Dead Hearts (Book 1): Morbid Hearts

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  “We’re all here,” said Thor. “I see you have plenty of weapons. Everyone should take a gun, even if you have a sword. That’s my suggestion, of course.”

  Everyone was staring at Cadence. By an unspoken, unanimous vote, she’d been given charge of this ragtag army. Cadence gave a nod to Whisper, and he began distributing weapons to those he knew could fight, regardless of their age, patrol, or position. Those receiving weapons did not shout in excitement or revel in being armed, but fell in line like the soldiers they were being asked to become.

  “Okay folks, listen up,” shouted Cadence. “We know we’ve been on Code 4, but I just heard the Captain is up north in a fight against scavengers and zombies. Zombies are coming here from Cascade and there are infected people at the Peak. All available soldiers have been sent to join the Captain, which means we just moved up to a Code 5. Since we have no officer here to give orders, this is what we’re going to do….”

  Interrupting her instructions, Corporal Garble ran out of the building screaming and holding his bleeding face between his hands. Whisper and Thor pointed their weapons at the hysterical officer as he ran toward the group. The situation went from tense to insane as Garble’s scream intensified.

  “The scavengers! They’re infected. One of them bit my face.”

  Without hesitation, Thor dropped Garble with a shot to the head. He spun his revolver and slid it back into its holster, turning to Cadence with a sad look. “He was already dead.”

  Dragon glanced at Freeborn, and together they walked to HQ to take defensive positions at the door.

  “What are your orders, Cadence?” asked Star. “Scavengers are at our doorstep and we have zombies on the Peak. Do we fight here, go to the north fence or to the Peak and make our stand there?”

  Everyone waited for Cadence to answer. Her team stepped back, giving her space to be seen and heard by all. The scene was surreal to Cadence, but she was confident.

  “We make our stand here,” shouted Cadence. “Vikings and Green Hornets take up position at the front entrance. Amazons and Head Hunters take flanking positions at HQ. Panthers and Buccaneers, watch the mountain road. The Blue Devils can patrol the parking lot with the Bulldogs. Team leaders assign someone from your patrol to check the soldiers’ tents for supplies. If you don’t have a weapon, find one or make one. No one is to be empty-handed. Leaders outfit your teams now!”

  Cadence marched straight toward headquarters. Smack ran up and handed Cadence her katana and a rifle. Cadence slung the rifle over her shoulder and readied her sword. Luna, Star, and Raven waited for Cadence and together they approached HQ. Freeborn and Dragon stood on either side of the open door, while Cadence held at the entrance and listened. Growls, snarls, and sloppy feasting came from inside.

  “It’s going to get messy,” said Freeborn. “Highbrow isn’t around. Guess you get the honor of going in first, Commander Cadence.” The tall girl smiled at the title. “We’ve got your back.”

  “On me,” Cadence said, her sword held out before her.

  One good thing came to mind as Cadence entered the cabin. At least the lights were still on.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Eleven

  A lone, uninfected scavenger cowered in the corner. His hands were bound and he attempted to inch his way outside. Three of the remaining seven in the room were being eaten by the others who were infected. Three unarmed soldiers were bitten and attempting to fight as long as they could. Star, Luna, and Raven stayed with Cadence as she entered the cabin. The girls opened fire on two zombies shuffling toward them. Cadence severed the head of a soldier with glazed eyes, before dispatching a zombie still hunched over a body on the floor.

  The fight was over in seconds.

  Cadence did a quick scan of the room. Luna and Raven held the surviving scavenger by his arms, checking for bites and signs of infection while he babbled a story nobody listened to.

  “Star, see if you can find any more radios,” Cadence instructed, “and try to reach Highbrow. Raven, go through every drawer for weapons. Luna, take the ones from the soldiers and get them in people’s hands, and Freeborn, get in here and shoot anything that twitches.”

  Freeborn, Dragon, and Dodger walked in and took hold of the captive. He babbled his story again to them, while Cadence fiddled with the radio. She found a channel being used, but heard only gunfire and screams.

  “What do we do with this guy?” Dodger asked, pulling his captive forward by the front of his shirt. When he needed to be, Dodger was all alpha.

