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Will made it to the school. He saw all of them sitting in the library. In the corner, the children had gathered to watch a a video. The women had set up a table, and carried some food, and snacks in there. Everyone was there. All, except those that, were on watch. Will went to Renee, and said, “I am going to go back to my place, just wanted to check, and make sure that, everyone was okay.” She said, “I think every one is alright, But, shaken. Have you heard anything about Rose, or Jimmy?” Will said, “No. They led quite a few of the dead away. We may have to do the rest. No one has seen them.”
Nicole asked, “Have the people on the walls eaten?” Will said, “I don't think so.” Nina said, “ Why don't we get a few things together for them, and a couple of us could bring them something?” She pointed to the table. Ruby walked up, “I'll help look for Jimmy, and Rose.” Will said, “Ruby, that is very brave. But, there is a swarm of those things out there. It's huge. You'll never get through them all. Even with your rig.” Renee said, “He is right, Ruby. We need you in here. What if those walls are breached?” Will said, “I think that, it would be better if you stayed here. If anyone, or thing, gets inside the walls, we don't think they can get though our walls. But, just to be safe, if something happens, all of you will need to protect the children, until some of us get back here.” Ruby said, “Alright, then.”
Cornelius ran away from the horde. He weaved in and out of one zombie, after another. He gained some speed and got ahead of them. He came to an old house.” Yes!” He rushed around the outer walls of the home. It was boarded up. He ran to the back. He was desperately looking for a way inside. He could not get in. He saw a barn, and a steel building. He ran to the steel building, first. It was locked up, tight. “Damn!” He looked behind him, the zombies were starting to catch up, now. He ran to the barn. He opened one of the large doors, then ran inside. After securing the barn door, he heard beeping. He climbed up to the loft. He looked out the door. It was his truck.They were not going very fast. They were leading the dead away. He could see zombies from all directions, turning towards the truck. They were following the it. He smiled, “Just wait em out, Cornelius.” He looked around for anything that he could use to survive.
After they had been driving awhile, Jimmy and Rose were getting swarmed. Every time they stopped the truck, more zombies gathered around the truck. They were coming from all sides, now. Jimmy said, “We are driving right into them.” Rose said, “We have to keep going. If we stop now, we'll never get away. And, the herd will keep moving towards the group.” Jimmy said, “ There are too many up ahead, on the highway. I'll have to drive through the grass, and circle around them. We'll get back on the road, up ahead.” Rose said, “No! It's too risky. I we get stuck, we are as good as dead.” Jimmy said, “I think we can handle it. The ground is dry.” He veered to the left and pushed down on the gas pedal. The truck was moving on the grass, but there were so many zombies surrounding the vehicle, he had to weave between the thicker parts of the mob. As the truck drove over, and around the dead, zombies slammed into the windows. Rose covered her mouth with her hands. “Oh no! Jimmy! We aren't going make it!” He said, “Yes, we will.” He hit the gas pedal, maneuvered the truck right through them, and back to the highway. Just when they thought they would be stuck, the tires grabbed onto enough pavement to move the truck back onto the road. The zombies tried to follow. Before they could completely surround the truck, it jerked onto the pavement. Jimmy floored it, beeping all the way. Now, they were on a clear part of the highway, beeping, while driving slowly. The large herd was following them, now. It looked like the line went back a mile. Rose said, “ I have an idea. I know where to lead them.” Then, she was quiet for a moment.
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Jimmy said, “So....” he hesitated. Then, looking over at her, he continued,“What is your plan? Where are you taking us?” Rose said, “It's a storage facility. In Wolcott. I's pretty big.” He asked, “You mean, like a place to put your stuff when you move?” She said, “Yes.” He was skeptical. “Rose. A fence won't hold these things back.” She said, “ There is only one gate, going in. It's a three-walled storage set up. The storage building is a gigantic, U-shaped brick building, with the storage areas being the outer walls. They did it to avoid break ins. The middle part is paved. It is the size of half a football field. Between that open area, it will hold them. We'll have to drive all the way back. Then, get out as fast as we can. But, we will have to do something about the gates.” He said, “ It's worth a shot. How much further?” She said, “Twenty-miles. Give, or take.” He said, “Is there any place there, that may have a supply of weapons or radios?” She shrugged, “There are a few small town businesses. Maybe,we can find something.” They continued along the highway, until they came into Wolcott. When Jimmy drove through the small town, he saw some businesses. He saw some abandoned vehicles. There were some straggler dead staggering around here and there. They came to a Y in the road. Rose said, “Go left.” Jimmy followed the road to the left. The long mob of zombies trailed behind, for several blocks. Rose pointed to a large brick building. “There. There it is.” Jimmy sped to the gate. He exited the truck, and tried to open the gate. It was locked. Rose watched the expression on his face change from focused, to fear. He stood in front of the truck. The zombies slowly staggered a block behind them. He came back to the truck He rifled through a box behind the seat. He had found a few tools. Rose asked, “Is there anything there to help?” He said, “No. I can't find anything. It is an electric gate. I will look for a manual release.” She watched him walk back to the gate, climb on top, then jump to the other side. She nervously, turned to look behind them. The herd was getting closer. She could only see part of his body. It looked like he was loosening something with the ratchet. He was trying to move fast. She saw him throw something to the ground. It looked like a metal bar. She turned around. The herd was getting too close. She started to panic. The zombies were only twenty five feet away, now. She rolled down her window.“Jimmy!” she yelled. She turned back to look at the dead coming towards the truck. She turned back to the gate. He pulled it open. She rolled her window up, just as a leathery,zombie slammed into the it. Rose slid over and drive the truck through the gate. Jimy pulled the gate closed. Some of the dead tried to force their way on and crammed their arms though the gate. Finally, Jimmy pulled the gate back open, and ran to the truck. One zombie grabbed Jimmy by the shirt, he shoved it down, and jumped inside the truck. Rose cried, “Oh! I thought it had you.” He said, “We're gong to be okay. “ He idled the truck through the gate. Every fifty feet or so, he beeped.
