Knight of the Dead (Book 4): Realm

by Smorynski, Ron

  Dad wondered if many of these were ones smashed and battered by the school bus, or mangled and left behind by The Horde, or able to crawl out from what was left of the mounds. Dad envisioned how they were crushed or injured as the massive horde formed, the crazy fast ones leaping and bounding over the slower ones, causing many to be torn apart.

  Dad used the clearing time to have the trainees work on their swing, getting used to killing these wretched remains of zombies. It was perfect. Each group had a veteran watching as the new ones got used to it. The biggest critique was to slow down and control their excitement at how easy it was to kill zombies, and to remember to move slow and save energy. Their slow movements kept them from reacting. The cold morning and the smoke from the dumpsters also helped keep the zombies in a lulled state.

  Howie offered an idea. “Hey, if we can soup up the Hummer, get some grill protection and fortify the windows, I could drive around and plow these sons of bitches over and over.” He scratched his gray scruffy facial hair pondering the idea.

  Dad pondered it but wasn't sure, at least not now. "Interesting, remind me when we got more time."

  Most of the courtyard was finally clear, at least of bodies. The stench of the goo was still there, though lessening as everything dried out. Since they were making good progress on clearing and burning the vast mounds, Howie, Amador, Ray and Nick began working on the fence, lifting up what they could and talking about how to build it up.

  Dad went over to inspect and walk around. The fencing along the east side was smaller, though still a good eight feet high. The gate was bent, not full over, but easy enough for the zombies to pile up and climb over. There was a crushed pile of them there, left over from those that crawled over and were killed later.

  The east side streets were narrow. Most of the area was blocked off by three story apartment buildings and several school buildings. So visually, it wasn't as open and easy for zombies to spot them there. But it still needed to be secured with barricades and coverage. The east classroom wing was a good solid wall. And the fencing between it and the north side streets, though low, was solid and kept them from meandering in.

  Dad remembered the bus parked there on the other side. He and that chubby white comedian guy with the Gomez last name scrambled off the roof, landing on zombies, then got to the bus and drove it. How the guy died, begging to be saved by Christ. Dad thought fondly on the softy and his cowardly courage. He then remembered the horrible violence and fighting that went on there before that, when he first rescued people and had to fight frantically to get them through and to the school.

  He remembered Steve and Tom, as gay lovers or something, with a lady friend he had to kill. He remembered Katrina and Sofia, who he saved during that hectic run as others died around them. Sean and Randall were in that group too. A lot were saved and still with them.

  Sean was still out there. A banner hung on a building far away where he was. There were other banners, "Save Us Knight", still hung across many of the larger apartment buildings. He had Jake post a banner back, "Working On It. Fixing our place. Hold On."

  Several replied back "Need water! HELP!"

  Dad said, "Ignore them. We’re not going till we are safe."

  "But Dad?"

  "Not till we are safe."

  The fencing on the eastside also included the school gate they used to get to the apartment buildings close by, salvaging for food and the steel doors.

  He went back to Howie, Amador, Nick and Ray in the courtyard. They were drilling grills and guard rails across the fencing. They did it where the smoke kept the few wondering zombies at bay.

  “Hey, I need you guys to barricade the east side, the fencing, and keep the gate accessible,” Dad said, expecting an argument. Much to his surprise, they stopped what they were doing and gathered their stuff to go see what they could do there. They realized he either had a good idea or was most definitely in charge, or both.

  As the day got warmer, the zombies became a bit more active, but still not threatening. Dad sat up with Charlotte, staring out along the perimeter. It had been a long tough slog of a morning clearing out the bodies. The mound was surprisingly low now, just large mounds of them on the ground with very little up against the school. Dad decided that having completed so much work, everyone could take a long afternoon break, a siesta.

  Several kept complaining about rashes and others whined about missing showers. Many eyed Beth, Robert, and Ellie who were in charge of the water. Many of their rain collectors were destroyed by the zombie attack. They had a few in far off corners that collected a lot of water from the rains. However, they wanted to keep this water to try to revive the gardens.

