by catt dahman
He shivered and shook his head.
“Hannah, do you want to shoot your brother? Do you want to do that and then burn him in a fire?”
“No, Ma’am,” she stuttered and hiccupped, still wailing.
“That is all I have to say on this matter. You have sat and worried about what your dad and I were going to say. I have said it.
Now, you both just think on it, and when you have thought enough, you owe Mark, Matt, Sadie, and Andie an apology. You owe George and Len one as well. You can both pray for poor Jim.
I know your hearts were in the right place, and I am so proud of your bravery and the fact you both are such good fighters, but I will be damned if I can stand for one of my babies to have to be shot in the head, too,” said Beth as she spun and left the room. Jet fell over against his sister, crying as it all hit him.
Kim looked in, hearing the last part and didn’t spend two hours dressing them down; both were chastised and made aware of what they did wrong. It was a terrible lesson they would never forget.
That night, he held his wife while she cried for her friend and the next day and for weeks afterwards. His wayward children would act contrite and keep quiet as they worked harder than ever. They did issue full apologies that they meant, and when they came to Kim and Beth, both held them and told them how much they were loved.
That time was forever imprinted on the siblings, and they never forgot the lesson. Jet set a goal for himself, learning rules and protocol for everything, and eventually he was Matt’s second, always dependable and unyielding about the proper ways to do things. He only had to look at Kevin to remind himself how loss felt and what it looked like.
Hannah understood and worked hard to learn everything she could, shadowing Len often and asking for more training. While Jet learned one lesson from everything, Hannah learned another.
She regretted the meanness she showed Ponce when they rescued him. Why didn’t she learn mercy and kindness, along with her other lessons?
When she was ready, she planned to kill every single zombie on the planet by herself so that her mother would never again have to go through the pain of shooting a friend. She cursed the inoculation everyday of her life because she was forced to have it, but now, she accepted it, knowing she could go out and kill the monsters without fear of them.
Hannah embraced her destiny.
Chapter 7
Z Year 7
The day and evening began wonderfully. The weather was perfect, and everyone was busy all day with work and social activities. As night came and the night air cooled, Beth called Hannah to walk with her, holding her daughter’s hand.
When they came to the bonfire, Hannah saw everyone she loved sitting and waiting, and there was a big table with a cake and bowls, and they shouted a ‘Happy Birthday’ to her: she was now nineteen.
Katie danced over to her, hugging her tightly; she was twelve, the age Hannah was when all this began but far more innocent.
Hannah didn’t let go of her little sister even as the twins, Georgie and Stevie, aged seven, ran to hug her; followed by Ben and Neal, her little brothers; and Jet, her handsome, smart, strong twenty-four-year-old-brother. Mark and Misty’s brood: Zane, Lex, John, and Lenny, were there, already begging for cake while Misty sat watching them with her belly big again. Jilly Montaine held her baby Cinder, and Johnny held little Roxie whom she passed to Conner so she could take Jilly’s baby.
Jilly sang beautiful songs to Hannah that made everyone feel good and then some fast, old pop songs that made people dance and cheer.
Then everyone put away guitars, and Jilly sat down again. Hannah cut her cake and licked the frosting with delight. Katie must have designed the birthday cake, as it was big, pink, and covered with frosted roses and tiny blue flowers and tasted of almonds.
Julia sat content with Matt and their children: Thury, Hagan, and the youngest, Bryanna, all named for friends who lost their lives. Steve and Tory’s kids ran or toddled everywhere, and they scrambled to keep up with the little ones. Hannah laughed a lot and opened gifts: a new cross bow, bad-ass boots, a brush and comb set in real silver, and a pendant from Jet that was real amber and contained an insect trapped within. It caught the light and sparkled with a deep gold.
Hannah knew that the insect was an analogy.