Scott and the group sat in the conference room. Will said, “We have to go out, and look for them.” Scott said, “Will. If we leave the walls unguarded, that is when those men can get in. We don't know how many numbers they have. Jimmy will get back here. If he is not back in a day or two, Then, I'll go out. But, right now, it's too dangerous to get caught out there, when we don't even know what we are facing.” Kyle said, “He is right, Will. We have to be on that wall all of the time. The herd is leaving. They led most of them away. As soon as they get a break, they'll be back. We need to listen to the waves, they will probably try to get a message to us, as soon as they can.” Aidan added, “We need extra people by Rose's place. I am trying to convert one of the trucks into an armored vehicle. Like Ruby has, but one that can plow through herds, or cars. I will be able to drive right through those guys.” Renee walked in, “Has anyone heard from them?”
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Will said,”We need to go out there. They just led a thousand of those things away from us. They may need our help.” Pastor Dom said, “Will. They are right. I think that Jimmy will hide out, and get back when able. He is a soldier. Some of those men got away. If they have a large group, or even just a few men left, they can come back and attack us, again. We have to guard the walls and we have to be ready for them.” Will said, “Okay. If we don't hear anything by tomorrow, I am going to look for them.” Kyle cut in,
“Will, you need to stay with the girls. Jimmy will send us a sign, or he'll lay low, until he can get them back here. Some of those men got away. I think that they know about the orchard, and want take this place away from us. They need to get inside these walls. I saw this all of the time, when I was sent out of the country on assignment. The thugs just roll up on someone, kill them and their families, then take what they have. Will... Do you understand what I am telling you? All it will take, is for one of them to get through the gates, or over the wall, then stab one of us in the throat. All they have to do is, let one us turn. Then, the zombies inside will do their dirty work for them. Any women, and children who survive, will wish that they had not.” Will didn't say anything. He knew that, they were right. He listened to them speak about what to do to keep the place functioning, while guarding the walls. Ben asked, “So how are we going to get out for supplies if those guys keep coming back?” Will said, “We can go down the ridge. But, we would need a way to carry everything back up.” Pastor Dom said, “It would not be hard to build a lift. But, it would take eyes off of the walls.” Kyle said, “Or, we could create a diversion. Slip out, and come back in through the back entrance They all turned and looked at Kyle. He continued, “We test it out, first, see if they fall for it.” Aidan asked, “What kind of diversions do you have in mind?” Kyle answered, “I'll do some scouting, tomorrow. See if I can find any traces of the men who got away. It all depends on how many people they have. Right now, we need to keep watch. I think that we should put trip wires and set traps out there. Jack was right about that. I'll start on that, soon.” Scott said, “Renee says that we are good on supplies, for now. So, we take it one day at a time. See what happens within a few days.” Will said, “We also need someone to help butcher meat and make cheese, things like that. I know how, but it is a lot of work. And, we'll need to divide it all up for the group. We should dry some of it.” Scott said, “ That is a good idea.” Renee said, “ I'll bring that up to some of the women. Aidan asked “ Why don't we set a trap that will draw the Raiders out. Then, deal with them?” They all turned to Aidan. Scott said, “Go on....” Aidan said, “They know we must have supplies in here. They have ambushed us, and tried to take our stuff, a couple of times, now. They killed Keith. So, I say that, we go out with a supply truck filled with stuff. Only, the stuff is a load of empty crates and boxes. When they roll up, we come out shooting.” Kyle said, “If we do it, we have to pick a place with an alternative route. So, we can get out. Otherwise, they'll cornered us.” Aidan said, “Or, we pick a place where we can corner them in.” Kyle said, “Is there a place like that around here?” Everyone looked at Will, and waited or him to answer.
