Dead Hearts (Book 1): Morbid Hearts

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  “Yeah, I meant it,” she said. “Ten to one, you can bet zombies followed Sarge to our camp. Keep as many teams as you need, but make sure this barricade holds. We’re in this for the long haul, Highbrow. We’re going to have to do things we never thought we would. Keep your eye on Sterling. I didn’t like how he hesitated when I gave him an order. The older soldiers can work with us or leave camp. If you need me for any reason, I’ll be in HQ. Come on, Freeborn.”

  “What do I do if someone was bitten?” asked Highbrow.

  Cadence lifted an eyebrow. “Shoot them and burn them.”

  Leadership was not supposed to be easy, but Cadence felt she had been hard on Highbrow as she walked away. Part of her doubted Highbrow would have shot Sterling if ordered. If Highbrow would not follow her orders, why would anyone else? He thought she was weak because Luna’s death affected her so deep, but it was the last time she would ever let her emotions rule her. Life would never return to normal. It was sink or swim from now on, and Cadence intended to swim hard.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Highbrow spent the following morning observing the patrols train under their new instructors. Whisper had team snipers working on range and accuracy. Dragon and Xena were instructing hand-to-hand combat exercises and swordplay, while Blaze led archery lessons. Phoenix and Calico Jack were rotating group cardio and kickboxing sessions.

  Near lunchtime Highbrow found Cadence unlocking the storage shed. Dodger, Smack, and Freeborn surrounded with Raven and Star nearby. Sarge was shouting from inside, and as Cadence opened the doors he charged through, knocking her to the ground. He descended on her and pushed a knife to her throat. Cadence caught his arm, but he was too strong. She was losing her hold.

  “Help her,” shouted Smack.

  Freeborn clubbed Sarge over the head with the end of her shotgun and the big man collapsed on top of Cadence. Freeborn pulled Sarge off and helped Cadence to her feet.

  “Are you okay?” Highbrow hurried over. “Why did you let him out?”

  “Because he’s been shouting Rafe’s name for hours,” said Cadence. She brushed the dirt and grass off. “Take him inside my cabin and tie him to a chair. Raven, get a sedative ready. I want to question him about Rafe.”

  Highbrow sent the Bulldogs to the mess hall and followed Cadence into the cabin. Freeborn and Dodger muscled Sarge into a chair and tied him down. Twenty-four hours in the storage shed had broken Sarge. His eyes were wild and he fought at the ropes as he began to wake.

  “Give him a dose, Raven,” said Cadence, taking a seat.

  “Keep him still,” said Raven, as she administered the shot. “This is a mild sedative and it works fast. His pulse is a little high, but I think he’s calm enough to answer a few questions.”

  “Star, you handle it,” said Cadence. She motioned for Highbrow and smiled when he leaned down to kiss her. “Come on. This is serious. Don’t do that in front of everyone.”

  “Can’t help it.” Highbrow leaned against the desk. “What’s this all about? Logan told you everything about Miramont Castle. I’ve already questioned Destry and the rest of the soldiers. So did Sterling, and the stories lined up. They didn’t see much, and everyone said Rafe let them go.”

  “I want to find out what Sarge knows about the vampires,” said Cadence. “Logan seems to know a lot about vampires, but I want hear what Sarge says. Plus, Echo said he refused to eat last night. I can’t let him starve in there.”

  “I’m going to ask you about Miramont Castle,” began Star. “Tell us what you saw. Who turned the scavengers into vampires? Was it Rafe? How did he do it?

  “Maybe.” Sarge lifted his head. “Rafe let us go. I never saw him bite anyone.”

  “Who did you see biting people?” Star was calm and patient.

  “The girl named Savannah and the two Little Leaguers. They’re vampires.”

  Cadence glanced at Highbrow. He still felt responsible for Savannah’s capture. He promised to protect her and now she was beyond help. Sarge started mumbling. Star lifted his head and leaned in to hear what he was saying. Freeborn braced his shoulders.

  “Savannah killed most of the scavengers,” said Star, looking back toward Cadence and Highbrow. “Sarge didn’t see it, but he heard the screams and knew what was happening.”

