“I’m sorry for the guys that were with him, they didn’t survive. I came back hoping to rescue my mother, who’s been spending hours everyday nursing your sick family members, only to find that she was dead. Peter turned, using her and the guard Jim had put on her for a snack. If this is how you want to run your town then that’s fine. I’m going to let you vote and decide on the kind of justice that Jim deserves for his actions.”
The mayor, Chris, started to speak, but I held up a hand. “Wait your turn.”
“Well, what’s it going to be?” I faced the crowd, eyeing them before turning to see what the men on the wall thought of all this.
“They should be put down like they did to all those that opposed them. We can’t let violence be the main course of action.”
“We can’t not have a leader, though. Who will lead us?”
“Would you be willing to secure the town, Linc? Help us get on our feet?” One of the store owners, Wade, asked.
“Look, my main focus is making sure that the farm stays safe. I’ll ask the guys if they wouldn’t mind helping, but anyone that comes to the farm bringing trouble will be met with guns. I think we can all get along, but you and the town will have to decide.”
“They had us kill an entire family that was trying to drive through because he didn’t like the looks of them. We have to sentence him to death,” Wade determined.
“That’s not fair!” Jim shouted to the crowd as he struggled against the cuffs. “I only did what I had to do to protect everyone from this infection. You even helped, Wade.”
Wade stepped up and stood directly in from of Jim. “You know what? You are exactly right. I did help you because you told me my family would be next if I didn’t. Doesn’t make what we did right, but I was trying to keep my family safe. I’m sure most of the people in this town would agree.”
“So, what’s the verdict?” I prompted.
“Jim has to die. Chris will be made to work in the clinic until the sick are dead. When someone dies, we take care of them humanely. We can’t just take it upon ourselves to decide who gets to live and who gets to die. All who agree say yes, if you don’t agree, say no. There won’t be any punishments either way.”
A chorus of yes’s filled the air, with only a few no’s.
“Majority carries.” Wade walked up and pulled the trigger of his 9mm. The sound was more disturbing than the sight of Jim’s body falling to the ground. The now previous mayor fell to the ground, whimpering at Jim who stared blankly up at the sky.
“We’d like to carry on trade with the farmers and see if we can’t make this small town thrive during the end of the world.” Wade declared taking on the responsibility that had presented itself.
I took the offered hand and shook on it for the entire town to witness.
“I know most of you are mad right now. I have just as much pain and anger as those he hurt, but he deserves to be buried. Maybe not with those he killed, but we all deserve a decent burial, even those who’ve wronged us.
“Can a few of you go and bring the bodies of my mom, Peter, and the guard so that we can put them and this group to rest?” I gestured to the crowd.
“Yeah, we’ll go get them. Open the gates so we can go to the cemetery,” Wade ordered, taking control until a vote could be had as to who was in charge.
“Thank you.” My guys and I pulled a tarp from a vehicle sitting nearby and rolled Jim onto it, unlocking the cuffs and placing his hands over his heart.
Dead, Jim seemed even heavier than he looked. One of the men standing there pointed to the flatbed trailer parked at the grocery store.
“Beth, can we use this to take them out there?”
“Yes, Linc,” Beth answered unsteadily.
“I’ll bring it back tomorrow since we don’t have a ride out to the farm if that’s okay?”
“Sure and bring any fresh food stuff you’ve got any time.”
Once Jim’s body was loaded up, we drove over to help with my mom. I let the guys do it while I called Jessica.
“I think everything’s okay, but have the boys keep watch until we make it back over there with you. I’ll tell you everything when we get there.” I hung up before she could ask anything that would cause me to break down.
I was uncertain that I would be able to control my emotions, so I let Josh drive as the whole town gathered to see us off.
Wade and a few other town guys were on the flatbed of the trailer to help us run the bulldozer.
Our unhappy task didn’t take long, but we made sure to mark each grave with a rock with their names written on them.
“Thanks, everyone. I’m sorry it had to happen this way, but there didn’t seem to be another option,” I offered.
“We understand. If we hadn’t been worried about what he’d do when no one was looking, more of us would’ve stood up to him. Thank you for making that possible. We’re sorry for your loss.”
“Later, everyone.” I couldn’t handle one more person’s condolences.
I was done with today. Even back at the farmhouse, I bypassed the main gate after closing it. Instead, I walked around the farm for hours until I finally ended up back at the barn where I found Jessica waiting. Somehow, she’d known where to find me.
She didn’t say a word, but just pulled me into her embrace while I broke down into horrible gut-wrenching sobs. I hadn’t cried when my dad died because real tough men didn’t cry, but there was something about losing my mother so senselessly that had just broken me inside.
I almost fell asleep in her arms on the hay, and while my heart was in pieces, the hurt was already being repaired by someone willing to hurt with me.
The moon came up and I chose to let peace come with those silver rays. Tomorrow would be a new day that I could take one step at a time. I had a feeling that this wasn’t going to be last person to die that was close to me, but I was going to do as much as possible to prevent it.