As Jimmy drove the truck, it started to sputter. It lost power, then rolled to a stop. Rose's eyes grew large. “Jimmy! What is wrong?” She held on to the seat, digging her fingers into the fabric. She could not believe it. They were almost to the end of the grounds. Jimmy blurted out, “What the hell? It's running out of gas! Come on! Not now!” He looked up at the building. He turned the key, and restarted the truck.. He pushed down on the gas pedal. The truck accelerated, and sped forward. They were twenty feet from the back of the building. The truck sputtered, again. It rolled to a stop, again.
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Rose cried, “Oh no! We won't make back through that!” Jimmy looked around, the herd was thirty-five feet behind them. They were cornered. “Rose looked frantic. She looked helpless. Jimmy saw a ledge six feet up on the wall. Then around another six feet to the top. He opened his door and jumped out. He said, “ Come on! Help me push this to side. Near the wall!” He pulled the gearshift into neutral. She cried, “What?” He said, “ We'll climb. She said, “How?” He answered, “We'll strand on top of the truck and climb. Come on! We have to get the truck turned before they get to us.” She got out and they started to push the truck. It moved slowly. When they made it a few feet from the wall, Jimmy turned the wheel. He yelled, “Come on! Just a little further. We have to get it close to the dumpster.” Rose turned around. The herd was getting closer. The zombies were gaining on them. The herd was only twenty feet away, now. They turned the truck. Jimmy yelled, “Push!.” They pushed it into the dumpster. Rose turned, the herd was close, maybe ten or twelve feet away, now. “Jimmy!”she yelled. “They are coming! We aren't going to make it!” He yelled,” Come on!” He jumped onto the hood of the truck, and extended his hand to her. She reached up to him. He grabbed her hands, and pulled her up. Then, they climbed on top of the dumpster. Jimmy yelled, “Come on!” he was already on the ledge. He pulled her up with him, like she was a child. They both stood on the ledge. Rose stared at the horde. The zombies were right underneath them. The mass of dead zombies were reaching up, leering at them. The sound of the growling, was deafening. Rose was frozen. Jimmy said, “Rose... Rose!” She jerked her gaze away from the sea of dead, and towards him. Jimmy said, “ We have to get up there.” He pointed to the roof, which was six feet above the ledge.” He said, I will climb up. Then, I need you to give me your hands, and I'll pull you you up.” She said,” Okay” as she stared down. He said, “ Rose, don;t look at them. Just, hold on, and turn around.” She said, “ Yes.” Jimmy climbed up onto the roof. He leaned over the side. He reached down to Rose. “ Come on, now. Watch your step.” She slowly, turned, and reached up to him. He said, “On three. One, two, three.” He pulled her up, fast. She swung up her foot, and caught the edge of the roof. Jimmy pulled her backwards, with him. They both rolled back onto the roof. They were both out of breath. They held onto each other, for a long time. Then, rolled onto their backs. Rose said, “ Thank you, Jimmy.” He said, “ Don't thank me, Angel. Just stay alive.” He sat up, and looked around. This roof was part of a second floor. Over to their right, they could both see a wall with a couple of windows. Jimmy said, “Maybe, we can find a radio, or something that we can use in there. Rose turned to her side, then sat up.“Well, let's go look.” Jimmy stood up, and they walked to the windows. They both peeked through the glass. The rooms looked like offices. Jimmy said, “I need to get this window open.” He pushed on the first one. It was jammed shut. He moved over and pushed up on the next one. It opened. Rose smiled. “Yes!” Jimmy said, “Oh Yeah!” He whispered, “We'll leave it open. We don't know what is inside. We may turn a corner, and find more of the dead. If that happens, we get back here A.S.A.P.!” She said, “Lead the way.” They climbed inside. The room looked like a standard office. Desk, chairs, and file cabinets. Rose looked around the room. She walked over to a cabinet, and opened the door. She was glad that she did. When she saw what was inside, she said, “Yes!” She looked up towards the ceiling, as though, God was standing there. “Thank you!” Jimmy still stood on the other side of the room. He turned around. When he did, he saw bottled water, snacks, and some canned food. He made a bee-line for the cabinet. They both opened a bottle of water, and guzzled. Jimmy poured some of the water over his face. He grabbed a roll of paper towels, and unrolled a couple in one hand.
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He ripped the wad of paper towels off of the roll, and dried his face. He said, “Okay. We drink some water, grab a snack. Then, explore. Quietly. Remember, we have no weapons, now.” Rose looked up at Jimmy. “Okay. First, I have to pee.” She headed towards the bathroom. He rushed in front of her, and pushed his hand over the door. She shot him a taut look. “What are you doing?” He pressed his finger to his lips. “Sh.” Then, he slowly opened the door and peeked inside. He pulled open the door. “Okay. It's clear.” She thought to herself, I could have walked face first, into a zombie with no gun, or knife.
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