Beth and Kim didn’t have a gift for her to unwrap but handed Hannah an envelope with a few words written inside. They chose a beautiful blood bay horse for Hannah, and that was her gift; Katie had drawn a horse on the paper in exquisite detail. Len gave her a sharp, wicked knife that she could use instead of her stand by knife that was worn to a sliver.
Misty and Mark gave her a quilt that Misty laboriously sewed, each square embroidered with a name of a dear friend. Hannah traced Alex’s name sadly. Hannah had a pile of special gifts.
Teeg, Carl, and Maria gave her the last gift and grinned like fools as they did so. It was something Carl found and polished to a rich glow. Hannah found under the wrapping paper a new katana that was real with its own sheath that Teeg worked on for hours with wax and oils. It was much more than Hannah could have dreamed of.
One never knew when a birthday would be more than cake and a few songs. When the day was chosen, that person got special gifts, and it was a very big day. This was Hannah’s special birthday. Brushing back her long blonde hair, she thanked each person and basked in the fire’s warmth.
Only a few people were not at the gathering, but Hannah knew they’d be along soon.
Over the last few years, John Ponce, whom she and the others rescued, went out to seek more survivors and bring them in. They wanted to incorporate a new building to house them all. The building once was a big office building, but it was perfect, and the land around it made excellent gardens. Never did anyone go hungry or unsatisfied. Ponce wasn’t there.
Zane and Katie held hands, nervous that both sets of their parents, Kim and Beth and Misty and Mark might disapprove, but no one said a word. The children ate cake.
It was perfect until Doc sent word that some were needed to come quickly to medical bay. Children were sent to the main house or with others to where they lived. The original group that survived, mostly in the hospital, trudged to the medical bay.
Steve looked especially worried. Hannah suspected he knew something.
“I was sworn to secrecy, and for once, I kept my mouth closed,” Doc began.
“For once,” Kim muttered.
Doc rolled his eyes. “You all know George has been tired lately and has rested more and has let Mark handle things. Here it is straight up. He has cancer. It began with a sore on his side, and I believe it settled in his body. It’s all in his organs now.”
Mark sighed.
“He said he was under the weather and would come later,” Beth said.
Someone gasped.
“We know he’s on up there in age now, and he’s mighty tired. He came in earlier tonight and said he felt his time was about over. He’s resting comfortably. He takes painkillers, but tonight he’s pretty sober and wants to talk to everyone. I feel you should say your goodbyes. It could be tonight, or he could last months….”
“Tonight?” Kim asked, “no, that isn’t possible.”
Doc said, “But we know George and how he thinks. I will bet anyone he has a stash of those painkillers since he asked me to bring him a nice gin and tonic. You know what that means. Please don’t upset him; let him have some peace. I think he’s chosen this day so he doesn’t have to suffer anymore.”
Everyone followed Doc’s directions uneasily, knowing that since they were called and George came of his own free will, time was short.
They filed into the room: Len, Mark, Misty, Beth, Kim, Johnny, Julia, Matt, Benny, and Hannah. In the hall stood Conner, Teeg, Carl, Pak, Jet, Big Bill, Rae, Walt, Charles, Pan, Andromeda, Rev, Steve, and Nick. More people stood outside the building.
“I miss Alex,” George said. Like a shepherd, he knew his flock and missed even the one.
“He’s…he didn’t make it back, George, you know, but he specifically said he wanted to go out on his terms as you taught him, and he was very much at peace at the end,” Len said. “We all miss him.” He knew what point George wanted to reinforce.
“I’m sorry to ruin your evening, Hannah, but I was hurting a little too much,” said Len.
“I understand.”
“I don’t think I am going to say something for you to think on for months such as special things to each of you; you know me and how I am. It has been an honor and a privilege to work and fight and live beside each of you. I have told you that every day.” His voice carried strongly as he tried to make sure everyone heard. “You all made this; you are Hopetown, and you are my family. I am so humbled that I could help in any way as governor.”
