Living Dead 2.0

by Radovick, Ronda

  156

  She demanded, “What do you want?” He said, “Listen. Just calm down. I am just here to make sure you are alright. That's all.” She looked around. “ Who's with you? I don't believe you. I don't have anything here that you want.” He said, “Imogen, listen to me. There are people, who are starting to carry out door to door searches. You have to get out of here. It's too dangerous for you to stay here.” She stared at him, in confusion. “You know my name? How do you know my name? Who is going door to door? Your friends that killed my Mother?” Now she was really scared. This did not make sense to her. He said, “They are not my friends. Please. Just put down the gun. I'll explain everything that I know.”

  She demanded, “What is your name? Just tell me, now. What are you talking about. And, how do you know my name?” He answered, “Kyle. Kyle Morgan. Are you going to take that gun off of me?” She didn't know what to do. She said, “Sit down over there. Don't move. Tell me what you are talking about.” He sat down on the chair, across the room from her. She said, “Keep your hands in front. So I can see them. TALK.” He said, “They are moving this way. Going door to door. They are making those who are left go to a camp. At first, I thought that, I was helping the situation. That is why I signed up for this.” She cut him off, “To kill people?” He said, “ No! We were supposed to help those, who had not turned. Get them to safety. After we got to the middle of town, all hell broke lose. We were swarmed from all sides. Some of the guys started killing everyone. That's when you showed up. When I saw you in the corner. I ..” She yelled, “They killed my mother! I saw her laying in a pile of other bodies. She was still moving. One of your guys walked right up to her, and shot her!” He said, “I didn't shoot her. I am sorry, Imogen. I could see how traumatized that you were. I was going to sneak back and help you. We fought off the dead all night. You left before I could make it back to where you were.” He paused for a moment. Then, continued speaking, “I didn't know your Mom was out there. We were sent there to stop people from getting killed. Then, that horde ...there were just too many. Myself, and another guy, heard the commanding officer talking about our next orders, to do door to door searches and round ups. Some of the guys started killing everyone they saw, after that. Jeff and I, one of the other guys I was talking about, we tried to stop them. It was after you got out. They tried to shoot us, too. We got separated in the chaos.” She cut in, again, “Really? Do you really expect me to believe this? And, you decided that you would come here? For what?” He said, “I followed your truck, when you got out, Imogen. I made it to the corner in time to see your vehicle moving away. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I have been checking on you for a week.” She didn't know what to say, at first. “So, you mean that, you have been stalking me for a week?” He asked, “What would you have done, if I rang your door bell? Would you have invited me in for tea? Besides, I had to hide.” She said, “So, you thought leaving a trail to my front door for those lunatics that you work with, would be a good idea?” He said, “Not them. When I followed you here. Some of the dead came up on me. So I ran behind your house to hide. After I went back, and realized that my bosses started carrying out orders, I just wanted to warn you. That's all.” She studied him. She did not know what to say. She didn't think that she should believe him, but she did. She pointed the gun down to the floor. He asked, “Do you believe me?” She replied, “I don't know what to believe, anymore. I can't help you. I can't protect you from your friends. You can't stay here. I don't trust you. I have some food, if you are hungry. But that's it. And, I am leaving soon.” He asked, “Where did you get the medical supplies? Do you know how to use that stuff?” She said, “ Maybe. Is it time for your yearly check up?”

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  He questioned her, again, “Are you a nurse?” She didn't answer. He realized that, she was a doctor. “You're a doctor?” He put his head down in his hands. She said, “ Yes. I am a Doctor. Okay?” Kyle said, “I hope you are leaving tonight, or in the morning, at the latest. If they catch you.... They will never let you go.” She asked “Why?” He said, “They can use you. And, if you don't comply... they will make you wish that you were dead. You have to get out of here, soon.” She said, “I don't know when, but I am leaving....” He cut in, “Imogen...This is serious. There are not very many sane, rational people left. The guys with the guns are power-hungry, lunatics. Do you understand?” She snapped back, “This is my parents' home! I know that I have to leave. But, not right now.” He didn't know what else to say to her. He wanted to save her. She didn't realize what the peacekeepers had been doing. He said, “Okay. I am going to leave. Okay?” Can I check on you tomorrow?” She said, “It does not matter. I really want to be left alone.” He stood up, “If I leave, you won't shoot me in the back? Will you?” She said, “No.” He said, “You may not understand. But, I really am sorry about your Mom. My family are all gone, too. I got to them too late. Don't leave the lights on, or make any noise. If you see any military vehicles, or black S.U.V.'s, hide.” He turned around, and left. She sat back, numb. After a while, she locked the door. She peeked out through the window. She didn't see anyone. Across the street, Kyle sat in the empty house, watching Imogen's home through the window.