  “Keeping him locked up overnight brought it all back to him,” said Raven. “He’s definitely experiencing post-traumatic stress. I haven’t seen signs of it in any of the other soldiers. I think more will probably come to Sarge as time goes on. Corporal Sterling asked if I’d clear them for active duty, but I don’t think Sarge is in any condition to return to his former duties.”

  “No one was infected?” said Cadence.

  Raven shook her head. “Fortunately, but letting those people in without quarantine and examination was a stupid thing to do. Some of the old rules have to be followed and that’s one of them.”

  “Why is Star handling the interrogation?” asked Highbrow.

  “Because Sarge doesn’t like me,” Cadence said. “He also tried to stick me with a knife. Now sit down and be quiet or get out of here.”

  “Tell us again what happened when Savannah bit the prisoners.” said Star. “You were able to hear the vampires, Sarge. What did they say?”

  “Rafe told Savannah to stop trying to turn humans into vampires,” said Sarge, slurring. “He said he could do it, that he made her, but Savannah was different. Rafe said she needed to kill her prey or they’d turn into zombies. He killed everyone bitten by Savannah. Their screams were horrible. The next day we had to burn them, all of them. That brought more zombies. Rafe came out of the house and killed them, and then he let us go.”

  “What a crock,” said Highbrow. “Sarge didn’t see it, so he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Savannah was kind, she wouldn’t have killed anyone. He’s making this all up. You’re not going to get the truth out of him. Let’s bring Destry in here and ask him the same questions.”

  “Shut up,” said Raven. “He’s talking and you’re talking, and I’m trying to listen.”

  “I’m telling the truth,” said Sarge, licking his lips. “Savannah and those two little monsters killed and killed, and Rafe made us clean it up. We scrubbed the blood off the walls, down the hallway, and then . . . all those decapitated heads. Me and Destry picked them up and added them to the pile of bodies burning outside.”

  “What did they do then?” asked Star.

  Sarge shivered. “They watched us from the upstairs windows, but they wouldn’t come out in the daylight, so they made us do it. They made us do everything.”

  “It’s going to be okay, Sarge,” said Cadence, standing. “You’re safe here. No one is going to hurt you. They don’t know you’re here.”

  “Yes, they do. They do,” said Sarge, groggy but anxious. “All those signs you put up outside of Manitou Springs, they saw them. We saw them and knew you were here, and Rafe knew you were here, so that means the vampires know. There were lots of them that morning. They had fangs and glowing eyes. Had to be fifteen or twenty or more vampires. Destry and I begged Rafe to let us go, so he did. He let the scavengers go, and they found us in town and came with us. That’s all I know. All I know.”

  Sarge started screaming uncontrollably. Raven didn’t wait for an order from the Cadence. She got up, prepared another syringe, and gave Sarge a second shot. Highbrow couldn’t see what she was using, but Sarge quieted down fast and sat like a lump in the chair.

  “Is that necessary?” asked Highbrow.

  “Yes,” said Cadence, Raven, and Star in unison.

  “Tell us about Rafe,” Star continued. “You were talking about him earlier. You said he wanted to meet with Cadence. What did he tell you? Why does he want to meet her?”

  Sarge drooled over himself. “Yeah. Rafe. He’s a great guy. He put his neck on the line for us. Yeah, that’s what he did. He’s the only one that went outside in daylight. He’s not afraid. He’s not afraid of anything. I a
lways thought he was a coward and he was a coward, he really was, but he’s not now.”

  Star gave Sarge more water to drink and cleaned his face. Wanting to finish the interrogation, Highbrow walked over and knelt beside Sarge, watching the soldier with concern. Star sat back in her chair without saying a word.

  Sarge frowned at Highbrow, his eyes swimming.

  “Rafe told us to take the stairs and come to your camp, so that’s what we did,” said Sarge. “We just kept running and running, and then we found a truck. A blue truck. It was a nice truck. And then we came here, because Rafe said that’s what we were to do. Rafe said he was sorry, said he wanted to see Cadence, and wanted to be friends again.”

  “Like that’s going to happen,” said Highbrow.

  “What do you take me for?” Sarge’s anger seeped through his slurred words. “I’m not lying. Rafe . . . I called him a punk . . . and he gave Destry a gun . . . and then he let us go.”