Brad
Days started to blend together as the first week flew by and we found less people that were alive and more ZITs on a regular basis.
The main base gave up on having us go through gang land and changed the focus from search and rescue to scavenge and secure. The army started having us work on important targets like water plants and electric plants so that the country wouldn’t go completely dark.
Parts of the city were completely overrun, but those that lived out in more rural areas were more likely to be among those that survived longer.
Going AWOL to meet up with my family was sounding better every day as I realized how fragilely our civilization was put together.
“Jackson!” Doug yelled, snapping his fingers in front of my face.
“What?” I asked, startled out of my five minutes of freedom.
“My amazing idea finally got some merit with those in charge and we get to go and clear out the college. They decided that we could move the civilians over to the college. They said it was much easier since it had reinforced walls that will help keep them safer. Plus, they have a cafeteria for doing large meals. It’s the perfect place to have a base that isn’t strictly military.”
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that it’s the school your sister goes to, does it?” I grinned mischievously. “How much did you have to bribe the staff sergeant to consider it?”
“Oh, I didn’t bribe him. It was the daily fighting of the children and adults who act like children that made him consider it to be a wise idea. This campus is solar powered, so it’ll conserve gas and give us hot showers.”
“Showers. I’ve totally forgotten what those are. When do we leave?”
“First thing in the morning. If we can clear it out, then the other teams will bring the fencing to setup some security until something more permanent can be built.”
“So, you’re really holding out hope that she’s alive?” I didn’t want to say it was completely impossible, but after everything we’d seen this past week, well, I wasn’t hopeful for a goo
d outcome.
“I might not even be able to sleep tonight. I’m beyond nervous about what we’ll find. She’s a fighter, but that doesn’t mean anything against these things.”
“Maybe you should sit this one out. I mean, if she didn’t make it, do you really want to see her as a ZIT? I don’t think I’d ever be able to recover if it was Emma.”
“I’ve thought about it, but I have to know. I can’t just take your word for it. I think I’ll go take a walk until I’m just too tired to stand.”
“You do that while I try to catch up on some z’s.” I yawned at the thought of sleeping.
“Night, man.”
“Night.”
As we got ready to head out, I started to worry. Doug had never come back last night to sleep, and now we were gearing up without him.
“Has anyone seen Doug?” It appeared that no one had seen him in quite a while.
Apprehensive, I loaded up into the truck, hoping that he was all right.
As the truck started to pull out, Doug came running from the back of the warehouse, holding all his gear while trying to catch up.
He threw his stuff into the truck, jumping in just as we neared the gate and came to a complete stop.
“You couldn’t wait until we stopped?”
“Nope. I had to get my muscles awake and stretched out.” Doug proceeded to hold his arms over his head, dramatically stretching out everything out.
“Where were you?” I lightly punched him in the stomach, making him sit rather abruptly.
He scooted over next to me with his gear before answering. “I fell asleep out behind the warehouse where I’d sat down to rest. I don’t know when I passed out, but it was close to four a.m.”
The truck started again and we all fell silent with our own thoughts, kind of like we did before a big battle.
There were several universities and colleges nestled together, but we were going to start at the one closest to the warehouse. It also happened to be the one where Stacy, Doug’s sister, might still be living.
I could see lots of ZITs wondering around, but the highways were pretty clear heading closer into the city. Those leading out were jammed with cars that had been abandoned with some drivers in them, but there were no longer anyone of the living variety.
The university appeared to be empty because the parking lots had few to no cars, depending on which area we passed from the exit.
I started to fidget as we drew closer because I knew that Doug wasn’t going to let us explore any area other than his sister’s dorm.
Sure enough, that was the way the sergeant split us up. Our unit was to clear out the girl’s dorm A and the cafeteria. The other units each had a dorm and outer building, so that by the time we all met back at the trucks, it would be a ZIT free campus.
We really didn’t encounter much resistance, but the boarded-up windows screamed to us that there might be survivors inside.
Most of the buildings had locked doors that had to be opened carefully if the military was going to use this campus.
Doug boldly walked up and knocked on the door.
“Do you really expect whoever’s inside to just open the door?”
“Yep. If they’re smart, they’ll have a lookout and will already know that the army has arrived.”
Scanning the building, I thought that Doug might just be right again. All the second story windows had been blacked out, but there were a few spots that could be used to keep a watch.
The door in front of us flew open and girl with a bat stood in the doorway.
“What can I do for you, gentlemen?” This girl had a pair of balls, that was for sure. Her hair was brown, with streaks of blue and green at the ends, pulled back into a ponytail. Her clothes were much cleaner than ours were.
“Yeah, I’m looking for a girl named Stacy.”
A squeal erupted from inside and the girl moved out of the doorway, just as Stacy’s bright red hair flashed by into Doug’s surprised arms.
“Doug, you’re alive!” Stacy let out another squeal, quickly covering her mouth.