  Rose, and Keith were out looking for more zombies. They had been out all day, and could not find anyone. Keith said, “Rose, they are all gone.” She said, “They are somewhere. I am afraid that when we find more, it will be too many.” He said, “Why don't we take a break from this. Maybe, we can help Granny and the others out around the farm a little more.” Rose said, “I have been thinking about that. I think that you are right. I think that we should go over to the lake, if we don't see anything, we head back...Yes?” He said, “I think that you are right.” People are gone, or hiding. Those things are out there. That is for sure. I think that, we should talk to Granny about closing off her property. If we get on it,we can protect the farm from the dead ones. It will give us and edge to keep a horde out.” She smiled, “You always have the answer.” They drove a little longer. Keith went to Bass Lake. When he came around the bend, they saw a Hummer driving ahead of them around two blocks distance. They exchanged a look of surprise. Rose asked “ Do you think that we should approach them?” Keith replied, “ Let's see what they do, first.” They watched, as Keith slowed down the Suburban. He drove at a slow speed. It looked like the Hummer was slowing down, as well. They exchanged another look, again. Rose said, “Maybe, we should turn around.” Keith did, just that. He stopped, and backed up into the grass, then turned around. After they started to head back the other direction, Keith blurted out, “Crap! Here they come.” Keith sped up. The Hummer sped up, and followed right behind them. Then sped up some more, and rushed up along side of the moving Suburban. The driver swerved over, and tried to force Keith off of the road. “Keith pulled over. The man inside jumped out, and ran around the back of the Hummer with his gun drawn. He ordered, “Get out of the vehicle..Now!” Keith stepped out with his hands up. “He said, “ Whoa, Man. We were just passing through, looking for people.” The guy said, “ Well. You found one. So what are you tailing me for? And, who is inside there?” He walked up the side of the Suburban. Keith said, “Hey wait. That's my girlfriend.”

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  The angry man pointed his gun at Keith, “ You! Get back!” He yelled, again. “Get out! Let me see your hands.” Rose slowly, stepped out of the Suburban, then walked around the front to meet the man. She had her hands in the air. The expression on the man's face went from angry-concern, to happy-surprise. He said, “Well. Damn! I don't believe it. It's Rose Fox! Man.. Ms. Fox, I'm sorry. I ....put your hands down. I'm sorry. I didn't know that it was you. I thought someone was tailing me.” The man lowered his weapon. Keith asked,” You know who she is?” The man said, “ Yeah. I know who she is. A lot of people do... or did.” After showing a slight saddened look, he continued. “I'm Sgt Jimmy De Vito. I just made a supply run. I have my buddy and his family, not far from here. Whoa. I'm sorry.”


