by Damon Novak
Or a woman. It was the 21st century, after all. He would not have objected.
They would not have it. He was now Chief Climbing Fox Wattana of the Henomawi Tribe.
He felt no pride. He felt no sadness or joy. He merely accepted the title as the burden it was, with little hope of making a difference in any of their lives.
He stared at the book. It was time. So far, only Dancing Rain, Silver Bolt and Shining Eyes knew of his plan.
For it to work – if it had any chance at all – he must perform the ceremony before every member of his tribe. He could do nothing about those who had abandoned their home and families, but he did mandate that all who lived on the reservation be in attendance.
Ω
On that important night, with a silver, crescent moon hanging in the sky above them, the entire tribe gathered. No guards at the gate, no baby under the watchful eye of a sitter; all were present.
He wore his native dress; what the young people called a costume. They could not know that was an insult; it was ceremonial garb, worn only during momentous occasions when the spirits must look down on his people with great favor.
His headdress was worn from time, but still brightly colored. The sky above them blossomed with stars, the air cool enough for many in attendance to wear sweaters or wraps.
Some had brought lawn chairs, others blankets. As was typical, they arranged themselves in a large circle on the ceremonial field, where all such gatherings were held. A large bonfire was set up in the center, and Wattana stood between the unlit pyre and where the people of the Henomawi Tribe waited.
“I will not ask for proof that all are in attendance. Either what we do here tonight will work, or it will not. I believe it is our peoples’ last hope.”
He went to Dancing Rain and nodded. She held out the ancient text. He took it from her, bowed his head one time, and returned to stand before the crowd.
“This text was found in Chief Standing Rock’s home, hidden away beneath a floorboard. I have come to believe the reason it was hidden away is that it was a last resort for him; something to which he would turn if all other efforts to expand our reservation and give us a chance to survive failed.”
“Have they now failed, Mundunugu?” asked someone from the tribe.
“Is our time almost over?” another voice asked, almost sounding resigned to the fate of their people.
Ignoring their shouted questions, Wattana said, “This night will mark the beginning of a great battle. Things will be set in motion that will test our courage and resolve. I urge you all, do not be frightened, and understand that our people are the first people, and therefore should be the last people.”
Quiet murmurs came from the crowd. Wattana knew why; his words were cryptic, yet powerful, and left little doubt that if the coming ceremony was successful, their world could change forever.
He nodded his head and began. In response, Magi carried a lit torch over and touched it to the base of the huge stack of wood. The flames quickly traveled the circumference of the pyre, and soon licked at the night sky. As it grew, the light from the massive bonfire bathed the faces of those watching in a dancing, yellow-orange glow.
Wattana spoke, his voice rising over the crackling fire behind him: “On the first day, as on the last day, we, the Henomawi people stand proud and free ….”
Ω
CHAPTER ONE
Present Day
I awoke to the sounds of gentle water lappin’ up against the side of the Sea Ray and stretched out in my bed. Checking the battery-powered clock on the nightstand, I saw it was just 6:10 AM. Turns out I wake up around the same time no matter where I am, or how many zombies enter the equation.
Slidin’ the curtains aside, I looked out on Key West in the distance. I couldn’t see anything or anyone movin’ on shore, and I wished like hell we could just motor back over to the dock and go hang out at Margaritaville. Maybe do the Duval Crawl later on.
It struck me to wonder what rhymed with shuffle or shamble. Maybe there was a Cuffle or a Gamble street the zeds could play on, where they could get run over by a drunk in a golf cart or a scooter.
Eyes closed again, my mind turned to Lilly and Georgie. Then my thoughts immediately shifted to Roxy and her friend, Terry.
It was just a bit nerve-wrackin’, knowin’ I had four people relyin’ on me. If there were gonna be four people, it would suit me just fine if Clay and Tanner were in the mix. They didn’t deserve what they got. I didn’t deserve to be the sole survivin’ brother. I still wondered why.
