Just over an hour later, we touched down on the beach. We were two blocks from the house on Ocean Avenue. I could see Humvees on patrol, roaming up and down the small street.
“This whole area was just flushed out,” Jamie yelled over the sound of the chopper. “You're lucky. Just a few weeks ago, it was controlled by bikers and crawling with biters. You're still going to have to keep an eye out for crawlers, but otherwise it's all secure now.”
“Thank you,” Moto yelled as he hopped onto the sand. I followed after him. He turned to Jamie who was hanging back in the helicopter. “You coming or what?”
“Naw,” Jamie hollered. “This is family business. I'll hang back and keep the engines fired up and ready to go. Don't take too long. The beach still gives me the creeps. You never know when one of the undead is gonna come walking out of the drink atcha!”
“We'll be quick,” I promised. “I don't wanna get any more grief from my new sister-in-law than I have to, if you know what I mean.”
Moto and I walked to the highway where a soldier saluted us. We got in his armored vehicle and he drove us the short distance to our old house, stopping out in front by the mailbox. The front door was open, and there was another soldier waiting there for us. He saluted Moto as well, as we got out and walked toward him.
“Sir,” the soldier called out. “We've gone room to room. As far as we can tell, the dwelling is clean.”
“At ease, soldier,” Moto said, and the man visibly relaxed.
“Can I be of further assistance, General Macnamara?”
“Just keep a watch on the door,” Moto instructed. “We won't be long.”
“Yes sir.”
Moto turned without another word and walked into the house. I followed behind him, slowly shutting the door after us. The windows in the living room faced the Pacific Ocean, giving us a breathtaking view of the water and allowing us plenty of light to see, which was good since there was still no electricity.
“It looks the same,” Moto said in surprise. “I kinda expected that it might be torn apart or looted or burned to the ground by now.”
“Yeah,” I said lamely. “I know what you mean.”
We walked to the fireplace and stared at the picture above it of my mother and father. They both looked so young and happy, like newlyweds in love. Below the picture frame on the ledge was a cigar box I'd placed there the day after my father's funeral. I pulled it down and pawed through it, taking out the funeral announcement and obituary to reveal my parents wedding rings.
They're still here, I thought, genuine relief flooding my heart. Just where I left them over two years ago.
I turned and presented them to my brother.
“I can't,” he said, fighting back tears. “That ring belonged to your mother. Felicity should have it.”
“We talked about it,” I assured him. “We both agreed that if the ring was still here, we wanted you and Sonya to have it. It's our gift to you.”
“I don't know what to say,” Moto shook his head. “Thanks, man.”
He took the rings in his hand and turned them over; just staring at them, lost in his memories.
“Do you remember what dad used to tell us all the time?” I asked him.
“Of course I do,” he said. “Family comes first.”
“That's right,” I agreed. “Dad talked about the importance of family all the time, how there was nothing in the whole world more important or more precious than your family. I'm sure he'd want you to have these rings. I just wish he could be with us today.”
“Me too,” Moto said. “I know he'd be proud of the man you've become.”
“You think so?” I asked.
“I know so,” Moto assured me.
We stood there in awkward silence for a moment before he turned to walk down the hallway that led to the bedrooms.
“Where you going?”
“Just wanna see if there is anything left worth grabbing,” he stated. “Pictures and stuff, you know, for the girls. Most of that stuff got lost when we left Fresno, but there might still be something of value here.”
“I'll help,” I offered.
We scoured the house, finding my parents’ wedding album and some vacation photos. We took what we could easily carry, promising to come back for more later on. By the time we got back to the curb, over an hour had passed. When we were driven back to the chopper, Jamie looked impatient.
“Take your sweet time, why don'tcha?”
“Sorry,” I said. “We took a detour down memory lane.”
“We gotta get airborne now, or you're gonna be late for your big day,” Jamie said, giving the pilot the signal to take off. “Did we find what we came for?”
“We did indeed,” I promised him.
“Fantastic,” he smiled broadly. “Now let's just hope we don't hit any traffic on the way back.”
We kept low and to the water on the ride home. Although the pilot flew even faster than we had on the way up, we still didn't touch down on the base until nearly noon. I slipped the rings into my pocket, and Jamie and I hightailed it back to our rooms to get dressed. Despite the fact that the Bard Mansion had burned to the ground during the fighting, the wedding was still held out back in the gardens underneath the gazebo. By the time we got there, Moto was already standing beside the priest and the bridesmaids were coming down the aisle. I slid into place at his side just as Kaya walked Sonya out in her white wedding gown.