  Highbrow had heard enough. “Shouldn’t you be questioning Logan? Logan was there. He heard as much as Sarge, maybe even more. He’s the one you should be talking to. Where is Logan anyway?”

  “I already told you where he is,” said Cadence, annoyed. “Logan and Nomad came in earlier. We had breakfast and talked about Rafe, Cinder, and Cerberus.”

  “What are you going to do with Sarge?” asked Highbrow. “He’s a wreck and whatever your shooting him up with isn’t helping.”

  Sarge had fallen asleep and was snoring.

  “Sarge will remain locked up,” said Cadence. “We can’t let him out. Put the other soldiers to work, but you’re responsible for them, Highbrow, not Sterling.”

  “If you don’t like the guy, why did you make him the security chief?”

  Cadence waved Highbrow silent. “Sarge? Hey, Sarge? Wake up,” she shouted. His head rolled around and he looked up at her, unable to focus. “What else did Rafe say? Tell me and I’ll let you get some sleep.”

  “Rafe wants to talk,” said Sarge. “That’s all. Just talk. He wants to meet you alone. Friday night. Is tonight Friday? At midnight at Midnight Falls. That’s all I know. Destry might know more. Yeah, Destry might remember. Destry knows everything.”

  “Destry doesn’t know anything,” said Highbrow. “I already talked to Destry and everyone else who was with you, Sarge. No one heard Rafe say anything about meeting Cadence Friday night at Midnight Falls. You’re the only one he told. Did you talk to Rafe? Did Rafe tell you this or are you making it up?”

  “I think so,” said Sarge. “I can’t remember, but I think so.”

  “You better ask Destry about the meeting,” said Star. “If he can’t confirm it, Rafe may have talked to Sarge in private. Let Sarge rest. We need to find a permanent place to keep him. If we clear out the merchandise from the toy store, we can keep him in there for now.”

  “Dig a hole and stick him in it,” said Raven. “I’m not a babysitter and this man requires twenty-four seven. He also needs a bath. I’m not doing that, either.”

  “Fine,” said Cadence. “Star, have China Six get the toy store ready and take him when you’re ready. He can sleep here for now, but he needs to be kept sedated temporarily and that means you, Raven. He’s your patient.” She turned toward Highbrow. “Outside. I want to talk to you in private.”

  Highbrow nodded, opening the door, and Dodger moved. Cadence barged out, the rest of the Tigers scurrying out of the way. She stomped toward the waterfall, and Highbrow hurried after her. He knew he had pissed her off, but he was determined not to let her go meet with Rafe.

  “Don’t be angry,” said Highbrow. “I’m sorry for interrupting back there, but I felt bad for Sarge. He’s been through hell, Cadence. You didn’t question anyone else like that. I know you don’t like the guy, but he doesn’t deserve to be treated like a war criminal.”

  “I know what I’m doing,” she said. “You have to trust me.”

  Highbrow was surprised when Cadence pulled him in and kissed him. His head swam with visions of their future together. He kept hold of her hand when she drew back.

  “Midnight at Midnight Falls,” said Cadence. “Poetic, isn’t it? I know you’ll try to convince me not to meet Rafe, but if Sarge is telling the truth, I’m going. We need to know more about the vampires. I’m hoping Rafe wants to help out.”

  “Help out? Rafe can’t be trusted. He is a vampire. He wants to make you one of them. Besides, the werepumas are up there. You can’t believe anything Sarge said. For all we know, this is a trap.”

  “Then come with me and bring friends,” said Cadence. “Rafe can’t expect me to come alone. I’ll talk to him, but he won’t bite me. You’ll make sure of that.”

  “Is this really because you want Rafe to help us? You’re not feeling sorry for him, are you? Please tell me this isn’t about something more.”

  “What a thing to ask.”

  “Well?”

  Cadence shook her head. “I love you. But I do care about Rafe. I know you’re worried, and so am I, but this is important. We need to know all we can about how the virus is mutating. A few days ago there weren’t any vampires or werepumas. I need to be able to anticipate what comes next. That’s why I have Logan searching for Luna. My hope is that Luna and the others haven’t lost their humanity. I want to believe it’s the same for Rafe. I have to believe it, Highbrow.”