You may wonder why I didn’t mention my Pa when I said that just now. The reason is, he wouldn’t want to live in a world like this one. I think he’s wanted to go home to Jesus and see Ma again since she checked out, so he’s truly in a better place.
I got up and pulled on my boxer shorts. I like to sleep in the nude no matter the situation; just can’t stand pajama pants bunchin’ up in my ass crack at night.
I pulled my jeans on and a fresh tee shirt, and walked to the door of the master cabin, pullin’ it open. The boat was quiet, except for the sound of the water and my footsteps.
There were two other sleepin’ berths; one was set up with bunks, which is where we put Roxy and Terry. The other was just a tad smaller than this one, but with a queen-sized bed. Lilly and Georgie took that one.
I’m tall, so they graciously let me have the king-sized bed.
I climbed the six steps to the bow and moved over to the side rail to take a piss. We hadn’t figured out how to get the head set up yet, and I didn’t need our waste sloshin’ around for the entire trip. Shower water was one thing. Black water was another.
Black water, I thought. I’d rather have it in a smelly tank than fallin’ from the sky. I unzipped my jeans and let it flow.
As my eyes scanned the shoreline, I saw a couple of fires burnin’, the smoke ebony and thick, tellin’ me nobody was even tryin’ to put ‘em out. Who knew how they started; somebody crashin’ a car into a house, an ember from somebody’s fire catchin’ the buildin’ they were hidin’ in.
I was just tuckin’ away when I heard soft footsteps and a voice behind me.
“I didn’t think that was the bilge,” said Georgie. “You presentable?”
I laughed, and the sound was foreign to me; it’d been a while, it felt like.
“Yep, all stowed and ready for next time. How’d you sleep?”
“Sleep?” she said, smilin’. “I passed out.”
“The zombie apocalypse’ll do that to ya.”
She stared at the city, her eyes tired. “I put coffee on. They have a bunch.”
“I saw,” I said. “It’s a Keurig, right?”
She covered her mouth as she yawned and said, “Yes, which means it’s done. Ready for a cup?”
“I’m ready to plot our course. This ain’t the kinda boatin’ I’m used to. You ever?”
“Only with someone else driving,” she said. “Cole?”
I turned. “Yeah?”
“I can’t even tell you how grateful I am you came to get Roxy and Terry. I know you lost your brothers and your father, but thank you for not shutting down and … well, if you were someone else, you might’ve made a different decision.”
I looked at her. She looked like she’d just gotten out of the shower; her hair was wet, hanging down and soakin’ into the shoulders of her white top. She had on beige capris and white, canvas shoes.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was just up and ready for a day on the water. Maybe a Bloody Mary first.
“Georgie, you let strangers into your house that day. I know you’re a doctor, but you didn’t need to put yourself at risk and let us in. So, it’s me who owes you. Lilly, too. If you hadn’t done what you did, Tanner or Clay might’ve eventually killed me.”
She shook her head and took my hand. “I would never have turned you away. And now, I want you to promise me something.”
“Name it.”
“Stay with us. Please. I’
ll do whatever I can, and I’ll make sure Roxy and Terry pull their weight. You and Lilly are the only two I can imagine going through this with. Meeting you was like getting straight 7s on a slot machine.”
“Gamble much?” I smiled.
She smiled back and shook her head, her wet hair bouncing against her neck. “Oh, you have no idea how many weekends I spent cleaning up at the Indian casino in Immokalee. But that’s neither here nor there. You’re the bonus. Our jackpot. I’m just begging you not to be fool’s gold. Be the real thing for us, Cole.”
“I tell ya, I’m as real as that coffee that’s gettin’ cold,” I said, pullin’ her by her hand to the galley. I smelled the brew immediately.
“How do you like it?” she asked, lettin’ go of my hand and going to the machine.
I felt brief disappointment at the absence of her fingers squeezin’ mine. “Black, light sugar,” I said.