  Rose and Keith were relieved. Rose said, “It's okay. We understand. I'm Rose, and this is Keith.” She pointed to Keith. Keith and Jimmy shook hands. Keith said, “We get it. Times are changing. But, you had us a little nervous there for a minute.” Jimmy said, “Sorry. Really. So. Are you guys out making a video?” They both tried to answer. Rose said, “Well...” Keith said, “ Yes. Lately, we have been just trying to find people.” Jimmy asked, “Ms. Fox. What can you tell me about those things? Anything the general public does not know?” Rose said, “Well. They move slow. Their bite infects their victims. They follow people, movement, sound, lights. You are not with an active unit, are you? Because, we have come onto some scenes that looked like the military were killing people.” Jimmy said, “No. Not anymore. And, that's the reason why. But, I would like to talk with you guys about what you have seen. I know that Major Scott would, too.” Keith said, “Major?” Jimmy said, “We left together. We are just trying to lay low. Major Scott is a Doctor. He, his wife, and young son, and a Minister are with me. We just want to know everything we can. They only gave us orders on a “need to know basis” before we left.” Keith and Rose exchanged a look. Rose said, “Sgt. De vito, we saw soldiers executing people. And, it seemed like they were getting orders. Are you telling us that, you didn't know about that? And, if not, will you be willing to talk about what you do know? We are trying to continue to get the word out to anyone still able to watch. If they can spread the word, even to a few people... it is worth it.” He said, “ I agree. But, you cannot give our location.” Rose said, “Sure.” Keith started to film, now. Jimmy continued, “I tried to get word to you, when I started to figure things out. I didn't think you were still alive. We only received orders to go in, and close off areas that were to be quarantined. Then, things spiraled, from there.” She asked, “So, when did you start to realize that things were really bad? You know, that this was turning people into the dead...” A zombie walked out of the trees. As Jimmy started to answer, he took his knife out, grabbed the zombie by it's hair, “ Well.....” he said. He thrust the knife into it's temple. “I knew that it was bad when we went into Chicago. Whole units would go into an area, and not come back.” The zombie fell to the ground. Keith and Rose watched in shock, as the man killed the zombie as easy as 1-2-3. Keith looked around the camera at Rose, as they exchanged another glance. He blurted out, “That was pretty good, Sgt. Devito.” Rose, who was visibly impressed, asked another question. “Jimmy, Do you know anything about Chicago, or the big cities? Do you know what is going on in those places, now?” A look of sadness and gloom came over his face. He sad, “Ma'am. Anyone left in any big city, is doomed unless they can find some real good wheels, and enough gas to get out. The hordes are so big in those places that ...” He looked down at his feet. He looked up, and continued, “ They engulf whole city blocks. Some units were given orders to kill anything that moved, and take what they have.” Rose let what he was saying sink in. She already knew that he was telling the truth.

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  Her other sources had warned her before. She said, “What about a set up to help draw people to one place? Maybe, if enough people put their heads and resources together, we could fight this...” He cut her off, “ With all due respect, that is a good idea. But, who would weed out the bad people?” She asked, “What? What do you mean?” He replied, “Honey. If there are bad soldiers and marines...Do you not think that, there will be other bad people who will rob you? Or, worse?” She said, “I would think that, most live people escaping a mob of flesh eating zombies would be happy to be with a group of other live people.” He said, “Ma'am. Myself and the family I am with, barely escaped with our lives from the very kind of people that I am trying to warn you about. They took over a community school that was set up to be a safe haven for a town. Then, they killed, or made slaves out of survivors. When we got out, there were not a lot of people left. They weren't military. In fact, they killed the military that was left there, and took over. You have to be very careful, now. That's all that I am saying. Listen...” He turned around, and walked to his Hummer. He pulled out a radio. He handed her the radio. He said, “Keep this on channel three. I will call out to anyone listening on that channel at eight O'clock every morning. If you don't hear from me, well...you know. Maybe, we can meet up in an undisclosed place to talk more, later. I need to get back, now. It was nice meeting you two. Be careful. If you speak ove the radio, don't tell anyone where you are. Stay off of the interstate. It's dangerous.”

  He stepped up into his Hummer.. Keith said, “It was nice meeting you.Hope we can talk some more, later.” Rose said, “ Thank you, Jimmy. Really. I would like to hear more about what you have seen and just get your input on things, later. If you think you can trust us, enough.” He winked at her. “ I'll think about it. Right now, You two better get on home. Be careful out there.” As he pulled off, he yelled out through the window, “ Eight O'clock sharp. Don't forget!” Rose and Keith watched him leave. Rose said, “I think this is a good sign. There are people living in the area, in the same boat that we are in.” She glanced over at Keith. He said, “You know, he makes a good point ...about the bad people that we could come up on.” She stared down at the dead zombie. She agreed, “ Yes. Let's get out of here.” They got back into Keith's Suburban, and went back to Granny's place. Keith pointed to the truck in the driveway. “Who is this?” Rose blurted out, “Mr. Neely?” As they stepped out of the vehicle, Will came out onto the porch. They came to the bottom of the steps. Will said, “Well. Hello there, Stranger. I'm glad you made it home safe, again.” Rose said, “Is everything alright?” He said, “Well. Not really. We seem to have a problem. It seems like dead people are attacking live people all over the place. I heard that you might know something about that.” They walked into the house. Rose said, “Come on back in.” They all went in, and sat down. Granny said, “ There they are. Who is thirsty? Tell them what you told me, Will.” Rose said, “ Mr. Neely, this is Keith. Keith, Mr. Neely.” The men nodded to each other. Will looked at them both, sternly. “Well, you both already know how bad the situation is out there. Um....” Keith said, “Yes we do.” Will glanced over at Keith, then Rose. He continued, “Three of them came up on my property. I shot them all, but if they came, more surely will. Have you seen any close by here?” Rose and Keith, exchanged a worried look. “No,” Keith said. “We see them out on the road all of the time. But, never this close.” Rose said, “They move in large mobs within the cities and towns. We need to figure something out... some way to stop them.” Keith asked, “How?” Will answered, “Well. I am glad you asked that, Keith. Because, I have an idea. But, it might be a little far-fetched. But, when Tom gets back. If we all work around the clock, we can start getting it done. It will be work, though. I'm a not gonna lie to ya.”