“Cutting it kinda close, aren't we?” Felicity hissed at me with a fake smile.
“We got back as fast as we could,” I protested.
“You're still missing a man,” Tarunika whispered.
“Where is Benji?” Moto asked, nervously looking around.
I gazed over the crowd of familiar faces. Up front were rows of soldiers we knew, including some of Felicity's best students. Behind them, I made out residents of Xanadu that had come out for the special occasion, intermingled with faces from Freedom Town and Gold Strike City. Happily, both the Spooky Sisters were there, along with Bad Bart. Turns out Sonya's big ride through a zombie horde had paid off, sparing most of the citizens a gruesome death. Unfortunately, the night had not been without casualties. Alphas had taken the lives of both Frank the Blacksmith and Hudson the Marshal. They were laid to rest in the town cemetery next to Teddy Duds. Later, Harry had taken over, rebuilding Gold Strike from the ground up, with the help of the survivors.
At the edge of the crowd, Benji proudly came toward us in full uniform. He had a wrapped stick in his hands and a huge smile on his face as he made his way around the seated crowd, and soon joined us at the altar.
“Where have you been?” I said.
“Sorry,” Benji whispered. “It couldn't be helped. I'll explain later.”
“Are we ready?” The priest quietly asked.
“We are,” Moto said, beaming with happiness.
The priest signaled the band with a nod of his head and the music began. Soon, Sonya was making her way down the aisle in a white wedding gown, with her nephew Kaya at her side. When they reached the altar, Sonya joined Moto while Kaya proudly informed the priest that he was in charge of giving her away. The vows were short but heartfelt, and in less time than I would have imagined, they were celebrating their union with a kiss and walking back up the aisle to where the refreshment bar was set up. Tarunika and Kaya went to congratulate them and eat cake, along with most of the other guests, but Benji and I sat down in the empty chairs.
“I brought you something,” he said, handing me the package.
“What is it?” I asked, feeling the heavy weight.
“Open it and see,” he guffawed.
I tore apart the wrapping to reveal a shiny silver staff covered in hand-carved skulls. I recognized it at once as the stick the Alpha Chieftain had used, the one he kept hitting me with on my head.
“I got it off one of the cleanup crews that helped out with Gold Strike City,” Benji said. “I thought you'd like to keep it as a souvenir.”
<
br /> “Thanks man,” I said, turning it over in my hands. “I appreciate it.”
“Don't mention it,” he grinned. “I was gonna let you know that I ran into Stanley the Stone the other day too.”
“Yeah?” I asked, not looking up.
“Don't worry,” Benji said. “He doesn't blame you for what happened anymore.”
“That's good news,” I said. “Did he ever find Janice?”
“Not yet,” Benji grimaced. “They put him in charge of his own platoon of men, a bunch of fiercely loyal guys. They've been taking down some hairy biker hideouts looking for her. He's become sort of a legend for his ferociousness. His name alone strikes fear into the hearts of outlaws, at this point.”
“It should,” I said, remembering that icy glare he'd given me as I was led away from Freedom Town in chains.
Moto made his way over to us and sat down.
“So, how did it go out in the badlands?” Moto asked.
“Oh no you don't,” Sonya said, stomping over and physically pulling him away. “No work. Not today. Not at your wedding. You promised.”
“Fine,” he said, turning and whispering to Benji. “I want a full update when I get back.”
They were pulled away by another crowd of well-wishers comprised mostly of new recruits who'd grown to idolize their resurrected leader, nicknaming him General Lazarus. I turned to Benji. He looked totally different than the kid I'd met back on the base. He was much more confident now, alert and ready. He'd grown into a warrior.
“So what did happen out in the badlands?” I asked.
“Nothing we couldn't handle,” he shrugged, trying to sound battle hardened beyond his years.
Why not? I thought. He's seen more action than most soldiers did in their whole tour of duty before Z Day. Come to think of it, we all have now, but he's the only one still actively out there on suicide missions.
“We sent in sniper units with night vision to neutralize the zombie element first,” he continued. “After that, it was like shooting fish in a barrel. A couple of flash grenades to get their attention, and some warning shots into the ground, were enough to make most of them surrender. A few tried to run, but they found themselves cut off. They gave up in a hurry once they saw they were surrounded.”
Felicity found us, waddling over in a tight white dress. Her belly was so swollen, she looked ready to pop right then and there.
