“HA! I love your sense of humor.”
He then pointed to a tiny drop on the frozen waterfall, very near the bottom.
“You see that drop there? Right there! That is Earth.”
“I think I'm hallucinating. Planet Earth is in a waterfall?”
“Actually, it would be most accurate to say you are looking at a type of chart of all the known planets in our existence. Not to scale of course.” He said this matter-of-factly.
“Now, let's get a little closer.” As he said it, the “waterfall” seemed to magnify so the Earth was about the size of a marble among an untold number of similar marbles. Marty noticed he was moving his fingers over a very faint ghost keypad, manipulating the waterfall.
“Ah, there we go. Now, do you notice anything unusual about your planet?”
Marty looked at the multitude of planets, falling to distraction at the beauty and wonder of it all. Some looked very much like Earth, verdant and cloud-filled. Others were desert worlds. Some appeared to be gas worlds, shown with slightly larger size marbles. Looking up, the planets seemed to stretch to infinity. But most—not all—of the planets had a bright light around them; an artificial background glow which seemed to make them pop out from the waterfall itself.
“The Earth doesn't have that white glow behind it. Many of the others do.”
“Most excellent! Yes. Yes. That glow represents many wonderful things. The underpinning science would take me a human lifetime to explain with mathematics—and perhaps some philosophy.”
“Oh dear. I don't have that much time left in my life.”
“Au contraire my Martinette. You are just now reaching an age where you can appreciate what I'm about to tell you. A younger person doesn't have the maturity to reach this place at all. That maturity is what makes you so special.”
“Is that a polite way of saying I'm an old and worn out woman? That's what I feel like when I come here.”
“No! Not at all. I wish I had more time with you, but demands have been placed on both of us. Your attention is needed out on the bridge. I have a whole universe to manage, so-to-speak.”
As he said it he used his ghost keypad and seemed to swipe the waterfall away and replace it with an overhead view of herself lying on the bridge, surrounded by Liam and a distraught Victoria. Panning out, the scene showed the police on one side of the bridge, armed but not shooting, and the infected attacking en masse toward the survivors of the train on the other side of the railroad bridge.
“You have much to do. The first baby step you must take is to carry a tool with you out into the world. That aid will help you get off this bridge. Your next steps must be to establish a connection with the two most important people in your life. I'm impressed how fast you developed the link with Liam—the green car on the bridge was his memory, probably from one of his books by the looks of it. And the last cosmic leap you will take is establishing the light behind your planet on the waterfall I showed you.”
“I want to believe I'm important to whatever,” she looked around her, “this incredible place is, but you can see what's going to happen just as I can. There is no way, short of a miracle, I'm going to survive the day.”
Al just smiled. “My dearest Martinette, have I got a surprise for you. I'm not only going to get you across that bridge, but I'm going to change the course of your entire life in the process.”
“You are talking in riddles. What exactly is the tool you're going to give me?”
“A message.”
He whispered something in her ear.
Then he whispered it again.
“Your planet's future depends on your ability to remember this information.”
He gave her a tooth-filled smile, and winked exactly as she would have done.
No pressure.
2
Grandma began to cough.
Liam and Victoria screamed in unison.
“She's still alive!”
Their tears continued to fall, but the emotions had completely changed.
Grandma was trying to say something.
They gave her some room.
Her first words were, “Call out for Beth Ramos. Call loud.”
Liam heard her request and did as she instructed. He spent no time asking questions. He would have done anything she asked of him just then.
“Beth Ramos! Looking for Beth Ramos!”
Grandma whispered again, “Louder.”
“Where is Beth Ramos!!!” He yelled as loud as he was able into the din of the chaos. He was facing the group from the train, assuming Beth was one of the women she'd been talking to back on the flatcar.
Instead, the lead officer of the police blocking the bridge walked the remaining distance to where Grandma was lying. Another officer from the vanguard ran up to be by his side.
Liam spun around to face them. Victoria turned as well.
“What are you doing sarge? You can't mingle with them. You might get sick.”
“She is calling out for Beth Ramos.”
The other officer could only say, “You're kidding me.”
“Who is looking for Beth Ramos? Why do you want her?”
Grandma was very weak, so the man had to take a knee to hear her over the volume of gunfire in the battle nearby. Liam thought the noise fell to a dull roar as they formed a tighter ring around her.
He and Victoria were still holding her as Grandma began her story.
“I don't know what this means, but I was told to ask for Beth Ramos and then give a message to the person who answered the call. I guess that's you?”
The officer shook his head, though he seemed distant.
“Well the message I'm supposed to give you makes no sense to me, but maybe it will to you. 'Darcy and Jokie Bunny want you to save these people'.”
“What? How?”
The forty-something-year-old officer began to cry.
Liam's head was spinning.
What the hell just happened?
The second officer put his hand on the shoulder of his sergeant, and spoke for him.
“Beth was Phil's wife. Darcy was his daughter. Jokie Bunny—I don't know.”