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  Rose asked, “How, Mr. Neely? Tell us.” Will said, “Well, when I was still driving the truck. One company that I used to move for, was the American Container Co. They have yards in Hammond, Gary, East Chicago and Michigan City, and Lafayette. We close off our lands using the containers, and the tracter trailers. In places that we cannot place the containers, we build a stone wall, and plant bamboo between the containers. We will be working around the clock. But, it will be worth it.” Keith cut in, “Shipping containers? We have to move them here. How can we do that?”

  “We move them with semi-trucks, and the lifts they have in the yards. Tom can drive, and so can I. But, we will need to move them around the clock. We start by closing off the front of both properties. Those things can't get through that. We also drop one or two across the roadway down from our properties. We figure out which way we want no one to get through from. And we block it off.”

  “How much land do you have, Will? What if we get ambushed? Do we even have a clear shot to and from the yards?”asked Keith. Rose cut in, “If we could get help, it might work.” Will said, “I have over one hundred-fifty acres. But, only a small part exposed to the highway. Ms. Clea's land
is more exposed. But, I have an idea about that, too. Need to talk to Tom when he gets back. Rose, what do you mean ….if we get help?” Rose said, “We met a man today. Don't know much about him, Mr. Neely. But, he says that, he is with a couple and their child. And, a minister. He gave me a radio. Said, he'll talk in the mornings, at 8:00 A.M.” He answered, “ Well, chat with him, and feel him out. The yards have big trucks, with a lift that can grab and stack them. We will have to bring one here.” But, we will be working around the clock, for awhile. Now, highway here in front of your land is easier. But, we should try some kind of double stacking. We can follow the landscape of this place. Keith asked, “What do you mean?” Will replied, “ You are in a valley. We fence off the hills around you naturally. We use bamboo and stones where we cannot get the steel dropped. Rose, please tell me that, you did not give the man you met our location, today?” Rose said, “No. I didn't. But, he is going to be on the radio that he gave to us in the morning on channel three. Funny, he told us not to discuss our location over the radio. He seemed weary of giving us his location, too. He said he was with a family with a child. That's about all he said.” They heard a vehicle racing up Granny's driveway. They all ran to the porch. They could not believe their eyes. It was Tyler and Tessa in their father's vehicle. Tyler was driving so fast that, when he hit the brakes, the truck slid on top of the gravel, skidding onto the grass. The adults ran outside. Both children jumped from the vehicle. They were screaming and crying that, “The dead people ate their parents.” All of the adults surrounded the children. Tyler was breathing like he was having an asthma attack. He was struggling to breath and talk. Tessa was crying, and buried her head into Granny's chest. Granny asked, “What happened, Tess?” The girl would not talk. She just, cried. Then, Tyler started to speak. “They got them! They got both of them, Auntie Rose. I couldn't do anything!” He was crying. “Mom and Dad kept yelling at us to run to the truck. When we got in, I thought that they were coming, too. But, when I looked through the window, I could only see the dead ones. The keys were inside. I could hear them screaming. Then, the screaming stopped. Then, the dead people, they came and tried to get us in Dad's truck. We were so scared. I started the truck, and came here. I'm sorry, Auntie Rose. I'm sorry.”