  After a little bit of bickering and internalizing the water priorities, most seemed to get past it, re-accepting their new reality to this new primal condition. With less showers, perfumes and deodorants, the natural oils and moisture of the skin were shining through. Everyone had an odd sheen of oiliness, dirt, and grime.

  After a long day of sweating and work, they shared rags to wipe off the sweat but that was about it. They slept in their own stench and filth.

  “Hey Beth, we need to at least have a bucket of water and rags so everyone can wipe off at the end of the day, especially our crotches!” Lena said, as they all plopped about the classroom eating a late lunch of dog food and saltine crackers.

  Everyone couldn't help but giggle and chuckle.

  "And to clean out our blood rags!" Katrina scowled.

  "Blood rags?" Stu wondered, looking odd at Marcus.

  "Our tampons. We still menstruate!" Lisa jabbed back.

  The younger guys, Cory, Stu, Marcus, sniggered. Lisa and Lena were not impressed.

  Katrina gave them that annoyed Russiany pout.

  Steve handed out multi-vitamins. Little Amy, Julio, and Juanita handed out water bottles.

  Dad hadn't had much interaction with Julio and Juanita. Initially, they had hid away with their mother mourning the loss of their sibling. Dad did not know who it was, a boy, a girl? He couldn't remember. They didn't even have a picture.

  And now, he was too timid to ask. He did not want to bring it up. He tried smiling but they didn't notice or avoided his look. They seemed to be trying to keep a strong face as they raced around seeing all that was happening and the other kids' faces of courage. At least Charlotte was interacting with them.

  “I'll figure it out, just for you Lena,” Beth shot back, distracting Dad from his thoughts. "And for us women."

  Lena gave a thumbs up and a wink. Everyone laughed again. It was nice to laugh. What were they laughing about? Dad was in his own thoughts.

  After working on the east side fencing, Howie, Amador, Nick and Ray arrived to eat. They looked like a motley crew to Dad, but one quite able, capable, and innovative. Dad had hope in them.

  Howie was some old movie producer or handler. He seemed more down to earth, like an old sailor chilling in Margaritaville. But someone who has done things and will do a few more before his time has ended.

  Nick was a short young guy, who was handy and technical. Dad recalled he worked as a grip on TV projects and probably had a tool belt back at his apartment.

  Ray was that prop guy turned movie producer. Maybe he was like an older Nick, but he seemed more artsy and conceptual. He certainly had a hands on approach which was good. He and Cherry lived near the big producer guy and fled to him the morning this all started, knowing that the guy had the panic room and all the bells and whistles. It wasn't enough though. They lost their daughter at her private school. It wasn't far, so several went to save their kids too, with swords and makeshift armor.

  They saw Dad on his motorcycle go through and thought they could do it. But they never trained with swords except a few hours before they left. They never returned.

  Nick and Ray were his engineers, his combat support. He had high hopes in them.

  “We got the barricades up on the east side. It was easy enough to block it all off from view. Won't stop a
horde, but will keep zombies from seeing in,” Nick said.

  Ray proffered more as they got their food and water bottles, sitting near Dad. “I think we should barricade up the whole perimeter. Well, there's so much building material out there. Create a perimeter with industrial stuff, and, I'd say, since there's the chain link fence, we can easily attach metal stuff, then add some wood on the outside. If we ever needed to, with gas nearby, we could light it up. Any horde that collects, that's big enough, we just pour the gas, light it up. The metal barricade ought to hold, and the wood and gas just burns the zombies all up. Plus, it's a big area and should be safe to burn, if... IF... we clear out the nearby houses, the cars, the brush. It would give us a big defensive boost.”

  “That sounds rocking!” Duanne said, motioning for a high five. “Let's do it man!”

  Dad looked up. He met Steve's eyes, sitting behind them. Duanne and Ray looked at everyone with gleaming smiles. Howie smiled too. The three had agreed on an idea as Dad and the others looked on.

  "I'm in charge here."

  "What?" Duanne asked mockingly, as Ray and Howie nodded along.

  "I'm in charge. I decide what we do."

  "Hey, man, it's a free country, a democracy," Duanne shrugged.