  “I hope you’re right. Let me talk to Sterling and arrange things. If we’re going to do this, we need plenty of backup.”

  Later in the evening, Highbrow returned from his rounds and found Cadence in her cabin. She wasn’t alone. The Vikings were standing outside. Thor, Star, Raven, and Dragon were inside with the Tigers. They were gathered around a desk with a large map of the hiking trails spread out. Whisper looked up at Highbrow, smiled, and motioned him over. He nudged between Whisper and Smack, scanning the map. Midnight Falls was circled in red ink.

  “Highbrow, good. I’m glad you’re here,” said Cadence. “I’ve told everyone what we’re planning tonight. Thor thinks the Vikings should stay at camp to protect the children, so we’re taking the Fighting Tigers and China Six with us.”

  “Corporal Sterling has Destry and the soldiers at the barricade,” said Highbrow. “We’ve positioned patrols along the road and throughout camp. Nomad and Logan aren’t back yet, but the Elite have returned. I’ll post them at the waterfall.”

  “What about the scavengers?”

  “Sturgis and Betsy have asked to help out,” Star said, glancing at Thor and back to Cadence. “They’ve set up tents outside the tunnel. Betsy suggested keeping the little ones inside with her. She has been a big help with them today. I think we’ve found our new school teacher.”

  Thor crossed his arms over his chest. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Cadence. We’re trusting scavengers, and now a vampire. I’ll hold things down here while you’re both playing nice with Rafe, but I’m not taking orders from Corporal Sterling, just to be clear.”

  “Fine. You’re the new acting camp sergeant, Thor,” said Cadence.

  “About time,” grumbled Thor. “We’ve got two hours to go. I suggest you get your teams in place. We’ll do the same here. If you run into problems, contact us and I’ll send in the Elite.”

  “You sound like a sergeant,” said Raven. She grinned when Thor blushed.

  Everyone filed out of the cabin. Highbrow hung back while Cadence geared up. He wanted to hold and kiss her, but she didn’t seem interested. He waited until she was ready to see what she would do. Cadence moved around the desk to him, and slid her arms around his neck. He embraced her.

  “I love you,” said Highbrow. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Is that a promise?”

  “Yeah,” he said, and kissed her.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Late Friday night the lights came on in Colorado Springs. Rafe didn’t know who restored power, but it was working. Rafe cruised through the city in a Ferrari he took from a dealers
hip display floor. The lights turned red and he sped through, laughing.

  Rafe went to Colorado Springs after leaving Miramont Castle and spent hours walking through a shopping mall, waiting for Friday night. He killed several zombies and made a meal of a stray dog. He felt guilty, but not enough to kill it afterward. He would be hungry again soon. His thirst was already growing again. He knew the demon children and their new vampire family would be looking for more survivors. Rafe had to warn people about vampires.

  An idea occurred to him.

  He drove to the historic old town of Colorado Springs and parked outside the local radio station. The front doors were locked, and a window was open on the second floor. Taking a step back, Rafe jumped to the window and pulled himself inside. Security lights were on, casting a dim, red glow through the station. He found a zombie in the control booth, still trying to talk to his audience. He wore a cowboy hat and sat close to the mike, chewing on the sides of his mouth. Now and then the DJ’s garbled sounds came across the speakers inside the station, making no sense.

  Rafe entered the control booth and ripped the DJ’s head off with a clean twist. He tossed the head into a trash can, pushed the remains of the body to the floor, and slid behind the console. His fingers sped across the controls, pushing buttons and arranging sliders, until he familiarized himself with the system. He fiddled through the CDs until he found something he liked and let it rip, at least in the station.

  While the music played, Rafe clicked the microphone with his thumb and smiled when he heard it reflected back in the speakers. The station he selected was a local favorite and hoped someone was listening. He turned the music down.

  “Hello, Colorado Springs,” Rafe announced, grinning when he heard his voice over the speakers. “This is Rafe, proud new owner of Wolf Radio. If you’re catching my show tonight, you’re probably huddled in a room sealed off from the outside world wondering if the zombies will ever go away, or if the sun will rise in the morning. Well I’m here to tell you, dear humans, your nightmares are not over. Zombies are out and vampires are in.”