She pulled out the old pod, put in the new one, and started a second cup. She doctored mine and carried it over. “Here. Let me know if I need to add anything.”
“I’m thinkin’ we need to hug the shoreline in case anything goes wrong. Definitely want to stay out of any shippin’ lanes if we can figure out where they are.”
“Why?”
“Unmanned ships that size? They plow into us, we’re finished.”
“Good point,” she said. “What about fuel and necessities?”
“Checked out the food supply. Only non-perishables on the boat. Macaroni and cheese, canned soups and stuff. Plus what we brought. We’ll have to stop eventually, but we can probably go a couple days.”
“Maybe we’ll find a boat adrift or something,” she said. “Get some more food there.”
“As long as nobody’s on board,” I said. “I’d really like to avoid runnin’ headlong into anymore of those dead things. They scare the fuck outta me, if I’m bein’ honest.”
I was sitting at a soft-edged table shaped like a kidney, with bench seats curving all around it. Georgie carried her black coffee over to where I sat and slid into the bench seat across from me. She drank deeply from her steaming mug and put it in front of her.
“I can almost believe none of this happened if I close my eyes.”
“You’ll wanna keep ‘em open these days,” I said. “That said, I think a boat’s the way to go. With those things out there, deep water all around you is the only way to have true peace of mind.”
Georgie stared at me, her face morphin’ into concern.
“What is it?” I asked her.
“Us.”
“Us?”
“All of us.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial tone. “Cole, how sure are you that none of us can still – I don’t know – change into them? In the middle of the night, then just get up and kill everyone else in their sleep?”
“Shit, like I needed to start worryin’ about that!” I was frustrated. She was right, but damn. I didn’t need to even consider that.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I guess in the abstract, I’m just worried about Terry.”
I knew what she meant. She knew her daughter, Roxy. She had no doubt gone over her inch-by-inch and knew she didn’t have any bites or scratches from those monsters out there.
None of us really felt good about havin’ a young man strip for us – particularly me – and givin’ him a good once-over. I supposed I needed to, just to set our minds at ease.
“You already check out Roxy?”
“100% clean,” she said, smiling. “You knew I’d do that, huh?”
“You’re a doctor, number one, and a mother, too. No doubt in my mind you’d examine your daughter.”
She slapped her hand on the table. “I don’t know what I was thinking. Yes, I’m a doctor.”
I stared at her. “And this comes as a surprise, why?”
She shook her head. “It’s just that I don’t think in those terms. Normally, patients are dressed or have already been prepped by our nursing staff before I perform surgery. I rarely examine grown, nude men, at least when they’re awake. But Terry’s gay, I’m a woman and I am a doctor.”
“Match made in heaven?” I asked, still not sure what she was talkin’ about. “You figure that out, or did he tell you?”
“Roxy told me when I was looking her over. She’s funny. She said of all the guys to be stranded with, she picked the one she couldn’t even have sex with.”
“TMI, Georgie. So, I’m off the hook, is what you’re sayin’.”
“I know. I’m babbling. Anyway, yes, I was originally thinking it would be better for you to examine Terry, but he’d likely be more comfortable in front of me than you.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, that’s settled. Tell you what. If he’s infected, I’ll hoist him up and toss him overboard. That can be my contribution.”
Georgie just stared at me, mouth open.
“Not because he’s goddamned gay! Because he’ll be a zombie!” I shook my head.
Georgie patted my hand and smiled. “I was just messing with you. Still, to be humane, you might be better to just have him look at the pretty water and put a bullet in the back of his skull.”
“Mom?” said a voice.
We both jerked our heads toward the door. Roxy stood there, her face aghast. “Put a bullet in whose skull?” she asked.
“Terry’s,” I said, then took a sip of my coffee.
Georgie spit coffee through her nose, and Roxy stormed toward the table, her eyes blazing anger. “What?”