  "Oh boy," Steve huffed.

  Everyone sat silent. Duanne, Ray and Howie noticed.

  Dad looked at them, not angrily, more tired. "I decide what we do."

  "Who put you in charge," Howie remarked snidely.

  "They did," Dad motioned to everyone.

  Howie looked directly at Robert & Ellie. It appeared they had some sort of conversation about this that Dad didn't know about. Robert stuck out his chin but said nothing. Howie seemed disconcerted.

  Duanne rubbed his hands. "You know what. I agree. You are in charge." He looked at Howie and Ray who looked odd at first but shrugged.

  Nick stood up. "Ronan is in charge. We kind of voted on it."

  "Kind of?" Ray repeated.

  "Well, he made us," Nick said.

  The three jerked glances at each other and the rest.

  "Sounds unfair," Cherry said.

  "Then leave," Dad's wife said suddenly back to her, as if all their nice talk meant nothing.

  "What?" Ray glared at her.

  She looked back at him. "If you do not like that my husband is in charge, and that all these people follow him, you are more than welcome to leave. We will give you food and water. I'll make you armor and we'll give you weapons too."

  "Maybe we'll take our guns," Ray said.

  "We do not need your guns," Dad answered.

  "Whoah whoah whoahhh," Howie interjected, standing up and waving everyone to settle down.

  Nick, still standing, added, "Ronan has saved our ass more than, well, a lot. And we did all vote. He made us vote cuz some of us were... well, we need a leader. I mean, we're in a war."

  "To survive," Randall spoke out.

  "I'm cool with that!" Duanne said, looking at Ray.

  "Yeah, yep, cool with that," Howie added, sitting back down. "Got this place running great."

  "This ain't no Christiany Handmaid's Tale thing though, right?" Ray said.

  "Huh?" Dad asked. "Is that a TV show? Hollywood stuff?"

  "Dude!" Duanne glared at Ray.

  "Sorry," Ray sighed, chewing some dry cereal.

  5. Allegiance

  The four newcomers looked odd at everyone, not sure why they seemed so dour.

  “It's all good, right?” Duanne asked, looking around.

  “Sounds awesome!” Howie the Margaritaville, movie star entourage added.

  “He decides,” Randall said, pointing at Dad.

  Duanne, Howie, and Ray looked at him. They then realized they had to check their ego. Each did it differently. Duanne tried to show a polite ambivalence. Howie looked to Duanne's demeanor and followed suit. Ray gave a glum smile.

  “That is one of the things we have to do,” Dad finally said.

  They all nodded, as did everyone else.

  “I'm grateful you guys are here,” Dad added.

  Everyone could feel the 'but' coming on.

  “But I am in charge. What I say goes. However -- ingenuity is most definitely encouraged. I guess you all need the spiel, about who I am, what we are doing here.”

  “We're surviving, right?” Duanne exposited like a dark hero in a movie.

  “My Dad is the savior! He is the one, not you!” Charlotte suddenly blurted out.

  Duanne, eyes bulging, looked at her then Dad. The others looked around at her, at each other, then at Dad. He gave her a soft smile.

  “My Dad taught all of us how to fight. He fought the big thing, The Horde, twice! He fought it twice and beat it! And he's God's warrior left here on Earth to save you!” Charlotte now stood, pointing her finger, letting her M-4 sit on the table. Maggie and Carl protected it.

  “Okay Charlotte,” Dad said calmly. He noticed in a split moment Steve and Tom.

  Steve chewed his food and looked on with an approving nod. Tom sat in the rear, leaning back against the wall. He looked tough now. Dad realized in that glance that Tom had lost all of his effeminate demeanor and that he wasn't sitting with Steve. Dad blinked out of it and stood, calmly waving Charlotte to settle down.

  “Sorry man, no disrespect,” Duanne said politically astute.

  Dad gave a polite smile. “We're building something here, but it has to be, I believe in some sort of order, with some sort of leadership.”

  “Well, we can't have anarchy,” Howie blurted out.

  Duanne elbowed him, giving the floor back to Dad.

