “Where in hell’s name did you fit them all in?”
“It wasn’t easy, but some of the older teens were willing to share with our own, so I managed to squeeze a bunch in like that. The rest are all staying in the last open bungalow we had. It’s not big, only two bedrooms, but they don’t seem to mind too much.”
“That’s good.”
“At least, they brought their own clothes, bedding, toiletries, and even a busload of food. It’ll stretch our stores by a month or so.”
“That’s a relief. I know Max was seriously worried about it,” Breytenbach said. He thought for a moment of mentioning their other concerns regarding moving but decided to let it lie for the time being. Now’s not the time. Let Max make a decision first.
“That woman, Liz, seems very capable,” Julianne continued. “So does her daughter Danielle, and a few of the others. Mainly Cat, Dee, Aiden, and Vera. The other two boys I’m not sure of. The one, Jonathan, seems rather cocky, and his friend a bit on the shy side. The girl with the glasses, Nicky, doesn’t look like a fighter either, and the rest are too young, of course.”
Breytenbach listened as she spoke, but absorbed very little, if truth be told. He was just too tired. A fact Julianne soon noticed. She nudged him on the arm. “Off to bed with you before you fall asleep in your food, Christo.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled, pushing his plate away. “I’ll see you in a bit?”
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