“Jokie Bunny was Darcy's lovey. No one could possible know about that rabbit. That little doll slept with Darcy every night, but was never allowed out of her bed because we didn't want it to get lost. We figured she couldn't live without it. But we did let her take it out one time. She went with Darcy when my wife took her to stay overnight at a friend's house. It was the first time we let her sleep away from home. My girls never made it.” He was able to get that much out, then was reduced to tears again.
The other officer continued.
“Phil's wife and daughter were killed this past winter. Traffic accident. We all went to the funeral in support. Is that how you knew their names?”
“I was told by,” she took a deep breath as she spoke, “what I believe was an angel.”
Phil stared at Grandma for several long moments. Perhaps deciding if she was crazy. But he was quick to act once the decision came to him.
“Ben, bring up the men. We are going to fight at the front of this group. Let's bring them across. To the hell with orders. We can't let these people die while we watch and do nothing.”
“You got it boss.”
Ben ran back to his mates and began rounding them up.
Phil jumped on his radio and also instructed those on the far shore. He called out certain leaders, requested certain weapons, and finished with “—and enact our plan Badrovik as soon as we're all across. Out.” Liam could see Badrovik was written in huge letters on the crane holding the wrecking ball.
Phil stood up, brushed the tears from his eyes and simply said, “Get your grandma across the bridge. I'd like to talk to her when we're all safe on the other side. If my wife and daughter—however it's possible—want me to let you guys across, by God you are going to own this bridge.”
Ben's group arrived, ready for the evacuation effort. As they reached Phil
, Liam heard him yell, “OK guys, let's spray those sickos with a lead shower—Go! Go! Go!” He then took off with them into the crowd of people clumped on the dangerous side of the bridge. Cheers went up with the survivors when they realized what was happening.
The police began funneling the survivors over the bridge, putting themselves nearest the fighting to fend off the blood-slick attackers as they continued to swarm toward the officers and remaining armed men from the train. With more law enforcement joining the defense, it was much more certain they could hold off the zombies while the other survivors made their way to safety, led by Grandma and her helpers.
The police then began retreating across the bridge, expending ammo at a horrible rate. They were experts at the head shot—the only shot that seemed to down the infection instantly. Of course any good student of zombie literature knows that. These guys didn't disappoint.
Liam stood with Grandma and Victoria off to the side of the bridge so they could observe the whole scene. They were happy to see the organized police line was able to fall back in good order, ensuring no more loss of life. As each rank of officers crossed to the near side they fanned out to cover their brothers and sisters still out on the span. It was a thing of beauty.
As the last of the unit reached the near shore the large crane came to life and moved the giant wrecking ball first backward a great distance, and then forward, then backward again.
The last of the men reached safety. The bridge itself was crammed full of the undead. Some were slipping off the sides as their numbers swelled. Those closest to the police line standing on the near shore were suffering grievous losses at the expert hands of the defenders. The crush of infected funneling onto the narrow railway bridge evened the odds, much as the Greeks had done at Thermopylae. These were not flesh and blood Persians however, and the infected continued to swarm—undeterred at any losses, willing to climb over piles of their peers collecting on the near end of the bridge decking. Liam saw an endless procession of zombies on the far side now arriving. There wasn't enough ammo here to kill them all.
The wrecking ball slammed into the side of the railroad bridge, directly over the concrete support pier sticking up from the muddy water below. The first hit knocked many of the zombies over the side, while ripping up a good portion of the bridge decking and rails. The second hit sheared off the rest of the top decking, and left a gaping hole where scores of the mindless horde tumbled in. The final few blows hit the main pier on the near shore and the middle of the bridge tipped into the water. It was ugly, but it worked.
The remaining zombies were visibly agitated at being denied the most direct route to their victims, but Liam felt he spoke for everyone when he silently gave them all the finger. Victoria, seeing what he was doing, reciprocated. That small act of defiance made him feel much better.
A few zombies still standing on the shortened near piece of bridge were quickly eliminated, along with a handful in the mud down below the bridge. Some continued to pour off the end of the blown bridge, but were swept downstream or sank to the bottom. The rest seemed to know the battle was ending, and they turned around to look for easier pickings.
The sound of gunfire died down. Dust and debris floated everywhere. The remains of the bridge were sitting in the stream below. Rather than sink below the surface, much of it was sticking out of the rushing water. The current moving through the debris made a metallic howl as it resonated on some of the hollow girders wrapped around the pier below. It didn't quite drown out the sounds of moaning—and screams—coming from the remnants of humanity on the far side of the river.
Liam took the opportunity to speak to his two lady friends.
“I say we take a five minute break.”
“That sounds heavenly.”
Then Grandma said, “I need to sit down again.”
They placed her on the ground up against the trunk of a large sycamore tree, then each took a seat flanking her. Liam saw she had dug out her Rosary and was holding it tightly to her chest, much as she had when he first saw her in her bed several days ago. Was she near the end again?