  “Is he infected?” Cadence asked.

  “He didn’t try to eat me, but I still don’t trust him.”

  The scruffy scavenger wore a Harley jacket and torn jeans. He didn’t look sick, but was thin. Dragon kept a tight grip on his arm.

  “I’m Sturgis. I came with Nomad and Savannah,” said the scruffy-looking biker. “They were taken to the Peak by some guy called Highbrow. I’m not infected.”

  “Where are Destry and the medic?” asked Cadence, turning toward Dodger and Dragon. “Are they among the dead?”

  “They took off when the Captain called for backup,” said Sturgis. He shrugged when Dragon gave him a stern look. “Sorry, but she asked.”

  Whisper stepped inside and held up a radio. “Highbrow.”

  Cadence holstered her revolver, slid her sword in the sheath strapped to her back, and grabbed the radio from Whisper. “Highbrow? Is that you?” Her voice trembled, and she strained to hear him. “Everyone out. It’s too loud in here.”

  “Move it, people,” said Star, herding them out the door. She walked up to Sturgis. “This guy is splattered with blood and gore. He stays here, and don’t untie him yet. Dragon, have the teams take up a defensive position outside the cabin. Use the cars to create a barricade and light a fire at the front gate. Fire is our friend. Freeborn can stay here with Cadence.”

  Raven grinned. “You got it, China Star.” She ducked out the door. “I’m coming, too,” said Luna, hurtling toward the door.

  Star left with the rest of the group. Dodger tied the scavenger to a table leg, then closed and locked the windows before exiting. Freeborn took guard at the open door, emotions rippling across her face as she stared into the darkness.

  “Cadence, can you hear me?” said Highbrow. “It’s bad up here.” Cadence heard shooting, both on the radio and in the distance.

  “What’s your position?”

  “I’m at the Professor’s now,” said Highbrow, his voice crackling in and out. “I was at Doc’s when all hell broke loose. Don’t come. It’s too dangerous.”

  “I’m coming to get you whether you like it or not.”

  She could hear his sigh, but he didn’t argue.

  “Two of the scavengers are with me, but they checked out. Not infected. You okay?”

  “Yeah, but the Captain is under attack at the north fence. The Freedom Army pulled out, so only the teen patrols are here. Stay put and I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  Highbrow’s voice faded and the connection was lost. Cadence put away the radio as a large figure pushed past Freeborn and entered the cabin.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” said Thor. “We need a plan of action. There are a number of boats at the lake. If I load them with shooters, we can go out on the water, light up the main gate, and shoot anything that comes through.”

  When Thor had an idea, it was like a grenade going off in his head. One big, brilliant explosion of an idea. From the lake, he would have a circular view of the entire area, and the water provided perfect protection from any incoming zombie threat. Zombies were full of nasty gasses in their rotting guts, which meant they floated.

  “Make it happen,” Cadence said.

  Freeborn pointed at the man tied to the table. “Old man, you need to get your poker face on. You can’t be crying in a dog fight.”

  “I don’t want to die,” said Sturgis. “You heard what that boy said. It’s hell! Put me on one of those boats. Floating in the middle of the lake sou
nds good.”

  “Leave him tied up,” said Cadence. “Freeborn, have a team come in here. This will be our command post. Have the War Gods get up on the roof, then find me a truck. The Tigers are going to the Peak.”

  “Right.” Freeborn dashed out the door.

  Cadence went outside and was surprised to find the teams organized and ready. A barricade constructed from remaining vehicles was being set up around the cabin. Enough logs and trash had been dragged to the front gate and set on fire that it could be seen for miles. Snipers were positioned on the roofs of all three buildings and the Panthers hurried past her, entering the cabin and taking position at the windows.

  Wrench and his mechanics were at the garage setting up their own barricade of empty oil drums and wooden crates. The Valkyries jumped in to help them. Razorbacks, Bandits, Buccaneers, and Green Hornets were busy lining up the barricade around the cabin. At the lake, the Vikings positioned boats, shining lights on the gate and as far up the mountain road possible. The Fighting Tigers waited beside the last military truck in the parking lot. Blaze stepped forward as Cadence drew near.