  “Let's take this a little more seriously for a moment. These people have all sworn loyalty to me, to my charge,” Dad eyed the three and Cherry, Ray's wife.

  “I'm just gonna come out and say it. You do what I say, when I say it, or leave or I kill you,” Dad said.

  Duanne's eyebrow raised. It was his classic movie hero epic moment of realization look. He used it in almost every film.

  Howie whistled silently.

  Ray grimaced, "Oh no, it's a cult."

  Suddenly, several chuckled. Others shook their head. Something loosened in that moment.

  Ray looked around shrugging that he was genuine. Which made everyone chuckle and giggle some more.

  “I'm not trying to be an asshole,” Dad said, somewhat exhausted.

  Randall stood, looking at Dad for affirmation. Dad nodded.

  Randall spoke. “What he's trying to say is that we've had trouble and cowards that put his family and our safety at risk. He's done a pretty damn good thing at clamping down on that, getting us all to realize that we owe him not just gratitude, but allegiance for our own safety. Uh, he is willing to do what it takes to keep us all safe. And if we're not going to do the same, he... won't have it.”

  Randall looked at the new people. They seemed to be absorbing the concept well. “So, he, hell even us, require you to swear allegiance or get the hell out or he'll kill you, quite frankly.” Randall shrugged and sat down satisfied.

  “And he's Christian,” Steve added. It wasn't mocking or insulting. Steve just said it.

  “Oh well,” Duanne looked around a bit defensive. “Is there a ceremony or something?”

  “No,” Dad answered. “You just do it. Swear allegiance to me, that you'll do what I say, always.”

  Howie rubbed his nose. “Sounds like a cult!”

  Ray tried to wave him off.

  “Exits right there,” Steve said. “I plan on leaving.”

  “What?” Howie turned to look at Steve and avoided looking at Dad.

  “Eventually. I'm a fag, and fags aren't allowed in loving Christian communities.”

  Others suddenly roused up in defense of Dad or to assuage Steve.

  “That's not what he said,” Randall answered back.

  “He never called you that,” his wife cried out.

  “You're a jerk, that's why!” Lena said.

  "Oh, the daughter speaks," Steve shrugge
d.

  "Shut up! Calm down! Fuck you!" were flung about.

  “He wants families and he said he'd help you find your own place,” Dad's wife said as their grumblings died down and she could be heard. “How can you talk like that? He hasn’t kicked you out and we don't make you come to our Bible study or church service. We don't make you do anything. We just ask you to respect our home, our castle, our place. You don't want to. So when you are ready to go, then we'll help you. And you can make your own home exactly the way you want. Would you allow us to go into your home and preach that Jesus Christ is the only way, the Savior, and that homosexuality is a sin? Can we do that in your home?”

  “Fuck no, I don't allow hatred or liars in my home,” Steve said, not looking at anyone.

  Dad's wife gawked, tears formed. “Fuck you.”

  Steve shrugged. “Exactly.”

  “Whoah, whoah, I didn't know in a zombie fucked up world, Christians and homosexuals would be fighting,” Howie said, almost laughing.

  Dad's wife stood up and walked toward her husband. She stood behind him.

  “Who wants to go with Steve?” Dad asked.

  “What?” Duanne looked about. He stared at Howie to shut up, for Howie was about to raise his hand.

  “Wait, wait, let's not have a rift okay. Let's just all calm down,” Ray said.

  “I am calm,” Dad said. “We all are. We are speaking the truth. Who all wants to go with Steve, and not owe or make an allegiance to me? To the Christian?”

  “I made an allegiance to you,” Steve said, looking at him. “I'm not ready to go.”

  “Oh shit,” Howie sighed.

  “You need to apologize then! We are not hatred or hate. We are Christians,” Randall huffed. “We save people, we protect people, and we love our enemies!”

  “Am I the enemy?” Steve leered.

  “Yes,” Dad answered.

  Everyone stopped to stare at Dad.

  “Oh, so they're not, all those animals out there, but I, the gay man, am?” Steve gnashed his teeth.

  “Yes Steve, you are the enemy. It is Christianity's claim that homosexuality is a sin. Ergo, you're the enemy,” Dad answered.