“Crap, I forgot. Those things come to loud noises, but there aren’t many here on campus. What am I doing? Would you guys like to come in?” Stacy asked politely.
The other girl just raised an eyebrow and backed inside. Her attitude seemed too distrustful somehow. Skittish was a good word for it.
“So, do you mind if we search the premises while you and your brother catch up?” I motioned to the two of them sitting on the couch in the waiting area.
“Oh, sure, but hold on for a second.” Stacy raced to the counter that RA’s normally manned to keep track of visitors. When she returned, it was with a little boy holding her hand.
“Is there something you need to tell me, sis?” Doug asked skeptically.
“No. I’m Dillion’s nanny. His mother is at one of the hospitals here in town. We were almost out of food when I ran into River and some friends. This was the closest dorm to the cafeteria, so it made the most sense to stay somewhere I know.”
“This is fascinating, but we’re supposed to clear each building so that we can start moving the civilians in. Is it safe for us to go ahead and search?” I directed the question to Stacy but watched River’s reaction.
Stacy glanced at River. “Sure. River, would you like to show…uh, I’m sorry, what’s your name?”
“Specialist Jackson, at your service.”
“River can show you what we’ve setup.” Stacy wasn’t catching the vibes from her friend, but I was, and it wasn’t an invitation to search the place they’d claimed as home.
“Sure, why not?” River answered sarcastically, unhappy with Stacy.
“This way, guys.” She started down the hall at a fast pace.
“Evan, you watch the front and let us know if you see anything. Doug, stay right where you are and don’t mind us doing all the work.” I saluted him.
He gave me the finger in response.
River took us to all three floors, and since the doors were open to all but the two rooms they’d been using, it didn’t take us long to complete our search. They had started a small garden up on the roof to have fresh vegetables, but it was way too early to expect much growth. With the solar power, this would be the perfect setup to stay alive long-term if you could secure the bottom floors properly.
Back on the main floor, Doug was still sitting there, talking to his sister.
“Let’s leave him here, and when we finish clearing the cafeteria building, we can come back for him before we report in to the sergeant.”
“I might as well go with you because we’ve cleared it out, but I have the keys to the building.”
“Whoa, hold up You have the keys to the buildings or just that one?” I asked, excited that we might not have to break in, saving the doors.
“When all this started I grabbed the keys from the janitor’s closet, in case I needed to get in somewhere, it would make it easier.” River reluctantly held out a ring of keys.
I reached for my walkie. “Sarge. I’ve got someone here with the keys to all the buildings, and I think she knows where others are if she doesn’t have the ones you need.”
“Roger that. Where are you?”
“We’re in dorm A.”
“Cease all entry into the buildings and meet at the main quad by the cafeteria.”
“Yes, sir.” All the units responded.
“Doug, I hate to break this up, but you’ve got to come with us. River has the keys to the buildings so we can search much quicker.”
“Crap. Stacy, you stay here and I’ll get the sergeant to let me stay on guard tonight.”
“Um, you guys don’t have to do that. We’ve been just fine on our own. I know you’re supposed to do a sweep, but this is our home.” River leaned on her bat with the keys hanging from her other hand.
“Let’s go talk to this person who thinks he’s in charge. I feel like making a deal today.” River slung the bat over her shoulder and was out the fro
nt door before I could tell her the army would do what it wanted to do.
In the light, River’s green and blue streaks really showed up, making her seem a little on the wild side holding her bat.
The other units were all a little surprised to see this girl leading the unit out of the dorm.
“Who’s in charge here?” River looked around, appraising the men.
“That would be me, ma’am.” The sergeant eyed her warily. “What can I do for you?”
“As I understand it, you want the keys to all the buildings. I have them, or know where the others are, but I also have access to the generators, know how the solar panels are built, so I’m an asset you need.” River popped a piece of gum into her mouth for effect.
“Well, ma’am, that’s all well and good, but I’m with the United States Army and we’re taking over this campus to help house the civilians that have survived. What is it that you’re wanting?” Things were never good when sarge crossed his arms and started tapping his foot.
“Want? I want you to go find another place to take your civilians. We were just fine taking care of ourselves, but since I know that isn’t going to be possible, I want to run this dorm. I get to choose who comes in and make sure that things go smoothly since it’s our home and you’re the ones needing it. I think that’s perfectly fair.”
I had to give her credit; she was a tough one.
“Miss, I’m sure you’ve heard before that the Army doesn’t negotiate with terrorists, and that includes spitfires like yourself. There’s some merit to what you say, but the Army always runs things efficiently. We might need someone to run public relations and keep things on an even keel, though. The go-between to the civilians and the Army, would that be okay with you?” Sarge raised an eyebrow, waiting on her response.
She didn’t even seem to think about it before answering. “It is for the moment. Let me show you where things are and which buildings, I’ve been in so that you don’t have to do as much work. How many people are you bringing here?”
Against Zombies Box Set, Vol. 1 | Books 1-4 Page 24