Liam didn't have long to reflect on the question, as Phil joined them to speak with Grandma.
Liam stood up.
“Phil this is Marty, my grandmother.”
“Do you mind if I sit down and talk to your Grandma alone for a few minutes?”
“Grandma, you OK with that?”
She gave him a silent thumbs up sign.
Victoria got up to join Liam and the pair walked off, away from the bridge.
Liam used the opportunity to look back in the direction they'd come. Here and there living people were coming out of hiding, trying to swim across the small river, trailed by zombies who sank to the bottom as they entered the water. Most swimmers made it. Some were unlucky and were snatched from below. All things considered, it was about as hospitable as the moon on the far bank.
I'm never going to St. Louis again.
3
Liam walked side-by-side with Victoria further down the railroad tracks, out of the immediate vicinity of all the police men and women still around the bridge. It gave them some time to talk in peace. The survivor instinct was well instilled in both of them as they walked in the open they each noticed the other with their hands on their guns.
“I guess we're veteran survivors now. Tending our weapons like our lives depend on them huh?”
Liam guessed she was right, although he still didn't feel like a survivor. More like a lottery winner after seeing all the people who didn't make it. Where did that huge crowd at the Arch end up? He couldn't even guess.
“So, what's next partner?” She had a broad smile as she said it.
Liam gave her an exaggerated look from her feet up to her head. He then shook his head at her.
“Nope. You aren't the same girl I found lying on the grass. You've gotten over your guilt and have gone out of your way repeatedly to save me, Grandma, and who knows how many others. I think you've made up for any shortcomings you may have imagined for yourself when this whole plague-thing started.”
Victoria winced at the word guilt, but was quick to respond, “And you aren't the awkward boy who ran me over and practically hid behind your Grandma. I've seen you do some amazing things the last couple days that would have made most guys piss their own pants in fear.”
“Well it may surprise you to know that one thing that still makes me whiz in my drawers is asking a pretty girl out on a date.”
She gave him a sideways glance but hid her reaction and just kept walking and talking.
“What are you planning to do next? Do we stay with the police we met at the Arch or strike out on our own with Grandma?”
Liam slowed down as he formulated on a response. “I have to get to my parent's house. They live not far south of here. My dad is kind of an expert at survival and stuff, so finding him will be key to our long-term safety. Besides I can show you all my dorky rock n' roll posters and my retainer and my pocket protector.”
They both laughed at the thought.
“My parents are in Denver. I don't know that I'll ever see them again.” She walked ahead for a little before continuing, “but maybe someday I'll try to get out there if things ever get back to normal. I don't think they ever will though.”
Her body language conveyed a sense of deep despair.
Not that he blamed her. She obviously missed her family. That would be a blow to just about anyone. He admitted to himself he would follow her to Denver if she asked him to go. He found himself suddenly unwilling to part from her.
He figured now was the time to cheer her up.
“I got you a present.”
It immediately brightened her face, bruises and all.
“Really? When did you have time to go shopping? The stores are all closed.”
She gave him a painful-looking wink, but her smile didn't diminish.
“Well, I didn't buy it, but I didn't steal it. I think it was abandoned when I acquired it.�
�
“I'm intrigued.”
“Close your eyes and hold out your hands and I'll give it to you.”
She peered into his eyes for a long moment, but did as he asked, smiling happily. He pulled the item from the non-gun side of his waistband. It had been hidden under his untucked shirt. He put it gently in her hands and asked her to look at it.
It was a small travel-sized Bible.
“You were looking for one when we met, so naturally I've been trying to find one for you every minute of the day since then.” He smiled to be funny, but he admitted it was pretty near the truth.
Victoria was tongue-tied for several moments. Not an easy thing to do.
“Thank you Liam.” She said it in almost a reverent tone.
“It's only the New Testament. I'm working on getting you an Old Testament. I've got scouts roving the countryside as we speak.” Again he laughed at his joke to make himself feel less self-conscious that he was trying to do something nice for this girl, and doing his best to keep it casual and avoid any hint of guilt-tripping that might make her sense he wanted anything from her in return. He really just wanted to do something selfless for her that didn't involve shooting sick people in the head.
“Liam it's absolutely perfect. Truly, this is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me.”
Whoa!
“Where did you get it?”
Should he tell her he risked his life to get it from inside the train engine as they were running toward the bridge? He resolved to never lie to her.
“I saw it in the train engine when we were up in there the first time, and I ran up there—”
Here comes full disclosure.
“—I ran up there that last time we were running from the zombies with Grandma. I figured it was the final chance I'd have to get it for you. I didn't know we'd live past the bridge. I felt it was worth the risk.”
“Well your feelings on this matter were completely wrong. Nothing is worth risking your life like that. Consider this a slap on the wrist. But I do 100% appreciate this gift and I will treasure it.” Her smile was infectious.
Sirens of the Zombie Apocalypse (Book 1): Since the Sirens Page 27