  “Going to the Peak is a suicide mission,” Blaze said. “I care about Highbrow too, Cadence, but you should stay here and defend Base Camp. Everyone is looking to you as commander.”

  “Raven will command the ground troops. She has Luna and Barbarella to help her. Thor’s in command at the lake. We’re going, Blaze, and that’s all there is to it.”

  Not waiting for a rebuttal, Cadence opened the door and confirmed the keys were in the ignition. Raven was nearby, giving instructions to a group of teenagers.

  “Hold down the fort, Raven,” Cadence called out. “I’ll be back.”

  “Will do,” Raven replied.

  The Tigers mounted up as Star and Dragon approached. They were carrying a large, heavy bag. Cadence had not asked them to go and couldn’t imagine what they were carrying. Dragon threw the bag into the passenger side and climbed in. The end of an M16 pointed out of his window. Star jumped behind the wheel and Cadence joined her team in the back. She pounded on the roof of the truck and they were soon making their way toward the Peak.

  ***

  “They’re outside,” said Highbrow, peering behind the curtain.

  He stared at the growing number of zombies, holding a rifle the Professor gave him. With the lights off throughout the cabin, Nomad watched a front window armed with an axe, while the Professor guarded the back door with a chainsaw and a myriad of kitchen knives. All other doors were closed, locked, and barricaded as much as possible. Savannah crouched behind a couch, holding a frying pan and a butcher knife.

  Nomad let out a soft growl. “Man, they stink.”

  “Shhh,” hushed Highbrow. He turned off his radio when the tattered and bloody victims started gathering outside the cabin. Most of the zombies were so mangled and ravaged it wasn’t surprising they had turned so quickly. Usually it took several hours for someone with a bite to turn, but what he was seeing was more than a few bites and it was ghastly.

  A young zombie with no arms staggered to the front door. She pounded the door with her head. Thud, thud, thud. Silence. Thud, thud. Heavy groans and the sounds of snapping teeth followed, like dogs fighting over a bone, then another thud. Highbrow stayed cool and silent.

  Rapid gunfire and a close-by explosion rattled the frame of the cabin. Highbrow thought it came from the hospital. Doc, the nurses, and patients retreated inside, but Highbrow convinced Nomad and Savannah to come with him to the Professor’s cabin when things turned ugly. He felt bad that he hadn’t convinced Doc and his staff to join him as well.

  Glass shattered in the kitchen and the Professor shouted. Highbrow, Nomad, and Savannah ran to his aid. The windows surrounding the back door had been broken and torn, bloody faces pushed through the shards. Highbrow pushed the Professor aside and fired into one window, and then the next. Nomad buried his axe into a creature’s head that was crawling through, and then went for the fridge. Using brute strength, the biker toppled the refrigerator and pushed it against the door. Highbrow wedged a chair into a broken window, while the Professor and Savannah used the kitchen table to block the other window.

  “That won’t keep them out,” said Nomad. “If you have an attic, that’s where we need to go.”

  The Professor nodded. “To my bedroom. Come on.”

  The Professor’s bedroom was humble hosting a twin bed, a table stacked with books, and a small wardrobe. There were no windows in his room. He pulled a cord hanging from the ceiling and lowered a flight of narrow, wooden stairs.

  “Shall I go first?” said the Professor, hesitating. “I hope nothing is up there.”

  “Get moving, Professor. I’m right behind you,” said Nomad. He brought his axe and a few knives from the kitchen.

  Highbrow waited for the men to climb up, with Savannah at his side looking frightened. He found her beauty stunning, even in this heightened state of danger. Highbrow reached for Savannah, pulled her against his body, and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.

  “Just in case I don’t get a chance later,” said Highbrow as he set her back. “Watch your step, Little Bo Peep.”

  With an unexpected giggle, Savannah darted up the stairs. Highbrow heard another window crash in the living room, and the sounds of clumsy bodies hitting the floor followed. The insufferable groaning grew louder as they closed in on the Professor’s room. Highbrow followed Savannah up and pulled the stairs closed. Nomad pulled a large wardrobe over the trap door for added safety.