Don't worry, I thought. You've still got a few more months to get prepared.
“Look at you,” Benji said, letting out a long, low whistle. “You look ready to go into labor any minute now.”
“It's still gonna be a while,” Felicity said. “Macnamaras are just big babies, that's all.”
“That's what I've been saying for years now,” Benji teased. I hit him and he laughed. He was covered in hard muscle now, a far cry from the scrawny, comic book obsessed runt I'd saved so long ago at Vandenberg.
“I wish it was sooner,” Felicity complained. “My lower back is killing me, and this kid kicks in his sleep – kinda like his dad. Plus, I'm always hungry, and I'm up all night going to the bathroom.”
“All part of the joys of parenthood,” I said. “I hear we won't be sleeping for the next three years or so, either.”
“Small price to pay for such a miracle,” Felicity said, smiling at me and rubbing her stomach.
“Have you decided on a name yet?” Benji asked.
“We're gonna call him Simon,” Felicity said. “In honor of the man who gave his life for our family.”
Music burst out around us as the band started up again. People were playing acoustic guitars and anything else they could find, while a very talented guy led out with a harmonica. Soon our friends were laughing and dancing. Felicity came over and pulled me to my feet, forcing me onto the dance floor. Sonya and Moto were right behind us. We danced and celebrated well into the late afternoon, at which point Felicity and I managed to slip away and take a stroll down by the water. We sat at the shore, Felicity leaning into me, watching the waves as they gently rolled in, not saying a word, with my hand softly caressing her belly. A feeling of warmth and peace radiated through me.
We made it, I thought. I can't believe we actually survived the zombie apocalypse.
My heart swelled with love and gratitude for all that I'd been given. I'd come through the darkest times imaginable, and been given so much to be thankful for, including the love of my life.
My dad was right, I thought. Nothing is more important than family.
I kissed Felicity on the crown of her head, and she gently squeezed my hand. We stared out over the water until the sun began to set, excited for the first time about what the future held.
-The End-
Acknowledgements
Thanks to my loving and supportive wife, Angie who always pushes me to go after my dreams and to never give up. You keep my inspired. I love you very much.
Thanks also to Shana Festa, Troy Fuss, Kymi Faith, Rick Peterson, Sharon Stevenson and Dave Gammon. Thanks to the Salerno family for their love and support. Mahalo to the Hālau Hula O 'Imi 'Ike for always supporting my writing career.
Thanks to my hardworking editor Patricia Bains-Jordan. Thanks to Shawn King for creating my Laughing Crow Media logo. Thanks to Alan MacRaffen for formatting. Thanks to Christian Bentulan for the new updated cover.
To my incredible readers, thank you for pushing me to create more new work!
I love receiving feedback from readers and the best way to provide that is with a review. When you leave a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, or where ever you purchased a book, it helps other readers. This also helps the author more than you can imagine.
So please, friends, if you like the book, leave a review on Amazon.
About the Author
Devan Sagliani was born and raised in Southern California and graduated from UCLA. He is the author of the Zombie Attack series, The Rising Dead, A Thirst For Fire, and the Undead L.A. series. Devan also wrote the original screenplay for the movie HVZ: Humans Versus Zombies. He writes a bimonthly horror column for Escapist Magazine called Dark Dreams. In 2014 he cofounded the At Hell's Gates horror anthology series with Shana Festa, which donates all proceeds to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to help wounded soldiers and their families.
Devan is an active member of the Horror Writer's Association. His fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and the Million Writers Award. In 2012 his debut novel Zombie Attack! Rise of the Horde won Best Zombie/Horror E-book on Goodreads.
He currently lives in Venice Beach, California with his wife and dog.
You can visit him online at http://devansagliani.com.
Connect with Devan on social media:
http://www.twitter.com/devansagliani
http://www.facebook.com/ZombieAttackRiseOfTheHorde
Read his columns on The Escapist:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comicsandcosplay/columns/darkdreams
Sign up to receive the latest news about the Zombie Attack series and other projects by Devan at http://www.devansagliani.com.
To learn more about AT HELL'S GATES, visit http://www.athellsgates.com.
Also by Devan Sagliani
Zombie Attack: Rise of the Horde (book 1)
Zombie Attack: Curse of the Living (book 2)
The Rising Dead
A Thirst For Fire
Undead L.A. 1
At Hell's Gates: Existing Worlds
At Hell's Gates: Origins of Evil
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