I laughed. “I’m kiddin’, Roxy. We were just sayin’ the doc here needs to check out your friend. Make sure he didn’t get touched by those zombies out there.”
“He didn’t.”
Georgie looked at her daughter. “He’s worn long sleeves since we found you two. That doesn’t strike you as –”
“He always wears long sleeves!” she said. “He has psoriasis on his elbows, and he’s embarrassed by it.”
Georgie held up her hands. “He needs to be checked out, just like you. Send him to me when he gets up and we’ll do it in the big bathroom. Get it over with so we know we don’t have to murderize him.”
Roxy slapped her mother on the arm and laughed, despite herself. “Murderize?”
“Let me,” I said, smilin’ at Georgie. “It’s a Three Stooges reference. One of ‘em was always gonna murderize one of the others.”
“I wish they would’ve murderized each other,” said Roxy. “My mom tortured me with their dumb movies when I was growing up.”
I stood. “Careful what you say about my Stooges or I’ll give you the old triple slap or a double eye-poke. Anyway, you guys hang out and have your coffee. See what you can find in the way of breakfast, and I’ll check everything out and make sure we’re good to cast off. If we’re ever makin’ it to Lebanon, we need to get movin’.”
“Lebanon?” asked Roxy, her face contorted. “Why on earth would we go to the Middle East?”
Georgie laughed, and I shook my head. “We’re not going to the Middle East, but when you find out where we are going, you might feel the same.”
“You said Lebanon,” said Roxy, lookin’ back and forth between us.
“Lebanon, Kansas,” I said. “The land of 7-night-a-week bingo and parties where the only booze is in flasks in the attendees’ back pockets.”
“Careful, Rox,” said Georgie. “Your face might stay that way if you hold it too long.”
The look tweaked but didn’t go away.
Ω
By the time I figured out the valves and connectors for the black water and went over the entire boat for anything else I’d need, I had a manual and two sets of keys that were both in the same bag. Luckily, I hadn’t destroyed the ignition switch when I hotwired it, so we were now good to start and stop at will.
To be honest, I was relieved, because I was scared of fryin’ somethin’ when I was crossin’ the wires. I’m good, but I’m still human.
Turns out the almost-yacht
was indeed a 40-footer. It was a Sea Ray 400 Fly, to be specific, which meant that it had a flying bridge where you could drive the boat from on top, rather than from the main cabin, where the galley and dining areas were. In weather, the inside helm would be the obvious choice, but on a nice, sunny day, or when you wanted excellent visibility due to a zombie apocalypse, the flybridge was the best option.
When I was all done, I went back into the galley and the attached dining area. Everyone was kicked back, and Terry was flippin’ through television channels.
“Gettin’ anything?” I asked.
He looked over. “No, just black, with the channel number.”
I walked over to it. Behind the 50-inch TV was a plate on the wall. It said SATELLITE. The switch was in the off position. I flipped it up. “There. Try now.”
On about the fourth channel change, he was on 143 when we heard a blip of a voice.
“Stop!” I said. “Hear that?”
He’d already flipped to 144. “Go back,” I said. “One.”
The number changed, and I heard, “… ode … our way … zombie … dogs.”
“Zombie dogs?” asked Terry.
“We missed somethin’ in between those two words, I’m sure. Listen.”
We did, but apparently the broadcast was over.
“This may sound crazy but did that voice sound like that Micky Rode guy?” asked Georgie.
“I know Micky Rode!” said Roxy. “Well, sort of. He came to our school once. Talked about radio, or broadcasting or something.”
“Seriously?” asked Georgie. “To your college?”
“No, way longer ago than that. High school. I was like, a junior.”
“Did you meet him?” I asked. “Would he remember you?”
Nokosi trotted through the door and ran directly to Lilly, sitting beside her as she stood leaning on the counter.
“Nah, I wasn’t near this hot then,” said Roxy. “I’m sure he didn’t even see me.”
“Sexy confidence,” said Terry, giving Roxy a slap on her arm.