  The attic was vaulted and filled with boxes of books, and facing the front of the house was a balcony. The Professor stood at the veranda doors that opened to a starry night, and overlooked the town filling with clouds of smoke and fire. Highbrow walked out and looked down to see bodies scattering the ground. Some still twitching, he didn’t see anything human left fighting in the courtyard. Somewhere, a child was crying.

  It was dark at the hospital and the front door was smashed in. The bodies of soldiers littered the entryway. Glancing toward the road, he saw no sign of Cadence or the transport and stepped back inside with the others. Zombies beneath the balcony saw Highbrow and started making strange sounds, as more monsters lumbered toward the cabin.

  “I might as well tell you, Highbrow,” said the Professor. “I burned the report. I wish now that I had waited. But I did save your father’s signature for you.” He pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Highbrow.

  Highbrow opened it up, revealing his father’s handwriting. “Thanks.” He tucked it into his jeans pocket. “Doesn’t really matter now, does it? Mother Superior and The Captain are out there with the zombies.”

  Nomad took a step onto the porch. “How safe is this balcony?”

  “There’s not much to see,” said Highbrow. “The camp is lost.”

  “Shhh,” hushed Savannah. “I hear an engine.”

  The sound of a truck rumbled like thunder in the night air. Cadence and the Fighting Tigers were firing on zombies from the back of an Army transport. As they pulled into camp, bodies were hitting the ground and being crushed under the wheels.

  “Over here!” Savannah shouted. She joined Nomad on the balcony.

  Highbrow propped himself on the wooden railing, positioned his rifle, and took aim. He shot at zombies on the road as the truck pulled up below the balcony. The Tigers were laying waste to zombies advancing on the truck from every direction. Highbrow was punched with guilt as Doc and the hospital staff, covered in blood, limped toward the truck. Whisper relieved Doc with a single shot.

  “Lower the girl down first,” shouted Cadence, “then the men.” She looked back at her team, “Be ready to catch the girl.”

  “Your buddy is crazy,” said Nomad. “I’m being rescued by a girl. This is priceless.” He picked Savannah up and dropped her toward the bed of the truck. “You’re next, Professor.”

  “I’m too fat,” said the Professor in protest. He was given no option, being ushe
red onto the railing by Nomad, and then lowered into the truck bed. Several Tigers tried to catch him, but he landed on his backside.

  “You’re next, Mr. Motorcycle,” said Highbrow. He nudged Nomad forward. “Hurry up and get going. We’re still the main attraction.”

  The balcony creaked beneath them. Nomad looked worried as he climbed over and jumped into the truck, twisting his ankle.

  “I’m okay, I’m okay,” he called out.

  “Great. My turn,” Highbrow sighed. He hated heights.

  ***

  Cadence heard the balcony giving way and watched as Highbrow leaned forward, flying off the balcony as it crashed to the ground. He fell hard into the bed of the truck, knocking Smack down with him. Savannah helped Highbrow to his feet as the two shared an affectionate look. Was this redhead why Highbrow hadn’t returned to the team? The question burned inside Cadence, but she had no time to consider it further. The thought hurt as she pushed it from her mind and continued firing on people she had once known and cared for.

  Star drove out of camp, putting some distance between them and an approaching mob of zombies and then stopped. Dragon climbed out of the cab, dropped to a knee, and shouldered a bazooka. Taking aim at the mob, he fired. He followed with two more rounds that took out a building and hastened the spread of the fire. Whisper continued sniping zombies as Star called for everyone to load back in. The hospital erupted in flames, along with HQ, and the train. The fire spread, engulfing the zombies and reaching the fuel depot. Star sped away as explosions rocked the camp, raining down violence on the remaining zombies.

  “Stay sharp,” Cadence shouted. “Be sure you have the shot before you take it. I don’t want any of our people shot by accident.”

  “The difference is the walk,” said Dodger, demonstrating an exaggerated zombie limp.

  Everyone laughed, but soon came to silence once more as Whisper fired on straggling zombies following them. The team sat back and held on for the bumpy ride.