“We are honored, George, to have known you and to have fought alongside of you; that has been the greatest honor of my life,” Len said, his voice cracking, “you dreamed Hopetown, and it was. Thank you for our very survival.”
“Amen,” Teeg said.
“Hannah, I am sorry to ruin your birthday, but I do have a gift there on the table.”
She took it with trembling hands. Unwrapping it, she found a lovely ring, a band set with rubies. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“That belonged to my wife. When you wear it, you look at that color; it’s blood red. You always remember that blood alone doesn’t make a family. You are my family because of love. Use that to remind you that you have a family here and you are special. Blood of our blood.”
She slid it onto her right hand and showed him. He seemed pleased and nodded. “Now stop the sad eyes. We have business to conduct.”
“Business?” Julia whispered.
George nodded, “As Governor of Hopetown in the year Z7, I hereby convey Governorship to Mark. May I have a second?”
“I second that,” Kim said immediately.
“I do as well,” Julia said.
“I do,” Beth said.
“So it is passed that Mark will take over as Governor of Hopetown and lead as George has taught us. So say we all?” Matt asked.
“Yes,” said the chorus.
“So be it.” George smiled weakly. “I would talk longer, but my friends, I am in a bit of pain and am very tired. I know Alex must be waiting on me. He’s waited a while now, hasn’t he?
I’d like to sit alone with Benny, my oldest friend. It’s high time for a drink and a rest.” He eyed the gin and tonic. “Don’t concern yourselves or think poorly; you all know I have always said a man or woman has the right to die and seek peace on his or her own terms. Now, it is time for me to have my own terms respected. I always said I would go out on my terms. Goodnight, my friends.”
Hannah spun and ran crying from the room; several followed. They nodded at George with tears or with brave fronts as they left him alone. Len appeared to be the most miserable, so Kim and Beth walked with their arms around him.
Julia joined them as they walked down the path. None would sully George’s grand exit with anything more than what they did.
Steve handed George something to prevent nausea as he began his journey. Benny sat alone with his friend, talking about old times as police officers and about old friends. George didn’t say anything when Benny suddenly cried a few times but patted his friend’s hand.
Quietly, without a show, George swallowed his pills from his stash and sipped the delicious gin and tonic, savoring it. He did it this way to keep Steve and Doc from feeling as guilty.
The cancer showed on his side, but was also in his stomach, liver, and lungs, feeding and growing as it took over, causing pain. George didn’t want to lie there eating pain medication and screaming when the meds no longer worked; he wanted to leave the world in peace and with his dignity intact. He and Benny sat silently. George took the syringe that Doc loaded earlier with a large dose of morphine and injected himself.
Benny took George’s old, gnarled hand and felt the power and goodness of his friend’s spirit. In the man’s hand were hard work, dedication, a sharp mind, kindness and justice, love, and hope. George forced people to survive and do their best from his own sheer will.
“I love ya, old man,” Benny said, “seems I sure am leaking at the eyes.”
“I love you, too, Benny. Take this message to the others: Zane’s time will come again; look to Zane. I feel there will be battles, and he is the strength for Hopetown. I think there’s so much more to come for everyone: good things…powerful things.”
“He can’t do his little magic tricks anymore,” Benny said. Zane once caused fire to consume some very evil people who killed his family, saving himself and a friend, Gabe.
He also sent little lights around a room to unbelievers, allowing them to feel their loved ones at peace. He protected Len, Kim, and Nick when they were almost crucified.
He summoned his dead mother’s spirit and watched her unleash a pack of wolves and wild dogs on the evil Reconstruction Army to finish them off and to stop their reign of terror and torture. But he never again did his little tricks in the years since.
Now, he was just a normal little twelve-year-old.
“Tell them: Look to Zane,” George was so dizzy he could hardly speak. “He is the Omega. Zane. My terms. This is George’s terms.” He fell asleep with a smile, and in a few minutes, his breathing stopped, and he was still.
Benny wept, his head on the bed, holding George’s hand.
George went out on his own terms, but, oh my, it was so painful for those left behind. “Lord, give me strength,” Benny prayed.
He stood and then went outside where people waited, knowing what was about to happen.
There was a lot of crying and hugging. All wondered what they would do without the rock they leaned on. From the beginning, they all depended on the four old men who were the backbone. Tink, then Thurman, and now, George. They were gone.
Benny told them how peaceful George was, that he felt in control, and was satisfied with going out on his own terms. “Lean on Mark, Len, Kim, and Matt. They have strong shoulders and backs and can be rocks.” But Benny was sad beyond words. He was all that was left of the four.
Hannah stared at the ruby ring.
Mark looked over whelmed with his new title although George had been training him for years. He wondered how a small town, country deputy sheriff ended up as a leader, no, a Governor of a huge group of people and how in the hell would he make the right choices and do the right things. He looked at Len, Kim, Matt, and the rest; he knew they would be his guides.
They, in turn, would be his rocks. This wasn’t something he asked for or wanted, and yet, here he was, and his duty was to serve these people. Misty laid her head against his shoulder, believing in him fully. He didn’t think he could do this.
Benny saw Zane in the shadows, watching uncomfortably as young people will, fidgeting and taking it all in. What did George mean? What was coming and what would Zane do? Benny didn’t know, but as he watched Zane, he saw the boy was young, immature, fanciful, but good because even in the shadows, he was like a light.
Benny would tell the others in a while, but for now, it was mourning time. Now was the time to add another carved cross to their graveyard. Besides, Benny wanted to think about George’s last words and what they might mean for all the survivors.
What did it mean that Zane was the future?
Chapter 8
Year Z 10
Beth
Ten years seems like forever, yet it seems as it passed in a flash. Year Z 3 when I lost Alex and Year Z 7 when we lost George were hard years. I’m lying.
Every year was hard after the zombies came. No matter how secure things were and how much food we had, we all knew that all around the world were those things just waiting to eat us alive. Just because the wolves didn’t howl at the door didn’t mean they weren’t outside, waiting in the woods. Read Little Red Riding Hood.
Hannah was a grown woman, not the child full of mischief and smart remarks
, but a woman, grown tall, fierce, confident, and beautiful. On her horse were basic supplies, plus a rifle, a katana, and a cross bow that she could use as easily as some ate with a spoon. On her belt was a handgun.
She stood five feet ten, almost five eleven, and an inch taller in her boots, all lean muscle and power; she was like a cat that would unwind and pounce. Blonde hair flowed long, but she kept it tightly braided off of her face, and she wore no cosmetics. Her features were sharp, nose straight and dignified, intelligent but distrusting eyes, wide set and blue. She had full lips that always seemed to be smirking, and I suppose she was.
Men and boys stared at her and made inane comments to get her attention, but she didn’t respond to them. Her focus was on being the best with every weapon available and building those muscles. Big girl, Big dreams.
She had a mission in her mind: in fact, she had a few. She wanted to destroy every zed on earth, and if anyone could, she could.
She wanted to eventually find a man worthy of her, who could handle her strong spirit, and who would appreciate her power. She wanted to see places in the United States and find out what happened and how all fared.
Hannah wanted to reach out to other settlements and share ours with them for trading. Simply, my daughter needed to be doing something, working on a goal, and making changes in a world that was ruined.
In ways, she was perfect for that.
Inoculated against her will when she was twelve, she was a science experiment that went a little wrong. She was lethal if she shared bodily fluids with anyone, could infect a person, craved raw meat at times, but she was also stronger and had a higher pain tolerance than anyone who was not inoculated. She was also immune from the infection if bitten.
She was not immune to the crazy people out in the wilds who did unspeakable things. But then again, my beautiful, wonderful daughter was not quite sane herself. In a time before, she would have been given pills to take and would have sat in therapy a few times a week at the very least.